NG1 4-2

Overview: Act 4, Stage 2
Timer Target: 120



4-2 is another one-room stage, with some RNG dependence on the bridge section. Note that you always begin this stage with full HP, since it begins after a cutscene. It is also possible to get the Pause Glitch, where the stage begins paused on the first frame but the background music is still playing. It's very rare, but be ready to unpause the game if this happens. The goal is to exit the stage with Spinslash and 10 Ninpo.

The First Bat
This bat is known for killing many new players. You can either hesitate and jump over the bat, or attempt to kill it without stopping. To kill it, observe the image on the right for the proper jump timing. Jump when Ryu is half-way across the last cross-section of the railroad, and the bat should be an easy kill on the way down.

Slash Canceling
You need Spinslash and 10 Ninpo before making it to the bridge. Since you enter this stage with zero Ninpo, and there are only Purple Ninpo drops along the route, you must be able to collect the Ninpo without accidentally using Spinslash. At zero Ninpo, the first drop can be collected normally. The second, however, must be slash-canceled so that you do not use Spinslash. Press down+B in mid-air to do a normal sword slash and not a Spinslash. Keep in mind that you must let go of forward to do this - down must be the only direction that is pressed in order to slash-cancel.

The Bridge
Entering the bridge, there are two Hammer Brother on top as you jump up. Here's where the RNG comes in to play: If the second hammer brother moves to the right, or if either of them throw a hammer at you, you'll have to use a Spinslash in order to climb to the top without stopping. Since you need 2 Spinslashes to cross the entire bridge without stopping, being one short means you'll have to kill the Green Samurai that drops down with your sword, wasting a small amount of time.

However, if the hammer brothers don't throw anything, and instead move safely to the left, you can mount the bridge safely, use both Spinslashes against the Birds/Green Samurai, and complete the rest of the stage without stopping.

After the bridge, there is a backup Spinslash pickup if you've lost it by this point. Immediately after, climb up the platform to collect an Orange Ninpo, giving you 10 for the start of the next stage. Note that you can boost off of the last Green Samurai while climbing the ladder to save a bit of time as you exit the stage.