For those fans who simply cannot get enough Star Wars on their videogame consoles, Namco Bandai released the much-anticipated Soulcalibur 4 for both the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. With each console getting a differing guest character -- PlayStation 3 getting Darth Vader while the Xbox 360 gets Yoda -- both consoles became host to rising star of the Star Wars universe: the Secret Apprentice. Players have found him very difficult to beat, and even more difficult to control. However, with a few tips and tricks, anybody can bend Starkiller to their own will.
But before any combos can be performed by him, he must first be unlocked. No small task, you must beat Arcade Mode with your respective Star Wars character. This will eventually place you up against Starkiller himself, who is incredibly fast and pulls no punches (forgive the pun). If you have become skilled with Yoda or Vader, you will probably be able to take him on easily. If instead, like the rest of us, you are new to the world of fighting games, you have one option: Ring Out.
The last option of the defeated gamer, there is little honor in choosing this path. Then again, you really want to play as Starkiller, right? For the uninitiated, "Ringing Out" is the incredibly cheap play style of not going for the knock out, but instead standing by the edge of the level and trying to get your opponent to fly out of the ring. Since this results in an instant win, the tactic is frowned upon generally, but perfect for our purposes.
What makes this strategy even better is that each of the respective Star Wars characters has a throw that is perfect for the tactic. For Vader, the Emperor Toss is perfect; it seems that the Apprentice is especially vulnerable to this move. With Yoda, it is a different story due to his diminutive stature. His throws are a bit more difficult to pull off -- it is worth hitting the training room to practice before you take the Apprentice on. Once you have beaten him, you can finally choose him as a playable character.
Once in control of him, it becomes apparent why the developers make him an unlockable -- the Starkiller is incredibly powerful. An offensive character, his primary game is up close, with his distance attacks best used to force the opponent to get in close. For example, if fighting an opponent who hangs back a bit, hit them with the Force Waves by rolling your analog stick from down-to-towards and hitting your respective button for vertical attacks (Y or Triangle, depending on the system). Essentially taunting your opponent into attacking you, the move forces them to act or be beaten into submission.
Once they do come at you, the options are endless. Starkiller's basic combo is to hit two horizontal strikes followed by a vertical (X-X-Y or Square-Square-Triangle). Not only a solid combo, these attacks also go after those who attempt to run circles around the Apprentice, stopping them in their tracks. Combined with the ability to grab the opponent with Force Grab (X+Y or Triangle+Square simultaneously), Starkiller can be devastating.
While he has no shortage of combos (and the training screen should be used until you're comfortable with them fully!), the ability to juggle enemies in the air is what makes him appeal to fans of the Soulcalibur franchise. Anytime an opponent is thrown into the air, you have the options of using the force in order to levitate into the airborne enemy and continue attacks that cannot be answered. Linking together the right combos with the levitation ability and mastering Starkiller will pay off in any multiplayer match.
