Part 10: Kitting Out The Champ

Update Ten: Kitting Out The Champ

Welcome back! Last time, on Mother, we recruited Champ and blew up an elementary school science lab. Today, we're going to get Champ some equipment and make it to the entrance of a diabolical dungeon, so let's rock.



We begin with Leo bullshitting us. There is a problem here, so let's cheese it.





From what I saw, there wasn't much of a change in dialog, even though we blew up a science lab. I'm a little disappointed.





First things first, Champ needs a weapon. It'll be a while before he deals damage comparable to Leo, but I'm still buying him the best that money can buy.





Boomerangs are an incredible boost to attack, adding thirty two points to the stat.



After buying that, I check to make sure I have enough cash to buy him a Magic Coin and a Goddess Bracelet; those are just about the best defensive pieces of gear I can get and I won't be sparing any expense on keeping my party alive.



Champ is also going to be gaining a boatload of levels. Leo still has the Easy Ring on, so they'll be coming fast and hard. I won't be documenting them all, but at the end of the next update, there will be a full report.



Magicant's not a bad place to get Champ some levels, either, as the enemies there are weak enough that Leo can one-shot them, and after snagging him some gear, he'll be able to take a few hits.





I drop off the Basic Sword, as I won't need to use it for a while.



And then I go clear up Leo's Cold, as that red flashing effect is getting on my nerves.



And while I'm showing this screen, I feel like I should mention that this game, like Earthbound, uses the shared experience system, so Leo is going to be getting half the exp he was before, as will Champ, but since Champ's level requirements are so much lower, it'll be fine.



At the moment, I only have the cash for a Magic Coin. I don't realize this until I go to buy the Goddess Bracelet.





The Magic Coin is a twenty point boost to defense, and it greatly increases his survivability.



It was at this point in time when I realized that Leo is dirt poor.



After getting to a cash machine, Champ is now kitted out the best I can do, barring a pendant. Leo doesn't have one either, and I'm not sure which one would be best, so I hold off on spending that cash for now.



So, back to the real world with us.



Now, something heart breaking happened on the way back.



Champ was killed.



Leo's leveling up wasn't enough to take the sting out of it, but I'll still about it.



Leo now has a ghost following him, but with the black floor, it merely looks like a halo with a pair of wings is chasing Leo.





We've just gotta get back to Thanksgiving and hit the hospital.



Which doesn't have a cross or anything on it. Just a sign out front.



It's a $190 charge to get Champ back, which is fine by me.



As am I. He needs some more levels.



Leo's doing A-OK, though. He's going to be responsible for keeping Champ alive and keeping an eye on him.



However, Champ isn't doing too bad. He's got some good defenses, though, considering his level. He'll be able to last for a while and I've got plenty of Magic Herbs to keep him alive.



So, now, let's roll to the north.



If to look to the right, you can see some train tracks. We'll be following those.



Like so.



It's a bit of a jog up here, but not too bad. There are some new enemies on the track, including Fugitives, who have 70 HP and are boring, and Ropes. Ropes have 67 HP and can bind you, like the Rope item does, so they're more annoying than actually dangerous.



Though, we've got one hell of a journey to make still.



If you'll look north of the "S" of Santa Clause Station, we're heading to those black dots. It's...Jesus, it's a journey.



And there are encounters the entire way. I still haven't unequipped the Easy Ring.



However, the train tracks, and our following of them, end here. We've gotta go west now.



There was a bit of dialog about how Duncan's Factory has a big-ass rocket that could clear these tracks. Guess where we're going.







Up around these parts, there aren't many interesting encounters; just a few Eagles here and there.



Champ isn't gaining levels quite as rapidly as Kim did when she first joined, but he's still going along at a pretty good pace.





Heading north, along the river and gradually going east will lead you to this spot.



And we find a Pass. That was invisible. I guess it must have been one of those tiny passes that fit on a keyring or something.



Though, as for why Leo secretly pocketed it is beyond me; was he hiding it from Champ? It's not like Champ is going to tattle on him, as Leo has some better dirt on him.





Maybe Leo was just being cautious, in case any employees of the factory were watching. Or maybe he just felt like being mysterious for a minute or something, I don't know.





Random encounters are fairly annoying up here, as they seem more frequent than usual. I'm going to hate not wearing the ring, aren't I?



Imagine this and a mixture of Eagles and you're pretty much nailed all that I fought on my way up here.



But, hey, Champ is becoming harder to reduce to a fine past.





Keep heading north and you'll eventually reach a spot where you head to the east.





However, don't be fooled.



It's merely a trap, to force you into more fights.



So, head out of there, if you went in there, and keep going north.



But, don't forget to stop and enjoy the view once in a while. I'm sure Leo and Champ will appreciate it.



I doubt they appreciate this, though.



'course, they could be a couple of psychopaths who actually enjoy spilling all this blood.

Then again, I am a vicious exp whore, so what does that say about me?



We head east here, which is not a trap for explorers.



...Or maybe it is.



However, there is an easterly (the opposite of westerly!) path that will lead you to the right place.



Ooh, a dog! It looks like Leo's dog!



Well, yes, we do. Also, some of you may have noticed, about twenty screenshots ago, there was a shot of my inventory. I had no Goddess Bracelet. So, guess what I had to do?



You're suspicious...Look me in the eye!

I had to run back to Magicant, get some cash, and buy one, as I am an idiot.





And the dog boogies down in front of the door. However, his funk skills are lacking.



And so, he tries to impress us with his combat skills.



It's not his best tactic. Also, look at my levels there; Magicant is kind of a pain in the ass to navigate around, because it was hard to find that fountain.

At least, until I consulted Explosionface's map, then it was very easy. He's a wonderful man.



After sneezing on the dog (and making his head explode), Leo and Champ enter the factory.



Where we'll start off next time.

Next time, on Mother, we'll make it through this bastardly factory, and I'll remove the Easy Ring, so stay tuned!