Vampire Savior/Training

About

One of the most common questions and issues that comes up for new players without access to a console is, "How do I set up a training mode?", which we'll go over here. In addition, we'll do a run down on every other console training mode option available for Vampire Savior so you can pick the one that right for your needs.

N-Bee's FBNEO (Fightcade 2) Training Mode (PC Emulation)

This training mode is a port and further update of the Mame-RR training mode listed below. This training mode out features every other previous training mode (including the console versions). Please check it out, I've put a lot of work into it and it's still being updated. Follow this link to see the most up to date instructions and a quick video guide. If you have any questions about setting it up you can ping me in the #development channel of the VSAV international discord.

- N-Bee

Updated MAME-RR Training Mode (PC Emulation)

This training mode contains all of the functionalities of previous training mode features which were developed by Jed Possum, Dammit and others) and unifies them into one script. It also has many additional features which are described here N-Bee's Updated Training Mode's Repository. You may find the current release on this page. I have described the major bugs or incomplete features that I am aware of in the readme. Please post bugs here (does not require an account). If you wish to get support for the training mode, please visit the Vampire Savior international discord's #resources or #development channel (and optionally ping N-Bee).

MAME-RR v0139 (PC Emulation)

MAME-RR is a powerful version of MAME that has extra debugging tools and allows for scripts (LUAs) to be ran. Though, we'll be using its abilities to create a Vampire Savior training mode on the PC.

It isn't perfect though, as you can only run one LUA at a time, but utilizing the cheats in tandem lets you still accomplish many things.

Below is a compiled .zip with Vampire Savior and MAME pre-configured with the correct settings and all the scripts in the right location. Just download it and you're good to go!

MAME-RR Vampire Savior Training Pack

Download the MAME-RR Vampire Savior Training Pack

Contains:

• MAME-RR v0139
• Vampire Savior Training LUA by Jed Possum
• Vampire Savior MAME Cheat File
• Hitbox Viewer LUA by Dammit
• Framedata Viewer LUA by Dammit
• Properly configured MAME and Vampire Savior settings

Installation & Setup

1. Download and unzip the "MAME-RR Vampire Savior Training Pack"
2. Get a copy of "vsav.zip" and place it in the "roms" folder located in the "MAME-RR v0139" folder.
3. If you have an arcade stick, pad, hitbox or another controller device plug it in now, as it will not register if you plug it in after you launch MAME.
4. Launch "mame.exe" and load "Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampire (Euro 970519)"
5. When the game starts, press the "Tab" button and navigate to "Input (this Game)" and bind your controls.
6. MAME itself is now all set! Look under the sections below (Vampire Savior Training Mode, Hitbox Viewer and so on...) to see how to load the scripts and cheats.

Vampire Savior Training Mode LUA Script

Created by Jed Possum, this is an extremely handy script with a lot of functions. This is the best way to practice Vampire Savior on emulators at the moment! It's still in development, with integration of a Hitbox viewer along with some other features in the next version. It may be a while before the next release, so get what use you can from it right now!

Its very feature rich at the moment, with things you would not find in a console training mode, so be sure to read the below carefully!

Functions	Notes
Automatic Life Recovery	Once a character is damaged to a certain point, life will automatically return to full. It is still possible to kill a character though, if you do a single powerful attack when they already have low health.
Infinite Meter	Meter will not decrease below 99.
Infinite Time	Timer will not decrease from 99.
HUD	Notes
Red/White Health Values	Each full lifebar is 144 points, however this does not mean every character has the same health. There are defense modifiers at work in the background, making hits do more or less damage to each character.
Meter Values	Each full bar of meter is 144 points.
Numeric Dark-Force Timer	Activate Dark-Force and you'll have a numeric overlay telling you how much time is remaining.
Input Display	Inputs are on the left side of the screen, and scroll from the top as new inputs are made. After a few seconds with no inputs it will clear next time you take an action.
Special Move Input Display	An awesome function. As you make direction or button inputs, each number will light up (based on Numeric Notation). Since it is showing your inputs as you make them, you can immediately see at what point you are dropping the special move input. It also shows you exactly how long each input is held in the buffer, so if the directional inputs become unlit before you press the button, your special move will not come out. For charge moves, the directional input is Yellow until charged, at which point it turns Green.
Character Placement	Listed right above the Meter Bar as "Place". The numbers provided are a bit overwhelming, but it lists the exact position of both characters on the screen.
Push Block Timer/Gauge	This will appear above the Meter Bar when a character blocks an attack. It displays "Mash: x" and "Timer: x". "Mash" is how many successful Push Block inputs are made while in blockstun, and "Timer" is how many frames are remaining to Push Block.
Bubble Timer	This will appear above the Meter Bar when a character is in Aulbath's Bubble. This displays how much longer the character will remain in the bubble. It is possible to mash to reduce this time.
Curse Timer	This will appear above the Meter Bar when a character is Cursed by Anakaris. This displays how much longer the character will remain cursed.
Remaining Taunts	Limited to 16 per match.
Projectile O.K.!	The green box below Player 1's lifebar is supposed to represent if they can throw out a projectile or not (say if one is already on the screen), but is currently not functioning.

Setup

1. Follow all the steps to set up MAME listed above.
2. Start the game in a versus match, selecting both Player 1 and 2.
3. Once in the game, press "Ctrl + L" to open up the Lua Script loader from where you will:
   • Select "Browse", and if not already in the "MAME-RR v0139" folder navigate to it and open "vsavscriptv2.lua".
   • Simply click on "Run" to start the script.
4. You're now free to train!

Optional

• Combinable with MAME cheats, including "Infinite Dark-Force Time". Use what suits your needs.
• It is possible to change the value at which life automatically recovers at.
• Before starting I recommend creating a "save state", since as I said previously it is possible to kill your opponent still under certain conditions. To create a save state, hold "Shift" and press a key between "F3 to F11" (avoid F2 since it is the "Service Menu" button). Press whichever F-key, without holding Shift, to load the save state.

MAME Cheats

This is the old method that was typically used for a Vampire Savior training mode on the PC. Just turn on a few cheats and have at it. With the Vampire Savior Training Mode LUA this has become a bit redundant, but is still has a few uses by covering what the Training Mode LUA is missing, like infinite Dark-Force time. It is especially useful when using the Hitbox Viewer LUA as you can only run one LUA at a time. You'll still have access to Infinite Time, Health, and Meter.

Cheat	Effect
Infinite Time	Timer will not decrease from 99.
Finish this Round Now!	Makes the match end immediately in a timeover.
Select Background	Lets you select any background. Set before entering the match, otherwise the game will crash.
No Background Music	Turns off background music.
Hide Background	Hides the background, life bars, meter and timer.
Select Region	Changes region.
Select Title	Switches the title screen to "Darkstalkers: Jedah's Damnation" (I couldn't get this to work properly)
Sound Test Timer Stop	???
Sound Test	Listen to different sound effects and music tracks. Best done from the Service Menu (Press F2).
The cheats below have separate sections for Player 1 and Player 2.
Soul Keeper 'ON'	Activates Shadow.
Soul Keeper 'OFF'	Deactivates Shadow. Must set "Soul Keeper 'ON'" back to "Off" first.
Maximum POW	Meter will not decrease below 99.
Infinite Energy	Life is set to full the character will not take any damage.
Drain All Energy Now!	Sets Life to zero, the next hit will kill. Infinite Energy must be set to "Off"
Infinite Dark Force Time	Dark-Force timer will not decrease.
Select Character	Selects any character, include test/hidden characters and Oboro Bishamon. Use on the character select screen to avoid glitches.

Setup

1. Follow all the steps to set up MAME listed above.
2. Start the game in a versus match, selecting both Player 1 and 2.
3. Once in the game, press "Tab" and select "Cheat". From there, the typical cheats to enable are:
   • Infinite Time
   • Maximum Pow P1 & P2
   • Infinite Energy P1 & P2
   • Infinite Dark Force Time (Optional, depending on what you are testing.)
4. At this point you are free to train!

Hitbox Viewer LUA Script

https://wiki.gbl.gg/w/Vampire_Savior/Hitbox

Tips

One of most important training mode features missing when doing PC Emulation is the ability to make the opponent roll. If you're using an 8-button stick or controller, you can set one of the extra two buttons to [P2: Left + LP] and the second free button to [P2: Right + LP], then just mash one of them on knockdown to force the roll.

To force the opponent to jump, I usually bind the Player 2 directionals to the arrow keys, and then jam a penny in hold down the jump button. That's not going to work on all keyboards though.

Final Burn Alpha Cheats (PC Emulation)

Generally a quick and easy training mode to set up, but doesn't provide anything beyond standard emulator cheats like Infinite Time, Health and Meter. This will work with either the version of FBA that came with GGPO, or the most up to date version of FBA which is linked below. The older version of FBA has you place the cheat file in a different location than the newest version, so be sure to read the "Installation & Setup" process listed at the bottom of this section.

Final Burn Alpha Vampire Savior Cheat File Download

Download the FBA Vampire Savior Cheat File

This cheat file has been pre-configured, so as soon as you place it in the correct folder and load up the game the following cheats will be turned on: Infinite Time, Infinite Health P1 & P2, Infinite Meter P1 & P2 and Infinite Dark-Force Timer P1 & P2. If you want to turn them off, load up the game and select "Misc > Enable Cheats" and turn off the ones you don't need. You can also directly edit this .ini cheat file yourself as needed.

Newest Version of Final Burn Alpha Download (Optional)

Download the most up to date version of Final Burn Alpha

Download either UniCode Binary if you are on Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, or Windows XP Binary if you are on Windows XP.

Installation & Setup

Newest Version of FBA

1. Download the latest release of Final Burn Alpha.
2. Create a folder named "Final Burn Alpha" and unzip Final Burn Alpha to there.
3. Launch "fba.exe" to generate the necessary folders and files.
4. Get a copy of "vsav.zip" game rom and place it in your "roms" folder. If it is not displaying when you go to "Load Game", make sure you check the "Show available" box. If you are still having trouble, click on "ROMs Dirs...", navigate to your "ROMs" folder, and after that click on "Scan ROMs".
5. You have two options for this next step, it is important that you do one of them:
   • Download "vsav.nv" FROM HERE and place it in your "Final Burn Alpha\config\games" folder. If there is already a "vsav.nv" file in that folder, delete it and replace it with this one.
   • OR you can simply change the settings for Vampire Savior yourself (Set it to TURBO3 and FREE PLAY) by entering the CPS-2 menu (Press F2).
6. Download the "FBA Vampire Savior Cheat File" from up above, and place it in your "Final Burn Alpha\support\cheats" folder.
7. You are now free to train!

GGPO Final Burn Alpha

1. Download GGPO from HERE.
2. Create a folder named "GGPO-030".
3. Unzip the contents of "ggpo-build-030.zip" into "GGPO-030"
4. Launch "ggpofba.exe" to create the necessary folders and files inside of your "GGPO-030" folder.
5. Get a copy of "vsav.zip" game rom and place it in your "ROMs" folder. FBA may ask for you to set a path to a ROMs folder but just hit "Cancel". From the "Select Game" window, check the "Show Available Only" box, and click on "Scan ROMs".
6. You have two options for this next step, it is important that you do one of them:
   • Download "vsav.fs" FROM HERE and put it in your "GGPO-030\config\games" folder. If there is already a "vsav.fs" file in that folder, delete it and replace it with this one.
   • OR you can simply change the settings for Vampire Savior yourself (Set it to TURBO3 and FREE PLAY) by entering the CPS-2 menu (Press F2).
7. Download the "FBA Vampire Savior Cheat File" from up above, and place it in your "GGPO-030\cheats" folder.
8. You are now free to train!
   • If the game is displaying in wide screen (CPS-2 games should be displayed in 4:3), go to "Video > Monitor Properties" and select either "16:9" or "16:10", whichever aspect ratio your monitor has.

Darkstalkers Resurrection (X360/PS3)

The most accessible console training mode today, and one of the only good ones (along with Vampire, Darkstalkers Collection).

It's a feature heavy training mode with a lot of good sides. For one, changing training settings is a bit more snappy than the other versions, as you don't have to restart the round every time you change a setting. There is a decent Record/Replay function. It allows for in-match save states, so you can reload any specific point you want. There is an extremely detailed command list. You can also hold "Select" to control both Player 1 and Player 2 at the same time.

As far as downsides go, is the Attack Data display is bugged, and does not properly show damage. If you need to check damage values, use Vampire Darkstalkers Collection. Also, depending on who you ask, the release has a slight bit of input lag, but most players would not notice it unless they are playing "link combo" heavy characters. Playing on a CRT may mitigate that problem though. It's also missing the valuable "random roll direction" on wakeup that was featured in Vampire Darkstalkers Collection.

Training Mode Functions Available

How the SAVE STATE function works:

1. Press "Start" + "Select" to create a new "Save State".
2. Press "Start" + "Select" to load the "Save State".
3. Hold down "Start" + "Select" for a few seconds to erase the "Save State" you just made.
4. Press "Start" + "Select" to create a new "Save State".

Consider using up all of your "taunts" (There are 16 available for both characters per match) before using the Save State function as they tend to get in the way, and each time you load up a state you'll end up seeing the later half of a taunt. Also keep in mind that the Save State feels like it takes a couple frames to be created (at least to me) after pressing Start and Select.

How the RECORD/REPLAY function works:

1. Press "Start" and select "RECORDING MODE".
2. You will gain control of the "training dummy", and can perform as many actions as you'd like for as long as you'd like. Everything done during this time period is essentially a savestate replay.
3. When finished, press "Start" and select "REPLAY". You have control of your original character and the dummy will replay all previous inputs. When it finishes everything recorded, you must press "Start" and once again select "REPLAY" for the dummy.

It's a little troublesome to go back and select replay over and over, but the menus are quick. Keep in mind that since the replay is a savestate, it also records your original position, so you don't need to re-orient the dummy if they end up out of place... But this also comes with the problem that if you cross the opponent up, their directional inputs will be going the wrong direction. It's a bit different from most Record/Replay functions, and the lack of an auto-replay is annoying, but it does it does its job.

DUMMY SETTINGS

• DUMMY ACTION: STANDING • CROUCHING • JUMPING • COM • HUMAN
• DUMMY GUARD: NONE • ALL • ALL (STANDING) • ALL (CROUCHING) • AUTO • AUTO (STANDING) • AUTO (CROUCHING)
• DUMMY GRAB ESCAPE: NONE • ALL • RANDOM
• DUMMY TECH ROLL: NONE • TOWARDS • AWAY
• DUMMY ADV. GUARD: NONE • ALL • RANDOM

TRAINING OPTIONS

• SP GAUGE: INFINITE • NORMAL
• DARKSTALKERS 3 TURBO SETTING: NORMAL • TURBO 1 • TURBO 2 • TURBO 3 • TURBO 4 • TURBO 5 • TURBO 6
• ATTACK DATA: ON • OFF
• KEY INPUT: A(Scrolling) • B(Light Up) • Off
• CPU DIFFICULTY: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9
• DARK FORCE: NORMAL • INFINITE
• GLOOMY PUPPET SHOW: RANDOM • 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6

How the ATTACK DATA Display is Bugged

Vampire: Darkstalkers Collection (PS2)

A reliable and great version of the game for training mode. It is extremely feature heavy, having pretty much everything you could want besides a Record/Playback function.

In terms of comparison to Darkstalkers Resurrection training mode, this is what Collection has to offer over it:

• Attack Data display is not bugged like it is in Resurrection, and correctly displays damage.
• "RANDOM ROLL" on knockdown for the dummy is 'extremely' useful for testing high level okizeme and training yourself to properly react to a roll. This is the only version of the game with that function.
• Input lag free. Though this only applies to training mode. In versus matches there is extreme input lag due to an emulation problem(subsequently fixed in Street Fighter Alpha Anthology). Training mode is lag free though.

The are several problems though. The game emulates extremely poorly, so you'll need a PS2 and a way of playing Japanese games. Also, the match must restart every time you change settings. A nice tip though is if you hold "Select" you can control both characters at the same time.

Training Settings

COMMAND LIST

TRAINING MENU

• SS GAUGE: INFINITY • NORMAL
• DARKFORCE: NORMAL • INFINITY
• TURBO SPEED: NORMAL • TURBO1 • TURBO2 • TURBO3 • TURBO4 • TURBO5 • TURBO6
• ATTACK DATA: ON • OFF
• KEY INPUT(Input Display): TYPE A • TYPE B • OFF

DUMMY SETTINGS

• ACTION: STAND • CROUCH • JUMP • COM • HUMAN
• GUARD: NONE • ALL • ALL (STAND) • ALL (CROUCH) • AUTO • AUTO (STAND) • AUTO (CROUCH)
• THROW ESCAPE: NONE • ALL • RANDOM
• STANDING: NONE • FRONT • BACK • RANDOM
• A. D. GUARD: NONE • ALL • RANDOM
• PUPPET SHOW(Only shows if Lilith is Player 1): RANDOM • No. 1 • No. 2 • No. 3 • No. 4 • No. 5 • No. 6

Vampire Chronicle/Darkstalkers Chronicle (Dreamcast/PSP)

WARNING: This game is based off of Vampire Savior 2, and even if you select "SAVIOR" mode for characters many things such as dash links, hops, air dashes will not function the same as they do in Vampire Savior. In addition, damage values are almost completely different. This is not at all arcade perfect!

So, while taking the many gameplay inconsistencies into account, the main use of Vampire Chronicle's training mode is its Record/Playback function. The problem with this though, oddly enough, is the directional inputs do not account for crossing the opponent up, so everything will be coming out backwards. Basically, if you have Lei-Lei throwing Items at you and then cross her up she'll suddenly be doing Gongs. It's a problem, but it is something easily coped with. Vampire Chronicle pretty useless outside of the Record/Playback since its even missing common training mode features like: Roll Direction, Push Block, Throw Escape, Infinite Dark-Force and Input Display.

The good thing about Vampire Chronicle emulates perfectly on nullDC, so for those training on a PC that want a record function it's great; as imperfect as it is.

TRAINING MENU

• ACTION: STAND • CROUCH • JUMP • COM • RECORD • PLAY • HUMAN
• S.S.GAUGE: NORMAL • INFINITY
• GUARD: NORMAL • OFF • ALL
• SPEED: NORMAL • TURBO1 • TURBO2 • TURBO3
• ATTACK DATA: ON • OFF
• COCKPIT(Heath, Meter, Timer Display): ON • OFF

How the Record/Playback function works:

1. Go to training menu, switch "ACTION" to "RECORD" and then select "OK" at the bottom of the menu.
2. After a brief alert that recording will start, you will have up to 10 seconds to record inputs.
3. When you're done recording the dummy action, press "Start" and go back to the training menu, this time switching "ACTION" to "PLAY" and then once again selecting "OK".
4. The match will restart and the dummy will now continously preform the recorded inputs.

Differences between the Dreamcast and PSP version:

• Dreamcast version emulates much better.
• PSP version forces you to "RECORD" for the full 10 seconds. You can't just record for 1 second and then play that back, you must record for a full 10 seconds.

Darkstalkers 3 / Vampire Savior: EX Edition (Playstation)

WARNING: This game is not at all arcade perfect and should not be used as a training mode!

A port with a few exclusive features but is overall useless as a training mode.

It has a black background while in training mode, however it makes it incredibly difficult to keep track of spacing between the two characters while moving around. There is a Grid Overlay ("HEX") option, though its usefulness is debatable. "SIGNAL" has three options, the most useful of which is having your character light-up momentarily on block indicating when they have access to Advancing Guard and Guard Cancel.

TRAINING MENU > NORMAL MODE(Press Start, and then Select to access the Training Menu)

• ACTION: STAND • CROUCH • JUMP • CPU • HUMAN
• SS GAUGE: INFINITY • NORMAL
• SPEED(Make sure you set it to Turbo3 in the "OPTION MODE" first): NORMAL • TURBO
• CPU GUARD: OFF • ON(Auto Guard)
• SIGNAL: OFF • AD GUARD • GUARD CANCEL • CHAIN COMBO
• ATTACK DATA: ON • OFF
• HEX(Grid Overlay across the entire screen): OFF • HEX8 • HEX16 • HEX32
• COCKPIT: ON • OFF
• INPUT CHECK: ON • OFF
• PUPPET SHOW: OFF • NO.1 • NO.2 • NO.3 • NO.4 • NO.5 • NO.6

TRAINING MENU > RECORDING MODE

Despite the name, this is not a dummy Record/Playback function. You simply Record yourself beating up the dummy, and then you can Replay it. The dummy cannot be set to human control in this mode. It's a very strange and seemingly useless feature.