The Tonfa (トンファー?) is a melee weapon in Ninja Gaiden II, obtained in Chapter 7: The Flying Fortress Daedalus. It also appears in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus, and Ninja Gaiden II: Black, acquired in Chapter 7: The Lycanthropes' Castle.
Details[]
The Tonfa is a representative weapon of the ancient Ryukyu
martial arts, developed in what are now the islands of Okinawa.
Although Tonfa have a short reach, they are extremely fast and
can be used for both offense and defense. This versatility has led
Western countries to adapt Tonfa into police nightsticks.
The striking surfaces of these particular Tonfa have been plated
with high-density, super-hard tungsten carbide to enhance impact
damage while maintaining their compact size. Because the Tonfa
lack blades, they are incapable of cutting attacks, but they make
up for this in their ability to pulverize human flesh. These specially-
modified Tonfa are so much heavier than typical Tonfa that only the
most talented martial artists are even capable of spinning them.
Acquisition[]
- Chapter 7: The Flying Fortress Daedalus
- On the corpse of a ninja down the ladder just past the second Save Point.
- Chapter 7: The Lycanthropes' Castle
- In the container that appears within the armory room, when all Gaja are killed.
Upgrades[]
In the Blacksmith section of Muramasa's Shop, you may spend Yellow Essence to upgrade your melee weapons:
| Difficulty | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Path of the Acolyte | 10000 | 20000 |
| Path of the Warrior | 10000 | 30000 |
| Path of the Mentor | 15000 | 35000 |
| Path of the Master Ninja | 20000 | 40000 |
- You may only upgrade melee weapons at any Muramasa's Shop marked with a blue lantern.
- Only one weapon may be upgraded at a time.
- Upgrading weapons does not cost Yellow Essence.
Overview[]
- Pros:
- Fast, multi-hit attacks with discreet dismembering properties.
- Allows to transition Techniques in between moves and combos.
- Lv1 Ultimate Technique deals massive damage.
- Cons:
- Short range and low hitstun.
- Inefficient aerial combos.
- Long start up on Obliteration Technique against enemies dismembered of an arm.
Techniques[]
Despite Heavenly Justice (During combo—Jump or Block + Left Analog Stick) not being chainable with their full string, it can be used at any other point of the following combos:
- Demon Devourer: → Quick, Strong, Strong Attack
- Stone Breaker: While jumping forward—Strong, Strong Attack
- Stone Breaker: While wall running—Quick, Strong Attack or Strong, Strong Attack
| Name | Input | Heavenly Justice | Note | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Edge (大覆輪 Daifukurin?) | 
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| Ivory Flower (白花 Hakka?) | 
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| Falling Petals Flowing Water (落花流水 Rakkaryūsui?) |
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| Izuna Drop (飯綱落とし Iizuna otoshi?) |
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| One Thousand Blossoms (千重咲 Chiezaki?) |
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| Fluttering Peacock (舞孔雀 Maikujaku?, lit. "Dancing Peacock") | 
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| Blooming Iris (燕子花 Kakitsubata?, lit. "Rabbitear Iris") |
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| Flower Garland Drop (華厳落とし Kegon otoshi?, lit. "Kegon Drop") |
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| Cypress Column (真木柱 Makibashira?, lit. "Maki Pillar") |
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| Cradled Moon (抱月 Hōgetsu?) |
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| Crimson Edge (紅覆輪 Kōfukurin?) | 
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| Demons' Staves (鬼打木 Oniuchigi?) |
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| Demons' Diamonds (鬼菱 Onibishi?) |
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| Demon Tears Kick (鬼哭啼神脚 kikokuteishinkyaku?, lit. "Demon Tears and Divine Cries Kick") |
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| Demon Devourer (鬼喰 Onikui?) |
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| Iron Wheel (鉄車 Tetsuguruma?) |
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| Storm of the Four Winds (四方嵐 Yomo no arashi?) |
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| Vermilion Fan (紅扇 Beni-ōgi?) |
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| Spring Wind (春嵐 Shunran?, lit. "Spring Storm") | 
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| Uncontrollable Bloom (百花繚乱 Hyakka ryōran?, lit. "Hundred Blooms") |
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| Fleeting Blossoms (徒桜 Adazakura?) |
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| Turning Wheel (御車返 Mikurumagaeshi?) | While running
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| Roaring Flames (紅蓮華 Gurenge?, lit. "Red Lotus Flames") | While running
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| Overlapping Flames (二重嵐 Futae no arashi?, lit. "Double Storm") | 
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| Heavenly Justice (神薙 Kannagi?, lit. "Divine Purification") | During combo     
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| Justice of Heaven Kick (神薙膝蹴り Kannagi hizageri?, lit. "Divine Purification Knee Kick") |
During Heavenly Justice
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| Broken Lantern (篝火崩 Kagaribi kuzushi?) | During Heavenly Justice
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| First Storm (初嵐 Hatsu-arashi?) | While blocking
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| One Thousand Lotuses (千弁蓮 Senbenren?) | While blocking
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| Bloom of Revenge (仇華 Adabana?, lit. "Fruitless Blossom") | Next to downed enemy
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| Ivory Flower | While jumping
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| Falling Petals Flowing Water | While jumping
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| Izuna Drop | While jumping
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| Oblivion Blossom (絶華 Tachibana?, lit. "Ultimate Blossom") | While jumping
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| Eight Leaves (八葉車 Hachiyōsha?) | While jumping forward
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| Stone Breaker (石割 Ishiwari?) | While jumping forward
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| Guillotine Throw (首切り投げ Kubikiri nage?, lit. "Neck-breaking Throw") |
While jumping near enemy
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| Stone Breaker | While wall running
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| Fluttering Crane (鶴舞 Tsurumai?, lit. "Dancing Crane") | On wall
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| Demon Exorcism (鬼払 Oniharai?) | On wall
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| Demon Devourer | On wall
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| Crimson Fang | On wall
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| Fleeting Blossoms | On wall
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| Fluttering Phoenix | During Flying Bird Flip
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| Demon Exorcism | During Flying Bird Flip
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| Demon Devourer | During Flying Bird Flip
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| Crimson Fang | During Flying Bird Flip
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| Fleeting Blossoms | During Flying Bird Flip
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| Drowing Moon (雨月 Ugetsu?) | While running on water
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| Floodgate Crush (水開砕き Suikō-kudaki?) | While running on water
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| Demon Thistle (鬼薊 Oniazami?) | At water surface
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| Drowing Moon | At water surface
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| Crimson Lily (緋睡蓮 Hisuiren?) | Underwater
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| Scale Scraper (円鱗剥ぎ Enrin-hagi?) | Underwater
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| Reverse Wind (裏風 Urakaze?) |
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| Wind Path (風路 Kazeji?) | While jumping near enemy
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| Wind Run (風駆 Kazegake?) |
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| Flying Bird Flip (飛鳥返し Asukagaeshi?) | On wall
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| Calm Water Run (凪駆 Nagigake?) | While running on water
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| Calm Water Break (凪切り Nagikiri?) | While running on water
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| Name | Notation | Heavenly Justice | Note | Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Edge | Xbox | 
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| PlayStation | 
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| Nintendo | 
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| Ivory Flower | Xbox |
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| PlayStation | 
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| Nintendo |
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| Falling Petals Flowing Water | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Falling Petals Flowing Water | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| One Thousand Blossoms | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Fluttering Peacock | Xbox | 
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Blooming Iris | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Flower Garland Drop | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Cypress Column | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Cradled Moon | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Crimson Edge | Xbox | 
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| PlayStation | 
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| Nintendo | 
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| Demons' Staves | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Demons' Diamonds | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Demon Tears Kick | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Demon Devourer | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Iron Wheel | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Storm of the Four Winds | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Vermilion Fan | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Spring Wind | Xbox | Essence
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| PlayStation | Essence
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| Nintendo | Essence
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| Uncontrollable Bloom | Xbox | Essence Full
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| PlayStation | Essence Full
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| Nintendo | Essence Full
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| Fleeting Blossoms | Xbox |
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Turning Wheel | Xbox | While running
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| PlayStation | While running
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| Nintendo | While running
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| Roaring Flames | Xbox | While running
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| PlayStation | While running
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| Nintendo | While running
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| Overlapping Flames | Xbox | 
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| PlayStation |
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| Nintendo |
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| Heavenly Justice | Xbox | During combo  or   
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| PlayStation | During combo  or  
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| Nintendo | During combo  or
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| Justice of Heaven Kick | Xbox | During Heavenly Justice
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| PlayStation | During Heavenly Justice
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| Nintendo | During Heavenly Justice
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| Broken Lantern | Xbox | During Heavenly Justice
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| PlayStation | During Heavenly Justice
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| Nintendo | During Heavenly Justice
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| First Storm | Xbox | While blocking
|
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| PlayStation | While blocking
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| Nintendo | While blocking
| ||||
| One Thousand Lotuses | Xbox | While blocking
|
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| PlayStation | While blocking
| ||||
| Nintendo | While blocking
| ||||
| Bloom of Revenge | Xbox | Next to downed enemy
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| PlayStation | Next to downed enemy
| ||||
| Nintendo | Next to downed enemy
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| Ivory Flower | Xbox | While jumping
|
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| PlayStation | While jumping
| ||||
| Nintendo | While jumping
| ||||
| Falling Petals Flowing Water | Xbox | While jumping
|
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| PlayStation | While jumping
| ||||
| Nintendo | While jumping
| ||||
| Izuna Drop | Xbox | While jumping
|
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| PlayStation | While jumping
| ||||
| Nintendo | While jumping
| ||||
| Oblivion Blossom | Xbox | While jumping
|
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| PlayStation | While jumping
| ||||
| Nintendo | While jumping
| ||||
| Eight Leaves | Xbox | While jumping forward
|
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| PlayStation | While jumping forward
| ||||
| Nintendo | While jumping forward
| ||||
| Stone Breaker | Xbox | While jumping forward
|
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| PlayStation | While jumping forward
| ||||
| Nintendo | While jumping forward
| ||||
| Guillotine Throw | Xbox | While jumping near enemy
|
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| PlayStation | While jumping near enemy
| ||||
| Nintendo | While jumping near enemy
| ||||
| Stone Breaker | Xbox | While wall running or
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| PlayStation | While wall running or
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| Nintendo | While wall running or
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| Fluttering Crane | Xbox | On wall or
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| PlayStation | On wall or
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| Nintendo | On wall or
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| Demon Exorcism | Xbox | On wall
|
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| PlayStation | On wall
| ||||
| Nintendo | On wall
| ||||
| Demon Devourer | Xbox | On wall
|
| ||
| PlayStation | On wall
| ||||
| Nintendo | On wall
| ||||
| Crimson Fang | Xbox | On wall
|
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| PlayStation | On wall
| ||||
| Nintendo | On wall
| ||||
| Fleeting Blossoms | Xbox | On wall
|
| ||
| PlayStation | On wall
| ||||
| Nintendo | On wall
| ||||
| Fluttering Phoenix | Xbox | During Flying Bird Flip or
|
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| PlayStation | During Flying Bird Flip or
| ||||
| Nintendo | During Flying Bird Flip or
| ||||
| Demon Exorcism | Xbox | During Flying Bird Flip
|
|||
| PlayStation | During Flying Bird Flip
| ||||
| Nintendo | During Flying Bird Flip
| ||||
| Demon Devourer | Xbox | During Flying Bird Flip
|
| ||
| PlayStation | During Flying Bird Flip
| ||||
| Nintendo | During Flying Bird Flip
| ||||
| Crimson Fang | Xbox | During Flying Bird Flip
|
|||
| PlayStation | During Flying Bird Flip
| ||||
| Nintendo | During Flying Bird Flip
| ||||
| Fleeting Blossoms | Xbox | During Flying Bird Flip
|
| ||
| PlayStation | During Flying Bird Flip
| ||||
| Nintendo | During Flying Bird Flip
| ||||
| Drowing Moon | Xbox | While running on water
|
|||
| PlayStation | While running on water
| ||||
| Nintendo | While running on water
| ||||
| Floodgate Crush | Xbox | While running on water
|
|||
| PlayStation | While running on water
| ||||
| Nintendo | While running on water
| ||||
| Demon Thistle | Xbox | At water surface
|
|||
| PlayStation | At water surface
| ||||
| Nintendo | At water surface
| ||||
| Drowing Moon | Xbox | At water surface
|
|||
| PlayStation | At water surface
| ||||
| Nintendo | At water surface
| ||||
| Crimson Lily | Xbox | Underwater
|
|||
| PlayStation | Underwater
| ||||
| Nintendo | Underwater
| ||||
| Scale Scraper | Xbox | Underwater
|
|||
| PlayStation | Underwater
| ||||
| Nintendo | Underwater
| ||||
| Reverse Wind | Xbox |
|
|||
| PlayStation |
| ||||
| Nintendo |
| ||||
| Wind Path | Xbox | While jumping near enemy
|
|||
| PlayStation | While jumping near enemy
| ||||
| Nintendo | While jumping near enemy
| ||||
| Wind Run | Xbox |
|
|||
| PlayStation |
| ||||
| Nintendo |
| ||||
| Flying Bird Flip | Xbox | On wall
|
|||
| PlayStation | On wall
| ||||
| Nintendo | On wall
| ||||
| Calm Water Run | Xbox | While running on water
|
|||
| PlayStation | While running on water
| ||||
| Nintendo | While running on water
| ||||
| Reverse Wind | Xbox | While running on water
|
|||
| PlayStation | While running on water
| ||||
| Nintendo | While running on water
| ||||
Strategy[]
During regular combat, Fleeting Blossoms (→ Strong, Strong Attack) and the single Strong Counter Attack are the most efficient Techniques of the Tonfa, due to their speed and high dismembering rate. To compensate for their short range, use moves scuh as One Thousand Blossoms (Quick, Quick, Strong, Strong, Strong Attack) and Fluttering Peacock (Quick, Quick, → Strong Attack) that boast significant forward momentum.
The Uncontrollable Bloom (Hold Strong Attack, then release with Essence Full) Ultimate Technique shreds through enemy hordes due to its triple-targeting properties, and Spring Wind (Hold Strong Attack, then release with Essence) is enough to kill stronger enemies, such as the Hybrid Ogre Soldiers and Arch Van Gelves to cite a few, even with the weapon left unupgraded at Level 1.
An unique and powerful tool at disposal of the Tonfa is Heavenly Justice (During combo—Jump or Block + Left Analog Stick), which acts like a Reverse Wind (Left Bumper + Left Analogue Stick) dash, containing invulnerability frames, while also allowing to both cancel a combo faster and transition into others: it can essentially stop most strings and chain into any offensive or defensive technique in Hayabusa's arsenal. It is also useful to get closer to opponents dismembered of an arm to prevent whiffing the lengthy start up of that type of Obliteration Technique (Near injured enemy—Strong Attack).
Since Overlapping Flames (↻ Strong Attack) contains lengthy invulnerability frames after its short start up and inflicts multiple hits, launch it upon landing from a Wind Run (Jump + Quick Attack) or after Heavenly Justice to decimate enemies: against both forms of Genshin, hit-confirm → Strong Attack into Fleeting Blossoms (→ Strong, Strong Attack), then dash torwards him via Heavenly Justice and buffer Overlapping Flames in the middle of the dodge to inflict devastating damage to his health.
Like the Lunar Staff, Tonfa deal blunt damage, making it particularly effective against Biometal Fiends, against which a short string of a couple of Quick Attacks will either dismember them, as it is the case for Marionettes, or outright instantly kill them, for the Executors.
Trivia[]
- Completing Ninja Gaiden II on any difficulty level using only this as a melee weapon unlocks the "Tonfa Master" Achievement.
- Defeating 1000 enemies in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 and Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus with this weapon unlocks the "Vigoorian Flail Master" Achievement/Trophy.
- Alongside the Vigoorian Flail, the Tonfa is a good candidate to unlock the "Feat of a Hundred Slashes" Trophy/Achievement.
- While the shorter Izuna Drop (While jumping—Quick, Quick, Quick, Strong Attack) does work on Gaja, the longer variant (Quick, Quick, Quick, Strong, Quick, Quick, Quick, Strong Attack) tend to miss after the launcher.
