Hey!

So I've literally been going and spreading the gospel. When I encounter a player I can talk to I usually try to find a way to suggest Belmont to them. I want to main him. Sorry for this book, but well...here it is.

Can I add one suggestion? Would it be too far to give him a 4f strike? Like a good old fashioned Whip Pommel to the temple or some kind of Heart Stake? Or even a crisp bap with a bible for these undead hoes, eh? Maybe even a special parry option after you obtain a cross? I've noticed he runs out of options quick in close quarters. The faithful need frames to rebuke the damned!

I also like that his normal jump is atrocious and stiff, which is on-brand for the OG Castlevania titles. I think it's a thematic character balance. Having a clunky jump really sucks, and certain other modded characters have tall projectiles that he actually can't get over with any of his normal movement options. It's a legit nerf at the fundamental level, and it was a good choice. A lot of his movements and attacks feel a little bit "squared-off", and it is a bit of a weakness that makes him unique in a game where you can otherwise set exact angles for a lot of things. That challenge is ingrained in the character.

The stiffness can also make combos feel more challenging, and so they're also more rewarding. It's almost like you're playing with an SNES controller at times, and it's crazy that you evoked that vibe. Anyway, I think my favorite thing about him is that his power actually comes from being well thought-out and designed, and not from gimmicky trash

I consider that the lo-fi vibe might be why you didn't give him a 4f. Possibly a design choice. If so, I beg you to reconsider, lol. Most characters have a 4f, and some have a 3f. Belmont has to hold so much. Also on brand for a vampire slayer, though. It does kind of give underdog protagonist energy, but I dunno like...help the man out anyway?

Other random ideas if you want them

- OTG on Holy Water, or on the downward attack of Leap. Or on something.

- The ability to pick up power-ups with his whip

- Use the 'Pull' toggle when whipping projectiles to change your momentum. Ninja has the ability to grapple any projectile, so I think there's precedent there.

- A 'Swing' toggle for when he's whipping an interact-able entity, as another movement option that can use the swing mechanics as seen in Reverie Summon. You could un-toggle on any turn during your arc to go sailing. This would allow him to Swing situationally without spending meter, but still have the Reverie option in lieu of projectiles. You could even potentially swing on 'Barrage'd Daggers. This would be especially cool if whipping a standing opponent from the air, allowing you to swing over their head, or going into the ground while swinging would put you into a slide kick. To allow him to drop holy water bombs and daggers mid-swing would also be dope.

- Allow 'Pull' and 'Swing' toggles pre-emptive use; if switched On when attacking with the whip, you'll automatically Pull or Swing on contact. This would come with hella movement options as well as combo potential. But also some risk.

- Is there any possible way to implement the infamous Whip Dangle? Where he just holds it out limp and wiggles it around and it can eat projectiles? Maybe wiggle it with your DI while active. You could make it his Hustle lol. Some characters actually have Hustles with a hitbox, it's not unheard of...It could do like 1 damage and 1 hit stun per frame, which is practically how it works in the Castlevania games.

- Employ *super* rare drops from SOTN (like Masamune), using the exact spawn-rates of those objects from the SOTN database.

- ALUCARD?!

- Alucard when?



Anyway, dope character. Appreciate your work, sir.

P.S. I dropped into single player, and the first time I touched him I landed the most unbelievable ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ combo, where I seamlessly flowed with every new weapon I picked up mid-combo. By the end of it I had his entire arsenal and was air-raiding with holy fire. I was planning on maybe trying to send it to you, but that *one* replay got corrupted when the character went funky on me. Which is fixed after deleting my cache btw, and he now shows up in the codex. All my other Belmont replays work but that combo showcase. It was maybe the best thing I'd done with any character ever, and stylin'. Very sore to lose it T_T