Sengoku Rance:DARKNESSHERO RANCE

Basic Questions
Q: What is this?

DARKNESSHERO RANCE is a mod created the /vg/ user toufu guy that inserts Kichikuou Rance into Sengoku Rance. The main idea is to be able to play the FFA (Free for All) mode of the latter game using all the factions from The Continent, instead of restricting it only to JAPAN. The hacking and editing of the mod has been all work of toufu, who has also polished some segments of the gameplay in order to improve the experience, as well as receiving help from other anons to make graphics for the mod such as national flags of the factions or sprites for characters that didn't have one.

The mod is on an early alpha state with many things still pending to be worked on, so expect to run into weird occurrences like sprites randomly changing into a different character, random lines of dialogue, etc.

Q: What's with the title?

It's a meme originated from the official cover box of Rance 5D where Alicesoft itself, notorious for its poor use of english described Rance as a "darknesshero kichiku warrior".

Q: Where can I get it?

Here: https://mega.nz/#F!VloWzD6B!trEkYLMKASDXIYsGdLa8jw

Take into account that it is regularly updated, as the mod itself is still a work in progress.

Q: How do I install and start it?

The file comes with a readme file with instructions over how to install it, so follow those in order to get it running. Once you open the game select new game and the option of Free For All. You can technically play the story mode as well but it would be a broken down mess with all the modified files and nothing of it has been edited in the slightest in the mod, as it was designed to be played with FFA.

'''Q: I remember trying to play FFA before and the game would freeze before starting. I don't want to deal with that!''' Toufu actually fixed that bug and the mode never freezes now. It had something to do with entering in an endless loop upon generating character names for generics I think.

'''Q: I've only played Sengoku Rance. Who are these characters and places?'''

Sengoku Rance, also known as Rance VII, comes from a series with a fully established verse and setting. They all comes from other games of the series so you won't recognize any of them if Sengoku is the only game you've played. You can still enjoy the mod for a refreshing Sengoku Rance experience with new factions though.

Q: Why is Satella so strong?

Toufu Guy has openly declared her to be his waifu, so she's naturally the strongest.

Global Tips and Advices
Aside from the changed factions the gameplay is essentially the same as it was in Sengoku Rance's Free for All mode. If you've never played it, it is a special mode free from any story events that allows you to play as any faction to conquer JAPAN (or in this mode, the world) while being at war with everyone. For a more detailed explanation of the changes between the normal game and FFA check here.

While every faction plays differently, there are some general tips that can prove useful for just about anyone:
 * Use Neutral Action: Neutral action allows you to remain at peace with a country for several turns. This is extremely important to use since due to the new layout of the map some provinces border with 4, 5 or more factions and it's impossible to defend from all of them, let alone advance in your conquest, if you don't make neutral pacts with some of them.
 * Use barriers: Barriers can be built on provinces with an action turn and using a few characters. They're extremely useful, since they can randomly block attacks entirely, so it's important to build them, especially on territories that border with multiple factions.
 * Improve your Economy: One of the most important aspects to succeed in FFA is to establish a solid source of income. Early on, build nothing but shopping districts. They give a base +200 GOLD, which easily outscales free markets 3% raise. You will be starving for money early on so it's important to raise your funds as much as possible. Increasing national power (especially on territories with a low economy) also helps. Later on once you get many territories you can improve them to give 1000 GOLD per turn (each), and that's the point where money will stop being an issue.
 * Don't go straight for the offense: Many make the mistake of immediately rushing to conquer as soon as starting. You should not do this. Instead dedicate a bit of time building shopping districts, barriers, etc. This is especially important if you're playing with smaller factions like Shangri-La or one of the free cities.
 * Don't attack the demon factions: Initially, the Hornet Faction and the Kayblis Faction will be at war with each other and won't invade human territories until either has achieved victory over the other. After that, neutralize with whoever won and don't mess with them until you've unified the human realm.
 * Capture enemy units: Try to regularly use commanders with "Defeated Warrior Hunt" or "Sticky Ground" in order to capture any potentially useful commander. Unique characters like Rance, Shizuka or Rick can only be captured after their main faction has been defeated and they have joined another faction.

Other Changes
Some other minor things were changed as well in order to improve the overall experience.
 * While in FFA units would not increase in size from winning battles, they do now just like in the normal game.
 * The animation for all-attacks like "Lightning" has been simplified. While before it would individually show the animation on every single commander it hits, it now shows it only once and applies the damage immediately.
 * Tweaked damage formula for solo units (mainly demons). Their health now functions the same as a unit size, meaning that they deal more damage the higher it is.
 * Demons can be wounded by anyone without requiring Rance or Kentarou to be present, as it would render everyone useless. They're still incredibly strong due to high stats and not requiring armies to replenish though.
 * Many abilities have had name changes, like "monk charge" to "sparta punch" or "miko dance" to "healing".
 * Fixed some bugs from the original game.

Kingdom of Leazas

 * Territories
 * Maunes
 * Leazas Castle
 * Wes


 * Basics
 * Leazas is a very solid option, with a varied and fairly strong array of units, on top of having quite a lot of them. It has warriors, foot soldiers, tacticians, a miko, a mage, a ninja and even a knight. Rick and Barres are probably your strongest units. Lia and Maris are pretty bad but they have great negotiation stats.
 * They also start with a pretty high national power compared to the smaller factions.
 * Its major drawback is that borders with a lot factions: Rance's thieves, Helman, Shangri-La, Zeth, Ice, Red and the Rebel Army. Maunes in particular borders with most of them, so build barriers there asap.
 * Your first conquering target should be the rebels, followed by the free cities. Upon reaching Nippon/JAPAN it might be wise to set a neutral pact with them, since they're really tough, but go for it if you're confident that you can deal with demon Nobunaga and TOSH. Otherwise conquer the AL Church and then the northern land with Helman and Rance's thieves.
 * Commanders

Leazas Rebel Army

 * Territories
 * Oku
 * Oaks


 * Basics
 * The Rebel Army is not a particularly strong faction. It has a pretty low NP, its units besides Ex aren't anything special and it starts with two territories. However, much like Leazas, it has a good variety of units, and it's starting point is pretty good, bordering only with Leazas and two free cities.
 * Start with the free cities, neutral pact with JAPAN and then conquer Leazas. After that, its conquering route is pretty much the same as the kingdom's.
 * Commanders

Free City: The O

 * Territories
 * The O


 * Basics
 * Definitely one of the weakest factions. Only one territory with only two castles, low national power and not that many units. It's positioning is not horrible but pretty bad too, as it borders with three free cities (all stronger than The O) and the Rebel Army.
 * It's strongest points are the fact that Shinoda is a pretty damn good tactician with Battle Strategy 3 and Initial Battle Rating and the Hanna Hero is quite strong as well. Sayori also has extremely high negotiation and construction skills for some reason, but that's about it.
 * Overall one of the factions to pick if you want a challenging run. Initially focus entirely on building barriers and increasing national power. Establishing a neutral pact with the rebel army could be a good idea. Once you feel somewhat safe, start with Portugal and immediately neutralize JAPAN. Don't aim for any of the bigger targets until you have all the free cities. Your first strong target should be either the Rebel Army or the AL Church.


 * Commanders

Free City: Red

 * Territories
 * Red


 * Basics
 * One of the free cities, so it's one of the weaker factions, though not as weak as you'd think. It has low national power and one territory with only 2 castles. Fortunately Punisher Mito, along with Kaku-san and Suke-san, is here to help! They're all really strong, especially Gandhi himself, though notice that he has to be used on the front row despite being a mage (unless you're only planning on using WDB). Sel is also quite good as a healer and Crane has all sorts of ninja-like techniques like assassination 2.
 * Overall it's one of the free cities so it has a slow start and is a weak country, but it's got some really good units. Probably the second best of the free cities after Custom. Much like with the other free cities, start by bulding barriers and begin with the weaker factions like The O, Portugal, Ice. Red is perfectly capable of taking on the AL Church too, just be careful with Mi Lordring and make sure to cancel Am's witty comeback with the ninjas.


 * Commanders

Free City: Ice

 * Territories
 * Ice


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Free City: Custom

 * Territories
 * Custom


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Free City: Portugal

 * Territories
 * Portugal


 * Basics


 * Commanders

AL Church

 * Territories
 * AL Church


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Nippon

 * Territories
 * Okinawa
 * Kyoto


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Helman Empire

 * Territories
 * Archgrad
 * Siberia
 * Sudori 13
 * Lang Bau
 * Rolengrad


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Rance's Thieves Band

 * Territories
 * Golak


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Helman Revolutionary Army

 * Territories
 * Laborie


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Shangri-La

 * Territories
 * Shangri-LA


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Pencilcow

 * Territories
 * Pencilcow


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Kingdom of Zeth

 * Territories
 * Sabasaba
 * Partyoran
 * Ragnarokarc


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Pentagon

 * Territories
 * Italia
 * Marc


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Hornet Faction

 * Territories
 * Archfiend's Castle
 * Hornet's Castle


 * Basics


 * Commanders

Kayblis Faction

 * Territories
 * Kesselring's Castle
 * Camilla's Castle
 * Kayblis's Castle


 * Basics


 * Commanders