Fighter Idea Essay: Chosen Undead

[Perkilator]

     Since August, I've been obsessed with the idea of a Dark Souls rep in Smash Ultimate; specifically, the main protagonist of the first game, the Chosen Undead. Thou who art undead are chosen...for Smash.

     Dark Souls is a game created by FromSoftware, who were previously known for games like Armored Core and Demon’s Souls. The latter brought them international exposure that then skyrocketed with its spiritual successor, Dark Souls (which was created to dodge problems with Demon’s Souls, a game owned by Sony, appearing on other platforms). Dark Souls proved to be a legendary franchise, iconic mainly for its punishing difficulty, with Dark Souls III being not just the fastest-selling in the series, but the best-selling video game in Bandai-Namco’s history. It has also inspired games by FromSoft that play similar to yet stand out from Souls, such as Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (the former of which contributed to the SoulsBorne nickname for most post-Souls FromSoft games).

     Solaire and Artorias are two of the more popular characters from Dark Souls; so much so that the former got his own amiibo to coincide with the release of the Switch port of Dark Souls Remastered. Naturally, some expect either of them to be the representative for Smash were their home series ever introduced. However, I personally believe Chosen Undead would be a better choice; not just because he’s the main protagonist, but because Solaire isn’t associated with anything other than his Lightning Spear and Artorias’ fighting style would possibly be too distant from the Dark Souls series’ gameplay. Because of that, neither of them will be alternate costumes. But you know what will be?

     To keep it simple, the Chosen Undead would be referred to as such for all costumes, and primarily stick with the male base. The default costume would be the Elite Knight set, with a recolor based on Siegmeyer of Catarina. The first alt would be the Faraam Knight set, with a recolor based on Solaire (again, not a costume but a recolor); the second alt would be the Firelink Armor set from Dark Souls III (that of the Ashen One), with a recolor based on Dragonslayer Ornstein; the last alt would be the armor of the first game’s Black Knight miniboss, with a recolor based on the Silver Knight variation. The Chosen Undead would be a pretty slow and heavy but powerful fighter with plenty of attacks that threaten opponents, but leave him open to counterattacks. His normal attacks would mostly involve his sword and shield. The only exceptions would be his neutral air, which has him cast three fireballs around himself, and his down air, which would be the popular Plunging Attack. His forward Smash would be the Soul Greatsword from Dark Souls II; his up Smash would be the Great Combustion from Dark Souls; and his down Smash would be the Lightning Stake from Dark Souls III. The Chosen Undead’s specials would consist of several sorcery spells and items from the Dark Souls series. His Neutral-B would be the Homing Soulmass, where he summons five small orbs above him that home in on opponents. His Side-B would be the iconic Lightning Spear, which can be turned slightly by the player. His Up-B would be Homeward Bone, which teleports him straight back to a random part of the stage. His Down-B would be Estus Flask, which restores lots of health but only has 5 uses per stock. His gimmick would be the Stamina Gauge, which is the limit to how much he could attack. It refills almost instantly upon draining, but certain specials that require Stamina would be unavailable for a bit. His Final Smash would be called “Link the Flame”; it starts with the Undead casting Soul Stream, which covers the horizontal length of the entire stage. Opponents caught are then taken into a cutscene where the Undead links the First Flame and fire sprouts everywhere. The Final Smash would go on for a bit, as fire covers most of the stage.

     The Dark Souls stage would be Anor Londo, a location of great importance in the lore of Dark Souls and Dark Souls III. It’s a city founded by Gwyn after he establishes the Age of Fire; however, in Dark Souls III, it’s been reduced to a frozen ruin. It’s a location best known for the boss battle against Dragonslayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough in Dark Souls, who protect Princess Gwynevere. The main area on which fighters duke it out is the rotating platform in front of the castle. There are also two platforms next to the top half of the rotating platform. Every so often, the main platform will rotate, revealing the bottom half. After another while, it will rotate back down, leaving only the top half and the two platforms. Stage cameos consist of illusions of Dark Souls NPCs; these include Solaire, Siegmeyer, Ornstein and Smough, Gwyn, Emerald Herald, Pontiff Sulyvahn, Fire Keeper, and Unbreakable Patches. There are two different versions that will appear; the pristine, sunset city from the first game, and the frozen ruin from Dark Souls III. Players can manually select each version; the Dark Souls version can be selected by holding L and R, while the Dark Souls III version can be selected by holding ZL and ZR. Cameos more likely to appear in the former are characters from the first game, while those from the third game are more likely to appear in the latter; Patches is the only cameo that has equal chances of appearing in either version, as he is a recurring Souls character.

     Little details and other pieces of Dark Souls fanservice have been included with the coming of it unto Smash; the Chosen Undead is mute, only using Dark Souls sound effects, including the famous “YOU DIED” sound effect for his Star KO (which also plays when the player loses a Dark Souls-related Spirit Battle; likewise, “Victory Achieved” appears when the player wins a Spirit Battle). Music would be songs from Dark Souls I-III, but no other SoulsBorne games. The Undead’s Classic Mode would be called “Jolly Cooperation”, where the theme of each fight would be a mix of Covenants and Dark Souls bosses, and all the fights take place on medieval stages. Another CPU fighter would occasionally interrupt the battles you fight as either an ally or enemy.. The boss would be Dracula, a powerful old man with white hair (a trend for final battles in SoulsBorne games). The Spirit Board would be characters from all 3 Dark Souls games; among the many alts of the Undead, only the Black Knight costume would not be a Fighter Spirit. Mii Costumes related to the Chosen Undead would be Solaire, Ornstein, Lloyd (all Swordfighters), Jin (a Brawler), and Dig Dug (a Gunner).

     So yeah. On paper, a character from Dark Souls doesn’t seem like it would fit into Smash even remotely. Liberties would have to be taken to do that while staying true to Dark Souls gameplay, but I think it could work if done right. And I say that as someone who never intends to even touch a SoulsBorne game with a 39½ ft. pole.

Full moveset

Spoiler

Intro: Chosen Undead gets up after sitting next to a bonfire, which then dissipates.
 

Stance/Idle 1: His stance from the Dark Souls games.

Idle 2: Chosen Undead gives a proper bow.

Idle 3: Chosen Undead points forward.
 

Notable Palette Swaps: The Chosen Undead variations from all 3 Dark Souls games.

-Chosen Undead (navy blue; default)

-Siegmeyer of Catarina (black/gold)

-Bearer of the Curse (turquoise/white)

-Solaire of Astora (green)

-Ashen One (red)

-Dragonslayer Ornstein (yellow)

-Black Knight (black)

-Silver Knight (gray)
 

Walk: His walk from the games. Uses no Stamina.

Dash: His dash from the games. Uses a little Stamina.

Damage: His damage animation from the games.

Jump: His jump from the games. Uses no Stamina.

Crouch: Chosen Undead feigns the Prostration gesture.

 

Weapon of Choice: Chosen Undead mainly uses a sword, but also has magic attacks in his arsenal.

 

Normal Attacks

Jab: A slow 3-hit slash combo (9%, OK knockback; uses a little Stamina)

Forward+A: Chosen Undead thrusts forward (8%, small knockback; uses a little Stamina)

Down+A: Chosen Undead slightly stabs downward (6%, small knockback; uses a little Stamina)

Up+A: A 90 degree backwards upper slash (11%, OK knockback; uses some Stamina)

 

Aerial Attacks

Air+A: Chosen Undead casts three fireballs around himself (11%, OK knockback; uses a little Stamina)

Air Forward+A: Chosen Undead swings two swords to the left (14%, OK knockback; uses some Stamina)

Air Back + A: Chosen Undead stabs the target with two swords (12%, OK knockback; uses some Stamina)

Air Up+A: Chosen Undead raises his shield up (9%, OK knockback; uses some Stamina)

Air Down+A: Plunging Attack; Chosen Undead strikes downward as he plunges toward the ground (11%, with a meteor effect, OK knockback; uses some Stamina)

 

Dash Attack: Chosen Undead charges with a shield bash (12%, OK knockback; uses a little Stamina)

Edge Attack: Chosen Undead leaps off the edge and slashes down (8%, small knockback; uses some Stamina)

Get-Up Attack: A bonfire flame erupts around Chosen Undead and lifts him back up (7%, small knockback)
 

Smash Attacks

Forward+A: Soul Greatsword; Chosen Undead summons a sword made of souls and slashes to the left (23%, medium knockback; ⅓ of your Stamina)

Up+A: Great Combustion; Chosen Undead blows up a fireball above his head (19%, medium knockback; uses ¼ of your Stamina)

Down+A: Lightning Stake; Chosen Undead takes a bolt of lightning and slams it on the ground, which creates a moderate AOE shockwave (26%, medium knockback; uses ⅖ of your Stamina)
 

Grab Game

Grab: Chosen Undead grabs the target with his right hand, shield in the left.

Pummel: Chosen Undead bashes the target with his shield (2%-3%)

Forwards+Throw: Chosen Undead tosses the target and bashes them with his shield (11%, OK knockback; uses a little Stamina)

Down+Throw: Chosen Undead stomps on the target (7%, small knockback; uses a little Stamina)

Back+Throw: Chosen Undead tosses the target behind himself, not even looking at them (4%, small knockback; uses no Stamina)

Up+Throw: Chosen Undead casts pyromancy that launches the target like a cannon (13%, OK knockback; uses a little Stamina); this is based on a move from Gwyn, Lord of Cinder.

 

Special Moves
B : Homing Soulmass; Chosen Undead summons five magic orbs around his head, which can damage opponents upon contact (2% each, small knockback; uses nearly ½ of your Stamina). Pressing B a second time (or waiting a few seconds) causes the orbs to home in on any opponents in range (5% each, small knockback; uses nearly ½ your Stamina)

B + Forwards : Lightning Spear; Chosen Undead summons a bolt of lighting and throws it (exactly as the name implies) like a spear (24%, medium knockback; uses ½ your Stamina). It can be subtly aimed in the direction the control stick is tilted.

B + Up : Homeward Bone; Chosen Undead is surrounded by mist below him, and he is instantly warped back to the stage with no Stamina lost. However, not only is the exact spot mostly random, but he can be interrupted during the startup.

B + Down : Estus Flask; Chosen Undead takes one drink of an Estus Flask, which heals 55% damage. However, there are only 5 uses, so don’t get greedy.

Final Smash: Link the Flame; Chosen Undead casts Soul Stream, a beam that goes a long distance (12%). Any fighters hit are taken into a cutscene where the Chosen Undead lights the last bonfire and surrounds the area with fire (56%, devastating knockback)
 

Gimmick: Stamina Gauge; Chosen Undead has a Stamina Gauge above his HUD (along with 5 Estus Flask uses next to the Gauge on the left). Each attack he does (even quick ones) use up Stamina. It refills automatically after each move, but the amount depends on the move itself.
 

Taunts

1: Chosen Undead praises the sun.

2: Chosen Undead performs the Shrug gesture.

1+2: Chosen Undead looks skyward as he facepalms, then faces the ground as he shakes his head.
 

Winposes

1: Chosen Undead performs the “Well! What is it?” gesture.

2: Chosen Undead praises the sun (again).

3: Chosen Undead takes a rest at a bonfire.
 

Applause: Chosen Undead performs the Prostration gesture.

Icon: The sword in the bonfire.

Boxing Ring Title: Thou Who Are Undead

Star K.O.: “You Died” appears above Chosen Undead’s HUD (and on-screen of Chosen Undead loses a Spirit Battle; likewise, “Victory Achieved” appears when you win a Spirit Battle).

Victory Music: https://youtu.be/Ch0xO_Jm8_c

Kirby Hat: Chosen Undead’s Elite Knight helmet

Challenger Pack

Spoiler

Stage: Anor Londo

Music:

1. Prologue - Dark Souls
2. A Moment's Peace
3. Taurus Demon / Boss Battle 1
4. Iron Golem / Boss Battle 2
5. Ornstein and Smough
6. Seath the Scaleless
7. Kalameet
8. Knight Artorias
9. Gwyn, Lord of Cinder
10. Ruin Sentinel
11. Sir Alonne
12. Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin
13. DARK SOULS III
14. Slave Knight Gael
15. Nameless King
16. Twin Princes
17. Soul of Cinder

Spirits

1. Chosen Undead (Fighter Spirit)
2. Bearer of the Curse (Fighter Spirit)
3. Ashen One (Fighter Spirit)
4. Black Knight (Dark Souls) (Black Knight x5 on Anor Londo, Ace; Against the Dark Knight)
5. Lautrec of Carim (Yellow Dark Pit and White M!Robin x2 on Anor Londo, Novice; A Moment's Peace)
6. Taurus Demon (Giant Black Bowser on Castle Siege (Omega), Novice; Taurus Demon / Boss Battle 1)
7. Siegmeyer of Catarina (White King K. Rool (ally) and Yellow Ridley x3 on Norfaire, Advanced; Iron Golem / Boss Battle 2)
8. Solaire of Astora (Green M!Wii Fit Trainer on Temple, Ace; Prologue - Dark Souls)
9. Dragonslayer Ornstein (Yellow Fox and King Dedede (Gold effect) on Anor Londo (Battlefield), Ace; Ornstein and Smough)
10. Seath the Scaleless (Giant White Charizard on Summit (Battlefield), Advanced; Seath the Scaleless)
11. Artorias the Abysswalker (White Ike and Black Wolf on Arena Ferox (Omega), Ace; Knight Artorias)
12. Gwyn, Lord of Cinder (White Ganondorf on Anor Londo (Omega), Legend; Gwyn, Lord of Cinder)
13. Emerald Herald (Green Zelda and Bearer of the Curse on Temple (Omega), Novice; Ruin Sentinel)
14. Alida, Scholar of the First Sin (Green Ridley on Reset Bomb Forest, Advanced; Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin)
15. Nameless King (Black Ike and Ridley on Foggy Bridge of Eldin, Advanced; Nameless King)
16. Lorian, Elder Prince and Lothric, Younger Prince (Chrom and M!Robin on Anor Londo, Ace; Twin Princes)
17. Souls of Cinder (Chosen Undead and Mr. Game & Watch x 10, Legend; Soul of Cinder)

Classic Mode: Jolly Cooperation (Fights with and against characters based on those from Dark Souls on medieval fantasy stages, some interrupting at random)

Spoiler

Round 1: Bowser (team battle w/White Link) on Arena Ferox (DARK SOULS iii)
Round 2: Falco x2 (team battle w/Golden Chosen Undead) on Castle Siege (Taurus Demon / Boss Battle 1)
Round 3: Ike and Red F!Robin on Arena Ferox (Omega) (Knight Artorias)
Round 4: Navy Meta Knight and Red Lucina (team battle w/Blue Pit) on Unova Pokemon League (Sir Alonne)
Round 5: Ridley on Purple Dark Pit* on Temple (Battlefield) (Slave Knight Gael)
*Note: Dark Pit is completely neutral
Round 6: Richter x2 and Blue Palutena on Anor Londo (Ornstein and Smough)
Final Round: Dracula (team battle w/Green M!Wii Fit Trainer) (Gwyn, Lord of Cinder)

(Thread inspired by: Fighter Idea: Dr. Wily & Robot Masters - Super Smash Bros. - Serenes Forest Forums)

(Smash content ideas inspired by: https://youtu.be/3vZ8Ip_rDYE)

 

Edited December 26, 2020 by Jingilator

[vanguard333]

There's a thread specifically for posting ideas for fighters and what their movesets could be. Granted; you did go further than that and come up with a classic mode and such, but I can't help but feel that this should be posted in that thread.