Vampire Killer/Stages 16 - 18

Stage 16
After defeating Death, Simon will find his way outside to the bridge leading to the final areas of Dracula’s Castle. Like in NES Castlevania, Stage 16 is the game’s “Bat Bridge,” and features a total of five boss Vampire Bats spread across the Stage. Vampire Killer’s Stage 16 is decently larger than its NES counterpart and has two tiers of platforms to jump across. There is absolutely no reason to try killing any of these Bats – your best bet is to run and dodge past each one. Remember that unlike in NES Castlevania 1, these Bats also shoot fireballs, which you’ll have to be mindful to avoid. Taking damage here isn’t the main problem; rather, it’s the knockback that’s deadly. Often, getting hit even once will send you all the way to the abyss below. Stage 16 is one of two Stages in Vampire Killer that have multiple Silver Keys. There are two different obtainable Keys in the Stage – a third exists on screen D2, but you’re guaranteed to die if you drop down to grab it. Regardless, you’ll still only need one of these Keys to progress onward. The first Silver Key is located on screen A1, right before the exit door, so you’re guaranteed to pick up at least that one. The second Key is on screen C2, at the left end of the lower platform – you wouldn’t have a reason to collect it unless you also intended acquire items from the Chests and candles on that screen. Path option 1 (no inventory item collection): Path option 2 (inventory item collection):
 * Silver Key
 * Two routes through Stage 16, from the starting point of F1:
 * 1) Up the stairs on F1 and left to E1. And so, Bat Bridge begins. This first Bat always spawns under the bridge – wait for it to shoot a fireball at you before jumping across the platforms to the left, and heading quickly to the next screen.
 * 2) Left to D1. For this screen and the next one, each Bat has two different places it can initially spawn in, and often one spawn is preferable over the other for survivability. You can reset each screen to try and get a different spawn location by walking briefly back to the previous screen and re-entering. For D1, you’ll want the Bat to be hovering over the platform in the middle of the screen instead of over the left-side platform. Jump across the platforms immediately (the Bat’s first fireball should miss and fly behind Simon) and head into the next screen.
 * 3) Left to C1. In C1, you’ll want the Bat to be over the end of the platform on the right side of the screen instead of being in the upper left corner. Walk left immediately and make the first jump at the last moment (you should be able to jump around the Bat without taking damage doing this), and jump and run for the next screen to the left.
 * 4) Left to B1. Like in E1, this Bat always spawns under the bridge. Wait for it to shoot a fireball at Simon before platforming across to the left and out of the danger zone.
 * 5) Left to A1. The final screen of Stage 16 is devoid of any tricks or enemies whatsoever – aside from the candle containing the Big Heart, there’s just the exit door and one of the Stage’s Silver Keys laid directly in front of it.
 * 1) Up the stairs on F1 and left to E1. Climb up the stairs to the upper bridge out of F1 and briefly go left into E1. Grab the Gold Key from E1, then turn around and return to F1.
 * 2) Right to F1, and down to F2. Upon returning to F1, head down the stairs at the bottom of the screen into F2. Drop/climb down to the lowest platform on the screen and use your Gold Key to open the Chest – this will give you a Magic Staff, which has enough uses to open all the remaining Chests in Stage 16. Climb back up the stairs to the left ledge, grab the Invisibility Orb from the candle here, and head left.
 * 3) Left to E2. The Bats on this screen and the next both have two different locations they can spawn in. For E2, you’ll want the Bat to spawn in the top left corner, though having the Invisibility Orb from F2 means you should be able to quickly cross through this screen safely regardless of where the Bat spawns.
 * 4) Left to D2. In D2, the Bat can spawn either in the top left corner or over the middle platform. Either location is doable – if it spawns in the top left, you’ll have to jump over the Bat to avoid taking damage as it swoops below Simon. If it spawns in the middle, quickly jump and run under it, outrunning the first fireball and the following swoop.
 * 5) Left to C2. You’ll find yourself at a dead-end – a dead-end with a few goodies, though! Grab the Silver Key here as you go to the left floating platform, and obtain an Hourglass, Wings, and a Health Orb. Once you’ve stocked up on items, head back to the right.
 * 6) Right through D2 and E2 to F2. On the return trip, the Bat spawn locations don’t matter as much. This is because there isn’t as clear of a choice as to which spawn location is favourable, and also because you can now use the Hourglass to freeze the Bats and walk past them.
 * 7) Up to F1. Upon returning to the starting screen with your new items, your route to the exit door becomes the same as if you decided not to collect those items at all. Head up the stairs to the left upper ledge, and enter the next screen.
 * 8) Left through E1, D1, C1, and B1 to A1. Duck, weave, and Hourglass your way through these screens to reach the exit door (see path option 1 for detailed instructions on this). Because you collected the Silver Key from screen C2, you won’t even be able to pick up the Silver Key in A1.

Stage 17
After getting past the Bat Bridge, you’ll enter the area leading up to the final keep of the Castle. Stage 17 is a long Stage with many items to collect. Due to its physical layout, this Stage can be cleanly divided into two halves. The first half, the six screens on the bottom right, contains a decent number of items, backtracking, and the Silver Key. The upper-left half is home to the game’s brief but obligatory clock tower section, along with several more items to add to Simon’s inventory. Although it would appear that there are two Silver Keys in Stage 17, one in B1 and one in E4, the only obtainable Silver Key is the one in E4 - there’s no way to reach the platform with the Key in screen B1. To obtain this Silver Key, you’ll first have to drop down into the left side of screen D4 and break the upper of the two indented wall blocks on your right. If you don’t do this now, you’ll be stuck in screens D4 and E4 with no way to progress after collecting the Silver Key. Once you’ve broken this wall block in D4, backtrack to the bottom of screen E3, go left to D3, and drop down the hole to the right side of D4. Go to the right, obtain the Silver Key from screen E4, and then make your way back through to D4, breaking the final wall block and returning to the rest of Stage 17. If you have a Gold Key in your inventory and broke the wall blocks in step 4, drop down into the left pit here. You’ll land on top of a Chest containing the Battle Cross on screen C4. After you collect the item, you should be able to drop down to the lower ledge and break the blocks to the right to re-enter the rest of C4. Then head back up the stairs to C3 and continue as outlined.
 * Silver Key
 * A route through Stage 17, from the starting point of E4:
 * 1) Up to E3. Jump across the first pit in E4 and head for the stairs, making sure to grab the White Bible in the candle here before heading up. Once you’re in E3, head up the stairs to the upper platform, defeat the Axe Knight, and head to the left.
 * 2) Up the stairs on E3 and left to D3. Fend off attacks from the Axe Knight here and get close enough to destroy it. Then drop down into the hole on the left side of the screen.
 * 3) Down to D4 (the LEFT hole on the screen). Drop down to the bottom of D4, and quickly eliminate the White Skeleton on your right. Break the two blocks of the indented right wall here – make sure you do this, as it’s required for later on in the Stage! Obtain the Shield A from the Chest, and then head to the left. The Merchant hidden in the right wall of D4 will sell you Holy Water if you’re interested, though it isn’t particularly useful for Stages 17 and 18.
 * 4) Left to C4. There’s not much to do here other than ascend the stairs to C3. Before you do, though, break the two wall blocks at ground level in the left wall – this will allow you to do some optional backtracking for the Battle Cross weapon in the next step.
 * 5) Up to C3. C3 contains a patrolling Axe Knight, along with a couple of candles containing Slimes. At this point, climb up to the top platform, ignore the Axe Knight, and run to the right.
 * 1) Right through D3 to E3. On D3, platform your way across to the upper-right platform and eliminating the Axe Knight. Keep moving to the right into E3, taking out the second Axe Knight as you go. Grab the Gold Key (if you don’t already have one in your inventory, of course), descend the stairs to the lower level of E3, and head leftward.
 * 2) Down the stairs in E3 and left to D3. In the lower right area of D3, you’ll find a hole leading down, along with an Axe Knight guarding a Chest on the other side of the gap. This Chest contains an Hourglass, which you should definitely grab if you didn’t already pick one up in Stage 16. Having the Battle Cross from screen C4 of Stage 17 will make reaching this Chest easier, as it allows you to take out the Axe Knight from a safe range. Once you’re set, drop down into the hole.
 * 3) Down to D4. You’ll find yourself on the right side of D4 – because you broke the upper block in the wall to the left earlier in step 3, you’ll be able to get back no problem. For now, head to the right.
 * 4) Right to E4. Drop down to the lower platform, and break open the bottom of the right pillar to obtain the Stage 17 Silver Key. Then return to screen D4.
 * 5) Left to D4. Break through the one remaining wall block using your weapon (or Holy Water, if you have it), and head through to the left side of screen D4. Destroy the White Skeleton and progress leftward.
 * 6) Left to C4, and up through C3 to C2. Climb up the stairs on C4 to C3, and then climb the staircases on C3. Defeat the Axe Knight when you reach the upper platform of C3 before continuing up to C2. Upon entering C2, you’ll be jumped on by a couple of Fleamen – use your weapon and the Hourglass to take them out. Breaking the bottom block in the right wall here reveals a Merchant who will sell you Throwing Knives – this is by far the best weapon for the remainder of Stage 17, as well as for Stage 18 and the final Boss. Once you’re ready, head up the stairs to the top left corner of the screen.
 * 7) Optional: Up to C1. If you’re running low on health or feel underequipped, you can head up the stairs to screen C1 from here to gain a few more items, including a Max Health Potion and Speed Boots (the latter is accessible by falling down the shaft on the right side of C1, back into C2).
 * 8) Left / down and left to B2. Head left from the top left corner of C2 to reach B2, which accounts for roughly 50% of Vampire Killer’s “clock tower.” Fleaman Eagles make their brief return on screens B1 and B2 – use your Hourglass as soon as the first Eagle appears to buy yourself enough time to reach the next screen before getting attacked. Walk to the left side of the lower gear platform, and jump off diagonally left to land on the platform in the very bottom left of the screen. Then head leftward.
 * 9) Left to A2. Ascend the staircase from here up to the platform with the Fleaman and Merchant. Eliminate the Fleaman and keep heading upward – the Merchant will sell you a Shield A, which you likely picked up for free from a Chest in screen D4 of this Stage.
 * 10) Up to A1. Climb the final stairs to the exit door – the final Stage of Vampire Killer is at hand.

Stage 18
Unlike in NES Castlevania, where Stage 18 is just a staircase leading directly to Dracula’s quarters, Vampire Killer’s Stage 18 is an actual full-length level. Stage 18 is shorter than Stage 17, having fewer screens and being more linear than the latter. If you’ve gotten this far, you’re almost there! Just a bit farther to reach the master of Castlevania and Final Boss of the game. Stage 18’s Silver Key is located on screen C2 and is accessed by either ascending the left staircase from C3 or falling from screen C1.
 * Silver Key
 * A route through Stage 18, from the starting point of F5:
 * 1) Left to E5. Jump onto the upper platform and eliminate the Axe Knight on this screen. If you aren’t already equipped with either Throwing Knives or a Battle Cross, the Merchant on this screen can sell you the former. Head left across either the top or bottom platform to the next screen.
 * 2) Left to D5. Drop down to the lowest platform and head up the stairs to the left upper platform. It’s possible to get past this Axe Knight without getting hit, but if you don’t want to risk taking damage, stand on the lower right ledge (the bottom platform from E5) and take him out from a safe distance using a ranged weapon before ascending the lower stairs. Once you reach the upper left platform, climb the remaining stairs to the next screen.
 * 3) Up the left side stairs to D4. Climb the stairs from here to the upper half of the screen, which contains a Fleamen intent on causing Simon pain. If you have an Hourglass, use it before getting on the stairs, as it may give you enough time to climb up and eliminate the Fleaman without getting hit. Then ascend the second staircase from the upper platform to the next screen.
 * 4) Up to D3, and straight left to C3. Climbing the stairs out of D4 will take you to a platform at the left edge of D3 – there’s nowhere to progress from here except taking two steps leftward into C3. In C3, you’re presented with a series of elevated platforms guarded by two Fleamen. Wait for the Fleamen to jump towards Simon and fall into the pit before heading to the upper left staircase and ascending it to the next screen. Be wary that the Fleamen can jump to the rightmost platform where you’re standing on entering the screen – if that happens, quickly walk rightward into D3 and back to reset the screen. You can also use your weapon & sub-weapons to clear the Fleamen out as well.
 * 5) Up the upper left stairs to C2. You’ll find yourself on the left section of the screen, one staircase and Fleaman away from grabbing the final Silver Key in the game. Deal with the Fleaman (using the Hourglass may make this easier), and then climb the stairs to reach the Key. This path is a dead-end, so descend the stairs back down into the previous screen.
 * 6) Down to C3 and directly left to wrap around to D3. Head back down the stairs into C3, and walk to the left across the top platform to drop into the right side of D3. In D3, if you’re a bit low on health, defeat the Fleamen and open the upper left Chest to obtain a Health Orb. Next, head to the right out of D3.
 * 7) Right to wrap around to C3. You’ll find yourself at the base of the long staircase leading up to the top right corner of C3 – wait for the Fleamen to throw themselves into the pit and then climb all the way up.
 * 8) Up the lower stairs to C2. Now you’re in the right half of C2. Head up the stairs carefully, being mindful of the Fleaman waiting for you. This particular Fleaman can be a pain due to the close quarters you have to fight in. Once you’re safely through, head up the stairs to the next screen.
 * 9) Up to C1. Ascend the stairs as fast as you can and attack the oncoming Fleamen – the Hourglass can help with this if you have it. Once both Fleamen have been dealt with, head leftward to the next screen.
 * 10) Left to B1. The Merchant in the top left of the screen will sell you a Max Health Potion – buy this if you’re at all in need of it. Then, descend the stairs, defeat the Axe Knight, and head through the door into the Dracula fight.

Final Boss: Count Dracula

 * See the Bosses page for more detailed info.

Like most other classic Castlevania games, Dracula has two phases in Vampire Killer. His first phase is your typical “teleport, shoot three fireballs at Simon, and then disappear” cycle – as usual, you can only damage the Count by attacking his head. This phase is nearly identical to its NES Castlevania counterpart; however, the three fireballs Dracula shoots from his cloak always travel in a horizontal cone shape instead of being angled directly at Simon.

The best strategy is to jump and attack with a ranged weapon when Dracula appears after teleporting (Throwing Knives are best, followed by the Battle Cross), and then duck under or destroy the fireballs as they come towards you. If you have an Hourglass and enough Hearts, you can also chain-activate the Hourglass to one-cycle Dracula’s first phase.

After you reduce the health of Dracula’s first phase to zero, the Count will explode into several fragments which fly off the screen. Then the massive Dracula portrait in the background will come to life, open its eyes, and begin spewing volleys of regular Bats out of its mouth.

You’ll notice the glowing oval on portrait Dracula’s forehead – this is his only damageable hitbox. You’ll have to climb up the blocks on either side of the boss room and attack him from there. Having a ranged weapon really comes in handy here, as having to climb up, jump off the side platforms, and melee the forehead of Dracula's second phase with a whip repeatedly is a long and arduous process.

An Ending
After defeating Dracula’s two forms, that’s it! Congratulations – you’ve beaten Vampire Killer! Or at least, the first loop of the game. After the credits roll (which feature the actual names of the game's staff, unlike in NES Castlevania), you’ll be chucked right back into Stage 19, which is the same as Stage 0, and you can play through the entire game a second time if you so wish. There’s not much difference between the two loops of Vampire Killer – all the items are the same, you take the same amount of damage, and all the same tricks and Stage routes are applicable. The only noticeable difference during the second loop is that White Skeletons are far more erratic and quicker in their movement. Unlike NES Castlevania I, upon clearing the second loop of MSX2 Vampire Killer, the game will send you back to the title screen instead of continuing indefinitely.