Dual Set-Up System

The Dual Set-Up System, abbreviated DSS in game, is a gameplay mechanic introduced in Castlevania: Circle of the Moon. The game's protagonist, Nathan Graves, can collect magical cards and combine their effects for a variety of magical abilities, from changing his whip into different weapons, to summoning creatures to attack.

To create a DSS effect, Nathan must possess at least one Action Card and one Attribute Card, and select one of each type in the DSS menu. At first, the description of a specific card combination is still unknown (indicated by ???). The player needs to activate them in-game in order for the description to be displayed, along with the corresponding stat bonuses. These cards are dropped from specific enemies, and once obtained, are never lost or used up. DSS effects consume MP, some by each use of the skill and some by the amount of time the skill is deployed.

Action Cards

Card	Description	Effect	Dropped	Location
Mercury	"Mercury, the messenger of the gods. Has the potential of strength."	Alters the Hunter whip's strength and element.	Bone Head	Catacomb
Venus	"Venus, goddess of love and beauty. Has the potential of enhancement."	Raises Nathan's base statistics.	Slime	Abyss Stairway, Audience Room, Catacomb
Jupiter	"Jupiter, god of the heavens and the leader of Olympus. Has the potential of defense."	Creates barriers of various elements.	Heat Shade	Machine Tower
Mars	"Mars, god of war. Has the potential of change."	Transforms the Hunter Whip into other weapons.	Bloody Sword	Chapel Tower
Diana	"Diana, goddess of the moon and hunting. Has the potential of creation."	Creates various projectiles thrown when Nathan swings his whip.	Man Eater	Underground Gallery
Apollo	"Apollo, god of the sun, music, and prophecy. Has the potential to create explosives."	Gives Nathan various abilities usable with the combination [↓ ←(→) ↑ + Attack].	Arch Demon	Underground Warehouse
Neptune	"Neptune, god of the seas. Has the potential of healing."	Makes Nathan recover some HP if attacked with the same element as the current paired Attribute Card, at the cost of losing some MP.	Ice Armor	Underground Waterway
Saturn	"Saturn, god of agriculture and the father of Jupiter. Has the potential of a familiar."	Summons a familiar that follows Nathan. Most attack in tandem.	Fallen Angel	Chapel Tower, outside the Battle Arena.
Uranus	"Uranus, former god of the heavens. Has the potential of summoning."	Allows Nathan to summon the creature from the current paired Attribute Card with the combination [↓ ←(→) ↑ + Attack].	File:Scarycand.gif Scary Candle	Iron Golem boss room.
Pluto	"Pluto, god of the underworld. Has the potential of special."	Bestows a number of unique effects on Nathan.	File:Trickcand.gif Trick Candle	Cerberus boss room.

Attribute Cards

Card	Description	Dropped by	Location
Salamander	"A lizard bathed in flames. Embodiment of the flame spirit, Salamander. Has the power of Fire."	Skeleton Bomber Imp	Catacomb, Underground Warehouse
Serpent	"The Serpent is said to be a dragon swimming in the sea. Has the power of Ice."	Earth Demon Holy Armor	Catacomb, Underground Warehouse
Mandragora	"The Mandragora is represented as a humanoid with roots instead of feet. Has the power of Plants."	Axe Armor Lizardman	Audience Room, Underground Waterway
Golem	"The Golem is a mockery of man made from clay. Has the power of Earth."	Electric Skeleton Minotaur	Audience Room, Observation Tower
Cockatrice	"The Cockatrice is said to have the ability to turn things to stone. Has the power of Stone."	Stone Armor Death Mantis	Machine Tower, Underground Gallery
Manticore	"The Manticore is said to have the body of a lion and the venomous tail of a scorpion. Power of Poison."	Thunder Demon File:Succubus cotm.gif Succubus	Machine Tower, Audience Room
File:Griffon card.gif Griffin	"The Griffin is said to have the head and wings of a Eagle and body of a lion. Has the power of Wind."	Skeleton Athlete Siren	Audience Room, Underground Waterway
Thunderbird	"The legendary Thunderbird is said to have been able to release lightning. Has the power of Electricity."	Were-Panther Dullahan	Chapel Tower, Observation Tower
Unicorn	"The Unicorn is said to have been white with a single holy horn on its forehead. Has the power of Light."	White Armor	Battle Arena
Black Dog	"The Black Dog is said to consume darkness. Has the power of Darkness."	Devil Armor	Battle Arena

See also

• DSS Combinations