Dual Set-Up System

The 20 cards that can be found in the game

The Dual Set-Up System, abbreviated DSS in the 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

Action Cards allow Nathan to perform new abilities and are represented by Roman Gods.

Mercury

Dual Set-Up System: Mercury Card
	Description	"Mercury, the messenger of the gods. Has the potential of strength."
	Effect	Alters the Hunter whip's strength and element.
	Location	Bone Head (Abyss Stairway, Catacomb)

Venus

Dual Set-Up System: Venus Card
	Description	"Venus, goddess of love and beauty. Has the potential of enhancement."
	Effect	Raises Nathan's base statistics.
	Location	Slime (Abyss Stairway, Audience Room, Catacomb)

Jupiter

Dual Set-Up System: Jupiter Card
	Description	"Jupiter, god of the heavens and the leader of Olympus. Has the potential of defense."
	Effect	Creates barriers of various elements.
	Location	Heat Shade (Machine Tower)

Mars

Dual Set-Up System: Mars Card
	Description	"Mars, god of war. Has the potential of change."
	Effect	Transforms the Hunter Whip into other weapons.
	Location	Bloody Sword (Chapel Tower)

Diana

Dual Set-Up System: Diana Card
	Description	"Diana, goddess of the moon and hunting. Has the potential of creation."
	Effect	Creates various projectiles thrown when Nathan swings his whip.
	Location	Man Eater (Underground Gallery)

Apollo

Dual Set-Up System: Apollo Card
	Description	"Apollo, god of the sun, music, and prophecy. Has the potential to create explosives."
	Effect	Gives Nathan various abilities usable with the combination [↓ ←(→) ↑ + Attack].
	Location	Arch Demon (Underground Warehouse)

Neptune

Dual Set-Up System: Neptune Card
	Description	"Neptune, god of the seas. Has the potential of healing."
	Effect	Makes Nathan recover some HP if attacked with the same element as the current paired Attribute Card, at the cost of losing some MP.
	Location	Ice Armor (Underground Waterway)

Saturn

Dual Set-Up System: Saturn Card
	Description	"Saturn, god of agriculture and the father of Jupiter. Has the potential of a familiar."
	Effect	Summons a familiar that follows Nathan. Most attack in tandem.
	Location	Fallen Angel (Chapel Tower, outside the Battle Arena)

Uranus

Dual Set-Up System: Uranus Card
	Description	"Uranus, former god of the heavens. Has the potential of summoning."
	Effect	Allows Nathan to summon the creature from the current paired Attribute Card with the combination [↓ ←(→) ↑ + Attack].
	Location	Scary Candle (Iron Golem Boss Room)

Pluto

Dual Set-Up System: Pluto Card
	Description	"Pluto, god of the underworld. Has the potential of special."
	Effect	Bestows a number of unique effects on Nathan.
	Location	Trick Candle (Cerberus Boss Room)

Attribute Cards

Attribute Cards contain the power of elements and are represented by supernatural beings and creatures.

Salamander

Dual Set-Up System: Salamander Card
	Description	"A lizard bathed in flames. Embodiment of the flame spirit, Salamander. Has the power of Fire."
	Effect	Adds fire power to Nathan's attacks and creates unique effects when paired with an Action Card.
	Location	Skeleton Bomber, Imp (Catacomb, Underground Warehouse)

Serpent

Dual Set-Up System: Serpent Card
	Description	"The Serpent is said to be a dragon swimming in the sea. Has the power of Ice."
	Effect	Adds ice power to Nathan's attacks and creates unique effects when paired with an Action Card.
	Location	Earth Demon, Holy Armor (Catacomb, Underground Warehouse)

Mandragora

Dual Set-Up System: Mandragora Card
	Description	"The Mandragora is represented as a humanoid with roots instead of feet. Has the power of Plants."
	Effect	Adds plant power to Nathan's attacks and creates unique effects when paired with an Action Card.
	Location	Axe Armor, Lizardman (Audience Room, Underground Waterway)

Golem

Dual Set-Up System: Golem Card
	Description	"The Golem is a mockery of man made from clay. Has the power of Earth."
	Effect	Adds earth power to Nathan's attacks and creates unique effects when paired with an Action Card.
	Location	Electric Skeleton, Minotaur (Audience Room, Observation Tower)

Cockatrice

Dual Set-Up System: Cockatrice Card
	Description	"The Cockatrice is said to have the ability to turn things to stone. Has the power of Stone."
	Effect	Adds stone power to Nathan's attacks and creates unique effects when paired with an Action Card.
	Location	Stone Armor, Death Mantis (Machine Tower, Underground Gallery)

Manticore

Dual Set-Up System: Manticore Card
	Description	"The Manticore is said to have the body of a lion and the venomous tail of a scorpion. Power of Poison."
	Effect	Adds poison power to Nathan's attacks and creates unique effects when paired with an Action Card.
	Location	Thunder Demon, Succubus (Machine Tower, Audience Room)

Griffin

Dual Set-Up System: Griffin Card
File:Griffon card.gif	Description	"The Griffin is said to have the head and wings of a Eagle and body of a lion. Has the power of Wind."
	Effect	Adds wind power to Nathan's attacks and creates unique effects when paired with an Action Card.
	Location	Skeleton Athlete, Siren (Audience Room, Underground Waterway)

Thunderbird

Dual Set-Up System: Thunderbird Card
	Description	"The legendary Thunderbird is said to have been able to release lightning. Has the power of Electricity."
	Effect	Adds thunder/electricity power to Nathan's attacks and creates unique effects when paired with an Action Card.
	Location	Were-Panther, Dullahan (Chapel Tower, Observation Tower)

Unicorn

Dual Set-Up System: Unicorn Card
	Description	"The Unicorn is said to have been white with a single holy horn on its forehead. Has the power of Light."
	Effect	Adds holy/light power to Nathan's attacks and creates unique effects when paired with an Action Card.
	Location	White Armor (Battle Arena)

Black Dog

Dual Set-Up System: Black Dog Card
	Description	"The Black Dog is said to consume darkness. Has the power of Darkness."
	Effect	Adds dark power to Nathan's attacks and creates unique effects when paired with an Action Card.
	Location	Devil Armor (Battle Arena)

See also

• DSS Combinations