Joachim Mode

Joachim Mode is one of the two first alternate modes unlocked in Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, along with Crazy mode. In this mode, the player controls the vampire Joachim Armster.

After finishing the game as Leon Belmont, Joachim can be played by entering @JOACHIM in the Name Entry screen.

Gameplay

Like the other Alternate Modes of several games, Joachim has no access to weapons, items or equipment, making his overall gameplay harder than Leon Belmont's. However, to compensate for the lack of key items, all secret doors are already unlocked from the start, except the door leading to the Forgotten One.

He is only limited to using several floating Guardian Blade for his attacks. His attacks can reach a longer range compared to Leon, although up to five swords can only be used at a time, and the player has to wait for a few seconds to ready up the swords for the next attack. Each sword can also be "charged" by holding down the button. Charging a sword grows it in size with increased damage.

Joachim has two fighting "stances" which can be toggled using the button:

• Swords circling around Joachim: Deals lesser damage but can hit more enemies by employing a barrage of slashes.
• Swords behind Joachim: Deals more damage with more accuracy but more single-targeted.

Joachim also has Special Attacks that consume MP, which are usable once he reaches certain MP thresholds (signified by a purple aura around him) and vary depending on the current stance. When the swords encircle Joachim, they enlarge and rapidly spin around him while pointing outward, damaging surrounding enemies. When the swords are behind Joachim, they form into a circle pointing forward in front of him before he fires a massive energy beam that pushes him back, which can be angled horizontally. Joachim becomes completely invulnerable during these Special Attacks, and since he does not have a Guard ability, the MP regenerates every time his sword hit enemies or destructible candle stands.

Several floating blocks also appear in this mode, in order to compensate for his lack of the whip-jump ability of Leon. This also applies to areas that require specific relics, like the Wolf's Foot.

Joachim is immune to the Paralyze, Poison and Curse status effects, and the Rosario item has been replaced with the Bloody Skull, which has the same effect of instantly killing all enemies in the room. Potions, foods and Wine can be found in certain rooms that will restore a portion of Joachim's HP and MP, respectively. But once they are picked up, these will no longer respawn.

Joachim can become stronger by collecting various parameter-increasing items, which are mostly found inside secret rooms and some areas where Leon's key items and equipment used to be. Most of these can increase his HP and MP bars. There are also Armor pick-ups which permanently increase his DEF, but these are rarer than the two aforementioned items. Lastly, a Knife pick-up increases his overall attack power. These can be found in harder-to-reach areas, or dropped by bonus bosses.

In the spike rooms of the Ghostly Theatre, there are hidden platforms that rises from the floor upon standing in the right place for some time.

The maps of the areas will show unexplored sections of the castle, including the Castle Entrance and Pagoda of the Misty Moon, which had no map when playing with Leon.

Item Data

Item Data: Joachim Mode (edit)
Image	Name - Game   Type - Users Description	Attributes / Consume	Statistics / Sell	Found	Notes
	Bloody Skull - Lament of Innocence   Item - Joachim Armster				[edit]
	Destroys all enemies on screen.
	HP Max Up - Lament of Innocence   Item - Joachim Armster				[edit]
	Increase HP Max.			Find: Throughout castle (all)
	MP Max Up - Lament of Innocence   Item - Joachim Armster				[edit]
	Increase MP Max.			Find: Throughout castle (all)
	ATK Up - Lament of Innocence   Item - Joachim Armster				[edit]
	Attack increased.			Find: Throughout castle (all)
	DEF Up - Lament of Innocence   Item - Joachim Armster				[edit]
	Defense increased.			Find: Throughout castle (all)

Gallery

Joachim mode unlocked.

How to play with "Joachim", page 1.

How to play with "Joachim", page 2.

Ending

Trivia

• This is the only mode that the protagonist is a villian.
• Joachim Mode is one of the 3 alternate character modes that feature cutscenes, the others are Julius Mode (in Dawn of Sorrow) and Sisters Mode.

See also

• Trevor Mode

External links

• Taladryel's Secret Character FAQ