Ninja Gaiden Black Chapter 8: Tairon Under Alert (Very Hard)

Chapter 8 is a nice break from what has been a tough couple chapters in a row. Even on Master Ninja, this chapter is relatively easy and can be finished very quickly since there is no boss. It's simply get from Point A to Point B. We get our first heavy weapon right away, the Warhammer. It's very useless, even when upgraded. Don't waste money on it unless you have an influx and nothing else to buy. Right now it's good for breaking walls and that's about it.
That being said, the Vigoor Army are no slouches. They have some guard-ignoring grabs that are very annoying as well as having high defense. The Rocket Troops are especially annoying but are weaker than the standard Rifle Soldier. Rockets do a chunk of damage, and unlike the Grenadiers of before they do not ditch their launcher. They'll blast you pointblank with a rocket if you get too close. On Master Ninja, standard troops cannot be Flying Swallowed do to steel armor. They will counter it and shoot you. Rocket Troops CAN be Swallowed however. The Windmill Shuriken can kill the guns on top of the tanks as well.
Also, do NOT miss the Dabilahro and Life of the Gods. If you follow the path laid out by the game it is extremely easy to miss and we won't be back in this area until Chapter 12. Not having the Dabilahro until then, especially on Master Ninja, is a MAJOR setback. It is better than the Warhammer in every possible way. You need to get to the area past the green door right near Muramasa's shop in the main Clock Tower street.The best way is when you get back to where the Pegasus Key chest is, jump down and go to the save near the orange door. That leads to the Clock Tower main street area and Muramasa's.
The dreaded Vigoorian Berserkers also debut in this chapter. They can be a serious pain, but they can be cheesed just like any other enemy. On Master Ninja two of them spawn and the trick for these enemies is to only keep one on the screen at a time. Any others will skulk around off screen but won't attack. Inevitably another one will wander on screen and begin attacking. Jump away and fix the camera so more than one are not on screen.
The easiest way I find to deal with them is the head jump. Jump on their head and when you land they will spin around to hit you and miss. This leaves them open to a Forward+Y attack with a heavy weapon. It won't always hit depending on how fast you are. When they Rage, roll away and when they explode, roll back in for a free Forward+Y then roll out. Continue the head jump. Also they will barge you to break guard and then attempt an uppercut. When the barge breaks guard, roll away and the uppercut completely misses, leaving them open to another Forward+Y. Defeating it/them gives a Life of the Gods, and the Dabilahro is behind the destructible purple wall nearby.
We need to get to the Military Base near where we started in Chapter 4. When going to the base, defeat the gunners and small robots and wait for the chopper. There's no need to constantly dodge, just stand still and hold block. If they fire rockets that is when you dodge. After that, kill the Rocket Trooper who spawns upstairs and get the bow to enter the Base.

[@piers1796]

Annnnnnnd Rachel has been reduced to a damsel in distress. Ah, sexism. Oh well, at least Ayane and Alma are still badass.

[@Vath121]

Those boobs are probably getting in the way.

[@piers1796]

Also her choice of weapon. I know I just whined about sexism a moment ago, but given her frame, a giant-ass warhammer just does not work for someone like her. Her swings are slow and telegraphed with it. She would do better with ranged weaponry or a blade. Maybe even a bo staff. Unless she intends to build up a lot of muscle, that war hammer will just slow her down.

[@leonadovazquez8028]

How jjajsja

[@SKULLZCRUSHER3867]

wtf is that wooden sword lmao

[@Vath121]

It's a useless piece of trash that takes an enormous amount of money to upgrade, but fully upgraded is the most powerful weapon in the game. The less health you have, the more powerful it becomes. It's dangerous to use though on higher difficulties, at low health when it's super powerful usually one mistake you get hit and die.