The reanimated skeleton of an expert duelist that first appeared in Konami's 1993 NEC PC-Engine: Turbo Duo Akumajo Dracula X: Chi no Rondo, or Akumajo Dracula X: Circle of Blood video game--however, my figure is based on the 1997 Sony Playstation Castlevania: Symphony of The Night (Japanese title: "Akumajo Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku", or "Demon Castle Dracula X: Nocturne in The Moonlight") version of the character. Appropriately, given their profession, Blade Masters can be found prowling the grounds of the Coliseum area, just itching for someone to test their skills against. Upon sighting an unwilling sparring partner, a Blade Master will immediately engage, dazzling its adversary with both aerobatics and swordplay. Assuming you've encountered at least one specimen, Blade Master is catalogued as entry #69 in the Master Librarian's enemy list, where it is described as 'Master of twin-bladed combat'. They are ranked at experience level 17, have 65 hit points (HP), and have a base experience point value of 80 (the amount you'll actually receive is dependent on what level Alucard is currently at--if you're also a level 17 character, you'll get that exact value, if you're below that, you'll get more than 80 experience points per Blade Master kill; on the other hand, if you're above level 17, you'll get progressively less, all the way down to a measly 1 experience point at level 26 and above). Undead entities, they are particularly vulnerable to "holy" based attacks. After destroying a Blade Master, you might get one of two rare item drops (having a high luck rating increases the likelihood of obtaining these objects). The first, a Shotel, is a sickle-shaped sword that, in addition to being swung in a traditional manner, can be thrown in a boomerang-like fashion by inputting the command: down, down-towards, towards + attack. The second, the Cross Shuriken, is a single-use projectile that inflicts considerable damage upon impact. In other Castlevania titles, this recurring enemy sometimes bears the moniker Skeleton Blaze rather than Blade Master.



Materials:
Newsprint, Kleenex, white/hot glue, wire twist ties, and acrylic paint.

Dimensions:
2.7 cm/1.1 in. x 6.8 cm/2.7 in. (widest point x highest point)

Articulation:
Twenty-two points: Neck (2), pauldrons (2), shoulders (2), elbows (4), wrists (2), mid-torso, waist, hips (2), knees (4), and ankles (2).

Time:
Six days; April 5-13, 2009--no work was performed on 9, 11, or 12.