Recently, hinge encountered a phenomenon where Soki can get his Head Splitter Skill Point into max level very early before first encounter with Sakon fight. Normally at that stage, you are locked into Lv.3. However, if you beat chapter 8 Ohatsu save then start the game from the scratch will allow you to reach any skill point maximum level right from the start.

This bug is similar what Yorishiro found in Onimusha 2 with critical mode. Since it can be replicated consistently we will allow this in a run.

Apparently, you can trigger the glitch by simply loading the save from the start of chapter 9. Although, there is surprise turn of event where we might think that this glitch might depend on the PS2 model or the Disc releases that we use:

• Hinge and Yorisiro uses SCPH-90000 model with the original NTSC-J release, which was successful.
• I use SPCH 39000 model with the best version (Greatest Hit cover NTSC-J release) and that replication failed.

The procedure I did was correct but as for the reason not working is not 100% there. I cannot tell if it's a model issue or the release I got since I do not own Onimusha 2 to test similar bug in Critical mode. Supposedly this bug is never fixed and the best version were released twice: one in 2006 and one in 2007.

Does this mean we are not allowed to use the glitch ?

No, because that would mess up good opportunities for players to have more variety in routes, discovery and applying safe strategies:

• Having max Head Splitter early does not necessarily mean and confirmed that its significantly faster to make up the leads post-chapter 8.
• I will not separate the categories based on the glitches/release..etc. Because this scene is very small and having bloated board is generally bad.
• We still need further testing (NA/EU release...etc) and hope that this is not specific Dawn of Dreams ROM issue.
• For now I will add variable called SP Glitch. This should only apply to fresh file categories only.