Check out what Haseo's 5th Form can do in .hack//G.U. Last Recode

After briefly introducing a brand-new form for Haseo in the new 4th volume of .hack//G.U., Bandai Namco and CyberConnect2 have published new information for .hack//G.U. Last Recode in today's Weekly Famitsu magazine that goes further in-depth with Haseo's 5th Form. We have thoroughly translated the article, which you can read after the jump.

Haseo's 5th Form comes with an exclusive weapon: an eight-sectioned sword called the Gate of Uroboros. The eight sections in the whip-sword are representing the Eight Phases. However, this also comes with a drawback; once Haseo upgrades to the 5th form, he will lose the ability to use his past weapons Twin Blades, Great Sword, Scythe, and Dual Guns, leaving the whip-sword as the only weapon type available for him.

Being a whip-sword, the Gate of Uroboros can change its shape in-between attacks. It starts by slashing with its long-sword mode on the 1st attack. Then on the 2nd attack, it changes to whip mode and does a sweeping attack. On the 3rd attack, the sections will separate and shoot bullets at enemies, which can also be mashed. And finally on the 4th attack, the sword will have gathered enough energy and Haseo will make a big downwards slashing attack.

Also, to compensate for losing the ability to use other weapons, the Gate of Uroboros is inhibited by powers from all of the Eight Phase Avatars, thus allowing Haseo to use the exclusive Eight Phase Arts. Although each of the arts is powerful on their own, they have different characteristics, so the player needs to distinguish their usages for optimum results. the Eight Phase Arts are as follows:

• 1st Phase: Skeith - The Terror of Death - Violent Decapitation
  Changes the weapon to a scythe, and continuously slashes the enemy. Although it does not have any other special effects, it has high damage and easy to use which makes it appealing enough.
• 2nd Phase: Innis - The Mirage of Deceit - Flight of Deceit
  A pair of lances will launch attacks from the sky. It has a special effect on flying enemies and will give negative stat effects on them.
• 3rd Phase: Magus - The Propagation - Sprout of Severity
  The sword will change to another unique form, unleashing a whirlwind. Damage dealt will be absorbed to heal the user's HP.
• 4th Phase: Fidchell - The Prophet - Heaven's Decree: Asura & Mandala
  Swings down a giant hammer, and blows away enemies in a wide range with the shockwave. It has a special effect on armoured enemies.
• 5th Phase: Gorre - The Machinator - Great Wheel of Fate
  The weapon changes into Twin Blades, recklessly slashing the enemy. The damage itself is rather high and also has a special effect on flying enemies.
• 6th Phase: Macha - The Temptress - Fascinating Crimson Whirlwind
  After doing a combo attack with claws on both hands, the user will then unleash a rose-like aura. Has a probability to inflict charm status to the enemy.
• 7th Phase - Tarvos - The Avenger - Jewel of Revenge
  After doing a combo attack with a mace, the user spins the tip of the mace to deal multiple hits. It also has a special effect on armoured enemies.
• 8th Phase - Corbenik - The Rebirth - Judgment of the Evil God
  Changes the weapon into an energy cannon to burn every enemy directly in front. This is a high-damage, long-range attack.

As you can see above, the Gate of Uroboros will change its shape based on the weapon of each Phase Avatars in those Arts. And Haseo's 5th form is also able to activate Double Skill Trigger by using one of the first four (1st~4th) Phase Arts, where afterwards the Double Trigger prompt will be available for the player to instantly connect with one of the latter four (5th~8th) Phase Arts.

A new enemy monster is also introduced in this batch. Named Shadow Calamity Begarta, this strong enemy can teleport by opening holes in the space. Haseo will have difficulty fighting this monster in his Xth form, so he will eventually have to upgrade to the 5th form.

.hack//G.U. Last Recode, which will contain a brand-new Vol.4 Recollection in addition to the first three volumes, will be released for PlayStation 4 and PC in Japan on November 1, and in North America on November 3.