Dragon Install is one of Sol Badguy's Overdrive Attacks, first appearing in the original Guilty Gear.
This would be a staple of Sol's moveset up until Guilty Gear -Strive-, where Dragon Install would be passed onto Ky Kiske and Sol would get Heavy Mob Cemetery in its place.
Story[]
Dragon Install is a technique in which an individual unleashes their powers as a Gear, and allows for a substantial boost in strength, speed, regeneration, and magic power. To activate the state, Sol removes his Gear Cell Suppressor, unleashing his original power as a Gear, and is likely named after "installing a power of a dragon into himself" (especially since dragons are a high-level Gear and in ode to Sol's fire-based nature). He gains massive power, but loses control of his emotions, so Sol dislikes reckless use of it.[1] Whenever he does so, his body flashes a silhouette, as if to contain an inner beast. In truth, this may be him holding back his transformation. In his Order days, the silhouette had wings and a long tail, which suggests that he learned to repress it almost entirely.
So far, as seen in the Story Modes for X Plus, XX and Λ Core Plus, there are times Sol has been forced to use Dragon Install (specifically, the Gold Mode Dragon Install) to go all out against opponents he can't merely run over, with the likes of Dizzy, Ky and I-No also being in their own Gold Mode states in trade (and thus Sol deciding there's no need to hold back to a degree);
- In Dizzy's case, the story-based context is normally Sol having to subdue her due to her powers going out of control, and only so far in X Plus. It is possible to lose against her in an X Plus story path case to reach an ending where Sol despite such a power-up, still loses due to Dizzy's will to live (which deeply seems to move him). In the games afterwards however, Sol seemingly no longer needs to require his Gold Mode to stand against Dizzy in such situations.
- In cases against Ky, it's normally due to him and Sol no longer deciding to hold back during a major conflict via specific story path taken. It is only in Ky's own story in both X Plus and Λ Core Plus however, that causes Sol to be in Gold Mode in their climatic fights (whereas in Sol's own case only in Λ Core Plus, it is Ky who would be in Gold Mode in both his and Order-Sol's story climaxes).
- In I-No's case, it's often involving a boss battle in her unique stage and against her infamous Boss/Gold version, as both deem that enough-is-enough and go all out. Though in both XX and Λ Core Plus' cases, only I-No's story allows Sol to be in Gold Mode while she herself is not.
However, each time he uses it, the "seed"[1] of the Absolute World[2] inside of Sol accelerates in growth, causing notable changes to his appearance and abilities,[1] and acquiring the Backyard's abilities.[3] By 2186,[4] the Dragon Install started to "encroach",[3] making the transformation much more physical, with Sol's Gear form being dragon-like, with red and brown armored skin, wings and a tail, and being able to wrap his sword entirely in infernal flames. He uses the transformation against That Man, who observes that it has grown "this much"; although they engage in battle, Sol is unable to hurt That Man even then.[5]
Following the Baptisma 13 incident, Sol is once again covered in a dark aura, hinting at Sol modifying his limiter to suppress his powers, although not to the extent he was previously able to. In 2187, after the Cradle Incident, Sol foregoes using his Dragon Install entirely, as it would likely amplify the Information Flares, thus severely limiting his options in the fight against Ariels.[6] In the aftermath, Sol challenges Ky Kiske to a "real fight". Ky uses his war-time battlefield tactics, and Sol doesn't get the chance to transform, being defeated thoroughly.[7]
Three weeks later,[8] Sol loses the ability due to That Man returning him to humanity.[9] Meanwhile, Ky — previously limited to just manifesting a crimson eye[6][10]— develops the ability to do his own Dragon Install, and uses it against I-No.[9] Unlike Sol's, Ky's transformation is partial: the left half of his face turns black, his left eye changing colors (the iris becomes red and the sclera, jet black), and locks of hair turning neon-blue; a similarly-colored, scar-like mark travels down his left cheek. Ky's left arm turns dark blue entirely with his nails sharpening into claws, as well as a strange neon-blue marking akin to Justice's Gear emblem manifesting on the back of his hand; it constantly emits a dark aura, which during activation takes the shape of a wing.
Overview[]
Dragon Install has four main variants:
- Sol & Ky's core Dragon Install.
- Sol's upgraded Dragon Install 2nd.
- Order-Sol's Dragon Install: Morbid World.
- Gold/Boss Order-Sol's Flame Distortion.
Dragon Install[]
Sol[]
Between the original Guilty Gear and ΛCPR, Sol rears back with a roar, then flashes red for the following 8 seconds. His attack power and speed increase - allowing several of his normal attacks to be linked into one another, as well as altering the properties of some of his Special Attacks, namely his 
Volcanic Viper, which automatically making it the level 3 version in the original game; since the "level" system was discontinued in later appearances, Volcanic Viper still has its height increase, though it is done faster in later titles.
Despite these massive buffs, the increase in overall damage only applies to the Guilty Gear version, and Sol has his Tension gain halted for the duration of the state.
As of Guilty Gear X, the overall damage boost is removed and is instead only a speed boost on both his movement and attack animations as well as turning Gun Flame into a tall-diagonal burst of fire, not unlike Savage Fang, and causes Bandit Revolver to have a flame trail along Sol's kick. Additionally, his standing 
loses its jump cancel property for the duration.
Exclusive to Guilty Gear XX Λ Core Plus R, Sol gains access to Slam, which is normally the follow-up to Volcanic Viper; in the case of it being a standalone Special Attack, however, it stops all forward momentum as he falls and swings his leg around for a flaming kick.
Beginning with the Xrd series, Sol's whole physical appearance changes, having deep crimson skin up to his head, which is almost completely black with white edges, a pair of wing-like horns sprouting atop his crown, plus a curved horn above his forehead - all of which set ablaze, along with his ponytail. He retains his jacket as well as his chain neckpiece, and his Junkyard Dog is blacked out. He also has clawed feet in place of his boots, and a glowing red shadow. To top it off, the current BGM is replaced by "Ride the Fire!" for the duration of the transformation.
As well as gaining the above extra properties on his already aforementioned Special Attacks, they all gain a crimson flame motif (except for Knockdown), Bandit Bringer & Fafnir make the opponent roll backwards on contact - as well as the latter hitting up to 3 times, Grand Viper hits up to 10 times and launches the opponent up high, and Riot Stamp hits 3 times on full-contact as well. Additionally, Sol gains access to P.B.B., an aerial command grab that has Sol rush towards his opponent, grab them, then explode them twice before kicking off of them.
In all appearances, upon reaching his time limit, Sol kneels on the ground clutching his head as he shakes it, leaving him vulnerable to attacks. Ever since Slash, the mode instantly ends when Sol is knocked down, and Sol's stun resistance will drop as well. Before Xrd, Sol is also unable to use Bandit Bringer due to the upgrades to Bandit Revolver, as their inputs overlap.
Ky[]
As mentioned above, Ky's Dragon Install state in Guilty Gear -Strive- has his right eye turn from blue to red, as well as having that top corner of his face turn blue at the hair and black on the skin, gaining blue marks over the eye and a brand on the top of his front hand, as well as having black-and-blue aura emanating from his front forearm. He also gains a glowing blue shadow.
Unlike Sol's version which can be done at any time with 50% Tension, Ky's version can only be activated when at 30% or lower HP (indicated by red sparks coming from Ky) as well as cost 50% Tension, though the state is permanent for the rest of the round. During activation, it releases a shockwave with a hitbox that is thin, but long in terms of effective range; if the opponent is in the corner, it will cause a Wall-Break.
During Dragon Install, Ky's run speed is drastically increased and the properties of Ky's Special Attacks and Overdrives are improved;
- Both the ground & aerial versions of Stun Edge hit twice and can negate any regular single-hit projectile.
- Charged Stun Edge hits 5 times.
- Both versions of Vapor Thrust launch the opponent at a sharper angle.
- The
version hits the opponent twice. - The
version hits the opponent 3 times.
- The
- Stun Dipper adds a second hit to the slash, causing a hard knockdown.
- Foudre Arc hits the opponent twice and deals more damage.
- Dire Eclat hits the opponent 3 times and makes the opponent slide further back.
- Ride the Lightning hits the opponent 8 times, then follows up with a 3-hit slash at the end.
- Sacred Edge hits the opponent 8 times.
Ironically, Ky cannot inflict Shock State to opponents while in Dragon Install, though the added attack power and other properties make up for the lack of the unique ability.
Dragon Install 2nd[]
Between Guilty Gear XX Λ Core up to Plus R (albeit as a hidden move in Λ Core), Sol gains a 100% Tension version in the form of Dragon Install 2nd (ドラゴンインストールセカンド, Doragon Insutōru Sekando?). The startup is signified by Sol being stuck in the starting frame of the animation as the screen rumbles for a while, before the startup flash finally occurs. The power state will install even if Sol is hit, and the effects are permanent for the rest of the round.
Dragon Install: Morbid World[]
Named after the Instant Kill mechanic in the original Guilty Gear, Order-Sol's Dragon Install: Morbid World (ドラゴンインストール：殺界, Doragon Insutōru: Sakkai?, lit. Dragon Install: Killing Realm) starts with Sol briefly turning into his Gear form (which can also hit the opponent), then charges towards his opponent with a flameless level 3 Rock It. Then, Sol transitions into the Morbid World follow-up gatling combo, barraging the opponent with a series of punches and kicks, ending with a Tyrant Rave ver.Alpha; if used as Gold Order-Sol, the combo proceeds without inputting commands as long as the initial attack connects.
It originally costed both a full Tension & Charge (Order-Sol) Gauge to perform, though the Tension cost reduced to 50% in Λ Core Plus R. Its activation command input was originally 
+ 
in Slash, but it was shortened to + from Λ Core onwards; the longer version remained as EX Order-Sol's input, however.
The Morbid World button sequence is as follows:
(Present Sol far standing )
(Present Sol standing )- (Flameless single-hit Volcanic Viper)
- (Flameless Bandit Revolver (second kick))
(slight pause)- (Second hit of Level 2 Rock It)
- (Flameless Tyrant Rave ver. β's first hit)
+ (Flameless Tyrant Rave ver. β's second hit).
The original sequence from Slash had an initial , followed by the aforementioned gatling sequenc, and finished with + .
If the player fails at any point by missing the initial stagger or by doing an incorrect input, Sol will enter his pseudo-stunned state. Meanwhile, dropping the attack sequence deliberately at anytime with no input followup allows Order-Sol to recover normally.
If the final attack lands with the opponent's health nearly completely empty, Sol automatically does a level 3 Tyrant Rave ver. Ω, which launches the opponent instead of blowing them back - then Sol will enter his Gear form silhouette with wings and a tail to perform a delayed, acute-angled Napalm Death. When he lands afterwards, Sol returns to normal and is in his stunned-state animation, only he has his headband discarded and his long hair undone, flowing over his face.
Flame Distortion[]
Order-Sol also has Flame Distortion (フレイムディストーション, Fureimu Disutōshon?), which he can use as both the hidden Arcade boss in Guilty Gear XX Slash up to Λ Core Plus R, or as Gold Order-Sol by inputting + .
Unlike the above versions of Dragon Install, Flame Distortion starts with the screen blacking out after the startup flash and Sol fading into the background just after an energy burst, then re-emerging with two flames crossing through his figure (a la Level 3 Rock It).
Flame Distortion's benefits are twofold which last for around 10 seconds mirroring the Gold Mode present-Sol's own permanent Dragon Install: on top of the speed boost, it continuously fills up Order-Sol's Tension and Charge Gauges, and also grants the same HP regeneration on any difficulty settings higher than Beginner (unless he is getting hit, then the regeneration will halt for around a second when he recovers from hitstun). In most difficulties, his AI thus won't hesitate to abuse costly Tension-consuming moves in this state.
Upon depletion however unlike Gold present-Sol, Boss Order-Sol will lose all of his Tension and Charge Gauge should Flame Distortion expire (in Λ Core however, only the former is emptied) and will once again enter his pseudo-stunned state to be left open to attack.
Strategy[]
It should be noted that throughout the series ever since Guilty Gear X Plus, Sol automatically has this state active permanently when fought or played as his Gold Mode version even with his normal color palette, especially within several important Story Mode battles he is involved in. Topping this off is that DI state even grants him Infinite Tension while providing him HP regeneration if he isn't hit (the regen will resume once Sol recovers from hitstun).
Although Dragon Install possesses a great deal with start-up invincibility compared to most Overdrives, it is not recommended as a reversal, and the move is easily punishable in the open. The timings of his cancels and general combos are also vastly altered due to the increased speed, having less start-up time and ending lag, making control difficult.
Dragon Install 2nd also comes with notable downsides: it possesses no startup invulnerability whatsoever; Sol's tension gain is put to 20% of its original value, and Sol's health steadily decreases until 1 HP is left. This overall makes this version of very little worthwhile use.
Similar to Sol's, Ky's Dragon Install in -Strive- enhances his Special Attacks and other Overdrives, but severely reduces his Tension gain, thus limiting his options for the rest of the round. Again, given its long startup and recovery, it is a generally unsafe move that either needs a combo or a hard knockdown prior to its activation.
Details[]
- Sol
| Game | Damage | T. Gain | Level0-4 range; stun time duration it causes | G. Type | Cancel | Frames |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG | None | -- | -- | -- | -- | ?Startup / ?Active / ?Recovery |
| GGX | None | -- | -- | -- | -- | ?Startup / ?Active / ?Recovery |
| GGXX | None | -- | -- | -- | -- | -Startup / -Active / 19+9Recovery (♯R)[11] 19+9Startup / -Active / 28 totalRecovery (ΛC)[12] 19+1Startup / -Active / 20 totalRecovery (ΛC+R)[13] |
| GGXX (Sakkai) | 30,20x8,230[14] | -- | -- | All[14] | RC[14] | 7+1Startup / 3Active / 68Recovery[14] |
| GGXX (2nd) | None | -- | -- | -- | -- | -Startup / -Active / 127 totalRecovery[12] |
| GGXrd | None | -- | -- | -- | YRC[15] | -Startup / -Active / 19 totalRecovery[15] |
| GGST (Mob) | 40,161[16] | -- | -- | Ground Throw[16] | -- | 13+7Startup / -Active / -Recovery[16] |
- Ky
| Game | Damage | T. Gain | Level0-4 range; stun time duration it causes | G. Type | Cancel | Frames |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GGST | 40[17] | -- | -- | All[17] | -- | 21+1Startup / 5Active / 41 totalRecovery[17] |
Trivia[]
- The sequence of inputs for Dragon Install: Sakkai is likely a nod to the iconic Deadly Rave super move used by Geese Howard in the Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters series.
- Also in-name only, the Sakkai term also references the classic mechanic for how Instant Kills worked (the red screen indicator) back in the first Guilty Gear game.
- In Guilty Gear Isuka, both Kakusei Sol and Ky appear to be almost permanently in a Dragon Install state. Notably, both Sol and Ky periodically go through a refresh period as their timer runs out, forcing them into the same pseudo-stunned state and leaving them open to attack before recovery in spite of their other advantages.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 [GGWorld - "Dragon Install"]
- ↑ Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- script § "Cause A"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Guilty Gear 2 -Overture- script § "Curtain Call"
- ↑ Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- manual, pg.??, pg.3-4
- ↑ Guilty Gear 2 -Overture- script § "Demon"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- script § "Fireworks"
- ↑ Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 script § "After Story A"
- ↑ Guilty Gear -Strive- script § "Prologue"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Guilty Gear -Strive- script § "Conclusion"
- ↑ Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- script § "Resolution A"
- ↑ Dustloop Wiki - GGReload - {{{3}}}
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Dustloop Wiki - GGAC - {{{3}}}
- ↑ Dustloop Wiki - GGACR - {{{3}}}
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Dustloop Wiki - GGACR - y
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Dustloop Wiki - GGXRD - {{{3}}}
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Dustloop Wiki - GGST - {{{3}}}
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Dustloop Wiki - GGST - {{{3}}}