Falcon's Talons

Falcon's Talons
Type	Melee Weapon
Details	NG2 NG3 A [sic] unique evolution of a ninja's traditional hand-mounted claws. Claws for both hands and feet. Use these for quick combos with multiple hits and kicks.''
Statistics
Strength	Medium
Speed	High
Range	Low
Max. Level	3
First Appearance
Debut	Ninja Gaiden II (S2;S2P;II:B) Ninja Gaiden 3 (RE)

The Falcon's Talons (硬殻猛禽爪, Kōkakumōkintsume^?, lit. "Hard-Shelled Raptor Claws"), also known as the Metal Claws, are a pair of melee weapons in Ninja Gaiden II, obtained in Chapter 2: The Castle of the Dragon. They also appear in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus, and Ninja Gaiden II: Black.

They make a return in Ninja Gaiden 3, available from the start with the free PlayStation 3 patch or Xbox 360 "Ninja Pack 1 Lite" DLC, and in Shadows of the World with the "Metal Claws" paid DLC. It is also featured in Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, first seen on Day 1.

Overview

This unique weapon consists of customized gauntlets with large steel claws worn on the hands and feet. They are found in Chapter 2, inside the building that overlooks the courtyard with the Rod of Trials Shrine, just before the flight of stairs up to the Castle of the Dragon. You'll have to fight many Black Spider Ninjas once you enter this building. If you do not get them here you can later purchase them from the shop. They return in NGIII as downloadable weapons and are acquired via falcon in Razor's Edge.

Details

An advanced version of the hand claws, or teko-kagi, that have
been an essential part of the ninja's arsenal since ancient times.

Modeled after the talons of birds of prey, this set includes both
steel claws for the hands and bladed foot attachments. The basic
hand and foot techniques learned by every ninja can be converted
into brutal cutting and slashing attacks with these weapons.

Although the claws themselves are short, the use of multiple blades
on each appendage increases the overall cutting surface for devastating
attack capability. The gauntlets to which the blades are attached also
enhance the wearer's defensive capabilities, making them extremely
versatile weapons.

Location

• NG2
• NG3
• NG3:RE

• Chapter 2: The Castle of the Dragon
  • Inside the building to the right past the first Save Point.

• Main Game: available at any point with the free PlayStation 3 patch or Xbox 360 "Ninja Pack 1 Lite" DLC
• Shadows of the World: unlocked by the "Metal Claws" paid DLC.

• Day 4
  • Obtained from the first Falcon.

Upgrades

• NGII — NGII:B
• NGS2 — NGS2P
• NG3:RE

In the Blacksmith section of Muramasa's Shop, you may spend Yellow Essence to upgrade your melee weapons:

Difficulty	Level 2	Level 3
Path of the Acolyte	10000	20000
Path of the Warrior	10000	30000
Path of the Mentor	15000	35000
Path of the Master Ninja	20000	40000

• You may only upgrade melee weapons at any Muramasa's Shop marked with a blue lantern.

• Only one weapon may be upgraded at a time.

• Upgrading weapons does not cost Yellow Essence.

Press Select to access the Ninja Skills screen, then choose which upgrades to learn:

Difficulty	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Hero	10000	150000	400000
Normal	10000	150000	400000
Hard	10000	180000	480000
Master Ninja	10000	150000	400000
Ultimate Ninja	10000	300000	800000

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Very fast.
• Easy moves.
• Very easy to de-limb with.
• Lethal against groups, and unarmored enemies including Werewolves and Van Gelfs.
• Capable of performing Flying Swallow + Izuna Drop follow up (Ninja Gaiden 2/Sigma 2).
• They can perform 'Heavenly Justice', acting exactly the same way as it did with the Tonfa (NGIII/RE).

Weaknesses:

• Short-Range.
• Lacks more powerful guard breaker moves.
• Not particularly powerful.
• Not very effective against armored enemies.

Techniques

• NG2
• NG3

• NGII
• NGS2/NGS2P/NGII:B

Name	Notation	Note	Level
Lion's Roar
Heavenly Wolf
Ravenous Wolf	Hold when hitting enemy
Panther Tail Kick
Running Flame
Tiger's Crushing Claw
Crushing Vermilion Bird Strike
Izuna Drop
Wings of the Phantom Roc
Wings of the Vermilion Bird
Vermilion Bird Strike
Flying Tiger's Claw		AIR
Crushing Vermilion Bird Strike
Izuna Drop
Piercing Wolf's Fang
White Tiger Flurry
White Tiger Gouge
Bared Lion's Fang	Hold when hitting enemy
Thunderous Lion's Roar
White Tiger Gouge
Bared Lion's Fang	Hold when hitting enemy
Bear Strike
Charging Roar
Furious Tiger Claw
Furious Tiger Kick
Gouging Wolf Claw	Hold when hitting enemy
King of Beasts
Claws of a Hundred Beasts
Fury of the Divine Beasts
Thunderous Earth
Cry of the Phoenix
Beast's Claw Kick	While running
Charging Tiger's Claw	While running
Charging Tiger's Kick	While running
Gouging Wolf Claw	While running Hold when hitting enemy
Ring of Nine Tails
Black Tortoise of Water	While blocking
Black Tortoise of Wind	While blocking
Claw of the Phantom Roc	While blocking
Bared Lions's Fang	While blocking Hold when hitting enemy
Haunting Dog	Next to downed enemy
Flying Tiger's Claw	While jumping	AIR
Crushing Vermillion Bird Strike	While jumping
Izuna Drop	While jumping
Three-Legged Bird	While jumping
Flying Swallow	While jumping towards enemy	AIR
Flame of the Chimera	While jumping towards enemy
Izuna Drop	While jumping towards enemy
Guillotine Throw	While jumping near enemy
Flying Swallow	While wall running	AIR
Flame of the Chimera	While wall running
Izuna Drop	While wall running
Azure Dragon Kick	On wall	AIR
Swooping White Phoenix	On wall
Descent of the Dragon	During Flying Bird Flip
Falling Azure Dragon	During Flying Bird Flip	AIR
Moon of the Fox	During Flying Bird Flip Hold when hitting enemy	AIR
Swooping White Phoenix	During Flying Bird Flip
Submerged Tiger Claw	While running on water
Submerged Crushing Jaw	While running on water
Surging Azure Dragon	While running on water
Cry of the Phoenix	While running on water
Water Tiger's Crushing Claw	At water surface
Phantom Strike	At water surface	AIR
Surging Azure Dragon	At water surface
Water Fox Kick	At water surface	AIR
Fangs of the Water Dragon	Underwater
Water Reptile Slash	Underwater
Reverse Wind
Wind Path	While jumping near enemy
Wind Run
Flying Bird Flip	On wall
Calm Water Run	While running on water
Calm Water Break	While running on water

Name	Notation		Note	Level
Lion's Roar	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Heavenly Wolf	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Ravenous Kick	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
Panther Tail Kick	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Running Flame	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Tiger's Crushing Claw	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crushing Vermilion Bird Strike	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Izuna Drop	Xbox		THROW
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Wings of the Phantom Roc	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Wings of the Vermilion Bird	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Vermilion Bird Strike	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flying Tiger's Claw	Xbox		AIR
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Continuous Tiger's Claw	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Heavenly Tiger's Claw	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crushing Vermilion Bird Strike	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Izuna Drop	Xbox		THROW
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Piercing Wolf's Fang	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
White Tiger Flurry	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
White Tiger Gouge	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Bared Lion's Fang	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
Thunderous Lion's Roar	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
White Tiger Gouge	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Bared Lion's Fang	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
Bear Strike	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Charging Boar	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Furious Tiger Claw	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Furious Tiger Kick	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Gouging Wolf Claw	Xbox	Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	Hold when hitting enemy
King of Beasts	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Claws of a Hundred Beasts	Xbox	Essence
	PlayStation	Essence
	Nintendo	Essence
Fury of the Divine Beasts	Xbox	Essence Full
	PlayStation	Essence Full
	Nintendo	Essence Full
Thunderous Earth	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Cry of the Phoenix	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast's Claw Kick	Xbox	While running
	PlayStation	While running
	Nintendo	While running
Charging Tiger's Claw	Xbox	While running
	PlayStation	While running
	Nintendo	While running
Charging Tiger's Kick	Xbox	While running
	PlayStation	While running
	Nintendo	While running
Gouging Wolf Claw	Xbox	While running Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	While running Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	While running Hold when hitting enemy
Ring of Nine Tails	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Black Tortoise of Water	Xbox	While blocking
	PlayStation	While blocking
	Nintendo	While blocking
Black Tortoise of Wind	Xbox	While blocking
	PlayStation	While blocking
	Nintendo	While blocking
Claw of the Phantom Roc	Xbox	While blocking
	PlayStation	While blocking
	Nintendo	While blocking
Bared Lions's Fang	Xbox	While blocking Hold when hitting enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	While blocking Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	While blocking Hold when hitting enemy
Haunting Dog	Xbox	Next to downed enemy
	PlayStation	Next to downed enemy
	Nintendo	Next to downed enemy
Flying Tiger's Claw	Xbox	While jumping	AIR
	PlayStation	While jumping
	Nintendo	While jumping
Crushing Vermillion Bird Strike	Xbox	While jumping
	PlayStation	While jumping
	Nintendo	While jumping
Izuna Drop	Xbox	While jumping	THROW
	PlayStation	While jumping
	Nintendo	While jumping
Three-Legged Bird	Xbox	While jumping
	PlayStation	While jumping
	Nintendo	While jumping
Flying Swallow	Xbox	While jumping towards enemy	AIR
	PlayStation	While jumping towards enemy
	Nintendo	While jumping towards enemy
Flame of the Chimera	Xbox	While jumping towards enemy
	PlayStation	While jumping towards enemy
	Nintendo	While jumping towards enemy
Izuna Drop	Xbox	While jumping towards enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	While jumping towards enemy
	Nintendo	While jumping towards enemy
Guillotine Throw	Xbox	While jumping near enemy	THROW
	PlayStation	While jumping near enemy
	Nintendo	While jumping near enemy
Flying Swallow	Xbox	While wall running or	AIR
	PlayStation	While wall running or
	Nintendo	While wall running or
Flame of the Chimera	Xbox	While wall running
	PlayStation	While wall running
	Nintendo	While wall running
Izuna Drop	Xbox	While wall running	THROW
	PlayStation	While wall running
	Nintendo	While wall running
Azure Dragon Kick	Xbox	On wall or	AIR
	PlayStation	On wall or
	Nintendo	On wall or
Swooping White Phoenix	Xbox	On wall
	PlayStation	On wall
	Nintendo	On wall
Descent of the Dragon	Xbox	During Flying Bird Flip
	PlayStation	During Flying Bird Flip
	Nintendo	During Flying Bird Flip
Falling Azure Dragon	Xbox	During Flying Bird Flip	AIR
	PlayStation	During Flying Bird Flip
	Nintendo	During Flying Bird Flip
Moon of the Fox	Xbox	During Flying Bird Flip Hold when hitting enemy	AIR
	PlayStation	During Flying Bird Flip Hold when hitting enemy
	Nintendo	During Flying Bird Flip Hold when hitting enemy
Swooping White Phoenix	Xbox	During Flying Bird Flip or
	PlayStation	During Flying Bird Flip or
	Nintendo	During Flying Bird Flip or
Submerged Tiger Claw	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water
Submerged Crushing Jaw	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water
Surging Azure Dragon	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water
Cry of the Phoenix	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water
Water Tiger's Crushing Claw	Xbox	At water surface
	PlayStation	At water surface
	Nintendo	At water surface
Phantom Strike	Xbox	At water surface	AIR
	PlayStation	At water surface
	Nintendo	At water surface
Surging Azure Dragon	Xbox	At water surface
	PlayStation	At water surface
	Nintendo	At water surface
Water Fox Kick	Xbox	At water surface	AIR
	PlayStation	At water surface
	Nintendo	At water surface
Fangs of the Water Dragon	Xbox	Underwater
	PlayStation	Underwater
	Nintendo	Underwater
Water Reptile Slash	Xbox	Underwater
	PlayStation	Underwater
	Nintendo	Underwater
Reverse Wind	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Wind Path	Xbox	While jumping near enemy
	PlayStation	While jumping near enemy
	Nintendo	While jumping near enemy
Wind Run	Xbox
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flying Bird Flip	Xbox	On wall
	PlayStation	On wall
	Nintendo	On wall
Calm Water Run	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water
Calm Water Break	Xbox	While running on water
	PlayStation	While running on water
	Nintendo	While running on water

• NG3
• NG3:RE

Xbox Notation	PlayStation Notation	Note
• STANDING
		AIR
		AIR
		AIR
• RUNNING
		AIR
		AIR
		AIR
		AIR
		AIR
• STANDING JUMP
		DROP
		THROW
		AIR
		THROW
		AIR
		DROP
• RUNNING JUMP
		DROP
• SLIDING
		AIR
• SLIDING HIT
		AIR
• LAND
		AIR
• WALL JUMP
		DROP
• WALL RUN
		DROP
• FLYING SWALLOW BLOCKED
• FLYING BIRD FLIP
		DROP
		DROP
• SABAKI

Name	Notation		Note	Level
• STANDING
Eagle Strike	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rending Beast Kick	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Claw's Kick Fury	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Claw's Kick Storm	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Howl Kick	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Howl Kick	Xbox		AIR	LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Howl Kick	Xbox		AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Shattering Earth	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Wolf Kick	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rending Wolf Pack	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Devil Wolf Rush	Xbox		AIR	LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rending Nine Tails	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Shattering Nine Tails	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
White Tiger Roar	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rising Tiger Lunge	Xbox		AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
White Tiger Roar	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rising Tiger Lunge	Xbox		AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
White Tiger Roar	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rising Tiger Lunge	Xbox		AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
White Tiger Roar	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rising Tiger Lunge	Xbox		AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
White Fox Kick	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rabid Panther Claw	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rabid Panther Cross	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rabid Panther Rush	Xbox		AIR	LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rabid Nine Tails	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
White Fox Cross	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Eagle Talons	Xbox		AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Charging Boar	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rending Kick	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Lightning Kick	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Fox Strike	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Ghost Fox Howl	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Lightning Fox Howl	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Rending Fox Howl	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Eagle Talons	Xbox		AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Ring of Heaven Kick	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crushing Peak	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Severing Beast Charge	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Charge Ascent	Xbox		AIR	LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crushing Nine Tails	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Leaping Spin	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Thunderous Earth	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Black Wolf Kick	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Black Wolf Howl	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Raven Cry	Xbox		AIR	LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Stallion Cry	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Divine Howl	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Ring of Heaven Kick	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crushing Peak	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Severing Beast Charge	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Charge Ascent	Xbox		AIR	LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crushing Nine Tails	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Tortoise Beast Charge	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Ring of Heaven Kick	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crushing Peak	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Severing Beast Charge	Xbox			LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Charge Ascent	Xbox		AIR	LV.3
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crushing Nine Tails	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• RUNNING
White Tiger Claw	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Claw Kick	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Pursuit	Xbox		AIR	LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Beast Howl Kick	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• STANDING JUMP
Crushing Vermilion Bird Strike	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Izuna Drop	Xbox		THROW	LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Severing Devil Wolf	Xbox		THROW	LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crushing Vermilion Bird Strike	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Izuna Drop	Xbox		THROW	LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crow Cry Kick	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Severing Devil Wolf	Xbox		THROW	LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crow Cry Kick	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• RUNNING JUMP
Falling Falcon Claw	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crow Cry Kick	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crow Cry Kick	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• LAND
Beast Charge Pursuit	Xbox			LV.2
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• WALL JUMP
Falling Falcon Claw	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crow Cry Kick	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• WALL RUN
Falling Falcon Claw	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Crow Cry Kick	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• FLYING SWALLOW BLOCKED
Falling Falcon Claw	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Flying Swallow	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• FLYING BIRD FLIP
Falling Falcon Claw	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Severing Crow Fall	Xbox		DROP	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
• SABAKI
Crouching Tiger Roar	Xbox			LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo
Phoenix Inferno	Xbox		AIR	LV.1
	PlayStation
	Nintendo

Trivia

• Completing Ninja Gaiden II on any difficulty level using only this as a melee weapon unlocks the "Falcon's Talons Master" Achievement.
• Defeating 1000 enemies in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 with this weapon unlocks the "Falcon's Talons Master" Achievement/Trophy.
• Defeating 1000 enemies in Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge with this weapon unlocks the "Falcon's Talons Master" Achievement/Trophy.
• Upgrading this weapon to Level 3 in the Master Collection edition of Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge unlocks the "Falcon's Talons Expert" Achievement/Trophy.
• Featured in the Ninja Gaiden II front cover, alongside the Eclipse Scythe.
• Featured in the Ninja Gaiden II demo, alongside the Dragon Sword, Eclipse Scythe, and Lunar Staff.
• Featured in the Ninja Gaiden 3 demo, alongside the Dragon Sword and Eclipse Scythe.
• The Falcon's Talons (or FTs) are known for having the easiest Izuna drop move in the game, all that is needed to decimate a human or humanoid foe is, A+X, X,X,Y or Swallow, X, Y. In Ninja Gaiden 3, however, it has the same input as the Dragon Sword.
• Genshin has similar claws on one of his hands, though he isn't equipped with any blades on his legs.
• This is the only weapon where Ryu always stays in its fighting stance even if there aren't any enemies nearby.

Gallery

Falcon's Talons in action.

Falcon's Talons in NG3

Ryu with Falcon's Talons in NG3

NG3 Concept for Falcon's Talons