Van Gelf

Van Gelf
Race:	Fiend (Demon)
Rank:	Grunt
Debut:	Ninja Gaiden II

Van Gelfs make up the bulk of the Vazdah Sect of Fiends, as such they are common demons encountered numerous times in Ninja Gaiden II and make a return on Ninja Gaiden 3.

Appearance

Van Gelf appear as demon like creature with large tusks and curved horns, their limbs and torso are noticeably thin. There are two types of Van Gelf: the flightless earthbound Van Gelfs, and the winged Van Gelfs, that are usually more powerful. There are also three different tiers of Van Gelf, with different colors indicating their power, being purple (lowest), green (mid) and golden (top).

Abilities and Powers

Agility: Van Gelfs are unusually agile for their size, being able to quickly dash towards Ryu.

Brute Strength: some of their attacks will break Ryu's guard. They attack with powerful punchs, up to 4 hit combos.

Thick skin: Van Gelfs are sturdy enemies with medium resistance to hitstun, but dismember quite easily.

Pounce: Van Gelfs can jump long distances, and if landing on their victims, will unleash a barrage of multiple punches. Players can mash buttons to break off earlier.

Fireballs: they will spit various fireballs from long distances. On higher difficulties they will shoot more fireballs in succession.

Fire Breath: when in close combat, they can spray flames in a wide arc in front of them. They also have a very dangerous grab attack where they will pick up their victim and blast fire at their faces.

Flight: Only Van Gelfs with wings are able to fly. Those are capable of performing powerful diving attacks and pounces.

History

Ninja Gaiden 2 / Sigma 2

Van Gelf losing part of its arm

Van Gelfs are first encountered in New York, in Sigma 2 they are not seen until mid way through when the streets break open and one crawls out eating a bat. In Sigma 2 this is a golden winged Van Gelf, in Ninja Gaiden II, it is a normal purple Van Gelf. Van Gelfs are then later encountered more frequently, making up the bulk of the Fiend forces. In the later chapters they are seen gathering in masses for demonic rituals lead by Dagra Dai.

Ninja Gaiden 3 / Razor's Edge

While they're not present in the Story Mode of the original Ninja Gaiden 3, they appear alongside with Flare Shadow Demons in certain Ninja Trials. In Razor's Edge, however, they appear in the Story Mode starting on Day 3. Ryu and Mizuki will comment on the fact that LOA has expanded their research into fiends as well. Only the purple and winged green variations exist.

Strategy

• Despite their brute force and powerful attacks, they are vulnerable to obliteration techniques. Weapons such as the Eclipse Scythe and the Tonfa are particularly useful to dismember them. The Incendiary Shuriken are also quite effective and will often guarantee the dismemberment.
  • Van Gelfs will often keep their distance from Ryu once dismembered, jumping backwards.

• They are a little harder to kill in Ninja Gaiden 3 due to the dismemberment system being absent. But overall use the same strategy from the second game applies.

• In Razor's Edge they are much harder to dismember, in addition to having higher resistance to hitstun. The Eclispe Scythe and Lunar Staff are often the best weapons to deal with them.

Gallery

NG2: Van Gelf artwork

NG2: Van Gelf Artwork with storyboard