Hello, fellow readers! Welcome back as we now dive into the possibility of Dark Spyro in Them's Fightin' Herds. Along with his original counterpart, he joins the fray as a kinda secondary guest character. However their looks are one of very few things similar between them, as he has his own personality and moveset to bring to the table.
You already know the deal. Interactions with the roster, moveset, lines, the works. With that said, let's do this!
Them's Fightin' Herds Battle Intros (Dark Spyro Edition)
1. Arizona
Intro One
Arizona: Whoa, a real dragon!
Dark Spyro: One you better fear.
Intro Two
Dark Spyro: Out of my way... or get trampled.
Arizona: Looks like you need a good hiney whoopin'!
Outro One
Arizona: I don't fear the predators, why should I fear you?
Dark Spyro: Warned ya, kid.
Outro Two
Dark Spyro: You're in over your head, kid.
Arizona: Not exactly a tough dragon, are ya?
2. Velvet
Intro One
Velvet: A predator? No, zis is different...
Dark Spyro: I'm a dragon. Far more fearsome than those pests.
Intro Two
Dark Spyro: Careful, I might burn that fur off your skin.
Velvet: No one touches ZE FLOOF!
Outro One
Velvet: HA! Your bluff zis just hot air!
Dark Spyro: Now you know who to really fear...
Outro Two
Dark Spyro: Your 'floof' is the same as you, soft.
Velvet: HA! My floof proves superior to your scales!
3. Oleander/Fred
Intro One
Oleander: Wait... You use dark magic as well?
Dark Spyro: Unlike a pretender like you, I've mastered it.
Fred: Is that right? Then PROVE IT!
Intro Two
Dark Spyro: Well, guess it's time for me to hit the books.
Oleander: *rolls eyes* Wow, what a great joke.
Fred: And here's THE PUNCHLINE!
Outro One
Oleander: What recklessness with such power.
Fred: I expected as much. At least you have class.
Dark Spyro: That book of yours is stronger than you.
Outro Two
Dark Spyro: *sarcastic* Oops, your book just got ruined.
Oleander: Does everyone have to make that joke?
Fred: Doesn't make the ending any less funny.
4. Paprika
Intro One
Paprika: *Happy Papdings*
Dark Spyro: ...I don't know what you said, but I hate it.
Intro Two
Dark Spyro: WILL. YOU. JUST. GO. AWAY!?
Paprika: ...*Blows raspberry*
Outro One
Paprika: *Really happy Papdings*
Dark Spyro: That'll keep you quiet.
Outro Two
Dark Spyro: Now you disappear...
Paprika: *Questionable Papdings*
5. Pom
Intro One
Pom: C-Can you please go away, Mr. Dragon?
Dark Spyro: Don't worry, this'll be quick.
Intro Two
Dark Spyro: Seriously, how are you a fighter?
Pom: N-Not by choice, mind you.
Outro One
Pom: Where did you even come from?
Dark Spyro: *sighs* Not even worth my time...
Outro Two
Dark Spyro: *narrows eyes* You're hiding something...
Pom: Thank you, pups.
6. Tianhuo
Intro One
Tianhuo: A half-dragon versus a pure dragon. Let's see what you're made of.
Dark Spyro: Heh, you have no chance.
Intro Two
Dark Spyro: You wield such flames, yet you hold back... You're no dragon like me.
Tianhuo: If dragons have souls like yours, I'm glad I'm not.
Outro One
Tianhuo: Your arrogance sealed your fall.
Dark Spyro: Even the strongest dragons can't stop me!
Outro Two
Dark Spyro: Souls like mine? Please, I'm one of a kind.
Tianhuo: Your power may be more dangerous than the predators...
7. Shanty
Intro One
Shanty: Ay, a real dragon! Best tell me where your horde of gems are!
Dark Spyro: Even if I did, I don't like being ordered around.
Intro Two
Dark Spyro: *laughs* YOU are a pirate!? I've seen insects more intimidating!
Shanty: Such mockery will cost ya scales!
Outro One
Shanty: Yarrr! The mountainous loot is mine!
Dark Spyro: *clenches claw* You reminded me of that bear...
Outro Two
Dark Spyro: You might be good for a toothpick.
Shanty: A dragon like ya will fetch a high price...
8. Spyro (Original Alt)
Intro One
Spyro: So I have a dark side...
Dark Spyro: *smirks* I'm your superior side.
Spyro: Well, we'll see about that!
Intro Two
*The two start with a staredown, followed by both blowing a puff of flame*
Dark Spyro: Like looking into an ugly mirror...
Spyro: *smirks* Wow, so savage that you burn yourself?
Dark Spyro: No, I just have insight into your future.
Outro One
Spyro: You can't beat the original!
Dark Spyro: *grins* Like I said, superior in EVERY way.
Outro Two
Dark Spyro: I must be psychic, cause my prediction came true.
Spyro: OK, are you sure you didn't just burn yourself twice?
9. Normal & Mirror Intros/Outros
N. Intros
Line 1: You're wasting my time.
Line 2: Fine, you'll be my punching bag.
Line 3: Heh, I'll beat you in five seconds.
Line 4: You won't walk away unscathed.
N. Outros
Line 1: *yawns* Boring!
Line 2: Not durable enough.
Line 3: *sarcastic* Wow, tougher than I thought.
Line 4: Still alive? I'm surprised.
Mirror Match
Intro One
D. Spyro 1: Another me? Impossible...
D. Spyro 2: There can be only one!
D. Spyro 1: Agreed.
Intro Two
D. Spyro 2: Guess the faker decided to play dress-up?
D. Spyro 1: Faker? You're the fake one around here!
D. Spyro 2: *narrows eyes* Yeah, no.
Outro One
Line 1: *clenches claw* I'm the REAL Spyro!
Line 2: *blows a puff of flame* Now one remains.
Outro Two
Line 1: Not even worthy to be a fake...
Line 2: *sighs* Disappointing...
10. Taunts, Time out, etc.
Taunts
Line 1: Afraid of getting burned?
Line 2: Stop. Wasting. Time!
Line 3: Come on already!
Line 4: Ya scared?
Time Out
Line 1: Whatever...
Line 2: I'm outta here.
Line 3: WEAK!
Line 4: *flies away* (N: Only happens on the final round)
Combat Quotes
1. Elements
Dark Fire: Burn!/Scorch!
Lethal Lightning: Fry!/Strike!
Icy Isolation: Freeze!/Shatter!
Torrential Terror: Spiral!/Shred!
Earthquake: Boom!/Quake!
2. Other Quotes
Spring Jump: Rise!/Fly!
Headbutt: Fall!/Bye!
Defense Quotes
1. Recovery
Line 1: Enough!
Line 2: My turn!
Line 3: Annoying...
Line 4: Pest!
2. Throws
Normal: See ya!
Tech: Back off!
Super Quotes
Comet Dash: Buh bye!/ You're toast!
Superfly: Going up!/ This is my turf!
Dark Form: I've HAD IT!/ BEGONE!
Aether Fury: GO AWAY!/ VANISH!
Black Hole: Reduce to nothing.../ The curtain falls...
11. Moveset (Specials and Supers)
Dark Fire Breath (Shotgun Burst): His classic fire breath with a dark twist. Does good damage with decent range.
Icy Isolation (Freeze Burst): An icy wind, capable of briefly slowing the opponent. Does good damage with short range. Uses one magic bar, but can use an extra bar for a follow-up.
Torrential Terror (Projectile): A swirling wave of water, forming a bubble in front of the player. Does good rapid damage before bursting. Uses one magic bar, but can use an extra bar for more damage, if timed right.
Lethal Lightning (Beam): A bolt of lightning that travels across the screen. Does a solid burst of damage and stuns the opponent before they fall. Uses two magic bars, but can use an extra bar for more damage.
Earthquake (Stomp): Channeling magic into his claws, he slams the ground to erupt sharp pillars of earth. Does heavy damage and sends the opponent skyward. Uses three magic bars, but can use an extra bar for more damage.
Hostile Horn (Headbutt): Follow-up from Icy Isolation, he shatters his frozen opponent with his horns. Said attack slams them down, causing a ground bounce.
Tidal Tail (Tail Slash): Follow-up from Torrential Terror, he slashes the bubble with his tail, making said bubble burst stronger. The burst causes a hard knockdown.
Flash Slash (Flying Claw): Follow-up from Lethal Lightning, he dives into the beam to close the distance and land a finishing blow. The opponent goes into a crumple stance soon after.
Meteor Star (Boulder Throw): Follow-up from Earthquake, he uses a magic thread to levitate a boulder, raising it up before slamming it down onto his opponent. This will bury said opponent on impact.
Flight (Flying): Dark Spyro takes flight, taking the fight with him. Lasts for about two seconds, four if activated by Superfly. (N: Works similar to Tianhuo's Flight)
Spring Jump (DP): A rising spin jump, extending his wings for range. Can go into Flight if held down, flowing into midair combos. Does decent rapid damage.
Headbutt (DP Follow-up): Brings both Dark Spyro and his opponent back down to the ground. Does good damage and even buries the opponent on impact.
Tail Sweep (Multi-Angle Attack): Uses his tail for either a low sweep, an anti-air, or extending combos. Does decent damage with good range.
Tail Jab (Rapid Jab): Uses the tip of his tail to repeatedly hit his opponent, keeping up his offensive pressure. Can be extended a bit if held down. Does small damage with good hitstun.
Wingblade (Counter Block): If timed right, Dark Spyro can use his wings to deflect projectiles and roll in to close the distance.
Comet Dash (Level 1): Charges horn-first while cloaked in Dark Fire. Uses one super bar.
Superfly (Level 1): If held down, he follows up his Comet Dash by launching into the air and activating Flight. Costs two super bars total.
Aether Fury (Level 1): Unleashes a powerful beam of Dark Aether energy, capable of destroying any life-form in its wake. Costs one super bar.
Dark Form (Level 2): Upon activation, his appearance changes to him having a black aura and blank white eyes. In this form, his attacks and specials increase in damage, as well as allowing the follow-ups to be used without cost. Of course, this power is only for a short time.
Nightmare Eclipse (Level 3): Channeling Dark Aether into himself, he charges into his opponent to grab them. Reaching the stratosphere, he throws them skyward before firing a massive blast of Dark Aether. The explosion ripples through the sky, appearing as a makeshift solar eclipse.
12. Color Palettes (Had to be a bit more creative)
1. Original - His current colors. He has black scales with gray horns, underbelly and claws, complete with red eyes.
2. Dragon King - A palette based on Malefor's appearance in Skylanders.
3. Blackheart Sorceress - A palette based on the Sorceress from Year of the Dragon.
4. Draconic Mech - A palette based on the boss Mecha-Red from A Hero's Tail.
5. Superior Shadow - A palette based on the Sorcerer's full dragon form from Shadow Legacy.
6. Ape King - A palette based on Gaul from The Eternal Night.
7. Dark Will - A palette based on the Golem from Dawn of the Dragon.
8. Ancient Destruction - A palette based on the Destroyer from Dawn of the Dragon.
9. Portal Master - A palette based on Kaos from Skylanders.
10. Undead Dragon - A palette based on Vathek from Skylanders.
11. Ruthless Fiend - A palette based on Hektore from Skylanders.
12. Shadow Wing - A palette based on the Assassin's Dreadwings from The Eternal Night.
13. Demon Lord - A palette based on Lord Tirek from Friendship is Magic.
14. Passionate Poet - A palette based on Garble from Friendship is Magic.
15. Dragon Lord - A palette based on Dragon Lord Torch from Friendship is Magic.
16. Father of Monsters - A palette based on Grogar from Friendship is Magic.
And done! Well, this took quite awhile to get out. Frankly I was busy doing other stories, but there was some news that caught my attention:
Them's Fightin Herds is coming to consoles! Plus more DLC characters joining the fray!
I decided in celebration of that, I finish up the Dark Spyro chapter. This was a bit more difficult as Dark Spyro doesn't have many games to flesh out a definitive personality. To my surprise though, the Skylanders show help me out on that end.
My interpretation of his character is arrogant, but not irredeemable. He likes to prove his superiority against strong opponents, casually taunting and insulting without a care. However he was created from Spyro, so the two do have some similarities he doesn't show often.
Speaking of similarities, that's why they share some moves between themselves. However while Spyro has more of a zoning game, his dark counterpart is more on overwhelming his foes. His breaths are stronger and have follow-ups that can lead to a combo, but require more magic to use effectively. Dark Form helps with saving magic and works as a last resort if you're losing.
In short, he's still as accessible as the original while bringing his own flair to the battle.
Now I was thinking of doing more when the DLC characters get released, plus including the other quadruped dragons into the mix. Speaking of the former, I'll just update the Spyro chapters to include them. But that won't be for some time as I have other stories to do.
With that said, thanks for reading and I'll see you next time!