Dual Set-up System

From Castlevania Wiki - Forbidden Library

The Dual Set-up System (DSS) is a magic system featured in Castlevania: Circle of the Moon. It is a magic system based around various enchanted cards that can be acquired from enemies throughout the castle. There are 20 cards in total, and they are divided evenly into two categories: Action, and Attribute. Any one attribute card can be paired up with any one action card, allowing Nathan Graves to invoke up to 100 different magical spells and effects.

Card Categories

Action Cards

The 10 action cards are based on Roman mythology, with each card representing its respective god and bestowing an effect.

Mercury - The messenger of the gods. Has the potential of strength. (Enhances Nathan's Hunter Whip)

Venus - Goddess of love and beauty. Has the potential of enhancement. (Enhances/manipulates Nathan's stats (i.e. luck, damage, etc))

Jupiter - God of the heavens and the leader of Olympus. Has the potential of defense. (Bestows defensive abilities upon Nathan)

Mars - God of war. Has the potential of change. (Allows Nathan to use alternative weapons to the Hunter Whip)

Diana - Goddess of the moon and hunting. Has the potential of creation. (Enhances the Hunter Whip to fire projectiles on attack)

Apollo - God of the sun, music and prophecy. Has the potential to create explosives. (Allows Nathan to use projectile weapons and explosives)

Neptune - God of the seas. Has the potential of healing. (Bestows elemental absorption upon Nathan)

Saturn - God of agriculture and the father of Jupiter. Has the potential of a familiar. (Allows Nathan to summon familiars to fight by his side)

Uranus - Former god of the heavens. Has the potential of summoning. (Summons the respective creature when paired with an attribute card)

Pluto - God of the underworld. Has the potential of special. (Bestows various useful and unorthodox abilities to Nathan)

Attribute Cards

The 10 attribute cards are based on elemental deities of various folklore, with each card representing its respective deity and bestowing an effect.

Salamander - A lizard bathed in flames, the Salamander is an embodiment of the fire spirit. (Associated with the fire element)

Serpent - The serpent is said to be a dragon swimming in the sea. (Associated with the ice/water element)

Mandragora - The mandragora is represented as a humanoid with roots instead of feet. (Associated with the nature/healing element)

Golem - The golem is a mockery of man made from clay. (Associated with the earth element)

Cockatrice - The cockatrice is said to have the ability to turn things to stone. (Associated with petrification/stone)

Manticore - The manticore is said to have the body of a lion and the venomous tail of a scorpion. (Associated with poison)

Griffin - The griffin is said to have the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. (Associated with the wind element)

Thunderbird - The legendary thunderbird is said to have been able to release lightning. (Associated with the lightning element)

Unicorn - The unicorn is said to have been white with a single holy horn on its forehead. (Associated with the holy element)

Black Dog - The black dog is said to consume darkness. (Associated with the darkness element)