Castlevania games are known for offering different modes, usually after the player has first cleared the game normally. These usually involve playing through the game as a different character, but not all are. For instance, while Symphony of the Night also allowed players to replay the game as Richter Belmont, it also featured Luck Mode, which allowed the player to still control as Alucard, though with greatly altered stats.
Symphony of the Night initially released on March 20, 1997, and has since received many ports to other systems. Despite popular belief, Luck Mode is available in every version of Symphony of the Night. Unlike nearly all other alternate mode in the Castlevania series, Luck Mode is playable from the start without having to beat the game first.
To play in Luck Mode, the player must make name the save file X-X!V''Q. From there, players must still face off against Dracula as Richter. Once the player gains control of Alucard, though, they can begin playing in the new mode. The biggest change in Luck Mode comes from Alucard's stats, which are all greatly reduced with one major exception. Luck is greatly increased, starting off at 99 instead of the usual max of 14.
Meanwhile, HP maxes out at 25 instead of 80, and Alucard starts with only one MP and five hearts instead of 30 and 60. Strength drops to one, while both constitution and intelligence drop to 0, dropping from 12-13 depending on the stat. On top of the already amazing Luck, Alucard also starts with an exclusive item in this mode: the Lapis Lazuli. This gives Alucard an additional 20 luck. These changes make the early game much more difficult, though the game gets easier as players progress and gain access to stronger pieces of weapons and armor.
Despite Luck Mode intentionally making the early game difficult, players can exploit the game to remain powerful even in the early game by preventing Death from taking Alucard's starting gear. This can be achieved through the rare giant-knockback that only occurs when Alucard loses more than half of his max HP in one hit. By removing all defensive equipment and jumping from the right at the snout of the final Warg in room prior to the first interaction with Death, players can launch Alucard past the adjacent room and past the cutscene. The game will still see the character as in a cutscene until players defeat the first skeleton enemy and reaching the first save room. After saving, the player can re-equip all the Alucard gear and progress normally.
Symphony of the Night isn't not the only Castlevania game to feature a Luck Mode, as Circle of the Moon had a similar option called Thief Mode that required beating three different alternate modes first. However, Symphony of the Night's Luck Mode is by far the most accessible alternate mode in the series while also flying relatively under the radar, as it requires a special file name. Even without the exploit to maintain Alucard's gear, Luck Mode is a fun and unique way to play through Symphony of the Night that all players should take a look at.