Rico Banderas

Bio

Ricardo Banderas, better known as Rico, is a demi-human resident of the nation of Kislev, specifically the detention block of the capital, Nortune. Despite being labeled as a prisoner, he lives in a suite above of the tavern, and has access to all of Nortune due to being the champion of the Battling Arena. He also the leader of the welcoming committee in D-Block, which fights incoming prisoners in tiered battles to establish a 'rank' for the newcomer.
 
In reality, Rico is the son of the Sigmund, the kaiser of Kislev and well-known discriminate towards demi-humans. Rico's mother died when he was very young; she continued to support and raise Rico despite being hated by her peers for having a demi-human child until she passed. He turned to crime shortly after her death, which eventually lead him to D-Block.
 
In Xenogears, he is first seen 'welcoming' Fei into D-Block. He joins up with Fei after members of his welcoming committee keep dying in the Nortune sewers to find the real culprit. Shortly after they part ways, he is defeated and dethroned by Fei and Weltall in the arena, and loses his distinction as 'the Champ'. After leading a failed assault on the kaiser after losing his title, he joins up with Fei permanently.
 

Combat Techniques

Rico's strategy is that of the slow and powerful. He is among to slowest character to fill his ATB Gauge, but has immense strength in his attacks and deathblows. His ether techniques (called 'Spirit' in the menu) are mostly support skills that only affect him.
 
Deathblows

Name	Button Combination	AP Required
Rico Rocket	Triangle, X	4
Death Drive	Triangle, Triangle, X	5
Banderas	Square, X	5
Dragon Fist	Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, X	6
Fire Bomb	Triangle, Square, X	6
Pile Crusher	Square, Triangle, X	6
Spin Strike	X, X	6
Death Roll	Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, X	7
Flame Lariat	Triangle, Triangle, Square, X	7
Hell Splash	Triangle, Square, Triangle, X	7

 
Ether (Spirit) Skills 

Name	Req. EP	Effect
Steel Fist	2	Increases Attack (Rico-only)
Steel Body	2	Increases Defense (Rico-only)
Steel Spirit	2	Increases Ether Defense (Rico-only)
Steel Mettle	4	Damages enemy

 

Gears

Rico begins the game piloting, Stier, a behemoth of a gear that has a high power output. It attacks mainly with two mounted guns, its right fist, and a claw in place of a left hand. It is propelled by a giant rocket on its back. Later in the game, he gains access to the omnigear, El-Stier when aligned with an Anima Relic. Both versions suffer from a lack of speed.
 
 
 
Stier and El-Stier's Deathblows 

Name	Button Combination	Req. Fuel	Note
Drill War	Triangle, Triangle	40	Level 1 Deathblow
Bomber Head	Triangle, Square	50	Level 1 Deathblow
Drill Driver	Triangle, X	10	Level 1 Deathblow
Grand Slam	Square, Triangle	70	Level 2 Deathblow
Twister D	Square, Square	80	Level 2 Deathblow
Hammer G	Square, X	20	Level 2 Deathblow
Mega Body	X, Triangle	100	Level 3 Deathblow
Sky Drive	X, Square	110	Level 3 Deathblow
Scrap	X, X	30	Level 3 Deathblow
Drill Kaiser	Triangle	10	Level Infinity Deathblow
Drive Kaiser	Square	20	Level Infinity Deathblow
Iron Kaiser	X	30	Level Infinity Deathblow