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“ | I never had such an easy victory! | „ |
| ~ Siegfried Schtauffen |
| “ | Now peace has returned to this land. Harvests are plentiful and sounds of life now fill the air. So brief be this solitude for evil is back. High upon this precipice overlooking the village stands terror ahead. Wearing red armor he wields two swords, with one in each hand. The full moon is but a warning of danger ahead. | „ |
| ~ Nightmare's creation |
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“ | I'll take back my soul! | „ |
| ~ Siegfried Schtauffen |
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“ | Blood... darkness... come unto me! | „ |
| ~ Nightmare |
|
“ | This is it! | „ |
| ~ Nightmare |
|
“ | Souls, come unto me! | „ |
| ~ Nightmare |
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“ | To live... that is my redemption. | „ |
| ~ Siegfried Schtauffen |
| “ | Move. I don't have time to play around. | „ |
| ~ Siegfried Schtauffen |
| “ | No need for words. I speak with this. | „ |
| ~ Siegfried Schtauffen |
| “ | Step aside. I've sinned enough already. | „ |
| ~ Siegfried Schtauffen |
| “ | The nightmare will devour your soul! | „ |
| ~ Nightmare |
Siegfried Schtauffen is a central character of the Soulcalibur series, serving as both its main protagonist and main antagonist. As a mercenary originating from Germany, Siegfried's accidental murder of his own father sends him spiraling into an insane search for the cursed blade, Soul Edge.
After discovering and claiming Soul Edge for himself, Siegfried underwent a horrifying transformation into the Azure Knight, Nightmare. The havoc Siegfried wreaked as Nightmare, his escape from Soul Edge's grasp, and the subsequent quest to atone for his actions with Soul caliber in-hand, mark the majority of Siegfried's prominence in the series.
| This dropdown contains the synopsis of Siegfried’s story. Read at your own risk as you may be spoiled otherwise! |
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During the late 16th century, when the oppressed peasants of Germany revolted against the Holy Roman Empire, a spark of the Italian Wars finally gave them a fighting chance. In the midst of the German revolution, a champion of the people, Sir Fredrick Schtauffen, met and fell and love with a woman named Margaret. Just before Frederick left for a campaign, their love blossomed and resulted in the birth of the young Siegfried Schtauffen. Siegfried grew up well, but was without fatherly influence. As Frederick's knighthood required that he be constantly out on missions, Siegfried was left majorly unsupervised, and soon became too much for Margaret to keep track of. The boy fell in with the wrong sort, socializing with a delinquent band of teenagers, who soon crowned Siegfried the leader of their mercenary group "Schwarzwind". In a misguided act, Schwarzwind devised a plan to launch an assault on any knight they found fleeing the crusades, as they were likely to carry valuable possessions, and had already forfeited their pride by running away. However, this fool-proof plan turned into a nightmare, once Seigfried led an assault on a group of battle-worn soldiers too tired to retaliate. After decapitating the commander of the knighthood, holding his head high in triumph, Siegfried looked up to his prize in horror. The head belonged to his own father, Sir Frederick. After bellowing screams of terror, Siegfried fled the scene and subconsciously tore away at his mind. As his insanity grew and grew, Siegfried was eventually able to convince himself that his father's murderer was someone other than himself. In retaliation, he sought vengeance. In order to enact revenge, however, Siegfried knew he needed more power. His journey to find a suitable blade began, sending him across the world, until he finally learned of the legendary Soul Edge—a blade said to contain infinite power. Siegfried was led to a Spanish port, where he discovered the Soul Edge laying next to the deceased pirate, Cervantes de León. Before Siegfried could claim Soul Edge for himself, the spirit of the blade reanimated Cervantes's body, and tested his strength. Although Siegfried's original sword, Faust, was destroyed in the process, he was able to prove himself worthy of the Soul Edge. The moment his hand rested on the hilt of the cursed sword, it latched itself onto him, and sent him screaming through a horrifying transformation. What emerged from the maelstrom of terror was the Azure Knight, Nightmare. Over the course of the next three years, Nightmare wreaked havoc across the world in a blind rage, his only goal being to harvest souls for the cursed sword. As Nightmare amassed both power and servants, it appeared as though the world would be eternally drowned in despair. From the shadows, however, emerged the warriors Kilik and Xianghua, who faced Nightmare and revealed possession of the Soul Edge's bane, Soul caliber. With Xianghua shattering the Soul Edge, Nightmare was sent spiraling through a void of darkness. Siegfried was able to reclaim himself, laying next to the fragments of Soul Edge, and was forced to come to terms with the reality of Frederick's death. Despite being seemingly freed of Soul Edge, however, it wouldn't be long before Siegfried realized that the Soul Edge was transforming him into Nightmare while he slept. Four years past, and Siegfried's reign as Nightmare resumed. The Azure Knight soon came to realize that following his defeat at the hands of Xianghua and Kilik, fragments of Soul Edge were lost, and greatly weakened the sword. He spent his time searching the world desperately for the lost shards and, one by one, recovered them through any means necessary. For the restoration of the Soul Edge, Nightmare brought himself to an old chapel. At this old chapel, the ruins of his forgotten Ostrheinsburg stronghold, he found a French nobleman awaiting him. Raphael Sorel, in search of the Soul Edge for himself, challenged Nightmare to a duel. The battle was legendary, and very bloody, but ultimately resulted in Raphael's defeat. As the nobleman lay prone to execution, a piece of Siegfried within Nightmare reached out and stopped Nightmare from finishing the fight, for just a brief moment. Taking advantage of this window, Raphael used the last of his strength for one final desperate strike, which pierced and shattered Soul Edge. At last, with Soul Edge destroyed, Siegfried was able to regain control of himself again. Siegfried discarded his Azure armor, and once more took up position as a knight. This time, however, he would fight for the protection of the world, and for atonement of his sins. Knowing that Soul Edge would inevitably return once more, Siegfried decided that he would atone by putting an end to it once and for all. His new quest to put an end to the cursed sword brought him to the Lost Cathedral, where Siegfried stood face-to-face against his greatest fear, Nightmare, reborn. Soul Edge itself had taken possession of Siegfried's discarded armor, and now acted as Nightmare without him. Siegfried challenged this new Nightmare to battle. In wake of the duel, Soul caliber appeared to Siegfried and beckoned to him. He picked up the spirit sword, and used it to clash against Soul Edge. The resulting clash unleashed a maelstrom of power previously unseen by mankind, so powerful that it not only obliterated both Siegfried and Nightmare's bodies, but also destroyed the entire Lost Cathedral. Siegfried had died, though his story did not end. As the Soul caliber chose Siegfried to be its wielder, it also then used its power to reform his body and heal it. With the reformation of his body came a new set of armor, designed to match Soul caliber's form. Despite this, Siegfried knew that his return meant that Soul Edge would similarly come back, and so he prepared for one final battle. In poetic similarity, Siegfried once again confronted the new Nightmare within a cathedral. Their duel, unlike the previous, was very short. However, it was just as climactic. Allowing for Soul caliber to briefly guide his body, Siegfried fought like a true warrior of legend. Soul Edge was pierced, and both it and Nightmare crumbled away at last. Decades passed, and Siegfried could be nothing but thankful to the Soul caliber for not only restoring him, but also for giving him the opportunity to atone for what he had done. Although his fight was over, and his time as Soul caliber's wielder had long-since passed, Siegfried knew that it would forever be his duty to assist in the world's continuing peace. With Malfested creatures on the rise, Siegfried reformed Schwarzwind to counteract them. Noticing that Soul caliber had taken the form of a simple one-handed blade, he knew that it was time for him to seek a new wielder for it. The task of finding Soul caliber's new champion was one he gave to his pupil, Z.W.E.I., who eventually brought to him a boy named Patroklos Alexander. After training him and making sure that Patroklos was worthy, Siegfried handed the Soul caliber, and the fate of the entire world, over to him.The Azure Knight, previously known as "Nightmare", the former wielder of Soul Edge who brought the world to its knees... In truth, he was first a knight named Siegfried. After killing his father by accident, Siegfried fell into a deep denial, which eventually twisted into a desire for revenge against his father's imaginary killer. To enact his revenge, he needed power, which lead him to Soul Edge. Turned into the sword's puppet, he became Nightmare, until losing in battle to Kilik. When the sword was shattered, Siegfried found himself awoken from the strange spell he had been under. Though freed from Soul Edge's grasp, he now had to face the fact that it was he who killed his father. On the ground to his side lay the shattered remnants of Soul Edge... Unable to cope with the weight of his crimes, Siegfried tried to abandon what was left of Soul Edge. However, the evil sword was so closely tied to his fate that it would not relinquish him from its grasp so easily. His cruel reign as Nightmare was not forgotten by any means, and, one after another, warriors began to appear before him, intent on taking their revenge. Wandering aimlessly, Siegfried ended up crossing swords with a woman who declared that she must destroy Soul Edge. Though she claimed to be able to purify souls, the deep-rooted evil gnawing away at Siegfried was too strong to be cleansed. Nevertheless, their meeting would prove the necessary impetus for Siegfried to vow to face to his sins and atone for them. Soul Edge could not be scratched, let alone broken by a normal weapon. To ensure the sword would never again fall into the hands of another, Siegfried decided it would need to be sealed away somewhere in total isolation. However, such a place was not easily found. Meanwhile, every time he struck down another challenger who sought revenge against Nightmare, Siegfried feared that he was in danger of slipping back under the sword's control. Not all who stood in Siegfried's way were hell-bent on revenge. Some warped souls appeared drawn to the evil of Soul Edge. Though it wasn't Siegfried's goal to do away with these twisted individuals, neither were they the types with whom he could reason. The evil in Soul Edge was growing stronger with each passing minute. One day, Siegfried heard an ethereal voice in his head speaking directly to him. Responding to Siegfried's desperation to save his own sanity, the spirit sword, Soul caliber, was calling out to him. But from the sounds of things, the blade was also in need of help itself... The moment Siegfried gripped the evil sword's hilt, he was dragged into the mental realm. There, he was surrounded by images of the times he had fought as Nightmare and lost. Soul caliber appeared before him, and he watched as it was swallowed up by this strange dimension where it would be slowly devoured by evil. Siegfried's battle with his nightmares raged on. No one knows of his sacrifice. However, if there was ever one who could prevent the resurrection of the cursed sword, it would be Siegfried—he who dashed Soul Edge's hopes of devouring Soul caliber. |
Tier: 9-B, at least High 8-C with Soul Calibur | At least 9-B, at least High 8-C with Soul Edge
Name: Siegfried Schtauffen | Nightmare, Siegfried!
Origin: Soulcalibur
Sex: Male
Age: 16 years old (Soul Blade), 19 years old (Soulcalibur), 23 years old (Soulcalibur II - IV), 40 years old (Soulcalibur V)
Classification: Innocent Darkside[1] | The Azure Knight
Species: Human | Malfested Human
Occupation: Schwarzwind Leader | Schwarzstrom Leader
Status: Alive
Alignment: Chaotic Good (Siegfried is a noble man with a good heart, though that isn’t to say he hasn’t fallen in with the wrong sort before. He can be selfish at times, and his quest for revenge certainly wasn’t noble, but he does seek atonement for his crimes and wants to make the world a better place) | Chaotic Evil (Nightmare is a purely evil pawn of the Soul Edge, amplifying Siegfried’s worst traits to the highest degree. His only goals are to murder innocents and claim their souls for Soul Edge’s benefit)
Dimensionality: 3-D
Attack Potency: Wall level (Can dropkick people with this much strength[2]. Could reduce a sanctuary of stone pillars to rubble[3]. Can contend with Heishiro Mitsurugi, who doesn't consider rifles to be a threat[4]. Can also contend with Astaroth, who can casually smash through stone pillars[5]), at least Large Building level with Soul caliber (The Soul caliber's clash with Soul Edge was enough to completely annihilate the Lost Cathedral and destroy Siegfried's body[6]. The clash sent waves of destruction across the world[7]) | At least Wall level (Superior to Siegfried, as becoming Nightmare takes one beyond their usual limits[8]. Seasoned knights and armies equipped with firearms stood no chance against him[9]. Those who become Nightmare are able to wipe out heavily armored soldiers with ease[10]. Can instantly destroy hoards of armored soldiers in a single attack[11]), at least Large Building level with Soul Edge (Is equal in power to the Soul caliber[12]. Could completely obliterate a temple[13])
Durability: Wall level | At least Wall level
Striking Strength: Wall Class, at least Large Building Class with Soul caliber | At least Wall Class, at least Large Building Class with Soul Edge
Lifting Strength: Peak Human (Can casually use an extremely large sword to lift people over his head[14]) | Peak Human
Travel Speed: Athletic Human | Athletic Human
Attack Speed: Supersonic | Supersonic
Reaction Speed: Supersonic (Can keep up with Heishiro Mitsurugi, who can casually deflect musket fire[15], which travels between 450 and 540 meters per second. Can also contend with Ivy Valentine, who casually deflects bullets point-blank[16]) | Supersonic
Stamina: Superhuman (Can defeat powerful enemies despite suffering from hunger and thirst, and defeat his opponents even when having been wounded by traps[17]. As a mercenary, Siegfried is used to travelling for extremely long days under intense circumstances, all the while being rung through difficult battles) | At least Superhuman (Is majorly controlled by Soul Edge and as such can continue fighting well beyond the limits of a human. Even at times when Siegfried's body would succumb to fatigue, the Soul Edge can force Nightmare into battle regardless. Nightmare usually takes over Siegfried's body at night during his resting hours, showing that the Azure Knight doesn't conform to his host's stamina limits)
Range: Standard Melee, Extended Melee with Zweihänder blades
Intelligence: Gifted Intelligence in combat (Was able to win an arena contest in which strong warriors from all around the world participate[18]. He has taken on the strongest warriors the world has had to offer, some who have been training their entire lives, and as such earns his position as Commander of Schwarzwind. He can perfectly strategize plans, wager odds, and adapt to many different styles of fighting mid-battle) | Gifted in combat
Tier: 9-B | At least 9-B, at least High 8-C with Soul Edge
Name: Siegfried Schtauffen | Nightmare
Origin: Soulcalibur VI
Sex: Male
Age: 16 - 23 years old
Classification: A Soul in the Purgatory | The Azure Knight
Species: Human | Malfested Human
Occupation: Schwarzwind Leader | Schwarzstrom Leader
Status: Alive
Alignment: Chaotic Good | Chaotic Evil
Dimensionality: 3-D
Attack Potency: Wall level (Comparable to his Original Timeline self) | At least Wall level (Should be superior to Siegfried), at least Large Building level with Soul Edge
Durability: Wall level | At least Wall level
Striking Strength: Wall Class | At least Wall Class, at least Large Building Class with Soul Edge
Lifting Strength: Peak Human | Peak Human
Travel Speed: Athletic Human | Athletic Human, Superhuman with Dark Reconquista: Triumph (Soul Edge can create a horse to ride upon[19], which travel around these speeds on average)
Attack Speed: Supersonic | Supersonic
Reaction Speed: Supersonic (Comparable to his Original Timeline self) | Supersonic
Stamina: Superhuman (As a former member of a bandit group, and long-time mercenary, Siegfried is more than accustomed to long nights of grueling battle, little hydration, and no rest. His journey to rid the world of Soul Edge, after being freed of its grasp, was seemingly restless, and lasted for several days, all the while fending off attacking Malfested and warriors seeking revenge) | At least Superhuman (Is majorly controlled by Soul Edge and as such can continue fighting well beyond Siegfried's regular limits)
Range: Standard Melee, Extended Melee with Zweihänder blades
Intelligence: Gifted Intelligence in combat | Gifted in combatAll previous abilities, Electricity Manipulation & Explosion Manipulation (Can surge electricity through his body which results in an explosion), Social Influencing & Pseudo-Fear Manipulation (Nightmare strikes fear into every corner of Europe)
Faust
Soul Edge
Requiem
Soul Edge
Soul Edge
Requiem
Soul caliber
Soul caliber
Requiem
Requiem
Soul Edge
Grimblade
Atlas Sword
Flamberge
7 Branch Blade
Hard Steel Blade
Claymore
Soul Edge (Growth)
Soul Edge (Complete)
Faust
Requiem
Flamberge
Great Blade
Steel Paddle
Glam
Gallery Oar
Soul caliber
Flamberge
Glam
Faust
Gallery Oar
Great Sword
Requiem
Gram
Faust
Take Off
Soul caliber (Hidden)
Great Sword
Flamberge
Ogre
Caladbolg
Large Tachi
Flamberge
Octagonal Rod
Caladbolg
Gram
Clockwork
Balmung
Steel Paddle
Chrome Blade
Giant Buster
Giga Claymore
Igneous Blade
Blade of Torment
Weaknesses: His trauma has blinded him so heavily that he convinced himself of a completely different sequence of events, which makes facing his past extremely difficult for him. His soul purpose in life, following his escape from being Nightmare, is making amends for the horrible sins he has committed, and he is willing to put his life on the line (to almost reckless degrees) in order to do so. The guilt Siegfried feels is so heavy that he usually shuts himself from everyone and disallows anyone from getting close to him. As Nightmare, Siegfried's mind is fairly one-tracked in collecting souls, and can often be seen as a brute. Both Soul Edge and Soul caliber can be destroyed fairly easily if struck in the correct spots, and both can let out maelstroms of power too immense for Siegfried's body to withstand.
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