Okay, so Lisa's discovery with MF/R3 CDs got me thinking, and I realized that if Tecmo had really wanted CDs to be "special"--that is, a certain CD yields a relative monster--that they would have the foresight to know that different pressings would screw up that scheme.

So why, why, WHY does it? I thought about some of Enigma's research, and, after reading some pieces of info he overlooked, I decided to test it myself.

Unfortunately, because of current lack of resources, I could only do a 3-CD test. Everyone is welcome to pursue this further.

The basis of my research is the Birdie rarity, namely because it has only 1 track, and that track (fortunately) ends at Frame 7. My theory is that the entire rare monster could be taken from a CD whose minutes and seconds match the given CD, but not necessarily the frames.

Why? Well, as we've all noticed, a slight change of frames (greater than 4--note this, Enigma, because from what I read, you overlooked this--and if I'm mistaken, I apologize) will give you a different monster. In most cases, a small change will modify the subbreed. In some cases, as with rares, it will give you something completely different (and, please, no references to giant feet).

This CD has the following stats:
Length: 35:31:07
Track One: Starts at 00:02:00

Result: A Birdie (Suezo/???).

According to modern theory, a relative change of 4 tracks *should* keep the same monster. This may or may not be the case, since the base frame may not be 7. However, I assumed it was, since it would be a safe bet that the subtype would not change.

CD-Test1
Length: 35:31:03
Track 1: Starts at 00:02:00

Result: Birdie (Suezo/???)

Okay, this test yielded the expect result, although research of this nature (from what I am familiar with, including my own research) has not been extensive--rares may not be included in the 4-frame rule. Anyhow, the Birdie was the same.

Now to try something that, under normal circumstances, would yield a different subbreed, if not a totally different breed of monster: I was going to set it well beyond 4 frames (23, to be exact)


CD-Test2
Length: 35:31:30
Track 1: Starts at 00:02:00

Result: Birdie (Suezo/???)

Conclusive? In my opinion, no. But it definitely lends itself to my theory. And, as I stated earlier, everyone is welcome to continue this research.

And, consider this: what if, using my theory, Tecmo wanted, say, a CD of 55:55:xx to yield Monster X, and they used a sample CD for it. It would have worked well...**unless that CD's physical length was 55:55:73**. If there was another pressing, the next pressing *might* be 55:56:0x, and, thus, no longer be subject to the Fuzzy Frame rule. A slight oversight, and a lost Rare.

--Cats