Weapon Card

Weapon Cards are special weapons introduced in Otomedius Gorgeous that expand your weaponry beyond the basic and default armament of each Riding Viper. In Otomedius Excellent, you can get most of them from defeating enemies, while the majority of the rest come from gaining "S" ranks in stages. All remaining weapon levels are exclusive to each character –including those that come from DLC outfits– and are obtained by leveling up the character to certain experience levels.

Basically, the overwhelming majority of these cards are found in each difficulty level, and by repeating the first three loops in each one (and sometimes loops four or five) you can get all of them.

In order to get a card, the player must complete the actual stage in which it was found and reach the result screen; if the player fails and gets a "Game Over" before that point, they'll have to try again.

Types

Speed-Ups

Normal Speed: Installed in each Riding Viper as default.
Idaten Speed: Start at initial speed, and the next use changes to top speed. You must promote to Archangels 8th Grade for unlock.
Arpeggio Speed: A six-step system that moves up to top speed in three uses, then goes backwards in the next three uses to initial speed, just like how the musical term of an arpeggio works. You must promote to Principalities 7th Grade to unlock.
Smooth Speed: A seven-step system for a more gradual Speed-Up process. You must promote to Powers 6th Grade to unlock.
R.Speed (Reverse Speed): A reverse of the default Speed-Up system, you start at top speed, and the next power-ups are Speed-Downs. You must promote to Virtues 5th Grade to unlock.
Horizontal Speed: Twice the speed of lateral movement only. You must promote to Dominions 4th Grade to unlock.
Vertical Speed: Twice the speed of vertical movement only. You must promote to Thrones 3rd Grade to unlock.
D.Speed: You must promote to Cherubims 2nd Grade to unlock.

Missiles

Note: Missile weapons only have Levels 1 and 2; there is no Level 3.

Missile: The standard Missile from Gradius. It's found in Stage 5, Level 1 is equipped with Aoba Anoa, and Level 2 is found at Normal Loop 2.
Twin Missile: The standard Missile from Salamander and Life Force. Level 1 is Erul Tron's default missile weapon, but for anyone else to use it, find it in Stage 5. Level 2 is found at Loop 3 on Normal difficulty.

Spread Bomb: From Gradius II. Level 1 is equipped with Esmeralda, who must be unlocked; for everyone else, find Level 1 in Stage 6, while Level 2 is unlocked by getting an "S" Rank on Expert.
Up Missile: Standard missile, but it fires upwards. Find in Stage 6, Level 1 is unlocked by getting "S" on Normal or Expert, and Level 2 in Normal Loop 2.
Flying Torpedo: Two missiles that launch and fly straight. It's found in Stage 1, Level 1 is equipped with Arnval; for everyone else, find it in Stage 1. Level 2 is found in Stage 1, Loop 3 on Normal; after rising from the sea to the clouds, take out the small "fishes" before the boss.
Photon Torpedo: A bomb dropped straight to the ground, based on R-Type Delta. It's found in Stage 4, Level 1 is unlocked by getting an "S" Rank on Normal, and Level 2 is unlocked at Normal Loop 2.
Rocket Punch: From TwinBee's weaponry in Parodius. It's found in Stage 2; Level 1 is equipped with Madoka, and Level 2 is unlocked in Expert Loop 2, amidst the small enemies in the tunnel through which you follow the Tetran.
Eagle Wind: From Gradius III. On the upper half of the screen, it fires upward, and on the lower half of the screen, it fires downward. Find it in Stage 4, Level 1 is equipped, and Level 2 is unlocked on Normal in Loop 3 or 4 by attacking enemies in the upper left side of the screen.
Search Missile: A missile that homes in a vertical direction. It's found in Stage 2. Level 1 is unlocked by destroying the boss and Level2 is unlocked at Loop 1.
Homing Missile: A smart missile that tracks an enemy and destroys them. Find it in Stage 7. Level 1 is equipped, and Level 2 is unlocked by getting a "S" Rank on Expert.
Vertical Mine: From Gradius IV. Find it in Stages 2 and 3. Level 1 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Normal on Loop 3, and Level 2 is unlocked by getting "S" on Expert in Loop 2.
Napalm Missile: From Nemesis 2. Level 1 is unlocked at Normal Loop 2 Stage 7 (a small enemy close to the beginning of the stage), and Level 2 in Expert Loop 3 Stage 5.
Small Spread: Or Back Spread Bomb. Level 1 is unlocked in Loop 2 Stage 1, from the small fishes from the sea, and Level2 is unlocked in Loop 3 Stage 1 or 4.
Rolling Missile: From Gradius Gaiden. Level 1 is equipped with Poini Kune and Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 3, Loop 2 on Expert, after the route in the cave, just before it and the lower path converge.
2-Way Missile: Level 1 is unlocked in Stage 2, Loop 2 on Normal before the boss, looking for enemies along the top of the screen. Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 5, Loop 3 on Expert, sandwiched around the middle of the fleet.
Floating Mine: A linear-flying variation of the Vertical Mine for Gesshi Hanafuuma. Level 2 is unlocked by getting "S" in Stage 1 on Loop 1 or 10.
Bound: A bouncing mine. Find in Stage 7. Level 1 is unlocked by getting "S" on Normal or Expert. Level 2 is unlocked on Normal in Loop 2, in the Gun Wall before Dark Force.
Parabola: A smaller Spread Bomb. It's found in Stage 4, Level1 unlocked in Normal Loop 2 and Level 2 unlocked by getting "S" on Expert.
Surface Missile: A Missile that is able to travel along the surface of water. Find it in Stage 1. Level 1 is unlocked in Normal Loop 2, and Level 2 is unlocked in Expert Loop 2; in the middle, the small fish come from behind of the hanging aircraft carrier.

Doubles

The auxiliary weapon found in various Gradius games, most of them are Standard shots in various angles, while others are Optical Weapons like the Ripple Laser.

Standard Double: The original Double from Gradius. Find it in Stage 4. Level 1 is equipped with Aoba, Level 2 is unlocked by getting "S" on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked by getting "S" on Expert.
Tail Gun: Introduced in Gradius II. Find in Stage 1. Level 1 is already unlocked, Level 2 is unlocked in Loop 3 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked in Loop 3 on Expert.
Ripple Laser: The Double weapon from Salamander and Life Force. Level 1 is equipped with Erul Tron, Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 3, Loop 3 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 5, Loop 2 on Expert.
Freeway: The second shot fires in the same direction of your movement. Find it in Stage 5. Level 1 is unlocked in Loop 1, Level 2 is unlocked by getting an "S" on Expert in Loop 1, and Level 3 is unlocked by getting and "S" on Expert in Loop 3.
3-Way: Level 1 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 1, Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 1, Loop 2 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 4, Loop 2 on Expert.
Reflex Ring: From Nemesis 2, it fires a ring straight ahead, and returns when it impacts something hard. Find it in Stage 3. Level 1 is unlocked by getting an "S" on Normal, Level 2 is unlocked by getting an "S" on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked by getting an "S" on Normal in Loop 3.
Vertical: The angled shot fires vertically upwards. Level 1 is unlocked in Stage 2, Loop 3 right after the Tetran leaves, Level 2 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 3, and Level 3 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Loop 4.
Reverse: The second shot fires in the opposite direction of your movement. Find it in Stage 7. Level 1 is already unlocked, Level 2 is unlocked Loop 3 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked by getting an "S" on Expert.
Boomerang: From Thunder Cross. Level 1 is unlocked in Stage 1, Loop 1 on Easy, Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 1, Loop 2 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 4, Loop 3 on Expert. (Using this even at Level 1 can make destroying Old Big Core's mobile turret easy by bouncing the shots inside it; some weapon cards are obtained by destroying that turret.)
Shotgun: A very powerful weapon, but it has shot delay. Find it in Stage 1 by destroying the batteries of Neko Sencho's Mirrored Core. Level 1 is unlocked in Loop 1 on Expert, Level 2 is unlocked in Loop 1 on Easy or Loop 2 on either Normal or Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Loop 3 on Normal.
Wiper: Level 1 is unlocked in Normal Loop 1 Stage 2, Level2 is unlocked by getting "S" on Stage 7 Expert, Level3 is unlocked in Expert Loop 3 Stage 7 (red walking turret near first large walking turret).
Double Back: The angled shot fires 45º backward. Find it in Stage 1. Level 1 is already unlocked, Level 2 is unlocked by getting an "S" on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked by getting an "S" on Expert.
Winder: Level 1 is already unlocked, Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 3, Loop 2 on Expert or by getting an "S" in Loop 6, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 4, Loop 3 on Normal; destroy the fish-like enemies in the four pillars in front of the fracture zone.
V-Axis: This weapon fires vertical shots only. Level 1 is unlocked in Stage 4, Loop 2 on Normal, Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 2, Loop 3 on Normal right after Tetran leaves, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 1, Loop 3 on Expert, within the enemies found after flying up from the sea, before the boss.
Round Laser: From Gradius Gaiden. Exclusive to Esmeralda, she is equipped with Level 1 by default, Level 2 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 7 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 8 (thus, by playing Story Mode on Expert).
Reverse Double: This weapon fires backwards and down and back by 45º. Level 1 is unlocked in Stage 2, Loop 2 on Normal, Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 5, Loop 1 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 2, Loop 3 by destroying the enemies during the acceleration section after the Tetran.
Auto-Aiming: From Gradius Gaiden. This functions differently by being able to expand its angle of aiming along with its power as its level is increased. Level 1 is equipped by Poini Kune, Level 2 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 1 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 4, Loop 3 within the enemies on the waterfall.
T.Sword: Exclusive weapon for Gesshi Hanafuuma. Level 1 is equipped by her, Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 4, Loop 2 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 4, Loop 2 on Expert.

Lasers

The most powerful weapon against enemy fleets and cores.

Laser: The original Laser from Gradius, a powerful laser is shot straight ahead and has Winder-like capability. Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 2, Loop 1 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 2, Loop 2 on Expert.
Vulcan: Find it in Stage 7, Level 1 is equipped with Madoka, Level2 is unlocked by getting "S" on Expert and Level3 is unlocked in Normal Loop 2, by destroying the turrets on Gunner Wall before Dark Force.
Cyclone Laser: The default laser in Salamander and Life Force; in Salamander MSX, this Laser variant has drill capabilities. Level 1 is equipped by Erul Tron, Level 2 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 6 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 6, Loop 2 on Normal.
Twin Laser: Two short lasers fired in a five-burst set. Find it in Stage 5. Level 1 is equipped on Arnval, Level 2 is unlocked in Loop 1 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked in Loop 2 on Expert.
Napalm Shot: Based off Pentaro's weapon. Find it in Stage 3. Level 1 is unlocked in Loop 2 on Normal, Level 2 is unlocked in Loop 2 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Loop 3 on Expert.
Wave Shot: A penetrating, wide shot. Find it in Stage 3. Level 1 is unlocked in Loop 2 on Normal, Level 2 is unlocked in Loop 2 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Loop 3 on Expert, at the bottom of the shaft just before entering the volcanic lava area.
Fire Blaster: A short-range, flamethrower weapon introduced in Nemesis 2. Find it in Stage 3. Level 1 is unlocked by getting an "S" on Normal; Level 2 is unlocked in Loop 2 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked in Loop 3 on Normal, entering the volcanic lava zone, after the enemy that fires the Wave shot at you.
Gravity Bullet: The laser weapon of Falchion Beta in Gradius Gaiden. Level 1 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 8 [Easy or] Expert, Level 2 is unlocked by getting "S" in Stage 4 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 4, Loop 4 on Expert.
Search Laser: This weapon vertically homes in to the nearest enemy once, similar to the laser from Image Fight. Find it in Stage 1; Level 2 is unlocked either in Loop 1 on Easy or getting "S" in Loop 2 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Loop 2 on Normal. Destroy the batteries of Neko Sencho's Mirrored Core.
Up Laser: From Nemesis 2. Level 1 is unlocked by getting "S" in Expert Stage 3; Level 2 is unlocked by getting "S" in Expert Stage 2; and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 2 Loop 3 Expert.
Down Laser: From Nemesis 2. Level 1 is unlocked in Stage 4, Loop 1 on Normal, Level 2 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 3 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 8 on Expert. [NOTE THAT ACTIVATING THIS WILL CANCEL YOUR MISSILE WEAPON.]
Energy Laser: From Gradius III originally. Find it in Stage 5. Level 1 is unlocked in Loop 1 on Normal, Level 2 is unlocked in Loop 4 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Loop 5 on Expert.
Ion Ring: The weapon used by the Moai statues in the Gradius series. It will break apart Find it in Stages 7 and 8. Level 1 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 7 on Expert, and Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 7, Loop 2 on Expert. Use a rear-firing weapon like Esmeralda's Round Laser or Hanafuuma's Nen-Do-Ha Level 3 in the upper and lower lift stations in the second section of the stage; small enemies from behind will rise with a later turret that hold the Ion Ring weapon card. Level 3 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 8 (Expert).
Aqua Laser: This laser creates a splashing ripple of energy when it impacts a target. Find it in Stage 4 by destroying the moving turret of Old Big Core. Level 1 is equipped on Tita Nium by default, Level 2 is unlocked in Loop 1, and Level 3 is unlocked in Loop 3 on Normal. [Use the Shotgun Double for ideal effect, or Boomerang even at Level 1 will work if the Options are positioned inside the turret. A Laser-type weapon Gravity Bullet or Pulse Laser also works well.]
Armor Piercing: From Gradius IV. This version reloads slow, though. Find it in Stage 7. Level 1 is unlocked in Loop 3 on Normal, Level 2 is unlocked in Loop 4 Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Loop 5 on Expert. Level 1 & 3 can be found in a high part of the fortress after the first stage direction change. Lvl 2 is found after the high-speed section and before facing Gunner Wall. Note that purchasing the DLC to unlock Strarf will also unlock Level 1 of this weapon, as that is her default Laser.
Dagger: A drilling projectile weapon favored by Gesshi Hanafuuma. Find it in Stages 3 and 4. Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 4, Loop 3 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 3, Loop 2 on Expert.
Pulse Laser: The laser weapon of the Jade Knight in Gradius Gaiden, and exclusive to Esmeralda. Levels 2 and 3 are unlocked in Stages 2 and 6 respectively in Loop 1.
Back Laser: The classic Laser, but it fires backwards. Level 1 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 5 on Normal, Level 2 is unlocked in Stage 7, Loop 2 on Expert, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 5, Loop 2 on Expert.
Nen-Do-Ha: Also called Telekinetic Wave, this is an exclusive special weapon for Gesshi Hanafuuma only. Level 2 is unlocked by getting an "S" in Stage 7, Loop 2 on Normal, and Level 3 is unlocked in Stage 5, Loop 2 on Expert. Note that this weapon has the effect to extinguish the small circle bullets from enemies.

Hyper Aoba's weaponry

The special weapons of the Metalion are strengthened by leveling up Hyper Aoba until the highest rank.

Back Beam: Level 2 is unlocked by promoting Aoba to Archangels, and Level 3 is unlocked by promoting her to Dominions.
Up Laser: Level 2 is unlocked by promoting Aoba to Angels, and Level 3 is unlocked by promoting her to Thrones.
Down Laser: Level 2 is unlocked by promoting Aoba to Virtues, and Level 3 is unlocked by promoting her to Cherubims.

Trivia

The Wave Shot was originally installed to the Silver Hawk in Darius, Fire LEO-03 "Styx" in Thunder Force III, and RVR-00 "Phoenix" in Thunder Force VI.