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Cerberus

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Cerberus

Cerberus KHII.png

Japanese ケルベロス
Rōmaji Keruberosu
Translation Kerberos
Homeworld Underworld
Origin Hercules (1997)
Games Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts II
Kingdom Hearts coded
Kingdom Hearts χ
Kingdom Hearts Dark Road
Themes Header.png

KH tracks
Battle theme - Squirming Evil
Battle theme - Go for It!
KHII tracks
Battle theme - Vim and Vigor
Battle theme - Beneath the Ground
KHREC tracks
Battle theme - Fight and Away
KHUχ tracks
Battle theme - Squirming Evil
KHDR tracks
Battle theme - Squirming Evil[1]
Cerberus

Kingdom Hearts
Guardian of the entrance of the Underworld and Hades's loyal servant. Herc defeated him once, but Hades has brought him back to fight Sora and his friends.

He first stood watch for Hades in "Hercules" (1997).
Kingdom Hearts II
Hercules (1997)

Guardian of the entrance to the Underworld and Hades' loyal "pet."

Hercules, Sora, Donald, and Goofy teamed up to defeat him last time, but Hades brought him back -- and he's as dangerous as ever.
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
The ultimate guard dog: enormous, three-headed, armed to the teeth (with teeth), and loyal to its master, Hades. Be ready to block quickly and often if you don't want this Stygian pooch to turn you into dental floss.
Kingdom Hearts Union χ
Album
Hercules (1997)
Guardian of the entrance of the Underworld and Hades's loyal servant.

Boss
A colossal canine with a lot of HP. Find a way to withstand its first turn before launching your counterattack. Prove that three heads aren't better than one!
HP STR DEF MP rec EXP
Before rescue 600 11 10 17 200
After rescue 900 35 27 53 2000
Weapon Fire Blizzard Thunder
x1.0 x0.49 x0.5 x1.0
Gravity Stop Stun Other
x0.04[2] x0.3[3] x0.5 x0.5
Rewards
Inferno Band
World(s)
Olympus Coliseum
HP STR DEF MP rec EXP
Hades Cup 600 42 34 57 1000[4]
Weapon Fire Blizzard Thunder
x1.0 x0.49 x0.5 x1.0
Gravity Stop Stun Other
x0.03 x0.2 x0.5 x0.5
Rewards
Power of thunder
Seed(s)

Hades Cup

Seed 30: Cerberus

HP STR DEF MP rec EXP
Before rescue 600 11 10 17 200
After rescue 900 31 20 53 3000
Weapon Fire Blizzard Thunder
x1.0 x0.49 x0.5 x0.5
Gravity Stop Stun Other
x0.02 x0.2 x0.5 x0.5
Rewards
Inferno Band
World(s)
Olympus Coliseum
HP STR DEF MP rec EXP
Hades Cup 2400 40 24 80 1000[4]
Weapon Fire Blizzard Thunder
x1.0 x0.49 x0.5 x0.5
Gravity Stop Stun Other
x0.02 x0.2 x0.5 x0.5
Rewards
Power of thunder
Seed(s)

Hades Cup

Seed 30: Cerberus

HP STR DEF MP rec EXP
Before rescue 600 11 10 17 200
After rescue 900 35 27 53 2000
Weapon Fire Blizzard Thunder
x1.0 x0.49 x0.5 x1.0
Gravity Stop Stun Other
x0.04[2] x0.3[3] x0.5 x0.5
Rewards
Inferno Band
World(s)
Olympus Coliseum
HP STR DEF MP rec EXP
Hades Cup 600 42 34 57 1000
Weapon Fire Blizzard Thunder
x1.0 x0.49 x0.5 x1.0
Gravity Stop Stun Other
x0.03 x0.2 x0.5 x0.5
Rewards
Power of thunder
Seed(s)

Hades Cup

Seed 30: Cerberus

Location HP Strength Defense EXP
Olympus Coliseum
Episode 1
440 17 9 0
Physical Fire Blizzard
×1.0 ×0.5 ×0.5
Thunder Dark Neutral
×0.5 ×0.5 ×0.5

Rewards
Sora: Dodge Slash
Auron: Max HP +40

If Dog Paddle is used
MP prize (1) ×10, MP prize (3) ×5
World(s)
Olympus Coliseum
Location HP Strength Defense EXP
Olympus Coliseum
Episode 1
440 17 9 0
Physical Fire Blizzard
×1.0 ×0.5 ×0.5
Thunder Dark Neutral
×0.5 ×0.5 ×1.0

Rewards
Sora: Counterguard
Auron: Max HP +40

If Dog Paddle is used
MP prize (1) ×10, MP prize (3) ×5
World(s)
Olympus Coliseum
Cup HP Strength Defense
Cerberus Cup

Match 10: Cerberus

960 27 15
Cerberus Paradox Cup

Match 10: Cerberus

1995 62 36
Hades Paradox Cup

Match 10: Cerberus

2715 87 51
Physical Fire Blizzard
×1.0 ×0.5 ×0.5
Thunder Dark Neutral
×0.5 ×0.5 ×0.5
Cup HP Strength Defense
Cerberus Cup

Match 10: Cerberus

960 29 16
Cerberus Paradox Cup

Match 10: Cerberus

1995 62 36
Hades Paradox Cup

Match 10: Cerberus

2715 86 51
Physical Fire Blizzard
×1.0 ×0.5 ×0.5
Thunder Dark Neutral
×0.5 ×0.5 ×1.0

World HP Strength Defense
Olympus Coliseum 1248 52 37
Fire Blizzard Thunder Aero
x0.49 x0.50 x0.50 x0.50
Ignite Freeze Jolt Air-Toss
X X X X
Slow Stop Confuse Stun Magnet
X X X X X
Worlds
Olympus Coliseum
Episode LV BP
Episode 7 60 10000
Physical Magic
Normal Normal
Non-element Fire Water
Normal Normal Normal
Lightning Wind Light Darkness
Normal Normal Weak Normal
Poison Sleep Paralysis Blind
Normal Normal Normal Normal
Attack Phyiscal
Stats
Bonus
Passive Effects
Defeat 1 HP +1
Defeat 10 Strength +2
Defeat 100 Strength +2
Defeat 1000 Strength +5
World Rank LV BP
Scala ad Caelum Face A Tough Enemy 60 10000
Physical Magic
Normal Normal
Non-element Fire Water
Normal Normal Normal
Lightning Wind Light Darkness
Normal Normal Weak Normal
Poison Sleep Paralysis Blind
Normal Normal Normal Normal
Attack Phyiscal
Stats
Bonus
Passive Effects
Defeat 1 HP +1
Defeat 10 Strength +2
Defeat 100 Strength +2
Defeat 1000 Strength +5

Cerberus is a three-headed hellhound who guards the Underworld. He first appeared as Hades's loyal pet in Disney's Hercules, as guard dog to the Underworld. Cerberus serves as a boss in Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts II, Kingdom Hearts coded, and Kingdom Hearts Dark Road.

Story[edit]

Kingdom Hearts[edit]

In-game screenshot of Cerberus.
Cerberus prepares to attack Sora, Donald, and Goofy.

Cerberus acts as a back-up plan for Hades if Cloud, who Hades promised to help in finding Sephiroth, fails his task of eliminating Hercules and Sora.

When Sora and Cloud's battle comes to an end (regardless of who wins), Hades sees that Cloud is no longer of any use to him, and sends Cerberus in. Cerberus quickly crushes Cloud beneath its front paw when his back is turned, and is about to attack the others, but is held off by Hercules, allowing Phil, Sora, Donald, and Goofy to escape.

Cerberus has Hercules, who is carrying Cloud, trapped, but Sora comes to help, returning the favor and allowing Hercules to escape. Sora manages to defeat Cerberus, and his efforts reward him the status of "Junior Heroes". However, as Sora leaves, Hercules mentions to Phil that he had already worn Cerberus down by the time Sora intervened.

Cerberus encounters Sora again in the Hades Cup, now more able to take more punishment, but the monster fails to defeat Sora.

Kingdom Hearts II[edit]

As Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Auron are escaping from the Underworld, Hades sends Cerberus to stop them. Donald and Goofy escape as Auron fights off the creature. Sora returns to aid him, but ends up separated from Donald and Goofy, leaving him and Auron to fight the monster by themselves. The two then manage to get away, and Cerberus is trapped behind the doors as they close, but not before Sora, Donald, and Goofy taunt him by making faces. Cerberus has its own cup in the Underworld, being the final opponent of the Cerberus Cup in a timed fight.

Kingdom Hearts coded[edit]

Data-Cerberus appears as a threat to Data-Hercules, Data-Cloud, and Data-Sora. He is one of four sources of the Bug Blox corruption in the Olympus Coliseum.

Design[edit]

Cerberus is a massive, three-headed dog with black fur and short, cropped ears. His heads are identical to each other, each sporting the same enormous mouths, pink tongues, and long, sharp teeth. All three heads feature glowing red eyes. Cerberus's legs are rather short, and each ends in a paw with three grey claws. He has a thin tail and seems to be quite muscular.

Personality[edit]

Cerberus has an angry and feisty personality, but will obey his master, Hades, whenever he is called into battle. However, he will retaliate if Hades beats him too much.

Strategy[edit]

Kingdom Hearts[edit]

Cerberus is fought after the fight with Cloud at the Preliminary Tournament, and is the third boss of the Hades Cup, fought at Round 30.

It is important to be able to climb on top of Cerberus's back, in order to avoid his Miasma of Darkness and Firaga Ball attacks. Alternatively, one may use Dodge Roll to avoid Cerberus's Miasma of Darkness attack, or even deft running. Going under Cerberus when he uses Miasma of Darkness will not work. Lock on to one of the outside heads and remain close to Cerberus's side.

Use the Guard ability to deflect his fireballs. Use his back and the stairs as places to heal, which is important to do often. Be sure to stock up on Ethers and Potions, or be sure to equip a Keyblade and items that give Sora at least 10 MP. Do not rely on Donald for healing, as he dies quickly, especially in the first battle.

Be sure to lock on and attack the heads on the side, not the middle head. Use Dodge Roll and/or Glide (or alternatively, Superglide) often to get away from his Bite. After several attempts to bite, he will stand on two legs and roar in the air. When he does this run away from him, or be ready to jump, as he is about to use a powerful shockwave.

Keep attacking the heads with your Keyblade and use a combination of Fire and Thunder magic to finish him off. While attacking the side heads, cast Aeroga on Sora to increase the damage. The reward for winning this battle is the Inferno Band.

Technique Element Tech Power Guard?
Bite (かみつき
Kamitsuki
?)
None x0.02 4 Repellable
(Recoil: 90)
Cerberus bites with either of his heads.
Simultaneous Bite (一斉かみつき
Issei Kamitsuki
?)
None x0 6 Repellable
(Recoil: 100)
Cerberus bites with all three heads at the same time.
Shock Wave (衝撃波
Shōgekiha
?)
None 6
Cerberus stomps on the ground, creating a shock wave around him.
Miasma of Darkness (闇の瘴気
Yami no Shōki
?)
Dark 4
Cerberus exhales a purple breath, causing flames to erupt from the ground.
Firaga Ball (ファイガボール
Faiga Bōru
?, lit. "Figa Ball")
Fire x0.02 4 Returnable
(Recoil: 0)
Cerberus fires big fireballs from its mouths.
Guard: Repellable = Can be blocked; Returnable = Can be blocked and deflected back; Preventable = Damage can be avoided by Goofy's shield only.

Kingdom Hearts II[edit]

Underworld[edit]

Cerberus is not an overly difficult enemy to defeat, he has just over two bars of HP. He is only fought once storyline wise, by Sora and Auron alone. The first thing Cerberus will (usually) do is jump right in front of Sora, so be ready to deliver an aerial combo. Auron's Bushido is immensely useful; although Sora should try to hit two heads with it.

The Star Seeker Keyblade is recommended, as its aerial boost will be helpful while performing aerial combos. Cerberus often swivels around leaving Sora nothing but his back, preventing damage. Just lock onto a head and start using combos, and Bushido whenever possible. If one wishes to use more magic, use Thunder on one head until Sora has almost no MP left, then use Bushido.

Use the Reaction Commands when caught between by the three heads to deal major damage. If Sora's HP gets low, stick to the edges and use Quick Run to avoid Cerberus when he jumps over to Sora. Defeating Cerberus will earn Auron +40 HP, and Sora the Dodge Slash ability (Counterguard in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix).

King Mickey can intervene if Sora's health falls in this battle.

Cerberus and Cerberus Paradox Cups[edit]

The Cerberus and Cerberus Paradox Cups are timed battles, so one should be wary of the time constraint. Cerberus is fought alone, although Drives are available to use. Sora can use Valor Form for its quick hits, or play it safe and shoot magic bullets at Cerberus with Wisdom Form. Master Form is the most recommended form though, as all of the abilities Master Form has equipped will help Sora defeat Cerberus. Final Form is the best option (if available). Every single movement is an attack in itself, and this should buy time to keep on mashing X. Do not compromise unless one has managed to take all the lesser enemies out within seconds.

Technique Element Status Power Guard?
Continuous Bite (連続かみつき
Renzoku Kamitsuki
?)
Physical x1.5
Cerberus repeatedly bites with his three heads.
Jump Trample (ジャンプ踏みつけ
Janpu Fumitsuke
?)
Trample Physical x1.0

Shock wave Neutral x1.5 X
Cerberus jumps and creates a shock wave when landing.
Spin Attack (回転攻撃
Kaiten Kōgeki
?)
Physical x1.0
Cerberus quickly turns to the left or right.
Trap (はさみこみ
Hasamikomi
?)
Trap Physical x0

Bite Physical x1.5
Cerberus traps Sora between his three heads. If it hits, the center and right head will bite.
Dark Breath (ダークブレス
Dāku Buresu
?)
Bite Physical x1.5

Fireball Dark x1.5
Cerberus shoots fireballs while biting.
Guard/Block: △ = Can be blocked; O = Can be blocked and interrupted (melee) or deflected back (projectile); X = Cannot be blocked.
Reaction Commands
Reaction Command Element Power Description
Evade (ふせぐ
Fusegu
?, lit. "Prevent")
Can be used when Cerberus uses his Trap attack.
Sora uses the Keyblade to prop open Cerberus's center head's mouth.
Jump! (かわす
Kawasu
?, lit. "Dodge")
Can be used after Evade.
Sora pulls his Keyblade out of Cerberus's mouth, using the force to send himself high into the air.
Dog Paddle (スタンビート
Sutan Bīto
?, lit. "Stun Beat")
Physical x3.0 Can be used after Jump!.
Sora charges up power and slams down, damaging and stunning Cerberus.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded[edit]

Cerberus in Kingdom Hearts Re:coded is quite a formidable opponent. His attacks deal good amount of damage, and he can attack Data-Sora, Hercules, and Cloud at the same time. Good timing of combos and blocking is crucial, and command decks should be filled by Cure commands so Data-Sora can quickly heal the party if the situation gets worse.

Using attack commands is not recommended as they deal insignificant amount of damage to Cerberus, so use normal attack combos. If having difficulty, Regen License is particularly useful, and Auto-Life License can be given to Data-Sora to make sure the battle doesn't end soon due to Data-Sora's defeat.

Technique Target Element Power Hit Rate Critical Rate Guard Timing
Triple Chomp (一斉かみつき
Issei Kamitsuki
?, lit. "Simultaneous Bite")
Random 2.30 (x3) 90% 12% Late
Cerberus bites once with each head.
Firaga Ball (ファイガボール
Faiga Bōru
?, lit. "Figa Ball")
All Fire 2.00 100% 0% Late
Cerberus shoots one fireball at each opponent at the same time.
Guard/Block: △ = Can be blocked; O = Can be blocked and interrupted (melee) or deflected back (projectile); X = Cannot be blocked.

Origin[edit]

Cerberus originally appears in Roman and Greek mythology. He is depicted as a multi-headed dog (usually three heads) and acts as a gatekeeper of the Underworld, preventing dead souls that has crossed the river Styx from escaping. In the myths, he is a sibling to Chimaera and the Hydra. His capture was the objective of Hercules's twelfth and final labor.

In Disney's 1997 animated movie Hercules, Cerberus guards the entrance to the Underworld. Hercules briefly tames him when he travels to the Underworld to confront Hades.

Videos[edit]

Cerberus – Kingdom Hearts Cerberus – Kingdom Hearts II
Cerberus – Kingdom Hearts coded Cerberus – Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ Following the 5.0.1 update.
  2. ^ x0.03 after recue.
  3. ^ x0.2 after rescue.
  4. ^ Cerberus gives 100 EXP after completing the Hades Cup once.

See also[edit]