Game:Ansem, Seeker of Darkness

Ansem
Japanese	闇の探求者 アンセム
Rōmaji	Yami no Tankyūsha Ansemu
Translation	Ansem, Seeker of Darkness
Type	Heartless
Games	Kingdom Hearts Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance Kingdom Hearts III Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory
Variations • Xehanort • Terra-Xehanort • Riku • World of Chaos • Xemnas
KH tracks Battle theme - The Deep End Battle theme - Forze del Male KHCOM tracks Battle theme - The 13th Struggle Battle theme - Revenge of Chaos KH3D tracks Battle theme - L'Eminenza Oscura I KHIII tracks Battle theme - Forza Finale

	HP	STR		DEF	MP rec		EXP
End of the World (First battle)	1500	40		30	56		10000
End of the World (Second battle)	1200	40		30	60		20000
Weapon	Fire		Blizzard			Thunder
x1.0	x0.49		x0.5			x1.0
Percentage	Stop		Stun			None
x0.02	x0		x0.5			x0.5
World(s)
End of the World

	HP	STR		DEF	MP rec		EXP
End of the World (First battle)	2100	35		22	65		18000
End of the World (Second battle)	2100	35		22	65		20000
Weapon	Fire		Blizzard			Thunder
x1.0	x0.49		x0.5			x0.5
Percentage	Stop		Stun			None
x0.01	x0		x0.5			x0.5
World(s)
End of the World

	HP	STR		DEF	MP rec		EXP
End of the World (First battle)	1500	40		30	56		10000
End of the World (Second battle)	1200	40		30	60		10000
Weapon	Fire		Blizzard			Thunder
x1.0	x0.49		x0.5			x1.0
Percentage	Stop		Stun			None
x0.02	x0		x0.5			x0.5
World(s)
End of the World

Floor			HP		AP		EXP
Sora	Riku
1F	B12F		400		3		133
12F	B1F		2240		25		0
Physical	Fire		Ice		Lightning		Neutral
x1.0	x0.5		x0.5		x0.5		x0.5
Stun		Percentage				Stop
△		X				X
Warp		Bind		Confuse		Terror
X		◯		X		X
World(s)
Castle Oblivion
Enemy Card
Ability			Duration				Cost
Sleightblind			10 sleights				40 CP
Description
Conceal your stocked cards from opponents. Resistant to fire, ice, and lightning.
Obtained (Sora)
3rd Castle Oblivion Bounty

Floor			HP				AP		EXP
Sora	Riku		Regular		Beginner
12F	B1F		1780		1335		30		0
Physical		Fire		Ice		Lightning		Neutral
x1.0		x0.5		x0.5		x0.5		x0.5
Stun		Percentage				Stop		Warp
X		X				X		X
Bind		Confuse		Terror		Magnet		Freeze
◯		X		X		△		◯
Duel Stats			No. of Cards					Time
			7 cards					8 s
World(s)
Castle Oblivion
Enemy Card
Ability					Duration			Cost
Sleightblind					10 sleights			40 CP
Description
Grants Sora resistance to certain elements. Resistant to fire, ice, and lightning.
Obtained (Sora)
2nd Twilight Town Bounty

Location	Level	HP	EXP	Strength	Magic	Defense
	Reaction Endurance			Reality Endurance
The World That Never Was	38	1730	0	67	62	29
	40	1803	0	70	65	30
	8 (10s)			x0.11 (8s)
Resistances	Fire	Blizzard	Thunder	Water	Dark	Light
	x1.0	x1.0	x1.0	x1.0	x1.0	x1.0
Status Effects	Stun	Mini	Sleep	Blind	Stop	Freeze
	X	X	X	X	X	X
	Confuse	Poison	Magnet	Slow	Ignite	Bind
	X	X	X	X	X	X
	Zero Gravity		Time Bomb		Zantetsuken
	X		X		X
Worlds
The World That Never Was

Location			HP		Strength			Defense			EXP
Keyblade Graveyard			1800		59			30			0
Physical	Fire		Blizzard			Thunder				Water
×1.0	×0.5		×0.5			×0.5				×0.5
Aero		Dark		Neutral					Rapid-fire
×0.5		×0.1		×0.5					×0.5
Freeze		Electrify		Stun					Hunny
✕		✕		✕					✕
Reaction Endurance		Revenge Value		Attraction Magnification					Damage Limit
0		7		×0.5					24
Rewards
Tower of Endings Sora: Max HP +10 Tower of Endings (Re Mind) Sora: Max MP +3
World(s)
Keyblade Graveyard

Type	Boss
Music Stage
Guardando nel buio

Ansem (Second Form)
Japanese	闇の探求者 アンセム
Rōmaji	Yami no Tankyūsha Ansemu
Translation	Ansem, Seeker of Darkness
Type	Heartless
Game	Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Variations • Xehanort • Terra-Xehanort • Riku • World of Chaos • Xemnas
KH3D tracks Battle theme - L'Eminenza Oscura II

Location	Level	HP	EXP	Strength	Magic	Defense
	Reaction Endurance			Reality Endurance
The World That Never Was	38	2240	0	70	67	30
	40	2334	0	73	70	32
	24 (10s)			x0.44 (8s)
Resistances	Fire	Blizzard	Thunder	Water	Dark	Light
	x0.8	x0.8	x0.8	x0.8	x0.8	x0.8
Status Effects	Stun	Mini	Sleep	Blind	Stop	Freeze
	X	X	X	X	X	X
	Confuse	Poison	Magnet	Slow	Ignite	Bind
	X	X	X	X	X	X
	Zero Gravity		Time Bomb		Zantetsuken
	X		X		X
Rewards
Maximum HP +20
Worlds
The World That Never Was

Ansem's Recreated Data
Japanese	アンセムの再現データ
Rōmaji	Ansemu no Saigen Dēta
Translation	Ansem's Recreated Data
Type	Heartless
Game	Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind
KHIII tracks Battle theme - L'Eminenza Oscura I -Ansem-

Location			HP		Strength			Defense			EXP
Radiant Garden (Garden of Assemblage)			3000		110			57			0
Resistances (Not staggered)
Physical	Fire		Blizzard			Thunder				Water
×0.2	×0.1		×0.1			×0.1				×0.1
Aero		Dark		Neutral					Rapid-fire
×0.1		×0.02		×0.1					×0.5
Resistances (Staggered)
Physical	Fire		Blizzard			Thunder				Water
×1.0	×0.5		×0.5			×0.5				×0.5
Aero		Dark		Neutral					Rapid-fire
×0.5		×0.1		×0.5					×0.5
Reaction Endurance		Revenge Value		Attraction Magnification					Damage Limit
0		7.5		—					13
Rewards
Defense Boost
World(s)
Radiant Garden

Ansem, Seeker of Darkness is a boss in Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, and Kingdom Hearts III. He is the Heartless of Terra-Xehanort, and leader of the Heartless.

In Kingdom Hearts III, Ansem is fought in the Keyblade Graveyard, initially alongside Xigbar and Dark Riku, although he retreats not long into the battle, and later fights alongside Xemnas and Young Xehanort. A data replica of him is also an optional boss in Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind.

Strategy

Kingdom Hearts

First battle

Ansem's first fight is a battle against Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy at the End of the World's simulation of Destiny Islands. While his attacks are few, they are devastating.

During the fight, Ansem will attack the party by having the Dark Figure swipe at the party with Dark Blows or fire Shock Slashes, which can be blocked with Guard. Sometimes, he will summon the Dark Figure to defend himself, but with the right timing, Sora can just end up behind Ansem and deal damage to him. Special attacks like Ragnarok can pierce through the Dark Figure's defenses. When Sora is able to get past the Dark Figure and hit Ansem, he will have it turn around and use another Dark Blow.

Ansem's most infamous attack is Possession. When he shouts, "Submit!", the Dark Figure will dash at Sora and Punch at him with a slight delay. Dodge Roll at the right time to evade the Dark Figure, as Guard will not stop it. While the Dark Figure will always target Sora, there is a chance for Donald or Goofy to intercept the blow. If the Dark Figure's hit connects, it will possess its target, and Ansem will close in on Sora while using Barrier Deployment.

If Sora is possessed by the Dark Figure, the Attack command will be occasionally replaced with "Freeze." Pressing it causes the Dark Figure to hold Sora in place for a brief moment leaving him open for Ansem's energy barrier to damage him; otherwise, the Dark Figure will damage Sora from within. Using the Freeze command therefore prevents Sora from taking the Possession Damage while restrained. While the Dark Figure will eventually be called back to Ansem's side, Sora can shorten the Dark Figure's hold on its target either with simple combos or with special attacks like Strike Raid.

Any experience earned from this fight onwards cannot be kept once the final battle against the World of Chaos ends.

Second battle

In the second battle against Ansem, Sora fights solo, so remember to heal with Curaga. Ansem will now use Rush, in which he shoots back and forth across the arena with a shield over his front side. This inflicts heavy damage if it connects, so try to High Jump, Guard or cast Aeroga. He also gains access to Racing Shockwaves, firing shockwaves at Sora.

Ansem will gain access to his ultimate attack, Aura of Darkness. When he says, "My strength returns!", the Dark Figure will dive into the ground and initiate Appearance Technique, in which it repeatedly dives out of the ground at Sora's location ten times. Its appearance is telegraphed by the dark pools it creates underneath Sora. During this time, Ansem is invincible and the attack must be avoided, either by dodging or Guarding. Failing to evade this attack can be highly damaging or even fatal, depending on the amount of HP Sora has at the time. The attack ends with Final Run, in which the Dark Figure strikes the ground, creating a shockwave.

Ansem will use Possession much more frequently than in the first battle. Ansem is especially vulnerable when he calls the Dark Figure to return to him, so unleash combos at this time for massive damage.

Technique		Element	Tech	Power Bonus	Guard?
Dark Blow (ダークブロウ, Dāku Burou)		Dark	x0	4	Repellable (Recoil: 100)
		The Dark Figure swings its right hand sideways.
Shock Slash (衝撃斬, Shōgekizan)		Dark	x0.01	4	Returnable (Recoil: 0)
		The Dark Figure's hands glow red, and it fires 6 rings of light.
		Only used in the first battle.
Possession (Punch) (憑依（パンチ）, Hyōi (Panchi))		None	—	4	—
		The Dark Figure attacks, and possesses the opponent for about 30 seconds when it hits.
		Can be avoided by approaching Ansem from the left side. When Sora is possessed, his Attack command may occasionnally get replaced by Freeze which causes the Dark Figure to immobilize him for a few seconds. Once an opponent is posessed, Ansem can only use Possession Damage and Barrier Deployment, until he summons the Dark Figure back.
Possession (Possession Damage) (憑依（憑依ダメージ）, Hyōi (Hyōi Damēji))		Dark	—	4	—
		The Dark Figure appears and attacks.
		Used on the possessed opponent.
Barrier Deployment (結界展開, Kekkai Tenkai)		None	x0	8	Repellable (Recoil: 100)
		Ansem wraps himself in a purple sphere, and moves forward.
		Only used while an opponent is under the effects of Possession.
Rush (突進, Tosshin)		Dark	x0.01	8	Repellable (Recoil: 1)
		Summons a barrier in front, and charges multiple times.
		Only used in the second battle.
Racing Shock Wave (Both Arms) (地走り衝撃波（両腕）, Jibashiri Shōgekiha (Ryōude))		None	x0	6	Repellable (Recoil: 100)
		The Dark Figure swings both arms forward.
		Only used in the second battle.
Racing Shock Wave (Shock Wave) (地走り衝撃波（衝撃波）, Jibashiri Shōgekiha (Shōgekiha))		Dark	—	6	—
		Waves of light are released from the Dark Figure's arms.
		Only used in the second battle.
Aura of Darkness (Appearance Technique) (暗黒のオーラ（出現技）, Ankoku no Ōra (Shutsugen-waza))	(appearance)	None	x0	10	Repellable (Recoil: 100)
	(shock wave)	Dark	—	10	—
		The Dark Figure emerges from the ground 10 times.
		Only used in the second battle. Ansem is invincible during this attack.
Aura of Darkness (Final Run) (暗黒のオーラ（究極地走り）, Ankoku no Ōra (Kyūkyoku Jibashiri)))		Dark	—	10	—
		After the Dark Figure finishes attacking, it releases a wave of light around itself.
		Only used in the second battle. Ansem is invincible during this attack. The four racing shockwaves are aimed according to the angle Ansem is facing, with one aimed in front of him.
During both fights, the Dark Figure may protect Ansem from attacks, with the exception of attacks that do not get interrupted by it. If Ansem is attacked from behind, he responds with a Dark Blow.
Guard: Repellable = Can be blocked and interrupted; Returnable = Can be blocked and deflected back; Preventable = Blockable by Goofy's shield only.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories

First battle

This battle is rather straightforward, Riku should keep his combos going and card break Ansem's Dark Rush sleight to avoid damage. He can move up and down to avoid it as well.

Second battle

The second time Ansem is fought is during the final battle of Riku's Story. This time around, his old Aura of Darkness attack returns as the Dark Shadow Sleight, where he sends the Dark Figure into the floor, creating pools of darkness that the Dark Figure rises out of, fist raised, that can deal chained up damage. It's best to use 0 cards to break Dark Shadow when he is preparing it, but it can be avoided by dodging with the right timing. There is one unorthodox strategy that involves losing all of Riku's cards (from Sleights) except one 0 card. If he gets left with one 0 card, immediately reload after (because Riku has instant reload, unlike Sora) and continue a combo. This works because the zero will always break Ansem's next card and if he breaks Riku's, reloading will give Riku a zero card.

Ansem's Sleights tend to be reserved for later, and he initially just bothers with single card attacks. Once he loses 1.5-2 bars of HP he will start using his Sleights more regularly and attempt to break the player's. He will always start using his own card to hide his Sleight's value, but the Parasite Cage card can dispel this. A good idea is to use simple Sleights at the beginning to hit Ansem quick and for high damage all the while accumulating DP. Following this the player should have Dark Mode and Ansem will start using his own Sleights so having a few 0 cards nearby is advisable. Otherwise assaulting Ansem with Sleights like Dark Break or Dark Aura is helpful, esspecially the latter as it can prevent Ansem from using his cards during the assault, although