Game:Larxene

Larxene appears as a boss in Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, its remake, and Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix. While she is first fought by Sora because she is merely "playing with him", Larxene faces him a second time with a goal of elimination in mind after she learns of Axel's betrayal. Fading away after the second battle with Sora, Larxene appears to him a year later as both an Absent Silhouette and a Data Rematch.

Larxene returns in Kingdom Hearts III as one of the bosses of the Keyblade Graveyard, fought alongside Marluxia and Luxord against Sora and Mickey.

First battle
For the first battle against Larxene, make sure to have relatively even HP and CP. This should be done to make sure that Sora will not only have a decent amount of cards in his deck, shortening the time spent reloading and worrying about an eventual lack of cards, but also that he will not be defeated by Larxene's first few attacks.

At the start of the battle, begin to attack Larxene with Sleights and either Magic or Attack Cards. Be wise when carrying out these attacks, especially when Sora's cards are being used in Sleights. Larxene will mainly use cards of a relatively low value, so her slashing attacks can be easily Card Broken. If not stopped they will hit multiple times, however, Sora may then need to use a Donald card (in the hopes that he uses Cure or one of its upgrades) or a Cure card to heal himself immediately afterwards. Using the Donald card is risky, however, as he may cast Thunder on Larxene, which will heal her. Larxene may also use an Attack Card to throw her Foudre at Sora, this can be avoided by simply running out of the way. Larxene's Magic Cards cause her to cast a Thundaga spell at Sora, something easily avoided through Dodge Roll or a Card Break. Larxene will only use one Sleight to counter, Lightning Bolt, which causes her to shoot lightning from the tips of her Foudre at Sora, drawing him closer to her and stunning him for a time, opening him up to an attack. When Larxene's HP dwindles, her Magic Card will change so that she can bombard Sora with slashes and then a Thunder spell, something best avoided through a Card Break.

While the battle with Larxene will be tedious, Enemy Cards such as Oogie Boogie and Jafar can make the battle a lot easier.

Second battle
Larxene takes a final stand against Sora and has higher HP. This not only means the battle will be a lot longer, but that Larxene will be much more powerful. Donald and Goofy return to aid Sora during the battle, allowing the use of Friend Cards. Make use of Sora's arsenal of Sleights. Enemy Cards like Jafar, Captain Hook, Maleficent, and Oogie Boogie will also be useful, and before activating the cutscene that leads to the battle by talking to a defeated Riku Replica, be sure to head back to the Destiny Islands and save the game. This will restore Sora's HP and can be used to restart the battle with Larxene. Donald will also restore Sora's HP before the second battle with Larxene, regardless.

In this rematch, Larxene's attacks will be the same as those used in the first battle. She only has access to one new Sleight, Teleport Rush, a deadly attack comprised of multiple slash attacks. This can easily deplete Sora's HP to zero or at least the Alarm Zone if not careful, so be sure to Card Break this Sleight once Larxene activates it. Use offensive attacks and defense abilities such as Curaga evenly, and Larxene will fall with relative ease.

First battle
The first battle against Larxene should not be that much of a challenge. Friend Cards will be available during the battle, so they should either be saved for Sleights or individual use as Sora starts to run out of cards (only if they are a high value). The Oogie Boogie and Jafar Enemy Cards will come in handy during this battle, so make sure Sora has enough CP to equip at least one, if not both. Otherwise, he should have a wide value range of Attack and Magic Cards within his deck, one or two cards with a value of zero, an Item Card such as a Potion with a high value to fully restore all used cards to Sora's deck if necessary. Make sure to have at least one Cure Card with a high value in the deck, as well.

At the start of the battle, immediately Lock-On to Larxene to keep track of her fast movements. She may attempt to slash Sora, but this attack can be avoided with either a Dodge Roll or a Card Break. Her Magic Cards still will cause a barrage of lightning to rain down on Sora, this avoidable only through a Card Break. If Larxene stocks two Magic Cards and one Attack Card into a Sleight, prepare for her to use the powerful Mega Volt ability. This Sleight has Larxene throw her Foudre to the ground and bombard Sora with lightning. A Card Break or Sleight of a higher value is the best way to avoid this attack. As Card Breaks will lower Larxene's defenses, this will be the time to attack her with physical combos, magic, or Sleights. Larxene will also simply throw her Foudre at Sora. These projectiles can either be jumped over, dodged with Dodge Roll, or stopped with a Card Break.

As Larxene's HP starts to dwindle, she will gain access to a new and potentially deadly Sleight, Teleport Rush. During Teleport Rush's execution, Larxene will teleport rapidly to Sora's location and slash him several times. With good timing, each combo can be dodged with Dodge Roll, but it is best to Card Break this attack before Sora's HP hits the Alarm Zone. At low HP, Larxene's Attack Cards will allow her to slash Sora and then hit him with lightning. Dodge Roll can be used to avoid the combo, but again, it is best if it is Card Broken. Larxene may activate the Yellow Opera Enemy Card, which will increase the damage dealt by her lightning-based attacks.

Second battle
Larxene returns with more HP and a new Enemy Card (she now has both the Larxene and Yellow Opera Enemy Cards) and a new Sleight. The second battle against Larxene should not be any different than the previous battle. Larxene will use many attacks from the first battle, including her slashing combo, the lightning barrage, and the Foudre throwing technique. Her Mega Volt and Teleport Rush Sleights also make a return. Each of these attacks can be avoided with the same strategies used during the first battle. Her new Sleight Blade Storm, has Larxene throw her Foudre to all areas of the battlefield, which then fire several beams of lightning in all directions. The beams move slowly and will lift Sora off the ground and stun him when he lands. Should Larxene activate her Enemy Card, her speed will greatly increase.

It is important, as with the last battle, to attack only when Larxene is reloading her deck or recovering from a Card Break. This way, Sora will not take damage from an immediate counterattack. Be sure to heal if necessary, as well as make full use of the Oogie Boogie, Jafar, Maleficent, or even Vexen Enemy Cards. Make sure not to abuse Sleights, allowing Sora a greater number of cards to use throughout the battle.

Absent Silhouette
Larxene appears as an Absent Silhouette, found at the entrance of Isla de Muerte in Port Royal during Sora's first visit. It is not advised to fight Larxene during Sora's first trip to Port Royal, as this portion of the fight requires a dodging ability that Sora most likely does not have at the time. Due to the absence of card-based combat, her moveset is completely different from the one she utilized in Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories.

It is important not to cast any Thunder spells during the battle, as Larxene will just absorb the attack. Utilize Merge if possible, as this will not only open Larxene to more damage, but it also will cause her clones to vanish for a time. Equip Sora with plenty of healing items, especially Elixirs and Megalixirs, and also ensure that he has the Cure and Reflect spells in his magic shortcut menu for easy defensive and recovery use. Make sure Sora is of a relatively high level and has maxed out the levels of his Drive Forms, so he can dodge Larxene's attacks with greater success. Sora, Donald, and Goofy should also be equipped with armor such as the Thunder Trinket or the Petite Ribbon and Grand Ribbon to minimize the damage caused by Larxene's lightning-based attacks.

At the start of the battle, Larxene will begin charge and surround herself with damaging lightning. Sora will immediately have to quickly dodge or block three copies as they rush in his direction. Utilize High Jump LV2, Reflect, or a well-timed Guard to avoid taking damage. Larxene with reappear with a clone of herself, and proceed to attack Sora at intervals. If Sora successfully hits Larxene or her clone with a ground or aerial combo finisher while the other is not in the middle of an attack, the Reaction Command "Merge" may appear. If Merge is used, Sora will grab Larxene by the wrist and throw her into the air. He will then grab her clone and spin her around, lifting her up off the floor. He will then hurl the clone at the original Larxene as she falls back down, causing them to forcibly merge, stunning her for a short time. This will consequently open Larxene up for more damage, but remain cautious, as Larxene may return to her senses and bombard Sora with lightning. Reflect, a chain of Dodge Rolls, or Quick Run LV2 can be used to avoid this lightning attack, as well as any Thunder spells she attempts to use. Sora can interrupt her in-between attacks, though he should be quick when moving in.

Larxene's clones share HP with her, so wide-range attacks like Final Form Firaga, Genie's summon limits, Donald's Comet limit, Reflect, and Explosion can be used to deal increased damage if they hit the clones as well. For this reason, it may not always be worth using the Merge Reaction Command as soon as it appears.

After about two bars have been depleted from Larxene's total HP, her clones will begin to attempt a ground assault. Several will rush at Sora either in a straight line with a long delay, or from all directions with a shorter delay. Guard or Reflega should be used to avoid the incoming clones. They may also attempt to slash Sora in droves, a well-timed Guard or Reflect will protect him. Not only will the Reflect prevent damage, but may also deal damage to Larxene. If she vanishes and the screen blackens, be prepared for a rather deadly desperation attack. During this tactic's execution, the Larxene clones will surround and slash Sora, before encircling and rushing at him. The true Larxene will then attack Sora from above with a downward slam and a lightning strike. At least three timed Guards are needed to avoid damage; one for the assault, one for the encircling attack, and one for the downward slam, though Reflect magic is a good option. Should Sora get caught in it, immediately cast Cure or use any kind of healing item, Elixirs and Hi-Potions recommended. Larxene will then proceed to reuse previously seen attacks until her HP starts to dwindle.

When Larxene's HP has been depleted to its second-to-last bar, she will charge power and surround herself with lightning as she usually does. However, instead of teleporting away to perform a rush attack with her clones, Larxene will teleport to the center, adjust her hair, then levitate while glowing with lightning energy. She will then begin to spin in place as she executes her most devastating attack, which involves her firing long columns of lightning spheres from her arms in a straight line as lightning bolts are periodically called down on Sora's location. These spheres deal damage when touched, so the best way to avoid them is to either stay airborne or remain within the gaps between the two lightning orb columns. If either Donald or Goofy have not been KO'd, initiate a Limit, as it will nullify all incoming damage and may even damage Larxene should it outlast the attack. This attack has a strong chance of dropping Sora's HP into the Alarm Zone, and if Donald or Goofy either have no items or have been knocked out, prioritize healing Sora immediately. Larxene will often rush at Sora with her copies immediately after this destructive desperation attack, so be prepared to Guard or cast Reflect. From this point forward, Larxene will use all previously seen attacks (including the lightning sphere columns).

Data Rematch
The battle against Larxene's Data Rematch will flow similarly to the battle against her Absent Silhouette. The only differences will be the amount of HP she has and the pattern in which she uses her attacks. Simply recall the strategy used in the Absent Silhouette battle and use the "Merge" Reaction Command if necessary. Sora also should be of a relatively high level, using spells such as Curaga and Reflega, as well as Drive Forms and a powerful Keyblade such as the Ultima Weapon. Defeating Larxene's Data Rematch will reward a Lost Illusion.

Attacks

 * Larxene performs a four-hit combo with her knives.
 * Larxene backflips into the air and tosses her knives at the ground, leaving behind sparks that linger, usually done as a follow up to her four hit combo.
 * Larxene jumps and slams the ground, creating five columns of lightning around her.
 * Larxene's desperation attack has her elongate her knives into claws and zip around the room as a bolt of lightning, emerging to slash at Sora with her claws. After several attempts, Larxene leaps into the air and slams the ground with her claws, conjuring multiple pillars of lightning.

Strategy
Larxene serves as one of the bosses of the Keyblade Graveyard, fought alongside Marluxia and Luxord against Sora and Mickey. After Sora defeats Luxord and rescues Mickey, the fight with Larxene and Marluxia will begin. The duo will open the battle by utilizing their desperation attacks. Larxene will elongate her knives into claws and zip around the room as a bolt of lightning, emerging to slash at Sora with her claws. Marluxia, meanwhile, will repeatedly toss his scythe at Sora, which will wheel around the room before Marluxia appears to catch it again. After several attempts, Larxene and Marluxia will leap into the air and slam the ground with their weapons, conjuring multiple pillars of lightning and covering the floor with a pool of darkness respectively. The best way to avoid this attack is via use of Superglide.

Once the attack ends, the fight resumes as normal. It is recommended to defeat Larxene first as it will make avoiding Marluxia's desperation attack easier. Larxene has a few attacks at her disposal. Her most often used attack is to swipe at Sora with her knives in a four-hit combo, usually ending with her backflipping into the air and tossing her knives in an arc, leaving sparks that linger on the ground. She may also jump into the air and slam the ground, creating five pillars of lightning around her. All of Larxene's attacks can be easily avoided or guarded against (preferably with the Counter Shield and Frying Pan Formchanges for their respective Wrathful Flurry and Flame Barrage reprisals).

Due to Larxene's quick movements, Formchanges associated with Blitz Form such as Blizzard Blades and Nano Gear are recommended choices. Likewise, the Highwind and Storm Flag Formchanges are also good options for their fast attacks. Overall, Larxene is not a difficult boss and as long Sora heals when necessary, Larxene will fall with ease.