Reaction Command

Reaction Command is a feature introduced in Kingdom Hearts II, intended to extend the level of combat. By pressing the triangle button at certain moments in battle (or occasionally outside of battle), Sora will perform a specific action, which is indicated by the title of the command. These reactions are mostly combat maneuvers that are used to gain the upper hand on enemies, though they are also used to talk to people and open chests. Occasionally, some reaction commands must be completed in order to end the battle. Interestingly enough, almost none of the reaction commands require that you press triangle the moment it appears; if you cannot press the button at the right moment, you will suffer no penalty by rapidly pressing triangle until the command is initiated. There is only one command in the entire game that requires you to react in time.

=Non-Battle Reaction Commands=

Talk
Used to talk to NPCs.

Open
Sora or Roxas uses the Keyblade and/or the Struggle weapon to open chests.

Skateboard
Mount or dismount a skateboard.

=In-battle Reaction Commands=

Reversal

 * Sora (or Roxas) quickly dashes behind the enemy, confusing all Dusks and Creepers in the immediate area for a short time.
 * Reversal can also be used against Twilight Thorn's and Xemnas' thorn attacks. In this case, Sora (or Roxas) will dash around their foe's attacks, (in an animation similar to Aerial Dodge) and brings them within attack range of Xemnas or Twilight Thorn.

Dispel

 * Sora strikes the lexicon Zexion is hiding in, freeing himself from the illusionary arena.
 * Dispel is also available to use against Shaman, albeit only in the Pride Lands. The Command appears when a series of blue flames attack and encircle Sora, and Dispel allows Sora to use them against his enemies.

Show Stealer

 * Show Stealer is available during the second battle against Demyx in Hollow Bastion. The Command appears when Demyx jumps towards Sora and attempts to launch him into the air. If Show Stealer is activated, Sora stands behind Demyx and holds his Keyblade in a guitar-like fashion before hitting Demyx, therefore interrupting his attacks and forcing him away.

Rob Count

 * Sora evades Marluxia's slash and pulls up his scythe with the Keyblade. After gaining control, Sora throws the scythe towards Marluxia, damaging him and earning back his count down numerals.

Air Trample

 * Sora jumps over Marluxia's scythe, knocks him into the air and across the arena.

Learn

 * Sora snatches an attack from either Xaldin or a Dragoon, leaps into the air, and stabs the Keyblade onto the enemy. The charging phase (Stealing the Attack) can be done up to nine times if the normal attack is not used.  Magic can still be used freely.
 * Used Against: Xaldin or Dragoon

Wild Dance

 * Sora grabs a Water Form and swings it around his head, attacking the other water forms in the area. Also used against Armored Xemnas, where it is called "Water Dance".
 * Used Against: Demyx's Water Forms

Warp Snipe

 * Sora warps in front of a crossbow bolt and deflects it back at the shooter. Can be used multiple times.
 * Used Against: Xigbar or Sniper

Fail-Safe

 * Sora grabs an Assassin that is about to self-destruct, and throws it towards the ground. This destroys that Assassin while dealing damage to nearby enemies and forcing other Assassins to emerge from the ground.
 * Used Against: Assassin

Berserk

 * Sora grabs his opponent's claymore and floats around, picking up additional non-boss enemies.
 * Used Against: Saïx or Berserker

Eclipse

 * Sora, holding a Berserker or Saïx's claymore, flips backwards and hits the enemy. The combo can be continued for two more attacks.  Each attack deals half the normal attack damage.
 * Used Against: Saïx or Berserker

Magna Storm

 * Sora, after three successive Eclipse attacks, swings the claymore in a tornado slash, hurling it at the enemy and dealing triple damage with each strike.
 * Used Against: Saïx or Berserker

Overtaker

 * Roxas/Sora leaps at Axel, repeatedly attacking him with both keyblades.
 * Used Against: Axel (in the basement of the Simulated Twilight Town and Data Axel.

Clear Light

 * Roxas/Sora throws Axel to the ground, forcing him to turn the lava-flooded floor back to normal.
 * Used Against: Axel (in the basement of the Simulated Twilight Town and Data Axel)

Burst Edge

 * Roxas throws both his Keyblades at Axel, forcing him out of the wall of flame.
 * Used against: Axel (in the basement of the Simulated Twilight Town)

Begin Game
Begins game in which player must time actions so that all commands are "0", or Sora is turned into a card by Gamblers or Luxord.

Stop Dice
Begins game in which player must time actions so that all commands are "0", or Sora is turned into a dice block by Gamblers or Luxord.

Duel Stance
Sora must select "The End" in the menu bar before time is up to slash through Samurai (or Roxas in Final Mix+).

Key Counter

 * When the Twilight Thorn tries to punch him, Roxas jumps over the Twilight Thorn's hand, and then slashes its face.
 * Used Against: Twilight Thorn

Lunarsault

 * After being thrown into the air by the Twilight Thorn, Roxas slashes it in the head while coming down.
 * Used against: Twilight Thorn

Break Raid

 * After tipping Roxas off the pillar, the Twilight Thorn creates a giant orb. Roxas throws the Keyblade into the orb, causing it to explode.
 * Used against: Twilight Thorn

Facedown
Sora forcefully breaks the curse Xemnas laid on him, then rushes up the side of the tower while Xemnas jumps down from the top. (The next action command is determined by how far apart Sora and Xemnas are when the player activates it. If nothing is pressed, Xemnas will deal heavy damage to Sora.)

Clash
Sora and Xemnas pass by each other without attacking.

Break Through
Sora strikes Xemnas, doing minor damage.

Finish
When in close contact with Xemnas, Sora blocks and counters Xemnas' attack, slamming him into the tower.(In Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+, successfully activating this Reaction Command will leave Xemnas with 1HP.)

Slicer
When facing a rising block from the skyscrapers, Sora slices through it with three quick slashes.

Skyscraper
Sora leaps past the skyscraper blocks, slashing them as he passes by while heading towards the Castle when facing Xemnas in The World That Never Was.

Stunt Dodge
Sora makes a high leap and jumps to the other side of the cannon. A Reaction Command used to escape the attacks of the cannon.

Riding Shot

 * Sora locks onto one of the skyscraper blocks and bats it towards the Nobody Dragon.

Meteor Rain

 * Riku executes a 360 slash that breaks the skyscraper block, launching the debris towards the Dragoon Ship, breaking its wing shield.

Rescue

 * Riku leaps up and frees Sora from Xemnas' grip.

Defend
When Xemnas knocks Sora's Keyblade away, Riku grabs it and throws it back.

Reflect
Sora and Riku rapidly deflect the barrage of Aerial Blades shot by Xemnas. In order to survive the attack, both the triangle button and the X button must be rapidly pressed.

Snag
Sora jumps up and grabs a Surveillance Robot from behind.

Sparkle Ray

 * Sora spins in a circle as the Surveillance Robot fires its laser, effectively destroying or severely injuring all surrounding enemies.

Bat Cry
Sora latches the Keyblade onto one Hook Bat's hook. Sora then spins through midair, hitting airborne enemies with the captured Hook Bat.

Block
Sora blocks all of Sephiroth's rapid sword slices in one go (only applies to Sephiroth's Flash combo.)

Rapid Blow
Sora rushes in and attacks multiple times.
 * Used Against: Aerial Knocker

Air Twister
Sora grabs an Air Pirate and swings it around.

Bolt Reversal
Sora reflects the bolt laser of a Bolt Tower by tapping the triangle button repeatedly.

Capsule Prize
Sora cranks a prize out of a Bulky Vendor. (works with 100-75% enemy HP left)

Rare Capsule
Sora cranks a normal item out of a Bulky Vendor. (works with 74-50% enemy HP left)

Limited Capsule
Sora cranks a rare item out of a Bulky Vendor. (works with 49-25% enemy HP left)

Prime Capsule
Sora cranks out a very rare item out of a Bulky Vendor. (works with 24-1% enemy HP left)

Root Ravager
Sora uproots a Creeper Plant, creating a shockwave that damages surrounding enemies.

Heal Stomp
Sora stomps a Crescendo, healing the party. (power = Sora's magic x30)

Full Swing
Sora hits a midair Large Body or Fat Bandit with a powerful attack. This is activated when a Large Body or Fat Bandit attempt to use Body Slam.

Clear Shot
Sora reflects ice blast back at Fortuneteller.

Release
Sora automatically defeats Gargoyle Warrior or Gargoyle Knight.
 * It's also used against Thresholder to draw out the real target, Possessor, and against Shadow Stalker to drive it out of the columns and chandelier.

Guard
Blocks Large Body's toboggan attack.

Kickback
After Guard, hits Large Body 6 times.

Rodeo
Ride on Living Bone's back, causing shock waves.

Grand Cross
After Rodeo, flip Living Bone and ram it into the ground, headfirst, smashing its head.

Quick Blade
Dash and attack Magnum Loader quickly.

Dodge Roll
Roll out of harm's way before Minute Bomb self-destructs.

Bump
Knock Morning Star (Heartless) into the air.

Meteor Strike
After Bump, slam Morning Star into the ground repeatedly until it dies.

Wind Dance
Leap into the air and attack Neoshadow.

Speed Trap
Gather in Rapid Thrusters.

Aero Blade
After Speed Trap, spin like a propeller in the air, damaging nearby enemies.

Shift Shot
Grab and toss Silver Rock while it's in a ball of light.

Cyclone
Aerial diving attack against Soldier.

Tornado Ride
Ride a Tornado Step, using the Analog Stick to spin around and damage enemies.

Quick Detention

 * Sora, after deflecting a Bark Hound's icicle, grabs the Heartless by the tail and swings it continuously before throwing it and killing it instantly
 * Used against: Bark Hound

Rising Sun

 * After Sora attacks an Armored Knight, shoulder tackles the enemy up to 5 times, hitting any nearby enemies in his way.
 * Used against: Armored Knight (after attacking it)

Firagun and Blizzagun

 * Sora either stabs his Keyblade into the Volcanic Lord or grabs the nose of the Blizzard Lord, and throws him into Volcanic Lord
 * Used Against: Blizzard Lord and Volcanic Lord

Lance Tug

 * Sora grabs onto the lance from the Lance Soldier and flies around with the berserk lance, hitting multiple enemies.

Backshuffle
Sora leaps backward repeatedly to dodge Undead Pirate A's axe slashes.

High Counter
After Backshuffle, Sora counterattacks Undead Pirate A.

Return Fire
Sora blocks crossbow bolts back at Undead Pirate C.

Twin Counter
After Barbossa attacks Jack Sparrow, help Jack get back to his senses.

Sonic Dive
After Twin Counter, attack Barbossa.

Land
Step on Barbossa's sword.

Reverse Blade
After Riding Shot, attack Captain Barbossa.

Wake Up!
Cogsworth stuns Beast with bell.

Charge
When Beast's HP gets low, repeatedly tap triangle button to fill gauge.

Get Up!
If Charge is successful, wakes up Beast, finishing the battle.

Evade
Avoids Cerberus's "Trap" attack.

Jump!
After Evade, leap high into the air.

Dog Paddle
After Jump!, slams down, stunning Cerberus.

Step Vault
Use Dark Thorn's back to leap onto chandelier.

Catch
Drop chandelier onto Dark Thorn after Step Vault.

Pendulum Round
After Catch, swing chandelier around, hurling Dark Thorn away.

Slingshot
After Dark Thorn throws Sora towards a pillar, land sideways on pillar and jump back, countering.

Kickspring
Hurl Experiment's body into other parts.

Return
Return cursed medallions to chest during 2nd Grim Reaper battle.

Hinder
Stop Grim Reaper from collecting medallions.

Loot Launch
After Hinder, launch Grim Reaper skyward to collect medallions.

Aura Shot
Shoot one of Hercules' aura orbs at Hades, knocking him out of berserk mode.

Jump
Leap onto Groundshaker's back.

Fend
Deflect Groundshaker's giant foot from stomping Sora.

Vanquish
Slashes off a Hydra head, once its HP has been depleted.

Phil One-Two
Makes Phil toss an urn into the air while Sora's on Hydra's back.

Urninator
Slam urn onto Hydra's back, stunning heads.

Pegasus Run
Fly on Pegasus' back past Hydra's many heads.

Attack
While on Pegasus, slash at Hydra heads.

Freeze
With Cluster Bar full, halt Hostile Program's movements.

Roll Up
Grab Jafar's genie-tail and wrap him up.

Spin Burst
After Roll Up, spin Jafar around and around, dazing him.

Capture
After depleting Lock, Shock, or Barrel's HP, knock a toy box into them to capture them inside.

Flip
Flips cards to reveal other side during Luxord battle.

Fore!
Swing the Keyblade golfer-style to knock presents up onto Oogie Boogie's platform to shatter the glass floor.

High Climb
Climb up wall Sark summons.

Needle Dive
After High Climb, leaps from atop the wall, Keyblade-first straight into Sark's forehead, knocking him out.

Erase
Begins beam attack on MCP. (Requires Tron)

Charge
Repeatedly tap triangle button to erase MCP's data, damaging it gradually.

About-Face
When Pete (Timeless River) runs crazy, turn him around with the Keyblade.

Pinball
When Pete activates his shield, swing Keyblade at him, knocking him across the room, breaking his shield. (Requires Hercules)

Air Slash
When fighting Pete in the Timeless River, when the Building Site scaffolding becomes unstable, makes Sora swing Keyblade like a propeller.

Inside Combo
When Prison Keeper is about to "swallow" Lock, Shock, or Barrel, leap inside to attack.

Zone Guard
Block Sark's disc attack.

Disc Strike
After Zone Guard, send disc back at Sark.

Counter
When Scar pounces on Sora, hurls him away.

Press
Lock swords with Shan-Yu, tap triangle button repeatedly.

Takedown
After Press, knock Shan-Yu away.

Call
Call Pumbaa away from Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, causing the hyenas to collide.

Break
Block Xigbar's "Sniper" attack.