Infernal Engine

The Infernal Engine is an Emblem Heartless that is found in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. It is one of the bosses at Beast's Castle.

Design
The Infernal Engine is a large, box-shaped, apparently mechanical Heartless with four black wheels, two on either side of its body. It appears to be predominantly made of wood. Its face takes up its entire front side, with a large, red, jagged mouth with yellow "lips" on its lower half, and a black "forehead" with silver, metal additives on it. Its eyes glow yellow in color, and its Heartless emblem is in the middle of its face. There is a wooden guardrail on its top decorated with yellow and red patterns as well as four white spikes. The Infernal Engine is able to extend a battering ram, hammer, and boxes from its mouth.

Riding atop of the Infernal Engine are three smaller Heartless, referred to as "archers" in the Journal. Each of these Heartless wears silver armor and a bullet-shaped helmet with an opening for their black faces and glowing yellow eyes. Their helmets sport two short spikes and a curled, black antenna, and they do not seem to have legs, instead balancing on a spike. They wield large, indigo weapons that fire projectiles. Each archer sports a Heartless emblem emblazoned on its chest.

The Infernal Engine's name has several potential meanings. "Infernal" may refer to the fireballs it fires, as "infernal" can mean "of a great fire". It may also refer to its antagonistic nature, since "infernal" can also mean "fiendish" or "of or relating to hell". "Engine" is a reference to its apparent mechanical nature, and its functioning as a vehicle for the smaller Heartless archers. The Infernal Engine's Japanese name, "Demon's Fortress", reflects its massive, sturdy construction and the way the archers use it as a "fortress" of sorts. This name and the Infernal Engine's behavior are also reminiscent of the Demon Wall enemy from the Final Fantasy series. The English name may be a reference to another Final Fantasy enemy, the Doomtrain.

Strategy
The Infernal Engine's attacks are as follows:


 * Shoots arrows that rain down from above. This attack can be avoided by standing still until the archers have locked onto Roxas's position, then rolling away at the last moment.
 * Spits out rolling bombs. This can be blocked with the Block Ability.
 * Extends a giant hammer, smashing the ground repeatedly and creating shockwaves. This can be avoided by Blocking. If Roxas is out of range, the Engine does not use this attack.
 * Extends a battering ram. After a number of seconds, the Infernal Engine charges forward to trample Roxas. This can be avoided by moving away from the Heartless before it finishes charging. The Engine only uses this attack when it has been pushed to the end of the bridge opposite the courtyard.
 * Extends a cannon, firing cannonballs in succession. The cannonballs can be reflected using Block to attack and destroy the archer Heartless.

If all three archer Heartless are destroyed (by Blocking and reflecting the cannonballs), the Infernal Engine begins to spit out boxes containing Soldier Heartless, which stop spawning after a period of time. After the Soldier Heartless stop spawning, the Infernal Engine resumes attacking; the archer Heartless respawn after about two attacks.

The Infernal Engine's battering ram is its weak point. Compared to attacking the Engine normally (when the ram is retracted), attacking the ram deals substantially more damage in a short period of time, and is the quickest way to defeat the Engine. The Engine only performs this attack when it has been pushed back to the opposite end of the bridge. To bait out the battering ram, attack the Engine repeatedly, pushing it back while dodging or blocking its attacks. When the Engine starts to use its battering ram, land as many attacks as possible, then immediately run away to avoid the attack.

A useful strategy is to use the Infernal Engine's attacks to damage Roxas into Limit range before attacking the Engine and pushing it back. When the Engine begins to use its battering ram, activate Roxas's Limit Break, land as many hits as possible, then move away before the Engine begins to charge forward. Repeat this process as many times as needed until the Infernal Engine is defeated.