Command Matrix

The Command Matrix (コマンドマトリックス) is the command system in Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. Before deck commands can be used in battle and in the field, they need to be installed in the Command Matrix.

The commands that can be installed are limited by the amount of Memory each command takes up and the number of available slot groups in the Command Deck. Three slot groups are available initially, with up to five additional slot groups that can be unlocked by hooking up chips to Command Expansions in the Stat Matrix.

Command Conversion
A slot group consists of two blue slots and one red slot. If commands are installed in the two blue slots, they will be "test-converted" into a new command, which appears in the red slot and the Command Deck. If the two blue slots are filled with compatible commands, indicated by a yellow highlight in the selection menu, the red slot will contain a wholly different command; otherwise the red slot will simply contain a stronger version of the command in the first blue slot. Defeating enemies earns Command Points (CP) for all installed commands. When a command accumulates enough CP, it is marked with an exclamation point. When both commands are installed in adjacent blue slots have accumulated the requisite CP, they can be permanently converted into the command that appears in the red slot.

Memory usage when test-converting commands is based on the converted command's memory usage, not those of the commands installed. Thus, installing a command in the second slot that doesn't change the resulting command produces no change in memory usage. This can be used to gather CP for commands that are not in use without changing the equipped commands for battle, which has the added benefit of making the equipped commands slightly stronger. One can exceed 100% of memory usage when testing out conversions so long as they are within the limit when they exit the menu. For example, if one has achieved 100% memory usage with less than the maximum number of commands equipped (i.e. 7 commands with 8 slots available), they can use the open command slots for converting commands with max CP so long as they remove the new converted commands afterwards.

Commands can be converted over and over, but no command can exceed a maximum level of 100. Level 100 commands cannot be permanently converted while in the first slot unless they are producing a new command. Some commands can only be obtained through Command Conversion. Item commands cannot be converted at all and will disable the second blue slot when equipped.

Overspec and Command Level
Converting commands yields a command that is stronger than the base form of the command. With test-conversions the resulting command will only be of a higher level at most, making the command slightly stronger, though will retain any special bonuses from its parent commands. The level and bonuses also serve as the starting point for the resulting command when converting it permanently. The level of the resulting command can be calculated by adding 1 to each parent command's level, multiplying by the CP requirement needed to attain an exclamation point for each command, adding the resulting values together, and then dividing by the CP requirement for the resulting command. The resulting value is rounded down to obtain the level, with any remainder instead being converted to CP that partially fills the command's gauge.

When permanently converting commands, the command may receive a rare special bonus, called an  Overspec, which has three main varieties. The first Overspec will see the command be marked with a   symbol next to its name, which increases the amount the command fills the Command Gauge by 1% per level of the command. The second Overspec will see the command marked with a   symbol next to its name, which decreases the reload time for the command by 0.5% per level. Both of these bonuses will be inherited by any commands made by further conversion. If a command has received both bonuses, it will be marked with a   symbol. The third and final Overspec merely adds 10 to the resulting command's level. If no Overspec is triggered, the command will receive 1 to 5 bonus levels.

The chance of a   or   Overspec increases the higher the combined level of commands being converted, with an added bonus chance if the two commands are the same. It is possible for both Overspecs to trigger at once as well. The 10 Level Overspec will only trigger if neither of the other two do, and triggers at a fixed rate independent of level and also has a higher chance of triggering if the two commands are the same. Similarly, the chances of receiving higher bonus level boosts are slightly if two identical commands are converted.

Compiled commands
During the Labyrinth of Olympus Coliseum, deck command mechanics are modified drastically, in order to suit the area's turn-based gameplay system. The new mechanics involve converting and combining deck commands to unleash new ones.

Donald and Goofy commands
During Hollow Bastion I, Data-Sora can not use any commands himself, aside from item commands, due to his lack of Keyblade. Instead, deck commands are substituted into commands that Data-Sora's party members execute. Hence, activating a command causes Data-Sora to call out to the appropriate party member, who responds and then performs an alternative command.

When Goofy is an active party member, Data-Sora's attack commands are each substituted into one of two Goofy commands. When Donald is an active party member, Data-Sora's magic commands are each substituted into one of two Donald commands.