Vanitas Remnant: Difference between revisions

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The '''Vanitas Remnant'''<!--incorrectly named as "Vanitas's Lingering Spirit" in the Bradygames guide--> makes its first and only appearance as a secret, optional boss in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''. After the player clears the [[Final Episode]], a crest similar to an [[Absent Silhouette]] portal will appear in the Badlands area of the [[Keyblade Graveyard]]. Simply approach the portal and select the "That's a danger I'm willing to face" option to initiate the battle. Defeating the Vanitas Remnant earns the player a Secret Gem in the Japanese version of ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', and the [[Void Gear]] in the North American, PAL, and ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix|Final Mix]]'' versions. The Vanitas Remnant also must be challenged if the player wishes to challenge the even more powerful [[Young Xehanort|Unknown]]. However, the player can simply unlock, and not defeat the Vanitas Remnant, and still be able to challenge the Unknown.

==Story==

[[Terra]], [[Ventus]], and [[Aqua]] separately return to the Badlands to find a mysterious sphere of dark energy hovering in the air. They each accept the challenge it presents, and the Vanitas Remnant then takes shape before them from another sphere of dark energy, much like the true [[Vanitas]] did during his creation, before drawing its Void Gear and attacking. After the Remnant's defeat, it transforms back into the dark energy sphere from which it originally spawned and vanishes.

==Design==

The Vanitas Remnant, true to its name, is a palette swap of the helmeted Vanitas. Its smooth helmet is completely black with an Unversed insignia emblazoned on it. Its torso and legs are covered by a black bodysuit reminiscent of Riku's Dark Mode, with faintly glowing white highlights on the chest. The material over its arms shifts in color from black to grey to white, before shifting to black again on the palms of its hands. Its boots are white with black soles. It also wears a white, skirt-like garment with black tips around its waist, held up by several grey straps.  

The crest that must be approached by the player to begin the battle has a very similar appearance to an Absent Silhouette portal, varying shades of purple in coloration with shards of black, rock-like material floating around it. The symbol appearing on the crest displays two halves of a gear which join to form an "S", the [[Keychain]] of the Void Gear Keyblade, both Vanitas and his Remnant's primary weapon.

==Strategy==

If any type of "Cure" command is used where the Remnant can see it, it will copy the player character and heal itself. As such, the player should only use recovery items like Potion to heal.  

D-Links cannot be used in this battle. For all characters, dodging often is key to winning the fight.

===Terra===

While he has strength on his side, Terra is hampered by his poor dodging ability and slow speed overall, which can be dangerous when pitted against the extremely fast Remnant. It is recommended that the player fill their Command Deck with the fastest of attacks, as well as at least two sets of Potions and either a high-leveled Mine Square or Mine Shield. All three levels of the HP Boost ability, as well as both Second Chance and Once More, should be equipped as well. The player's choice in Keyblades does not matter, but Chaos Ripper is recommended for the best performance in physical damage. While not necessary for victory, the player lastly may wish to fully level up Terra's combo finisher to the point where Demolition has been unlocked.  

After the boss's HP hits half or lower, the player can get serious in terms of offense. While dodging is still the first priority, attack whenever possible or lay a Mine Square or Shield. If the boss attempts to perform its teleporting slash combo, Block it and counter with physical attacks until Terra's Command Gauge has been filled. Rather than a Command Style's activation, the player will gain access to whatever combo finisher was last equipped. If Demolition has been obtained, be sure to use it. Not only can it hit multiple times, but it makes Terra completely immune to damage while dealing a great deal of it to the boss. Continue to dodge the Vanitas Remnant's combos and heal with Potions if necessary. Eventually, the Vanitas Remnant will fall, Terra's prize being either the Void Gear or a Secret Gem depending on which version (English or Japanese) of the game the player has.

===Ventus===

Ventus is the quickest of the three characters, and his Dodge Roll provides some invincibility during use. Superglide is also useful in dodging some of the wider ranged attacks of the remnant, and usually is useful in escaping and restoring your HP.

Repeating the above process roughly twice should deplete the Remnant's HP to 0, netting the player victory.

===Aqua===

As Aqua, deactivate any advanced forms of [[Cartwheel]] before the battle, since they lack the invulnerability that the basic Cartwheel has. Also be sure to replace all advanced Commands in your Command Deck with at least three sets of Potions (taking up three of the available eight slots). Fill four of the remaining open slots with Fabracadabra items, and fill the last slot with Seeker Mine. The Vanitas Remnant is beatable at any level. It is also advised that the player equip all three levels of HP Boost, as well. The player's choice of Keyblade does not matter, but the Ultima Weapon is recommended for use if the player wishes to deal the most damage possible in both physical and magical attacks. If the player has yet to obtain the Ultima Weapon, Stormfall can be used as a good alternative due to its even boosts to Aqua's stats.

Another strategy the player may wish to attempt that involves less item consumption still makes use of and relies on Seeker Mine as the main source of offense. Only two to three of the eight slots in Aqua's Command Deck need to be filled with items. The others should only be filled with the fastest of attacks, such as Thunder Surge (be advised that the Remnant will attempt its downward counter attack after being hit). There is little need, in actuality, for any Commands other than items to be used. It is also highly recommended that the player fully level up the Magic Pulse combo finisher in order to unlock Teleport Spike before attempting this strategy. Use Seeker Mine until at least three quarters of the boss's HP has been depleted, and be sure to use Potions if Aqua's Cartwheel fails to protect against an attack. Once the Vanitas Remnant has taken enough damage through Seeker Mine, the player may begin to block its teleporting or two-hit slash attacks with Barrier and follow with a damaging Counter Blast (granted the boss will often counter, which is avoidable through a Cartwheel or two). Consecutive Counter Blasts or even the occasional Keyblade strike will fill the Command Gauge (as would any Command). Instead of a Command Style being activated as a result of filling the Gauge, however, Aqua's Teleport Spike finisher will become available. Once Teleport Spike is used, it will allow the player to strike the boss multiple times while Aqua is completely immune to damage. The player simply must continue to dodge and counter the boss's attacks, using [[Teleport Spike]] whenever it is available in order to be victorious in this battle. Heal if necessary using a Potion, and the Vanitas Remnant will fall.  

===All===

A glitch in the Remnant's A.I. can provide an easy victory to those experiencing difficulty in taking victory. A column of rock in the battlefield's corner is shaped such that luring the Remnant to it and retreating to the opposite side will cause it to consistently run straight towards the player without attacking. By filling the Command Deck completely with Strike Raid attacks, or similar variants, and ensuring the player is Locked-On to the Remnnt, the attack will pass through the column of stone and connect with the Remnant.

The prize for defeating the Vanitas Remnant, regardless of character used, is a [[Secret Gem]] in the original Japanese release of ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''. The [[Void Gear]] Keyblade is rewarded to the player in the North American and [[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix|Final Mix]]<ref name="Dengeki">''[http://www.ff-reunion.net/kh/2010/06/25/khbbs_dengeki_nomura_interview KHBbS: Dengeki PS—Nomura Interview, North American Edition Voice Actors and Added Elements]''</ref> versions.

==Gallery==

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File:Void Gear (Vanitas Remnant) KHBBS.png|The Vanitas Remnant's version of the Void Gear.

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==Video==

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==Notes and references==

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