Game:Vexen: Difference between revisions

{{game|COM|REC|FM2|UCX}}

{{cleanup|add lede info for Clone Sora and shield, confirm whether Clone Sora is Nobody, Heartless, or other}}

{{tab|Vexen}}

|image=[[File:Vexen KHD.png|350x400px]]

|COMbind=x1.0

|COMreward='''10^th floor'''<br>[[Mega-Ether]] card<br>'''11^th floor'''<br>Vexen card

{{Character

|name=Vexen

|image=[[File:Vexen KHCOM.png|350x400px]]

|game1=Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

|s2=Vexen's Data Rematch

|KH2HP1=1500

|KH2neut=×1.0

|KH2reward='''Sora:''' Armor slot<br>'''Donald:''' Max HP +3<br>'''Goofy:''' Max HP +4<br>Road to Discovery, Lost Illusion (100%)

|spec=NobodyBoss

|image=[[File:Sora (Antiform) KHII.png|350x400px]]

|KH2HP1=<small>LV1: 100<br>LV2: 160<br>LV3: 250<br>LV4: 350<br>LV5: 450</small>

|KH2reward=MP prize (3) ×4

'''[[Vexen]]''' is fought as a boss in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]'', ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]'', and ''[[Kingdom Hearts Union χ]]''. First appearing to [[Riku]] in hopes of recruiting him to help accomplish his goals, Vexen instead was defeated and obtained valuable combat data he would later use to test Riku and even [[Sora]] in the form of the [[Riku Replica]]. His "product of pure research" dubbed a failure by [[Marluxia]], Vexen later appeared before Sora to prove himself and his strength to his traitorous fellow [[Nobody]]. He then craftily lured Sora to the memory-based [[Twilight Town]] for a second battle, hoping to ruin the rebellious Marluxia, [[Axel]], and [[Larxene]]'s plans to take over the [[Organization]] at the same time. This attempt led to Vexen's own elimination, however, at Axel's hand, the Nobody appearing to Sora a year after these events transpired as both an [[Absent Silhouette]] and a Data Rematch.

==Strategy==

===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===

At the beginning of the battle, Sora should immediately begin to attack Vexen, but take note that he will Guard against all frontal attacks and must be hit from behind. Be careful not to abuse [[Sleight]]s, as this will rapidly deplete the number of usable {{c|Cards|com}} in Sora's deck, possibly making Vexen's attacks harder or nearly impossible to [[Card Break]]. Any [[Friend Cards]] should be saved for Sleights or singular usage if they are of high value. It may be wise to equip the [[Enemy Card]] [[Oogie Boogie]], [[Captain Hook]], [[Jafar]], or [[Maleficent]] cards. Each of these will either make attacking Vexen easier or aid Sora in terms of [[HP]] and survival. Sora should also use the [[Fire Raid]] sleight by stocking one [[Fire]] and two attack cards, boosted by the [[Red Nocturne]] card to do heavy damage on Vexen. When the latter is used from a certain distance, it may land extra hits for more damage.

Should Vexen activate an [[Attack Card]], he will perform a single slash with his [[Frozen Pride]]. This can be dodged with simple run or [[Dodge Roll]]. If Vexen plays a [[magic card]], he'll shoot a Blizzara spell at Sora. This attack is easily dodged, especially with Dodge Roll. Vexen will also only have access to one Sleight, Freeze. When this sleight is executed, Vexen will attempt to freeze Sora in a block of ice, slowly dealing damage to Sora as he's trapped. A well-timed run or Dodge Roll can be used to avoid the ice block, but should Sora get captured, he will have to struggle by pressing the directional inputs for the ice to break. Vexen repeats these tactics throughout the battle, so the same strategies can be used each time.

====Second battle====

During the second battle with Vexen his HP remains the same, but he now has new sleights to use against Sora. The Blizzara and slash attack will return, as well as the Freeze sleight. The same strategies can be used to avoid them. The same enemy cards used to help Sora win the first battle with Vexen will likely be useful in this battle as well.

The first of Vexen's new sleights is Ice Burn. This sleight causes Vexen to create pools of slippery ice on random areas of the battlefield. When Sora steps on them, his speed will be reduced and he will merely trip. Careful maneuvering can be used to avoid the ice pools. Vexen also may use Ice Needles, a sleight that causes icicles to rise from the ground as they follow Sora. These icicles will not stop until they hit or until the Sleight runs its course, so it is best to keep at a constant run to avoid the icicles. He is also able to revive himself once using his Vexen Enemy Card, but this can be avoided by using the [[Parasite Cage]] enemy card.

The battle against Vexen in ''Reverse/Rebirth'' is mostly similar to Sora's second battle, but Vexen has access to a new sleight, Diamond Dust, which creates an ice storm that covers the entire battlefield. It is important to Card Break this sleight in order to avoid it, but overall, Vexen can easily be defeated using [[Dark Mode]]'s powerful attacks. Vexen is also able to revive himself once using his Vexen Enemy Card, but this can be avoided by using the [[Parasite Cage]] enemy card, if Riku has visited [[Monstro]] before this battle.

;Deck

|v10=3|v11=3|v12=1|v13=3|v17=1|v18=2|v19=3

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Shield Blow'''|シールドブロウ|<br>Shīrudo Burou}}|Physical|—|x0.8|{{sleight|Vexen - A|com=*}}|Vexen strikes with his shield while gliding forward.}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Blizzara'''|ブリザラ|<br>Burizara}}|Ice|—|x1.0|{{sleight|Vexen - M|com=*}}|Vexen emits cold air that flies in a parabolic curve. When the cold air hits a target or the ground, it turns into crystal.}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Freeze'''|フリーズ|<br>Furīzu}}|—|Freeze (5 sec){{Note|Duration can be shortened by pressing buttons.}}|1 HP damage every 8/60 seconds|{{sleight|Vexen - M|Vexen - A|Vexen - M|com=*}}|Vexen generates an ice block. When an opponent is hit by the ice block, they are frozen and slowly take HP damage. Player characters can break free faster by pressing buttons.}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Iceburn'''|アイスバーン|<br>Aisubān}}|—|—|—|{{sleight|Vexen - M|Vexen - M|Vexen - A|com=*}}|Used only against Sora in the second fight. Vexen freezes the ground in three places. When Sora moves over the frozen ground, he slips and falls.|The frozen ground spots disappear 10 to 20 seconds after the sleight, depending on their sizes. Whenever Vexen uses Ice Burn again, the new frozen ground spots replace the previous ones if present.}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Elixir'''|エリックサー|<br>Erikkusā}}|—|—|—|{{sleight|Elixir|com=*}}|Instantly reloads all Attack Cards and Magic Cards.}}

[[File:Versus Vexen 1 KHRECOM.png|thumb|right|Vexen in the first fights in ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories''.]]

In comparison to the other bosses Sora has faced thus far, Vexen will be the most difficult to overcome. He has a great amount of HP, and the fact that he blocks all frontal attacks can make landing a perfect combo a difficult task. Keep in mind Card Breaking him lowers his guard, as well as when he moves. He also absorbs all Blizzard-attributed attacks, so it is important not to bring any Blizzard cards into the battle. As he has a one fourth chance of casting Blizzard, save all [[Donald]] Friend Cards for a [[Wild Crush]] sleight. Bring a couple high-valued item cards into the battle to restore all used cards to Sora's deck, as well as a few [[Cure]] cards for the possible Curaga sleight. Consider bringing the Red Nocturne (if approaching Vexen with a Fire-based deck), Jafar, Oogie Boogie, Maleficent, or Captain Hook enemy cards into the battle, as well. Unlike the original ''Chain of Memories'', he has a normal damage resistance from Fire-based attacks.

Following a hit-and-run strategy may be the best option win this battle. Vexen may attempt a slashing combo that ends when he causes an icicle to rise from the ground below Sora, which can easily be dodged with Dodge Roll. Sora can Card Break the attack, causing Vexen to lower his Shield, this not only opens him up to more damage but also is one few instances where he can be hit from the front. Attack Vexen when he is either reloading his deck, in a non-offensive setting, or after he is Card Broken. Otherwise, it is best to keep Sora on the move. Vexen may attempt to shoot a homing shard of ice at Sora when he activates a magic card, but with careful timing, Dodge Roll can be used to avoid this attack. Vexen will only have access to two sleights during the battle, both of which can be easily avoided. The first is Freeze, Vexen will attempt to encase Sora in a block of ice so he can rush forward for a slash attack. Dodge Roll or a Card Break is the best way to prevent this attack. Vexen's Ice Needles sleight, however, is a bit trickier to avoid. Sora can Card Break the sleight, but if he is out of zero cards or doesn't have a sleight with a higher value, he can either Dodge Roll or keep at a simple run as the icicles chase him. The sleight will eventually end once it's run its course. Be careful that the attack is nigh unavoidable if the game is on 60 FPS and above, due to an oversight.

The battle against Vexen should not be that much of a challenge. Be sure to heal if necessary, use any item cards in Sora's deck to restore used cards, and utilize the special abilities granted by any enemy cards to the fullest.

====Second battle====

[[File:Versus Vexen 2 KHRECOM.png|thumb|right|Vexen fights Sora for the second time in the facsimile of Twilight Town in ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories''.]]

The second battle against Vexen is just as difficult as the first battle. He will use the same attacks and sleights, so the same strategies can be used again to avoid them. Sora also should use the same deck he used during the first battle for the best chance of success, granted more cards can be added if Sora has increased his CP. The only differences in this battle will be Vexen's two new enemy cards, the [[Air Pirate]] and Vexen, and a dangerous new sleight. This new sleight, Slide Break, has Vexen elongate his Shield and increase his attack range. He will then attempt to strike Sora twice before slamming the Shield down on the ground, creating an icy shockwave. Either Card Break the attack or chain several Dodge Rolls together to avoid it. Vexen uses his Enemy Cards in a fixed order: once he has used up his Blue Rhapsody Card, he uses his Air Pirate enemy card which prevents Sora from Card Breaking Vexen's [[item cards]], then uses his own enemy card afterwards in the fight, healing Vexen by 25% of his HP (which is almost two HP bars on difficulties above Beginner) once his HP hit 0, but fire attacks can stun him. This is most likely avoidable due to how late he starts using it.

The battle against Vexen in ''Re:Chain of Memories'' is nearly identical to the battle in the original ''Chain of Memories''. Beware of his Diamond Dust sleight, which is now more powerful, can quickly put an end to Riku's Dark Mode, and has an even more powerful finisher at the end if not card broken in time. Just like the second fight in Sora's story, Vexen uses his Enemy Cards in a fixed order. The use of his own card can be avoided for the same reason as mentioned in Sora's second battle. In the event he does use it, he will recover 25% of his HP (which is this time around one HP bar and a third on difficulties above Beginner) once his HP drops to 0.

;Attacks

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Ice Needle'''|アイスニードル|<br>Aisu Nīdoru}}|Ice|—|x1.0|{{sleight|Vexen - M|Vexen - M|Vexen - M}}|Vexen protects himself with an ice barrier, while generating ice needles from the ground that follow Sora or Riku 20 times. During Sora's first battle, Vexen only uses it when he has less than 40% of his HP remaining.|While they can be dodged by simply running or using Dodge Roll in the PS2 and PS3 versions, a coding error caused by a shift in framerate to 60FPS means that the needles are nigh-impossible to dodge in the PS4 version onward; however, setting the framerate to 30FPS on the PC version makes it dodgeable again.}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Freeze'''|フリーズ|<br>Furīzu}}|Ice|Freeze|x1.5|{{sleight|Vexen - A|Vexen - M|Vexen - A}}|Vexen generates an ice block at Sora or Riku's location. When it hits, he swings his shield to attack. The ice block can be avoided by dodging the moment Vexen raises his right hand (Riku cannot avoid it while in Dark Mode).}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Slide Break'''|スライドブレイク|<br>Suraido Bureiku}}|Ice|—|x2.0|{{sleight|Vexen - M|Vexen - M|Vexen - A}}|Only used during Sora's second battle, when Vexen has less than 40% of his HP remaining. Vexen elongates his shield with ice, then rapidly approaches and slashes his shield twice, before swinging his shield down and releasing cold air around it. All attacks can be avoided with Dodge Roll.}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Diamond Dust'''|ダイヤモンドダスト|<br>Daiyamondo Dasuto}}|Ice|—|Cold air: x2.5|{{sleight|Vexen - A|Vexen - M|Vexen - M}}|Only used against Riku, when Vexen has less than 40% of his HP remaining. Vexen envelops the entire arena in a blizzard that hits 5 times, then sends cold air around the area. The blizzard cannot be avoided.}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Mega-Ether'''|メガエーテル|<br>Mega Ēteru}}|—|—|—|{{sleight|Mega-Ether}}|Instantly reloads all Magic Cards, including normally unreloadable cards.}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Elixir'''|エリックサー|<br>Erikkusā}}|—|—|—|{{sleight|Elixir}}|Instantly reloads all Attack Cards and Magic Cards, including normally unreloadable cards.}}

[[File:Versus Vexen's Absent Silhouette KHIIFM.png|thumb|right|Vexen's Absent Silhouette engaging in combat.]]

Vexen appears as an Absent Silhouette and due to the absence of cards his attack style completely changes. Vexen has two HP bars; his main one, and the initial one on his shield which levitates in front of him. The shield itself unlike in the ''Chain of Memories'' games no longer counts as a block/guard, meaning any guard breaking attack damages it normally. Destroying the shield will allow Sora to damage Vexen himself.

At the start of the battle, Vexen will surround Sora in a stream of data. In a flash of light, Sora will be trapped within a massive block of ice. Rapidly press {{Button|t}} to set him free. Vexen will then most likely attempt to hit Sora with twin, large snowflakes as they quickly spin around him. Dodge Roll multiple times or use [[Reflega]] to avoid the attack. Sora can then attack Vexen's shield.

If the purple Data Bar at the top of the screen should fill up to one unit as Sora stands in the homing data stream Vexen summoned earlier, a Clone Sora in the style of Sora's [[Antiform]] is created. This is merely a distraction method, but the Clone Sora's attacks are powerful and fast like Antiform itself, and its power and HP will even increase as the Data Bar fills from zero to five over the course of the battle. Target the Clone Sora first - otherwise, any combos Sora attempts to use against Vexen will be likely to be interrupted. Worse, Clone Sora can trap Sora in a combo that takes away all his HP. Defeating a Clone Sora will relinquish [[MP]] orb [[prizes]] to restore any MP Sora has used up. Then continue to strike Vexen with physical combos or Fire spells. Vexen will only use attacks previously seen for the rest of the battle, so utilize the same strategies to avoid them as before. Vexen is invincible when creating a Clone Sora, so he may be bound to stop/delay any of Sora's assaults whenever he gets the chance with one unit of data collected.

Sora should immediately switch to [[Wisdom Form]] to attack Vexen with Fire spells, since this will boost the spell's power. However, because this battle has an increased chance of activating Antiform, either spend time beforehand lowering Sora's Anti Points, or be prepared to go on the evasive. Remember, Antiform can't be used to defeat Vexen's shield or Clone Sora due to the lack of a finisher, through attacking them anyways can get Antiform to expire quicker. An [[Ether]] should be used right before Sora goes below zero MP rather than afterwards. This will increase the amount of Fire spells that can be launched before Sora reverts to normal.

Vexen can also occasionally use a move similar to his Diamond Dust sleight for a full screen effect to briefly blind and distract Sora, which deals no damage, but after the ice storm clears up, his data stream will have teleported right under Sora without notice. Be on the move constantly when this happens.

It is always wise to keep moving and to knock back Vexen to prevent staying in one spot constantly to avoid the data stream. Air combos work great for this due to the stationary launching nature of most of Sora's ground combo finishers. Donald and [[Goofy]], no doubt, do not have any affect on the data stream, so they are free to move around as they wish, especially if they have been properly equipped to assist Sora in any way possible.

When Vexen reaches his retaliation point in the air, he'll forcefully attempt to counter with a variation of his Ice Needle attack. On ground and out of normal retaliation, he'll instantly re-summon his shield, knocking back Sora. Both retaliation points will cause Vexen to always regain his shield.

====Data Rematch====

[[File:Versus Vexen's Replica Data KHIIFM.png|thumb|right|Vexen's Replica Data appears before Sora in the [[Garden of Assemblage]].]]

The battle against Vexen's Data Rematch will flow similarly to the battle against his Absent Silhouette. The only differences will be the amount of HP he has, and the pattern in which he uses his attacks.

Vexen begins Icy Ensemble when he has 5.5 HP bars left. He becomes invincible as the screen darkens and creates four ice blocks around himself that orbit around which he will try hurl at Sora back and forth. Staying near Vexen during Icy Ensemble will most likely inflict major damage at lower levels and at low maximum HP, causing a one-hit KO if [[Second Chance]] and [[Once More]] are not equipped. Vexen will fly around chasing/ramming into Sora occasionally and may even hurl all four of his ice blocks at once. Vexen during the attack's final moments will cause a large icicle that erupts from the center of the arena, with its width covering nearly the whole area.

[[Fantasia]] can be used to avoid damage throughout Icy Ensemble by delaying the [[Reaction Commands]] and taking advantage of the invincibility to attack normally with no fear of retaliation, although Sora will need to use an Ether and perform Comet again to last through the whole technique if his MP isn't high enough at the time. Vexen's shield cannot be broken during the DM, though it can still be attacked and brought down to 1 HP. The final attack usually requires a long-lasting invincible bypass, but finding a way to stay in the air for long periods of time around the edges of the battlefield can also avoid the attack. Outside of long invincible bypasses like Donald's Comet, deft dodging, solid focus on Vexen's actions and precise movement is needed to avoid most of the attack's beginning portions, and Sora must keep his distance at all times.

{{atk-o|kh2}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Saucer'''|ソーサー|<br>Sōsā}}|Blizzard|—|x1.0<br>Hit 2+: x0|△<ref>The chasing and fan-shaped shurikens remain for a while before disappearing</ref>|Vexen throws ice shurikens in one of 3 forms: 1 shuriken that chases Sora, 3 shurikens flying in a fan shape, or 2 shurikens circling around Vexen.}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Absolute Zero'''|アブソリュートゼロ|<br>Abusoryūto Zero}}|Blizzard|—|x0|X|Vexen summons a blizzard that turns the screen white, trapping Sora in ice for 4 seconds.|Used at the start of battle.}}

{{atk-m|{{nihongo|'''Icy Ensemble'''|アンサンブル|<br>Ansanburu|lit. "Ensemble"}}|Ice block|Blizzard|—|x2.0<br>Hit 2+: x1.0|X|Vexen summons 4 ice blocks that circle him. He then attacks by making them fly one after another, and by rushing 3 times. Then he traps Sora in ice for 4 seconds, and summons a giant iceberg.|Used once the Data Level reaches 5 for Absent Silhouette, and when HP drops to 40% for Replica Data. Vexen's shield cannot be destroyed during this attack.|Trapping|Blizzard|—|x0|X|Iceberg|Blizzard|—|x3.0|X}}

{{atk-m|{{nihongo|'''Ground Wild Dance'''|地上乱舞|<br>Chijō Ranbu}}|Continuous attack|Physical|—|x0.5<br>Hit 2+: x0.01|△|The Clone Sora attacks in all directions at high speed, then dives down.|Can be used once the Data Level reaches 3.|Dive|Dark|—|x2.0|X}}

{{atk-m|{{nihongo|'''Aerial Giant Swing'''|空中大車輪|<br>Kūchū Daisharin}}|Kick|Physical|—|x0.25|△|The Clone Sora performs a leaping kick, then spins around in a circle at high speed, and follows up with 2 more attacks.||Spin|Physical|—|x0.1<br>During spin: x0.01|△|Follow-up|Physical|—|x0.25<br>Final hit: x0.5|△}}

{{atk-m|{{nihongo|'''Aerial Wild Dance'''|空中乱舞|<br>Kūchū Ranbu}}|Continuous attacks|Physical|—|Hit 1: x0.25<br>Hit 2-3: x0.1<br>Hit 4+: x0.01|△|The Clone Sora attacks rapidly while floating, then dives down.|Can be used once the Data Level reaches 3.|Dive|Dark|—|x2.0|X}}

{{atk|{{nihongo|'''Aerial Dome'''|空中ドーム|<br>Kūchū Dōmu}}|Dark|—|x0.1<br>Final hit: x1.0|X|The Clone Sora unleashes a blade of darkness in the form of a giant sphere.|Often used upon appearing.}}

{{atk-c}}

{| class="video"

!colspan="2"|Vexen II – ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''

| colspan="2" | {{#widget:YouTube|id=USTnhwqd5UU|width=320|height=240}}

| {{#widget:YouTube|id=-bGtkM5Ld6E|width=320|height=240}}

|-

!Vexen I – ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories''

!colspan="2"|Vexen II – ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories''

!Vexen (Riku) – ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories''

| {{#widget:YouTube|id=fSqxIYSmk8E|width=320|height=240}}

| colspan="2" | {{#widget:YouTube|id=pvVr-I0tY3Y|width=320|height=240}}

| {{#widget:YouTube|id=IkMzVU46DCg|width=320|height=240}}

!colspan="2"|Vexen's Absent Silhouette – ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''

!colspan="2"|Vexen's Replica Data – ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''

| colspan="2" | {{#widget:YouTube|id=saj3O0m92lo|width=320|height=240}}

| colspan="2" | {{#widget:YouTube|id=AVCIFuM2klE|width=320|height=240}}

 

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{{NobodyDirectory}}

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[[Category:Gameplay]]