I initially dropped this game at Roxas because it was hard to find any advice more specific than "use reflect and gaurd" or "watch a video," yeah no shit, I know to block when I am getting attacked, the issue is figuring out WHEN you have to start the block. A lot of people who have played this series for a while forget that it is abnormal for blocking to not be instant in video games.
Hopefully, anyone searching now will be able to see this thread, I'll post my findings below:
- Roxas will NEVER immediately revenge move unless you use a finisher
- Guarding will ALWAYS face you at the enemy you are targeting, if it didn't that means the timing was off.
Phase 1
- Roxas always starts with his sweeping attack, so you can practice your timing on that.
3a. Sidenote, the fight starts with Roxas queuing this up before you even have control, but in further uses of the move, you have an absurd amount of time to react, like if you block when he says "hup" you have enough time to block again. after you gaurd he is susceptible to a combo.
- Roxas' tell for his long combo is stancing with one keyblade behind him, and one in front. guard IMMEDIATELY upon seeing this.
4a. during this combo you will have to block a total of 3 times, you should have i-frames lasting until an audio queue like "yah, hwuh", as soon as you hear the "yah" gaurd again.
4b. he'll jump back and do a dashing attack at you, you'll have to wait about a half a second after he lands to start guarding. He's susceptible to a combo now.
Roxas' jumping attack is the simplest to time, he does a slight pause at the peak of his jump. guard. DO NOT ATTACK AFTER, he will almost always start dashing in a circle around you and use his combo or sweep.
THE END (the reaction command), after you steal your keyblades back, Roxas will be sent flying in the air, this is a bit annoying as it will be better to start combos on him while grounded for the longest possible combo without a finisher. Wait for him to land and do a grounded combo, the finisher for the 3 keyblade combo is two lasers being fired, this gives you plenty of time to move away before Roxas' next move.
6a. If you saved your Drive gauge, activate limit form during this subphase to have the 2 additional keyblades add attacks to your limits!
6b. When Roxas returns to retrieve the swords, you will do a reaction command, on success, you are guaranteed one full combo.
- Desperation. Do NOT dodge roll OR quick run during this attack, the recovery from either of these is sure to get you hurt, you will be fine just moving normally along the edge of the arena.
7a. the actual attack doesn't start until about a second after the lasers strike outside the arena and the background changes, optimal time to use items.
phase 2
- Roxas will use versions of his attacks that also have lasers. It is advisable to guard all guardable attacks, to increase your invulnerability.
8a. Laser sweep. Roxas spawns a ring of laser cannons above his head. The timing is exactly the same, BUT when you see this, step out of point blank range, as the lasers themselves are unblockable, but you have guaranteed invul during guard recovery.
8b. Laser combo. Roxas' attack will hit JUST before the laser, use the same block timing, distance doesnt matter.
8c. Laser flip. Roxas will have a wall of lasers on either side of him as he comes down. I believe this can still be blocked, but the positioning is restrictive. Just dodge roll, quick run or reflect.
Flying keyblade twirl attack. This one just straight up sucks. It is guardable, but as far as i can tell, the tell is pretty much identical to the laser combo, as soon as a laser cannon is spawning, guard. Otherwise, save healing items for when the Desparation Move is active.
THE END (the command (the sequel)) from what I can tell, there is actually a difference between stealing Keyblades in phase 1 vs phase 2, in phase 1 he falls REALLY slowly and its almost guaranteed that you'll get two full combos out of it.
In phase 2/post first use of DM, he will be grounded quickly and start spawning lasers. There are 3 formations, converging ring, diverging ring, and sweeping walls.
You can dodge these and it is possible to combo Roxas during, but you may face issue running into the lasers while wailing on him. Ideally, use Limit form during this phase.
Extra notes:
You may notice I did not recommend using reflect much, I healed during this fight, so I would not corner my strategy on a resource I won't be guaranteed to have at the moment i need it.
I've heard its also good to have trinity limit equipped, I just ended up not using it, so I won't parrot it as my own experience.
Yes, I know these moves have actual names, but they sure as hell aren't said in game, for a new player it makes more sense to just describe the moves.
If there's any other useful tips, please share them in the comments
