These are things that I noticed during my lv 1 Critical playthrough in KH2FM. While the AI fights a little differently on Critical, most if not all of these observations should relate to the internation KH2 as well. While some of these may seem like little or obvious things to most people, they mean the world when you're at lv 1, and should be considered by anyone who would like to attempt something like this.
Sora only guards in the front
Duh. Round Block wasn't introduced until 358/2 Days, but that's not what I mean. Sora only guards directly in front of himself. Not where the enemy is. Not where attacks are. Wherever he is facing. A deadly oversight in fights against quick enemies, like Xigbar and Snipers. Also, Guard only has a window of an entire second, so timing and placement is paramount. If you;re off by half a second or one inch blocking... well, you're dead.
Donald and Goofy aren't completely useless...
Most of the time. At lv 1, their only real uses are 1) healing via potions and Cure and 2) Goofy Tornado. Item Boost is a must for both of them, as is equipping them with as many Potions as possible.Not Hi-Potions. Normal Potions. Why? Their... well, "Gambits" need to be set to common use, using Potions once you hit about half HP with Cure set the same way. Anything else and you'll be dead. A lot. Not only that, Donald and Goofy will try to preserve each other, eating through quite a many Potions in the process. While it may seem like a better idea to just let them bite it, it isn't. Give them good accessories and the maximum number of normal Potions they can carry.
World-specific charcters
Don't help as much. Tron's good for his Limit, and Riku's pretty good as well, but no one else is really worth switching out Donald or Goofy for. (If you must have a WS character in your party, the other member should be Donald.)
If you die, the game doesn't count any play time after the last checkpoint
I guess it's good if speed runs are your thing. I just never really looked at it before.
Reflect is your best friend
Yes, Reflect has its obvious uses such as blocking attacks from all sides, but there are a few little things about it you should keep in mind:
- You are immoble after using Reflect
- If you use Reflect twice as a finishing move, there is an opening between the castings
- Reflect can make Roxas stagger, giving you an extra combo opening. Use it when he dives onto you while casting Holy, or when he uses Round Break+Holy. On a related note, Roxas' Round Break+Holy can go through your Guard if you're too close when he uses it. It's a glitch, and Reflect is the only way to get around it.
-When Xigbar uses his big shot (the blue one), you can leap up directly in front of him and Reflect. If the blue shot is Reflected into Xigbar (and only if it's Reflected. <- Tested), it will vanish. On a related note, the second big shot's charge time is half that of the first shot's.
- Naturally, you can only Reflect once in midair.
- Reaction Commands can be used while Reflecting.
Drive Recovery
In KH2FM, a single Drive Recovery restores 3 Drive Bars, while a High Drive Recovery restores them all. Don't be afraid to Drive.
Be afraid to Drive
The more you Drive, the more chance you have of Antiform coming out. That's a death sentence. I recommend only leveling up the Drives to learn the level 1 versions of their abilities, and waiting until you get Final to work them up to 7. (Youc an;t reach level 7 until you unlock Final, anyways.)
Leaf Bracer, Second Chance and Once More
Three abilities you won't be using at lv 1. Remember, practice makes perfect and patience is a virtue.
Remember your Resistance
With your stats crippled, elemental resistance is the way to go. You may only have a defense of 16, but you take half damage from Blizzard and Thunder. Life = Saved. At least from that one attack.
These are what I got off the top of my head. If you have any other tips like this, post 'em.
These are things that I noticed during my lv 1 Critical playthrough in KH2FM. While the AI fights a little differently on Critical, most if not all of these observations should relate to the internation KH2 as well. While some of these may seem like little or obvious things to most people, they mean the world when you're at lv 1, and should be considered by anyone who would like to attempt something like this.
Sora only guards in the front
Duh. Round Block wasn't introduced until 358/2 Days, but that's not what I mean. Sora only guards directly in front of himself. Not where the enemy is. Not where attacks are. Wherever he is facing. A deadly oversight in fights against quick enemies, like Xigbar and Snipers. Also, Guard only has a window of an entire second, so timing and placement is paramount. If you;re off by half a second or one inch blocking... well, you're dead.
Donald and Goofy aren't completely useless...
Most of the time. At lv 1, their only real uses are 1) healing via potions and Cure and 2) Goofy Tornado. Item Boost is a must for both of them, as is equipping them with as many Potions as possible. Not Hi-Potions. Normal Potions. Why? Their... well, "Gambits" need to be set to common use, using Potions once you hit about half HP with Cure set the same way. Anything else and you'll be dead. A lot. Not only that, Donald and Goofy will try to preserve each other, eating through quite a many Potions in the process. While it may seem like a better idea to just let them bite it, it isn't. Give them good accessories and the maximum number of normal Potions they can carry.
World-specific charcters
Don't help as much. Tron's good for his Limit, and Riku's pretty good as well, but no one else is really worth switching out Donald or Goofy for. (If you must have a WS character in your party, the other member should be Donald.)
If you die, the game doesn't count any play time after the last checkpoint
I guess it's good if speed runs are your thing. I just never really looked at it before.
Reflect is your best friend
Yes, Reflect has its obvious uses such as blocking attacks from all sides, but there are a few little things about it you should keep in mind:
- You are immoble after using Reflect
- If you use Reflect twice as a finishing move, there is an opening between the castings
- Reflect can make Roxas stagger, giving you an extra combo opening. Use it when he dives onto you while casting Holy, or when he uses Round Break+Holy. On a related note, Roxas' Round Break+Holy can go through your Guard if you're too close when he uses it. It's a glitch, and Reflect is the only way to get around it.
-When Xigbar uses his big shot (the blue one), you can leap up directly in front of him and Reflect. If the blue shot is Reflected into Xigbar (and only if it's Reflected. <- Tested), it will vanish. On a related note, the second big shot's charge time is half that of the first shot's.
- Naturally, you can only Reflect once in midair.
- Reaction Commands can be used while Reflecting.
Drive Recovery
In KH2FM, a single Drive Recovery restores 3 Drive Bars, while a High Drive Recovery restores them all. Don't be afraid to Drive.
Be afraid to Drive
The more you Drive, the more chance you have of Antiform coming out. That's a death sentence. I recommend only leveling up the Drives to learn the level 1 versions of their abilities, and waiting until you get Final to work them up to 7. (Youc an;t reach level 7 until you unlock Final, anyways.)
Leaf Bracer, Second Chance and Once More
Three abilities you won't be using at lv 1. Remember, practice makes perfect and patience is a virtue.
Remember your Resistance
With your stats crippled, elemental resistance is the way to go. You may only have a defense of 16, but you take half damage from Blizzard and Thunder. Life = Saved. At least from that one attack.
These are what I got off the top of my head. If you have any other tips like this, post 'em.
Edited by AnsemTheWise