In the beginning of KH2 we are given two chances to pick a weapon of our choice. The first time, with the struggle bats, I chose the hand guarded struggle bat(defense+1). Great. Then, I come to Roxas' dive to heart and am given a choice between a Shield, Sword, and Wand. Shield for protection, Sword for might/strength(im blanking on the term that was used), and Wand for wisdom and intellect. The guides I have looked at say that choosing one of these gives an advantage or plus in defense, strength, or magic. Others say it's what decides the order of abilities we learn as we level up(I don't doubt that).

However, when I chose the shield and got the power of the guardian (um, YES please), I checked my stats and they went from (stats as of after I chose the hand guarded struggle bat-defense+1) strength 5, magic 6, defense 3; to Strength 5, Magic 7, Defense 3.

Can anyone explain why my magic went up if I chose the shield that grants the guardian/defense level up/strategy, without leveling up(after choosing Roxas is still only level 1) Granted, perhaps I remembered my stats wrong.

Either way my question is relevant all the same.

I hate to fret about stats and such, but I chose Critical Mode...I want to make sure that choosing the same "genre" weapon doesn't either not give us a possible boost that we might get if we chose say Hand guard(+1 defense) and then Sword(+1 strength).

Thank you for your insights! If you have clarifying questions feel free to ask:)

The struggle bat decides your stats, the sword shield or staff determine what abilities you get

for Critical Mode, shield is highly recommended, you get Second Chance and Once More sooner than the other two that way (you'll have both by level 50)

Should've chosen Struggle Sword tbh, you don't really need defense in this game unless you're really bad at playing.

Should've chosen Struggle Sword tbh, you don't really need defense in this game unless you're really bad at playing.

defense is a lot more valuable than offense if you know what you're doing in KH

and if you don't, it's a good counterbalance to Critical Mode's boosted damage and halved health

The shield will determine skills. Having second Chance, once more, etc. Earlier in the game will help a lot on critical mode. Since you don't really use magic a terrible amount it's advised to focus on defense, plus since you take a lot of damage and have reduced health more defense can make the difference between 3 hit death and 4 hit death.

 

Also I would advise in synthing a ton of defense ups to help you. You can realistically get you defense to around 70+ around end game. I'm assuming you're playing for achievements so you will want every little advantage you can get.

defense is a lot more valuable than offense if you know what you're doing in KH

and if you don't, it's a good counterbalance to Critical Mode's boosted damage and halved health

 

KH2 is a lot faster paced. I've only ever played 2FM Critical and did fine with just the attack boosts, I'm pretty sure I know what I'm doing. (By the time the HP penalty really kicks in, you'll have either adapted or ragequit long before)

Edited January 12, 201510 yr by Ultima Spark

Is it why you were using the Kingdom Key in Dive to Heart, which gives a +1 boost for magic stat?

KH2 is a lot faster paced. I've only ever played 2FM Critical and did fine with just the attack boosts, I'm pretty sure I know what I'm doing. (By the time the HP penalty really kicks in, you'll have either adapted or ragequit long before)

Doesn't mean there's no value to going the defensive route. There are many ways to play the game. Some people prefer to just ram through enemies before you even have the chance to get that low in health, while other people prefer to conserve magic and items and play through a slower tactical method that loses the least amount of health. And some people just create their own weird ways to play. So wanting that much defense doesn't suggest that you really suck at the game, you're just trying to climb the building from a different wall.

KH2 is a lot faster paced. I've only ever played 2FM Critical and did fine with just the attack boosts, I'm pretty sure I know what I'm doing. (By the time the HP penalty really kicks in, you'll have either adapted or ragequit long before)

oh, I didn't read thoroughly enough, I was actually talking about defensive abilities. Things like guard make normally tough enemies a lot more manageable, and stuff like Once More and Second Chance are really nice for the inevitable cheap shots later in the game

oh, I didn't read thoroughly enough, I was actually talking about defensive abilities. Things like guard make normally tough enemies a lot more manageable, and stuff like Once More and Second Chance are really nice for the inevitable cheap shots later in the game

I choose the Dream Shield as well, but more for support than actual defensive abilities. And I know perfectly well the value of Guard... I didn't mention it because I feel like it's obvious, being a CM player and all.

I choose the Dream Shield as well, but more for support than actual defensive abilities. And I know perfectly well the value of Guard... I didn't mention it because I feel like it's obvious, being a CM player and all.

you can still brute force CM, it's not THAT hard, unless you're doing a level 1 run

you can still brute force CM, it's not THAT hard, unless you're doing a level 1 run

Sigh... yes, I know this. What are you trying to argue again?

Sigh... yes, I know this. What are you trying to argue again?

I'm... not?

I haven't tried Defense Defense yet, but I guess it'll help you a lot in Critical Mode Lv1

Defense, Defense is a pretty good choice if you are trying to give yourself more edge in critical mode, but if you are all about 100% challenge, choose something else.