Kingdom Hearts Final Mix

For this trophy you must clear the game on the hardest difficulty Final Mix Proud. For a new player unfamilar to Kingdom Hearts this difficulty is no joke, even the basic heartless enemies can kill you with a few lucky hits, while boss fights will end you within 2-3 hits. Compared with the lower difficulties here is what Proud adds to the game (Added to what Normal Final Mix adds):

• Gummi Ship attacks deal half its regular damage

On top of this you have the usual damage increase which is very noticeable in this difficulty. While this difficulty may sound intimidating, don't fret as there are many tips to take into consideration that will make this playthrough much easier.

Final Mix Proud Tips

If you are confident with your own way of playing then you can ignore these tips, they may not be the best but they are very effective especially for those jumping right into the game.

Dive to the Heart - Raising Sora

At the start of the game the decisions you make will determine Sora's stats and the pace he levels up. It is highly recommended that you go with Shield and drop the Staff in this case. Dropping the Staff will weaken your magic as well as Donald's, however Donald will probably be dead throughout the game anyway and your magic will only really be used for Aero and Cure so there's no need to worry about it; focus on not hindering your attack. Added to this, choosing Shield will increase your defensive stats allowing you to withstand a hit or two more in a difficulty that is already unforgiving with its damage. Choosing Shield will also grant you abilities that you want early on that you wouldn't get until much later with Sword such as:

Ability Name (Level you acquire at Shield/Sword)

• Guard (15/24)
• Leaf Bracer (27/69)
• Second Chance (36/48)

If you're speeding through this playthrough, you will probably make it to End of the World at around level 40 (more or less) and should already have these abilities. The latter two are important abilities that could make it or break it for you. Combining Leaf Bracer, Second Chance and Cure will save you on so many occasions.

When selecting Sora's level pace, you might as well go with Dawn (level up fast early) so that you get these abilities fast, it starts to slow down around 40+ but by that time you should already have the abilities you want.

Solo Fighting, Get Used To It

Throughout the playthrough, your partners will more than likely die all the time, the A.I. was never really smart in any game and this one is no different. Even after they lose all of their health they will respawn with a percentage of their life after a given time mid fight, so keep focus on yourself; potions and cures should be exclusive to you.


Dodge Roll and Guard

Dodge Roll is very useful not only to cover ground faster but to get away from attacks you wouldn't think possible. Dodge Roll can slip right through almost all attacks if used at the right time, even full screen projectiles. Keep using it and get the timing to that invincible frame memorized.

While you can tech most attacks, guard has a wide window to deflect attacks and with most bosses they are put in a longer stun than you are from the guard, making it an invaluable ability.


Leaf Bracer and Second Chance

These abilities were mentioned above but let's go ahead and elaborate on them: Leaf Bracer is a Final Mix exclusive ability that makes you completely invincible when you use Cure from the start of the animation to the very end when you have healed yourself. Combined with Second Chance that stops you at 1 HP when you are about to die, if you have Cure on a shortcut you can quickly use it to heal yourself. In boss fights, even if you're at literally no MP, one chain of attacks will bump you to 1 bar of MP allowing you to recycle this method over and over until you win.

If it wasn't for Leaf Bracer, Proud would be so much harder.


Tinkerbell Summon

Near the later part of the game when you complete Neverland you will unlock the Tinkerbell Summon. This is easily the best summon in the game, she constantly heals you and your party members (because your party members will be dying, you get all the attention) and if your health drops to 0 you revive automatically (at the cost of losing Tinkerbell for the rest of that fight). Combined with Leaf Bracer, Second Chance and Cure you might as well be invincible, providing you aren't too reckless.

Because your party members will die early on in each battle it would be wise to use this right away during major boss fights.


End of the World Final Boss Tips

At this point in the game there's no reason to conserve your better items such as elixirs and mega potions so equip them all to Sora, Donald and Goofy right now.

Ansem

Watch out for when his Guardian starts punching in front of him with dark magic surrounding it, if you so happen to get hit don't worry about not attacking as you recover out of the grab in time to evade away.


Darkside

When he punches the floor, jump on his arm and attack his head; focus on his arm as best you can otherwise.


Ansem II

Just like the first fight, you can guard to stop his new charge attack or dodge roll away. When he powers up you can attack him after he does the full blast.


World of Chaos

Cast Aeroga on yourself and stay offensive on him, when he slashes his halberd around try to tech them so that you don't have to leave your close position. Be ready to waste all your MP and any MP healing items you have to make sure you can end the fight quickly. When the lasers start shooting at you rapidly, use Aeroga and continue your assault, if you're running low on MP and can't risk it retreat for the time being.

Final Boss