Part 50

Lexaeus is a powerhouse, and his strength increases as the fight goes on. The key here is patience and timing. Get close to him and wait for his slow uppercut slash. Guarding this attack perfectly opens him up for the 'Mega Counter' Reaction Command, which deals good damage and stuns him. When he uses 'Quake,' try to dodge the rocks with Quick Run or Dodge Roll, then close the distance again. Watch out for 'Tomahawk Shot' when you're too close – he'll grab Sora! As the fight nears its end, he unleashes 'Impact Quake,' a ground-shattering leap attack. Your best bet is to use Reflect multiple times quickly to avoid the massive damage. When he reaches 25% health, he'll use his ultimate, 'Ground Impact,' which covers the whole arena. Again, Reflect is your savior here; cast it rapidly to negate the damage.

Marluxia is a speed demon with a unique mechanic: a counter above your head that depletes when you get hit. You need to keep this counter up to win! Dodge his scythe combos and use the 'Restore Count' Reaction Command to steal back points, or 'Air Trample' to damage him. Reflect is also very useful here. You can parry his normal attacks by timing your Guard perfectly as his scythe swings. If he flips toward you like a wheel, Guard or Reflect to create an opening. His 'Deathscythe' attack summons dangerous black circles across the arena; stay at the edges and block the 'Scythe Wheel.' Marluxia is tough due to his speed, so mastering Reflect and Guard timing is crucial. Fighting him after obtaining Glide is highly recommended, as it helps you maintain distance and avoid his many attacks.

Vexen is generally considered one of the easier Absent Silhouettes. When the fight starts, Sora is frozen, so mash the Triangle button to break free. Vexen's main gimmick is his shield, which you need to break to damage him. Short combos are best, as Finishers will shatter his shield, giving you a window to attack before it regenerates. Keep an eye out for his data circle attack; try to stay out of it. When he creates 'Anti-Sora,' take it out immediately.