Master Xehanort

Master Xehanort KHBBS.png

Render of Master Xehanort

Japanese マスター・ゼアノート
Rōmaji Masutā Zeanōto
Games Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Kingdom Hearts III
Variations
Terra-Xehanort
Ansem, Seeker of Darkness
Xemnas
No Heart
Themes Header.png

KHBBS tracks
Battle theme - Black Powder
Location HP EXP Strength Defense
Keyblade Graveyard 900 0 26 15
Physical Fire Blizzard Thunder Dark Other
x1.0 x1.0 x1.0 x1.0 x0.75 x1.0
Stun Freeze Mini Blind Ignite Confuse
x0 x0 x0 x0 x0 x0
Bind Poison Slow Stop Sleep Death
x0 x0 x0 x0 x0 x0
Zero Gravity Magnet Warp
x0 x0 x0

Rewards
Maximum HP UP
World(s)
Keyblade Graveyard
Location HP Strength Defense EXP
Scala ad Caelum 3000 63 32 0
Physical Fire Blizzard Thunder Water
×1.0 ×0.7 ×0.7 ×0.7 ×0.7
Aero Dark Neutral Rapid-fire
×0.7 ×0.5 ×1.0 ×0.5
Freeze Electrify Stun Hunny
Reaction
Endurance
Revenge
Value
Attraction
Magnification
Damage
Limit
0[1]/10[2] 6 24
World(s)
Scala ad Caelum
Armored Xehanort

Xehanort wearing his Keyblade Armor

Japanese アーマー・ゼアノート
Rōmaji Āmā Zeanōto
Translation Armor Xehanort
Game Kingdom Hearts III
Variations
Terra-Xehanort
Ansem, Seeker of Darkness
Xemnas
No Heart
Location HP Strength Defense EXP
Scala ad Caelum 3600 63 32 0
Physical Fire Blizzard Thunder Water
×1.0 ×1.0 ×1.0 ×1.0 ×1.0
Aero Dark Neutral Rapid-fire
×1.0 ×0.7 ×1.0 ×0.5
Freeze Electrify Stun Hunny
Reaction
Endurance
Revenge
Value
Attraction
Magnification
Damage
Limit
0 10 ×0.3 24
World(s)
Scala ad Caelum

Master Xehanort appears as a boss in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. In Terra's story, he is fought twice in a row. The first fight is against both Master Xehanort and Vanitas, but the fight is ended prematurely, and the second fight is the penultimate fight of Terra's story: a one-on-one duel between Terra and Master Xehanort.

Master Xehanort also serves as the final boss of Kingdom Hearts III, where he is fought by Sora and the party in Scala ad Caelum. He is fought twice in a row. The first fight is against him in his armored form and the second fight is against him while he wields the legendary χ-blade. A data replica of him is also a secret boss in Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind.

Strategy

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

First Battle

Technique Element Status Power Block?
4-part Combo (4連コンボ
4-ren Konbo
?)
(slash) Physical 0.5 (3 times) O

(thrust) Physical 1.0

O
(ice lump) Blizzard 1.0
Performs a quick Keyblade combo that ends with a point-blank ice shot.[?]
Blizzaga Shot (ブリザガ弾
Burizaga-dan
?)
Blizzard 1.5 (3 times)
Fires three shards of ice.[?]
Thundaga Thunder 1.5 (per hit)
Calls down a ring of dark thunderbolts on the target.[?]
Guard/Block: △ = Can be blocked; O = Can be blocked and interrupted (melee) or deflected back (projectile); X = Cannot be blocked.

Terra will fight both Master Xehanort and Vanitas two-on-one. Vanitas should be the primary target as Xehanort will mostly dodge and keep a distance from Terra. Xehanort isn't very difficult and after sustaining minor damage, the battle will end.

Second Battle

Technique Element Status Power Block?
4-part Combo (4連コンボ
4-ren Konbo
?)
(slash) Physical 0.5 (3 times) O

(thrust) Physical 1.0

O
(ice lump) Blizzard 1.0
Performs a quick Keyblade combo that ends with a point-blank ice shot.[?]
Blizzaga Shot (ブリザガ弾
Burizaga-dan
?)
Blizzard 1.5 (3 times)
Fires three shards of ice.[?]
Thundaga Thunder 1.5 (per hit)
Calls down a ring of dark thunderbolts on the target.[?]
Rising Ground None 1.5 X
Raises a pillar of earth, launching the target into the air.[?]
Blade Tornado None 0.5 (per hit) X
Conjures a storm of Keyblades to chase the target.[?]
Ultima Freeze (grapple) Physical 1.0 X

(chill) Blizzard 2.5

Teleports above the target and pins them to the ground while charging a frozen blast.[?]

Escape the grapple to avoid damage from the chill.
Guard/Block: △ = Can be blocked; O = Can be blocked and interrupted (melee) or deflected back (projectile); X = Cannot be blocked.

The second battle is the true battle against Master Xehanort. Like the previous battle, Xehanort will keep a distance, but now has access to wide-ranged magic spells. All of his attacks, including magic-based ones, can be dodged with the right timing. Cure commands and Shotlocks ease this battle significantly.

Kingdom Hearts III

Armored Xehanort
Technique Element Status Power Block? Repel LV
Renzoku Kougeki (連続攻撃?, lit. "Continuous Attacks") (vertical swing) Physical 1.0 2

(horizontal swing) Physical 1.0

2
(horizontal spinning swing) Physical 0.5 (per hit)
1.0 (final spin)
2
(charging thrust) Physical 0.5 or 1.0 △ (O when repeated x3) 2
(rising thrust) Physical 1.5 2
Unleashes a specific series from among five types of attacks (see below).
Opening phase
  • Vertical > Horizontal > Vertical > Rising > "Tataki Otoshi"
  • Charging x1-3 > Vertical > Horizontal > Spinning
  • Spinning x2
Middle phase
  • Horizontal > Vertical > Spinning
  • Charging > Vertical > Horizontal
Closing phase
  • Vertical > Horizontal > Vertical > Rising > "Fierce Claw"
  • Vertical > Horizontal > Spinning > Rising
  • Charging x3 > Vertical > Horizontal > Spinning
  • Charging x3
  • Charging x6

"Renzoku Kougeki" is Xehanort's primary attack. Telegraphed by his Keyblade glowing gold. During the closing phase, Xehanort will teleport around between each charging thrust.
Tataki Otoshi (たたき落とし?,
lit. "Knock Down")
Physical 1.5 2
Warps near the opponent and performs a downswing with his Keyblade, then knocks them down.
Fierce Claw (grip) X

(crash) Physical 2.0 (HP to 1) X

Warps to grab at the opponent, and if he catches them, throws them down so they crash into the ground.

Used in the closing phase. Telegraphed by Xehanort's hand glowing blue.
Flare None 1.0
Converges flames on the opponent's position. The flames explode after drawing in the opponent.
Kakomi Flare (囲みフレア
Kokomi Furea
?, lit. "Siege Flare")
None — (1.0 for everyone but Sora) X
Generates eight green fireballs surrounding Sora. The fireballs revolve around Sora, then converge and explode, warping him to Armored Xehanort if he's hit.

Used during the opening and closing phases if Sora is far from Xehanort. Leaves Sora wide open to further attacks.
Flare Shot None 0.35 (per hit)
Shoots fireballs in a scatter formation.

Flare Shot is Xehanort's secondary attack.
Flare Pillar None 1.5
Generates slender pillars of light, then erects a pillar of fire.
Flare Tornado (fire pillar) None 1.5 (per hit)

(tornado) None 1.0 (per hit)

(fireball) None 0.35 (per hit)
Erects four pillars of fire revolving around the opponent, performs "Renzoku Kougeki" twice using his Keyblade, converges and fuses the pillars of fire into a tornado of flame, then fires three volleys of fireballs.

Used after receiving a set amount of damage, only during the underwater phase.[?]
Heavenly Pillar (gigantic fire pillar) None 1.5 (per hit) X

(fire pillar) None 1.5 (per hit)

(fireball) None 0.35 (per hit)
(flames) None 0.1 (per hit) X
(big bang) None 2.0 X
Erects a gigantic pillar of fire at the center of the plaza, damaging the surroundings, erects pillars of fire several other places, does things like scattering fireballs or performing "Renzoku Kougeki" using his Keyblade, erases the gigantic pillar of fire and draws the opponent to the center of the plaza while engulfing their body in flames, using "Kakomi Flare" if they are far away, then detonates a big bang (which also sprays rubble in the closing phase).

Used during the opening and closing phases. The attack will launch Sora into the air, so Glide can be used to avoid the pillars. Xehanort will hide within the central pillar, only emerging to perform "Renzoku Kougeki". Dodge Roll or Air Slide can be used to avoid being sucked in to the warping fireballs and the big bang. After using this attack, Xehanort will be vulnerable for a short period.
Guard/Block: △ = Can be blocked; O = Can be blocked and interrupted (melee) or deflected back (projectile); X = Cannot be blocked.

Sora should have several Elixirs equipped, with Curaga set as a shortcut. Stocking a Kupo Coin is also helpful. The Ultima Weapon will be the most efficient Keyblade to have equipped, but Hero's Origin, Shooting Star, Crystal Snow, Hunny Spout, and Wheel of Fate are also useful for their Formchanges.

After the Replica Xehanorts are defeated, Master Xehanort absorbs them and dons his new Keyblade Armor, then reshapes the plaza into a closed chamber to initiate the beginning phase. Keeping track of Xehanort's position can be difficult due to his speed and the size of the arena. Airstepping can be used to stay close to Xehanort, but can sometimes result in accidentally leaping to one of the flagpoles dotting the arena. Speedy or homing attacks such as Flare Force, Double Arrowguns, Hunny Blasters, Highwind, and Blizzard Blades will be useful for dealing damage, while the defensive Counter Shield can be used for its Wrathful Fist reprisal.

After getting his health down to a certain point,[?] Xehanort will move the battle underwater, initiating the middle phase. As formchanges cannot be used underwater, Sora will not have access to Rage Form.

Finally, after reducing his health even lower,[?] Xehanort will move the battle to the stormy skies above the city, initiating the closing phase. Sora will be alone during this phase, meaning that Donald Duck and Goofy cannot heal or support him. Sora should focus on dodging Xehanort's attacks and healing when necessary.

Final Battle
Technique Element Status Power Block? Repel LV
Renzoku Kougeki (連続攻撃?,
lit. "Continuous Attacks")
(vertical swing) Physical 0.5  2

(horizontal swing) Physical 0.5 

2
(diagonal swing) Physical 0.5  2
(upswing) Physical 0.5 or 1.0  2
(halo) Dark 0.5
Unleashes a specific series of four types of attacks while holding the χ-blade (see below). While "Ascension" is active, the χ-blade will also release halos.
At all times
  • Vertical > Horizontal > Diagonal > Upswing > "Tataki Otoshi"
  • Diagonal > Upswing > Diagonal > Upswing
  • Vertical > Horizontal > Diagonal
  • Upswing > "Tataki Otoshi"
Second half
  • Horizontal or Vertical x7 (3rd and 5th attacks are aimed at Donald and Goofy)
During "Ascension"
  • Vertical > Horizontal > Vertical > Horizontal > Diagonal
  • Upswing > Upswing > Upswing

"Renzoku Kougeki" is Xehanort's primary attack.
Tataki Otoshi (たたき落とし?,
lit. "Knock Down")
Physical 1.0 or 1.5 2
Warps near the opponent and performs a downswing with the χ-blade while somersaulting, then knocks them down.

Xehanort moves through Keyhole-shaped portals when using Tataki Otoshi. He uses Tataki Otoshi very frequently, and the warping makes it difficult to land hits on Xehanort.
Call Calamity (weapon) Physical 1.0 O 2

(chill) Blizzard 0.5 (per hit) X

(fireball) Fire 1.0 (per hit)
(thunderbolt) Thunder 1.0 (per hit) X
Releases a chill from the thrown χ-blade, then smashes three fireballs together, and finally looses three lightning strikes on them.
[Status Condition] For the chill, "Freeze" (100%/3s)

Call Calamity can be dodged with Dodge Rolls or deflected with Guard. However, the timing is quite narrow.
Dark Shooting Dark 1.0 (per hit)
Fires dark shots one after another which fly after the opponent.

First used after Ascension. The shots can be blocked or used to store up charge for Wrathful Flurry.
Ascension (light pillar) Dark 1.0 (per hit)

(light ring) Dark 1.5 (per hit)

Does things like making pillars of light run around or forward, or performing "Renzoku Kougeki" using the χ-blade. Furthermore, if the opponent approaches the light at the center of the plaze, it releases a ring of light to its vicinity.

Only used in the second phase onward. Telegraphed by Xehanort raising a platform of light and using the χ-blade to summon Kingdom Hearts. The ring of light can be used to trigger Rage Form's reprisal.[?]
XIII Rengeki (XIII連撃?,
lit. "XIII Combo")
(alters) Physical 0.5 (per hit) 2

(light ray) Dark 1.5 (per hit) X

(denser light ray) Dark 3.0 (per hit) X
Repeatedly attacks using his alters and light rays, then fires many light rays alongside a denser light ray.

Used once Sora terminates Rage Form. Telegraphed by the sky turning grey and thirteen thrones rising to encircle the plaza. The alters' attacks can be blocked, but the light rays must be dodged.
Guard/Block: △ = Can be blocked; O = Can be blocked and interrupted (melee) or deflected back (projectile); X = Cannot be blocked.

Like the previous battle, Sora should equip Elixirs and a Kupo Coin for healing, and the Ultima Weapon for offense.

Armed with the legendary χ-blade, Xehanort has an arsenal of powerful attacks at his disposal. Sora should focus on defense, as "Tataki Otoshi" will prevent him from landing attacks easily. Reprisals such Counter Blast and Wrathful Flurry are useful for injecting damage, as well as speedy Formchanges like Highwind, Blizzard Blades, Twin Yo-Yos, and Nano Arms, or homing techniques like Flare Force.

After losing seven and a half health bars, Xehanort will initiate the second phase of the battle by summoning Kingdom Hearts via "Ascension", then immediately launch into "Dark Shooting". He will continue employing his earlier techniques, albeit enhanced via "Ascension".

After four more of his health bars are depleted, Xehanort will use the power of Kingdom Hearts to steal Sora's light, forcing him into a version of Rage Form that cannot terminate or use Riskcharge. In order to return to normal, Sora must attack Xehanort to force him to drop orbs of light[?] which both fill the Situation Gauge and restore HP. During this portion, Xehanort cannot be directly damaged, but will continue to use his enhanced attacks. After filling the Situation Gauge, Sora can use "Return to the Light" to attack Xehanort and revert back to normal. Xehanort will respond with "XIII Combo", then continue attacking as normal. If enough time passes[?] without advancing to the final phase, Xehanort will steal Sora's light again, forcing Sora to retrieve it once more.

Once Xehanort is down to 1 HP, Sora can use "Last Ray". However, Xehanort quickly counters and retaliates with a beam of darkness that seemingly kills Sora. Sora can then use "Trinity", ending the fight.

Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind

Replica Xehanort

A replica of Master Xehanort in his armor serves as the final boss of the ReMind scenario. You can fight him as either Sora or Kairi.

If the player is playing as Sora, make sure to have some elixrs, Ultima Weapon and/or Oathkeeper/Oblivion.

Replica Armor Xehanort fights exactly like the first Armored Xehanort fight with some extra moves. All attacks done with the keyblade are followed by the No Name replicas to add extra damage. Xehanort can summon flame pillars from either above or below to hurt Sora or Kairi. If Xehanort is summoning a pillar from below, a recusant sigil will spawn before summoning a pillar. If he is summoning a pillar from above, some yellow particles will surround the player and lift them up briefly before the attack. Both of these serve as indicators to dodge or block if you are using Kairi or a form with barrier. Halfway through the battle, Xehanort's armor will break and he will begin his desperation attack. He will summon several planetoids and break them apart with his keyblades, causing meteors to rain down on Sora and Kairi. The meteors are unblockable so the player should just dodge roll or slide away. Occasionally Xehanort will attempt to attack the player during the meteor rain. Simply block the attacks while trying to avoid the meteors. If the player is playing as Sora you can use a link to remain unkillable during the attack. If the player chooses to play as Kairi, it's best to notice the patter of meteors falling and either constantly slide to places where the meteors haven't fallen yet or slide exactly where a meteor just landed. During the second phase Xehanort will often place mines in the air which will leave an explosion trail leading to the player. After reducing Xehanort's HP to 1, a situation command will appear called Connecting Hearts which acts just like the Last Ray command and is required to end the fight.

Data Rematch

Master Xehanort's data is essentially a rematch of his final battle. He retains most of his attacks from the final battle, but this time he can Formchange the χ-blade into a myriad of weapons, such as a double blade that reduces Sora's maximum HP, a pair of chakrams that stun Sora on impact, a whip that has very long range, spinning bombs, spikes that shoot lasers from the sky, and massive aerial cannons that fire large beams. He often combines the Formchanges with his old attacks.

Many of his slashes now unleash spinning bombs that can be guarded at first but will explode, freezing Sora and as such must be dodged or blocked and dodged. Xehanort also uses great use of spikes that fire multiple beams of light that will fire exactly where Sora is at and as such, must be dodged right before they hit. Xehanort will also make use of giant cannons he manifests in the air that also track Sora before firing. Dodge the moment the cannons finish charging.

The first opening for when he can be comboed is when he throws the χ-blade at Sora. Close the distance and block the χ-blade so it doesn't chill Sora and Xehanort will be staggered and open for a combo. Another opening for when he can be comboed is whenever he throws a spinning bomb at Sora at a farther distance after a long string of throwing them. While using ascension, Xehanort fires the spinning bombs closer to Sora and while outside ascension, Xehanort fires spinning bombs further. Close the distance by airstepping towards him or strike him with magic. The next opening is when he performs a simple slash with the χ-blade, followed by an uppercut, counter and attack him right after the uppercut. The third opening is when he attempts to strike Sora with the spike lasers and close in for an uppercut simultaneously. Either block the uppercut and immediately use a counter for an invincibility frame and a chance to combo him or dodge roll through Xehanort and the lasers and then combo him. Another opening is when Xehanort manifests four cannons consecutively to fire at Sora, which he will use after using Call Calamity, whether Sora is able to interrupt the move or not. Xehanort will teleport to the center of the area after the second cannon fires. Dodge the next two cannon blasts and immediately combo him.

In his second phase, an opening to combo him is when he manifests two cannons instead of spikes while closing the distance with Sora. Dodge the cannon fire and the spinning bomb he throws simultaneously and the following double blade slash and combo him. Another opening is when he combos with a Formchange whip. Block or dodge the whip and the following chakram slash, dodge the double blade slash, dodge another double blade slash, dodge or block two chakram slashes, dodge one last double blade slash, then immediately combo him.

Video

Master Xehanort (Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep: Terra)
Master Xehanort – Kingdom Hearts III


Notes and references

  1. ^ Normal
  2. ^ While using Ascension