Novashadow

Novashadow
Japanese	ネクストシャドウ
Rōmaji	Nekusuto Shadō
Translation	Next Shadow
Type	Pureblood Heartless
Game	Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Variations • Neoshadow

Novashadow
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
This advanced form of the Pureblood Neoshadow can't be knocked off balance, and retains the ability to unleash a shockwave as it resurfaces from the ground. Block when it charges you to earn a few precious seconds during which you can deal double damage.

Mission	HP				EXP		STR/DEF
	Story Mode		Mission Mode
65	1360		4081		18		66
85	1588		4765		47		81
Fire		Blizzard		Thunder			Aero
x1.24		x1.40		x0.53			x1.59
Ignite		Freeze		Jolt			Air-Toss
x0.30		x0.30		x0.30			x0.30
Defense Power Adjustment					Heart Points
• Full Body: ?					—
					Flinch?		Bloom-Out?
					X		X
Rewards
Missions 62-72 Shield Tech+ (40%) Missions 73-93 Shield Tech++ (18%)
Story Mode
Munny x32
Mission Mode
Munny x16
World(s)
Wonderland

The Novashadow is a Pureblood Heartless that is found in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.

Design

A Novashadow has a fairly muscular, humanoid body. Its crooked antennae are quite long and fall back behind the Heartless. It seems to be rather muscular, and its hands are very large, each one sporting four clawed fingers. Its feet, like those of a normal Shadow, are long and lack digits. Its body is mostly a dark brown color, and is also lined by several faint, red veins of color. Despite their apparent large size, Novashadows are only fought when Roxas has shrunk himself in Wonderland, suggesting that they are actually very small. Novashadows are virtually identical to Neoshadows, though they have a different color scheme and four claws instead of five.

The Novashadow's name has a similar meaning to that of a Neoshadow. The English word "nova" is derived from the Latin word "novus", which means "new". The Cheshire Cat makes reference to this, during the mission for which the Novashadow is the target, when asking if Roxas and Luxord are looking for the "new shadow". Its Japanese name, "Next Shadow", reflects the fact that it was introduced after the Neoshadow.

Strategy

At the start of this battle, Lock-On to the Heartless and slowly approach it. Prepare to dodge an attack, as it sinks into the ground right off the bat, unleashing a shockwave with a wide range as it resurfaces. As the Heartless proceeds to slowly pace in front of Roxas, begin to attack. Use caution, as it may slash with its claws. However, due to its large size, its claw slashing attack cannot touch Roxas if he is on the ground. These two attacks are the only ones in its arsenal, the tactics used repeatedly throughout the battle.

The Novashadow is highly vulnerable to magic, particularly the Aero Spell. Roxas shouldn't have to worry about HP in this battle, as Luxord will heal him in times of need. If his HP does hit the "Alarm Zone," do not hesitate to make use of the Limit Break. Follow this strategy, and the Novashadow should fall in defeat rather quickly.

When fighting it again on Day 323, take out the Striped Aria behind it to prevent the constant annoyance dealt by it, then focus on the Novashadow with the same strategy used in Day 255.

Technique		Element	Status	Power	Block?
Scratch Attack (ひっかき攻撃, Hikkaki Kōgeki)		—	—	1.54	△
		Jumps forward and scratches at the target several times.
Rush (突進, Tosshin)		Water	Damage Drain (30%)	1.76	◯
		Jumps in the air and charges head-first at the target.
Shockwave (衝撃波, Shōgekiha)		Illusion	Flip-foot (25%)	1.70	X
		Dives into the ground, then after a few seconds launches itself up below the target, creating a shockwave upon emerging.
Guard/Block: △ = Can be blocked; O = Can be blocked and interrupted (melee) or deflected back (projectile); X = Cannot be blocked.