Axel/Gameplay

Axel is a boss in both Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II. In Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, Axel battles Sora twice throughout Castle Oblivion. In Kingdom Hearts II, Axel is to be fought against twice as Roxas in the Simulated Twilight Town. Also, in Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+, Axel has a data battle where you can fight him as Sora.

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
In the first battle Axel is an easy enemy, almost pathetically so. The player should be able to defeat effortlessly so long as they don't get too overconfident or lose focus. In the 2nd battle Axel is much more difficult to the point that he has been pointed out as being a harder boss than Marluxia at the very end of the game. It is strongly recommended that the player has the Oogie Boogie, Jafar, Vexen, Card Soldier and Riku cards all equipped.

The best way to go through Axel is to first equip the Jafar card preventing him from breaking attack cards you use. After the Jafar card runs out it would be wise to equip the Vexen card since odds are the player would die before they can use either the Card Soldier or Riku cards' full potential. If and when Axel kills Sora the Vexen card will revive you. Immediately activate the Oogie Boogie card thus healing you since Sora's health will be low after rejuvenation.

After Oogie Boogie runs out its wise to unload on sleights. For maximum results use the Riku card so that why some of the cards the player uses will not be lost. The Trinity Limit sleight (obtained with a Goofy, Donald and attack card) could be fairly damaging. If Axel is not defeated by the time the Riku card ends then equip the Card Soldier card and attack him repeatedly. Since the Card Soldier card speeds up attacks significantly if the player attacks Axel non-stop this can stop him from using some sleights. When the Card Soldier runs out and if Axel is still alive odds are his HP will be significantly low enough for him to be finished off with 1 or 2 more sleights.

During the first battle Axel's attacks are few and weak. However during the second fight Axel has much more damaging attacks. While his regular attacks are the same from before, his sleights are much more powerful. When Axel yells, "Let the flames burn you!" that's his most dangerous attack where he lets out a wall of flame. This is for the most part unavoidable so it's advisable to immediately use a 0 card irregardless of whether or not you're close to Axel. If you can't use a 0 card (you used them up already and havent' reloaded) then be sure to cast Cure almost immediately afterwards. Axel's speed is increased practically tenfold rivaling that of Larxene's so winning this battle will likely take quite a bit of time.

First Battle
Axel faces Roxas the first time during his Struggle match. Axel's main attack is a two-hit combo in which he moves forward slightly, which can easily be avoided. Axel will also suddenly dash behind Roxas, similar to the "Reversal" Reaction Command, and throw his flaming chakram through the air at him, hitting him multiple times. He will also throw a single chakram, which circles towards Roxas from the side.

As this fight is so early in the game, there is little the player can do in terms of preparing with equipment and items, but Axel is not too difficult an opponent. The player should have at least two Potions, and the Aerial Recovery ability equipped. If they have leveled up Roxas enough so he learns Guard, it can also help. It is advised to stick to aerial attacks to avoid Axel's strikes, and use Aerial Recovery to quickly regain their balance and counter-attack when struck. If Axel's attacks are blocked with Guard or the player's own attack, he will be temporarily stunned.

Second Battle
When Roxas battles Axel again in the Twilight Town Mansion, the strength of both Axel and Roxas has increased. Roxas is now dual-wielding the Oathkeeper and Oblivion, so he does more damage. However, Axel has much more health and several new forms of attack. Roxas should be equipped with the Elven Bandana from the mansion to boost his defense, and have several Potions.

When the battle begins, the floor of the arena is covered in magma, and Roxas will slowly lose health over time. If the player hits Axel with a finishing move, he will be knocked into the air and the player can use the "Overtaker" Reaction Command. This will cause Axel and Roxas to run across the flames dueling, and eventually the player can use "Clear Light", which slams Axel into the ground. This removes the magma from the ground and stuns Axel for a short time.

After this, Axel will throw his flaming chakrams at Roxas, and also strike him with a multi-hit combo, ending with him summoning a jet of fire from the ground. This attack does heavy damage if Roxas is caught in it. Axel will also leap behind the flames surrounding the arena and jump out without warning, leaving plumes of flame behind him. The player can use the Reaction Command "Burst Edge" to leap out of the way and fire a blast of energy at Axel, damaging him. Later in the fight, Axel also covers the floor in magma again. This can be countered the same as before.

Axel can be a difficult opponent, as he attacks rapidly and can catch the player off-guard. However, with proper usage of the Reaction Command and a few Potions, he should be defeated. Roxas' power is greatly increased, so the player can easily cause heavy damage to Axel using Roxas' powerful combos.

The "data replica" Axel that Sora fights is based on this second fight, with Sora fighting him alone in a ring of fire.

Battle Quotes

 * "Come here! I'll make it all stop!"
 * "Gimme a break..."
 * "Burn!"
 * "You better watch out, I'm serious!"
 * "Got it memorized?"
 * "Burn, baby!"
 * "You won't forget this!"
 * "What's the problem?"
 * "It's not over yet!"
 * "So... this is it..."
 * "Hey, do I ring any bells yet?"
 * "Get back!"
 * "Okay!"
 * "Take that!"
 * "Roxas!"
 * "Not bad, Roxas..."
 * "Sora!"
 * "You got me..."
 * "Want more?!"
 * "Don't make me mad!"
 * "Think fast!"
 * "I'll take you all out!"
 * "Oh, no you don't!"
 * "Outta the way!"
 * "That's more like it!"
 * "Let the flames burn you!"