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Ars Arcanum

From Kingdom Hearts Database

Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム Rasuto Arukanamu?, lit. "Last Arcanum"), called Final Arcana (ファイナルアルカナム Fainaru Arukanamu?, lit. "Final Arcanum") in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, is an ability, attack sleight, attack command, and limit found throughout the Kingdom Hearts series. It allows the user to string together a flurry of Keyblade swings, while often granting invulnerability during use.

Kingdom Hearts[edit | edit source]

"A formidable attack. After a combo, select followup attack again for a double combo. [Short-range attack. Cost: 3 MP.]"
Quotes.png
Ars Arcanum KH.gif

In Kingdom Hearts, Sora obtains the special ability Ars Arcanum by defeating Captain Hook in Neverland. Ars Arcanum costs 4 AP to equip and 3 MP to activate, and allows Sora to attack with a ground combo composed of up to thirteen slashes when near a target.

Selecting the Arcanum (アルカナム Arukanamu?) command executes the initial attack, with Bash (ブレイク Bureiku?, lit. "Break") granting an additional five attacks each time it becomes available, and Finish (ジ・エンド Ji Endo?, lit. "The End") the final, more powerful finishing strike resulting in a total of 13 hits. The final hit of "Arcanum", as well as those of "Bash" and "Finish", can land critical hits.

In Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, the player can select "Arcanum", "Bash", and "Finish" from the last command bar, which all grant Sora invulnerability.

In Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX the initial Arcanum command, the Bash followups, and the "Finish" command are all implemented as Reaction Commands, but Bash and Finish do not provide invulnerability.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories[edit | edit source]

Ars Arcanum CoM.gif
"Rain a flurry of up to thirteen attacks upon the enemy. A, or Triangle when it flashes on-screen, to add an attack. Pressing Triangle when it isn't on-screen will cancel the sleight."
Quotes.png

In Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, Ars Arcanum is the seventh sleight to be obtained by Sora, and only after level 37. Ars Arcanum is an attack sleight that delivers eight powerful blows, followed by a forward somersaulting slash.

In Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, Ars Arcanum is the ninth sleight to be obtained by Sora, and only after level 42. Ars Arcanum unleashes six powerful strikes, and is difficult to interrupt. Five additional strikes can be added by pressing Triangle when prompted, resulting in a maximum of 11 total strikes. Sora is invulnerable during the attack, but pressing the button at the wrong time breaks the combo, rendering him vulnerable once again.

In all versions, its card combination is:

Kingdom Key (card).png + Kingdom Key (card).png + Kingdom Key (card).png (1-6)


Kingdom Hearts II[edit | edit source]

"A Limit Command that unleashes a powerful combo attack. Press Triangle for a consecutive combo. MP Cost: 75"
Quotes.png
Last Arcanum KHIIFM.gif

In Kingdom Hearts II, Final Arcana is a limit exclusive to Genie after Sora has obtained both the Lamp Charm and Master Form. The limit begins with Arcana, in which Sora and Genie clutch arms and whirl around in large aerial circles. Afterwards, Bash causes Genie to transform into a large head that spins around, while shooting magical bullets. Since Sora must land after the limit is finished, Sora remains invulnerable from the time the limit begins to the time he lands on the ground regardless if Bash is used. However, Genie will begin to take drive bar damage after he transforms back from a giant head. Using Final Arcana uses up five summon gauges, but if Sora has less than five summon gauges remaining, he can still use Final Arcana and genie will be dismissed immediately after the limit is finished.

In Kingdom Hearts II, Final Arcana is also an action ability automatically equipped to Final Form. It activates as a combo finisher against a single enemy. It causes Sora combine his Keyblades end-to-end before throwing them forward into an enemy as they rapidly spin. He then telekinetically pulls them apart and has them clash with each other thrice, creating bursts of energy to further damage the target. If Finishing Plus is equipped, the second half of the move can be cancelled for the next finisher.

In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Last Arcanum is an action ability exclusive to Sora's Limit Form. It is a permanently equipped limit that costs 75 MP to use. It is automatically assigned to Triangle in the shortcuts menu, as long as an item isn't taking up that slot. On activation, Sora performs an initial seven-hit combo, and up to six more strikes can be executed through the "Bash" Reaction Command. Afterwards, the Reaction Command is replaced with the final hit attack "The End" resulting in 13 total possible hits, which all restore a small portion of Sora's health. Sora is invulnerable only during the initial seven-hit combo, and once again becomes vulnerable during the "Bash" and "The End" phases.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit | edit source]

"Assail enemies with a ferocious string of blows. Press the Triangle button at the end to tack on a few extra hits for good measure."
Quotes.png
Ars Arcanum Ventus KHBBS.gif

In Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Ars Arcanum is a Giga Attack Recipe that Ventus can obtain through nine different methods of Command Melding. It takes up two command slots, can be leveled up to level 6, takes 25 seconds to reload, and fills the Command Gauge by 6%. By unleashing Ars Arcanum, Ventus can string together an initial six hits, and by the player pushing triangle, can gain an additional 2 hits per prompt, with a final prompt of 3 finishing hits, resulting in a grand total of 19 possible hits. If used in midair, Ventus will return to the ground before performing the action. Ventus does not gain invulnerability during the entirety of Ars Arcanum, nor while landing from attempting to use it in midair.

Attack icon BbS.png Shimmering Crystal KHBBS.png
Shimmering
Fleeting Crystal KHBBS.png
Fleeting
Power Crystal KHII.png
Pulsing
Energy Crystal KHII.png
Wellspring
Bright Crystal KHII.png
Soothing
Serenity Crystal KHII.png
Hungry
Abounding Crystal KHBBS.png
Abounding
Ventus Aerial Slam (LV4)
+
Blitz (LV4)
Blizzard Boost Reload Boost Second Chance Air Combo Plus Damage Syphon HP Prize Plus Lucky Strike
Ventus [1] Aerora (LV3)
+
Fire Strike (LV3)
Fire Screen Attack Haste Finish Boost Combo Plus HP Boost HP Prize Plus Link Prize Plus
Ventus [2] Cura (LV2)
+
Blizzard Edge (LV2)
Blizzard Screen Attack Haste Leaf Bracer Air Combo Plus Item Boost HP Prize Plus Lucky Strike
Ventus [2] Cura (LV2)
+
Poison Edge (LV2)
Dark Screen Magic Haste Combo F Boost Air Combo Plus Item Boost Treasure Magnet EXP Walker
Ventus [3] Cura (LV2)
+
Blizzara (LV2)
Blizzard Screen Magic Haste Combo F Boost Air Combo Plus Item Boost HP Prize Plus EXP Walker
Ventus [3] Quick Blitz (LV2)
+
Blizzard (LV2)
Blizzard Screen Attack Haste Leaf Bracer Air Combo Plus Item Boost HP Prize Plus Lucky Strike
Ventus [4] Quick Blitz (LV3)
+
Slot Edge (LV3)
Dark Screen Attack Haste Finish Boost Air Combo Plus Item Boost Treasure Magnet Lucky Strike
Ventus [3] Sliding Dash (LV2)
+
Blizzara (LV2)
Blizzard Screen Attack Haste Leaf Bracer Air Combo Plus Item Boost HP Prize Plus Lucky Strike
Ventus [3] Sliding Dash (LV2)
+
Blizzard (LV2)
Blizzard Boost Magic Haste Leaf Bracer Combo Plus Item Boost HP Prize Plus Lucky Strike


Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance[edit | edit source]

"Unleash a blinding flurry of attacks."
Quotes.png
Ars Arcanum KH3D.gif

In Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD, Ars Arcanum is an attack command that can be performed by Sora and Riku. It is obtained from a 10 LP ability link from Lord Kyroo, a 400 LP link from Skelterwild, and a chest at the Contorted City in The World that Never Was. It uses two slots in the Command Deck and has a reload time of 36 seconds. It grants +4 to Strength when attached to a Dream Eater recipe. Unlike prior incarnations, this version of the attack no longer requires any button prompts for the whole combo, and can be used midair. It deals a total of 14 hits, unleashing several spinning slashes while hovering, while finishes by slamming the Keyblade into the ground.

Kingdom Hearts χ[chi][edit | edit source]

"相手を圧倒する連続切りを放ち大ダメージを与える"
Unleash continuous slashes to cause great damage.
Quotes.png

In Kingdom Hearts χ, Ars Arcanum is an Ability used by Power-attribute SR Cards.

Another special attack called Ars Arcanum+ is an Ability used by Power-attribute SR+ Cards.

Kingdom Hearts Union χ[edit | edit source]

Ars Arcanum UXC.gif

In Kingdom Hearts Union χ, Ars Arcanum is a special attack used by the KH Cloud and KH II Leon B medals. Another special attack called Ars Arcanum EX is used by the Toon Riku, Toon Xion, and Toon Roxas medals.

File:KH Cloud 3★ KHUX.png
KH Cloud
Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.[5]
File:KH II Leon B 3★ KHUX.png
KH II Leon B
Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.[6]
File:KH Cloud 4★ KHUX.png
KH Cloud
Ars Arcanum: Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.[7]
File:KH II Leon B 4★ KHUX.png
KH II Leon B
Ars Arcanum: Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.[8]
File:KH Cloud 5★ KHUX.png
KH Cloud
Ars Arcanum: Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.
File:KH II Leon B 5★ KHUX.png
KH II Leon B
Ars Arcanum: Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.
File:KH Cloud 6★ KHUX.png
KH Cloud
Ars Arcanum: Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.
File:KH II Leon B 6★ KHUX.png
KH II Leon B
Ars Arcanum: Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.
File:Toon Riku 6★ KHUX.png
Toon Riku
Ars Arcanum EX: Deals 13 hits. Raises P-STR by 3 tiers for 1 turn. Adds 1 to enemy countdown. Inflicts more damage the higher the slot number.
File:Toon Xion 6★ KHUX.png
Toon Xion
Ars Arcanum EX: Deals 13 hits. Raises M-STR by 3 tiers for 1 turn. Adds 1 to enemy countdown. Inflicts more damage the higher the slot number.
File:Toon Riku 6★ KHUX.png
Toon Roxas
Ars Arcanum EX: Deals 13 hits. Raises S-STR by 3 tiers for 1 turn. Adds 1 to enemy countdown. Inflicts more damage the higher the slot number.
File:KH Cloud 7★ KHUX.png
KH Cloud
Ars Arcanum: Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.
File:KH II Leon B 7★ KHUX.png
KH II Leon B
Ars Arcanum: Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.
File:Toon Riku 7★ KHUX.png
Toon Riku
Ars Arcanum EX: Deals 13 hits. 1 turn: ↑ R-STR & P-STR by 3. Enemy countdown +1. Inflicts more damage the higher the slot number.
File:Toon Xion 7★ KHUX.png
Toon Xion
Ars Arcanum EX: Deals 13 hits. 1 turn: ↑ R-STR & M-STR by 3. Enemy countdown +1. Inflicts more damage the higher the slot number.
File:Toon Riku 7★ KHUX.png
Toon Roxas
Ars Arcanum EX: Deals 13 hits. 1 turn: ↑ R-STR & S-STR by 3. Enemy countdown +1. Inflicts more damage the higher the slot number.

Kingdom Hearts Dark Road[edit | edit source]

"A powerful physical attack."
Quotes.png
Ars Arcanum KHDR.gif

In Kingdom Hearts Dark Road, Ars Arcanum is a neutral special attack used by the Key Scene 1, Riku Replica, and Key Art 4 cards.

Kingdom Hearts III[edit | edit source]

"Ravage the enemy with a devastating flurry of attacks. Continue pressing X when prompted to perform additional attacks."
Quotes.png
Ars Arcanum KHIII.gif

In Kingdom Hearts III, Ars Arcanum is the third level finisher equipped to Second Form, Second Form M, Second Form P, and Second Form D. It is replaced by Ancient Light as the third level finisher for Second Form S. Its initial combo comprises of seven hits, with up to five more strikes and a finisher can be added through button prompts. The final finisher of Ars Arcanum causes Sora to spin his keyblade upward from the ground and slams back down, creating a small shockwave that can stun some enemies. Sora is invincible during the entirety of Ars Arcanum.


Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory[edit | edit source]

Ars Arcanum MOM.gif

In Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory, Ars Arcanum is an ability crystal for Team Classic against a grounded enemy. Ars Arcanum consists of four hits swinging left to right, and a final slam down on the enemy, destroying it.

During Memory of Melody's End, Sora can get Ars Arcanum from one of the Ability Crystals. This version of Ars Arcanum is identical the finisher of his Kingdom Hearts III version, where Sora spins with his Keyblade upward from the ground and slams back down, creating a small shockwave.

Other appearances[edit | edit source]

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days[edit | edit source]

Xion Ars Arcanum KHD.gif

Although Ars Arcanum cannot be performed by any playable character, Xion can perform a modified version of Ars Arcanum during her third boss phase. She preforms two slashes toward the ground, followed by one slash upward that can air-toss an enemy, then performs another slash toward the ground, followed by a final spinning attack which hones in on the opponent extremely quickly. While Xion is not invulnerable during this attack, it can knock back the player and deal a lot of damage, thus making it unwise to attack during this time. All four of her blades glow bright yellow during this set of attacks, thus making it easy to determine when Ars Arcanum begins and ends.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper[edit | edit source]

The icon for Ars Arcanum in Final Fantasy Record Keeper.
Ars Arcanum Soul Break FFRK.gif

Ars Arcanum appears in Final Fantasy Record Keeper as one of Sora's Soul Breaks. Using Metal Chocobo, Ars Arcanum allows Sora to deliver eight physical fire, lightning, and ice attacks to an enemy, temporarily raise his Attack a moderate amount and Defense a small amount, and gain Haste and Burst Mode.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Ars Arcanum gets its name from the Latin ars meaning 'technique', 'skill' or 'art' and arcanum meaning 'secret'. Its Japanese name is "Last Arcanum", meaning "Last Secret".

Notes and References[edit | edit source]

  1. Has a 10% chance of transforming from Aerial Slam
  2. 2.0 2.1 Has a 5% chance of transforming from Slot Edge
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Has a 5% chance of transforming from Blizzard Edge
  4. Has a 10% chance of transforming from Blitz
  5. Deals 9 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP." prior to Version 2.3.1.
  6. Deals 9 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP." prior to Version 2.3.1.
  7. Deals 9 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP." prior to Version 2.3.1.
  8. Deals 9 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP." prior to Version 2.3.1.

See also[edit | edit source]

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