Editing Formchange

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'''Formchange''' is an [[ability]] that allows the user to transform their [[Keyblade]] and access new abilities. It was first demonstrated in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]'' and was introduced as a gameplay mechanic in ''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]''.

Formchanges are triggered via [[Situation Command]]s after achieving sufficient damage with a Keyblade. Certain Keyblades will also have the ability to Formchange a second time. Formchange is a mechanic that borrows cosmetic and technical concepts from [[Command Style]]s and [[Drive Form]]s both, and allows [[Sora]] to manipulate his Keyblade's form similar to the wielders from ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]''. While in a Formchange, the user is immune to negative status effects (with the exception of [[Time Break]]) and will heal any the user is afflicted with.

Activating a Formchange triggers a unique attack depending on the Formchange, known as '''Keyblade Cinematics''' in the Config menu. When Keyblade Cinematics are set to Normal, most Formchanges activate with a Keyblade Transformation Attack that varies depending on the Formchange, while [[Second Form]], [[Light Form]], [[Dark Form]], [[Double Form]], and [[Rage Form]] use a Formchange Performance Attack that generates a short-ranged, neutral-element shockwave that instantly triggers the Formchange. When Keyblade Cinematics are set to Basic, all Formchanges will use the animation of a Formchange Performance Attack.

Unlike Drive Forms, Formchanges do not carry over into most cutscenes.<ref>The cutscenes leading into the record player scene at [[Toy Box]], the following events with [[Rapunzel]] and the [[Chaos Carriage]] battle in [[Kingdom of Corona]], the [[Metal Troll]] and [[Catastrochorus]] battles at [[San Fransokyo]], and the battles against {{ns|Game|Master Xehanort}} in Scala ad Caelum do display the Formchange in it.</ref> Formchanges used while Sora wears his ''Kingdom Hearts II'' outfit do not change his appearance, with the exception of Rage Form.

==Development==
The concept of having the Keyblade transform into different forms has existed since ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]'' with the [[Lingering Will]] being able to transform the [[Ends of the Earth]] Keyblade into different forms. The idea was to incorporate it into ''Kingdom Hearts III'''s gameplay to show the growth of Sora's skill as he trained and become a more masterful Keyblade wielder.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/kingdom-hearts-iii-shows-sora-at-his-most-powerful/1100-6428251/ GameSpot: ''Kingdom Hearts III'' Shows Sora at His Most Powerful]</ref>

Guardian Form and Strike Form were originally referred to as {{nihongo|'''Guard Form'''|ガードフォーム|Gādo Fōmu}} and {{nihongo|'''Power Form'''|パワーフォーム|Pawā Fōmu}} in early gameplay notes and were considered Drive Forms before the formal introduction of the Formchange concept.<ref>[https://twitter.com/KINGDOMHEARTS/status/791654547542376448 ''Kingdom Hearts'' Official Twitter Reveals Guard Form Formchange]</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/KINGDOMHEARTS/status/791653741862719488 ''Kingdom Hearts'' Official Twitter Reveals Power Form Formchange]</ref>

==List of Forms and Formchanges==
[[File:Sora (Second Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Second Form]]
'''[[Second Form]]''' allows Sora to access his abilities from previous adventures, similar to [[Limit Form]]. The color scheme of Sora's clothing changes to resemble his ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' outfit. It is triggered by the [[Kingdom Key]], [[Starlight]], [[Midnight Blue]], [[Phantom Green]], [[Dawn Till Dusk]], [[Elemental Encoder]], [[Advent Red]], and [[Dead of Night]]. The Keyblade used determines the third level finisher: Starlight uses a finisher called "[[Ancient Light]]", which draws enemies in before releasing several Keyblades made of [[light]] to strike them, while the others use [[Ars Arcanum]] instead.
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[[File:Sora (Guardian Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Guardian Form]]
'''[[Guardian Form]]''' emphasizes defensive capabilities. Sora wears yellow clothing reminiscent of [[Master Form]]. Triggered by [[Hero's Origin]], [[Hunny Spout]], and [[Classic Tone]].

The Formchanges are [[Counter Shield]] (Hero's Origin), [[Hunny Blasters]] and [[Hunny Launcher]] (Hunny Spout), [[Boom Hammer]] and [[Clock Drill]] (Classic Tone).
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[[File:Sora (Strike Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Strike Form]]
'''[[Strike Form]]''' emphasizes strong physical attacks. Sora wears red clothing reminiscent of [[Valor Form]]. Triggered by [[Favorite Deputy]], [[Happy Gear]], and [[Wheel of Fate]].

The Formchanges are [[Hyper Hammer]] and [[Drill Punch]] (Favorite Deputy), [[Agile Claws]] and [[Twin Yo-Yos]] (Happy Gear), {{c|Highwind|Formchange}} and [[Storm Flag]] (Wheel of Fate).
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[[File:Sora (Element Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Element Form]]
'''[[Element Form]]''' emphasizes [[magic]] and long-range attacks. Sora wears blue clothing reminiscent of [[Wisdom Form]]. Triggered by [[Shooting Star]] and [[Ever After]].

The Formchanges are [[Double Arrowguns]] and [[Magic Launcher]] (Shooting Star), and [[Mirage Staff]] (Ever After).
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[[File:Sora (Blitz Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Blitz Form]]
'''[[Blitz Form]]''' emphasizes speed and mobility. Sora wears green clothing. Triggered by [[Crystal Snow]], [[Nano Gear]], and [[Grand Chef]].

The Formchanges are [[Blizzard Claws]] and [[Blizzard Blades]] (Crystal Snow), [[Nano Arms]] (Nano Gear), and {{c|Frying Pan|Formchange}} (Grand Chef).
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[[File:Sora (Rage Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Rage Form]]
'''[[Rage Form]]''' allows Sora to channel his [[darkness]] in desperate circumstances. Sora takes on the appearance of a [[Pureblood Heartless]], similar to [[AntiForm]]. It has a chance of being triggered when Sora reaches critical health, regardless of current Keyblade. After using the command [[Riskcharge]], Sora will gain extra strength at the expense of half his current health.

While in his ''Kingdom Hearts II'' attire, Sora's appearance in Rage Form is identical to Antiform.
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[[File:Sora (Ultimate Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Ultimate Form]]
'''[[Ultimate Form]]''' unleashes the ultimate power of the Keyblade. Sora wears white clothes reminiscent of [[Final Form]]. Triggered by [[Ultima Weapon]]. While attacking, Sora will summon a variety of swords that will surround him and will be used in finishers, he uses a pattern of magic and uses the symbolism of chains during some attacks.
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[[File:Sora (Light Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Light Form]]
'''[[Light Form]]''' allows Sora to harness the power of light. Triggered by [[Oathkeeper]].
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[[File:Sora (Dark Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Dark Form]]
'''[[Dark Form]]''' allows Sora to harness the power of darkness. Triggered by [[Oblivion]].
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[[File:Sora (Double Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Double Form]]
'''[[Double Form]]''' allows Sora to harness light and darkness together. Triggered by Oathkeeper and Oblivion. When attacking, Sora dual-wields both Keyblades in a manner similar to Roxas.
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[[File:FC Sprite Spellweaver KHIII.png|right|200x200px|]]
'''[[Spellweaver]]''' is a Formchange exclusive to [[Aqua]] during her playable segments. Triggered by [[Master's Defender]]. It behaves almost exactly like the [[Style Change]] from ''[[Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-]]'', except the Finish command is available upon activation, like Sora's Formchanges.
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==Other appearances==
===''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''===
[[File:Lingering Will Fighting Styles KHIIFM.png|thumb|250px|The many Formchanges of the Lingering Will's Keyblade.]]
The [[Lingering Will]] is the first character to demonstrate Formchanges. It can Formchange the [[Ends of the Earth]] into a variety of weapons, such as a whip, a [[Keyblade Glider]], the Ultima Cannon, and a drill.

===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
[[Terra]], [[Aqua]], [[Ventus]], and [[No Heart]] can Formchange their Keyblades into [[Keyblade Glider]]s. Terra can also Formchange his Keyblade into the [[Ultima Cannon]], which [[Terra-Xehanort]] inherits, and No Heart can Formchange its Keyblade into a variety of weapons such as greaves and a shield.

===''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''===
[[Young Xehanort]] can Formchange [[Young Xehanort's Keyblade|his Keyblade]] into a whip and a shield during his fight against [[Riku]].

===''Kingdom Hearts III''===
Sora's max-level [[Shotlock]]s incorporate his corresponding Keyblade's Formchanges. [[Lea]] can Formchange the [[Bond of the Blaze]] Keyblade into the [[Eternal Flames]] Chakrams. Young Xehanort also Formchanges his Keyblade into a whip during the fight against him, [[Xemnas]], and [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness]]. [[Master Xehanort]] can Formchange the [[χ-blade]] into cannons.

When fighting Terra-Xehanort, the Lingering Will Formchanges its Keyblade into a whip and the [[Ultima Cannon]].

===''Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind''===
Young Xehanort's data replica can Formchange his Keyblade into a whip and a shield, and Master Xehanort's can Formchange the χ-blade into a variety of weapons, such as a whip, chakram, cannons or dual-sided blade.

==Notes and references==
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{{KH3}}
{{Form}}
{{Mechanics}}
[[de:Formänderung]]
[[fr:Changement de forme]]
[[Category:Forms]]