Editing Summon

{{game|KH1|FM1|COM|REC|KH2|FM2|KH3|3RM}}
A {{nihongo|'''Summon'''|召喚|Shōkan}} is a special character that can be magically called on to aid [[Sora]] in the ''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|series}}'' series. In terms of development, the main purpose of adding Summons was to add characters from Disney films that weren't already represented by [[world]]s. They have been present in ''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}'', ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]'', ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', and ''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]'', although the mechanics differ from game to game. ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' is the first game in the series not to incorporate any form of summons.

==Game differences==
===''Kingdom Hearts''===
[[File:Giving a Summon Gem KH.png|thumb|200px|The Fairy Godmother helps Sora unlock four of the Summons in the original ''Kingdom Hearts''.]]
In the original ''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}'', most of the summons are obtained by finding special gems called "[[Summon Gems]]" in various [[world]]s. The gems can then be given to the [[Fairy Godmother]], staying at [[Merlin]]'s House in [[Traverse Town]]; she uses her [[magic]] to restore their spirit forms and release their powers, thus making the summon creatures available. All of these summons are victims of the Heartless' quest to destroy the worlds. As explained by the Fairy Godmother, the summon gems are the crystallized forms of strong, good-hearted denizens that did not fall victim to the [[darkness]] during the destruction of their worlds, and so are able to be called into battle for a limited time. Summons are classified under the [[Command Menu]]'s "Magic" command in the original release, but in ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX]]'', it is classified into a separate command instead.

Two summons, [[Genie]] and [[Tinker Bell]], are allies from worlds Sora has visited, and join him of their own free will upon locking the [[Keyhole]] of their world. They do not need to be released by the Fairy Godmother before they can be used.

One of the ultimate Summons from the {{ff|Final Fantasy (Series)|''Final Fantasy'' video game series}}, {{ff|Bahamut}}, was intended to be included in ''Kingdom Hearts'', but was cut before the final release. Through hacking, it is possible to gain a "Bahamut" option in the Summon menu; however, it is an incomplete summon, and therefore will freeze the game if selected.
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===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
{{main|Summon card}}
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]'' Sora obtains [[summon card]]s during his ascent of [[Castle Oblivion]]. Some [[magic card]]s enable Sora to perform summons. These cards are created from Sora's memories, so the summons are the same ones from ''Kingdom Hearts'', with the addition of [[Cloud]]. They also differ in how they play out, as playing or stacking a different number of cards has different results, much like Magic and [[Friend card]]s (for example, one Cloud card will use a normal slash, while two make a Cross-slash and three make an Omnislash). However, Sora is unable to activate cards while the summon is active, contrary to [[enemy card]]s.

===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', summons come from special [[Summon Charms]] found scattered throughout the worlds, which Sora can immediately use without having to unlock them. The charms from ''Kingdom Hearts II'' work differently than the summon gems from ''Kingdom Hearts''. While most of the summon spells on the first game gave a temporary [[body]] to the [[soul]] contained within the gem, the charm actually teleports the summonable character directly from their world.

===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
{{main|Dimension Link}}
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'', [[Dimension Link]]s ("D-Link" for short) are a variant of summons that allow players to draw power from both non-playable characters or summon one of the three main characters wirelessly from other players to aid them in action. While [[Cinderella]], [[Mickey Mouse|King Mickey]], [[Zack|Zack Fair]], [[Stitch|Experiment 626]], [[Donald Duck]], and others are known as the non-playable D-Link characters, [[Terra]], [[Ventus]], and [[Aqua]] are the wireless D-Link characters.

===''Kingdom Hearts III''===
{{main|Link Summon}}
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]'', Sora obtains '''[[Link Summon]]s''' from [[Heartbinder]]s. According to [[Yen Sid]], Heartbinders enhance Sora's gift for connecting with others,<ref>'''''Kingdom Hearts III'', Yen Sid:''' "That is a Heartbinder. Think of this as a good luck charm made just for you. You have a gift, Sora, for connecting with others, and this makes that gift stronger."</ref> allowing him to summon friends from other worlds.
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==Game differences==
[[File:Fairy Godmother KH.png|thumb|230px|left|The [[Fairy Godmother]] helps Sora unlock four of the Summons in the original ''Kingdom Hearts'']]

===''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories''===
{{main|Summon card}}
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' there are [[summon card]]s that Sora obtains during his ascent of Castle Oblivion. Some magic cards enable Sora to perform summons. These cards are created from Sora's memories, so the summons are the same ones from ''Kingdom Hearts'', with the addition of [[Cloud]]. They also differ in how they play out, as playing or stacking a different number of cards has different results, much like Magic and Friend cards (for example, one Cloud card will use a normal slash, while two make a Cross-slash and three make an Omnislash). However, Sora is unable to activate cards while the summon is active, contrary to [[enemy card]]s.

===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', summons come from special charms found scattered throughout the worlds, which Sora can immediately use without having to unlock them. The charms from ''Kingdom Hearts II'' work differently than the summon gems from ''Kingdom Hearts''. While most of the summon spells on the first game gave a temporary body to the soul contained within the gem, the charm actually teleports the summonable character directly from their world.

===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
{{main|Dimension Link}}
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'', a new form of summon featured, known as the [[Dimension Link]] (shortened "D-Link"). Players can draw power from both non-playable characters or summon one of the three main characters wirelessly from other players to aid them in action. While [[Cinderella]], [[Mickey Mouse|King Mickey]], [[Zack|Zack Fair]], [[Stitch|Experiment 626]], [[Donald Duck]], and others are known as the non-playable D-Link characters, [[Terra]], [[Ventus]], and [[Aqua]] are the wireless D-Link characters.

==Mechanics==
===''Kingdom Hearts''===
The Summon menu in ''Kingdom Hearts'' is located within the [[Magic]] menu in the original version and ''Kingdom Hearts Final Mix'' and the fourth Command Slot in ''Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX'' during battle. Each summon requires a specific amount of MP to be performed, and the summon lasts until its MP bar is fully consumed (or until the player dismisses it manually). The MP the summon has increases with Sora's MP capacity, and is further increased by Cheer abilities. In order to perform a summon, the player needs to have two friends in the battle with him, and they must both be conscious. This means that Sora cannot perform summons during battles he fights alone, or when one or both of his allies are unconscious.

Summons cannot be called when flying or swimming (though some can remain active if already called before entering a flying or swimming state), and certain summons will be instantly dismissed when Sora flies and moves too far away from them.

===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
In ''Chain of Memories'', once Sora plays that specific summon's card, the summoned character will appear, perform one or more attacks/actions (depending on the amount of cards stocked) and immediately disappear.

===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
The Summon menu was given its own slot in the Command Menu in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' because of the inclusion of a second menu that could be accessed during battle. In addition, ''Kingdom Hearts II'' summons no longer require MP to be summoned; they now use the [[Drive Gauge]] to count down their time instead, require three Drive points to summon, and again the player must have two friends in battle in order to perform a summon. Each summon behaves differently during combat and has its own [[Limit]].

====Leveling Up Summons====
Summons in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' draw their power from a separate Summon Gauge (similar to the Drive Gauge), which can also be leveled up, allowing the Summon to remain with Sora for a longer period of time. Unlike with [[Drive Forms]] which are leveled up separately, all of the Summons are affected by this. One point of Experience is gained for every gauge expended while the Summon is on the field. At first the maximum level for the Summons is 3, but can be raised by 1 for each new summon acquired, until it reaches 7 once all the summons are acquired. A simple way to level up is by finding a safe place, call a Summon, and then wait as time whittles down the gauges before jumping into the Gummi Ship to reset the gauge to MAX. 

However, a much faster way to level up the Summon Gauge is to call a Summon to the field, and then find enemies to fight. Closely watch the Summon Gauge, and attack enemies the moment the Gauge drops down a level. Every hit boosts the gauge by a small amount, so by constantly attacking to boost the gauge back up a level, it will drop back down again. Continue this method to boost the gauge back up a level with every attack so it is then expended, rewarding a point of Experience each time.

===''Kingdom Hearts III''===
[[Link Summon]]s in ''Kingdom Hearts III'' consume all of Sora's MP, and his MP must be at maximum before using a Link. Each Link has a special [[Command Menu]] that allows Sora to perform various attacks with them, and a Finish command that provides a devastating attack. When activated, Links restore all of Sora's HP.<ref>On [[Critical Mode]], Links instead restore half of Sora's maximum HP.</ref>
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==List of Summons==
===''Kingdom Hearts''===
<gallery>
File:Simba KH.png|'''[[Simba]]'''<br>From the {{c|Earthshine|item}} obtained from [[Leon]] during the second visit to [[Traverse Town]].
File:Genie KH.png|'''[[Genie]]'''<br>Genie joins the party after sealing [[Agrabah]]'s Keyhole.
Image:Bambi KH.png|'''[[Bambi]]'''<br>From the [[Naturespark]] obtained after returning the first set of [[Torn Page]]s to [[Pooh]]'s book.
Image:Dumbo KH.png|'''[[Dumbo]]'''<br>From the [[Watergleam]] found inside [[Monstro]].
File:Tinker Bell KH.png|'''[[Tinker Bell]]'''<br>Tinker Bell joins the party after sealing [[Neverland]]'s Keyhole.
File:Mushu KH.png|'''[[Mushu]]'''<br>From the [[Fireglow]] obtained after defeating [[Dragon Maleficent]].
</gallery>

===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
<gallery>
File:Simba (card).png|'''[[Simba]]'''<br>Leon gives Sora the [[Simba Card]] after he completes his tutorial.
File:Genie (card).png|'''[[Genie]]'''<br>Genie gives Sora the [[Genie Card]] after he completes the [[Agrabah]] floor.
Image:Bambi (card).png|'''[[Bambi]]'''<br>Sora obtains the [[Bambi Card]] after completing the [[100 Acre Wood]] floor.
Image:Dumbo (card).png|'''[[Dumbo]]'''<br>Sora obtains the [[Dumbo Card]] after he completes the [[Monstro]] floor.
File:Tinker Bell (card).png|'''[[Tinker Bell]]'''<br>Tinker Bell gives Sora the [[Tinker Bell Card]] after he completes the [[Neverland]] floor.
File:Mushu (card).png|'''[[Mushu]]'''<br>The [[Mushu Card]] is found in a chest in the [[Hollow Bastion]] [[Room of Rewards]].
File:Cloud (card).png|'''[[Cloud]]'''<br>Cloud gives Sora the [[Cloud Card]] after he completes the [[Olympus Coliseum]] floor.
</gallery>

===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
<gallery>
File:Chicken Little KHII.png|'''[[Chicken Little]]'''<br>[[Merlin]] gives Sora the [[Baseball Charm]] after telling them about Pooh's book.
File:Genie (Valor) KHII.png|'''[[Genie]]'''<br>Genie gives Sora the [[Lamp Charm]] after his first visit to Agrabah.
File:Stitch KHII.png|'''[[Stitch]]'''<br>The [[Ukulele Charm]] is found in a chest at [[Ansem's Study]] during the second visit to Hollow Bastion.
File:Peter Pan KHII.png|'''[[Peter Pan]]'''<br>The [[Feather Charm]] is found in a chest at the [[Ship Graveyard]] during the second visit to [[Port Royal]].
</gallery>

===''Kingdom Hearts III''===
<gallery>
File:Meow Wow KHIII.png|'''[[Meow Wow]]'''<br>Yen Sid gives Sora the [[Dream Heartbinder]] after returning to [[Mysterious Tower]].
File:Wreck-It Ralph KHIII.png|'''[[Wreck-It Ralph]]'''<br>Sora receives the [[Pixel Heartbinder]] for clearing [[Verum Rex]] for the first time.
File:Simba KHIII.png|'''[[Simba]]'''<br>Sora receives the [[Pride Heartbinder]] for putting out the fires at the Tank Yard in [[Monstropolis]].
File:Ariel KHIII.png|'''[[Ariel]]'''<br>The [[Ocean Heartbinder]] is found in a chest in the Underwater Cave in [[The Caribbean]] after defeating the [[Lightning Angler]].
File:Stitch KHIII.png|'''[[Stitch]]'''<br>Sora receives the [[Ohana Heartbinder]] for clearing the [[Flash Tracer]] minigame for the first time.
</gallery>

==Gallery==
===Development===
<gallery>
Summoning (Storyboard) 1 (Art).png|Storyboard of the summoning mechanic.
Summoning (Storyboard) 2 (Art).png|Storyboard of the summoning mechanic.
Bambi (Storyboard) 1 (Art).png|Storyboard of Bambi's summoning.
Bambi (Storyboard) 2 (Art).png|Storyboard of Bambi's summoning.
Dumbo (Storyboard) 1 (Art).png|Storyboard of Dumbo's summoning.
Dumbo (Storyboard) 2 (Art).png|Storyboard of Dumbo's summoning.
Genie (Storyboard) 1 (Art).png|Storyboard of Genie's summoning.
Genie (Storyboard) 2 (Art).png|Storyboard of Genie's summoning.
Mushu (Storyboard) 1 (Art).png|Storyboard of Mushu's summoning.
Mushu (Storyboard) 2 (Art).png|Storyboard of Mushu's summoning.
Simba (Storyboard) 1 (Art).png|Storyboard of Simba's summoning.
Simba (Storyboard) 2 (Art).png|Storyboard of Simba's summoning.
Simba (Storyboard) 3 (Art).png|Storyboard of Simba's summoning.
Tinker Bell (Storyboard) (Art).png|Storyboard of Tinker Bell's summoning
</gallery>

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
*[[Summon Gems]]
*[[Summon Card]]
*[[Summon Charms]]
*[[Dimension Link]]
*[[Heartbinder]]
{{magic}}
{{Mechanics}}
[[fr:Invocations]]
[[de:Rufen]]
[[Category:Summons]]
[[Category:Magic]]