Spellbinder

Kingdom Hearts Spellbinder
"Raises max MP by 2, and significantly enhances magic and summon power."
Token
Japanese	エグザミネイション
Rōmaji	Eguzamineishon
Translation	Examination
Stats
Strength	MP		Length
+4	+2		Medium
Crit. Rate	Crit. Bonus		Recoil
x1	+0		30
Obtained
Speak to Merlin after acquiring all seven first-level magic spells.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Spellbinder
"A special attack card with lightning-based attacks."
Japanese	エグザミネイション
Rōmaji	Eguzamineishon
Translation	Examination
Stats
Strike	Thrust	Finish
D+	A	D+
Swing Speed	Break Recovery	Required CP
C	A	B
Element
Lightning
Obtained
Find Owl[KH CoM]; chest at Tigger's Playground.[KH Re:CoM]

The Spellbinder is a Keychain for Sora's Keyblade which appears in Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories.

Story

Kingdom Hearts

After obtaining each of the seven spells, Sora boasts that his magic is as good as Donald's, and Goofy suggests that he talk to Merlin. Merlin rewards Sora's progress with the Spellbinder.

Design

The Spellbinder takes its theme from the imagery of magic and astrology. The handle is dark blue and the guard encircles the handle like a white, squat teardrop where the top of the guard is a white heart. There are two dark blue arches with a hole in the center of each, one on each side of the top of the guard. The shaft consists of two separate blue poles that end at the “teeth” that resembles an orrery. There is a dark blue circle, surrounded by a light blue, then another dark blue circle around that which is the inside of the teeth piece; this group of circles is attached to the shaft by another light blue arc. The outer side of the circles is a half circle with a point at the peak and two small spheres within the half circle, one by the peak and one in the center of the arc. The top of the shaft is a dark blue, six-pointed star within a light blue circle. Its Keychain has a gold lobster clasp with a rusty chain attached and a green spellbook as the token.

Much of the Spellbinder's design is a reference to Merlin's owl, Archimedes. The guard has two round shapes are eyes with the bottom being the nose. Also, the two notches on the guard appear to be ears. The round shape at the top of the blade is another eye.

The Spellbinder's English name references its method of obtainment by learning all seven spells, as well as the Keychain token. The Japanese name, "Examination," alludes to Merlin's role as Sora's mentor.

Gameplay

In Kingdom Hearts, the Spellbinder has an average reach and mediocre strength, but is the first Keyblade that can be obtained that increases Sora's MP. The great two point increase in MP makes it a cornerstone Keyblade for magic users, who likely will also equip MP boosting items on Sora such as the Magic Armlet and have selected the Dream Rod at Dive to the Heart in order to maximize his MP. Such high MP counts will increase the damaging power of Sora's spells significantly, as well as making his defensive and healing spells slightly better, his summons stay in the field for longer, and of course allow him to build up to a higher MP count and thus cast more spells in general. The main downside is its mediocre strength, which becomes more pronounced when progressing through the game and more keychains become available with greater strength. When combined with mainly MP boosting items, Sora can have trouble dealing physical damage to enemies, such as bosses. It is safely replaced by the Lady Luck Keyblade near the end of the game due to the latter's better physical strength while still increasing his MP by 2.

Gallery

• 

  Concept art of the Spellbinder.

See also

• Sweet Memories
• Hunny Spout