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{{game|KH1|FM1|COM|REC|KH2|FM2|HD1}}
{{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.
A '''Summon''' is a special character that can be magically called on to aid [[Sora]] in the ''[[Kingdom Hearts (series)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' series. In terms of development, the main purpose of adding Summons was to add characters from Disney movies that weren't already represented by [[world]]s. They have been present in [[Kingdom Hearts (game)|''Kingdom Hearts'']], ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'', and ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', 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==
==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''===
===''Kingdom Hearts''===
In the original ''[[Kingdom Hearts (game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'', 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.
[[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.
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 [[finalfantasy:Final Fantasy (Series)|''Final Fantasy'' video game series]], [[finalfantasy:Bahamut|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.
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.
{{-}}


===''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories''===
===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
{{main|Summon card}}
{{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.
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''===
===''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.
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''===
===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
{{main|Dimension Link}}
{{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.
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.
{{sec-stub}}


==Mechanics==
==Mechanics==
===''Kingdom Hearts''===
===''Kingdom Hearts''===
The Summon menu in ''Kingdom Hearts'' is located within the [[Magic]] menu 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 dismissed it manually). In order to perform a summon, the player needs to have two friends in the battle with him, and they both must be conscious. This means that Sora cannot perform summons during battles he is fighting if he is alone or when one or both of his allies are knocked unconscious.
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''===
===''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.
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''===
===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
The Summon menu was given its own area 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, and again the player must have two friends in battle in order to perform a summon.
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====
====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. One point of Experience is gained for every gauge expended while the Summon is on the field. 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.  
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. Each time you land an attack, the gauge will be boosted a little bit, 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 each time you attack so it is then expended, and you'll acquire a point of Experience each time.
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>
{{sec-stub}}


==List of Summons==
==List of Summons==
===''Kingdom Hearts''===
===''Kingdom Hearts''===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Simba KHII.png|'''[[Simba]]'''<br>From the [[Summon Items#Earthshine|Earthshine]] Gem obtained from [[Leon]] during the second visit to [[Traverse Town]].
File:Simba KH.png|'''[[Simba]]'''<br>From the {{c|Earthshine|item}} obtained from [[Leon]] during the second visit to [[Traverse Town]].
File:Genie KHREC.png|'''[[Genie]]'''<br>Genie joins the party after sealing [[Agrabah]]'s Keyhole.
File:Genie KH.png|'''[[Genie]]'''<br>Genie joins the party after sealing [[Agrabah]]'s Keyhole.
Image:Bambi KH.png|'''[[Bambi]]'''<br>From the [[Summon Items#Naturespark|Naturespark]] Gem obtained after returning the first set of pages to [[Pooh]]'s book.
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 [[Summon Items#Watergleam|Watergleam]] Gem found inside [[Monstro]].
Image:Dumbo KH.png|'''[[Dumbo]]'''<br>From the [[Watergleam]] found inside [[Monstro]].
File:Tinker Bell KHBBS.png|'''[[Tinker Bell]]'''<br>She joins the party after sealing [[Neverland]]'s Keyhole.
File:Tinker Bell KH.png|'''[[Tinker Bell]]'''<br>Tinker Bell joins the party after sealing [[Neverland]]'s Keyhole.
File:Mushu KHII.png|'''[[Mushu]]'''<br>From the [[Summon Items#Fireglow|Fireglow]] Gem obtained after defeating [[Maleficent]] in her Dragon form.
File:Mushu KH.png|'''[[Mushu]]'''<br>From the [[Fireglow]] obtained after defeating [[Dragon Maleficent]].
</gallery>
</gallery>


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


===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Chicken Little KHII.png|'''[[Chicken Little]]'''<br>[[Merlin]] gives Sora and co. the [[Summon Items#Baseball Charm|Baseball Charm]] after he tells them about Pooh's book.
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 [[Summon Items#Lamp Charm|Lamp Charm]] after his first visit to Agrabah.
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 [[Summon Items#Ukulele Charm|Ukulele Charm]] is placed in a chest in Ansem's Study during the second visit to Hollow Bastion. Its chest only appears after Sora and the others return from Space Paranoids to find the password to the dataspace.
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 KHBBS.png|'''[[Peter Pan]]'''<br>The [[Summon Items#Feather Charm|Feather Charm]] is in a chest in the Ship Graveyard during the second visit to [[Port Royal]].
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>
</gallery>


==Trivia==
==Notes and references==
*Peter Pan, Simba, Stitch, and Cloud are the only characters to appear as both Summons and Party Members.
{{reflist}}
*Dumbo, Bambi, and Chicken Little are the only summons whose worlds haven't been present in any games yet.


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

Latest revision as of 19:47, 4 November 2024

A Summon (召喚 Shōkan?) is a special character that can be magically called on to aid Sora in the Kingdom Hearts series. In terms of development, the main purpose of adding Summons was to add characters from Disney films that weren't already represented by worlds. They have been present in Kingdom Hearts, 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[edit]

Kingdom Hearts[edit]

The Fairy Godmother helps Sora unlock four of the Summons in the original Kingdom Hearts.

In the original Kingdom Hearts, most of the summons are obtained by finding special gems called "Summon Gems" in various worlds. 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 Final Fantasy video game series, 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.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories[edit]

Main article: Summon Card

In Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Sora obtains summon cards 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 cards.

Kingdom Hearts II[edit]

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[edit]

Main article: Dimension Link

In Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Dimension Links ("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, King Mickey, Zack Fair, 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[edit]

Main article: Link Summon

In Kingdom Hearts III, Sora obtains Link Summons from Heartbinders. According to Yen Sid, Heartbinders enhance Sora's gift for connecting with others,[1] allowing him to summon friends from other worlds.

Mechanics[edit]

Kingdom Hearts[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Link Summons 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.[2]

List of Summons[edit]

Kingdom Hearts[edit]

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories[edit]

Kingdom Hearts II[edit]

Kingdom Hearts III[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Development[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ 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."
  2. ^ On Critical Mode, Links instead restore half of Sora's maximum HP.

See also[edit]