Abilities (KH)

In Kingdom Hearts, Abilities are a type of skill that is equipped by allotting Ability Points (AP). These skills can either be active techniques which can be performed at the character's discretion, or passive upgrades which are always active and enhance the various stats or qualities of the character. While many Abilities are used by more than one character, each character has a unique set which reflects their purpose in combat.

While most of the abilities are not explicitly separated, there are basic categories that they fall into. Unique abilities, including "Special attacks", "Support skills", and "Defense skills", are active abilities that represent combat techniques. Each character possesses a unique set of special abilities, excluding Donald, who wields Magic instead, and except for Sora's unique abilities, they cost MP to perform. Common abilities are the passive abilities that represent personal upgrades, and have effects such as increasing the duration of a Summon, or allowing the character to regenerate MP by taking damage. Common abilities are not unique to any character. There are also Shared Abilities, which are equipped to the entire party, and affect their movements. As such, they do not cost AP. Sora also has a set of Special Abilities, very similar to the unique abilities, which do cost MP; in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix these abilities are replicated for Limit Form, a special form that allows Sora to mimic his abilities from the first Kingdom Hearts.

In all but five cases, Sora, Donald, and Goofy learn their unique and common through leveling up, and Sora learns his Special abilities by defeating bosses. On the other hand, single-world characters such as Tarzan or Aladdin possess all of their abilities from the beginning of the game. The party-wide Shared abilities are given out as plot-based rewards, and are in fact required for progressing once they have been gained.

While the player can only directly control how often Sora uses his unique and Special abilities, it is possible to indirectly control this for other party members by dictating their fighting style on the "Customize" screen.

Unique abilities

Ability	AP	Description	Obtained
Dodge Roll (ドッジロール, Dojji Rōru)	1	Dive and roll to evade attack by pressing the button.	Sora
Guard (リフレクトガード, Rifurekuto Gādo, lit. "Reflect Guard")	2	Guard against an enemy attack by pressing the button.	Sora (LV 9/15/24/33/36)
Counterattack (カウンター, Kauntā, lit. "Counter")	2	Strike back after parrying an enemy blow. Successful counterattacks restore MP.	Sora (LV 15/18/21/24/45/57)
Slapshot[KH I FM] (スラップショット, Surappushotto)	1	When facing more than one enemy, Sora swings his Keyblade with a large arc and finish it with a upward thrust.	Sora (LV 6/12/69)
Sliding Dash[KH I FM] (スライドダッシュ, Suraido Dasshu, lit. "Slide Dash")	1	Sora does a quick slide, pulling himself near the enemy and damaging them.	Sora (LV 6/39/51)
Vortex (ヴォルテックス, Vorutekkusu)	1	Close the distance to nearby enemies with this powerful spinning attack.	Sora (LV 12/45/57/78/84)
Aerial Sweep (エリアルスイープ, Eriaru Suīpu)	2	Leap at an airborne enemy and strike a mighty blow.	Sora (LV 27/3036/60/84)
Blitz (ファイナルブレイク, Fainaru Bureiku, lit. "Final Break")	3	Strike enemies ahead of you with a powerful finishing combo.	Sora (LV 18/33/60/63/78)
Hurricane Period[KH I FM] (ハリケーンピリオド, Harikēn Piriodo)	2	Sora flips vertically, striking enemies near him. (air combo finisher)	Sora (LV 18/27/51)
Ripple Drive[KH I FM] (リップルドライヴ, Rippuru Doraivu)	3	When several enemies surround Sora, this ability knocks them back. (combo finisher)	Sora (LV 12/39/69)
Stun Impact[KH I FM] (スタンインパクト, Sutan Inpakuto)	2	Sora strikes his Keyblade downwards, creating a small explosive sphere protecting him and stunning nearby enemies. (combo finisher) (30% chance to show up)	Sora (LV 6/18/51)
Gravity Break[KH I FM] (グラビティブレイク, Gurabiti Bureiku)	2	Sora's Keyblade casts a miniature gravity spell. (combo finisher) (30% chance to show up)	Sora
Zantetsuken[KH I FM] (ザンテツケン)	2	Sora holds Keyblade vertically reversed and strikes through enemy, very powerful finisher. (combo finisher) (30% chance to show up)	Sora
Rocket (グーフィーロケット, Gūfī Roketto, lit. "Goofy Rocket")	1	Leap at an airborne enemy and attack with shield. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Goofy (LV 9)
Charge (グーフィーアタック, Gūfī Atakku, lit. "Goofy Attack")	2	Charge and knock out an enemy with shield. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Goofy (LV 15)
Tornado (グーフィートルネド, Gūfī Torunedo, lit. "Goofy Tornado")	2	Whirl after an enemy, using shield to attack. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Goofy (LV 21)
MP Gift (MPギフト, MP Gifuto)	3	Give up MP to give 3 MP to a friend. [Support skill. Cost: 1 MP.]	Goofy (LV 30[KH I]/42[KH I FM])
Evolution[KH I FM] (エボリューション, Eboryūshon)	3		Goofy (LV 30)
Raging Boar (ストーミングボア, Sutōmingu Boa, lit. "Storming Boar")	2	Thrash surrounding enemies with spear, blowing them out of the way. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Tarzan
Asp's Bite (レイジングアスプ, Reijingu Asupu, lit. "Raging Asp")	2	Knock out an enemy with a powerful blow. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Tarzan
Healing Herb (大自然のいやし, Daishizen no Iyashi, lit. "Nature's Healing")	3	Recharge HP with an energizing herb. [Defense skill. Cost: 1 MP.]	Tarzan
Wind Armor (大気の守り, Taiki no Mamori, lit. "Atmospheric Defense")	3	Protect yourself with a cloak of air. [Defense skill. Cost: 1 MP.]	Tarzan
Crescent (クレセントムーン, Kuresento Mūn, lit. "Crescent Moon")	2	Jump straight up to attack enemies overhead. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Aladdin
Sandstorm (ストームリーパー, Sutōmu Rīpā, lit. "Storm Reaper")	2	Strike at enemies while charging through them. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Aladdin
Applause! (アプローズプリーズ, Apurōzu Purīzu, lit. "Applause, Please")	1	Upstage foes with this dramatic, long-range sliding attack. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Jack Skellington
Blazing Fury (怒りに燃える火炎, Ikari ni Moeru Kaen, lit. "Blaze Burning with Fury")	2	Blast enemies with scorching fire. [Special attack. Cost: Little MP.]	Jack Skellington
Icy Terror (恐怖に凍てつく吹雪, Kyōfu ni Kōtetsuku Fubuki, lit. "Blizzard Frozen in Terror")	2	Freeze enemies with a bone-chilling blizzard. [Special attack. Cost: Little MP.]	Jack Skellington
Bolts of Sorrow (悲しみにふるえる雷, Kanashimi ni Furueru Ikazuchi, lit. "Thunder Shaking with Sorrow")	3	Call lightning down to shock enemies. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Jack Skellington
Ghostly Scream (自らにつぶされし魂, Mizukara ni Tsubusareshi Kon, lit. "Personally Crushed Spirits")	3	Summon dark spheres to crush enemies. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Jack Skellington
Spiral Wave (スパイラルウェイブ, Supairaru Weibu)	1	Charge at a target with a spinning attack. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Ariel
Thunder Potion (サンダーポーション, Sandā Pōshon)	3	Use potions packed with Thunder power. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Ariel
Cure Potion (キュアポーション, Kyua Pōshon)	3	Use potions packed with Cure effect. [Defense skill. Cost: 1 MP.]	Ariel
Aero Potion (エアロポーション, Earo Pōshon)	3	Use potions packed with Aero power. [Defense skill. Cost: 1 MP.]	Ariel
Hummingbird (スラストラッシュ, Surasuto Rasshu, lit. "Thrust Rush")	2	Dart in to rain countless blows upon the enemy. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Peter Pan
Time-Out (ストップモーション, Sutoppu Mōshon, lit. "Stop-Motion")	4	Freeze time for enemies, halting their movement. [Special attack. Cost: 2 MP.]	Peter Pan
Storm's Eye (ウインドフィールド, Uindo Fīrudo, lit. "Wind Field")	3	Wrap yourself in a protective whirlwind. [Defense skill. Cost: 2 MP.]	Peter Pan
Ferocious Lunge (フェロシアスランジ, Feroshiasu Ranji)	2	Lunge at an enemy from a distance. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Beast
Furious Bellow (フュリアスベロウ, Fyuriasu Berou)	3	Knock out surrounding enemies with a raging bellow. [Special attack. Cost: 1 MP.]	Beast

Common abilities

Ability	AP	Description	Obtained
Combo Plus (コンボプラス, Konbo Purasu)	1	Extends ground combo attack by one step. Equip more to extend it further.	Sora (LV 9/21/42/63/66/87), Sora (LV 66/72/75/78/87/93), Sora (LV 84[KH I]/93/96/99), Sora (LV 96[KH I]), Sora
Air Combo Plus (エアコンボプラス, Ea Konbo Purasu)	1	Extends aerial combo attack by one step. Equip more to extend it further.	Sora (LV 27/24/57/60/72/93), Sora (LV 45/75/78/96/99)
Critical Plus (クリティカルアップ, Kuritikaru Appu, lit. "Critical Up")	3	Increases odds of dealing critical damage. Equip more to boost effect.	Sora (LV 21/48/51/84/96), Sora (LV 69/75/78/99/100), Sora (LV 90[KH I]), Sora, Tarzan, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Beast
Scan (ライブラ, Raibura, lit. "Libra")	1	View an enemy's HP gauge during battle.	Sora (LV 9/12/15/21)
Treasure Magnet (ドロー, Dorō, lit. "Draw")	2	Attract nearby HP/MP balls, munny, and items. Equip two to attract them from even further away.	Sora (LV 9/12/27/30/33/36), Sora (LV 30/39/57/60/72/75), Donald Duck (LV 24[KH I FM]/30[KH I]), Donald Duck (LV 39[KH I FM]/45[KH I]), Goofy (LV 18), Goofy (LV 42[KH I]/51[KH I FM]), Aladdin, Jack Skellington, Peter Pan
Encounter Up[KH I FM] (エンカウントアップ, Enkaunto Appu)	1	Increase the rate of spawning and encountering Heartless.	Sora
MP Haste (MPヘイスト, MP Heisuto)	3	Boosts MP recovery rate in battle, allowing more spellcasting.	Sora (LV 15/21/45/63/72), Donald Duck (LV 14[KH I FM]/15[KH I]), Goofy (LV 48[KH I FM]/51[KH I]), Ariel, Peter Pan
MP Rage (ダメージアスピル, Damēji Asupiru, lit. "Damage Asper")	2	Recover MP whenever you're hit in battle. Heavier damage restores more MP. Equip more to boost effect.	Sora (LV 33/36/42/57/63/90), Sora (LV 51/66/75/87/100), Donald Duck (LV 19[KH I FM]/20[KH I]), Donald Duck (LV 40[KH I]/49[KH I FM]), Goofy (LV 39), Goofy (LV 45[KH I]/57[KH I FM]), Jack Skellington, Ariel, Beast
Berserk (バーサク, Bāsaku)	1	Boosts attack power when HP is critically low. Combine with a weapon skill for more power.	Sora (LV 9/21/36/48/60/78), Donald Duck (LV 9[KH I FM]/10[KH I]), Goofy (LV 45[KH I FM]/54[KH I]), Tarzan, Beast
Second Chance (ラストリーヴ, Rasuto Rīvu, lit. "Last Leave")	2	Keep 1 HP even after taking a critical hit.	Sora (LV 18/36/48/51/90), Donald Duck (LV 25[KH I]/59[KH I FM]), Goofy (LV 36), Tarzan, Beast
Leaf Bracer[KH I FM] (リーフベール, Rīfu Bēru, lit. "Leaf Veil")	5	Becomes invincible while casting Cure.	Sora (LV 27/39/69), Donald Duck (LV 34)
Jackpot (プライズアップ, Puraizu Appu, lit. "Prize Up")	2	Receive more munny and HP/MP balls in battle. Equip to entire party to boost effect.	Sora (LV 24/42/54/63/100), Donald Duck (LV 50[KH I]/54[KH I FM]), Goofy (LV 12), Aladdin, Jack Skellington, Peter Pan
Lucky Strike (ラックアップ, Rakku Appu, lit. "Luck Up")	3	Raises luck so that enemies drop rare items more often. Equip to entire party to boost effect.	Sora (LV 15/24/39/48/69/90), Donald Duck (LV 44[KH I FM]/55[KH I]), Goofy (LV 24[KH I FM]/27[KH I]), Aladdin, Ariel, Peter Pan
Tech Up[KH I FM] (テックアップ, Tekku Appu)	2	Increase the amount of Tech Points acquired.	Sora (LV 12/18/27), Sora (LV 81), Sora, Sora
Cheer (召喚MPアップ, Shōkan MP Appu, lit. "Summon MP Up")	1	Increases the summons' MP gauge, giving them more time and attacks per battle. Equip to entire party to boost effect.	Sora, Donald Duck, Goofy, Aladdin, Jack Skellington
Second Wind (ハイパーヒーリング, Haipā Hīringu, lit. "Hyper Healing")	3	Recover from KO status quickly with HP fully restored.	Donald Duck (LV 29[KH I FM]/35[KH I]), Goofy (LV 33), Tarzan, Ariel, Beast

Special abilities

Ability	AP	Description	Obtained
Sonic Blade (ソニックレイヴ, Sonikku Reivu, lit. "Sonic Rave")	3	Slash an enemy while rushing past. Select followup attack at right time for a combo. [Mid-range attack. Cost: 2 MP.]	Sora
Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu, lit. "Last Arcanum")	4	A formidable attack. After a combo, select followup attack again for a double combo. [Short-range attack. Cost: 3 MP.]	Sora
Strike Raid (ストライクレイド, Sutoraiku Reido)	3	Hurl the Keyblade at an enemy. Select followup attack at right time for a combo. [Long-range attack. Cost: 2 MP.]	Sora
Ragnarok (ラグナロク, Ragunaroku)	4	After aerial combo, select followup attack at right time to unleash Ragnarok. [For airborne targets. Cost: 3 MP.]	Sora
Trinity Limit (トリニティリミット, Toriniti Rimitto)	5	Channel the party's remaining MP to crush surrounding foes. Minimum 3 MP. [With companions nearby. Cost: All MP.]	Sora

Shared abilities

Ability	AP	Description	Obtained
High Jump (ハイジャンプ, Hai Janpu)	—	Powers up your jump, allowing you to reach higher places.	Chest at the Monstro: Mouth.
Mermaid Kick (マーメイドキック, Māmeido Kikku)	—	Swim faster and more powerfully. In Atlantica, press the button repeatedly to accelerate.	Defeat Ursula at the Ursula's Lair.
Glide (グライド, Guraido)	—	While in the air, press the button to ride the air currents. Hold down the button to remain aloft.	Lock the Keyhole at Neverland.
Superglide (スーパーグライド, Sūpāguraido)	—	While in the air, press the button to fly at high speed. Hold down the button to remain aloft.	Defeat Chernabog.

See also

• Abilities (Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories)
• Abilities (Kingdom Hearts II)
• Abilities (Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep)
• Magic
• Sleight
• Enemy Cards
• Limit Break
• Deck Command
• Shotlock
• Dimension Link