Armor
Armor is an item type found in Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix. It can be equipped to characters to improve their defense in a number of ways, replacing part of the function of accessories from the first game.
The main purpose of armor is to improve the defensive powers of the characters. In addition to providing a basic defense bonus, many pieces of armor also provide specific defense bonuses against one or more kinds of elemental magic, such as Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, and Darkness. Unlike accessories and weapons such as Keyblades, armor grants no additional special abilities when equipped.
It should be noted, however, that three new pieces of armor were added for Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, including the Shock Charm, which became the only armor to have a passive ability when equipped.
Obtaining Armors
Most of the weaker armor can be purchased early on in the game during the first time through the Moogle shops in the worlds of Twilight Town, the Land of Dragons, Disney Castle, and Agrabah. Later in the game, during the second round through each world, the more powerful armor must be synthesized through Free Development. Three pieces of armor, Gaia Belt, Cosmic Chain, and Cosmic Belt, are found in chests throughout the game. The Protect Belt is the only armor that can be won through completing certain events.
Roxas's available armor, the Champion Belt and the Elven Bandana, are both found in unusual ways, given Roxas cannot buy armors or synthesize them. Champion Belt is only available if Roxas wins the Struggle tournament, but is not granted if he loses. Elven Bandana is one of the few armors with the privilege of being found in a chest during the game.
Armor Slots
Sora, Donald, and Goofy each begin Kingdom Hearts II with one armor slot in their equipment area. They can accumulate more armor slots through the game based on specific events and battles.
- Sora can gain two more armor slots. In order to open them, he must defeat Beast the first time through Beast's Castle and Demyx the second time through Hollow Bastion.
- Donald can gain one more armor slot by defeating the Hydra at Olympus Coliseum.
- Goofy can gain one more armor slot by defeating the Blizzard Lord and Volcanic Lord in Agrabah.
World-specific characters such as Mulan, Tron, and Jack Sparrow also have at least one armor slot, but cannot gain any more in the course of the game. In the same vein, Roxas begins the game with one slot and cannot gain more through experience.
