Dark Aura
(ダークオーラ Dāku Ōra?)
Riku using Dark Aura against Ansem
Rush enemies repeatedly with blade in hand. Only available in Dark Mode.
Element Power Card Combination Enemy Card Boost
Neutral x5.0 per hit
Light pillars: x3.0
Soul Eater card from original CoM + Soul Eater card from original CoM + Soul Eater card from original CoM (27)
Dark Mode only

Dark Aura
(ダークオーラ Dāku Ōra?)

Dark Aura KHRECOM.gif

Rush enemies repeatedly with blade in hand. Finish off by stabbing Soul Eater into the ground for a column of light that confuses the enemy. Only available in Dark Mode.
Element Power Card Combination Enemy Card Boost
Neutral x3.0 per hit
Shockwave: x5.0
Soul Eater (card).png + Soul Eater (card).png + Soul Eater (card).png (27)
Dark Mode only
Dark Aura
(ダークオーラ Dāku Ōra?)
Dark Aura KHII.gif
Stops enemy movements with dark magic spells as commanded when Sora's combo is about to end. MP Cost: 10
Attack Element Power Drive Value Deflect Finishing
Blow
Dark Aura Magic Command Physical x0.25 X X
AP Cost 2 MP Cost 0
Dark Aura
(ダークオーラ Dāku Ōra?)
Dark Aura KH3D.gif
Multi-rush the enemy, then drive your Keyblade into the ground to make a shockwave.
Attack Element Power Reaction
Value
Status Guard?
Rush Attack Command Dark 0.4 1
Dive attack Attack Command Dark 4.8 3
Pillars of darkness Attack Command Dark 1.2 2
Reload Speed Dream Eater Bonus
42 seconds Strength +4, Dark Resistance +10
Buy Bargain Sell Shop LV
1000

Dark Aura
(ダークオーラ Dāku Ōra?)
Dark Aura in KHUX
Attributes Target Gauge Cost Damage
Speed Reversed All 3 7★: x7.55
SN++: x19.10 - 21.97
7★: Deals 6 hits. 1 turn: ↑ R-STR by 3, STR & DEF by 1.
SN++: Deals 6 hits. 1 turn: Medal STR +10000, self [↑ STR, R- & PSM-STR 15], targets [↓ DEF, R- & PSM-DEF 15], SP ATK B +220%. Count ±0. Critical hit chance: 50%.

Dark Rush
(ダークオーラ Dāku Ōra?, lit. "Dark Aura")
Dark Rush
Attributes Target Gauge Cost Damage
Speed Reversed All 4 7★: x7.76 - 8.94
7★: Deals 8 hits. 2 turns: ↑ R-STR by 3, ↓ targets' DEF by 1. Inflicts more damage the higher the slot number.

Dark Aura, also translated as Dark Rush in Kingdom Hearts Union χ, is technique introduced in Kingdom Hearts. It is a signature move of Riku, and it appears repeatedly throughout the Kingdom Hearts series. It typically allows the user to rush enemies repeatedly from all directions, finishing by plunging their weapon into the ground, releasing columns of energy radially. The attack often deals dark damage.

There is a variation of Dark Aura exclusive to Kingdom Hearts II in which Riku launches spheres of dark flame at the opponent, a technique similar to Dark Firaga.

Mechanics

In Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, Dark Aura is an attack sleight that Riku can use while in Dark Mode. When used, Riku performs 6 rush attacks at the enemy before following with a groundward attack that generates pillars of light and a shockwave. The columns of light that conclude the attack may confuse enemies when hit.

In Kingdom Hearts II, Dark Aura is an action ability exclusive to Riku. It allows Riku to fire spheres of dark flame that can stop enemies on contact, and is performed by pressing   to use the Dark Aura Reaction Command after Sora reaches the end of an attack combo. It costs two AP to equip and ten MP to use. While playing as Riku in the final battle with Xemnas during his Bind Attack, Dark Aura can be used by pressing  .

In Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Dark Aura is an attack command exclusive to Riku that uses two slots and has a reload time of 42 seconds. It grants +4 to Strength and +10 to Dark Resistance when attached to a Dream Eater recipe. When used, Riku performs 8 rush attacks at an enemy that is targetted the moment the command is used, before following with a groundward attack that generates pillars of darkness in a sphere around the dive impact.

In Kingdom Hearts Union χ, Dark Aura is a special attack that targets all enemies. It costs 3 special attack gauges to perform, 0 gauges for Dark Aura +5 in the English version. Dark Aura +7 ignores enemy counters, and has a 50% chance to deal critical damage.

Special attack Rarity Base •• ••• •••• ••••• Hits
Dark Aura +5 6★ x1.70 x1.74 x1.78 x1.82 x1.86 x1.90 6
Dark Aura +6 7★ x7.55 6
Dark Aura +7 SN++ x19.10 - 21.97 6

Special attack Player Buff Target Debuff Duration
+5 +6 +7 +5-6 +7
Dark Aura   +1   +1
  +3
  +1
  +10000
  +15
  +15
  +15
  +15
  +15
  +220%
  -15
  -15
  -15
  -15
  -15
1 turn

Special attack Rarity Base •• ••• •••• ••••• Hits
Dark Aura +5 6★ x1.39 x1.59 x1.79 x1.99 x2.19 x2.39 6
Dark Aura +6 7★ x7.55 6
Dark Aura +7 SN++ x19.10 - 21.97 6

Special attack Player Buff Target Debuff Duration
+5 +6 +7 +5-6 +7
Dark Aura   +1
  +1
  +1
  +3
  +1
  +10000
  +15
  +15
  +15
  +15
  +15
  +220%
  -15
  -15
  -15
  -15
  -15
1 turn

Dark Rush is a special attack that targets all enemies. It costs 4 special attack gauges to perform. It inflicts more damage the higher the slot number.

Special attack Rarity Base •• ••• •••• ••••• Hits
Dark Rush +5 6★ x2.10 - 3.28 x2.20 - 3.38 x2.30 - 3.48 x2.40 - 3.58 x2.50 - 3.68 x2.60 - 3.78 8
Dark Rush +6 7★ x7.76 - 8.94 8

Special attack Player Buff Target Debuff Duration
+5 +6 +5-6
Dark Rush   +3   -1 2 turns

Learning Dark Aura

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories

  • Riku learns Dark Aura once he obtains the ability to enter Dark Mode.

Kingdom Hearts II

  • Riku has Dark Aura as a default ability.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

Kingdom Hearts Union χ

Other appearances

Riku is fought several times as a boss throughout the Kingdom Hearts series. Dark Aura serves as one of his desperation attacks in each of these encounters.

Kingdom Hearts

 
Initially, Riku could only use Dark Aura while under Ansem's influence.

When Sora faces Riku for the second time while Riku is under the possession of Ansem, Seeker of Darkness in Hollow Bastion, Dark Aura serves as Riku's strongest attack. It is used when he is low on HP and his hand is glowing in a sphere of dark energy.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories

The Riku Replica can utilize Dark Aura as a Sleight during his final battles in Sora's story and Reverse/Rebirth. Unlike Riku, who needs a card value of 27 to execute Dark Aura, the Riku Replica can use it with any value. In Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, Riku Replica's Dark Aura pillars no longer confuse the opponent.
  +   +  

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

During his battle with Roxas in The World That Never Was, Riku is able to use Dark Aura once he charges the Oblivion Keyblade. Rather than attacking while teleporting over the whole arena, Riku simply attacks Roxas's position. In Mission Mode, Anti-Riku can use Dark Aura as well.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

Data-Riku during his third phase and Data-Riku (Bugged) can use Dark Aura.

Trivia

  • In Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, if Riku is caught in a Kooma Panda's Tea Table Flip during the initial start-up of Dark Aura, a glitch will occur that causes him to pass through the floor and remain in the animation until the either the player resets the game or the Drop Gauge gets fully depleted.[1] The same glitch occurs if Riku tries to use Dark Aura on a Cera Terror.

See also

Notes and references