Formchange

Formchange is an ability that allows the user to transform their Keyblade and access new abilities. It was first demonstrated in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and was introduced as a gameplay mechanic in Kingdom Hearts III.

Development

The concept of having the Keyblade transform into different forms has existed since Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix with the Lingering Will being able to transform the Ends of the Earth Keyblade into different forms. The idea was to incorporate it into Kingdom Hearts III's gameplay to show the growth of Sora's skill as he trained and become a more masterful Keyblade wielder.

Guardian Form and Strike Form were originally referred to as Guard Form (ガードフォーム, Gādo Fōmu) and Power Form (パワーフォーム, Pawā Fōmu) in early gameplay notes and were considered Drive Forms before the formal introduction of the Formchange concept.

Mechanics

Formchange is a mechanic that borrows cosmetic and technical concepts from Command Styles and Drive Forms both, and allows Sora to manipulate his Keyblade's form similar to the wielders from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep.

Formchanges are triggered via Situation Commands after achieving sufficient damage with a Keyblade. Certain Keyblades also have the ability to Formchange a second time.

Activating a Formchange triggers an attack known as a Keyblade Cinematic that varies depending on the Formchange. There are two types of Keyblade Cinematics: Formchange Performance Attacks, used by Second Form, Light Form, Dark Form, Double Form, Rage Form, and Spellweaver, and Keyblade Transformation Attacks, used by the other Formchanges. When Keyblade Cinematics are set to Normal, most Formchange Performance Attacks use an animation of Sora twirling his Keyblade in hand, briefly dismissing it, and then activating the Formchange akin to Drive Forms, unleashing a short-ranged, neutral-element shockwave that instantly triggers the Formchange. Rage Form's Formchange Performance Attack instead has Sora dive into an orb of darkness before bursting out of it in Rage Form, and Spellweaver's Formchange Performance Attack uses the animation of Style Changes from Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-. Keyblade Transformation Attacks have different animations depending on the Formchange. When Keyblade Cinematics are set to Basic, all Formchanges except Spellweaver use a simplified version of the basic Formchange Performance Attack.

Each Formchange has a set base duration, indicated by an orange gauge in the Command Menu that continuously depletes. Once this gauge becomes empty, the currently active Formchange will automatically end. Formchanges with a dedicated finish command (Second Form, Rage Form and all Formchanges with the Ultimate Finish ability) can also be ended early by activating this command.

If a Formchange has its own finish command, filling the Situation Command gauge with this form active will extend the availability of its finish command, and thus extend the Formchange's duration as well. Conversely, the Time Break status can also prematurely end an active Formchange if it fully depletes the time gauge of its finish command.

Formchanges will also remain active with a frozen time gauge during Team Attacks, Attractions, and Link Summons. Additionally, if the player is in the middle of a combo while the Formchange gauge runs out, the Formchange itself will remain until the player's combo ends.

When Sora has multiple Keychains equipped, activating a Formchange command will always switch Sora's current Keychain to the one corresponding to the newly active Formchange. In addition, only the Formchange associated to Sora's active Keychain will have its time gauge deplete; active Formchanges for inactive Keychains will have their gauges frozen. This allows the player to store away any Formchange they are not currently using.

While in a Formchange, the user is immune to negative status effects (with the exception of Time Break) and will heal any the user is afflicted with.

Unlike Drive Forms, Formchanges do not carry over into most cutscenes. Formchanges used while Sora wears his Kingdom Hearts II outfit do not change his appearance, with the exception of Rage Form.

As with other Situation Commands, activating Formchanges commands or their finishers is disabled in the vicinity of NPCs, such as in Port Royal's Seaport in The Caribbean. The commands' timer will nonetheless continue to deplete in these areas, and any previously activated Formchange will remain active when exploring areas with NPCs.

List of Forms and Formchanges

Second Form allows Sora to access his abilities from previous adventures, similar to Limit Form. The color scheme of Sora's clothing changes to resemble his Kingdom Hearts II outfit. It is triggered by the Kingdom Key, Starlight, Midnight Blue, Phantom Green, Dawn Till Dusk, Elemental Encoder, Advent Red, and Dead of Night.

The Keyblade used determines the third level finisher: Starlight uses a finisher called "Ancient Light", which draws enemies in before releasing several Keyblades made of light to strike them, while the others use Ars Arcanum instead.

Guardian Form emphasizes defensive capabilities. Sora wears yellow clothing reminiscent of Master Form. It is triggered by Hero's Origin, Hunny Spout, and Classic Tone.

The Formchanges are Counter Shield (Hero's Origin), Hunny Blasters and Hunny Launcher (Hunny Spout), Boom Hammer and Clock Drill (Classic Tone).

Strike Form emphasizes strong physical attacks. Sora wears red clothing reminiscent of Valor Form. It is triggered by Favorite Deputy, Happy Gear, and Wheel of Fate.

The Formchanges are Hyper Hammer and Drill Punch (Favorite Deputy), Agile Claws and Twin Yo-Yos (Happy Gear), Highwind and Storm Flag (Wheel of Fate).

Element Form emphasizes magic and long-range attacks. Sora wears blue clothing reminiscent of Wisdom Form. It is triggered by Shooting Star and Ever After.

The Formchanges are Double Arrowguns and Magic Launcher (Shooting Star), and Mirage Staff (Ever After).

Blitz Form emphasizes speed and mobility. Sora wears green clothing. It is triggered by Crystal Snow, Nano Gear, and Grand Chef.

The Formchanges are Blizzard Claws and Blizzard Blades (Crystal Snow), Nano Arms (Nano Gear), and Frying Pan (Grand Chef).

Rage Form allows Sora to channel his darkness in desperate circumstances. Sora takes on the appearance of a Pureblood Heartless, similar to Antiform. It has a chance of being triggered when Sora reaches critical health, regardless of current Keyblade. After using the command Riskcharge, Sora will gain extra strength at the expense of half his current health.

While in his Kingdom Hearts II attire, Sora's appearance in Rage Form is identical to Antiform.

Ultimate Form unleashes the ultimate power of the Keyblade. Sora wears white clothes reminiscent of Final Form. It is triggered by Ultima Weapon.

While attacking, Sora will summon a variety of swords that will surround him and will be used in finishers, he uses a pattern of magic and uses the symbolism of chains during some attacks.

Light Form allows Sora to harness the power of light. It is triggered by Oathkeeper.

Dark Form allows Sora to harness the power of darkness. It is triggered by Oblivion.

Double Form allows Sora to harness light and darkness together. It is triggered by Oathkeeper and Oblivion.

When attacking, Sora dual-wields both Keyblades in a manner similar to Roxas.

Spellweaver is a Formchange exclusive to Aqua during her playable segments. It is triggered by Master's Defender.

This formchange behaves almost exactly like the Style Change from Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-, except the Finish command is available upon activation, like Sora's Formchanges.

Other appearances

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

The many Formchanges of the Lingering Will's Keyblade.

The Lingering Will is the first character to demonstrate Formchanges. It can Formchange the Ends of the Earth into a variety of weapons, such as a whip, a Keyblade Glider, the Cannon Gun, and a drill.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

Terra, Aqua, Ventus, and No Heart can Formchange their Keyblades into Keyblade Gliders. Terra can also Formchange his Keyblade into the Ultima Cannon, which Terra-Xehanort inherits, and No Heart can Formchange its Keyblade into a variety of weapons such as greaves and a shield.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

Young Xehanort can Formchange his Keyblade into a whip during his fight against Riku.

Kingdom Hearts III

Sora's max-level Shotlocks incorporate his corresponding Keyblade's Formchanges. Lea can Formchange the Bond of the Blaze Keyblade into the Eternal Flames Chakrams. Young Xehanort also Formchanges his Keyblade into a whip during the fight against him, Xemnas, and Ansem, Seeker of Darkness. Master Xehanort can Formchange the χ-blade into cannons.

When fighting Terra-Xehanort, the Lingering Will Formchanges its Keyblade into a whip and the Ultima Cannon.

Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind

Young Xehanort's data replica can Formchange his Keyblade into a whip, and Master Xehanort's can Formchange the χ-blade into a variety of weapons, such as a whip, chakram, cannons or dual-sided blade.