Editing Formchange

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'''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.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/kingdom-hearts-iii-shows-sora-at-his-most-powerful/1100-6428251/ GameSpot: ''Kingdom Hearts III'' Shows Sora at His Most Powerful]</ref>

Guardian Form and Strike Form were originally referred to as {{nihongo|'''Guard Form'''|ガードフォーム|Gādo Fōmu}} and {{nihongo|'''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.<ref>[https://twitter.com/KINGDOMHEARTS/status/791654547542376448 ''Kingdom Hearts'' Official Twitter Reveals Guard Form Formchange]</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/KINGDOMHEARTS/status/791653741862719488 ''Kingdom Hearts'' Official Twitter Reveals Power Form Formchange]</ref>

==Mechanics==

Formchange is a mechanic that borrows cosmetic and technical concepts from [[Command Style]]s and [[Drive Form]]s 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 Command]]s 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 Change]]s 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]] 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 its time gauge, or the gauge of its finish command (if any).

Formchanges will also remain active with a frozen time gauge during [[Team Attack]]s, [[Attraction]]s, and [[Link Summon]]s (except Rage Form and Spellweaver). 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. However, Formchanges (like other Situation Commands) cannot be activated if the player is incapacitated by status effects like Stun, Freeze, or Burn.

Unlike Drive Forms, Formchanges do not carry over into most cutscenes.<ref>Exception are the cutscenes leading into the record player scene at [[Toy Box]], the following events with [[Rapunzel]] and the [[Chaos Carriage]] battle in [[Kingdom of Corona]], the [[Metal Troll]] and [[Catastrochorus]] battles at [[San Fransokyo]], and the battles against {{ns|Game|Master Xehanort}} in Scala ad Caelum.</ref> 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 Command]]s, 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==
[[File:Sora (Second Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Second Form]]
'''[[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.
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[[File:Sora (Guardian Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Guardian Form]]
'''[[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).
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[[File:Sora (Strike Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Strike Form]]
'''[[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), {{c|Highwind|Formchange}} and [[Storm Flag]] (Wheel of Fate).
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[[File:Sora (Element Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Element Form]]
'''[[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).
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[[File:Sora (Blitz Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Blitz Form]]
'''[[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 {{c|Frying Pan|Formchange}} (Grand Chef).
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[[File:Sora (Rage Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Rage Form]]
'''[[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.
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[[File:Sora (Ultimate Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Ultimate Form]]
'''[[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.
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[[File:Sora (Light Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Light Form]]
'''[[Light Form]]''' allows Sora to harness the power of light. It is triggered by [[Oathkeeper]].
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[[File:Sora (Dark Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Dark Form]]
'''[[Dark Form]]''' allows Sora to harness the power of darkness. It is triggered by [[Oblivion]].
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[[File:Sora (Double Form) KHIII.png|right|200x200px|Double Form]]
'''[[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.
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[[File:FC Sprite Spellweaver KHIII.png|right|200x200px|]]
'''[[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-]]'', albeit with slightly faster combo speed, and a Finish command available upon activation like Sora's Formchanges.
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==Other appearances==
===''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''===
[[File:Lingering Will Fighting Styles KHIIFM.png|thumb|250px|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 Glider]]s. 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 [[Young Xehanort's Keyblade|his Keyblade]] into a whip during his fight against [[Riku]].

===''Kingdom Hearts III''===
Sora's max-level [[Shotlock]]s 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.

==Notes and references==
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{{KH3}}
{{Form}}
{{Mechanics}}
[[de:Formänderung]]
[[fr:Changement de forme]]
[[Category:Forms]]