Ars Arcanum

Ars Arcanum, translated as Final Arcana in Kingdom Hearts II and Last Arcanum in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX, is a technique introduced in . It allows the user to attack enemies with a flurry of powerful attacks, typically thirteen in number.

Mechanics
In Kingdom Hearts, Ars Arcanum is a Special Ability that Sora can use while on the ground against a target at close range. It lets Sora unleash a flurry of up to thirteen slashes. Sora is invulnerable during the technique. Selecting the Arcanum (アルカナム) command from the last command bar executes the initial attack, an additional five attacks can be added by selecting the Bash (ブレイク) command each time it becomes available, and the final, more powerful finishing strike is executed by selecting the Finis (ジ・エンド) command when it appears. The final hit of "Arcanum", as well as those of "Bash" and "Finis", can land critical hits. In the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX release of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, the initial Arcanum command, the Bash followups, and the Finis finisher are all implemented as Reaction Commands, but Bash and Finis do not provide invulnerability. Ars Arcanum costs 4 to equip and 3 MP to use.

In Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, Ars Arcanum is an attack sleight that delivers eight powerful blows, followed by a forward somersaulting slash. In Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, it follows the original version more closely and is harder to interrupt, and five additional strikes can be added by pressing when prompted, but pressing the button at the wrong time cancels the combo.

In Kingdom Hearts II, Final Arcana is a limit that is exclusive to "Master" Genie. The limit begins with Arcana, in which Sora and Genie clutch arms and whirl around in large circles. Afterwards, Bash causes Genie to transform into a large head that spins around, while shooting magical bullets.

In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Last Arcanum is also an action ability exclusive to Limit Form. It is a limit that is equipped by default and costs 75 MP to use. It is automatically assigned to in the shortcuts menu. On activation, Sora performs the initial seven-hit combo, and up to five more strikes can be executed through the  Reaction Command. Afterwards, the Reaction Command is replaced with  to perform the final attack. Sora is invulnerable during the initial seven-hit combo.

In Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Ars Arcanum is an Ultimate exclusive to Ventus that takes up two slots, has a maximum level of 6, has a normal reload time of 25 seconds, and fills the Command Gauge by 6%. If used in midair, he will return to the ground before performing the combo.

In Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Ars Arcanum is an exclusive to Sora that uses two slots in the Command Deck and has a reload time of 36 seconds. It grants +4 to Strength when attached to a Dream Eater recipe. Unlike prior incarnations, this version of the attack no longer requires button prompts for the whole combo, and can also be used in midair. This version of Ars Arcanum deals the most hits of all its appearances.

In Kingdom Hearts Union χ, Ars Arcanum is a that targets a single enemy. It costs 2 special attack gauges to perform. It inflicts more damage the higher 's HP.

In Kingdom Hearts III, Ars Arcanum is the third-level Finish command for Second Form. Similar to Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, this version of Ars Arcanum can be used in the air, but has animations reminiscent of its previous incarnations. Sora begins with the initial seven slashes before the  command appears allowing for five more hits. Upon pressing , Sora performs a series of weaker hits bringing the enemy slightly higher into the air before following up with a final blow that slams his foe towards the ground. The last hit from  does greater damage when performed in the air due to the resulting shockwave. Sora remains invulnerable during the attack's duration.

In Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory, Ars Arcanum is an Ability used by Sora. It is triggered when activating an Ability Crystal against a grounded foe, and consists of Sora performing multiple horizontal slashes before slashing upwards and slamming the Keyblade down on a foe, vanquishing it. During the final battle against Master Xehanort, Sora has Ars Arcanum as an Ability that may trigger when activating an Ability Crystal. As in Kingdom Hearts III, Sora performs multiple weak hits while rising into the air before finishing with a ground slam.

Kingdom Hearts

 * Sora learns Ars Arcanum after defeating Captain Hook in Neverland.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories

 * Sora can learn Ars Arcanum when he reaches level 37.
 * Sora can learn Ars Arcanum when he reaches level 42.

Kingdom Hearts II

 * "Master" Genie has Final Arcana as his Limit.

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

 * "Master" Genie has Final Arcana as his Limit.
 * Limit Form has Last Arcanum as a Limit ability.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

 * Ventus can create Ars Arcanum through Command Melding.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

 * Sora can obtain Ars Arcanum from a chest at the Contorted City.
 * Sora or Riku can purchase Ars Arcanum from the Lord Kyroo Ability Link for 10 LP.
 * Sora or Riku can purchase Ars Arcanum from the Skelterwild Ability Link for 400 LP.

Kingdom Hearts Union χ

 * Ars Arcanum +2 is the special attack for medals and.
 * Ars Arcanum +3 is the special attack for medals and.
 * Ars Arcanum +4 is the special attack for medals and.
 * Ars Arcanum +5 is the special attack for medals and.

Kingdom Hearts III

 * Second Form has Ars Arcanum as its third-level finisher.

Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory

 * Ars Arcanum can be triggered by activating an ability crystal as Team Classic.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Ars Arcanum is an Ultimate-class Attack Command that can be melded through nine different recipes, listed in the Giga Attack Recipe.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Although Ars Arcanum cannot be performed by any playable character,     can perform a modified version of Ars Arcanum in her third form.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper
Ars Arcanum appears in  as one of Sora's Soul Breaks. It allows him to deliver eight physical fire, lightning, and ice attacks to an enemy, temporarily raise his Attack a moderate amount and Defense a small amount, and gain Haste and Burst Mode.

Origin
Ars Arcanum gets its name from the Latin ars meaning 'technique', 'skill' or 'art' and arcanum meaning 'secret'. Its Japanese name is "Last Arcanum", meaning "Last Secret".