Ars Arcanum

Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム) is an ability introduced in Kingdom Hearts. It allows the user to attack enemies with a massive combo attack.

Mechanics
In Kingdom Hearts, Ars Arcanum is a special ability activated by selecting the Arcanum (アルカナム) command. After the initial seven-hit combo, the Bash (ブレイク) command will appear. Selecting it will make Sora execute a follow-up slash. After five successful Bash attacks, the Finish (ジ・エンド) command will appear, triggering a final, forward somersaulting strike. The ability costs 4 AP to equip and 3 MP to use. Unlike Sora's other unique abilites, like with Ragnarok, Sora is only invincible during the initial portions of the attack, and will lose invincibility should he activate the followup commands, making it a risky limit to fully execute.

In Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, it is an Attack Sleight. Sora does a automatic rapid series of eight blows, finishing with a high forward somersaulting slash afterwards. However, in Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, it acts akin to its original version as additional strikes can be added by pressing when prompted. Pressing the button at the wrong time cancels the combo.

In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, it is an Action Ability that can be accessed from the Limit menu while in Limit Form. After the initial seven-hit combo, up to five additional strikes can be added with the Break Reaction Command, followed by the final strike, which is activated by the Reaction Command The End. It costs 75 MP to use.

In Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, it is an Ultimate attack command 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%. This version of the combo involves more acrobatics and slashes than the others.

In Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Ars Arcanum is an attack command that uses two slots in the Commnad Deck, and has a reload time of 36 seconds. It is used by Sora only.

Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts Final Mix

 * 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.
 * Its card combination is:

Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories

 * Sora can learn Ars Arcanum when he reaches level 42.
 * Its card combination is:

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

 * Limit Form has Ars Arcanum as a Limit.

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 Cortorted City.
 * Sora or Riku can purchase Ars Arcanum from the Lord Kyroo Ability Link.

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.
 * The first recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a recipe.
 * Aerial Slam (LV4) + Blitz (LV4)
 * The second recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a recipe that has a 10% chance of transforming from Aerial Slam when Ventus melds it.
 * Aerora (LV3) + Fire Strike (LV3)
 * The third recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Slot Edge when Ventus melds it.
 * Cura (LV2) + Blizzard Edge (LV2)
 * The fourth recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Slot Edge when Ventus melds it.
 * Cura (LV2) + Poison Edge (LV2)
 * The fifth recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Blizzard Edge when Ventus melds it.
 * Quick Blitz (LV2) + Blizzara (LV2)
 * The sixth recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Blizzard Edge when Ventus melds it.
 * Quick Blitz (LV2) + Blizzard (LV2)
 * The seventh recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a recipe that has a 10% chance of transforming from Blitz when Ventus melds it.
 * Quick Blitz (LV3) + Slot Edge (LV3)
 * The eighth recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Blizzard Edge when Ventus melds it.
 * Sliding Dash (LV2) + Blizzara (LV2)
 * The ninth recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Blizzard Edge when Ventus melds it.
 * Sliding Dash (LV2) + Blizzard (LV2)

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

Etymology
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".

Trivia

 * As a possible foreshadowing and nod to the series' affinity for the number 13, Ars Arcanum does a total of 13 hits, with the sole exception of the Chain of Memories version which only does 9 hits in total.