Thunder (element)

Thunder (サンダー), often referred to as Lightning or Electricity, is a recurring element that appears in the Kingdom Hearts series. It is generally opposed to Water. The Thunder element is associated with the Lightning material and the Jolt and, sometimes, Stun status effects. In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, it is the opposite of Aero.

Attacks and abilities
Throughout the Kingdom Hearts series, party members and enemies alike use attacks and abilities that inflict Thunder damage. Most prominently is the series of Thunder magic, which has appeared in every game as an offensive spell available to playable characters and some party members. Party members also can occasionally use other Thunder-element abilities, either fully original moves or variations on Thunder magic. In a number of games, other Thunder-element attacks are also available to the player, such as Thunder Roll, Exo Spark, and Thunderstorm.

There are also a number of passive abilities that either boost the power of Thunder-type abilities or defend against Thunder-type damage.

Thunder Resistance
Thunder Resistance is a recurring stat in the Kingdom Hearts series. Increasing it through various means will reduce the amount of damage taken from Thunder attacks. In most games in the series, Thunder Resistance can be raised by equipping accessories or, in Kingdom Hearts II, armor. In Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, some enemy cards grant resistance or weakness to Thunder as a secondary effect. Thunder Resistance is raised in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance by equipping the Thunder Screen ability, and in Kingdom Hearts Re:coded by equipping Thunder Resistance Stat Chips in the Stat Matrix (see above).

In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, lightning resistance only protects against the jolt status, not against Fire damage.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

 * Thunder Charm: 30%
 * Full Circle: 20%
 * Might Crown: 10%
 * Master's Circle: 100%
 * Stolen Thunder: 100%

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
In Kingdom Hearts 3D, Dream Eaters have a natural resistance or weakness to Thunder, and Spirits will gain a boost in Thunder Resistance if certain Deck Commands are added to their recipes, as detailed below:

Enemies
Thunder Resistance is a major stat for Kingdom Hearts enemies. Enemies that use Thunder-element attacks are generally resistant to Thunder damage, and some even absorb it to heal themselves. Thunder-element attacks tend to be effective against water- or wind-themed enemies.

Enemies that use the Thunder element

 * Heartless
 * Yellow Opera
 * Invisible
 * Devastator
 * Reckless
 * Bookmaster
 * Wizard
 * Storm Rider
 * Groundshaker
 * Blitz Spear
 * Orcus
 * Infernal Engine


 * Nobodies
 * Larxene


 * Unversed
 * Yellow Mustard
 * Triple Wrecker
 * Trinity Armor


 * Other
 * Ursula
 * Maleficent
 * Vanitas
 * Master Xehanort
 * Jafar
 * Genie Jafar
 * Julius

Themes
Several recurring elements in the Kingdom Hearts series incorporate Thunder into their design or conceptualization.

The Jolt status effect is closely associated with Thunder in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, in which Thunder-themed equipment, abilities and accessories allow the player to inflict enemies with or protect the player from receiving an Jolt status.

The Lightning synthesis materials are said to contain the essence of thunder.

Weapon Gummi Blocks in Kingdom Hearts and some Lock-On Gummi Blocks in Kingdom Hearts II are named after Thunder magic.

Certain weapons and accessories are associated with Thunder. A number of Larxene's knives are given names associated with electricity.

Goofy's Seven Elements, which represents the seven types of magic appearing in Kingdom Hearts, includes a circular portion adorned with lightning bolts, representing Thunder.

The accessories and armor that protect specifically against Thunder damage and Jolting are named after the Thunder series of magic, the Thunder-element summon Ramuh, or other thunder-related terms. The Shock Charm accessory is based on Larxene's Foudre.

Origin
Lightning is a recurring element in the Final Fantasy series. It is one of the earliest elements introduced, and forms a trifecta with the elements of Fire and Ice. Mechanical and aquatic enemies are typically weak to this element. It is usually the opposing element of Water, but occasionally it can be the opposing element of Poison and Ice.