Ars Arcanum

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In the Kingdom Hearts version of Ars Arcanum, the Keyblade in enveloped in a shining aura.

Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu, lit. "Last Arcanum"), known as "Last Arcanum" in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX, is a technique introduced in Kingdom Hearts. 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 activated by selecting the Arcanum (アルカナム, Arukanamu) command. Sora launches a seven-hit combo, during which he is invulnerable to damage, at which point he is given the option to perform Bash (ブレイク, Bureiku, lit. "Break") to execute a follow-up slash. After five successful Bash attacks, the Finish (ジ・エンド, Ji Endo, lit. "The End") command will appear, triggering a final, somersaulting strike. The ability costs 4 AP to equip and 3 MP to use. In the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX release, the commands are implemented as Reaction Commands. It should be noted that the Bash and Finish commands drop the invincibility that Sora has during the rush of the first seven blows, so it can be risky to continue the attack. The seventh blow of the initial rush and all the subsequent commands can land critical hits.

In Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, the Keyblade does not have an aura during Ars Arcanum, and the animations are more limited.

In Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, Ars Arcanum is an attack sleight that delivers eight powerful blows, followed by a forward somersaulting slash (the somersault also is more pronounced due to Sora leaping at a higher height than the original version). 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. Its card combination is:

+ + (1-6)

File:Ars Arcanum KHIIFM.gif

In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Last Arcanum 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.

Ventus's version of the combo involves more acrobatics and slashes than others.

In Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Ars Arcanum is an Ultimate attack command 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%. Template:Section-stub

In Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Ars Arcanum consists of several quick slashes, and is finished by slamming the Keyblade down into the ground.

In Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Ars Arcanum is an attack command 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.

Learning Ars Arcanum

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.

Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories

• Sora can learn Ars Arcanum when he reaches level 42.

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

• 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.
• Sora or Riku can purchase Ars Arcanum from the Skelterwild Ability Link.

Recipes

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 type F recipe.
  • Aerial Slam (LV4) + Blitz (LV4)
• The second recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a type C recipe that has a 10% chance of transforming from Aerial Slam.
  • Aerora (LV3) + Fire Strike (LV3)
• The third recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a type G recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Slot Edge.
  • Cura (LV2) + Blizzard Edge (LV2)
• The fourth recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a type P recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Slot Edge.
  • Cura (LV2) + Poison Edge (LV2)
• The fifth recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a type H recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Blizzard Edge.
  • Quick Blitz (LV2) + Blizzara (LV2)
• The sixth recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a type G recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Blizzard Edge.
  • Quick Blitz (LV2) + Blizzard (LV2)
• The seventh recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a type O recipe that has a 10% chance of transforming from Blitz.
  • Quick Blitz (LV3) + Slot Edge (LV3)
• The eighth recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a type G recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Blizzard Edge.
  • Sliding Dash (LV2) + Blizzara (LV2)
• The ninth recipe can be melded by Ventus, and is a type E recipe that has a 5% chance of transforming from Blizzard Edge.
  • Sliding Dash (LV2) + Blizzard (LV2)

Other appearances

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".

See also

• Final Arcana
• Ars Solum