The D-Link menu allows the player to enable or disable D-Links and switch the Finish Commands equipped to them.

The Dimension Link (ディメンションリンク Dimenshon Rinku?), abbreviated to D-Link, is a feature similar to summoning that appears in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. It allows the user to summon another character's power from across the worlds.

StoryEdit

Kingdom Hearts Birth by SleepEdit

Aqua makes three Wayfinders, and she gives two of them to Terra and Ventus the night before she and Terra take the Mark of Mastery exam. After telling the legend behind the Wayfinder, she explains that she added some magic to the ones she made, representing an "unbreakable connection".

As the three of them journey from world to world, the bonds they make with those they meet along the way create D-Links, through the power of their Wayfinders.

UsageEdit

 
The D-Link Gauge.

A Dimension Link can only be activated when the blue D-Link Gauge is full. The gauge is located directly above the HP gauge, and it is filled by picking up blue D-Link prizes, or by using a Balloon Letter. The protagonists can activate D-Links by pressing   on the D-pad and selecting an enabled link from the list. D-Links cannot be activated if there are temporary allies in the party, and during the battle against Terra-Xehanort in Terra's scenario.

Activating a D-Link immediately restores all lost HP. While the link is active, the equipped Command Deck is replaced with the deck associated with the link. Additionally, the Command Gauge changes its appearance to reflect the linked character, and a sprite of the character appears above that of the player character. Upon filling the Command Gauge, the player can use a unique Finish command. While the link is active, the D-Link Gauge decreases continuously, and the link is broken when the gauge is completely empty. Alternatively, the player can deactivate the D-Link early by selecting "Revert" from the D-Link menu, by leaving the area, or by bringing up the main menu.

 
The D-Link emblem resembles a Wayfinder.

While the player character is using a D-Link, defeated enemies have a chance of dropping a special emblem (シンボルマーク Shinboru Māku?, lit. "Symbol Mark") that can be collected to raise the D-Link's level, expanding its Command Deck and unlocking a unique ability, as represented by the symbols to the left of the linked companion's sprite. Bringing the link up to Level 2 expands the deck again, adds a second ability, and grants access to a more powerful Finish command. Once a D-Link has reached Level 2, any additional emblems collected simply restore the D-Link Gauge.

D-Links can be disabled from being used in-battle from the main menu, under "D-Links". This can be used to shorten the D-Link menu, making it easier to select the desired link quickly.

In the PSP releases of the game, the player can create custom D-Links based on their friends' characters at the Mirage Arena, using the PSP's wireless connection. This feature is not present in the Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX release due to the removal of multiplayer. These D-Links can also be removed or replaced at player discretion. The custom D-Link will operate as a variant of the Terra, Ventus, or Aqua D-Links, depending on which character their friend is using, but its Command Deck and Finish Command will match whatever commands the friend had equipped when the D-Link was created. Regardless of level, these D-Links' sprites are an armored version of the character the friend is playing as. Like the standard Terra, Ventus, and Aqua D-Links, it can be leveled up by collecting emblems, unlocking the appropriate abilities as well as any Advanced or Ultimate commands that were part of the Command Deck. However, the player cannot use any commands that their character wouldn't be able to use in normal gameplay (e.g., Terra cannot use a Faith command within the custom deck).

List of D-LinksEdit

D-Link Description Abilities Obtained Character
1 emblem 2 emblems
  Rushing attacks.   Overdrive   Auto-Block Clear the Land of Departure V A
  Blast of wind.   Haste   Auto-Counter Clear the Land of Departure T A
  Magic of each element.   Magic Deflector   Auto-Life Clear the Land of Departure T V
  HP Recovery   Auto-Teleport   Double EXP V: Defeat Vanitas at the Badlands
A: Defeat the Unversed at the Front Doors
V A
  Fire attacks.   Magic Boost   Shell Clear the Mysterious Tower V A
  Charge at enemies.   Protect   Stun Boost Clear the Mysterious Tower V A
  Unique moves for each of the dwarfs.   Gauge Boost   Quickload Clear Dwarf Woodlands V A
  Fairy magic.   Auto-Remedy   Regen Clear Castle of Dreams T V A
  Fire and sleep attacks.   Focus Saver   Drain Reach Aurora's Chamber T
  Fiery spin attack.   Berserk   Attack Deflector Clear Olympus Coliseum T V A
  Thunder attacks.   Attack Boost   Double CP Clear Deep Space T V A
  Jumping attacks.   Float   Double Strike Clear Never Land T V A
  Spin attack that causes status effects.   Munny Plus   Steal Finish a Command Board game from the menu in which either the "Captain Justice" or "Captain Dark" special events are activated[1] T V A
  Available during the battle against Vanitas at the Dive to the Heart V
    Overdrive   Auto-Block Link with another player's Terra in the Mirage Arena[2] T V A
    Haste   Auto-Counter Link with another player's Ventus in the Mirage Arena[2] T V A
    Magic Deflector   Auto-Life Link with another player's Aqua in the Mirage Arena[2] T V A

Notes and referencesEdit

  1. ^ Not available in the original Japanese version.
  2. ^ a b c Only available in the PSP versions of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix.