Kingdom Hearts Magic and Summons FAQ

Kingdom Hearts Magic and Summons FAQ
Version 3.2 (8/19/03)
by Varie

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Table of Contents
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I. Introduction

II. Magic Questions and Answers
1. What magic spells are in this game?
2. Where and how can I obtain these spells?
3. How much MP does it cost to cast these spells?
4. What determines the strength of my magic?
5. Why doesn't magic work as well against bosses, etc.?
6. How much HP does Cure magic restore?
7. How can I do 100% damage with Gravity magic?
8. How long does Stop magic last?
9. How long does Aero magic last?
10. What other practical uses for magic are there?

III. Summons Questions and Answers
11. Who are the summoned characters in this game?
12. Where and how do I obtain these summons?
13. How do I call summons into battle?
14. What are the side effects of using summons?
15. How much MP does it cost to call each summon?
16. What is the Cheer ability, and how do I get it?
17. How long do summons last?
18. How do I use Simba's Proud Roar attack?
19. How do I use Genie's Showtime attack?
20. How do I use Dumbo's Splash attack?
21. How do I use Mushu's Fire Breath attack?
22. How much HP does Tinker Bell restore?
23. What items does Bambi drop?

IV. MP Questions and Answers
24. How does the MP charge gauge work?
25. How much MP do MP balls restore?
26. Which items restore MP?
27. Which abilities help restore MP?
28. Which weapons and accessories boost MP?

V. Credits
VI. Version History
VII. Contact information

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I. Introduction
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This FAQ answers questions about magic and summons in Kingdom Hearts
(US version). Most of the data was translated from the Kingdom Hearts
Ultimania, which is a guide for the original Japanese game. All of the
formulas in the "Questions and Answers" sections of this FAQ have been
tested for accuracy.

*** This FAQ includes spoilers. ***

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II. Magic Questions and Answers
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1. What magic spells are in this game?

There are 7 magic types, each with 3 spell levels. Magic descriptions
can be viewed in Sora's customize menu.

Fire : Unleashes a small burst of flame.
Fira : Unleashes a potent burst of flame.
Firaga: Unleashes an incredible burst of flame.

Blizzard: Unleashes a gust of frost.
Blizzara: Unleashes a gust of frost. Longer range than Blizzard.
Blizzaga: Unleashes a gust of frost. Longest range.

Thunder : Calls bolts of lightning to the target area.
Thundara: Calls a powerful lightning storm to the target area.
Thundaga: Calls a great maelstrom of lightning to the target area.

Cure : Restores a little HP to one character.
Cura : Restores a lot of HP to one character.
Curaga: Restores a massive amount of HP to one character.

Gravity: Wrings a percentage of HP from the target.
Effective against enemies with lots of HP.
Gravira: Wrings a percentage of HP from the target.
Wider area of effect than Gravity.
Graviga: Wrings a percentage of HP from the target.
Wider area of effect than Gravira.

Stop : Prevents target from taking action for a limited time.
Stopra: Prevents target from taking action for a limited time.
Wide area of effect.
Stopga: Prevents target from taking action for a limited time.
Widest area of effect.

Aero : Deploys a barrier that absorbs damage.
Aerora: Deploys a barrier that absorbs damage.
Damages enemies on contact.
Aeroga: Deploys a barrier that absorbs damage.
Deflects certain attacks.

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2. Where and how can I obtain these spells?

To obtain new spells and upgrades, you must complete certain events.
These events are listed below according to magic type.

For each magic type: the 1st spell you obtain will always be the basic
spell. After clearing another event, your magic will be upgraded to
the 2nd level (-ra) spell. You receive the 3rd level (-ga) spell
upgrade after clearing all 3 events.

*** Spoilers included! ***

Fire magic:
Traverse Town, defeat Guard Armor
Agrabah, defeat Jafar (2nd time)
Hollow Bastion, seal keyhole

Blizzard magic:
Wonderland, collect the Claw Marks evidence or seal keyhole
Agrabah, defeat Jafar (1st time)
Olympus Coliseum, defeat Behemoth in Hades Cup

Thunder magic:
Olympus Coliseum, complete barrel challenge
Atlantica, defeat Ursula (2nd time)
Olympus Coliseum, defeat Cerberus in Hades Cup

Cure magic:
Deep Jungle, defeat Clayton
Neverland, automatically obtained on ship deck
Hollow Bastion, talk to Aerith in the Library
at least 3 times

Gravity magic:
Olympus Coliseum, win Phil Cup
Halloween Town, seal keyhole
Olympus Coliseum, defeat Hades in Hades Cup

Stop magic:
Monstro, defeat Parasite Cage (2nd time)
Hundred Acre Wood, complete Pooh's Swing mini game by
finding Eeyore's tail, and the Torn Page
will turn into the spell upgrade
Neverland, defeat Phantom

Aero magic:
Traverse Town, defeat Opposite Armor
Neverland, use yellow trinity to open the door and
open the treasure chest on the shelf inside
Traverse Town, rescue all 99 Dalmatian puppies and collect
the spell upgrade from Pongo and Perdita

Collect all 7 first level spells and talk to Merlin to receive Sora's
Spellbinder key chain. Collect all 7 third level (-ga) spells to
receive Donald's Dream Rod.

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3. How much MP does it cost to cast these spells?

Using Fire and Blizzard magic decreases your yellow MP charge gauge
first. Using any other magic decreases your blue MP gauge.

Fire magic: 1 charge unit
Blizzard magic: 1 charge unit
Thunder magic: 1 MP
Cure magic: 1 MP
Gravity magic: 1 MP
Stop magic: 2 MP
Aero magic: 2 MP

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4. What determines the strength of my magic?

Magic power is based on your MP stat. This is similar to how the
strength of physical attacks is determined by your STR stat. The
greater Sora's MP stat is, the more powerful his magic is.

Sora's maximum possible MP is determined by the power he chooses at
the very beginning of the game. If he chooses to keep the Staff, he
will have 2 MP more by the end of the game. Please refer to the Level
Information FAQ for details.

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5. Why doesn't magic work as well against bosses, etc.?

Enemies can have different weaknesses and resistances to magic. In
general, bosses have a higher resistance to magic attacks than normal
enemies. Some bosses are completely immune to magic attacks.

Enemies that use magic usually cannot be hurt by magic attacks of the
same type. For example, Red Nocturnes absorb Fire magic.

After Hollow Bastion, almost all enemies have a greater resistance to
Gravity and Stop magic.

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6. How much HP does Cure magic restore?

You can use these formulas to calculate how much HP Cure, Cura, and
Curaga spells will restore based on the magic-user's MP stat (MaxMP).

Cure = (MaxMP x 3) + 6
Cura = (MaxMP x 3) + 18
Curaga = (MaxMP x 3) + 30

Note: These formulas are not the same as the one listed in the
Ultimania guide.

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7. How can I do 100% damage with Gravity magic?

Before Hollow Bastion, you can use these formulas to calculate
Gravity magic's damage percentage.

Gravity = (MaxMP x 5) + 40 %
Gravira = (MaxMP x 5) + 55 %
Graviga = (MaxMP x 5) + 70 %

If Sora's MP stat is at least 9, then Gravira will kill most normal
enemies with one hit. To get Sora's MP stat up to 9, you can equip MP
boosting accessories or keyblade.

After Hollow Bastion, Gravity magic is less effective for most enemies,
so these formulas no longer apply. I've tested Graviga on various
enemies, and found that Sora's MP stat needs to be at least 11 to kill
enemies with one hit. For some stronger enemies, such as Defenders,
Sora's MP stat must be at least 13.

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8. How long does Stop magic last?

Before Hollow Bastion, Stop, Stopra, and Stopga spells will remain in
effect for (MaxMP + 2) seconds.

After Hollow Bastion, almost all enemies have a greater resistance to
Stop magic, so the effect time is less.

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9. How long does Aero magic last?

Aero, Aerora, and Aeroga spells last for (MaxMP + 18) seconds.

Aero barriers disappear when you call a summon into battle. They also
disappear when you leave the area.

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10. What other practical uses for magic are there?

Fire magic can light fireplaces, lamps, and candles. It can also burn
away obstacles like cobwebs. Blizzard magic can extinguish fires and
freeze water bubbles. Thunder magic can start electricity. Gravity
magic can lower floating platforms and other high objects.

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III. Summons Questions and Answers
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11. Who are the summoned characters in this game?

The summoned characters are Simba, Genie, Bambi, Dumbo, Tinker Bell,
and Mushu. There are Journal entries for each of these characters.
Four of the summoned characters use attacks, while the other two
restore the party.

Attacks
Simba: Proud Roar hits all enemies on the area map.
Genie: Showtime hits multiple enemies with a variety of attacks.
Dumbo: Splash douses enemies in front of Dumbo.
Mushu: Fire Breath shoots fireballs at the enemy.

Restore
Tinker Bell: Heals the party and revives Sora from KO status once.
Bambi: Drops MP balls and various items.

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12. Where and how do I obtain these summons?

*** Spoilers included! ***

Simba, Bambi, Dumbo, and Mushu are acquired from summon gems. After
you deliver the Old Book to Merlin, bring these gems to the Fairy
Godmother. She will turn the gems into summons that Sora can call into
battle. Here is a list of the 4 summon gems and where they are
obtained.

Earthshine (Simba): Traverse Town
Talk to Leon in the Secret Waterway.

Naturespark (Bambi): Hundred Acre Wood
Play Pooh's Hunny Hunt mini game once. You must find at least one
Torn Page to open up this mini game. The Torn Page will turn into
Naturespark.

Watergleam (Dumbo): Monstro
Find in treasure chest in Mouth. If you leave Monstro before
getting Watergleam, you can go back later for it. Monstro appears
randomly, so just keep trying until he shows up.

Fireglow (Mushu): Hollow Bastion
Defeat Maleficent (Dragon).

Genie joins your party after Sora seals the Agrabah keyhole.
Tinker Bell joins your party after Sora seals the Neverland keyhole.

Collect all 6 summons and talk to the Fairy Godmother to receive
Donald's Lord Fortune weapon.

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13. How do I call summons into battle?

Summons can only be used after a battle starts. First, select Magic on
Sora's command menu, then Summon to access a list of the summons you
have. Then you can choose the summon you want to use.

Summoned characters will stay with Sora until their MP gauge reaches
zero or they are dismissed. To stop using a summon, select the Magic
command again, then use the Dismiss command.

Each summon can only be called once per battle. Sora must have the
necessary amount of MP to call a summon. Also, there must be three
party members in battle, with no party members KO'd.

Sora is not allowed to use summons during the Olympus Coliseum
competitions. Summons also cannot be used in Atlantica.

In Neverland, Sora cannot call a summon while he is flying. Sora can
start flying after a summon is called, but if Sora flies somewhere and
Simba or Bambi cannot follow, they will leave the battle.

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14. What are the side effects of using summons?

Using summons limits the options that are available to you during
battle.

While the summoned character is present, your two other party members
disappear. This is true for all of the summons except Tinker Bell.
When the summon leaves, your friends will drop back into the area.

Sora cannot use special attacks while the summoned character is
present. Special attacks are Sonic Blade, Strike Raid, Ars Arcanum,
Ragnarok, and Trinity Limit. These options simply won't appear in
Sora's command menu while using a summon.

You cannot go to another area map while using a summon. Before you can
exit the area, you must dismiss the summon.

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15. How much MP does it cost to call each summon?

Bambi: 1 MP
Simba: 2 MP
Genie: 2 MP
Dumbo: 3 MP
Mushu: 3 MP
Tinker Bell: 3 MP

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16. What is the Cheer ability, and how do I get it?

The Cheer ability increases the summons' MP gauge, giving them more
time and attacks per battle. Equip Cheer to the entire party too boost
the effect.

*** Spoilers included! ***

To obtain Sora's Cheer ability, you must to beat the following scores
in the Hundred Acre Wood mini games. Afterwards, talk to Owl by Pooh's
house to receive Sora's Cheer ability.

Pooh's Hunny Hunt: over 100 licks
Block Tigger: over 150 points
Pooh's Swing: over 40 yards
Tigger's Giant Pot: within 30 seconds
Pooh's Muddy Path: within 5 minutes

Goofy gets the Cheer ability after you defeat the Parasite Cage (1st
time) in Monstro. Donald gets the Cheer ability after you defeat
Maleficent at Hallow Bastion. Aladdin and Jack also have the Cheer
ability.

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17. How long do summons last?

The maximum time it takes for a summoned character's MP gauge to reach
zero can be calculated according to the formulas below. The MP gauge
decreases faster when a summon's attack is used.

Summon's maximum MP =
(Sora's MP stat) + (# of party members with Cheer ability equipped)

For Bambi and Dumbo:
Maximum time = (Summon's maximum MP) x 5 seconds

For Simba, Genie, and Mushu:
Maximum time = (Summon's maximum MP) x 8.3 seconds

For example, say Sora's MP stat is 14, and Sora, Donald and Goofy all
have Cheer equipped. Then Bambi's summon will last for 85 seconds.
Genie's summon will last as long as 141 seconds, but only if he never
uses Showtime.

Tinker Bell is an exception because she doesn't have an MP gauge.
Tinker Bell stays with Sora until she is dismissed or she revives Sora
from KO status.

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18. How do I use Simba's Proud Roar attack?

Simba's Proud Roar hits all enemies on the area map, so there's no need
to target anything. When Simba is summoned, the Charge Up command
appears in the 4th slot in Sora's command menu. Select Charge Up and
hold down the X button to fill Simba's blue charge gauge. When the
Proud Roar command appears, release the X button to activate Simba's
attack. Hold the X button down longer for a more powerful attack.
Using Proud Roar decreases Simba's MP gauge by 1 MP.

While Sora is charging up, he cannot move and is vulnerable to enemy
attacks. If Sora is hit before activating Proud Roar, Simba's charge
gauge falls back down to zero. To avoid being interrupted, try to go
someplace where the enemies' attacks won't reach.

Each time Simba's charge gauge is filled by 1 unit, Simba and Sora's
keyblade flash with light. The number of units in Simba's charge gauge
is equal to half of Simba's maximum MP, with a maximum of 5 units.

Proud Roar's attack type depends on how much Simba's charge gauge is
filled. Charge up 1 or 2 units for a normal type Proud Roar attack.
Charge up 3 or 4 units for a KO type Proud Roar attack that can stun
enemies. Charge up a full 5 units for a Gravity type Proud Roar attack
(over 300% damage) that eliminates every enemy on the map.

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19. How do I use Genie's Showtime attack?

Lock-on to a target and the Showtime command will become available in
the 4th slot in Sora's command menu. Use Showtime and Genie will
perform a continuous stream of attacks. Genie will hit all enemies
within a given range, as indicated by his face icon on the targets.
Using Showtime decreases Genie's MP gauge by 1 MP.

Genie's Showtime is a combination of different attacks. Genie casts
Gravity, Thunder, and Stop magic, and also shoots out pink, yellow, and
blue energy balls. The yellow energy ball sometimes stuns enemies.
The pink and blue energy balls are normal type attacks.

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20. How do I use Dumbo's Splash attack?

While Dumbo is summoned, Sora rides on Dumbo's head. Press the circle
button to have Dumbo ascend, and the square button to descend. In
Neverland, Dumbo can fly as high as Sora can.

Splash replaces the Attack command in Sora's command menu. Use Splash
and Dumbo shoots out a blast of water that hits any enemy directly
front of him. Hold down the X button for a continuous attack. Dumbo's
MP gauge decreases twice as fast when using Splash.

Although Splash is a water attack, it is classified as a Blizzard type
attack.

Sora cannot use any commands besides Splash while Dumbo is summoned.
Fortunately, Sora won't take any damage while riding on Dumbo.

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21. How do I use Mushu's Fire Breath attack?

When Mushu is summoned, Fire Breath replaces the Attack command in
Sora's command menu. Use Fire Breath and Mushu will shoot 3 quick
fireballs at the target. Hold down the X button for a continuous
attack. Mushu's MP gauge decreases faster when using Fire Breath.

Like Firaga, Fire Breath has a long range and can home in on targets
above Sora. Naturally, Fire Breath is a Fire type attack.

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22. How much HP does Tinker Bell restore?

When Tinker Bell heals a party member, the amount of HP recovered is
equal to Sora's MP stat. Tinker Bell rotates between your 3 party
members, healing one person at a time. She heals someone about once
every 2 seconds.

Tinker Bell prevents Sora from being KO'd, but only once. If Sora's HP
falls to zero, Tinker Bell immediately restores all of Sora's HP and
leaves the battle. There is no delay in the battle when Tinker Bell
revives Sora.

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23. What items does Bambi drop?

Bambi always drops MP balls, and Sora's MP stat determines which MP
balls Bambi drops.
4 or less MP = small MP balls
5 or 6 MP = both small and large MP balls
7 or more MP = large MP balls

While Bambi is summoned, Sora must kill enemies to charge Bambi's blue
gauge. When that gauge is completely filled, Bambi drops an item. It
takes 6 enemies to completely fill Bambi's gauge once.

The list below shows the items Bambi drops when summoned at different
locations. The 1st time Bambi's gauge is filled, Bambi will drop one
item, and so on. The percentage is the chance that Bambi will drop
that item. The items and percentages for the 3rd time apply for all
successive item drops.

Traverse Town
1st time: Hi-Potion (100%)
2nd time: Ether (100%), Blaze Shard (40%)
3rd time: Mega-Potion (100%), Blaze Shard (60%), Blaze Gem (30%)

Wonderland
1st time: Hi-Potion (100%)
2nd time: Ether (100%), Frost Shard (40%)
3rd time: Mega-Potion (100%), Frost Shard (60%), Frost Gem (30%)

Deep Jungle
1st time: Hi-Potion (100%)
2nd time: Ether (100%), Thunder Shard (40%)
3rd time: Mega-Potion (100%), Thunder Shard (60%), Thunder Gem (30%)

Agrabah
1st time: Hi-Potion (100%)
2nd time: Ether (100%), Bright Shard (40%)
3rd time: Mega-Potion (100%), Bright Shard (60%), Bright Gem (30%)

Monstro
1st time: Hi-Potion (100%)
2nd time: Ether (100%), Lucid Shard (40%)
3rd time: Mega-Potion (100%), Lucid Shard (60%), Lucid Gem (30%)

Halloween Town
1st time: Mega-Potion (100%)
2nd time: Mega-Ether (100%), Power Shard (40%)
3rd time: Elixir (100%), Power Shard (60%), Power Gem (30%)

Neverland
1st time: Mega-Potion (100%)
2nd time: Mega-Ether (100%), Spirit Shard (40%)
3rd time: Elixir (100%), Spirit Shard (60%), Spirit Gem (30%)

Hollow Bastion
1st time: Mega-Potion (100%)
2nd time: Mega-Ether (100%), Lucid Gem (40%)
3rd time: Elixir (100%), Lucid Gem (60%), Lucid Crystal (30%)

End of the World
1st time: Mega-Ether (100%)
2nd time: Elixir (100%), Mythril Shard (40%)
3rd time: Megalixir (100%), Mythril Shard (60%), Mythril (30%)

Bambi cannot be summoned in the Olympus Coliseum or Atlantica.

At the End of the World, none of the areas have enough enemies to
charge Bambi's gauge 3 times.

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IV. MP Questions and Answers
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24. How does the MP charge gauge work?

The MP charge gauge is the yellow line inside your blue MP gauge. This
gauge helps you recover MP during battle.

When you physically attack an enemy, your MP charge gauge fills up.
The amount that is filled depends on both the enemy you are attacking
and your character's level. Attacking more powerful enemies fills your
MP charge gauge more per hit. As your character's level increases,
your MP charge gauge fills less per hit.

The final hit of a combo fills the MP charge gauge by twice as much as
a regular hit. Counterattack fills the MP charge gauge a lot more than
a regular hit.

To recover 1 MP, you must fill the MP charge gauge by one unit more
than your current MP. For example, say you currently have 2 MP. When
you fill your MP charge gauge by 3 units, you will recover 1 MP. Your
current MP will now be 3, and your MP charge gauge will fall back down
to zero.

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25. How much MP do MP balls restore?

MP balls are the transparent blue balls dropped by defeated enemies.
Pick up these MP balls to raise your MP charge gauge.

Small MP balls fill your MP charge gauge by 1/15 of one charge unit.
Large MP balls fill 1/2 of one charge unit.

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26. Which items restore MP?

These 4 items can be equipped by party members and used during battle.

Ether: Restores 3 MP of one character.
Mega-Ether: Restores 3 MP of each party member.
Elixir: Fully restores a character's HP and MP.
Megalixir: Fully restores the party's HP and MP.

These 2 items can only be used from the menu.

Camping Set: Restores all HP and 3 MP of each party member.
Cottage: Fully restores the party's HP and MP.

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27. Which abilities help recover MP?

MP Haste: This ability boosts your MP recovery rate in battle. MP
Haste increases the amount that your MP charge gauge fills
when you hit an enemy. It costs 3 AP to equip. It can be
learned by Sora, Donald, Goofy, Ariel, and Peter Pan.

MP Rage: This ability helps you recover MP whenever you're hit in
battle. With one MP Rage equipped, your MP charge gauge
increases by half the length that your HP gauge decreases.
With two MP Rages equipped, your MP charge gauge increases by
the same length that your HP gauge decreases. This ability
costs 2 AP to equip. It can be learned by Sora, Donald,
Goofy, Ariel, Jack, and Beast.

MP Gift: This ability can only be learned by Goofy. Goofy sacrifices
1 MP to give another party member 3 MP. This ability costs
3 AP to equip.

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28. Which weapons and accessories boost MP?

Accessories:
Magic Armlet [max MP +1]
Rune Armlet [max MP +1]
Atlas Armlet [max MP +2]
Ray of Light [max MP +1]
Crystal Crown [max MP +1]

Keyblades:
Crabclaw [max MP +1]
Fairy Harp [max MP +1]
Spellbinder [max MP +2]
Lionheart [max MP +1]
Lady Luck [max MP +2]
Oathkeeper [max MP +1]
Ultima Weapon [max MP +2]

Staffs:
Magus Staff [max MP +1]
Wisdom Staff [max MP +1]
Lord Fortune [max MP +1]
Wizard's Relic [max MP +2]
Dream Rod [max MP +2]
Save the Queen [max MP +2]

Shields:
Defender [max MP +1]
Dream Shield [max MP +2]
Save the King [max MP +2]

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IV. Credits
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Sources for Questions and Answers:
* Kingdom Hearts game (all)
* BradyGames Kingdom Hearts official strategy guide (5, 7-8)
* Kingdom Hearts Ultimania guide (2-5, 7-10, 12-25)
* Wirewyrm (14)
* Linkin Park Rockz (2)

Thank you to Starion for helping me write this FAQ.
Thank you to Wirewyrm for pointing out that no special attacks can be
used during summons.
Thank you to Linkin Park Rockz for correcting how to obtain Blizzard
magic.
Thanks to Starion, Myst Erik Ery, and everyone on the Kingdom Hearts
message board for giving me question ideas for this FAQ.

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V. Version History
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1.0: First version. (10/18/02)
1.1: Added more questions to the Summons section. (10/21/02)
1.2: Added more explanation to question 2. (10/23/02)
1.3: Added more details for summons' attacks. (10/30/02)
2.0: Added question 14, plus other details. (11/1/02)
3.0: Added MP questions, more details to question 2. (11/25/02)
3.1: Added details to questions 2, 12, and 23. (2/24/03)
3.2: Added details to question 2. (8/19/03)

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VI. Contact Information
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If you have any questions or suggestions about this FAQ, please email
me at [email protected]. Please put "Kingdom Hearts" in the subject.

Copyrighted 2002 by Varie. Please do not distribute this guide
anywhere else.