Highlights
- Kingdom Hearts 2 is a lengthy game that tasks Sora with taking on Heartless and Nobodies to save the worlds.
- Sora gains new combat options and Keyblades in Kingdom Hearts 2, enhancing gameplay potential.
- Players can unlock powerful Keyblades like Guardian Soul and Ultima Weapon for strategic advantages.
Kingdom Hearts 2 proves to be one of the longer games in the series. With both Heartless and Nobodies overrunning each world, Sora and his friends must put in twice as much effort in saving the worlds from the forces of darkness.
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Of course, Kingdom Hearts doesn't limit itself to just more story and Disney worlds. Sora himself gains access to a slew of new combat options, including new Keyblades. While most of these Keyblades are fairly balanced, some outshine the rest through a combination of stats and abilities. Regardless of playstyle, these have a ton of potential in helping Sora drive out the darkness.
Updated June 22, 2024, by Justin Flynn: Kingdom Hearts 2 sees Sora embark on another perilous quest to save the worlds from those who would seek to do them harm, and with most entries in the series now available via Steam, even more gamers have a chance to dive in. Like in the first game, Sora gains access to a variety of different Keyblades throughout his journey in Kingdom Hearts 2, and though each is unique in its own way, some are clearly better than others. Those hoping to see Sora reach his full potential would do well to acquire the best Keyblades in Kingdom Hearts 2, but with so many to choose from, deciding what these are can be a little challenging.
14 Gull Wing
Provides A 100% Boost To Experience When HP Is Low
- Strength: 2
- Magic: 3
- Ability: Experience Boost
- How to Unlock: Speak to Yuna at the Postern in Hollow Bastion after the Battle of the 1,000 Heartless
The Gull Wing Keyblade may not seem like a great addition to Sora's arsenal in terms of stats, but players hoping to level up quickly would do well to keep it equipped. This particular weapon grants Sora an impressive 100% boost to his EXP intake when he is at critical HP, making it especially useful for those looking to make the Data Battles a tad easier.
Unlocked by speaking to the Gullwings after the Battle of the 1,000 Heartless, players can have access to the Gull Wing Keyblade for Sora's returning visits to the game's different Disney worlds. This can make grinding during the mid-game slightly less tedious, but those looking to ensure that the Experience Boost effect really pays off should equip Damage Control, Second Chance, and Once More, three abilities that will improve Sora's chance of survival while his HP is low.
13 Hero's Crest
Enhances The Damage Of Midair Finishers Relative To The Amount Of Hits In A Combo
- Strength: 4
- Magic: 0
- Ability: Air Combo Boost
- How to Get: Beat the Hydra in Olympus Coliseum during the first visit.
Sora acquires the Hero's Crest Keyblade after defeating the dreaded Hydra in Olympus Coliseum. This weapon's focus on physical attack is evident by its lack of a Magic boost. More specifically, it works wonders for aerial combos, as it deals a more powerful finishing move the longer the combo is.
Sora can wield the Hero's Crest normally to decent effect, but it pairs especially well with Master Form's aerial attacks. Despite it being available early on in the game, it remains useful throughout.
12 Bond Of Flame
Enhances The Power Of Fire-Based Attacks By 20%
- Strength: 4
- Magic: 4
- Ability: Fire Boost
- How to Unlock: Rewarded after defeating the Nobodies in Twilight Town's Betwixt and Between area.
The Bond of Flame Keyblade is easily one of the most visually captivating Keyblades that Kingdom Hearts 2 has to offer, and though it boasts relatively decent stats, it is unlocked at a point in the game where players may have access to better options.
By this point, those who have completed Halloween Town's second visit will have the superior Decisive Pumpkin to rely on. On top of that, the Oblivion Keyblade will be unlocked shortly after acquiring the Bond of Flame, resulting in it eventually being replaced. Still, for those who enjoy Kingdom Hearts 2's Magic system and have a particular fondness for the Fire spell, this Keyblade is sure to impress.
11 Oathkeeper
Provides A Magic Boost And Extends Drive Form Duration
- Strength: 3
- Magic: 3
- Ability: Form Boost
- How to Unlock: Unlocked after Sora's second visit to Twilight Town.
After hearing about Kairi's appearance in Twilight Town, Sora rushes back to look for her. While she gets kidnapped before the two have a chance to reunite, Sora does gain access to the Keyblade that represents her: Oathkeeper.
In this game, Oathkeeper retains its balance of physical and magical power. It also comes with the Form Boost ability, which increases the duration of Drive Forms. Thanks to its Magic boost, it serves well as a Keyblade to use in both Wisdom and Master Form.
10 Circle Of Life
Increases MP Restoration By 25%
- Strength: 4
- Magic: 1
- Ability: MP Haste
- How to Unlock: Speak with Simba in the Pride Lands' Oasis area.
As is evident by its name, Sora obtains the Circle of Life Keyblade while visiting the Pride Lands. After Simba talks with the ghost of his father, Mufasa, he eagerly joins Sora in confronting the evil Scar, rewarding players with the world's weapon.
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The Keyblade itself is more physically oriented, but its ability MP Haste works to restore expended MP more quickly. This is incredibly useful during battles against strong opponents, as it allows Sora to heal with Cure more often. Perhaps that's another reason why it is named "Circle of Life."
9 Guardian Soul
Increases Reaction Command Damage By 50%
- Strength: 5
- Magic: 1
- Ability: Reaction Boost
- How to Unlock: Defeat Hades in Olympus Coliseum.
When Sora visits Olympus Coliseum a second time, he must rescue Auron from the clutches of Hades. Upon his success, players obtain the Guardian Soul Keyblade. It has slightly more power than Hero's Crest, the other Keyblade from this world.
The Guardian Soul's ability, Reaction Boost, increases the power of Reaction Commands. Because so many Heartless, Nobodies, and bosses utilize moves that prompt Reaction Commands, this Keyblade is essential for making the most out of them. Its cool design is an added bonus.
8 Rumbling Rose
Allows For Multiple Finishing Moves
- Strength: 5
- Magic: 0
- Ability: Finishing Plus
- How to Unlock: Speak to Beast in his room during the second visit to Beast's Castle.
Sora has a wider array of abilities in this game compared to the first, and among them are powerful finishers. These moves end the combo with a bang, sometimes quite literally. However, it might be difficult for some players to decide which one to equip.
Luckily, the Rumbling Rose is here to help. After knocking some sense into Beast during the second visit to Beast's Castle, Sora gets this wicked-looking weapon. Its mighty Finishing Plus ability allows for consecutive finishing moves to activate.
7 Winner's Proof
Boasts Good Stats But Prevents Sora From Gaining EXP
- Strength: 5
- Magic: 7
- Ability: No Experience
- How to Unlock: Complete all Mushroom XIII mini-games and travel to The Great Maw in Hollow Bastion.
In terms of pure stats, Winner's Proof lives up to its name by excelling in both Strength and especially Magic. These stats even put this Keyblade above Ultima Weapon, at least when nothing else is taken into account. However, Winner's Proof loses a bit of steam due to its ability and the effort it takes to unlock it.
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Winner's Proof's No Experience ability does exactly what it says on the tin, which is a bit disappointing since it means this weapon doesn't provide any other advantages in battles besides impressive stats. Winner's Proof is clearly a Keyblade designed to be one of the final rewards in the game, especially since it is unlocked after all the Mushroom XIII bosses have been defeated. This Keyblade is only in the Final Mix version of the game.
6 Fatal Crest
Increases Strength By 2 During MP Recharge And Provides The Berserk Effect
- Strength: 3
- Magic: 5
- Ability: Berserk Charge
- How to Unlock: Beat the Goddess of Fate Cup in Olympus Coliseum.
Kingdom Hearts 2's version of Olympus Coliseum is the Underdrome, a battle arena that houses tournaments intended to reduce Sora to mush. There are four main tournaments, followed by the Paradox Cups, that can be challenged once the standard ones are completed. The Fatal Crest Keyblade is awarded for completing the Goddess of Fate Cup, the last of the normal tournaments. In this cup, Hades himself steps up to face Sora.
Fatal Crest has a great ability along with very good stats. Berserk Charge provides a boost to Strength when Sora uses an MP Charge. The Keyblade also allows unlimited combos, although it comes at the cost of disabled finishing moves.
5 Sleeping Lion
Offers Decent Stats And An Additional Ground-Based Combo Attack
- Strength: 5
- Magic: 3
- Ability: Combo Plus
- How to Unlock: Speak to Leon before visiting Space Paranoids for the second time.
This Keyblade serves as a stand-in for the Lionheart Keyblade from the first game. Similarly, Leon is the one who gives it to Sora after they decide to return to Tron's world to help their digital friend.
Sleeping Lion has a healthy balance of Strength and Magic, though it works better physically. It also has a powerful Combo Plus ability, which extends ground-based combos by one hit. Paired with Valor form, this Keyblade racks up a lot of damage very quickly.
4 Oblivion
Quickly Restores The Drive Gauge During MP Charge
- Strength: 6
- Magic: 2
- Ability: Drive Boost
- How to Unlock: Meet Riku in The World That Never Was.
Returning from the previous game is another iconic Keyblade. Like in the previous title, Oblivion focuses primarily on physical damage. The Drive Boost ability it carries also allows the Drive Gauge to fill faster while the MP meter charges up.
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Simply put, every attack done with this dark Keyblade during MP restoration will also fill the Drive Gauge, allowing Sora to access his Drive Forms more quickly. While Oblivion isn't available until the later parts of the game, it becomes a worthwhile weapon to equip.
3 Fenrir
Offers Great Strength But Decreases Ground And Midair Combos By One
- Strength: 7
- Magic: 1
- Ability: Negative Combo
- How to Unlock: Received after the Cloud vs. Sephiroth cutscene in Hollow Bastion's Dark Depths area.
Many of the Keyblades in Kingdom Hearts 2 unlock through story progression. Fenrir, however, is only available after defeating an optional boss. And oh boy, what an optional boss it is.
Much like in the first title, Sora can challenge Final Fantasy 7's Sephiroth to an ultimate test of skill. Should players best this powerful opponent, they will receive Fenrir as a reward. It reduces combo attacks by one hit but has immense power and reach to compensate. In fact, its Strength stat is the highest among all Keyblades in the game.
2 Decisive Pumpkin
Deals More Damage With More Combos
- Strength: 6
- Magic: 1
- Ability: Combo Boost
- How to Unlock: Beat The Experiment during the second visit to Halloween Town.
The second visit to Halloween Town involves tracking down a mysterious present thief terrorizing Christmas Town. After defeating the culprit, Sora obtains the Decisive Pumpkin Keyblade.
What makes this Keyblade so great is its impressive Strength stat, alongside the fantastic Combo Boost ability. The longer Sora's grounded attack combo lasts, the more powerful the final hit becomes. With enough Combo Plus abilities stacked up, Decisive Pumpkin's finishing hit can deal more damage than some other setups in the game.
1 Ultima Weapon
Offers Incredible Strength And Increases MP Restoration By 75%
- Strength: 6
- Magic: 4
- Ability: MP Hastega
- How to Unlock: Item Synthesis
Naturally, the mighty Ultima Weapon stands out as the must-have weapon for all Kingdom Hearts 2 players. To obtain it, Sora must synthesize the Keyblade into existence with the help of some friendly Moogles.
The Ultima Weapon has impressive Strength and Magic stats, as well as the MP Hastega ability. This transcends the usual MP Haste to make a depleted MP gauge recharge even faster. No matter which Drive Form it's used in, Ultima Weapon lives up to its reputation as the best Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts 2.
