Ars Arcanum

Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu?, lit. "Last Arcanum")
A formidable attack. After a combo, select followup attack again for a double combo. [Short-range attack. Cost: 3 MP.]
Attack	Element	Power		Crit Chance	Crit Bonus	Deflect	Recoil
Arcanum (hit 1-6)	Weapon	Strength		0%	—	—	—
Arcanum (hit 7)	Weapon	Strength +12[KH I] Strength +10[KH I FM]		100%	0	—	—
Bash (hit 1-4)	Weapon	Strength		0%	—	—	—
Bash (hit 5)	Weapon	Strength +8[KH I] Strength +6[KH I FM]		100%	0	—	—
Finish[1]	Weapon	Strength +12[KH I] Strength +10[KH I FM]		100%	0	—	—
AP Cost	4[2]		MP Cost		3[3]

Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu?, lit. "Last Arcanum")
Rain a flurry of blows upon the enemy[KH CoM] Rain a flurry of up to thirteen attacks upon the enemy.[KH Re:CoM]
Element	Power	Card Combination	Enemy Card Boost
Neutral	x2.5 per hit 7th hit: x3.0 13th hit: x5.0	+ + (1~6) Three attack cards	—

Final Arcana (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu?, lit. "Last Arcanum")
Attack	Element	Power	Drive Value	Deflect	Finishing Blow
Arcana	Physical	x0.01[KH II] x0.2[KH II FM]	—	—	X
Bash	Neutral	x0.01[KH II] x0.2[KH II FM]	—	—	O
Summon Gauge Cost		1[KH II] 3[KH II FM]	Limit Gauge		1.0 seconds

Last Arcanum (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu?)
A Limit Command that unleashes a powerful combo attack. Press for a consecutive combo. MP Cost: 75
Attack	Element	Power	Form Value	Deflect	Finishing Blow
Last Arcanum (hit 1-6)	Physical	x1.0	1	X	O
Last Arcanum (hit 7)	Physical	x1.5	1.5	X	O
Bash	Physical	x1.5	1.5	X	O
The End	Physical	x2.5	2.5	X	O
AP Cost		—	MP Cost		75

Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu?, lit. "Last Arcanum")
Assail enemies with a ferocious string of blows. Press the button at the end to tack on a few extra hits for good measure.
LV	CP Required			Attack				No. of Hits		Power
LV1	—			Initial				7		1.2(x6) + 1.25
				First input Second input Third input Fourth input Fifth input Sixth input				1 2 2 2 2 3		1.2 1.2 + 1.25 1.5 + 1.5 2.05 + 2.05 1.2 + 1.25 3.0 + 3.0 + 3.1
LV2	750			Initial				7		1.2(x6) + 1.3
				First input Second input Third input Fourth input Fifth input Sixth input				1 2 2 2 2 3		1.2 1.2 + 1.3 1.5 + 1.5 2.1 + 2.1 1.2 + 1.3 3.0 + 3.0 + 3.2
LV3	850			Initial				7		1.2(x6) + 1.35
				First input Second input Third input Fourth input Fifth input Sixth input				1 2 2 2 2 3		1.2 1.2 + 1.35 1.5 + 1.5 2.15 + 2.15 1.2 + 1.35 3.0 + 3.0 + 3.3
LV4	950			Initial				7		1.2(x6) + 1.4
				First input Second input Third input Fourth input Fifth input Sixth input				1 2 2 2 2 3		1.2 1.2 + 1.4 1.5 + 1.5 2.2 + 2.2 1.2 + 1.4 3.0 + 3.0 + 3.4
LV5	1050			Initial				7		1.2(x6) + 1.45
				First input Second input Third input Fourth input Fifth input Sixth input				1 2 2 2 2 3		1.2 1.2 + 1.45 1.5 + 1.5 2.25 + 2.25 1.2 + 1.45 3.0 + 3.0 + 3.5
LV6	1150			Initial				7		1.2(x6) + 1.5
				First input Second input Third input Fourth input Fifth input Sixth input				1 2 2 2 2 3		1.2 1.2 + 1.5 1.5 + 1.5 2.3 + 2.3 1.2 + 1.5 3.0 + 3.0 + 3.6
Element			Status Effect				Reload Speed			Command Gauge
Physical			—				25 seconds			+6
Buy					Sell
Price		Shop LV			Base				LV Bonus		Ability Bonus
—		—			2000				500		1000

Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu?, lit. "Last Arcanum")
Unleash a blinding flurry of attacks.
Attack	Element		Power	Reaction Value	Status		Guard?
Ars Arcanum	Physical		0.5	1	—		▲
Final hit	Physical		1.5	2	—		▲
Reload Speed				Dream Eater Bonus
36 seconds				Strength +4
Buy		Bargain		Sell		Shop LV
—		—		1200		—

Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu?, lit. "Last Arcanum")
Attributes		Target	Gauge Cost	Damage
Power	Upright	Single	2	7★: x9.73 - 11.35
7★: Deals 13 hits. Inflicts more damage the higher your HP.
Ars Arcanum EX (ラストアルカナム改, Rasuto Arukanamu Kai?, lit. "Last Arcanum Revision")
Attributes		Target	Gauge Cost	Damage
Power	Reversed	Single	4	7★: x11.84 - 12.50 SN++: x14.80- 17.62
7★: Deals 13 hits. 1 turn: ↑ R-STR & P-STR by 3. Enemy countdown +1. Inflicts more damage the higher the slot number. SN++: 13 hits that ignores target's attributes. 1 turn: P-Medal STR +10000, self [↑ R- & P-STR 15], target [↓ R-DEF 15], SAB +220%. Count +1. Damage+: Higher slot number. Pierces DEF Boost 30%.
Speed	Reversed	Single	4	7★: x11.84 - 12.50
7★: Deals 13 hits. 1 turn: ↑ R-STR & S-STR by 3. Enemy countdown +1. Inflicts more damage the higher the slot number.
Magic	Reversed	Single	4	7★: x11.84 - 12.50
7★: Deals 13 hits. 1 turn: ↑ R-STR & M-STR by 3. Enemy countdown +1. Inflicts more damage the higher the slot number.

Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu?, lit. "Last Arcanum")
Ravage the enemy with a devastating flurry of attacks. Continue pressing when prompted to perform additional attacks.
Attack	Element	Power	Guard?	Status
	Form Value	Reaction Value	Revenge Value		Repel LV
Ars Arcanum	Physical	0.8(x6) + 1.2	O	—
	0	1(x7)	0		—
Bash	Physical	0.8	O	—
	0	1	0		—
Finish	Physical	0.1(x6) + 1.5	O	—
	0	1(x6) + 5	0		—

Ars Arcanum (ラストアルカナム, Rasuto Arukanamu?, lit. "Last Arcanum")
A powerful physical attack.
Color	Type	Element	Power
Light Red	Physical	Non-element	20 - 60
Dark Red	Physical	Non-element	20 - 70
Light Blue	Physical	Non-element	15 - 55

Ars Arcanum, translated as Final Arcana in Kingdom Hearts II and 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[edit]

In Kingdom Hearts, Ars Arcanum is a Special Ability that Sora can use while on the ground against a target at close range. It lets Sora unleash a flurry of up to thirteen slashes. Sora is invulnerable during the technique. Selecting the Arcanum (アルカナム, Arukanamu^?) command from the last command bar executes the initial attack, an additional five attacks can be added by selecting the Bash (ブレイク, Bureiku^?, lit. "Break") command each time it becomes available, and the final, more powerful finishing strike is executed by selecting the Finish^[1] (ジ・エンド, Ji Endo^?, lit. "The End") command when it appears. The final hit of "Arcanum", as well as those of "Bash" and "Finish", can land critical hits. In the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX release of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, the initial Arcanum command, the Bash followups, and the finisher are all implemented as Reaction Commands, but Bash and Finish do not provide invulnerability. Ars Arcanum costs 4 AP to equip and 3 MP to use.

In Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, Ars Arcanum is an attack sleight that delivers eight powerful blows, followed by a forward somersaulting slash. 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. Due to how fast Sora is pulled to the target when using Ars Arcanum, it can be used with some effectiveness at nearly any range - Sora will almost certainly reach the target within the first few strikes.

In Kingdom Hearts II, Final Arcana is a limit that is exclusive to "Master" Genie. The limit begins with Arcana, in which Sora and Genie clutch arms and whirl around in large circles. Afterwards, Bash causes Genie to transform into a large head that spins around, while shooting magical bullets.

In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Last Arcanum is also an action ability exclusive to Limit Form. It is a limit that is equipped by default and costs 75 MP to use. It is automatically assigned to in the shortcuts menu. On activation, Sora performs the initial seven-hit combo, and up to five more strikes can be executed through the Bash Reaction Command. Afterwards, the Reaction Command is replaced with The End to perform the final attack. Sora is invulnerable during the initial seven-hit combo.

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%. If used in midair, he will return to the ground before performing the combo. This version of Ars Arcanum deals the most hits of all its appearances.

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. Unlike prior incarnations, this version of the attack no longer requires button prompts for the whole combo, and can also be used in midair. However, it no longer provides any invincibility frames though Sora cannot be interrupted when using the technique.

In Kingdom Hearts Union χ, Ars Arcanum is a special attack that targets a single enemy. It costs 2 special attack gauges to perform. It inflicts more damage the higher Player's HP.

Ars Arcanum EX is a special attack that targets a single enemy. It costs 4 special attack gauges to perform. It raises the target's countdown by 1, and inflicts more damage in a higher slot number. Ars Arcanum EX +7 ignores the target's attribute, and has a 30% chance to ignore the target's Defense Boost.

Special attack	Rarity	Base	•	••	•••	••••	•••••		Hits
Ars Arcanum EX +5	6★	x3.58 - 4.24	x3.66 - 4.32	x3.74 - 4.40	x3.82 - 4.48	x3.90 - 4.56	x3.98 - 4.64		13
Ars Arcanum EX +6	7★	—	—	—	—	—	x11.84 - 12.5		13
Ars Arcanum EX +7	SN++	—	—	—	—	—	x14.80 - 17.62		13

Special attack	Player Buff			Target Debuff		Duration
	+5	+6	+7	+5-6	+7
Ars Arcanum EX (Power)	+3	+3  +3	+10000  +15  +15  +220%	—	-15	1 turn
Ars Arcanum EX (Speed)	+3	+3  +3	—	—	—	1 turn
Ars Arcanum EX (Magic)	+3	+3  +3	—	—	—	1 turn

In Kingdom Hearts III, Ars Arcanum is the third-level Finish command for Second Form. Similar to Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, this version of Ars Arcanum can be used in the air, but has animations reminiscent of its previous incarnations. Sora begins with the initial seven slashes before the Bash command appears allowing for five more hits. Upon pressing Finish, Sora performs a series of weaker hits bringing the enemy slightly higher into the air before following up with a final blow that slams his foe towards the ground. The last hit from Finish does greater damage when performed in the air due to the resulting shockwave. Sora remains invulnerable during the attack's duration.

In Kingdom Hearts Dark Road, Ars Arcanum is a physical ability that deals non-element damage.

In Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory, Ars Arcanum is an Ability used by Sora. It is triggered when activating an Ability Crystal against a grounded foe, and consists of Sora performing multiple horizontal slashes before slashing upwards and slamming the Keyblade down on a foe, vanquishing it. During the final battle against Master Xehanort, Sora has Ars Arcanum as an Ability that may trigger when activating an Ability Crystal. As in Kingdom Hearts III, Sora performs multiple weak hits while rising into the air before finishing with a ground slam.

Learning Ars Arcanum[edit]

Kingdom Hearts[edit]

• Sora learns Ars Arcanum after defeating Captain Hook in Neverland.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories[edit]

• Sora can learn Ars Arcanum when he reaches level 37^{[KH CoM]}.
• Sora can learn Ars Arcanum when he reaches level 42^{[KH Re:CoM]}.

Kingdom Hearts II[edit]

• "Master" Genie has Final Arcana as his Limit.

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix[edit]

• "Master" Genie has Final Arcana as his Limit.
• Limit Form has Last Arcanum as a Limit ability.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit]

• Ventus can create Ars Arcanum through Command Melding.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance[edit]

• 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 for 10 LP.
• Sora or Riku can purchase Ars Arcanum from the Skelterwild Ability Link for 400 LP.

Kingdom Hearts Union χ[edit]

• Ars Arcanum +2 is the special attack for medals 256: KH Cloud and 294: KH II Leon B.
• Ars Arcanum +3 is the special attack for medals 257: KH Cloud and 295: KH II Leon B.
• Ars Arcanum +4 is the special attack for medals 258: KH Cloud and 296: KH II Leon B.
• Ars Arcanum +5 is the special attack for medals 259: KH Cloud and 297: KH II Leon B.

• Ars Arcanum EX +5 is the special attack for medals 805: Toon Riku, 806: Toon Roxas, and 807: Toon Xion.
• Ars Arcanum EX +6 is the special attack for medals 1363: Toon Riku, 1364: Toon Roxas, and 1365: Toon Xion.
• Ars Arcanum EX +7 is the special attack for medal 1363: SN++ - Toon Riku.

Kingdom Hearts III[edit]

• Second Form has Ars Arcanum as its third-level finisher.

Kingdom Hearts Dark Road[edit]

• The Key Scene #1 card has Ars Arcanum as its ability.
• The Riku Replica card has Ars Arcanum as its ability.
• The Key Art #4 card has Ars Arcanum as its ability.

Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory[edit]

• Ars Arcanum can be triggered by activating an ability crystal as Team Classic.

Recipes[edit]

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit]

Ars Arcanum is an Ultimate-class Attack Command that can be melded through nine different recipes, listed in the Giga Attack Recipe.

Other appearances[edit]

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days[edit]

Although Ars Arcanum cannot be performed by any playable character, Xion can perform a modified version of Ars Arcanum in her third form.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper[edit]

Ars Arcanum appears in Final Fantasy Record Keeper as one of Sora's Soul Breaks, learned through the Metal Chocobo (KH) Keyblade. It allows him to deliver eight physical fire, lightning, and ice attacks to an enemy, temporarily raise his Attack a moderate amount and Defense a small amount, and gain Haste and Burst Mode. While in Burst Mode, he gains access to the Arcanum and Break attacks.

Origin[edit]

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".

Notes and references[edit]

See also[edit]

• Final Arcana
• Ars Solum
• Dark Arcanum
• Sono Arcanum
• Rosea Arcanum
• Dual Arcanum
• Flame Arcanum