Ever since the first installment in the series, there have been a lot of abilities that let Kingdom Hearts players grow stronger, and make the game either easier or harder. Newcomers may not know which ones to use once they have too many abilities and not enough AP (Ability Points).

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Some abilities are much more important to have equipped than others, especially for those who want to be as powerful as the game allows them to be. Kingdom Hearts 1 features some of the best abilities in the series, but some are better than others.

Updated November 27, 2022, by Justin Flynn: The Kingdom Hearts series has evolved a great deal since the original game's debut in 2002. The Keyblade, Sora's primary weapon, was always a bafflingly powerful piece of equipment, but it has become something completely different in the past twenty years of its existence. Though Sora could perform some truly spectacular feats with his Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts 1, his time away from Destiny Island has allowed him to hone his skills. Kingdom Hearts 3 introduced some of the series' best abilities to date, and it seems that even more are on the horizon from the Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer. With so many abilities at Sora's disposal, it can be easy to forget the many fantastic abilities that he learned during his first adventure.

15 Jackpot

Sora uncovers HP orbs and Munny in Kingdom Hearts

Jackpot is a great ability for those who wish to make some quick Munny. When equipped, it increases the amount of Munny dropped by defeated enemies. It also increases the amount of HP and MP orbs that drop after an enemy is defeated, so it can be a great way to replenish Sora's health and magic during a tough fight.

For those who wish to unlock the Jackpot ability as quickly as possible, Sora can learn it by reaching Level 43, but only if he chose the Dream Shield during the game's tutorial. If he opted for the Dream Rod, he must wait until he hits Level 63, and Level 100 if he chose the Dream Sword.

14 Scan

Sora casts Thunder in Kingdom Hearts

The beginning of Kingdom Hearts 1 can be quite challenging, depending on how the player approaches the obstacles in Sora's way. Not knowing how much health an enemy has can make a lot of the early encounters feel a great deal tougher than they actually are.

Thankfully, the Scan ability allows the player to monitor the health bars of Sora's enemies. It may not seem like a big deal at first, but knowing how much health an enemy has left can be a big help during some of the game's more challenging boss battles. Choosing the Dream Sword will unlock Scan at Level 9, while the Dream Rod will unlock it at Level 15, and the Dream Shield will unlock it at Level 21.

13 Leaf Bracer

Sora using Curaga in Kingdom Hearts

The Leaf Bracer ability is a must-have for when Sora is pitted against Kingdom Hearts 1's most ruthless enemies. The Cure spell is the most reliable means of replenishing Sora's health, but it isn't always guaranteed to work. If Sora gets hit while casting Cure, for example, the spell will not heal him.

This can easily lead to a game over if the player isn't quick enough, but equipping Leaf Bracer will prevent Sora's enemies from damaging him while he casts it. Leaf Bracer is learned upon reaching Level 27 if Sora picked the Dream Shield. The Dream Rod will unlock it at Level 39, while the Dream Sword will unlock it at Level 69.

12 Dodge Roll

Sora flees from his dark counterpart in Kingdom Hearts

Though Sora learns a variety of evasive maneuvers in Kingdom Hearts 2, the only real means he had for avoiding oncoming attacks in Kingdom Hearts 1 was Dodge Roll. Though mastering it can be challenging, doing so is the best way to ensure Sora can outlast his enemies in battle.

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Sora learns Dodge Roll once he has defeated the Guard Armor in Traverse Town. Once it's equipped, the player will be able to use it to avoid certain attacks. Running away can be a good way to avoid danger, but the invincibility frames that come with Dodge Roll are too valuable to ignore.

11 Combo Master

Sora faces a White Mushroom in Kingdom Hearts

To complete a full combo in Kingdom Hearts 1, Sora needs to land each of his attacks, otherwise, his combo will be cut short. To counteract this, the player should equip the Combo Master ability, as doing so will allow Sora to continue his combo no matter how many attacks he misses. It is especially handy when Sora is facing an airborne enemy. Without it equipped, Sora will need to hit these foes in order to remain in the air.

The Combo Master ability is one of the best abilities in the entire series. It can be learned at Level 50 if Sora chose the Dream Sword at the beginning of the game, or Level 55 if he picked either the Dream Rod or Dream Shield.

10 Guard

Riku vs Sora

Guard is an ability that allows players to block an enemy's attack. Before getting Guard, they could only due to this by hitting the enemy's weapon before they were about to take damage, which would require precise timing and skill, so Guard is a much easier and more reliable way to not take damage.

Like most of the other abilities, when players get Guard depends on what weapon they decided to take at the beginning of the game. By choosing the Dream Shield, they will get this ability at level 15. The Dream Rod will give players Guard at level 33, and at level 24 if they choose the Dream Sword.

9 Berserk

Sora in Deep Jungle

There are many times in the game when players will almost be out of HP and will probably lose the battle they are in. By equipping Berserk, they don't have to worry about the outcome of the fight as much. When their HP is almost out, they will get stronger, giving them an advantage in the battle.

By picking up the Dream Shield, they will get this ability early on in the game, at level 9. However, it'll take a lot of grinding if they choose one of the other weapons as they don't get until level 60 with the Dream Rod and level 78 with the Dream Sword.

8 Sonic Blade

Cloud, star of Final Fantasy VII Remake, appears in Kingdom Hearts

When going to Olympus Coliseum, Sora and his friends will meet Cloud from Final Fantasy 7. They fight each other in a tournament that Cloud entered after making a deal with Hades to kill Hercules. However, Hades sent Cerberus to attack the heroes. After players defeat the three-headed dog from the Underworld, they will leave the world.

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On their way to the Gummi Ship, Sora and Cloud have a conversation, where the latter explains why he joined Hades. He also gives Sora Sonic Blade, which allows players to quickly slide back and forth as they attack an enemy.

7 Lucky Strike

Sora in Traverse Town

Lucky Strike, while not an ability used to fight, is important for those that want to get as many items as possible, whether it be to spend their Munny on other things or to synthesize the Ultima Weapon.

Lucky Strike is obtained at level 24 for those that picked up the Dream Shield, 48 for those that chose the Dream Rod, and 90 for those that took the Dream Sword.

6 Ars Arcanum

KH3 Sora holding keyblade

The last Disney world in the game is Neverland. Here, Riku had teamed up with Captain Hook and confronted their enemies. However, it wouldn't take long for Sora, Donald, and Goofy to meet Peter Pan and join forces with him.

While Riku got away, players were able to defeat Captain Hook. Upon doing so, they are rewarded with Ars Arcanum. This ability allows Sora to slash opponents quickly, causing them to take a lot of damage.

5 Strike Raid

Sora using Strike Raid in Kingdom Hearts

Though players don't need to return to Olympus Coliseum after speaking to Cloud in order to beat the game, there is still a lot to do there. As players progress in the story, more tournaments will be available to compete in and get rewards.

One of these tournaments, the Pegasus Cup, gives players Strike Raid. This ability allows Sora to throw his Keyblade at an enemy and have it return to him, similar to a boomerang.

4 MP Rage

Sora casts Fire in Kingdom Hearts

MP (Magic Points) are very important in Kingdom Hearts, so it's useful to have MP Rage. This ability gives players more MP when they are attacked and they can equip two of them. Unlike the other abilities that are impacted by which weapon to pick up, the Dream Shield isn't the best one to choose this time.

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The Dream Rod is, as players can get the first MP Rage at level 42 and the second at level 75. Players that pick up the Dream Sword can get it at levels 63 and 87. Lastly, the Dream Shield players won't get them until the end of the game at levels 90 and 100, making the second one the last ability they'll get from leveling up.

3 Ragnarok

Sora

In the second battle against Riku at Hollow Bastion, many truths about the game were revealed. Kairi turned out to be a Princess of Heart and seemed to be unconscious because her heart went inside Sora's when the heartless invaded Destiny Islands.

Riku was possessed by Ansem the Seeker of Darkness due to his weakness of being angry with his former friend. After learning all of this, one of the hardest fights in the game begins. Luckily, Ragnarok is the player's reward, allowing them to shoot projectiles out of the Keyblade, after quickly slashing an enemy a few times.

2 Trinity Limit

kingdom hearts sora donald and goofy ending

Like Strike Raid, Trinity Limit is earned by winning a tournament at Olympus Coliseum. The tournament that players need to win is the Hades Cup, which is significantly more challenging than the Pegasus Cup and has 49 rounds in it.

Trinity Limit allows Sora, Donald, and Goofy to team up in one giant attack, hurting all of the enemies around them. It is arguably the most visually stunning ability present in the game, and though it depletes the entirety of Sora's MP, seeing the spectacle it creates is worth it.

1 Second Chance

Sora KH1 opening

Second Chance is the most useful ability in the game. It allows players to survive an attack, giving them 1 HP (Health Point) left. If they're hit again before healing, they'll die.

By picking up the Dream Shield, players will get Second Chance at level 36. They'll get it with the Dream Sword at level 48. Lastly, with the Dream Rod, they'll obtain it at level 90. For the most part, it is best to pick up the Dream Shield at the start of the game.

Kingdom Hearts 1.5+2.5 is available now for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.

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