Kingdom Hearts 2is considered by most fans to be the best game in the franchise. It introduced a lot of new characters, had some of the best worlds, and was one of the most fun installments to play. One of the reasons this title was so fun was because of the awesome abilities that players could use.
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With the exception of a few, the abilities are helpful asKingdom Hearts 2is one of the most balanced installments in the series. However, there are some that every player should equip to have the best experience controlling Sora and fighting enemies. Here are fifteen of them.
Updated August 10, 2025, by Justin Flynn:TheKingdom Heartsseries has evolved a great deal since the release of Kingdom Hearts 2 in 2005. This title marked the beginning of Sora’s Keyblade mastery, and though he has yet to officially receive the title of “Keyblade Master,” the abilities he has gained since his first adventure are truly a wonder to behold.
InKingdom Hearts 3, Sora can call upon a variety of different elements to aid him in combat. When he’s not summoning an iconic Disneyland amusement ride, he will more than likely be foundtransforming his Keyblade into something bizarre. Though these new abilities are welcomed additions to the series, it’s difficult not to feel nostalgia for the Keyblades that helped Sora during his quest to defeat Xemnas.
15Scan
The Scan ability is unlocked afterthe first battle against Axelin Twilight Town. Though it may not seem like the most essential ability in Sora’s arsenal when compared to others, it is arguably the most important ability in all ofKingdom Hearts 2.
When equipped, the Scan ability allows the player to see the health bars of Sora’s enemies. It isn’t too helpful during the game’s tutorial segment, but it can make a huge difference later on, as most of the game’s bosses have multiple health bars.
14Glide
Like in the originalKingdom Heartsgame,Sora can obtain the means to fly. Not only does Glide grant him a much faster way to travel around, but it can also be an extremely effective aid during certain battles.
Though Glide was unlocked by advancing the main story inKingdom Hearts 1,Kingdom Hearts 2requires its players to put some extra effort into obtaining it. To get it, Sora must activate Final Form and defeat Nobodies to gain EXP. Upon reaching Level 3, he will gain the option to equip Glide outside of the Form Change.
13Dodge Roll
The Dodge Roll ability offered one ofthe best means of evasioninKingdom Hearts 1, so its absence inKingdom Hearts 2was unusual. Thankfully,Kingdom Hearts 2Final Mix, released in 2007, introduced a new way to obtain it.
To obtain Dodge Roll, the player needs to familiarize themselves with Limit Form, a Drive Form introduced in theFinal Mixversion of the game. Upon reaching level 3, Sora can equip the Dodge Roll ability and perform it without activating Limit Form.
12Negative Combo
While the Combo Plus ability seems to be a better option in most scenarios, the Negative Combo ability can be just as effective. As its name suggests, equipping Negative Combo will decrease the number of attacks Sora will deliver during a combo. The last attack Sora deals at the end of a combo is usually the most powerful, so equipping Negative Combo allows him to deliver his finisher much faster.
It can be unlocked upon reaching different levels, but the quickest way to get it is to have Roxas choose the Dream Rod at the beginning of the game. This will unlock Negative Combo at Level 36; choosing the Dream Sword will unlock it at Level 44 while selecting the Dream Shield will unlock it at Level 73.
11Combo Master
The Combo Master ability is possibly the handiest ability Sora can obtain inKingdom Hearts 2. When equipped, it allows him to continually attack with his Keyblade even when he isn’t able to land a hit. It can be useful during ground-based combat, but it’s a must-have for when Sora engages an airborne foe.
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The enemies inKingdom Hearts 2, especially the bosses, have a habit of ascending out of Sora’s reach. Though Combo Master isn’t always guaranteed to help Sora reach them, it’s usually the only way to get close. To unlock it,Sora must defeat Roxasin The World that Never Was.
10Trinity Limit
Trinity Limit is one of the strongest abilities in the game, having Sora team up with Donald and Goofy to attack all of the enemies around them. Pete is one of the main antagonists in this installment and can be fought multiple times.
The first time players fight him is towards the end of their first visit toOlympus Coliseum. Upon defeating him, they are rewarded with Trinity Limit.
9Explosion
Throughout the game, there will be many times when Sora is surrounded by enemies. Explosion is a great ability that allows players to attack all of them at once, not having to worry about getting hit from behind.
They can obtain Explosion by going to Space Paranoids and defeating all of the heartless on the Solar Sailer during their second visit.
8Guard
Guard is one of the earliest abilities to earn in the game. It allows players to block an enemy’s attack, so they won’t lose HP. Whenplaying as Roxasat the beginning ofKingdom Hearts 2, they will fight against Twilight Thorn at Dive to the Heart.
By defeating this Nobody boss, the player will be rewarded with Guard and should keep it equipped the entire game. It’s great to have when facingKingdom Hearts 2’s bosses, but it is vital to have it equipped during the Data Battles.
7Aerial Recovery
There will be many times in this game that players will get hit by an enemy and be knocked back, not being able to move until they hit the ground. However, with Aerial Recovery, they can jump before they touch the ground and can fight in the air.
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This ability is also obtained when Roxas enters Dive to the Heart, moments before he fights Twilight Thorn. Like Guard, players should keep this ability equipped throughout their whole playthrough.
6Reaction Boost
Reaction Commands are some of the most fun ways to attack enemies so most players will certainly want to use them often. By equipping Reaction Boost, the Reaction Commands become more powerful. When Roxas went to theDive to the Heart, players needed to make a decision that would impact when they would get certain abilities.
If they chose to take the Dream Sword, they would get Reaction Boost when they hit level 15. If they chose to take the Dream Rod, they’d get it when they got to level 33. And if they took the Dream Shield, they’d earn it at level 23. Those that want a greater challenge and play on Critical Mode will get this ability once they go to Dive to the Heart, no matter which weapon they chose.
