Unleashing the Ultimate Power: Kingdom Hearts Keyblades Explored and Ranked

Highlights

The weakest Keyblade in the late game is Sweet Dreams, as it is difficult to unlock and does not have exceptional stats. However, before the highly anticipated release of Kingdom Hearts 3, it was Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance for the 3DS that sustained the franchise for devoted fans. This game introduced several distinctive features and, of course, a variety of new Keyblades. Among them, some are considered the finest in any Kingdom Hearts game to date.

S Tier

As with the previous tier lists for Kingdom Hearts Keyblades, this evaluation considers both utility and design when determining the placement of each Keyblade. While design may be appealing, utility plays a more significant role in the ability to defeat Armored Ventus.

With impressive stats of 18 in Strength and 14 in Magic, Unbound surpasses even the esteemed Ultima Weapon to claim the top spot on any tier list. Although its Magic stat falls slightly short of Ultima's, making it potentially less desirable for players seeking the ultimate Magic build, Unbound remains a solid choice thanks to its distinctive design and higher Shift percentage.

Ultima Weapon: Known as the Keyblade that surpasses all others and is consistently featured in every Kingdom Hearts game, except for the Kingdom Key, it is not the ultimate weapon in one particular game. This is mainly because, although the Ultima Weapon retains its iconic design, it falls slightly short when compared to Unbound's impressive stats. Nevertheless, it remains one of the top-tier weapons in the game. Interestingly, obtaining it in Dream Drop Distance is relatively straightforward and does not involve hunting down a lengthy list of obscure items.

A Tier

The End of Pain Keyblade is at the pinnacle of the A Tier ranking due to its exceptional Magic stat, second only to the powerful Ultima Weapon. In addition, its other attributes are on par with other late-game Keyblades. Notably, the design of this Keyblade is considered one of the finest in the entire game of DDD.

Divewing: Despite not having impressive stats like other late-game Keyblades, Divewing is one of the easiest sidequest Keyblades to unlock, earning it a higher ranking. It boasts impressively high Magic, as well as Crit and Reach, making it a formidable weapon for heavy Magic users. Additionally, it features a wonderfully unique design.

Counterpoint: Considered the most powerful Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance, Counterpoint is obtained by playing through the different worlds. It possesses one of the highest Magic stats in the game, along with impressive Strength, Crit, and Reach. The design is beautifully vibrant, although somewhat impractical for a weapon in the Kingdom Hearts universe. However, it is only outclassed by Keyblades that players have to earn through methods other than the main story.

B Tier

The Keyblade Sweet Dreams is underwhelming compared to others that can be obtained through sidequests. It lacks a standout stat and is difficult to unlock, making it less impressive in the late game.

On the other hand, the Keyblade Knockout Punch, obtained during the player's second visit to Traverse Town in Dream Drop Distance, is one of the most powerful Keyblades acquired through the story. It has a striking design, high Strength stat, and excellent reach. However, it is overshadowed by Counterpoint, which surpasses it in almost every aspect.

Ocean's Rage: Riku acquires this Keyblade upon finishing the Prankster's Paradise world. Although its Crit stat is quite low and its design bears a resemblance to Mysterious Abyss from Kingdom Hearts 2, it boasts commendable Strength and an impressively high Magic stat upon receipt. Surprisingly, this Keyblade is part of a contrasting set in the game and stands out as being notably superior to its counterpart.

Guardian Bell and Dual Disc: These Keyblades serve as complements to one another and can be obtained by players upon completion of either of the first two worlds in Traverse Town. Guardian Bell places a greater emphasis on Magic stat, while Dual Disc prioritizes Strength. Both Keyblades outshine their predecessors in terms of stats, range, and design, making them indispensable for players advancing to the mid-game. However, they will eventually be replaced by Keyblades introduced later on.

C Tier

All For One: With its high Crit stat, this Keyblade manages to evade being categorized as D Tier. However, its remaining stats are largely comparable to, if not weaker than, other Keyblades that the player has likely obtained prior to reaching the Country of the Musketeers world in Dream Drop Distance. As a result, All For One can feel rather redundant once it becomes available.

Ferris Gear: Sora acquires this Keyblade upon completing the Prankster's Paradise world in Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance. It is a bit unusual for the two playable protagonists to receive different Keyblades from the same world, especially when one feels noticeably inferior. Surprisingly, Ferris Gear falls into this category with its comparable Strength but lower Magic and Shift stats, as well as a shorter range compared to its counterpart, Ocean's Rage. Though it boasts a more vibrant and unique design, the discrepancy in combat abilities between Sora and Riku when equipped with these Keyblades is certainly evident.

Skull Noise: The first Keyblade that players unlock after completing the initial level in Traverse Town before venturing into the rest of the game. While its stats are slightly better than the two Keyblades in the lowest tier, it will eventually be replaced as future worlds are conquered. Unfortunately, Skull Noise suffers from a somewhat lackluster design, which is in stark contrast to the thrilling Keyblade designs found throughout Dream Drop Distance.

D Tier

The Keyblades known as Way to the Dawn and Kingdom Key are the initial weapons that Riku and Sora possess at the beginning of the game, respectively. While they are quite similar, there are some minor variations between them. Way to the Dawn has a greater reach compared to the Kingdom Key, whereas the Kingdom Key boasts a higher Crit statistic. Riku's starting Keyblade features a design that exudes a sense of "edginess," while Sora's Keyblade exhibits the iconic Kingdom Hearts aesthetic. Both Keyblades are functional choices, although they are unlikely to be the preferred weapons for battling Armored Ventus towards the conclusion of Dream Drop Distance.