Kingdom Hearts has many strong points. Being an action-based game, however, one of its strongest points is naturally its hack-and-slash style combat. Sora, Donald, Goofy, and their various Disney companions battle the forces of darkness with a slew of powerful skills and stylish combos.

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Sora's weapon of choice, the Keyblade, comes in a variety of forms depending on the equipped keychain. Each one, gained at various points in Kingdom Hearts, comes with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. While the first game in the series had fewer weapon options than subsequent titles, some still proved to be immensely powerful.

Updated November 28, 2022, by Justin Flynn: The Keyblade has always been a bafflingly powerful weapon, and it seems to only be getting better with each entry in the Kingdom Hearts series. In the first game, Sora could use the Keyblade to perform a variety of impressive moves, and also, to summon forth a collection of powerful beings. Now, it can be used for pretty much anything he wants.

Kingdom Hearts 3 changed how the Keyblade can be used. While it remains a great means of close-quarter combat, it can also be transformed into a variety of different things. Watching as the Keyblade morphs into an entirely new weapon is a wonder to behold, but it's nice to look back at the weapon's origins. Kingdom Hearts 1 features some of the best Keyblades in the series, but some are better than others.

16 Three Wishes

The Three Wishes Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

Sora obtains the Three Wishes Keyblade after he defeats Genie Jafar in Agrabah. It's the third Keyblade he obtains on his quest to find Kairi, so its stats are understandably low. That said, it is the best Keyblade available at this point in the game.

The Three Wishes Keyblade has a 20% chance to deal a critical hit, just like the Kingdom Key. However, it is superior to Sora's default weapon thanks to its +6 Strength. It's a great Keyblade to obtain during this part of the game, but it's destined to be replaced eventually.

15 Wishing Star

The Wishing Star Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

The Wishing Star Keyblade can be found in a chest in Geppetto's House after completing the story in Monstro. Unlike most Keyblades in Kingdom Hearts 1, obtaining this one is completely optional, but it can be a big help for the upcoming worlds.

Though its +5 Strength seems like a downgrade at first, the Wishing Star Keyblade is always guaranteed to deal a powerful critical attack during its finishers. This ability makes it an extremely helpful weapon to own, especially when Sora is struggling to damage his opponents.

14 One-Winged Angel

The One-Winged Angel Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

To obtain the One-Winged Angel Keyblade, Sora must enter the Platinum Match at the Olympus Colosseum and defeat Final Fantasy 7's Sephiroth. Since obtaining it requires Sora to defeat one of the game's most challenging super bosses, most players will assume the One-Winged Angel to be the best Keyblade in all of Kingdom Hearts 1, but sadly, it falls slightly short of the mark.

The One-Winged Angel boasts an impressive +8 Strength, but its -2 Magic is a huge issue. If it was introduced earlier in the story, the player might have gotten some use out of it, but sadly, it will hold little benefit by the time it is unlocked. Though it may not be the best Keyblade in the game, it certainly is one of the coolest.

13 Fairy Harp

The Fairy Harp Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

Though Sora wasn't able to rescue Kairi during his visit to Neverland, he did manage to obtain one of the most charming Keyblades in the series, the Fairy Harp. The Neverland Keyhole needs to be sealed for Sora to get the Fairy Harp. Though it can be challenging to do so, it's worth it in the long run thanks to the Keyblade's unique powers.

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The Fairy Harp may not have the best reach, but it makes up for this shortcoming with its impressive +8 Strength. It can deal critical hits and can even enhance Sora's magic and summon power. It's a very good Keyblade to get before journeying to Hollow Bastion, and it will likely become the player's primary weapon until they come across something better.

12 Crabclaw

Kingdom Hearts Original Crabclaw Keyblade

For many, Atlantica is a low point in the Kingdom Hearts journey. It's confusing, annoying, and one of the more frustrating "water levels" found in an RPG. But those that stick around through the level and eventually lock the Atlantica keyhole will be rewarded with the Crabclaw, a keyblade that's perfect for players who like a mixture of magic and physical attacking sprinkled throughout their combat.

The Crabclaw will raise players' max MP by one, strengthen their magical and summon spells, and also provide a decent boost to physical attacking. Those that sling spells while simultaneously getting up close and personal with their enemies will want to add this Keyblade to their collection.

11 Metal Chocobo

The Metal Chocobo Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

Metal Chocobo serves as a direct reference to Final Fantasy 7. It closely resembles Cloud's Buster Sword, which explains why Sora obtains it after defeating Cloud in Olympus Coliseum's Hercules Cup. It has great power and reach, granting +10 to Sora's Strength. However, it also depletes Sora's MP by one bar and hardly ever deals critical hits.

This Keyblade is meant primarily for dealing raw physical damage with wide, hefty swings. Most of the combat in the first game focuses on this, anyway, so it still makes for a useful weapon.

10 Lady Luck

The Lady Luck Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

This Keyblade shares its theme with the Queen of Hearts in Wonderland. As such, players can find it after activating the White Trinity in Wonderland's Lotus Forest. It has a decent amount of strength, but it shines even more as a magic-based weapon.

Since it raises MP by two gauges, Sora can cast more magic without worrying about depleting it. Consider this weapon when entering a battle that requires a lot of spell use, such as the Phantom in Neverland.

9 Pumpkinhead

Kingdom Hearts Original Pumpkinhead Keyblade

Many players will fondly remember their first trip to Halloween Town, and the ensuing journey that has them battling against the dastardly Oogie Boogie with the help of Jack. Those that manage to make it through all of the pitfalls found in the area and successfully lock the keyhole there will be rewarded with Pumpkinhead, a keyblade with a sleek black design and a wrought-iron style.

Pumpkinhead will make short work of enemies thanks to its ability to string together critical hits, as well as an impressively long reach that will keep players safe from harm while still allowing them to do some serious damage.

8 Olympia

Kingdom Hearts Olympia Keyblade

Despite being one Strength point weaker than Metal Chocobo, Olympia has the potential to be much stronger. It has a thirty percent chance of dealing powerful critical hits when finishing a combo. Not only that, but it is also easier to counterattack with this weapon after blocking incoming attacks.

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This Keyblade becomes available after beating the Phil, Pegasus, and Hercules Cups in Olympus Coliseum. Overall, it is a solid choice with well-rounded stats.

7 Spellbinder

Kingdom Hearts Original Spellbinder Keyblade

Players that find themselves using magic and summons often will definitely want to pursue Spellbinder as early as possible. The keyblade is rewarded by Merlin after players have learned all seven level-one magic spells (for Sora). Players will know they've unlocked the spells after Sora playfully remarks that his magic is getting as good as Donald's, which will lead to Goofy suggesting he speak to Merlin. Merlin can be found in Traverse Town in the Magician's Study.

Spellbinder will raise a player's MP by 2 and is said to significantly boost the power of any magical spells or summon abilities.

6 Oathkeeper

Oathkeeper in Kingdom Hearts

After rescuing Kairi from Hollow Bastion, Sora and his friends return to Traverse Town. There, Kairi gives Sora her lucky charm and makes him promise to return it. This charm becomes Oathkeeper, a powerful Keyblade in its own right.

This brilliant weapon represents the strength of Sora's bond with Kairi. It raises MP by 1 gauge and boosts the power of magic and summons. It also has a very high chance of landing critical hits, giving it great offensive potential.

5 Divine Rose

Divine Rose Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

While a Beauty and the Beast world doesn't exist in the first game, two of its characters make an appearance. These are, of course, Belle and Beast, both of whom show up in Hollow Bastion.

After returning to seal Hollow Bastion's Keyhole, Sora can find Belle in the library. After talking with her, Sora obtains the Divine Rose Keyblade. It has a shorter reach than most other weapons; however, its speed, power, and critical hit capabilities more than makeup for that.

4 Lionheart

The Lionheart Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

Lionheart is another Keyblade to be obtained in Olympus Coliseum. This time, Sora and the others must face Leon and Cloud simultaneously. Both are powerful opponents, but this Keyblade is well worth the struggle.

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Its attack power equals Metal Chocobo, and its reach is just as great. However, it also raises MP by one and boosts magic and summon power. Essentially, it is a longer, stronger Oathkeeper. If players don't mind the drop in critical hit chances, they should definitely look to equip this once they get their hands on it.

3 Diamond Dust

The Diamond Dust Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

The Diamond Dust Keyblade, introduced in Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, is arguably the best Keyblade available for magic users. Like the Lionheart Keyblade, it enhances Sora's magic and summon power, but it does so much more effectively. To obtain it, Sora must conquer the Gold Match in Olympus Colosseum.

Though its stats are quite low considering the effort it takes to unlock, equipping it grants Sora three additional MP slots. These slots can be a great help for Kingdom Hearts 1's more challenging battles, so the player should make use of it when they need to. Defeating the Phantom in Neverland requires Sora to cast spells constantly; the Diamond Dust will allow him to cast more.

2 Oblivion

The Oblivion Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

Whereas Oathkeeper represents Kairi, as well as light, Oblivion represents Riku and darkness. The two often pair together, most notably when carried by Roxas. This Keyblade lies in a chest found outside Hollow Bastion's Keyhole in the Grand Hall.

It isn't obtainable until the second visit to Hollow Bastion, but it instantly proves itself as a powerful weapon. It focuses everything into physical attack power, granting Sora +11 Strength and powerful critical hits. It also reduces MP by 1, but players geared toward pure offense probably won't mind.

1 Ultima Weapon

Kingdom Hearts Ultima Weapon Keyblade

With a name like "Ultima Weapon," this Keyblade was bound to be the most powerful in the game. Not only does it have the highest Strength stat at +12, but it also has incredible reach and speed. It raises Sora's MP by two gauges, as well, and deals hefty critical hits very often.

Unlike the other weapons, Sora creates this Keyblade in the Traverse Town Synthesis Shop. The ingredients can be hard to come by, so make sure to search the corner of every world to obtain this almighty weapon.

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

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