So a trend I've noticed with KH fans is that the majority of the fanbase doesn't really use the summons all that much. But what a lot of fans seem to not know is that summons can be really helpful depending on how you use them. Especially in KH2. Now, in KH1 it is pretty understandable why a lot of people don't use the summons. But a few of them are pretty useful, ESPECIALLY in the PS3 HD Remastered version (which I'll talk about soon). Take bambi for example. He has to be one of the most useful summons in KH1 as he gives you tons of MP orbs. As well as Tinkerbell, who constantly heals you during battle. Now I will admit that pretty much most of the summons in the game weren't all that useful since they did so little damage But in KH 1.5 the summons are extremely lethal against bosses, mainly on lvl 1. Now I know what you're thinking:"Whaaaa...? How are summons more useful in KH 1.5 Tails? You must be joking because I've never used summons in KH1. Not even on KH 1.5". Well, yeah, they're really useful in lvl 1 proud mode because, well, mainly due to the EXP Zero damage storage glitch in KH 1.5. As it makes the game forget the x2 multiplier whit your 3-hit combo. But it really makes summons in KH1 (at least on tht PS3 version) extremely useful.

 

 

Now for KH2 summons are LOADS more useful than in KH1. Depend on your play style and how you use them, you'd be surprised by how good summons are in the game. Chicken Little, even thought you're at the mercy of his AI, is a really good summon to have early on in the game since he is a good replacement for magnet. Though I will agree that his FPS mode limit sucks since it does little damage and is horribly implemented. Genie's summon in KH2 is a big improvement over his summon in KH1 since he uses the drive forms like Sora does. But his most useful and most damaging form is his final form. Final Form Genie pretty much puts Valor and Wisdom Genie to shame since those forms don't do any good damage (through Valor Form Genie is fairly decent early on in the game if you're low leveled). Now Stitch is another good summon in KH2 since he replenishes your MP gauge similiar to Bambi in KH1. And this alone makes him extremely useful. Though like Chicken Little you will be under the mercy of his AI since Stitch restores your MP at complete random.Though Stitch does have his stun attack too which staggers enemies and bosses while giving out HP orbs. Peter Pan summon is another good summon because, while yes he doesn't do that much damage, he attacks staggers enemies pretty well and can lead into some good combos if you're coming up with any strategies on bosses. And, of course, revive you if you get KO'd

 

 

So you see? Summons are not as useless as you thik they might be. While sure, KH1's summons weren't the best, they still had some pretty good uses in some fights. And not I'm not just speaking for Tinker Bell since a lot of fans seem to only use her summon in KH1. As I said before, summons can have their uses depending on how you use them. I just find it odd how a lot of players don;t use make full use of them in certain areas of KH1 and KH2 since they find most of the summons to be "useless". But that's just me. What are your thoughts on this?

I totally find them useless. Unless you have to use Stitch in the Underworld tournament to grab orbs for the trophy. Otherwise, I literally never use them. 

I totally find them useless. Unless you have to use Stitch in the Underworld tournament to grab orbs for the trophy. Otherwise, I literally never use them. 

What makes them completely useless to you, exactly? If I may ask?

I agree that summons are not all useless although KH2 has far more useful summon than Kh1.The only summon I used in Kh1 was tinker bell due to auto-life and regen and bambi for those mp orbs/items.

What makes them completely useless to you, exactly? If I may ask?

Just in my play style. I don't consider them useless for others. But I'm a hack and slash player. 

I agree that summons are not all useless although KH2 has far more useful summon than Kh1.The only summon I used in Kh1 was tinker bell due to auto-life and regen and bambi for those mp orbs/items.

Exactly, Summons are really useful if you learn how to use them to your advantage.

 

 

 

Just in my play style. I don't consider them useless for others. But I'm a hack and slash player.

I see. Well thanks for the insight.

Stitch is definitely the best summon in KH2. He really helps out with the final Nobody waves in CoR.

 

Peace!

I wouldn't say they were useless to me personally, it's just that there were other ways of getting damage done that I found more appealing than using the summons.

The game kinda gets a bit overwhelming too me at times (KH2 that is). There's just so much strategy with Drive Forms, Summons, Magic, and the regular combos. I just never figured out how to effectively use summons.

Absolutely pale in comparison to Drive Forms.

The game kinda gets a bit overwhelming too me at times (KH2 that is). There's just so much strategy with Drive Forms, Summons, Magic, and the regular combos. I just never figured out how to effectively use summons.

 

Came here to say exactly this!

Having played KH2FM (original) trough on lvl1 CM and done everything i have to say that summons are definitely not useless there. Chicken little is great for crowd control and genie can also save your ass in some situations. Overall best summon is chicken little with his magnet whistle... If only more people knew about little chickens badassery :PEdit: Forgot to mention that people use peter pan for some really creative boss stunlock speedrun strats as well. 

Edited September 12, 201510 yr by Kaitengiri

In KH1FM Tinker Bell is VERY useful for the Xemnas superboss. However, in KH2 I'd much rather use Drive Forms.

They're totally not useless, and almost necessary for certain stuff, but in the heat of the moment I tend to forget about them.

The only uses summons have are for collecting synthesis materials more easily and the Olympus Coliseum, for side quests basically but you can still complete them without summons. It's not like they change the difficulty of the game, it's a breeze regardless. That's why I find them pointless.

Edited September 12, 201510 yr by Sirillia

I can play though the game just fine without them,so I never bothered to learn how to use them.

I love using summons! #Genie4TheWin

I personally saw most of the summons as more flashy additions to combat. I did use Tinkerbell in KH1 a lot but I never really found myself using summons in normal encounters or even boss fights, especially in KH2. Maybe on my next playthrough of KH2 I'll try to utilize them more frequently to see how helpful they can be when used properly. I think my issue with using them a lot was that it just seemed more effective to use basic attacks, magic and Drive forms as opposed to the Summons. Always thought most of the summons did chip damage. 

What makes them completely useless to you, exactly? If I may ask?

 

You don't need them to play or complete the game.  You could go the whole game without using them, even on the highest difficulty, and do fine.  

 

The drive forms are also significantly more awesome so why waste time using a summon when you can get 2 keyblades?  

The only uses summons have are for collecting synthesis materials more easily and the Olympus Coliseum, for side quests basically but you can still complete them without summons. It's not like they change the difficulty of the game, it's a breeze regardless. That's why I find them pointless.

Yeah they are good for things like that. But they are also good for making good combos on bosses like Lingering Will or Data Larxene

 

 

 

I love using summons! #Genie4TheWin 

Agreed. genie's summon is tons better than what it was in KH1 lol.

 

 

You don't need them to play or complete the game.  You could go the whole game without using them, even on the highest difficulty, and do fine.  

 

The drive forms are also significantly more awesome so why waste time using a summon when you can get 2 keyblades?

Yes I know. KH2 gives you tons of ways to play through the game. But I just personally feel that a lot of people find them completely useless even though some of them are good for comboing bosses and doing good damage to enemies as well.

Edited September 12, 201510 yr by Tails

I liked the kingdom hearts 1 summons were better then kingdom hearts 2 plus there were a lot more but that could be that we might have used the drive forms more than summons.but the one summon that I used was genie.

In my case, I'd mostly use summons to add an extra flashy flair to combat!  In Kingdom Hearts II, I loved taking out scores of foes with Genie by my side, and having him summoned provided with some impressive eye candy!  In KHII, I remember that the two summons I'd use the most were Genie and Stitch!  I'd use the others too, but not as much as those two!

 

As for KHI, I'd use Simba the most, and I'd sometimes use Tinker Bell and Mushu, but really, I'd mostly handle battles with Donald and Goofy by my side, ya know?

 

As I said, I'd mostly use summons in the games to add some flair to the already flashy combat!

I'm not going to call them COMPLETELY useless, but they're poorly implemented. Unlike magic or commands (or even drive forms), summons are extra menu clicks away, which makes them unhelpful in the heat of battle. And then with the resulting animatics, load times, and occasionally obtuse change in controls, they don't make whatever potential battle benefit worth the time and effort investment based on actual combat.

 

If you want to add a little flair to the fight, sure. But if I'm trying to beat all of these enemies and move on, the most efficient way is for me to just keep fighting.