The two forms of the Shotlock reticule; the left one still has time, whereas the one on the right does not.

Shotlock (シュートロック, Shūto Rokku, lit. "Shoot Lock") is a technique in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-, and Kingdom Hearts III.

Mechanics

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

In Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, a Shotlock is initiated by holding down and simultaneously (or just in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX). The user enters a targeting mode and locks onto enemies, and by pressing ( in the Japanese version), the user then initiates a powerful attack that hits all targeted enemies. By locking onto the maximum amount of enemies, additional attacks can be added by following on-screen prompts. The amount of time the user has to lock onto targets depends on the Focus Gauge, which empties when the attack is initiated and can be refilled by attacking enemies, using items such as Ethers, or getting hit while Damage Syphon is equipped. The rate at which the locking on occurs varies with each Shotlock and increases with level. Most of the Shotlocks in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep can be learned by all three Keyblade wielders, although there are some that are unique for each character.

Shotlocks can be divided into four types of attacks:

• Projectile-type Shotlocks, like Meteor Shower, allow the user to launch a barrage of projectiles one after the other that home in on targets. Class A additional inputs can be used to add extra projectiles.
• Salvo-type Shotlocks, like Ragnarok, allow the user to charge energy into the tip of the Keyblade, before sending a burst of projectiles at targets. Class C additional inputs can be used to fire multiple salvos.
• Rush-type Shotlocks, like Photon Charge, allow the user to rush around the field, striking enemies in passing. Class B additional inputs are used to perform powerful diving strikes, except for Lightning Ray, which uses Class A additional inputs to add extra rushes.
• Unique-type Shotlocks have a different attack for each Shotlock. These Shotlocks include each character's ultimate Shotlock, and Dark Link, used during Ventus's fight with Vanitas. Terra's Ultima Cannon uses Class C inputs, while Ventus's Multivortex and Aqua's Lightbloom use Class D inputs for extra attacks. When using Dark Link, Class A inputs are required to hit Vanitas.

Each Shotlock can be enhanced by performing a certain action to add extra attacks. There are four methods of adding extra attacks, which determine the Shotlock's class:

• Class A (ボタン連打, Botan Renda, lit. "Button Barrage") Shotlocks involve pressing ( in the Japanese version) rapidly.
• Class B (ランダム, Randamu, lit. "Random") Shotlocks involve pressing random buttons when prompted.
• Class C (タイミング, Taimingu, lit. "Timing") Shotlocks involve performing well-timed button presses.
• Class D (パツド回転, Paddo Kaiten, lit. "Pad Rotation") Shotlocks involve rotating .

Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-

In Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-, a Shotlock is initiated by holding down for 0.25 seconds. The user enters a targeting mode and locks onto enemies, and the Shotlock begins by pressing ( in the Japanese version). Triggering a Shotlock slows down time for the duration of the Focus Gauge's depletion, allowing the player to maximize the number of lock-ons while minimizing damage and interference. Prism Rain is the only Shotlock available.

If the Focus Gauge is fully depleted, Aqua enters a "Focus Charge" mode that prevents her from using Shotlocks. The Focus Gauge can be refilled by touching a Save Point, or collecting Focus prizes.

Kingdom Hearts III

In Kingdom Hearts III, the mechanics are similar to Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-. Shotlocks can be initiated through a specific menu, accessed holding down for 0.25 seconds. The user enters a targeting mode and locks onto enemies, and the Shotlock begins by pressing ( in the Japanese version), attacking all locked on enemies. The amount of time the user has to lock onto enemies depends on the the current level of the Focus Gauge, which then empties when the attack is initiated relative to the number of targets locked on. After locking on to the Keychain's maximum amount of targets, the user interface will display the word "MAX" to indicate that no more enemies can be targeted.

As in Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-, time is slowed while locking onto enemies; however, timers, such as the ones seen in minigames, as well as the Doom counter used by Marluxia's Recreated Data, will still run at normal speed. The Airstep Flowmotion technique is also executed from the Shotlock menu by pressing .

Each Keychain has a certain amount of available Shotlocks. Most Keychains have two Shotlocks: a max-level one activated when locking on to all possible enemies that the Keychain allows, and another activated by locking on fewer targets. However, Ultima Weapon and Destiny's Embrace each have just one Shotlock activated with one lock; Shooting Star and Hunny Spout each have two max-level Shotlocks, one for two or fewer targets and another for three or more targets; and Master's Defender and Braveheart's Shotlocks only prompt additional attacks after achieving "MAX" locks, similar to previous games. The Shimmering Drops and Drain Shock Shotlocks also refill Sora's HP, relative to the amount of hit targets. Visually, all of Sora's max-level Shotlocks implement the corresponding weapon's Formchange, with his clothes transforming into the corresponding Form for the duration of the Shotlock.

If the Focus Gauge is fully depleted, the player enters a "Focus Charge" mode that prevents them from using Shotlocks. The Focus Gauge can be refilled by touching a Save Point, collecting Focus prizes, using items such as Refocusers, or using the Focus Syphon Shotlock during Focus Charge.

List of Shotlocks

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

Kingdom Hearts III

Other appearances

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

During the last stage of the final battle between Ventus and Vanitas, Vanitas uses a Shotlock called "Dark Cannon", in which Vanitas fires a beam of dark energy, augmented by a rotating triangle of blue crystals. Through his D-Link with Vanitas, Ventus gains a gold-colored version of the same Shotlock, named "Dark Link", which he can use to combat Vanitas's Dark Cannon.

The Vanitas Remnant can also use Dark Cannon in its boss fight, but the attack cannot be countered. The Vanitas Remnant can also use Clone Burst, which has it take an identical position as Dark Cannon and surrounds itself in a black ball before shooting out copies of itself which make one slash before freezing in place.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

When the Armored Ventus Nightmare utilizes Dark Charge against Riku during the final battle, it readies a Shotlock against him. When Riku absorbs his Dream Eaters to counter with Nightmare Clash, the rest of the battle involves the two of them rushing against each other until one of them is knocked out or Riku reverts.

Notes and references

• Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep commands
• Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
• Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage- abilities
• Kingdom Hearts III abilities
• Abilities