To evolve a Copy Ability in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, find its blueprint, return to Waddle Dee Town, and take it to Waddle Dee’s Weapons Shop. Creating an evolved ability also costs coins and Rare Stones; earn Rare Stones by completing Treasure Road challenge stages. The original Nintendo Switch game has 12 upgradeable Copy Ability paths and 24 blueprints. Nintendo’s game page describes how Kirby copies abilities from certain enemies.
How to upgrade a Copy Ability
- Find a blueprint in a stage, as a mission or boss reward, in the Coliseum, or in post-game content.
- Return to Waddle Dee Town and visit Waddle Dee’s Weapons Shop.
- Provide the blueprint, coins, and Rare Stones to create the evolved Copy Ability. Rare Stones come from Treasure Road challenge stages.
Every original-game evolution path
The original Nintendo Switch release, published March 25, 2022, has 12 evolvable Copy Abilities. Each path below is shown in order; some abilities have one evolution and others have several.
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| Starting ability | Evolution path |
|---|---|
| Ranger | Ranger → Noble Ranger → Space Ranger |
| Hammer | Hammer → Toy Hammer → Wild Hammer → Masked Hammer |
| Crash | Crash → Time Crash |
| Fire | Fire → Volcano Fire → Dragon Fire |
| Cutter | Cutter → Chakram Cutter → Buzz-Saw Cutter |
| Sword | Sword → Gigant Sword → Meta Knight Sword |
| Bomb | Bomb → Chain Bomb → Homing Bomb |
| Tornado | Tornado → Fleur Tornado → Storm Tornado |
| Drill | Drill → Pencil Drill → Twin Drill |
| Sleep | Sleep → Deep Sleep |
| Needle | Needle → Clutter Needle → Crystal Needle |
| Ice | Ice → Frosty Ice → Blizzard Ice |
Where to find all 24 blueprints
Blueprints are found in stages, boss and miniboss encounters, the Coliseum, and post-game content. Several require an optional action or a detour, so check the matching stage carefully.
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- Noble Ranger: Defeat Tropic Woods, the World 2 boss.
- Space Ranger: At the end of World 6-2, use Ranger to hit the hidden target floating to the right of the endpoint.
Hammer
- Toy Hammer: In Wondaria Remains 3-1, water every wilted flower to complete the mission.
- Wild Hammer: In World 5-3, defeat Wild Bonkers, take the Hammer ability, and hit the arena switches.
- Masked Hammer: After completing the main campaign, approach King Dedede in Waddle Dee Town.
Crash
- Time Crash: Near the end of 3-3, hover down to the circular tunnel on the left and enter its secret area.
Fire
- Dragon Fire: In 4-3, use Mouthful Mode on the lift. Ride from left to right, then jump to the platform with the blueprint.
Cutter
- Buzz-Saw Cutter: In the second section of 5-2, look for a partly obscured chest on a ledge among tall plant enemies and purple poison.
Sword
- Gigant Sword: Defeat Wild Edge in the World 3-2 miniboss battle.
- Meta Knight Sword: Defeat Meta Knight in the Waddle Dee Town Coliseum.
Bomb
- Chain Bomb: Complete the arena-style battle in Everbay Coast 2-4.
- Homing Bomb: Defeat King Dedede for the first time in 4-5.
Tornado
- Storm Tornado: Near the end of 6-4, check the nook down and to the right of the rollercoaster platform before riding it.
- Fleur Tornado: Near the end of 3-4, use water to send a passing vehicle through the cracked wall behind the Waddle Dee cage.
Drill
- Pencil Drill: Defeat Clawroline at the end of 3-5.
- Twin Drill: At the start of 5-4, break the barrel in the left nook before entering the main doors; watch for collapsing blocks.
Sleep
- Deep Sleep: In 6-3, near the area with the third Waddle Dee, float into the tunnel to the left after exiting the secret-area door.
Needle
- Clutter Needle: At the start of 2-3, trigger the bomb block to destroy the floor section under the yellow ladders.
- Crystal Needle: After defeating Fleurina in the 5-1 miniboss battle, open the chest to the left of the battle area.
Ice
- Frosty Ice: Collect the blueprint from the chest after the Twin Frosty arena fight in 4-4.
- Blizzard Ice: Defeat Sillydillo in 5-5.
Spoiler: post-game sword blueprint
- Morpho Knight Sword: Defeat Morpho Knight at the end of the post-game Isolated Isles content. This unlock is additional to the 24 blueprints for the original-game evolution paths.
What each evolved ability changes
There is no single best evolution for every situation. Choose according to what matters in the encounter: damage, speed, range, area control, defense, mobility, or traversal.
#1 Best Overall
Ranger
Noble Ranger gives Kirby dual pistols and a flurry of charged shots. Space Ranger’s fully charged shots are especially powerful, create sparks on contact, and produce a large vortex at maximum charge.
Hammer
Toy Hammer attacks faster, and its charged flips deal more damage. Wild Hammer is slower but hits harder and can break the ground with charged attacks. Masked Hammer dual-wields and adds fire and wind to regular attacks, with a flaming whirlwind charge.
Crash
Time Crash slows enemies and obstacles. Defeating enemies while time is slowed can extend the effect, making it useful for controlling a crowded fight.
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Rank #2
- Region-free, works on all Nintnedo Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite consoles around the world
Fire
Volcano Fire adds fiery boulders and rapid attacks. Dragon Fire reaches with long flame attacks and gives Kirby short bursts of flight.
Cutter
Chakram Cutter gives Kirby dual cutters. Buzz-Saw Cutter adds power and range, and its blades can ricochet off walls.
Sword
Gigant Sword trades speed for a large, powerful blade and a charged overhead cleave. Meta Knight Sword supports rapid attacks and a sword slide.
Rank #3
![Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World Upgrade Pack - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nyTPzZiVL._SL160_.jpg)
- Upgrade your adventure and uncover the mystery of the meteor—only on the Nintendo Switch 2 system!
- Enhance your adventure through the Forgotten Land with this upgrade pack. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game not only has faster frame rates and improved graphics, but also adds a brand-new story! After the world is struck by a powerful meteor, Kirby must use his amazing abilities, including some all-new Mouthful Modes, to clear a trail through uncharted territory. Hope you’re hungry to start a new chapter in this unforgettable adventure!
Bomb
Chain Bomb links bombs together into chains. Homing Bombs seek nearby threats after landing, reducing the need to place every bomb directly on a target.
Tornado
Fleur Tornado is a stronger form of Tornado. Storm Tornado adds lightning and a large, screen-filling attack for broader area control.
Drill
Drill lets Kirby move underground, dodge attacks, and dig for treasure. Twin Drill attacks faster and more powerfully, and adds a surface saw while Kirby moves underground.
Rank #4
![Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JoDiLmipL._SL160_.jpg)
- amiibo sold separately. Visit amiibo.com for details on amiibo functionality.
Sleep
Deep Sleep restores more health than Sleep.
Needle
Crystal Needle fires shards and expands into a larger spiked ball when charged.
Ice
Ice can freeze enemies and let Kirby traverse fiery surfaces. Blizzard Ice adds ranged shards, rapid ice blasts, and defensive ice spikes.
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Star-Crossed World: three separate Mouthful Modes
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition adds the Star-Crossed World expansion. Nintendo describes its Upgrade Pack as adding a new story with all-new Mouthful Modes; these additions are not extra branches in the original game’s 12 Copy Ability evolution paths.
- Gear Mouth: Rolls horizontally or vertically along walls and can attack or break some objects by turbo-boosting.
- Spring Mouth: Jumps high and can smash down onto targets.
- Sign Mouth: Races along snow or dirt tracks, attacks by spinning, and can jump.
Nintendo Life’s 2025 guide identifies these modes as part of the expansion’s new content. Availability depends on having the Switch 2 Edition content.
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