Cloud Strife (Dissidia 012)

General	Starter Guide		Strategy
Matchups	Resources

Info
Name	Cloud Strife (クラウド・ストライフ)
Original game	Final Fantasy VII
Weapon	Sword, Greatsword, Katana, Spear
Armor	Shields, Bangles, Hats, Helms, Clothing, Light Armor, Large Shields, Chestplates
Base ATK (LV100)	110 (Average)
Base DEF (LV100)	112 (High)
Run Speed	7 (Average)
Dash Speed	77F (Average / Good)
Fall Speed	87F (Below Average)
Fall Speed Ratio After Dodge	39 (Below Average)
Exclusive weapons	Buster Sword, Force Stealer, Butterfly Edge, Fenrir

Strengths

Weaknesses

Solid, easy and straightforward gameplay with Double Cut pokes, Bravery to HP links and standard-fare movement speed. Ground combat. Firaga, Fire + Climhazzard combo, HP Damage assist combos, wall rush, bravery Good meter build, with Double Cut rewarding good EX and HP links enabling assist meter gains on hit Flexible assist synergy thanks to wall rush potential and Double Cut confirms (with either hit) EX Mode lets Cloud to power through guards with bravery Melee High priority and EX Burst deals more damage the more health he has, one of the most damaging bursts in the game. High base defense of 112 at LV100, reducing bravery damage taken more than majority of the cast

Vulnerable HP links can limit Cloud's opportunities for HP damage against characters who can escape with Assist Change more often. LV2 Assist Change can also restrict" Cloud's follow-ups or moment-to-moment interactions. Floaty aerial dodges and lack of a potent dodge cover make air dodging risky for Cloud at higher levels of play Aerial gameplay more linear than grounded. While more than serviceable, optimising his air gameplay requires plenty of micro-optimisations and fundamental skills. Lackluster vertical braveries. While good at hitting from their designated angles, reward on hit, tracking and end lag leave something to be desired.

Overview

Cloud Strife is primarily a close-range fighter who utilises a variety of pokes, huge sword swings and projectiles to establish his advantage. When fighting on the ground, Cloud can apply standard fare movement to close gaps and engage with straightforward, yet effective braveries or attempt to sneak in damage from further away with four different projectiles. Keeping his opponent in check with Ranged Mid Firagas, poking with Double Cut, setting up extended combos with Fire and dodge punishing with Sonic Break, it's all here. In the air Cloud trades most ranged tools for melee attacks that cover different positions, lending to a more close-range oriented playstyle.

Regardless of where you play Cloud though, he has access to quick pokes with Double Cut to test waters, punish dodges and safely build assist meter with. Sonic Break (ground) and Slashing Blow (air) braveries can also branch out into a dedicated HP attack with great wall rush potential, enabling meter independent damage output that can grow exponentially with meter. Because of that, his great assist synergy and good base stats, Cloud has a lot of flexibility with builds, whether it's meter depletion, EX or assist oriented builds with Side by Side . And they're all worth investing in, as Side by Side enables big burst damage while his EX Mode allows him to guard crush with just bravery attacks alone, with increased damage multipliers on attacks that scale with more remaining health.

These traits make Cloud akin to an all-rounder much like Warrior of Light, with an emphasis on damage output instead of defense. But he is not without flaws. For one, his HP links from braveries are fairly long and punishable when Assist Changed out of, which can limit his damage output when the opponent has assist meter. Cloud's air dodges also pose a risk to him, as he is slow to fall after performing one and lacks effective guarding attacks to discourage dodge punishment. He often relies on clashing with Double Cut to make up for this, and if he cannot land braveries that lead to HP damage, he will rely on Double Cut even more to make ends meet.

Cloud's horizontal tracking is good, though not top of the line. With above average movement speed, but below average travel speed and max range with Braver, Cloud can struggle to punish blocks and dodges from further away. While he has no problem whiff punishing with vertical attacks such as Rising Fang and Braver, they have more situational application and reward overall. Similiarly, lingering higher priority projectiles can be powered through with Braver, but will leave him wide open for whiff punishment. Cloud can generate a good amount of EX or Assist meter on hit, but he can also struggle to capitalise on them against characters such as Lightning, Ultimecia and Sephiroth.

Historically Cloud has been ranked at mid tier and high tier in competitive play. A fundamentally sound character, he has tools for many different situations. Verticality, post-dodge defense, Assist Change counterplay, as well as lack of aerial mid range attacks and utility for traps hurt him. However, his straightforward moveset is fairly easy to pick up and lends well to close-range duels such as against Squall and Vaan. A good character who can lay a solid foundation for understanding nuances in the metagame.

Bravery Attacks

Ground

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	7, 13 (20)	13F	Physical	Melee Low	90
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Chase	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Close] Quick slash. Low power, fast execution.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	8, 12, 25 (45)	21F	Physical	Melee Low	30
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush, Absorb	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Close] Strike with three powerful blows. Sends foe flying.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	3 x 4, 8, 15 (35)	27F	Physical	Melee Low	30
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Mid] Charging attack. Slow strike, easy to wall rush.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	15, 5, 10 (30)	37F	Magical	Melee Mid (sword), Ranged Low (projectile)	90
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Chase	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Mid] Launch shockwave. Fast, but has weak homing.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	each (7, 10)	25F	Magical	Ranged Mid	0
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	-	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Long] Shoot three fireballs. Short range, but can restrain opponent with explosions.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	5 x 3 (15)	25F	Magical	Ranged Low	0
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	-	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Long] Hurl fireball. Faster than Fire.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	10	25F	Magical	Ranged Low	0
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	-	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Long] Hurl fireball. Slowly tracks opponent.

Aerial

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	5, 10, 25 (40)	21F	Physical	Melee Low	30
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Close] Powerful slashes. Change combo with analog stick.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	25	25F	Physical	Melee Low	0
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

Diving attack, scooping foe with sword. Useful from above.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	3, 1 x 10, 17 (30)	21F	Physical	Melee Low	33
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

Powerful upward lunge. Effective near ceiling.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	7, 13 (20)	13F	Physical	Melee Low	90
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Chase	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Close] Quick slash. Low power, fast execution.

HP Attacks

Ground

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	5, 5 (10)	41F	Physical	Melee High	30
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Close] Break through defenses with cross-shaped slashes.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	each (10)	21F (up), 81F (down)	Magical	Ranged Mid (up), Ranged High (down)	each 60
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	-	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Long] Send countless meteors towards opponent.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	1 x 4, 2 x 5 (+ = 34)	?	Physical	Melee High	27
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

Branching from Sonic Break. [Combo] A whirlwind of attacks.

Aerial

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	2, 1 x N (4+)	47F	Physical	Melee High	each 15
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Close] Midair charge. Effective against any height.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	each (10)	21F (up), 81F (down)	Magical	Ranged Mid (up), Ranged High (down)	each 60
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	-	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Long] Send countless meteors towards opponent.

No horizontal tracking unlike the ground version.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	2 x 4, 5, 7 (+ = 35)	?	Physical	?	36
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

Branching from Slashing Blow. [Combo] Series of speedy slices.

EX Mode: Equipped Ultima Weapon! / The power of mako!

Effects:

• Regen
• Critical Boost
• Ultima Weapon (CRUSH)
• Ultima Weapon (ATK)

Ultima Weapon (CRUSH)

[Always active while in EX Mode] Each attack becomes even heavier, crushing all attempts at blocking.

All Melee attacks become Melee High priority.

Ultima Weapon (ATK)

[Always active while in EX Mode] The higher the user's HP, the sharper the weapon's blade.

Damage multiplier scales to x1~x2 accordingly to current HP%, round down to nearest integer.

EX Burst: Omnislash

An attack slicing the opponent over and over. Repeatedly press circle to raise the gauge.

Damage multiplier (initial)	Damage multiplier (rest)	Type
14, 14 (28)	2 x 20 (40) (68 total)	Physical

Combos

Solo

Cloud has multiple solo combos due Climhazzard and Fire followups.

LL = Landing lag

Combo	Approximate damage (multipliers)	Approximate EX Force	Notes	Video
Climhazzard 2nd hit > Double Cut (midair)	40 (3x4, 8, 7, 13)	90+ (??, 90)	Cloud must recover from Climhazzard naturally without cancels to connect Double Cut. A consistent combo with good EX gain.	video
Climhazzard 2nd hit > Slashing Blow	60 (3x4, 8, 5, 10, 25 + WR)	30+ (??)	More difficult to time than Double Cut, but will inflict more bravery damage.	video
Climhazzard 2nd hit > Slashing Blow > Omnislash Version 5	49 + HP WR (3x4, 8, 5, 10, 1x4, 2x5 + HP WR)	30+ (??)	More difficult to time than Double Cut, but higher reward on hit.	video
Double Cut (ground) 1st hit > LL > BRV / HP	7 + 10~60+	??	Anti-airing an opponent with Double Cut's first hit lets Cloud combo into most of his other ground attacks with the help of landing lag. Cross Slash is a common followup.	video
Fire > Climhazzard	45 + WR (10, 35 + WR)	30	Other ground braveries can combo into Fire as long as it does not hit immediately upon performing it.	video
Fire > Sonic Break	55 + WR (10, 45 + WR)	30		video
Fire > Double Cut	30 (10, 20)	90		video
Sonic Break (2 hits) > LL > Double Cut (ground)	40 (8, 12, 7, 13)	??	video
Meteorain (midair) > Slashing Blow	34~40 + WR	60+	Wall only. Position above the opponent to connect in time.	video

Assist

Combo structure
Type	Damage	Notes
Starters
Climhazzard (2nd hit)	20 (3x4, 8)	Usually linked into Double Cut (midair) or Slashing Blow, but can work as is.
Sonic Break (2nd hit)	20 (8, 12)	Usually followed up with wall rush or Finishing Touch.
Double Cut (1st hit, midair)	7	Staple. Aerial poke conversion.
Double Cut (2nd hit, ground)	20 (7, 13)	Requires wall and chase.
Wall Rush (Climhazzard, Sonic Break, Slashing Blow, Rising Fang, Aerial Fang, Cross Slash, Finishing Touch, Braver, Omnislash Version 5)	Varies (10~45 + WR)	Staple.
Stagger (Firaga)	-	If opponent guarded Firaga, assist can be called.
Fillers
Firaga	max 51	Max damage filler.
Slashing Blow (2 hits)	15 (5, 10)	Air-to-ground.
Aerial Fang	25	Air-to-ground.
Double Cut (1st hit)	7	-
Enders
Slashing Blow	40 (5, 10, 25)	Bravery damage + wall rush
Double Cut (midair)	20 (7, 13)	EX gain (90)
Omnislash Version 5	35	HP + wall rush, base bravery recovery
Braver	+4 (2, 1xN)	HP + wall rush, EX gain

Builds

Builds here.

Stats
HP	9376
CP	480
BRV	1493
ATK	177
DEF	184
LUK	60
Max Booster	x3.5

Special Effect: None

Equipment
Assist	Kuja
Weapon	Piggy's Stick
Hand	Chainsaw (CP Glitch)
Head	Royal Crown (CP Glitch)
Body	Maximillian (CP Glitch)
Accessory 1	Hyper Ring
Accessory 2	Sniper Eye
Accessory 3	Dismay Shock
Accessory 4	Battle Hammer
Accessory 5	Empty EX Gauge
Accessory 6	Summon Unused
Accessory 7	Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 8	Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 9	Hero's Essence
Accessory 10	Side by Side
Summon	Rubicante

Best Dresser extra ability equipped.

Substitutes

Equipment	Replacement	Notes
Battle Hammer / Dismay Shock	Hero's Seal	Initial HP damage increase, raises initial bravery to 2239. If opponent also uses Side by Side, replace Dismay Shock.
Maximillian	Auto Crossbow	Damage increase, with even lower max health. Instead of equipping Maximillian, Auto Crossbow adds another +79 base bravery and +15 % physical damage on top. Do CP glitch to equip this machine-category equipment.

High burst damage with each wall rush assist combo. With First Strike extra ability, a single Slashing Blow > Omnislash Version 5 wall rush with Kuja assist can output 4,632 HP damage. Even Exdeath with Adamant Chains set at 187 defense can be left near bravery break and if enough critical hits are activated, will break him too. Which is to say, the damage potential is high.

Further investment into damage is possible at the expense of other abilities (equipping Assist Critical Boost instead of Counterattack, for example), maximum health or meter depletion. However, if the opponent uses the Disable First Attack extra ability, Cloud's critical hit rate can fall, greatly reducing the likelihood of reaching a bravery break with a single assist combo.

Stats
HP	9109
CP	450
BRV	1115
ATK	179
DEF	184
LUK	60
Max Booster	x1.3

Special Effect: None

Equipment
Assist	Kuja
Weapon	Fenrir
Hand	Chainsaw (CP Glitch)
Head	Oath Veil (CP Glitch)
Body	Auto Crossbow (CP Glitch)
Accessory 1	Muscle Belt
Accessory 2	Sniper Eye
Accessory 3	Dismay Shock
Accessory 4	Battle Hammer
Accessory 5	Summon Unused
Accessory 6	White Drop
Accessory 7	White Drop
Accessory 8	White Gem
Accessory 9	Tenacious Attacker
Accessory 10	Glutton
Summon	Rubicante

Substitutes

Equipment	Replacement	Notes

Assist

Cloud's assist data

Type	Attack	Startup	Position	Spawn	Damage multiplier	Effects
BRV	Sonic Break	21F	Ground	Opponent	8, 12, 25 (45)	Wall Rush
BRV	Slashing Blow	21F	Air	Opponent	5, 10, 25 (40)	Wall Rush
HP	Cross-slash	41F	Ground	Opponent	5, 5 (10)	Wall Rush
HP	Braver	47F	Air	Opponent	2, 1 x N (4+)	Wall Rush

Assists

One of Cloud's distinct strengths is his synergy with a myriad of assists in the game. In addition to powerhouse assists like Kuja, Aerith and Jecht, Cloud can also work with Onion Knight and Ultimecia.