Cecil Harvey (Dissidia 012)

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Info
Name Cecil Harvey (セシル・ハーヴィ)
Original game Final Fantasy IV
Weapon Axes, Greatswords, Swords
Armor Gauntlets, Heavy Armor, Helms, Light Armor, Shields
Base ATK (LV100) 109 (Low / +1 as Dark Knight, Average)
Base DEF (LV100) 111 (Average / +1 as Paladin, High)
Run Speed 9 (Dark Knight, Slow) / 5 (Paladin, Above Average)
Dash Speed 81 (Dark Knight, Below Average) / 77 (Paladin, Average / Good)
Fall Speed 81 (Dark Knight, Average) / 89 (Paladin, Below Average)
Fall Speed Ratio After Dodge 39 (Dark Knight, Average) / 40 (Paladin, Average)
Exclusive weapons Dark Sword, Mythgraven Blade, Lustrous Sword, Lightbringer, Cimmerian Edge
Strengths Weaknesses

Overview

Cecil Harvey is a close / mid-range character who functions with two different movesets - Dark Knight and Paladin. Due to the risky nature of changing jobs and their distinct strengths, it is often recommended to focus on one job over the other. Cecil can whiff punish effectively from a variety of angles, has decent assist synergy and bravery damage output.

However he struggles to generate assist meter on whiff due to long start-ups, animation length and late cancel opportunities. EX generation is good for Paladin, but weaker in Dark Knight. With less than ideal speed and tracking, limited effective angles, difficulties staying safe and keeping up in meter economy, Cecil often takes relatively high risks for a lower return.

His arguably safer repertoire is restricted to ground (Dark Knight), which also does not often force his opponents to play into his strengths.

Cecil has been primarily a bottom tier character, with some hope for low tier status. Temper your expectations and you may discover a fun character for yourself.

Build styles:

  • Side by Side (Dark Knight)
  • EX (Paladin)

Bravery Attacks

Ground (Dark Knight)

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
10, 10, 20 (40) 15F Physical Melee Low 30 Wall rush 20 (10)
[Close] Jab foe with blade. Can send foe flying.

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
1 x 4, 2 x 4, 3 (15) 41F Magical Ranged Low (forward), Ranged Mid (backward) each 3 Block (Ranged Low) 20 (10)
[Long] Draw foe with projectile. Good start for other combos.

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
8, 7 x 6 (50) 35F Physical Melee High (close), Ranged Low (far) ~20 Wall rush 20 (10)
[Mid] Throw weapon. Major damage if lands near opponent.

Ground (Paladin)

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
10, 10 (20) 23F Physical Melee Low 90 Chase 20 (10)
[Close] Hit foe upwards. Slow, but very accurate strike.

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
3, 3, 5, 4, 4, 11 (30) 43F Physical Melee Mid (first half), Melee Low (second half) 90 Chase, Block (Ranged Low) 20 (10)

[Mid] Charge, then leap. Good start for midair attacks.

Contrary to what the description says in the game, it is not a good start for midair attacks. The slow startup time makes it impractical against vigilant players and chase limits viable assist combo conversions.

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
5, 10, 1 x 2, 10 (27) 23F Physical Melee Low 90 Chase, job change 20 (10)
[Close] Change job to Dark Knight during combo.

Aerial (Dark Knight)

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
7, 2 x 4 (15) 37F Magical Ranged Low 0 Wall Rush 20 (10)
[Mid] Fire off gravity ball. Good start for ground attacks.

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
1 each, 24 (25+) 37F Physical Melee Low (falling), Ranged Mid (landing) 60+ Chase 20 (10)
[Close] High-speed dive. Useful for quick descents.

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
7, 2 x 4, 3 x 5 (30) 37F Magical Ranged Low 0 Job change 20 (10)
[Mid] Change job to Paladin during combo.

Aerial (Paladin)

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
3, 3, 7, 6, 6, 6, 9 (40) 19F Physical Melee Low 30 Wall rush 20 (10)

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
3 x 5, 5, 10 (30) 21F Physical Melee Low 90 Chase 20 (10)

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
3 x 5 (15) 95F Magical Ranged Low 0 - 20 (10)

HP Attacks

Ground

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
4, 2 x 5, 6 (20) 39F Physical Melee High 30 Wall rush 30 (15)
[Close] Stab fore and devour his soul. Limited height, quick strike.

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
- 53F - Ranged High 0 Wall rush 30 (15)
[Long] Summon dark fire. Slow speed, strong homing.

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
10, 10 (20) 13F Physical Melee High 30 Wall rush, Dark Knight BRV damage +3%, Paladin BRV damage -3% 30 (15)

[Ultra-close] Dark sword slash. Dark Knight BRV damage +3%, Paladin BRV damage -3%.

Equipping Shadow Bringer will lock you out equipping the aerial Luminous Shard HP for the Paladin job.

Aerial

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
1 x 3, 2, 1 x 2, 3 (10) 53F Physical Melee High 30 Wall rush 30 (15)
[Mid] Focus light and charge. From afar, good vs. any height.

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
2 x 5, 5 (15) 43F Both Ranged High (first hit), Melee High (other hits) 30 Wall rush 30 (15)
[Close] Holy sword magic. Effective against any height.

Damage multiplier Startup frame Type Priority EX Force Effects CP (Mastered)
- 63F - Ranged High 60 Paladin BRV damage +3%, Dark Knight BRV damage -3% 30 (15)

[Long] Shoot light projectiles. Paladin BRV damage +3%. Dark Knight BRV damage -3%.

Equipping Luminous Shard will lock you out equipping the grounded Shadow Bringer HP for the Dark Knight job.

EX Mode: Job Augment

Effects:

  • Regen
  • Critical Boost
  • Proteus
  • Inner Strength

Proteus

[Activate with R + Square] Bridles light and darkness to instantly change jobs without attacking.

Inner Strength

[Always active while in EX Mode] Each is 1.5 times as powerful.

EX Burst: Soul Shift

A chain of attacks combining the power of light and darkness. Enter the commands that appear on both sides of the screen at the same time.

Damage multiplier (initial) Damage multiplier (rest) Type
6, 9 (15, DK) 15 (PA), 25 (DK), 7 x 2 (DK), 30 (PA) (99 total) Both

About the Job System

Cecil has two jobs, but only has access to one of them at a time. To change jobs, either use Paladin Arts or Dark Step braveries, or grounded HP attack to access Dark Knight or aerial HP to access Paladin.

Jobs can be changed freely outside of attack animations during EX mode by pressing R+Square. This means Cecil often makes himself vulnerable in order to change movesets, making this adjustment rather risky for Cecil. Not only that, equipping Shadow Bringer or Luminous Shard HP attack locks Cecil out of equipping the other HP, further incentivising into dedicated Dark Knight or Paladin play.

Cecil ALWAYS starts a fight in Dark Knight form, meaning Paladin-focused players will have to perform an HP attack as soon as the match starts, or bide their time in Dark Knight form until they have an opportunity to change forms without being punished.

Builds

Stats
HP 9883
CP 450
BRV 1623
ATK 176
DEF 182
LUK 61
Max Booster x3.5
Special Effect: None
Equipment
Assist Jecht / Sephiroth / Yuna
Weapon Piggy's Stick
Hand Chainsaw
Head Thornlet
Armor Maximillian
Accessory 1 accessory_basic.png Sniper Eye
Accessory 2 accessory_basic.png Dismay Shock
Accessory 3 accessory_basic.png Battle Hammer
Accessory 4 accessory_booster.png Empty EX Gauge
Accessory 5 accessory_booster.png Summon Unused
Accessory 6 accessory_booster.png Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 7 accessory_booster.png Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 8 accessory_special.png Blue Gem
Accessory 9 accessory_special.png Miracle Shoes
Accessory 10 accessory_special.png Side by Side
Summon Rubicante

Use the CP glitch with Equip Machines and Bard's Gear.

Blue Gem and Miracle Shoes can be substituted with Together as One, Hero's Seal or Back-Breaking Straw (to offset Thornlet penalties).

Boosters "Grounded" and "BRV = 0" can enhance HP wall rush damage with a higher multiplier at the cost of lower base bravery.

Stats
HP 10299
CP 450
BRV 956 (1147 with First to Victory)
ATK 178
DEF 183
LUK 60
Max Booster x3.0
Special Effect: Judgment of Lufenia
Equipment
Assist Kuja / Aerith
Weapon Cleaver
Hand Lufenian Shield
Head Lufenian Helm
Armor Lufenian Armor
Accessory 1 accessory_basic.png Hyper Ring
Accessory 2 accessory_basic.png Muscle Belt
Accessory 3 accessory_basic.png Dismay Shock
Accessory 4 accessory_booster.png Summon Unused
Accessory 5 accessory_booster.png Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 6 accessory_booster.png Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 7 accessory_booster.png Opponent Summon Unused
Accessory 8 accessory_special.png White Gem
Accessory 9 accessory_special.png Tenacious Attacker
Accessory 10 accessory_special.png First to Victory
Summon Rubicante

Use the CP glitch with Ranger's Gear.

"Muscle Belt" basic accessory and "Opponent Summon Unused" booster can be substituted with what the player wants more.

Tenacious Attacker is not essential if Aerith assist is used. Hero's Essence can be used for additional Extra Abilities (critical hit rate). Winged Boots is good for banish trap stages.

Assists

Cecil's assist data

Type Attack Startup Position Spawn Damage multiplier Effects
BRV Shadow Lance 35F Ground Opponent 8, 7 x 6 (up to 50) Wall Rush
BRV Radiant Wings 19F Air Opponent 3, 3, 7, 6, 6, 9 Wall Rush
HP Soul Eater 39F Ground Opponent 4, 2 x 5, 6 (20) Wall Rush
HP Saint's Fall 53F Air Opponent 1 x 3, 2, 1 x 2, 3 (10) Wall Rush

Dark Knight Assists

Fast whiff punishes, converts off of Cecil's key moves and wall rush, sets up solo combos and lets him transition into Dark Knight from Paladin on hit as part of a combo.

Whiff punishes and more notably, easy knockback cancels. With assist meter, Cecil won't have to rely on wall rushes for assist conversions.

Ranged Low priority that isn't staggered by LV2 Assist Change, converts off of key moves, wall rush and often works within Cecil's effective range in smaller stages.

Paladin Assists

Lets Cecil combo Sacred Cross into an HP by initiating a chase at the cost of no EX depletion on hit. As such, can set up solo combos anywhere. Combos safely into Luminous Shard without being staggered by LV2 Assist Change.

Fastest whiff punisher in the air with less air combo potential, but ground assist can wall rush on the ground for extended solo combos.

Air conversions have restrictions, but doesn't stagger from LV2 Assist Change. Works well when playing near the ground.