Squall Leonhart (Dissidia 012)

Info
Name	Squall Leonhart (スコール・レオンハート)
Original game	Final Fantasy VIII
Weapon	Swords, Daggers, Katanas, Guns
Armor	Shields, Bangles, Hats, Helms, Clothing, Light Armor, Large Shields, and Chestplates
Base ATK (LV100)
Base DEF (LV100)
Run Speed	5 (Above Average)
Dash Speed	77 (Average / Good)
Fall Speed	81 (Average)
Fall Speed Ratio After Dodge	38 (Average)
Exclusive weapons	Revolver, Twin Lance, Punishment, Lionheart

Strengths	Weaknesses

Overview

Squall is a flexible close range character who can engage from further away and approach from a variety of angles. Above average running speed, fast multi-part bravery attacks, strong anti-air, strong combo & meter drain potential and Ranged Low block properties, Squall has a lot going for him.

On the ground, he can hit people outside of their effective range to lead into combos, easily anti-air and catch their dodges as well as play the conventional close range interactions. Air combat is handled with good usage of air movement, single hit HPs and the infamous Beat Fang. Building assist meter is consistent, with fast bravery whiffs and retaliatory HPs when using Side by Side. EX generation is weak in the air, but finishing ground attacks and investing into EX Core absorption with his exclusive weapon can make up the difference. Due to his holding potential, Squall can work with a variety of assists, though HP follow-ups may suffer depending on position and assist choice.

Squall is versatile and relatively easy to use, but he can struggle to punish air dodges effectively against fall fallers such as Kefka or Prishe. Similiarly, fast running speed can make most of his moves whiff effortlessly. On top of that, his primary way of protecting himself after a dodge is clashing with a bravery attack. Combined with his floaty air dodges, the reliance on dodge cancels can put Squall at great risk for any approach attempts.

Squall is a high tier character. Barring a few unfavorable match-ups, his consistency, flexibility and ease of use make him a good pick for new and experienced players alike.

Build styles:

• Adamant Chains
• Side by Side
• EX Core
• Hybrid
• Depletion

Bravery Moves

Ground

During EX Mode, damage multipliers inside brackets [ ] hit twice instead of once.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
[3,3,5],9 (20) [31]	13F	Physical	Melee Low	30	Wall Rush	30 (15)

[Close] Leap into the air. Quick launch, easy wall rush.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
[5,6,8,,10,5,5,16] (55) (110)	13F	Physical	Melee Low	90	Chase	30 (15)

[Close] Repeated slashes. Short range; quick and powerful.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
10 (10)	33F	Magical	Ranged Low	0	-	30 (15)

[Long] Fire one ice bullet. Long range, strong homing.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
each (3)	33F (furthest bolt appears first)	Magical	Ranged Low	each 9		30 (15)

[Mid] Lightning that draws foes. Good start for combos

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
6,6,6,6 each 6 (24+)	33F	Magical	Ranged Low, Mid (only thunder)	60~90	Chase	30 (15)

[Mid] Magic barrage. Can combo without hitting.

Aerial

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
20 (20)	41F	Physical	Melee Mid	0	Block Low (Ranged), Wall Rush	30 (15)

[Mid] Unleash heel drop. Slow start, fast movement.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
[3,5],7,[2x6,13] (40) [73]	15F	Physical	Melee Low	30	Wall Rush	30 (15)

[Close] Float, then strike down foe. Short reach, but fast.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
each 1 x8,7 (15)	33F	Magical	Ranged Low	each 30	Wall Rush	30 (15)

[Mid] Magic barrage. Can combo without hitting.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
each (5)	33F	Magical	Ranged Low	0	--	30 (15)

[Long] Launch multiple fireballs. Normal speed, strong homing.

HP Moves

Ground

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
--	43F	--	Ranged High	0	Block Low (Ranged), wall rush, absorb	30 (15)

[Close] Surround self with explosions. Block foe's spells.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
1 xN (max 50)	43F	Physical	Melee High	each 3	Wall rush	30 (15)

[Mid] Rage-filled charge. Can aim with the analog stick.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
6, 1 x4 (10)	41F	Magical	Melee High	90		30 (15)

[Mid] Chop with massive blade of light that flies forward.

Very strong tracking during start-up, good anti-air and dodge punishment tool.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
--	59F	--	Melee High	0	Wall rush	30 (15)

[Long] Leap into a charge. Slow start, but very fast charge.

Aerial

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
--	43F	--	Ranged High	0	Block Low (Ranged), wall rush, absorb	30 (15)

[Close] Surround self with explosions. Blocks foe's spells.

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
--	59F	--	Melee High	0	Wall rush	30 (15)

[Long] Leap into a charge. Slow start, but very fast charge.

EX Mode: Lionheart equipped!

Effects:

• Regen
• Critical Boost
• Lionheart (RANGE)
• Lionheart (HIT)

Lionheart (RANGE)

[Always active while in EX Mode] Transfers the heart of a lion to the weapon, increasing it's range.

Lionheart (HIT)

[Always active while in EX Mode] Pushes the weapon's specs to the limit, increasing the force of each blast.

EX Burst: Renzokuken

A flurry of attacks ending in one shattering blow. Watch your timing and press R when the cursor is in the frame.

Damage multiplier (initial)	Damage multiplier (rest)	Type
2,2 (4)	9x7, 13, 20 (96) (100 total)	Physical

Builds

Stats
HP	10299
CP	450
BRV	996
ATK	177
DEF	185
LUK	--
Max Booster	x3.5

Special Effect: Judgment of Lufenia

Equipment
Assist	Kuja
Weapon	Lionheart
Hand	Lufenian Shield
Head	Lufenian Helm
Armor	Lufenian Armor
Accessory 1	Hyper Ring
Accessory 2	Zephyr Cloak
Accessory 3	Dismay Shock
Accessory 4	Large Gap in HP
Accessory 5	Summon Unused
Accessory 6	Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 7	Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 8	Tenacious Attacker
Accessory 9	Glutton
Accessory 10	First to Victory
Summon	Rubicante

Use the CP glitch for Cavalier's Gear.

A general all-rounder build.

Stats
HP	9972
CP	450
BRV	877 (1052 with First to Victory)
ATK	178
DEF	185
LUK	--
Max Booster	x3.5

Special Effect: Adamant Chains

Equipment
Assist	Kuja
Weapon	Earthbreaker
Hand	Adamant Shield
Head	Adamant Helm
Armor	Adamant Vest
Accessory 1	Muscle Belt
Accessory 2	Dismay Shock
Accessory 3	Battle Hammer
Accessory 4	Summon Unused
Accessory 5	Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 6	Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 7	Aerial
Accessory 8	Tenacious Attacker
Accessory 9	First to Victory
Accessory 10	Back-Breaking Straw
Summon	Rubicante

Weapon can be changed according to match-up or player preference.

This set primarily takes advantage of the added air dodge distance that the set bonus provides. Squall's air dodges leave him vulnerable with no strong options to cover them, so the additional dodge distance helps him stay safe and whiff punish.

Against Onion Knight, Jecht or Cloud, you may need to adjust the accessories to suit Side by Side special accessory for assist meter. Tenacious Attacker is not a necessity, but good to have. Hero's Essence for more CP, Winged Boots for banish traps, Glutton for characters with strong EX generation (e.g. Lightning, Shantotto).

Stats
HP	10299
CP	450
BRV	996
ATK	177
DEF	185
LUK	--
Max Booster	x5.3

Special Effect: Soul of Yamato

Equipment
Assist	Kuja
Weapon	Lionheart
Hand	Genji Shield
Head	Genji Helm
Armor	Genji Armor
Accessory 1	Sniper Eye
Accessory 2	Dragonfly Orb
Accessory 3	Battle Hammer
Accessory 4	EX Core Present
Accessory 5	Summon Unused
Accessory 6	Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 7	Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 8	Aerial
Accessory 9	Tenacious Attacker
Accessory 10	First to Victory
Summon	Rubicante

Use the CP glitch for Cavalier's Gear.

Enhanced EX intake through EX cores.

Substitutes: Sniper Eye, Dragonfly Orb, Aerial and special accessories can be substituted according to player preference. First to Victory can be replaced with Dismay Shock. Previously mentioned substitutes are decent picks, such as Muscle Belt. With EX cores being your primary source for the meter, Together as One and Platinum Hourglass are not completely unviable.

Stats
HP	9971
CP	450
BRV	1453 (2179 with Hero's Seal)
ATK	176
DEF	182
LUK	--
Max Booster	x3.8

Special Effect: None

Equipment
Assist	Kuja
Weapon	Piggy's Stick
Hand	Hero's Shield
Head	Royal Crown
Armor	Maximillian
Accessory 1	Sniper Eye
Accessory 2	Dismay Shock
Accessory 3	Battle Hammer
Accessory 4	BRV = 0
Accessory 5	Empty EX Gauge
Accessory 6	Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 7	Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 8	Hero's Seal
Accessory 9	Together as One
Accessory 10	Side by Side
Summon	Rubicante

Use the CP glitch for Bard's Gear and Thief's Gear.

Recommended for small stages or even / favorable match-ups. With Together as One, Squall can whiff twice and already have one assist bar ready. Every time you stagger the opponent with LV2 Assist Change and hit them with Aerial Circle, you are also couple whiffs away from an assist bar. Meter lead can be easy to maintain to an extent.

Substitutes:

• Basic - Hyper Ring, Muscle Belt, Bravery Orb
• Booster - Large Gap in HP, Summon Unused, Grounded, Aerial, Assist
• Special - Blue Gem, Growth Egg, Great Gospel, Winged Boots, Hero's Essence, Badge of Trust.

Stats
HP	10298
CP	450
BRV	996
ATK	179
DEF	182
LUK	--
Max Booster	x6.9

Special Effect: Seal of Lufenia

Equipment
Assist	Yuna
Weapon	Lufenian Lance
Hand	Lufenian Dirk
Head	Lufenian Headband
Armor	Maximillian
Accessory 1	Dismay Shock
Accessory 2	Battle Hammer
Accessory 3	BRV = 0
Accessory 4	Assist
Accessory 5	Summon Unused
Accessory 6	Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 7	Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 8	Aerial
Accessory 9	Free choice
Accessory 10	Free choice
Summon

Use the CP glitch for Hoplite's Gear, Thief's Gear, Bard's Gear and Cavalier's Gear.

Yuna's air bravery assist with Aerial Circle for maximum effect. Press Aerial Circle as the second brv hit lands to ensure a maximum amount of hits from Aerial Circle. Even though no additional damage occurs (aside from wall rush), each HP hit depletes meter.