Latest revision as of 08:25, 12 May 2025

Zidane
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Overview

Zidane is an HP linker with relatively low base damage, low base ATK and very few ways to Wall Rush. The main way to build Zidane for damage is by investing into high base bravery and assist gain on HP hit. Piggy's Stick and Side by Side are at the core of many Zidane builds, and they provide a bit of flexibility for different needs. Zidane doesn't need critical hits for his damage output, which creates stability against any character. His EX gain is not best-in-class and his assist combos move him away from the EX Force that he generates. Because of his low damage and the lopsided synergy with assist, effective Zidane builds show less variance on average compared to someone like Cloud.

Generally speaking, Zidane will be using a Side by Side build with high base bravery. Any deviations from that depend on the matchup or player preference.

About Auto Assist Lock On

The support ability Auto Assist Lock On lets characters aim their ongoing attack towards opponent's assist. This is good for preventing assist punishes, but Zidane is pretty difficult to assist punish outside of raw HPs.

Auto Assist Lock On has its own downside for Zidane though; If the opponent escapes from Swift Attack before Zidane performs Meo Twister, Zidane will move in a straight line during Meo Twister. This makes Zidane miss the opponent completely, which is in stark contrast to Meo Twister's otherwise potent tracking. Punishing Zidane's Swift Attack with LV1 Assist Change is an important counterstrategy, but it can be easy to use Assist Change late. If this happens, Zidane has already hit the opponent and he can do Meo Twister even if the remaining Swift Attack hits missed. Considering Meo Twister's tracking, Auto Assist Lock On can deny Zidane very consistent HP damage in these situations.

Hybrid (High Base BRV)

Stats
HP	10278
CP	450
BRV	1544
ATK	176
DEF	181
LUK	60
Max Booster	x3.5

**Special Effect**: -
Equipment
Assist	Aerith
Weapon	Piggy's Stick
Hand	Blurry Moon
Head	Thornlet
Body	Maximillian
Accessory 1	Bravery Orb
Accessory 2	Dismay Shock
Accessory 3	Summon Unused
Accessory 4	Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 5	Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 6	Aerial
Accessory 7	Badge of Trust
Accessory 8	Great Gospel
Accessory 9	First to Victory
Accessory 10	Together As One
Summon	Rubicante

Bravery attacks
Ground	Aerial
Booster 8	Swift Attack

	Branch: Meo Twister C
	↑+ Scoop Art


	↓+ Tempest

	Branch: Meo Twister B
HP attacks
Ground	Aerial
Tidal Flame	Free Energy
	↑+ Grand Lethal
	↓+ Shift Break

indicates a "Gear" extra ability or the use of CP / Equipment glitch. The total CP cost will assume the glitch is done.

Build Overview

This is a hybrid build that focuses on initial assist gauge, high base bravery and bravery recovery. Since Side by Side is not used, Zidane's EX gauge is not locked. That means Zidane can benefit proactively from EX Cores, but they are also his primary source for EX; Badge of Trust and Together As One reduce EX absorption by 70% in total. Grabbing EX Force will hardly fill the gauge, so Zidane must use his high dash speed to reach for the cores.

Zidane will start each fight with 1852 bravery and 2 assist gauges. This provides Zidane flexibility in assist gauge management. He can go for a double Aerith combo and establish momentum, but if he gets hit, he can still use assist to escape from incoming damage. Worth noting is that First to Victory also provides 20 % EX from the beginning. That can reduce the amount of EX cores Zidane needs for a full EX gauge, but this is more likely to happen after few minutes of play. EX cores are not boosted with this build in any way, so while Zidane can generate a decent amount of EX with Swift Attack and Shift Break, he won't be reaching EX mode particularly fast.

Zidane is primarily a Side by Side user, with double Aerith assist combos dealing tons of HP damage. There is little incentive for him to deviate from that build style. However, this can work as an alternative for players who wish to make use of the EX mechanics.

Basic Abilities

Actions
Ground Evasion
Midair Evasion
Ground Block
Midair Block
Aerial Recovery
Recovery Attack
Controlled Recovery
Wall Jump
Air Dash
Free Air Dash
Free Air Dash Boost
Assist Gauge Up Dash
Jump Boost+
Jump Times Boost+
Ground Evasion Boost
Midair Evasion Boost
Descent Speed Boost

Support
Always Target Indicator
EX Core Lock On
Assist Lock On

Extra
Precision Jump
Precision Evasion
Disable Counterattack
EXP to Assist
Best Dresser

CP
405 / 450

CP Allocation

45 points are available for various abilities. (Omni) Ground Dash, Multi Air Slide, Speed Boost++, Achy+, Magic Shield, Physical Shield are all decent abilities. Ground attacks aren't Zidane's forte, but one of them can be equipped if desired.

Side by Side (High Base BRV)

Stats
HP	8454
CP	450
BRV	1533
ATK	175
DEF	182
LUK	60
Max Booster	x3.5

**Special Effect**: -
Equipment
Assist	Aerith
Weapon	Piggy's Stick
Hand	Chainsaw
Head	Royal Crown
Body	Auto Crossbow
Accessory 1	Bravery Orb
Accessory 2	Dismay Shock
Accessory 3	Battle Hammer
Accessory 4	Empty EX Gauge
Accessory 5	Summon Unused
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

Bravery attacks
Ground	Aerial
Booster 8	Swift Attack

	Branch: Meo Twister C
	↑+ Scoop Art


	↓+ Tempest

	Branch: Meo Twister B
HP attacks
Ground	Aerial
Tidal Flame	Free Energy
	↑+ Grand Lethal
	↓+ Shift Break

indicates a "Gear" extra ability or the use of CP / Equipment glitch. The total CP cost will assume the glitch is done.

Build Overview

A staple damage build for Zidane. Everything revolves around high base bravery and Side by Side . The goal is simple; Land a hit with Swift Attack > Meo Twister or Shift Break and extend the assist combos as much as possible. Together As One provides a good amount of assist gauge right from the beginning and Hero's Seal increases Zidane's starting bravery to over 2000. Meter depletion is accounted for with accessories and Bravery Orb helps Zidane reach base bravery faster during assist combos. Since Zidane relies on base bravery, his damage output is not affected by lack of critical hits or low ATK stat.

Zidane has low max health with this build, so this could be considered a type of "glass cannon" build. However, a single Aerith assist combo can do over 3000 HP damage at base bravery... and even more if Zidane gets the combo extensions with double Aerith and Shift Break.

Basic Abilities

Actions
Ground Evasion
Midair Evasion
Ground Block
Midair Block
Aerial Recovery
Recovery Attack
Controlled Recovery
Wall Jump
Air Dash
Free Air Dash
Free Air Dash Boost
Assist Gauge Up Dash
Jump Boost++
Jump Times Boost++
Ground Evasion Boost
Midair Evasion Boost
Evasion Boost
Descent Speed Boost

Support
Always Target Indicator
EX Core Lock On
Assist Lock On

Extra
Precision Jump
Precision Evasion
Disable Sneak Attack
EXP to Assist
Best Dresser

CP
425 / 450

CP Allocation

25 points are available. They can be used for Speed Boost+, Ground Dash and Auto Assist Lock On.

Substitutes

Substitutes
Equipment / Ability	Substitute	Notes
Summon Unused	Aerial	A stronger x1.5 booster if ground is not available or deemed necessary.
Tidal Flame	Speed Boost++	Speed Boost++ helps Zidane move faster on the ground and in the air. If Tidal Flame is not deemed necessary, this can help in footsies.

Attacks (Staple)

These attacks are recommended regardless of matchup, stage or player preference.

Booster 8

Mid priority gap closer that combos into air moves on hit. Zidane's ground braveries are notably weaker compared to his air braveries, so there aren't many must-have braveries on the ground.

Swift Attack + Meo Twister

A staple air poke, Zidane's primary HP link and high damage assist combo starter.

Tempest + Meo Twister

Zidane's downward HP link. High damage assist combo starter, and higher base damage than Swift Attack. Good as an aerial punish move.

Attacks (Flexible)

These attacks are great to have, but can be swapped or removed depending on matchup, stage or player preference.

Scoop Art (midair)

Long range projectile, can convert into an assist combo on reaction if two or more shots connect. Commonly used to build assist gauge, but frequent use makes Zidane vulnerable to dash > poke.

Side by Side (Seal of Lufenia)

Stats
HP	9823
CP	450
BRV	1583
ATK	173
DEF	182
LUK	61
Max Booster	x2.1

**Special Effect**: Seal of Lufenia
Equipment
Assist	Aerith
Weapon	Lufenian Pole
Hand	Lufenian Greatshield
Head	Thornlet
Body	Lufenian Jacket
Accessory 1	Bravery Orb
Accessory 2	Battle Hammer
Accessory 3	Empty EX Gauge
Accessory 4	Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 5	Blue Drop
Accessory 6	Blue Drop
Accessory 7	Blue Drop
Accessory 8	Blue Gem
Accessory 9	Miracle Shoes
Accessory 10	Side By Side
Summon	Rubicante

Bravery attacks
Ground	Aerial
Booster 8	Scoop Art


	↑+ Swift Attack

	Branch: Meo Twister C
	↓+ Tempest

	Branch: Meo Twister B
HP attacks
Ground	Aerial
Stellar Circle 5	Grand Lethal
	↑+ Free Energy
↓+ Tidal Flame	↓+ Shift Break

indicates a "Gear" extra ability or the use of CP / Equipment glitch. The total CP cost will assume the glitch is done.

Build Overview

Side by Side build, but with more EX depletion thanks to the Seal of Lufenia special effect. Compared to the SbS high base bravery build, Zidane's base BRV is influenced more by the accessories. That means any changes to the Blue Drops and Blue Gem will lower Zidane's damage output. Opponents already have incentive to escape from Zidane combos due to the damage output, but EX depletion delays EX gauge interactions which is still good for Zidane.

Thornlet acts as one of the centerpieces for high base bravery. But it has a minor bravery depletion effect for dodging and blocking attacks. This is a low amount of bravery, which Zidane can compensate for even with his low base damage. So assuming Zidane lands hits without losing much bravery beforehand, the bravery penalty won't cripple Zidane.

Basic Abilities

Actions
Ground Evasion
Midair Evasion
Ground Block
Midair Block
Aerial Recovery
Controlled Recovery
Wall Jump
Free Air Dash
Ground Dash
Free Air Dash Boost
Assist Gauge Up Dash
Speed Boost+
Jump Boost
Jump Times Boost
Ground Evasion Boost
Midair Evasion Boost
Evasion Boost

Support
Always Target Indicator
EX Core Lock On
Auto Assist Lock On

Extra
Precision Jump
Precision Evasion
Magic Shield
Physical Shield
Gambler's Spirit
Disable Counterattack
EXP to HP
Best Dresser

CP
450 / 450

References

Navigation

Dissidia 012 [duodecim] Final Fantasy
Playable characters	Bartz Klauser • Cecil Harvey • Cloud Strife • Cloud of Darkness • Feral Chaos • Exdeath • Firion • Gabranth • Garland • Gilgamesh • Golbez • Jecht • Kain Highwind • Kefka Palazzo • Kuja • Laguna Loire • Lightning • Onion Knight • Prishe • Sephiroth • Shantotto • Squall Leonhart • Terra Branford • Tidus • The Emperor • Tifa Lockhart • Ultimecia • Vaan • Warrior of Light • Yuna • Zidane Tribal
Other characters	Aerith Gainsborough • Chaos
First-timers	Change Log • FAQ • Glossary • Starter Guide
Resources	Combo Videos • Customization Guide (Online) • List of Useful Info • Online Setup (PPSSPP) • Tier List • Tier List (Assist) • Trade Component Farming Guide • Translations
Battle mechanics	Aerial Recovery • Assist • Assist Gauge Charge • Battlegen • Block • Bravery • Chase • Dash • Dodge • EX • HP • Landing Lag • Quickmove • Wall Rush
Customization	Abilities • Accessories • Equipment • Special Effects • Statistic • Summons
Techniques	Blodge • Dash Feint • Dodge Punishment • Lock Off
Community rulesets	DC Ranked • Dissidence • Japan Ranked • Tournament Rules
Stages	Crystal Tower • Crystal World • Dream's End • Edge of Madness • Empyreal Paradox • Kefka's Tower • Lunar Subterrane • M.S. Prima Vista • Old Chaos Shrine • Order's Sanctuary • Orphan's Cradle • Pandaemonium • Pandaemonium - Top Floor • Phantom Train • Planet's Core • Sky Fortress Bahamut • The Rift • Ultimecia's Castle • World of Darkness
Data	Attack Priority • CP Glitch • EX Burst Damage • Damage Formula • Frame Data • Glitches (Assist Storage Glitch) • Movement Speed • Music • Staff credits • Unlockables
Misc.	Dissidia 012 Prologus (Script)
Modding	DLC EDAT Reference

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 = About Auto Assist Lock On =
-The support ability Auto Assist Lock On lets characters aim their ongoing attack towards opponent's assist. This is good for preventing '''[[Glossary_(Dissidia_012)#Assist_punish|assist punishes]]''', but Zidane is pretty difficult to assist punish outside of raw HPs.
+The support ability Auto Assist Lock On lets characters aim their ongoing attack towards opponent's assist. This is good for preventing {{#tooltip: <u>assist punishes</u> | Assist Punish refers to a whiff punish done with assist.}}, but Zidane is pretty difficult to assist punish outside of raw HPs.
 Auto Assist Lock On has its own downside for Zidane though; If the opponent escapes from Swift Attack before Zidane performs Meo Twister, Zidane will move in a straight line during Meo Twister. This makes Zidane miss the opponent completely, which is in stark contrast to Meo Twister's otherwise potent tracking. Punishing Zidane's Swift Attack with '''[[Assist_(Dissidia_012)#LV1_Assist_Change|LV1 Assist Change]]''' is an important counterstrategy, but it can be easy to use Assist Change late. If this happens, Zidane has already hit the opponent and he can do Meo Twister even if the remaining Swift Attack hits missed. Considering Meo Twister's tracking, Auto Assist Lock On can deny Zidane very consistent HP damage in these situations.
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 |setbonus=-
 |ast={{012aer}}
-|wpn=Piggy's Stick
+|wpn=Piggy's Stick {{equip}}
 |hand=Blurry Moon
 |head=Thornlet
-|armor=Maximillian
+|armor=Maximillian {{equip}}
 |acc1={{accbas}} Bravery Orb
 |acc2={{accbas}} Dismay Shock