Garland (Dissidia 012)

Info
Name	Garland (ガーランド)
Original game	Final Fantasy
Base ATK (LV100)
Base DEF (LV100)
Run Speed	10.5 (Very Slow)
Dash Speed	81 (Below Average)
Fall Speed	77 (Above Average)
Fall Speed Ratio After Dodge	41 (Below Average)
Fastest BRV
Fastest HP
1-Hit HP
HP Links
Command Block
Weapon	Axes, Greatswords, Katanas, Spears
Armor	Gauntlets, Heavy Armor, Helms, Light Armor, Shields
Exclusive weapons	Ogrekiller, Viking Axe, Gigant Axe
Unlock
Alignment
Voice Actor (JP)
Voice Actor (ENG)

Strengths	Weaknesses
Coming soon	Coming soon

Overview

Garland is a defensive close / mid-range character with good whiff punish capability and bravery damage output.

Bravery Attacks

Ground

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	7,8,30 (45, Short) / 7,8,9,2,2,2,15 (45, Long)	23F	Physical	Melee Low, Melee Mid (2nd hit), Melee High (3rd hit, Long)	30 (Short) / 90 (Long)
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush (Short) / Chase (Long)	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Close] Broad sword sweep. Change combo with input timing.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	2x5,5,15 (30)	31F	Physical	Melee Mid	30
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Mid] High-speed sword thrust. Vertically limited, good range.

A gap closer and a whiff punisher that goes in a straight line. Staggers regular block, it works well as a deterrent for blocking his other ground braveries. With a Kuja / Sephiroth assist following up the wall rush, the damage output is consistently high and makes this move a notable threat. High priority braveries and running sideways can work against it.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	15	13F	Physical	Melee Low	60
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
		30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Mid] Swift upwards sword swipe. Low accuracy, quick strike.

One of Garland's strongest bravery attacks. Very fast start-up, low recovery, long active hitbox, combo starter, great tracking and anti-air capability within close range. The big cherry on top is that it can be cancelled into a neutral state, making this one of the few bravery attacks that do not have to be dodge cancelled for safety. This also allows Garland to jump and combo into Twist Drill for meter and a lot of bravery damage with assist.

Due to it's speed and cancel window, it can be used to quickly generate assist meter. A must have for many close-range match-ups where Garland can fight on the ground. When used well, this is a move that ties Garland's defensive gameplay together.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	5,19 (24, Low) / 5,2,2,15 (24, High)	17F (Low) / 13F (High)	Physical	Melee Low	90 (Low) / 30 (High)
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Chase (Low) / Wall Rush (High)	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Mid] Swing sword uupwards. Change combo with input timing.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	each (10)	51F	Magical	Ranged Low	0
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
		30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Long] Call down lightning strikes that home in on opponent.

Aerial

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	7,8,15 (30)	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

[Mid] Swipe with twin blades. Approaches foe; limited height.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	7,8 (15)	45F	Physical	Melee Low	90
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Chase	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Mid] Swing chain. Low accuracy, but effective against any height.

Air combo starter, air-to-ground whiff punisher and Garland's primary post-dodge defensive option in the air. It is not invincible, but the movement can help him evade slower dodge punish attempts. On hit, Garland can dodge cancel and combo into Twist Drill for a total of 180 EX (almost 20 % of an EX bar), but it does not work at all heights.

The consistency of Chain Cast's damage output, meter generation and applications in the neutral make it an appealing choice for a third bravery slot along with Bardiche and Twist Drill.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	30	23F	Physical	Melee Low	0
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Dive] Mighty axe swing. Great for attacking from above.

Garland's iconic crushing repertoire. A staple in Garland's kit thanks to it's speed, relative safety on whiff and infamous damage output. The designated vertical, downward tracking and the lack of forward momentum limits Bardiche's hit rate in the air. But it functions well as an assist meter generator and air-to-ground attack.

With one of the higher bravery damage multipliers (30) and wall rush, repeated use of Bardiche is known to be the strongest EX Revenge combo in the entire game.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	4x2,8,14 (30)	21F	Physical	Melee Low	90
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Chase	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Rise] Upwards lunge with sword. Great for attacking from below.

Fast anti-air attack with good combo potential, damage and EX output. Primarily designed to home in on opponents above Garland, Twist Drill is often used as a combo move after Deathblow, as a whiff punisher or as an approach tool.

It's hitstun is long enough to combo into an assist from a relatively late dodge cancel window or an empty chase. That also means Twist Drill is a bravery attack that is consistently safe on hit after initiating an empty chase for EX intake.

While it cannot effectively hit opponents directly in front of him or above his head, Twist Drill is still a staple in Garland's air combat. The extended hitbox allows him to poke through projectiles and traps, such as Ultimecia's charged Knight's Lance. The first part can be dodge cancelled early enough to contest The Emperor's Dreary Cell traps and the overall speed can be difficult to react to. Drill the threat into the opponent's head.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	each (10)	51F	Magical	Ranged Low	0
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
		30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Long] Call down lightning strikes that home in on opponent.

Same as ground version. Difficult to justify with four other strong braveries competing for slots.

HP Attacks

Ground

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	8, 2x5 (18)	39F	Physical (axe) / Magical (rocks)	Melee High (axe) / Unblockable (rocks)	36
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Close] Split ground with axe. Steals bravery, then takes HP.

A decent mix-up against grounded opponents trying to crack Garland's defense. Tracks well, strong knockback and cannot be staggered by LV2 Assist Change after the first hit. The HP-inflicting rock that spawns at the end has minor anti-air potential.

The active duration, the relative space control and dodge cancel window can make punishing this move on the ground difficult without mid range attacks. Earthquake is effective when used sparingly, but aerial attacks from above can still punish it.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	--	59F	--	Ranged High	each (9)
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	--	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Long] Shoot multiple fireballs that chase opponent.

Homing fireballs that can be dodged with well placed dodge. Not commonly used on the ground when Garland has other attacks with better properties and reward on hit.

Each fireball can inflict meter depletion if they hit, a trait that carries over to it's aerial version.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	2x6 (12)	45F	Physical	Melee High	96
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	--	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Mid] Hurl chain sword. Vertically limited, very accurate. One of Garland's primary post-dodge defensive options on the ground. Much like Chain Cast, the swift movement makes it safe rather than plain invincibility. Strong tracking against grounded opponents works very well as a dodge punisher and as an instigator (when assist meter is available). Can also hit aerial opponents who are close to Garland at the time of impact.

Combos into assists on hit. A good mixup akin to Earthquake, with stronger tracking at the expense of wall rush. The animation is long, so exercise caution before using this.

Aerial

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	--	59F	--	Ranged High	each (9)
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	--	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Long] Shoot multiple fireballs that chase opponent.

Commonly used as an occasional long range harassment tool along with Cyclone. While this cannot inflict wall rush, each fireball can deplete meter on hit. A decent choice in that regard when used with Aerith assist, but it's threat is otherwise somewhat limited.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	--	51F	--	Ranged High	each (60)
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Absorb	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Close] Call forth tornado. Slow speed, homing ability.

Two ranged high projectiles that temporarily occupy space while gradually splintering off from their starting position. Often used as a passive defensive tool, a combo extender after an assist or a safer match ender during an assist combo. Combos into assists hit.

It does not protect Garland effectively from all angles. However, characters without projectiles, command blocks, disjointed hitbox or a relatively fast advancing Melee High attack will find Cyclone to be difficult to neutralise.

	Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force
	15	47F	Physical	Melee High	30
	Effects	CP (Mastered)	Cancels	Assist Gain (Attack)	Assist Gain (Hit)
	Wall Rush	30 (15)
	Unlocked at level	Mastered at AP

[Mid] Strike with greatsword, causing large explosion on hit.

Garland's primary post-block HP retaliation and assist combo ender inflicting HP damage. Homes in on the opponent well, but only occupies space briefly. The knockback has good wall rush potential.

If the opponent uses LV1 Assist Change as soon as Flare's first hit has made contact, Garland can be hit during the animation. Cyclone and Blaze HPs can make up for this weakness, but Flare remains a staple in Garland's arsenal regardless. It is the only aerial HP he can consistently connect after staggering an opponent with a block. Rack up the bravery and unleash the fury.

EX Mode

Effects:

• Regen
• Critical Boost
• Indomitable Resolve

Indomitable Resolve

[Active while attacking] Even while taking damage, attacks can be performed without flinching.

Rare instance of super armor in Dissidia 012. During an attack animation, Garland will not flinch from any attack that does not inflict HP damage. Can work in a pinch against characters with HP links (Cyclone, anyone?), but remember that EX mode does not alter Garland's attack properties.

EX Burst: Soul of Chaos

An attack terrible enough to shake the heavens. Repeatedly press circle to add strength to the attack.

Damage multiplier (initial)	Damage multiplier (rest)	Type
12, 12 (24)	4x3, 3x4, 16, 16, 5x4 (100 total)	Physical

Assist

Garland's assist data.

Attack	Startup	Spawns near	Damage Multiplier	Additional properties
Round Edge (Ground BRV)	23F	Opponent	2 x 4, 6, 16 (30)	Melee Mid (third hit), Wall Rush
Bardiche (Midair BRV)	23F	Opponent	30 (30)	Wall Rush
Tsunami (Ground HP)	45F	Opponent	2 x 6 (12)	Chase
Cyclone (Midair HP)	51F	Opponent	-	Chase

Garland works with most meta assists, but only Kuja (and to a lesser extent, Sephiroth) provides the signature damage output, consistent combo opportunities and whiff punish capabilities. Other assists have diminishing returns.

The strongest known assist for Garland. Solid whiff punisher, consistent combo conversions and BRV damage. Even though the slow ground BRV assist makes it harder to react in time to max distance ground wall rushes off of Bardiche, the damage output that follows with 2x Bardiche more than makes up for it. Both BRV assists allow Garland to combo into Chain Cast > DC > Twist Drill almost anywhere for added EX meter and bravery.

Kuja also converts off of full Twist Drill consistently, with empty chase or dodge cancel alike. And if you need to play around LV2 Assist Change, Kuja's HP assists can come in handy with Bardiche > Flare Star or Chain Cast > Force Symphony.

It's about as straightforward as it gets - Kuja synergises with Garland in places where it's needed the most.

Sephiroth trades a bit of bravery damage, consistent Chain Cast follow-ups and Ranged High priority HP assists for faster speed on the ground and wider hitboxes. Double Bardiche is still possible during Reaper, but Sudden Cruelty's horizontal knockback makes it difficult to do much more than a Twist Drill or Flare.

If you need an assist to whiff punish grounded opponents more reliably, Sephiroth can substitute Kuja.

Garland can already combo into assists with Kuja and Sephiroth, but Aerith lets Garland do that even if the opponent has two assist bars. This comes at the expense of fast whiff punishes, EX meter depletion (assist hit) and Earthquake follow-ups.

Not necessarily a bad choice, but Garland rarely has to prioritise LV2 Assist Change stalemate counterstrategies over everything else that Kuja / Sephiroth can already achieve.

Builds

Stats
HP	9644
CP	450
BRV	956 (1147 initial)
ATK	182
DEF	184
LUK	60
Max Booster	x3.5

Special Effect: Seal of Lufenia

Equipment
Assist	Kuja
Weapon	Gigant Axe
Hand	Lufenian Dirk
Head	Lufenian Hairpin
Body	Lufenian Vest
Accessory 1	Hyper Ring
Accessory 2	Muscle Belt
Accessory 3	Booster
Accessory 4	Large Gap in HP
Accessory 5	Summon Unused
Accessory 6	Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 7	Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 8	White Gem
Accessory 9	Glutton
Accessory 10	First to Victory
Summon	Rubicante

Use the CP Glitch with Thief's Gear and Bard's Gear.

Substitutes Basic: Booster for Battle Hammer (assist depletion) or Dismay Shock (EX depletion).

A strong, versatile build. High bravery damage output, enhanced EX absorption and an initial boost for meter and bravery help Garland reach a full EX bar and a subsequent OHKO faster. Use this build as your default.

Equip Master Guardsman for over 10,000 health.

Stats
HP	9644
CP	450
BRV	957 (1148 initial)
ATK	180
DEF	185
LUK	60
Max Booster	x2.7

Special Effect: King of Tragedy

Equipment
Assist	Kuja
Weapon	Rhongomiant
Hand	Prytwen
Head	Dragon Sallet
Body	Wygar
Accessory 1	Muscle Belt
Accessory 2	Booster
Accessory 3	Dismay Shock
Accessory 4	Large Gap in BRV
Accessory 5	EX Revenge
Accessory 6	Summon Unused
Accessory 7	Spider Web
Accessory 8	Spider's Bane
Accessory 9	Avenger
Accessory 10	First to Victory
Summon	Rubicante

A dedicated EX Revenge build.

Against a Tidus with 184 DEF, a critical hit Bardiche can inflict 600+ bravery damage. It is possible to accumulate 5000 bravery during EX Revenge alone. Add two more Bardiches during a Kuja assist combo into a Flare and it amounts to about 7000 HP damage total.