The Emperor (Dissidia 012)

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)
Base DEF (LV100)	111 (Average, +1 as Paladin)
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)
1x4, 2x4, 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, 7x6 (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, 1x2, 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, 2x4 (15)	37F	Magical	Ranged Low	0

[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, 2x4, 3x5 (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)
3x5, 5,10 (30)	21F	Physical	Melee Low	90	Chase	20 (10)

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
3x5 (15)	95F	Magical	Ranged Low	0	--	20 (10)

HP Attacks

Ground

Damage multiplier	Startup frame	Type	Priority	EX Force	Effects	CP (Mastered)
4, 2x5, 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)
1x3, 2, 1x2, 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)
2x5, 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), 7x2 (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	Sniper Eye
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	Blue Gem
Accessory 9	Miracle Shoes
Accessory 10	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	Hyper Ring
Accessory 2	Muscle Belt
Accessory 3	Dismay Shock
Accessory 4	Summon Unused
Accessory 5	Pre-EX Mode
Accessory 6	Pre-EX Revenge
Accessory 7	Opponent Summon Unused
Accessory 8	White Gem
Accessory 9	Tenacious Attacker
Accessory 10	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

Attack	Startup	Spawns near	Damage Multiplier	Additional properties
Shadow Lance (Ground BRV)	35F	Opponent	8, 7 x 6 (up to 50)	Melee High (close), Ranged Low (far), Wall Rush
Radiant Wings (Midair BRV)	19F	Opponent	3, 3, 7, 6, 6, 9 (40)	Wall Rush
Soul Eater (Ground HP)	39F	Opponent	4, 2 x 5, 6 (20)	Wall Rush
Saint's Fall (Midair HP)	53F	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.