Cross - slash ( Cloud ability ) Cross Slash , also written as Cross - slash and localized as Slayer , is a recurring attack in the series , usually a powerful non - elemental sword attack . It first debuted in " Final Fantasy VII " as Cloud Strife ' s second Limit Break , and usually appears when the character himself appears . In several appearances , Cross Slash is normally a nod to its Japanese name , where the kanji for " wicked / bad luck " ( 凶 ) itself when the attack is successfully executed . In some cases , the attack ' s slashing patterns may or may not literally trace out the kanji , while on the other hand the kanji visual may be absent . Appearances . " Final Fantasy VII " . Cross - slash , originally Cross Slash in the demo release , is the second Limit Break of the first tier of limits for Cloud . It is obtained after using Braver eight times , and it deals damage equal to 3 . 25 times that of a normal physical attack as well as inflicting Paralyze on an enemy . In the demo release it was Braver , rather than Cross Slash , that inflicted Paralyze . " " . While wearing the garb , Lightning has access to Slayer which is the finishing attack for Heavy Slash . Its animation is cross - over between Braver and Cross Slash where Lightning jumps into the air , like in Braver , but the finishing animation is that of the Cross Slash . It does double the damage of a regular Heavy Slash , but can only be used on a stagger ed opponent . " Final Fantasy Tactics " . Cross Slash is a Limit ability of Soldier , better known as Cloud , which can only be used once he is equipped with the Materia Blade . It has a range and effect of 2 , speed of 25 , and requires 200 JP to use . It inflicts non - elemental damage to up to two enemies . " Dissidia Final Fantasy " . Cross Slash is an HP attack of Cloud . It is one of his two initial HP attacks , and hits the opponent up to three times . It requires 180 AP to master this attack and requires 20 CP to be equipped . " Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy " . Cross Slash returns as an HP Attack for Cloud . Like most moves in " Dissidia 012 " , the tracking has been improved . Should Cloud miss a slash , he dashes a short distance toward the opponent on each subsequent slash . " Dissidia Final Fantasy " ( 2015 ) . Cross Slash the HP attack used by Cloud initially . It functions exactly as it did in the PSP games . " Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade " . Cross - Slash is one of Cloud ' s signature abilities , a Strength ability card and an ability used by the summon stone , Cloud I . The ability card was made available from red chocobos during the Final Fantasy VII Event : " Operation Jenova " . The summon stone was only made obtainable during a pre - registration event for the initial release of " Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade " . It damages enemies with a non - elemental attack formed by lunging and making three slashes to resemble the form of an X . When summoning Cloud I , Cloud greatly damages enemies with the Cross - Slash . " Final Fantasy Record Keeper " . Cross - slash is one of Cloud ' s Soul Break abilities . Cloud is only able to use Cross - slash when he is equipped with the Hardedge ( VII ) , although in the Japanese client he can then learn it to use with other weapons . Other appearances . " Kingdom Hearts " series . When fought as a boss in " Kingdom Hearts " and " Kingdom Hearts II " , Cloud uses a three - hit combo attack similar to Cross Slash . In " Kingdom Hearts : Chain of Memories " and it ' s remake " Re : Chain of Memories " , Cloud uses Cross Slash as a Sleight when fought as a boss . By using Cloud ' s summon card in his own Sleights , Sora is able to call on Cloud to use Cross Slash and Cross Slash + ( a version that involves Cloud warping next to an enemy before unleashing the attack ) . In this series , the signature kanji visual the attack gives out is often absent , while Cloud ' s slashing pattern for the technique is still the same throughout . The technique is also often written as " Cross - slash " with a hyphen in those cases . Cloud also performs Cross - slash with the three attack motions ( a downward slash , one - handed outward slash , then lifting slash ) used during the Double Cut Materia . Non - " Final Fantasy " Appearances . " Super Smash Bros . 4 " . Cloud will be able to use Cross - Slash as one of his available special moves . As with his other specials , this move can be powered up by his limit charge move , causing more damage and knockback . The kanji drawn also cannot be flipped in accordance to Cloud ' s orientation on the screen .