Cloud Strife (VII Rebirth party member)

Cloud Strife is the main playable character in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Wielding broadswords, Cloud is a balanced and versatile fighter who can switch fighting styles on the fly to deal with different types of threats. He has well-rounded attributes and is capable of counterattacking enemies with attacks of his own.
Cloud is the party leader on the world map and in the majority of the story, present for every Odd Job sidequest. As the main player character, he can form different relationships with other party members, based on player decisions.
If Cloud is transformed into a toad, he appears as a green toad with a miniature buster sword on his back.
Cloud's moveset changed from his Final Fantasy VII Remake gameplay, namely in adding ranged basic attacks and in changing his combat modes. Cloud also gains new moves based on his original Final Fantasy VII appearance.
==Battle==
Cloud is a primarily melee fighter with an ability to perform ranged (magic-based) attacks after dodging and attacking. His melee attacks have a wide area-of-effect and can hit multiple enemies at once. Cloud's skillset also includes many ways to counter opponent attacks, similar to Red XIII (albeit to a lesser extent). His main strength is his adaptability: his durability is similar to that of Red XIII and Barret, his physical is just below that of Cait Sith and Tifa, and his magic damage is just below Cait Sith and Aerith.
Cloud's unique ability and mechanic is switching mid-battle between Operator Mode and Punisher Mode. Punisher Mode (heavily altered from Remake) gives him stronger attacks more focused on single or clustered targets as well as the ability to counter melee attacks, but limits movement and renders him unable to guard against ranged attacks. Operator Mode gives him much more movement, and the ability to perform ranged attacks by attacking immediately after dodging (which will automatically cancel out of Punisher Mode).
Cloud's basic attacks are a combo of five hits, where the fourth upward slash can hit smaller enemies up into the air. Cloud also retains a different attack by holding the attack button depending on mode: in Punisher Mode, this is a stronger attack that causes him to enter , and in Operator Mode, this is a longer attack that causes Cloud to swoop in and hit in an area (which in Rebirth can group enemies together). Another change in Rebirth is the incorporation of parry directly into Cloud's core moveset: when Cloud performs a dodge roll, it will deal minor damage to an enemy that passes him. Pressing attack a fair distance from an enemy has Cloud dash to his target to start attacking. Dodging into holding attack will perform a slash sends Cloud airborne. Repeatedly attacking in the air keeps the enemy airborne if it is light enough. Holding attack in the air will cause Cloud to close in on an enemy. Entering Punisher Mode while airborne will perform a slash towards the ground.
===Attributes===
Cloud's attributes are balanced, allowing him to fulfill multiple roles depending on need and player preference. He has the third-highest below Tifa and Cait Sith, and the third-highest below Aerith and Cait Sith (just above Yuffie on both counts, and just above Red XIII in strength). This means Cloud can be built toward attacking on either or both fronts depending on need.
Having the third-highest HP below Barret and Red XIII, the third-highest below Red XIII and Barret, and third-highest below Red XIII and Aerith, Cloud is also highly durable. This makes him a viable alternative for both tanking damage away or countering attacks, allowing him to fulfill a very defensive role if needed.
===Equipment===
===Abilities===
Cloud begins with Braver and Triple Slash, but learns a variety of weapon abilities he can perform by expending ATB. New weapons unlock new ATB commands. With materia, Cloud can use spells and materia-specific commands like Mug or Jump (see Materia section). From his folio, he also learns various abilities, such as elemental attacks without using a spell, which also enhance elemental spells used via materia.
*Braver is Cloud's initial weapon attack that remains useful throughout the entire game. Cloud leaps into the air and slams his sword onto his target, also dealing damage to enemies in the vicinity of the impact zone. When used while airborne, Braver does increased damage and lands Cloud.
*Triple Slash causes attacks three different enemies; if there is only one target, Cloud will attack the same target thrice instead. It can be used on flying targets and when used airborne, Cloud will remain lifted.
*Focused Thrust increases the target's stagger gauge, significantly so if the enemy is in pressured state. Cloud dashes forward and hits all targets along his path during the animation.
*Firebolt Blade uses - and -elemental attacks without having to expend MP or use an . It can be used airborne.
*Disorder attacks while swapping between Operator and Punisher Modes and refunds ATB if an enemy was hit when using it. It can be used airborne.
*Prime Mode turns Punisher Mode into Prime Mode until the end of battle: the holding attack move becomes a three-hit high-damaging combo that also buffs the berserk status.
*Infinity's End costs two ATB segments and has a long windup, but deals strong damage when it lands. It deals bonus damage to staggered enemies.
*Blade Burst releases a three-pronged wave to deal ranged magic damage.
*Counterstance is Cloud's penultimate ability. It makes cloud stand still to brace for an attack to counter, when he preforms it successfully Cloud will slash back twice with a stronger delayed hit on the enemy afterwards. If failed he will only do a singular basic slash.
*Aerial Onslaught is considered a weapon ability even if it is learned from the folio and not from a sword; only able to be used while airborne, Cloud rides his sword down, dealing strong damage and landing Cloud. It can replace an aerial Braver for many situations.
===Synergy===
Cloud can perform various synergy abilities and synergy skills with his party members. Performing a synergy command with a party member for the first time improves the pair's affection, used to determine Cloud's date for chapter 12, "A Golden Key".
Cloud cannot parry ranged attacks alone, but can do so via synergy skills, allowing him to reflect ranged attacks with the right timing. Otherwise, his synergy skills let him and team up with a party member to do damage and build ATB for both, and Aerith can call him to be her bodyguard.
United Refocus from FFVII Rebirth.png|United Refocus with Aerith.
Relentless Rush from FFVII Rebirth.jpg|Relentless Rush with Tifa.
Halcyon Descent from FFVII Rebirth.jpg|Halcyon Descent with Yuffie.
SOLDIER Moogle Class from FFVII Rebirth.jpg|SOLDIER Moogle Class with Cait Sith.
Spell Blade from FFVII Rebirth.png|Spell Blade with Aerith.
Bodyguard from FFVII Rebirth.png|Bodyguard with Aerith.
===Materia===
Cloud's sword and armor provide slots where the player can slot in various materia that enhance him and provide him with spells and other abilities to use in battle.
===Limit breaks===
Cloud has three limit breaks, and he begins the game with two: Cross-slash and Ascension. Late into the game, he can also learn Finishing Touch.
==Quests==
Cloud is the main playable character for most of the game, with a few portions where he is unavailable, such as when crossing the mountains in Corel where Yuffie takes over. The player does not need to use him in their battle line-up in battle arena battles, and when playing though chapter select, but Cloud is usually the one being controlled on the field.
Category:Party member gameplay in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth