Buster Sword (VII Remake)

File:FFVIIR wiki icon.png

## Buster Sword

バスターソード (Basutā Sōdo?)

> A large broadsword that has inherited the hopes of those who fight.
>
> Description

The **Buster Sword** is Cloud's default weapon in *Final Fantasy VII Remake*. It starts with two materia slots, and teaches Cloud the Focused Thrust ability, which deals moderate damage but significantly raises enemies' stagger. As an initial weapon, the Buster Sword has mixed, well-rounded stats that improve Cloud both as a mage and a physical attacker, while also improving his durability.

The buster sword is Cloud's iconic weapon from the original game, and as such is used as something of a default sword model for the game. The kids in the Sector 5 Slums use smaller wooden swords in the shape of the buster sword, and if Cloud is transformed into a toad, he has a miniature buster sword on his back as part of his model, though the miniature is not usable as a weapon.

## Stats

 Usable by
 File:Attack Power from FFVII Remake icon.png Attack Power | 22
 File:Magic Attack from FFVII Remake icon.png Magic Attack | 22

## Use

The Buster Sword is a balanced, general-purpose weapon for Cloud, with well-rounded stats. Both when obtained and when fully upgraded, it provides an equal boost to File:Attack Power from FFVII Remake icon.png Attack Power and File:Magic Attack from FFVII Remake icon.png Magic Attack, which surpass most of his weapons, and moderate stats to improve his durability. Its unlock abilities include a +10% boost to Cloud's MP regeneration, and a +5% boost to his limit break damage.

Though the Buster Sword is a versatile weapon suitable for any situation, it also does not excel in any area. The weapon has slow materia slot growth, being capped at four before reaching Weapon Level 6, meaning it is more limiting initially than the File:Cloud broadsword from FFVII Remake icon.png Twin Stinger or File:Cloud broadsword from FFVII Remake icon.png Iron Blade at comparable levels. Though Buster Sword's attack and magic attack bonuses are high, File:Cloud broadsword from FFVII Remake icon.png Hardedge provides significantly higher attack power, while File:Aerith staff from FFVII Remake icon.png Mythril Rod provides significantly higher magic attack. Both Hardedge and Mythril Saber also have weapon ability unlocks that improve Cloud in physical and magical damage roles, respectively. Buster Sword's weapon upgrade abilities are also unremarkable, making the weapon fairly standard.

Equipping the Buster Sword does not lock Cloud into a role, but it also does not excel in any role either. It can be used by players who wish to take advantage of Cloud's physical damage abilities, while not wishing to make too many compromises. For players that still want Cloud's versatility, but lean towards using his magic spells rather than physical spells, the Twin Stinger is a better option.

## Behind the scenes

The Buster Sword's description, "a large broadsword that has inherited the hopes of those who fight", is a reference to its previous wielders, Zack Fair and Angeal Hewley. It also references one of the battle theme "Those Who Fight".

In the game's ending, Zack has the sword when he brings Cloud to Midgar, and how it came to Cloud's possession is not shown.

## Etymology

Template:Etymology:Buster

Template:Etymology:Sword

The term "buster sword" may also be a corruption of the term "bastard sword", used to describe large two-handed swords in 17th century Europe.

It may also be a reference to the supposed rain-making device "cloudbuster", created by Wilhelm Reich.