Cloud (SSBU): Difference between revisions

Cloud was previously considered to be one of the best characters in ''SSB4'', alongside {{SSB4|Bayonetta}}, due to a myriad of advantages, including deceptively lingering hitboxes, excellent speed-to-range ratio alongside generous [[autocancel]] windows, and a powerful advantage in the form of his [[Limit Gauge]], which granted a lasting stat buff that boosted his already high overall mobility, allowed him to force [[approach]]es, and posed a constant threat during games due to the potential of a powerful Limit Break [[special attack]]. All these factors made him one of the most viable characters in ''SSB4'' overall, especially in [[doubles]] play, where teams containing at least one Cloud were notorious within the community for their prominence and disproportionate effectiveness (statistically, Cloud in doubles [https://intheloop837.wordpress.com/2018/04/09/data-cloud-in-doubles-an-analysis/ held more dominance than even Meta Knight in ''Brawl'' singles]). Likely as a result of this, Cloud has been noticeably [[nerf]]ed overall in his transition to ''Ultimate''.

Cloud received a fair share of [[buff]]s, although most of these are universal throughout the cast. Like most other characters, he was given a boost to his already high stats, with faster movement speed, a frame 3 jumpsquat, and reductions to [[landing lag]], all of which compliments his strong aerial spacing ability and continues to make him one of the most mobile swordfighters in the game. In particular, the reduction to landing lag on his aerials not only makes them much safer on shield due to their range, it also allows Cloud to follow up from them more consistently, most notably with his forward, back and up aerials; this improves his damage racking game.

The reintroduction of directional [[air dodge]]s allow him to extend his notoriously weak horizontal recovery when his Limit Meter is not fully charged, and now make him much harder to gimp if he is grabbed during Climhazzard. Certain moves have been improved to make them more consistent or improve their KO potential, such as his [[neutral attack]] (which connects better and can now [[lock]]) and [[dash attack]] (which has increased knockback). The ability to [[dash cancel]] into any ground move and the introduction of [[spot dodge]] canceling also allows Cloud to make even better use of his ground attacks, such as [[neutral attack]] for tech-chasing, [[down tilt]] for approaching, or forward tilt for KOing.

Cloud's special moves have also been given some noteworthy improvements. [[Blade Beam]]'s sluggishness has been improved by a reduction of ending lag, making it less punishable and giving Cloud a semi-reliable camping tool. [[Climhazzard]] can be teched at the end of the move, snaps to ledge faster when using the downward slash, has much lower landing lag, transitions quicker, and KOs more consistently if used offstage due to the changes to [[meteor smash]]es. This makes it safer for [[recovery]], a much more reliable [[out of shield]] option, and consistent for [[sacrificial KO]]s. [[Limit Charge]] now allows Cloud to jump or [[air dodge]] out of it, charges significantly faster when he inflicts damage, and is now displayed above his [[damage meter]].

Although Cloud can no longer store his Limit indefinitely, the combination his Limit Gauge filling faster via inflicting damage and especially via Limit Charge actually means that Cloud can use his Limit Breaks much more frequently than in ''SSB4''. Finally, [[Finishing Touch]] is an even more potent finishing move: it has less startup, noticeably more knockback, and its grounded version's late hit had its vertical range increased to the point that it can hit opponents on the bottom platforms of [[Battlefield form]] stages.

However, these buffs are offset by an abundance of nerfs. One of Cloud's most significant changes are to his [[Limit Charge]]: it can no longer be [[instant charge-cancel]]ed since it incurs 7 frames of lag when canceling a charge, will have its charge reduced if Cloud is hit during the process of charging, and disappears entirely if not used up in 15 seconds. These changes result in Cloud's Limit Break mechanic no longer being a direct upside that can be kept for [[mindgame]]s or a lasting stat boost, and forces him to be more cautious of both charging and activating his Limit, vastly reducing the sheer game changing abilities it once had in the previous game.

Cloud's aerials have also been toned down, making his infamous aerial game less effective despite their lowered landing lag and better combo potential. [[Neutral aerial]]'s range has been significantly reduced due to an altered animation in which Cloud doesn't stretch his arm as much, making it less safe and effective for spacing. [[Down aerial]]'s lingering hitbox ends earlier and has more ending lag, making it harder to follow up in midair and riskier to use an an anti-juggle move, although its lowered landing lag allows it to start combos if Cloud lands first.

Finally, Cloud's notorious [[up aerial]] has been substantially nerfed: its increased startup with no animation change significantly reduced its range in front of him, it has smaller hitboxes on the Buster Sword, reduced power and a lowered autocancel window. Altogether, these changes worsen its versatility by almost completely removing its ability to start combos on grounded opponents, reducing its incontestability, and toning down its previously respectable KO power, with its only buffs being its lowered landing lag and damage making it easier to chain several up aerials together with the aid of platforms.

 

Other nerfs Cloud has received are to his grounded KO ability being slightly nerfed, as his forward and up [[smash attack]]s have slightly higher ending lag, while [[down smash]] is weaker, making his average ground game even less imposing. Lastly, his already poor grab game has been further weakened, as his down throw has lost its already lacking combo potential and his grabs have been made slower and now have higher ending lag; although the latter point is synonymous with the rest of the cast, this notably hurts Cloud's options against shielding opponents. As a result of these nerfs, Cloud now has more defined weaknesses, with his weak grab game, exploitable recovery, and weakened tools necessitating him to be more precise and careful with optimizing his Limit or spacing, alongside making spacing with his aerials more difficult.

 

Overall, Cloud remains a fundamentally solid character with a relatively low learning curve and effective tools, although he is not as overpowered as he was in ''SSB4'' due to his nerfs toning down the incredible utility his moveset had at his disposal. Although Cloud is considered to be worse than his iteration in ''SSB4'', he still continues to garner strong results in competitive play and is widely considered to be top tier.