Cross Slash
| Cross Slash | |
|---|---|
  Cloud using the normal (top) and Limit Break version (bottom) of Cross Slash. | |
| User | Cloud |
| Universe | Final Fantasy |
Cross Slash (凶斬り, Misfortune Cutter) is Cloud's side special move.
Description
Cross Slash has anywhere from one to five potential hits, depending on player input and success. This basically acts very akin to a traditional multi-input special move from more classical-fighting games.
If the button is pressed only once, or the attack doesn't connect with anything, Cloud will only slash once. If the attack does connect, it deals 4% damage and the player may press the button again for a second slash; this second slash deals 3%. A third chained hit will cause three more slashes for 3%, 3%, and 6% respectively. As Cloud slashes multiple times, he deals a total of 19% damage and aesthetically forms the kanji 凶 (wicked/misfortune). While this move deals good damage and moderate knockback, it is unsafe to use on shields; Cloud can continue slashing if he connects with a shield for negligible damage to it, while the enemy is free to punish him. If the enemy that Cloud is slashing somehow gets out of the way of his other slashes (before the third slash is initiated), the attack will stop midway through. Otherwise, Cloud will continue automatically to the fifth slash unless smacked out of it.
In terms of animation, Cloud first performs a downward single-handed reap with a step forward (though he still remains stationary) for the first input, then for the second input he brings his sword criss-cross of the first input with a two-handed swing downward the other way. The third input is instead a single series of three slashes, being a singe-handed downward reap again (via a crouching arm-bracing stance) followed by a quick outward sweep, then ending with a turning leaning slash (on a one-legged pivot) with Cloud swinging his sword upward single-handed in an arc above himself outward.
If the attack is performed while Cloud is in Limit Break status (see Limit Charge), he will unleash all five slashes at high speed, regardless of whether any enemy is in front of him or if the player presses more than once. These slashes deals much more damage (26% total) and greater knockback than the base version of the move. The camera will also zoom in on the hit fighter at the end of the move while time slows down for a split second, similar to Little Mac's KO Uppercut.
Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:
| 1. Cross Slash |
|---|
 |
| "Keep pressing the button to hit up to three times. Finish the combo for the perfect attack." |
- Cross Slash: Default.
Like the other DLC characters, Cloud lacks custom move variations.
Origin
Cross Slash is Cloud's second Limit Break in Final Fantasy VII, which he learns after performing his initial Limit Break, Braver, eight times. It deals 3.25 times the damage of a normal physical attack to one enemy and inflicts paralysis. The usual animation for the attack shows him performing three strikes as opposed to the four strokes needed to write the kanji (Smash Bros. instead has him perform a total of five slashes). However, in some instances such as in the Kingdom Hearts series, the kanji visual may be absent.
Also in some forms of media (such as in the Kingdom Hearts series and even Final Fantasy VII itself), the name is written with a hyphen ("Cross-slash").
Trivia
- No matter which direction Cloud faces, the kanji will form in the same orientation - it will not be flipped. This makes it the only move in Smash to have different hit boxes depending on a character's facing direction.
