L e a r n i n g L i m i t B r e a k s
A lot of people don't know how the process to learn Limit Breaks works,
or they may not know how to learn all the Breaks. Basically, the Limit
Break mastery process goes like this:
Level 1, first Limit Break:
- You start with this one, so don't sweat it.
Level 1, second Limit Break:
- You must use your first Limit Break of that level ten times.
Level 2, first Limit Break:
- Kill a certain number of enemies. You don't have to win that battle,
you just have to kill a particular enemy using the character who's
trying to learn a new Break. You can kill them in any way, too;
use magic, use Morph, use an item, whatever. The number of enemies
you have to kill tends to be between 40 - 80. It's been proven that
Vincent can kill less enemies to learn his second Breaks, but the
exact number is unknown.
Level 2, second Limit Break:
- You must use your first Limit Break of that level eight times.
Level 3, first Limit Break:
- See 'Level 2, first Limit Break' notes.
Level 3, second Limit Break:
- You must use your first Limit Break of that level six times.
Level 4, Extreme Limit Break:
- You must know all your other Limit Breaks. Then, select your
character's 'Extreme Limit Break' manual and use it on them just
as you would any other item. See below for details on finding
your character's Extreme Limit Break manual.
When you're trying to learn first-grade Limit Breaks, try giving your
character the Slash All materia, the Ultima spell, or some attack spell
and the All materia and finding an area where you can encounter many,
easy to kill enemies at once. As for second-grade Limit Breaks, use a
'Hyper' on the character who's Limit Break you're trying to get, and
give them the Cover materia so that they'll take more damage. If you're
really desperate to learn a Limit Break, give them a weak bracelet
(like Wizard Bracelet), and a weak weapon, so that they can Limit Break
repeatedly without killing the enemy.
Roger Christman has this to say about Limit Breaks:
Also regarding Level 2, and Level 3 Limit Breaks:
I thought I'd study this a little on my own, and played the game
with Cloud hanging out in the first room of the Mako 5 reactor,
fighting lots of MPs and Guard Hounds. Counting the train station
as his first solo battle with two opponents, Cloud did not learn
his Level 2 break until he won over 40 solo battles against 120
opponents. The FAQ says between 40-80 opponents must be killed.
Furthermore, Barret and Tifa seemed to get their 2nd Level break
after only 90 kills, but I could easily see Cloud having a larger
requirement since he's used for most of the game. In Tifa's case,
since her weapon wasn't very good, I had Cloud soften up a few
opponents for her by sitting in his back rank. Even though she
didn't do all the work herself, she did deliver 90 final blows
before she got her break.
Oddly enough, Barret got his first level 3 Limit break before I
left the Mako 5 reactor, even though he was still Set on level 1.
I don't have my notes with me, but I think he had gotten up to
about 150 killing blows. My numbers started getting fuzzy, since
I was letting everybody fight there for awhile. I had Cloud set
his Limit Level to 2, after his 200th kill (and after he got his
2nd Level 1 Break), but he hasn't yet gotten a level 3.
For the record, in my test game, (assuming my bookkeeping is totally
off), Cloud and Tifa each got their second Level 1 break, after
using their first 6 times. I don't know about Barret yet -- his
Limit Bar filled up for his 6th break just before the defeat of
the Air Buster, so I'll have to see about him when he comes back.
(back to the FAQ)
In other words, my method listed here won't _for sure_ get you all
the limit breaks exactly. So if someone can correct me (and has
proof that they are correct), let me know and I'll make corrections.
The Extreme Limit Break manuals' locations are listed here:
CLOUD STRIFE
You must earn a varying number of battle points at the Gold Saucer
in _one visit_. You can then trade them in for the manual.
BARRET WALLACE
Get it from a lady wearing a hat in one of the buildings in North
Corel after the train ride in Disc 2.
TIFA LOCKHEART
Go to Nibelheim in Disc 2 and play the 'Highwind' theme on the
piano with Tifa in your party.
AERIS GAINSBOROUGH
Get 1xx wins in battle (where xx are two matching digits, be it 88,
100 or 255). Then go to the cave where the sleeping man is and
he'll give you the Mythril. Head to the blacksmith's house by the
Gold Saucer, give him the Mythril, then climb up the stairs and
examine the metal lid at the end of the walkway. Once you get the
Highwind, doing this is a snap. But Aeris will have already left you
by then. So, to get her manual while she's still in your party in
Disc 1, do the following:
Hop on the Gold Saucer Buggy. If you haven't gotten it yet, keep
playing until you've finished the Gold Saucer area. Then pilot the
Buggy _into_ Costa Del Sol. You'll enter the town as if you had
walked into it. Go to the harbor and talk to the sailor by the boat.
Choose the top option to pay 100 gil and you can then walk along the
dock and enter a ship, which will return to Junon Town. Although
there's not much new here, you will get a different reaction from
most people because you're no longer dressed up as a guard. Anyway,
once you exit the city (the fastest way is to take the helicopter--
refer to the end of section 4e for details), you'll find that you've
brought the Buggy with you! From here, it's a simple matter of
heading towards the river, crossing it at the ford below the
waterfall, then heading up to the cave where the sleeping man is.
And after getting the Mythril, you have to go _all_ the way back to
the Eastern Continent so you can reach the blacksmith's house.
Well, don't say I didn't warn you!
RED XIII
Go to Nibelheim and unlock the safe in the right wing of Sephiroth's
Mansion (use the code in section 8 if you don't know how). You'll
receive Red 13's manual from the boss when you defeat him.
YUFFIE KISARAGI
Return to Wutai after completing Yuffie's sub-quest. Head to the
pagoda and beat the five bosses within--she'll get her manual once
Godo is defeated in battle.
VINCENT VALENTINE
Once you have the submarine or a Green, Black, or Gold Chocobo, go to
the waterfall in the middle of the Western Continent. If you enter
the waterfall from the left side with Vincent in your party, he'll
meet a girl from his past (Rukuresshia). You have to visit the falls
twice, once during Disc 2 and again before raiding Midgar City; it's
during your second visit that you'll get his manual.
CID HIGHWIND
After you get a submarine, go underwater and search for the wrecked
plane near the southern part of the World Map, between the Western
and Eastern continents. His manual is in one of the treasure chests
inside the plane.
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L i m i t b r e a k l i s t
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This is a list of each character's Limit Break, it's effect, and a brief
description. The letters and numbers mean the Break Level and which one
it is (i.e. B3/1 is Level 3, 1st Break).
============
Cloud Strife
============
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B1/1: BRAVER
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Cloud dashes forward and performs a diving slash against one opponent.
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B1/2: CROSS SLASH
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Cloud's three slashes create a symbol over his enemy. When it fades
away, that enemy is hit once. It also has a chance of paralyzing the
hit foe.
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B2/1: BLADE BEAM
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Cloud sends a wave of green energy at the targeted foe. When it hits,
smaller waves shoot outward to hit each remaining foe, although the
damage is less than the first, big wave.
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B2/2: CLIMHAZZARD
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Cloud sticks his sword into an enemy and then yanks it upwards while
jumping for heavy damage.
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B3/1: METEORAIN
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Cloud twirls his sword and leaps into the air. With one swing, he sends
a shower of meteors down upon his foes, hitting 4 times.
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B3/2: FINISHING TOUCH
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Creating a light at the tip of his sword, Cloud throws a funnel of rising
air that sucks in all opponents for an instant kill attack. Those that
survive are dropped to the ground for further physical damage.
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B4/1: OMNISLASH
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A column of wind surrounds Cloud and his sword lights up. He then
attacks all enemies for a total of 15 hits, finishing with a diving sword
slash. The sword strikes cause physical damage, while the last strike
hits all foes.
==============
Barret Wallace
==============
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B1/1: BIG SHOT
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Collecting energy, Barret fires a huge fireball at one opponent.
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B1/2: MIND BLOW
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Similar in appearance to the Heavy Shot, Barret launches a ball of azure
energy at one opponent. While it inflicts no damage, it completely
drains that enemy of MP.
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B2/1: GRENADE
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Barret fires an invisible shot that explodes into a huge hemisphere of
fire that damages all opponents.
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B2/2: HAMMER BLOW
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Barret dashes forward and punches one enemy as purple waves emanate from
his arm. If it misses, this attack causes no damage, but if it hits,
the enemy is instantly killed.
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B3/1: SATELLITE BEAM
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Barret locks on to his enemies and calls down beams of blue light to
fry the opposition. This attack hits for special damage.
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B3/2: UNGERMAX
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Using his weapon like a machine gun, Barret fires repeated rounds of
ammunition at all opponents.
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B4/1: CATASTROPHE
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Steam erupts from Barret's weapon as he leaps into the air and fires an
earth-scorching beam of yellow light at all his enemies. This attack
hits ten times in all for special damage.
==============
Tifa Lockheart
==============
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B1/1: BEAT RUSH
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A quick combination of punches.
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B1/2: SOMERSAULT
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A somersault kick.
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B2/1: WATERKICK
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A sweep kick that hits for water damage.
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B2/2: METEODRIVE
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A back-slam.
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B3/1: DOLPHIN BLOW
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A rising uppercut accompanied by a geyser of water with a dolphin riding
on top of it.
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B3/2: METEOR STRIKE
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Tifa grabs her opponent, jumps in the air, and body-slams them as a
huge explosion appears.
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B4/1: FINAL HEAVEN
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Tifa strikes her enemy with a huge, exploding attack.
* Tifa's Limit Break works like this; the more Limit Breaks she learns,
the more slots appear in the slot machine that picks the skill she
uses (the abilities listed above). When she gains a new Break, she
is able to use a new attack. She can learn up to 10 slots total.
When picking a slot, there are three outcomes: HIT, which makes Tifa
perform one of the above attacks, YEAH!, which works like HIT but
increases the damage inflicted, and MISS, which makes Tifa do nothing.
Tifa will then proceed to perform all the moves you end up with in
a row. She will randomly switch to a new enemy (or stay with the one
she's attacking) for each new move.
==================
Aeris Gainsborough
==================
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B1/1: HEALING WIND
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Aeris creates an encircling wind that restores a large amount of lost
HP to herself and her friends.
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B1/2: SPIRIT SEAL
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Purple lights fly into all of Aeris's opponents. This attack causes
no damage but has the same effect as 'Stop' and 'Silence' on all of them.
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B2/1: BREATH OF EARTH
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Streams of blue light wrap around the allies, curing status ailments.
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B2/2: ANGER BRAND
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Aeris waves her staff, causing blue lightning to hit herself and her
allies, followed by yellow, circular lights. This will instantly max
out the other characters' Limit gauges.
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B3/1: PROTECT STAR
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Stars rotate around Aeris and her friends as the screen turns yellow,
making them invincible for a short while.
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B3/2: <Life Beat>
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Aeris kneels and prays; every ally's status ailments are cured and they
gain back all lost HP and MP.
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B4/1: GREAT GOSPEL
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Rain falls upon Aeris and her companions. It is replaced by a bright
sky where three angels can be seen floating around. All allies have
their HP and MP restored, and are made invincible for a short time.
======
Red 13
======
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B1/1: SLED FANG
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Swirls of blue energy surround Red 13, who tackles his opponent for
physical damage.
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B1/2: <Lunatic High>
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Sheets of yellow vapor shoot up from around Red 13 and his companions.
It has the same affect as 'Haste'. Each ally is also 'powered up' (?).
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B2/1: <Blood Fang>
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Swirls of energy surround Red 13, who tackles his opponent. In addition
to striking for physical damage, Red is healed for a small amount of HP
and also gains back some MP as well.
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B2/2: <Stardust Ray>
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A field of stars replaces the background. Red 13 howls and a shower of
blue lights rain down on all opponents striking twelve times.
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B3/1: <Howling Moon>
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A full moon appears, making Red 13 leap up and howl at it. He is
affected by Berserk and Haste at the same time.
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B3/2: <Earth Rave>
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Red 13 attacks the enemy with jumping bites and claw scratches. Each
time he attacks, balls of fire burst forth and shower over the enemy.
This attack hits five times for physical and fire damage.
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B4/1: COSMO MEMORY
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Red 13 summons a flare into which a field of stars and balls of fire are
absorbed. The flare then explodes in a ray of Fire followed by an
explosion that hits all foes for fire damage.
===============
Yuffie Kisaragi
===============
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B1/1: GREASED LIGHTNING
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Yuffie slashes once with her weapon, causing no damage. A second slash
mark then appears and her opponent is hit for physical damage.
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B1/2: <Clear Mirror, Still Water>
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Globes of water surround Yuffie and her companions. When they pop open,
each character regains some HP.
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B2/1: <Extract Mountain Cover World>
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Yuffie hits the ground and a line of blast waves heads towards her
enemy. The ground buckles, then explodes, inflicting earth damage.
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B2/2: <Blood Ritual>
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The screen turns red and Yuffie hits all enemies with her weapon 10
times for physical damage.
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B3/1: <Armored Sleeves' One Touch>
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Yuffie creates a blue light beneath all her opponents. A column of blue
light bursts upward, hitting every one for special dmaage.
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B3/2: <All Living Human Must Perish>
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The screen turns blue as Yuffie leaps from enemy to enemy, striking for
a total of 15 hits. With each hit, purple light flashes from her weapon.
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B4/1: ALL CREATION
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Yuffie creates a swirling circular mass of red, purple, and white light.
Out of it fires a large beam of white light that damages all enemies for
special damage.
=========
Cait Sith
=========
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B1/1: <Dice>
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Cait's stuffed moogle throws several dice to the ground. The score that
is rolled determines how much damage the targeted enemy will receive.
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B2/1: <Slot>
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A slot machine appears. Depending on what you pick, a different result
will occur:
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- <Name of summoned monster> 3 bars
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Cait Sith randomly calls upon a summoned monster.
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- TOY SOLDIER 3 crowns
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Six toy soldiers appear and fire at all enemies for special damage.
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- <Moogle Dance> 3 stars
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A moogle (from the 'Summon Chocobo & Moguri' spell) appears and does
a dance that completely restores each members' HP and MP.
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- <Lucky Girl> 3 hearts
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A cat-girl appears and all allies have a 100% hit rate (no chance of
missing) for the rest of the battle.
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- <Combine> 3 moogles
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Cait's allies disappear and his moogle grows twice as large, gaining
9999 HP and 999 MP. In this form, he can do anything but use Limit
Breaks, and his attacks cause more damage. When the battle is over,
everyone's current HP and MP drop to 1/3rd their former amount. He
can't use this ability if there are less than 3 allies.
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- GAME OVER 3 faces
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All enemies facing you are instantly killed. This ALWAYS works
against any enemy.
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- DEATH JOKER face, face, bar
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All allies are instantly killed. There's no way to avoid this, even
with the help of accessories like the Safety Bit or an Enemy Skill
such as Death Force.
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- <Toy Box> any other combination
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A random object is dropped on one enemy, inflicting physical damage.
It can be a Hell House, Debu Chocobo, Magic Hammer, icicles, a
boulder, or a Comet 2-like meteor attack. Just like when you attack
normally, it's possible to hit for extra damage (like making a
critical hit attack).
==================
Vincent Valentine*
==================
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B1/1: GARIAN BEAST
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Vincent alters his form and becomes a horned, purple monster.
- <Berserker Dance>
Vincent claws and bites one opponent.
- <Beast Flare>
Vincent throws golden orbs at all foes that hit for ice/lightning
damage.
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B2/1: DEATH GIGAS
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This Morph changes Vincent into a Frankenstein's Monster.
- <Giga Dunk>
Vincent jumps and punches one enemy.
- <Life Spark>
Vincent pounds his chest and fires electricity at all enemies, which
strikes for lightning damage.
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B3/1: HELLMASK
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Vincent transforms into a Jason look-alike, complete with chainsaw and
hockey mask.
- <Splatter Combo>
Vincent attacks 5 times with his saw.
- <Nightmare>
A poison gas with skulls flying out of it appears and afflicts an
enemy with Silence, Sleepel, and Toad ailments in addition to causing
poison damage.
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B4/1: CHAOS
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Vincent turns into a skull-faced demon with bat wings.
- CHAOS SABER
Vincent slashes all foes with his wings.
- SATAN SLAM
The ground rises in the shape of a skull and it's eyes flash, causing
an instant death attack. The survivors are attacked by orange skulls
that hit for special damage.
* At the start of any of Vincent's Limit Breaks, his HP is doubled and
is filled up to it's maximum amount. It returns to normal afterwards.
Also, Vincent can still be affected by status changes while in another
form (such as Minimum or Poison). While transformed, Vincent is
uncontrollable and will randomly perform one of his form's two attacks
when his Time bar is maxed out.
==========
Cid Hiwind
==========
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B1/1: <Buster Jump>
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Cid performs a diving slash to one enemy.
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B1/2: <Dynamite>
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Using his cigarette, Cid lights a stick of dynamite and tosses it at
his enemies, causing a damaging explosion.
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B2/1: <Hyper Jump>
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Cid spins into the sky and drives his weapon into the ground, which is
covered in a blue light. Upon pulling it out, all enemies are damaged.
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B2/2: <Dragon Murder>
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A serpent-like dragon flies from behind Cloud and encircles one enemy
before flying away. HP and MP stolen from the target are given to Cid.
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B3/1: <Dragon Dive>
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Cid leaps in the air and comes down with his weapon 6 times, creating a
column of multi-colored energy each time he lands that causes damage.
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B3/2: <Big Fray>
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Cid pokes and impales opponents with his weapon 8 times while dust rises
around him.
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B4/1: HIGHWIND
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Cid calls down a barrage of missiles (from the Highwind, I guess?) to
strike all enemies repeatedly.
NOTES
- Words in CAPS are the translated name.
- Words in ( ) are the English name (from the FF7 demo disk).
- Words in < > are the guessed English name.
- 'x' means that I don't know the character and couldn't
translate it.
- 'Physical' is damage caused by your weapon which you can lessen using
Barrier. 'Elemental' is element damage (fire, ice, lightning, etc.)
that you can lessen using accessories and to which some enemies are
immune. 'Special' damage is from an attack that can't be defended
against/avoided by any means short of invincibility.