Cloud Strife didn't just walk into Super Smash Bros. He crashed into it like a meteor. When Nintendo first revealed the Final Fantasy VII protagonist for the Wii U and 3DS versions back in 2015, the collective internet lost its mind. It was the "impossible" addition. Square Enix isn't exactly known for being loose with their intellectual property, yet there he was, wielding a Buster Sword that took up half the screen. But history has a funny way of repeating itself. Years after his debut and his subsequent transition into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Cloud remains one of the most polarizing, effective, and frequently picked characters in the entire roster.
He’s everywhere. You see him in elite smash. You see him in the grand finals of majors. You see him in your nightmares if you're a heavy-weight main.
The Limit Break Problem: Why Cloud in Smash Bros Feels Different
The core of the Cloud experience is the Limit Gauge. It's a mechanic ripped straight from his home game, but in the context of a platform fighter, it changes the fundamental "rhythm" of a match. Most characters have to approach you to deal damage. Cloud? He can just stand in the corner and charge. This forces the opponent to play his game. If you sit back, he gets a blue glow and suddenly his movement speed spikes and his specials turn into kill moves.
It’s honestly kind of a psychological warfare tool. When that bar is full, the opponent starts panicking. They start shielding more, which opens them up to grabs, or they start jumping erratically, which is exactly what a Cloud player wants so they can land that massive Back-Air.
👉 See also: The Date Everything Lavish Edition Is Actually Happening: Here Is What To Expect
That Back-Air is Honestly Ridiculous
Let's talk about that move for a second. If you’ve played against a high-level Cloud, you know the one. It’s fast. It’s huge. It’s safe on shield if spaced correctly. In Ultimate, Masahiro Sakurai and his team toned down some of Cloud's more egregious traits from the Smash 4 era—like the fact that he could hold his Limit forever—but they kept his fundamental "swordie" DNA intact. His sword acts as a disjointed hitbox, meaning he can hit you without his own body being vulnerable. This makes him a brick wall for characters with short reach like Mario or Kirby.
He basically dictates the space around him. You don't get to just "enter" Cloud's personal bubble without a plan.
The Evolution from Smash 4 to Ultimate
In the previous game, Cloud was widely considered a top-two character, rivaled only by Bayonetta. He was so good that he basically invalidated half the cast in doubles matches. Two Clouds together was essentially a guaranteed win. When Super Smash Bros. Ultimate launched, the developers clearly tried to rein him in. They shortened his reach by a few pixels. They made his Limit Gauge expire after 15 seconds. They nerfed the active frames on some of his moves.
Did it work? Sorta.
💡 You might also like: Anime Vanguards Codes: How to Actually Get Ahead Without Grinding for Days
He fell out of the "God Tier" for a minute, but as the meta matured, players like Sparg0 showed the world that a "nerfed" Cloud is still a monster. Sparg0’s run at various Smash Ultimate Summits and majors proved that if you have the fundamentals, Cloud’s kit is still arguably the most efficient in the game. He doesn't need complex combos that require 50 precise inputs. He needs a few good reads and a well-timed Cross Slash.
The Recovery: His Only Real Weakness
Every character needs a flaw, and Cloud’s is his verticality—or lack thereof. His Up-B, Climhazzard, doesn't go very high. If you knock him far enough off-stage and he doesn't have Limit available, he's basically a rock falling into the ocean. This creates a high-stakes "glass cannon" feel. You feel invincible while on the stage, but the second your feet leave the ledge, the sweat starts.
Experienced players will "edge-guard" Cloud relentlessly. They know that if they can just tap him once while he's trying to recover, he’s done. This balance is what keeps him from being truly "broken" in the eyes of the competitive community, though that doesn't make him any less frustrating to fight.
Why Beginners and Pros Both Love Him
It’s rare to find a character that works at every level of play, but Cloud in Smash Bros fits the bill perfectly. For a casual player, he’s "the cool guy with the big sword." His moves are intuitive. Pressing the B button does exactly what you think it should. There’s no complex "meter management" like Hero or technical "inputs" like Ryu and Ken. You just swing.
At the pro level, that simplicity becomes an asset. Because his moves are so reliable, players can focus entirely on their opponent's movement. There’s less "mechanical noise." You aren't worrying about whether your combo will drop because of a weird platform height; you're just focused on the neutral game.
Common Misconceptions About the Matchup
A lot of people think you should just stay away from Cloud. That’s a mistake.
If you give him space, he charges Limit. If he has Limit, he wins. You actually have to stay in his face, but at a very specific angle. Most Clouds rely on their "out-of-shield" options, specifically their Up-B. If you hit his shield and then immediately move away or cross over to his back, you can bait out the Climhazzard and punish the landing.
Also, stop trying to challenge his Down-Air. Just don't. It lingers forever and the hitbox is wider than the visual effect suggests. Just wait for him to land and grab him.
The "Square Enix" Effect
It's worth noting that Cloud paved the way for Sephiroth. Without the success of Cloud, we likely wouldn't have seen the one-winged angel join the fray. While Sephiroth has the longer reach and the flashy "Gigaflare," many top players still consider Cloud the more consistent pick. He’s more mobile, his frame data is generally better, and he doesn't die at 40% like the much lighter Sephiroth often does.
Real-World Impact on the Competitive Scene
When you look at the statistics from major tournaments over the last two years, Cloud’s "representation" is staggering. He is consistently one of the most-played characters in the Top 128 of any given supermajor. This isn't just because he's "easy," but because he’s a fantastic "secondary" character. Even if a pro player mains someone else—like Aegis or Joker—they often keep a Cloud in their back pocket for specific matchups.
📖 Related: Why Zelda Skyward Sword Hints Still Trip Up Veteran Players
He’s the ultimate "gatekeeper" character. If you can't beat a solid Cloud, you aren't ready for the top level of Smash.
How to Actually Get Better with Cloud
If you're looking to pick him up or improve your game, stop focusing on flashy stuff. Cloud isn't about the 0-to-death combos.
- Master the Spacing: Your goal is to hit the opponent with the very tip of the Buster Sword. If you’re too close, you get punished. If you’re at the tip, you’re safe.
- Limit Management: Don't just use your Limit move the second you get it. Sometimes, just having the threat of a Limit Cross Slash is more powerful than actually using it. The increased stats (speed and jump height) while the bar is full are often more valuable than the one-off attack.
- Empty Hopping: Cloud’s aerials are his best tools. Learn to short-hop without attacking to bait out a shield, then land and grab.
- B-Reversing the Charge: Learn to use your Neutral-B (Limit Charge) in mid-air to shift your momentum. It’s one of the few ways Cloud can make his landing less predictable.
- Off-Stage Discipline: Don't go deep for kills. Cloud is a king of the stage, but a peasant off of it. Stay on the ledge and use your Back-Air to wall people out instead of chasing them to the blast zone.
Cloud Strife remains a pillar of the Smash community. Whether he's being complained about on Twitter or being cheered for on the big stage, his impact on the game is undeniable. He changed the way we think about DLC characters and set a standard for "sword fighters" that few others have managed to meet. He’s fast, he’s heavy-hitting, and he’s got arguably the most iconic silhouette in gaming history.
To beat him, you need patience. To play him, you need discipline. Despite the nerfs and the shifting tides of the Ultimate meta, the soldier from Midgar isn't going anywhere. He’s still standing at the top of the tier list, sword ready, waiting for the next challenger to try their luck. Just watch out for that Climhazzard on the way up.
Next Steps for Mastery
To truly master Cloud, you should spend time in the training lab practicing "RAR" (Reverse Aerial Rush) Back-Airs. This is his most vital tool for securing kills at high percentages. Additionally, study VODs of Sparg0’s recent tournament runs, specifically paying attention to how he uses "Blade Beam" to force approaches rather than just as a projectile. Finally, practice your recovery angles; learning exactly how low you can go before needing to Up-B is the difference between a win and a tragic self-destruct.