57. CLOUD (PLAYER 1)

Franchise / home series: Final Fantasy

Notable non-Smash games: Final Fantasy VII (1997); Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)

Cloud joined Smash 4 as DLC, becoming one of the most hyped third-party additions in series history. As the protagonist of Final Fantasy VII, he represents one of the most influential JRPGs of all time.

In Smash, Cloud wields the massive Buster Sword, giving him excellent range and disjointed aerials. His Limit Gauge charges over time or via manual charge and, when full, powers up his specials and movement speed. Limit Cross Slash, Climhazzard, and Finishing Touch are defining tools that grant him strong burst options.

Cloud’s moveset combines straightforward, powerful sword normals with a simple but potent resource mechanic, making him intuitive yet deadly. In both Smash 4 and Ultimate, he has remained a top-tier or high-tier threat, embodying the cool, stylish power fantasy associated with his Final Fantasy origins.