Table of Contents
Introduction
In this article, we'll review Cloud's newest weapon, the Zidane's Sword. This weapon shares a banner with Tifa's Amarant's Claws . We will break down its abilities and support materia slots, explore some potential builds in which it might be used, discuss sub-weapon use, and consider its future-proofing.
Zidane's Sword
Zidane's Sword: Cloud [Limited]
Free Energy (4 ATB)
40 Boost PATK / 36 Boost Phys. Ability Pot.
PATK Boost I
PATK Boost I
▲ Sigil Boost I
Base Stats
[PATK: 234] [MATK: 187] [HEAL: 144] (90 OB0)
[PATK: 561] [MATK: 448] [HEAL: 201] (90 OB10)
[PATK: 585] [MATK: 467] [HEAL: 216] (90 OB+20)
Zidane's sword has the second highest physical attack power in Cloud's arsenal, after Murasame. It is in the middle of the pack in terms of magical attack power and at the very bottom in terms of healing potency. However, this weapon is designed for dealing maximum physical damage.
C-Ability
Ruinra Smash [Phys. Non-elem.]
400% Phys. Non-elem. Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
Free Energy [Phys. Non-elem.]
650% Phys. Non-elem. Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
10% Crit Rate [Range: Single Enemy]
Free Energy [Phys. Non-elem.]
780% Phys. Non-elem. Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
10% Crit Rate [Range: Single Enemy]
Free Energy+ [Phys. Non-elem.]
1140% Phys. Non-elem. Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
10% Crit Rate [Range: Single Enemy]
Free Energy++ [Phys. Non-elem.]
1300% Phys. Non-elem. Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
10% Crit Rate [Range: Single Enemy]
Its C-ability is a non-elemental physical attack with a 1300% damage modifier when fully overboosted. It is the first weapon in the game to break the 1000% damage modifier mark. Even at level 90, its modifier is still significantly high at 650%. It has a 10% critical hit rate, which is very good. I will explain why in the build section.
R-Abilities
Its R-abilities boost physical attack and physical ability potency. Both of these are great offensive R-abilities that complement what the weapon is designed for. The physical ability potency boost synergizes well with the gear that can be drawn from the same banner, which I will discuss later in more detail. At level 90, they give 24 and 9 points respectively, and at max overboost, 40 and 36 points. This is a significant physical ability potency boost.
Sub-weapon use
As for subweapon use, it is mediocre for a physical damage dealer. There are better options, of course, such as the Motor Drive, Bald Eagle, and Black Whiskers. However, if you do not have any of those, this one will do.
Support Materia Slots
Its support materia slots are two +20% physical attack boost slots and a triangle sigil damage boost slot. These are fairly standard support slots for a gacha weapon. The physical materia boosts are certainly welcome, as they can give physical damage materia for coverage a damage boost.
Build
For a theoretical build, you could use Zidane's Sword as the main weapon, Iron Blade in the offhand for a bit of critical potency, Motor Drive and Bald Eagle to max out physical attack, and a maxed-overboosted Iron Greatsword for a bit of critical potency. For gear, we will use Zidane. Here is what the bonuses and stats will look like at level 55 and with all the weapons at level 90 except the maxed-overboosted ones.
So, we're going for a crit build here since this weapon can crit. The critical damage boost here is significant, and the physical ability potency is bonkers.
Future-proofing
This weapon will surely be power-crept in the future, but I'm not sure when. It doesn't have any utility since it wasn't designed for that in mind. It's not unique since there are other non-elemental weapons in Cloud's arsenal, like the Apocalypse. So, I'm thinking it's not very future-proof. Still, it's a nice weapon to add to your collection.
One thing to note is that this weapon is a limited weapon, meaning it cannot be wishlisted when the banner ends. The only way to get extra copies is to pull on the banner. Its weapon parts will not be farmable via the mission requests. The only way to overboost it after the banner is by using Cloud-specific weapon parts, and those are hard to come by (for now).
Gear
The gear in the banner is Zidane's outfit. It gives 10 points of HP and boosts physical ability potency. It synergizes well with Zidane's sword, and it looks cool on Cloud. It's a good piece of gear for when you're facing enemies with no elemental weaknesses, where Cloud's Arcanum gear will shine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Zidane's sword and outfit are good additions to Cloud's arsenal but don't fill a niche like his elemental and Arcanum gear. However, if you're looking for a weapon with a really high damage modifier, you could do no better than Zidane's sword.
