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Cloud and Sephiroth have received new weapons to add to their already extensive arsenal of useful gear. Meanwhile, the other characters barely receive anything new, but this is understandable from a popularity perspective. Cloud and Sephiroth, being iconic characters in the Final Fantasy franchise, regularly receiving new weapons and gear in alternating draws, serve as a great marketing tactic. We're certain that fans of Cloud and Sephiroth will eagerly spend all their Christmas money on this banner.
With that aside, how do these equipment changes impact the game's landscape? At first glance, the addition of fire-based and fire support weapons and gear fills a much-needed niche, specifically fire-elemental damage, complemented by proper Arcanum gear boosts.
Cloud's Skysplitter is a gacha-exclusive weapon that can only be obtained from the draw. However, players can also acquire it through the wishlist system when it's added. I'm assuming it's not a limited weapon; otherwise, it won't appear there. However, there isn't any information confirming that will be the case.
New Weapons
[PATK: 241] [MATK: 176] [HEAL: 147] (90 OB0)
[PATK: 578] [MATK: 422] [HEAL: 205] (90 OB10)
[PATK: 602] [MATK: 440] [HEAL: 220] (90 OB+20)
Skysplitter (Cloud) [Gacha]
Base Stats
C-Ability
Blazing Strike (4 ATB)
Fira Smash [Phys. Fire] 320% Phys. Fire Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
Blazing Strike [Phys. Fire] 480% Phys. Fire Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
Blazing Strike [Phys. Fire] 580% Phys. Fire Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
Blazing Strike+ [Phys. Fire] 710% Phys. Fire Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
Blazing Strike++ [Phys. Fire] 850% Phys. Fire Damage [Range: Single Enemy
R-Ability
40 Boost PATK / 36 Boost Fire Pot.
Support Materia Slots
PATK Boost I
PATK Boost I
✖ Sigil Boost I
Radiant Edge (Sephiroth) [Gacha]
Base Stats
[PATK: 234] [MATK: 182] [HEAL: 149] (90 OB0)
[PATK: 561] [MATK: 436] [HEAL: 208] (90 OB10)
[PATK: 585] [MATK: 455] [HEAL: 223] (90 OB+20)
C-Ability
Iai (4 ATB)
Ruinra Smash [Phys. Non-elem.]
400% Phys. Non-elem. Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
Iai [Phys. Non-elem.]
340% Phys. Non-elem. Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
20s PDEF Down (+6s) (Mid) [Range: Single Enemy]
20s Fire Resistance Down (+6s) (Low -> Mid) [Range: Single Enemy] [Condition: Self 50-100% HP]
10% Crit Rate [Range: Single Enemy]
Iai [Phys. Non-elem.]
390% Phys. Non-elem. Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
22s PDEF Down (+7s) (Mid) [Range: Single Enemy]
22s Fire Resistance Down (+7s) (Low -> Mid) [Range: Single Enemy] [Condition: Self 50-100% HP]
10% Crit Rate [Range: Single Enemy]
Iai+ [Phys. Non-elem.]
480% Phys. Non-elem. Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
26s PDEF Down (+8s) (Mid) [Range: Single Enemy]
26s Fire Resistance Down (+8s) (High) [Range: Single Enemy] [Condition: Self 50-100% HP]
10% Crit Rate [Range: Single Enemy]
Iai++ [Phys. Non-elem.]
540% Phys. Non-elem. Damage [Range: Single Enemy]
30s PDEF Down (+10s) (Mid) [Range: Single Enemy]
30s Fire Resistance Down (+10s) (High) [Range: Single Enemy] [Condition: Self 50-100% HP]
10% Crit Rate [Range: Single Enemy]
R-Ability
54 Boost PATK / 36 Boost Fire Pot.
Support Materia Slots
PATK Boost I
ATK Boost (Fire) I
✖ Sigil Boost I
New Gear
Official Festive Garb
Boost PATK - Boost Physical Attack
Flameblade Arcanum - Boosts Fire Ability Damage by 35%
Celebratory Garb
Boost HP - Boosts HP
Fire Mastery - Boosts Fire ability damage by 20%
Review Notes
Skysplitter will have the highest damage modifier among all the fire weapons in the game at 850% (max overboost). The second-highest is a tie between Glenn's Crewkicker and Red XIII's Rage Collar. The latter two don't have any fire arcanum gear available for them, so this makes Cloud the go-to Fire Damage Dealer in the game. This weapon is a must-pull because it outperforms every other fire-based weapon in the game and synergizes well with Cloud's new fire-based arcanum gear. Additionally, it boasts the highest physical attack base stat among all of Cloud's weapons, representing a clear upgrade in terms of raw physical attack. Furthermore, the R-abilities align with what we'd like to see in a fire damage dealer build, focusing on physical attack and fire potency.
Radiant Edge functions similarly to Zack's Black Whiskers since it debuffs physical defense and fire resistance. The one difference, however, is that the fire resistance debuff is conditional, depending on Sephiroth's HP, while Zack's isn't. Nevertheless, this is just a minor detail, as it shouldn't be challenging to keep Sephiroth's HP topped up.
Typically, Sephiroth is known as a magical damage dealer, but he does have a wind physical damage dealer build with Dark Heavens. Radiant Edge will be a great addition to that build since it provides a significant physical attack boost. In fact, it boasts the highest physical attack among Sephiroth's arsenal. It can serve as an excellent physical attack sub-weapon when Sephiroth is outside your party. At level 90, it offers a 32-point physical attack boost and can provide up to 54 PATK when fully overboosted. While it may not be a must-have weapon, as players can debuff fire resistance via fire breach materia, it could prove useful in future content where players need to debuff physical defense on a fire-weak boss, similar to the situation when Zack's Black Whiskers dropped for the Iron Giant.
The Official Festive Garb for Cloud is the prize in this banner. As I mentioned in the previous paragraphs, it fills the much-needed niche for a dedicated fire damage dealer. Now, Cloud can deliver lightning and fire damage at an excellent level alongside water damage. Here's hoping we get multiple stamps per pull to acquire this much-awaited gear.
Sephiroth's Celebratory Garb isn't as good as Cloud's since it only boosts fire damage by 20%. I wouldn't recommend getting this at 12 stamps. However, if you're a fan of Sephiroth, feel free to do so. You could aim for both, but that would require a significant investment of crystals.
Overall, it's a great banner to draw on, especially at the start of the new year when the developers are showering players with free crystals and pulls. However, keep in mind that Yuffie might be coming in the near future, so saving some crystals for her as well would be wise.
This encompasses all the information we currently have about the New Year Draw. We will post a comprehensive guide on the New Year Event when it drops. Meanwhile, make sure to follow the site for more updates on Final Fantasy Ever Crisis news and content.
