If you're a newcomer to the series, you might be wondering who Cloud is and what his role in the game is. Well, Cloud is the main character of Final Fantasy 7 Remake and the one you'll be playing the most. He has a bit of a confusing past, but without spoiling too much, Cloud is a SOLDIER. SOLDIERS are a group of elite warriors who are part of the Shinra Company. 

Well, Cloud was never an official soldier but a failed experiment by Hojo, a mad scientist. Well, he was thought to be a failed experiment, but Cloud turned out to be his best experiment yet. He wields the most iconic sword in gaming, which is the “Buster Sword.” His strength lies in his versatility, as he deals decent magic and physical damage and can to switch between Operator and Punisher modes.

Cloud Strengths:

• Ability to deal raw damage in a wide area of effect.
• Being able to counter enemy attacks.
• Being able to deal decent magic damage.
• Having versatile builds.
• Having a variety of different stats makes him a balanced out and strong party member.
• Being a high damage dealer for his party.
• Being able to tank a lot of damage.

3. Magic Build

Time to burn!

This build doesn't play to Cloud’s strengths, but with him being a full on mage, he can support his party members by either healing them or casting offensive spells. Make sure to equip all four different elements for spells, and be sure to take the healing and revival spells as well. Furthermore, you won't run out of MP that quickly when using this build. 

The build can still deal damage when you level up your spells. Additionally, the sword you'll be using is the “Mythril Saber.” The sword, when upgraded to the max, will give Cloud extra MP, boost his magic by 20%, increase his magic attack damage, boost his magic attack damage by 54, and reduce the cost of offensive spells by 20%. 

Alongside that, you'll equip the “Rune Armlet” and the “Circlet.” Additionally, the perfect summon along this build is the “Carbuncle,” as it can cast spells without using any mana and once the spawn timer runs out, it heals the whole party for 9999 HP. With the mage build for Cloud, you’re capable of supporting your teammates in multiple ways, either by destroying your foes with offensive spells or by healing your party members.

Magic Build Excels At:

• Cloud has a large MP/mana pool.
• Being able to target enemy weaknesses due to having all four different elemental spells equipped.
• Having spells to heal or revive your fallen teammates.
• Increasing the damage output for magic.
• Reducing the cost of offensive spells by 20%.
• Increasing the magic defenses and magic damage by 5% of Cloud with the accessory “Circlet.”
• Having spells that suit any need for any situation.

Magic Build Details:

• Weapon: Mythril Saber - leveled up to the max.
• Accessory 1: Circlet - Max MP +10%, Magic +5%.
• Accessory 2: Rune Armlet - 16 physical defenses, 62 magical defenses, 3 materia slots.
• Spells: Fire, Blizzard, Aero, Thunder, Bio, Barrier, Healing and Revival spells.
• Materia for Mythril Saber: Fire, Ice, Wind, Electricity, Bio, and Magnify.
• Materia for Rune Armlet: Cura, Raise, Barrier.
• Summon: Carbuncle

2. Damage Tank Build

You won’t get through me!

The damage tank build for Cloud requires players to be on the frontlines, tanking damage, protecting the party, and dealing some damage back. Cloud as a tank isn’t bad, and it's quite viable. When using this build, you'll want your other party members to focus on dealing with the enemies. 

The best way to succeed in this build is to attack as many enemies as possible and make them focus on Cloud. You'll also want to have accessories that increase Cloud's defenses and HP. A high recommendation is to equip the “Supreme Bracelet” and the “Champions Belt.” Alongside those, it's best that you use the “Buster Sword.” 

When you reach max level with the “Buster Sword,” it gives you 800 HP, physical and magical defenses, and increases your damage output. Another thing you should bring with you is Shiva because of her AoE damage. This build is capable of surviving high damage enemies, taking huge hits from bosses, and dealing some damage back to the enemies.

What Damage Tank Build Excels At:

• Being the tank for your party.
• Having enemies focus on Cloud constantly instead of his party members.
• Having the other party members solely focus on dealing damage.
• If paired up with Aerith and healing spells, Cloud can survive for a long time.
• Cloud can group up enemies and allow Shiva to deal AoE damage.
• Having a lot of HP and tanking powerful hits from bosses and surviving.
• Dealing decent damage even though you’re a tank.

Damage Tank Build Details:

• Weapon: Buster Sword
• Accessory 1: Supreme Bracelet - 62 physical defenses, 16 magical defenses, 3 materia slots.
• Accessory 2: Champions Belt - HP +10%, Strength +5%.
• Spells: Barrier, Manaward, Resist, Cure.
• Buster Sword Materia Slots: HP UP, HP UP, Cure, Provoke Materia, Steadfast Block, Shiva. 
• Supreme Bracelet Materia Slots: Barrier, Manaward, Resist.
• Summon: Shiva

1. Full Damage Build

Bring it on, tough guy!

When it comes to building Cloud he’s very versatile. You can build him in multiple ways, but the best one for him is a full damage build. With this build, you can lean into magic and physical damage. Additionally, with this build, you’ll have some defensive stats through accessories. Also equip the “Cure” spell so Cloud can heal himself. 

The best sword for this build is the “Hardedge'' that's upgraded to the max. With it, you’ll gain 137 physical and 46 magical damage. Alongside those high damage numbers, you’ll also gain additional damage boosts, increase the duration of buffs by 10%, and gain two passive abilities, “Stagger Siphon” and “Bloodsucker.” The “Stagger Siphon” gives Cloud HP when he attacks a staggered enemy while “Bloodsucker” recovers HP when enemies are defeated. 

This allows him to be self-sustaining during battle. Additionally, you'll want to equip the “Gotterdammerung" accessory so you always enter the battle with a full limit break gauge so that you can use his special ability instantly. Also, bring with you Bahamut so you truly turn into a one man army. This build is capable of killing enemies quickly, soloing some bosses, and allowing Cloud to be self-sustaining in battle without relying on his party members. 

What Full Damage Build Excels At:

• With this build, you can deal decent magic damage from your abilities or your spells.
• You're able to deal insane damage from your physical attacks.
• The “Chain Bangle” accessory gives Cloud 50 physical and 50 magic defense stats.
• With this build, you're able to cast Cloud's signature ability every time he enters a battle.
• You have enough survivability and damage that you don’t need to rely on your party members.
• Even being able to solo kill strong enemies and even some bosses.
• Being a one-man army without relying on his party members.

Full Damage Build Details:

• Weapon: Hardedge 
• Accessory 1: Chain Bangle - 50 physical defenses, 50 magical defenses, 4 materia slots.
• Accessory 2: Gotterdammerung - every fight Cloud enters the battle with a full limit break gauge.
• Spells: Fire, Cure.
• Buster Sword Materia Slots: Fire + Elemental, HP Up, HP Up, First Strike, Steadfast Block.
• Chain Bangle Materia Slots: Chakra, ATB Stagger, Cure, Bahamut.
• Summon: Bahamut

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