10 Must-Try Limit Breaks From Final Fantasy 7 (That Isn't An Ultimate Limit)
Of all the Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy 7 is perhaps the most popular title in the franchise. After all, this Square Enix RPG brought the franchise into 3D. This game also introduced quite a memorable cast, an entirely unique setting, and interesting gameplay elements. Final Fantasy VII formally introduces the Limit Break. Whereas a familiar concept (Desperation Attacks) randomly trigger in Final Fantasy 6, FF 7's Limit Breaks becomes an active battle element once players are introduced to the mechanic.
Each main character in FF 7 possesses their own set of Limit Breaks, bringing something new when it comes to "super attacks." However, while Limit Breaks for each character indeed have "Ultimate" levels, some earlier Limit Breaks seem more useful than they seem. As such, which non-Ultimate Limit Breaks reign supreme?
10 Cloud: Cross-Slash
Of all Cloud's Limit Breaks, Cross-Slash is one of the most useful, especially in the first parts of the game. While Braver does deal decent damage, Cross-Slash deals almost four times' worth of Cloud's normal damage with an additional Paralysis effect. Cloud should use Cross-Slash on bosses or larger enemies so the rest of the party can pummel it to the ground.
Of course, Cloud gets far more powerful Limit Breaks as he progresses through the game. Once his second-tier Limit Breaks become available, Cloud should switch them up.
9 Barret: Big Shot
Of all Barret's entry-level Limit Breaks, Big Shot easily becomes one of the most useful in crucial fights. He has Big Shot on the onset, meaning he can use this almost immediately once the Limit Break mechanic is activated in the game. It deals almost four times Barret's normal damage to an opponent.
As a non-elemental attack, Big Shot only needs to worry about Barret's equipped weapon and Strength value for its current damage. And while its partner Mindblow depletes MP, the latter has a much more niche use compared to the all-encompassing Big Shot.
8 Cid: Dragon Dive
Cid's Limit Breaks specialize in providing massive damage– either by hitting a single enemy many times or focusing on AOE. Aside from the Highwind Ultimate Limit Break, Cid's Dragon Dive is perhaps one of the most popular super moves out there. This move highlights Cid's specialization as a Dragoon, as this attack hits six random enemies.
Each of his dives deals 1 7/16 normal damage. Moreover, he has more than 25-percent chance of instantly killing his opponents in the process. This move sets up Cid as one of the highest damage-dealers in mid-game.
7 Vincent: Hellmasker
Unlike other party members, Vincent has access to only one Limit Break for each level. Instead of triggering an attack, Vincent's Limit Break transforms him into a monster for the duration of the battle. Moreover, these transformations give him access to new attacks.
Unfortunately, some fans don't particularly like Vincent's repertoire of Limit Breaks as there's always the risk of being useless in an encounter. After all, elemental damage from attacks does heal some opponents. To counteract this caveat, perhaps his Hellmasker Limit Break might serve the party the best. Splattercombo deals with physical attack damage, while Nightmare grants various debuffs to a single opponent.
6 Cait Sith: Slots– Summon
Of all party members, Cait Sith perhaps possesses the most unique set of Limit Breaks. In fact, Cait Sith possesses two Limit Breaks, Dice and Slots. Moreover, the effects these two Limit Breaks have are determined by Luck. In this case, Summon serves as one of the many combinations Cait Sith can trigger via the Slots mechanism.
Summon, triggered by getting Bar/Bar/Bar in Slots, gives Cait Sith a random summon. Interestingly, the higher Cait Sith's level is, the more powerful the creatures he can summon. Unfortunately, players who want to secure the win might not find this Limit Break entertaining.
5 Yuffie: Gauntlet
True to her Ninja job, Yuffie's Limit Breaks don't deal a lot of damage but tend to go fast and loose on enemies. Yuffie learns much of her Limit Breaks a bit faster than the other party members. This factor means Yuffie can dish out just the right damage the party needs before the damage dealers get their more devastating Limit Breaks. However, this caveat doesn't mean Yuffie's Limit Breaks are weak.
Killing 64 enemies after getting Landscaper grants Yuffie access to Gauntlet, one of her third-tier Limit Breaks. With this Limit Break, she can deal almost twice as much normal damage with a bomb that hits enemies. What makes this Limit Break special is that not only does Gauntlet ignore enemy defense when dealing damage, it's always a critical hit.
4 Red XIII: Stardust Ray
Red XIII has some of the more unique Limit Breaks in FF 7. Many of his starting Limit Breaks involve giving him buffs, while his endgame Limit Breaks can deal up to eight times normal damage to enemies.
For a second-tier Limit Break, Stardust Ray becomes extremely helpful in tight situations. The Limit Break hits ten times and while it hits random opponents, they do deal 5/8 of Red XIII's normal damage for each time it hits. Players obtain Stardust Ray after using Blood Fang seven times, which in itself might not be difficult, considering Red XIII gets Blood Fang after killing 72 enemies.
3 Aerith: Planet Protector
Consistent with her theme, Aerith' Limit Breaks either grant debuffs to enemies or buffs her allies. As such, while almost all of her Limit Breaks serve a utility purpose in the battlefield, it's Planet Protector that remains extremely "Aerith-like" among all of them. After all, if Aerith becomes the one who casts Holy in FF 7's story, then Planet Protector seems fitting for her role.
Moreover, this Limit Break grants the party members temporary invincibility. As a third-tier Limit Break, this ability becomes extremely useful when in a pinch. Additionally, the temporary invincibility gives everyone a chance to recover or even dish out damage without worrying about a counter-offensive.
2 Tifa: Dolphin Blow
Who doesn't love dolphins, especially when they attack monsters?! Thanks to Dolphin Blow, players not only get to see Tifa dish out great damage, they also see her accompanied by waves and a dolphin. Animation-wise, Dolphin Blow is one of Tifa's most creative Limit Breaks. Moreover, this Limit Break can deal 1 3/4 normal damage to one target.
As with other Tifa's Limit Breaks, Dolphin Blow only works if Tifa's slot reel doesn't land on Miss. This caveat means there's still a chance for Tifa to miss Dolphin Blow. However, Dolphin Blow becomes worthwhile on a Hit, as it deals normal attack damage. Meanwhile, landing on a "Yeah!" approximately doubles Dolphin Blow's damage. As with her other Limit Breaks, Tifa's weapon and Strength dictate the strength of Dolphin Blow.
1 Cloud: Finishing Touch
Outside Omnislash, Finishing Touch serves as one of the most powerful Limit Breaks that Cloud obtains throughout the game. Whereas Meteorain attacks random targets, Finishing Touch will Instant Kill enemies upon activation. Moreover, enemies immune to Instant Kill will instead get thrice Cloud's normal damage. Cloud obtains this Limit Break after using Meteorain six times.
Fans might notice that Finishing Touch wouldn't be as effective as Cloud's other Limit Breaks in the end game. After all, most of the game's strongest enemies will be immune to Finishing Touch. However, Finishing Touch trumps other non-Omnislash Limit Breaks for being the only one in Cloud's arsenal to even grant him Instant Kill.
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