1997's Final Fantasy VII was the first big hit for the franchise in the West. Sure, the previous games and spinoffs were well received, but only to a certain crowd. Final Fantasy VII was a juggernaut that broke through genre barriers, inviting players in from all backgrounds of life.
The same could be said about The Witcher franchise. While the first game was a PC exclusive and the second did come to the Xbox 360, the outreach was minimal. The third game going multi-platform is really what made it hit home. The Netflix show didn’t hurt either even though it was well after launch. The point is, Cloud and Geralt have a lot in common, but who would win in a fight?
9 Swords: Cloud
Bigger does not necessarily mean better although in this case it certainly does. The Buster Sword may be ungodly in size, but somehow Cloud is able to wield that thing as if it were made of air.
Plus, due to its large, flat design, it can also act as a shield for whatever Geralt may throw his way. Nothing can beat that thing. How Cloud is able to wield it with those skinny arms is another question.
8 Experience: Geralt
Geralt is older, which may mean he is weaker, but this weathered Witcher is still just as strong as his youthful days. He’s seen plenty and knows strategically how to overcome many situations.
Cloud, at the beginning of the game, basically just becomes a veteran. Sure, by the end of Final Fantasy VII, he is far stronger, but again, that time does not compare to Geralt’s training.Â
7 Superhuman Powers: Tie
Training and experience aside, if it were a head to head fistfight, these two would be evenly matched. Geralt is a mutant, experimented on in order to become a Witcher.
Cloud, on the other hand, is powered by Mako and experimentation as well. Basically they are both inhuman super soldiers.Â
6 Magic: Geralt
Cloud may have more variety in terms of magic thanks to his Materia. He can even summon monsters to help him out like Bahamut via Summons. That said, he also needs these magical orbs to perform said magic.
If Geralt were somehow able to remove his Materia from the Buster Sword and armor or surprise Cloud before he can equip anything, his magic would have a legitimate edge over Cloud.Â
5 Healing: Cloud
Let’s say that Cloud does keep his Materia. More so than offensive magic, Cloud has Geralt beat thanks to his healing abilities. Geralt can certainly carry a mess of potions as well so in terms of items they may be tied.
That being said Final Fantasy VII does have more healing varieties. Getting away from items though, being able to cast Cure, or Regen would be a huge boost for Cloud. He could even use magic like Haste to beef out his stats. Â
4 Speed: Cloud
Geralt has ways in order to make himself stronger as well in ways much like Haste, or casting Barrier on oneself. However, that requires time. In order to become the best Witcher he can be, Geralt must meditate before a match begins.
If he is given prep time, sure, Geralt may become a greater threat. However, if he doesn’t have enough time to make preparations, then all might be lost if Cloud gets the jump on him. Also, on the subject of speed, Cloud’s bike would slay Roach.
3 Relentless: Geralt
Geralt is not an evil person. That said, he knows what has to be done in order to win as a Witcher. That is to say, he won’t hold back.
Cloud doesn’t appear to hold back in his games, but he also doesn’t seem as savage as Geralt either. At the end of the day no matter what, someone is dying at the end of this or getting pretty close to it. Geralt seems more prepared for that.
2 Allies: Cloud
Both characters are rich with allies but Geralt doesn’t have anyone travel with him for the most part. That is to say, he is a lone wolf which is both a plus and minus.
While this fight is between Cloud and Geralt, if Cloud is about to die his allies will assuredly come in to save the day even if it isn’t the honorable thing to do. That may be the case for Geralt as well if he brings his friends to watch. Still, the edge goes to Cloud.
1 Verdict: Cloud
This would assuredly be a close match. Any one of the two fighters could counter the other. Materia is a big asterisk for this because if Cloud could Summon something, that might be it for Geralt.
It’s a balancing act that might boil down to luck. However, weighing the odds, Cloud looks like he might pull it off by a hair. A spiked hair that is.Â