Would like to main Zidane, somewhat new to Dissida

[Viviblaze814]

I used to play the original Dissidia and mained mages, but I've been playing FFIX and really like Zidane's character. I'd like to main him, because he seems like a fun character to play.

I guess the real question is, where do I start?
What are Zidane's pros and cons?
What's good on him?
How do I use him effectively?

[lolshack]

Welcome to the forum~!

*cough* Don't know a single bit about Zidane, although some Zidane mainers will come and help you answering your questions (hopefully)

[ChaosMuramasa]

What are Zidane's pros and cons?

His speed and aerial game are rather superb, but his stand-alone HP game (away from Brave->HP) is more or less pretty mediocre. With how much he chips, he can really make good uses of Gauge Depletion accessories.

What's good on him?

Swift Attack -> Meo-Twister and Booster 8 are your only required staples. The rest of his air game are up to you; they're all good moves that serve their own uses in various situations, so switch it up a bit and see what you like. As for the ground brave game, Rumble Rush -> Meo-Twister is optional but I hardly see many people use it anymore with Booster 8 in the game now.

As for HP's, Tidal Flame and Stellar Circle 5 are a gigantic waste of CP. They're more or less below average, so you could put the CP to much better use. Feel free to use all of his air HPs, though. They have better uses than the ground HPs, even if they are still average.

How do I use him effectively?

Swift Attack pokes. That's...kind of it. For more advanced schematics, you can try using Booster 8 to punish a dodge (I actually have no idea if this is possible considering Booster 8's weird tracking) or you can learn the exact range, distance, and tracking for Shift Break so you can actually hit the enemy with the bolts (as said by axeL). When it comes down to it, though, as long as you know how to effectively poke with Swift Attack, you can manage yourself as Zidane.

[axeeeeL]

a quick rundown on zidane's moveset:

- swift attack > meo is a staple
- shift break is still really good, but requires more careful usage due to being assist punishable
- free energy, although nerfed to hell, is still nice to have to make up for SA's limited tracking, plus it has a lingering hitbox
- booster 8 isn't a staple, it's just "recommended"
- none of zidane's standalone HP attacks (both aerial and ground) are worth it except for Free Energy and Shift Break
- vortex is recommended. i personally prefer storm impulse over tempest > meo twister, but it's all preference
- scoop art is decent for passive zidanes that like to assist build, and also hit confirms into assist combos
- rumble rush is awful. don't ever equip it.

[Viviblaze814]

Thanks for all the help!
I hate to sound like a noob, but I am, so here goes.
I'm knew to a lot of the terminology used when talking about competitive Dissidia, so what does it mean to "punish" in this game?
For example, how is Shift Break "assist punishable?"

[ChaosMuramasa]

"Assist Punishable" means you can punished by an Assist during the attack. So, if you use Shift Break and you enemy has an Assist Gauge, they can summon their Assist during Shift Break and it'll stop you since Zidane is open and vulnerable while using it.

[Viviblaze814]

So basically to "punish" in Dissidia is the literal meaning of the word? XD Mkay, I get it. Thanks a lot!

[Shuruka]

when you PUNISH someone, its when they use an attack, and you counter it before they can recover, you punish their attack. and shift break is assist punishable because you can hit zidane with an assist when he uses shift brake, and he cant fight back because he's in the attack animation

arg, beaten to the punch.