Ok, Cloud vs. Link part II (hopefully it works this time...)

[Cloud Strife]

All right, as you all just saw, I screwed up on the last one by not including the poll. So this time around, there will be one. Remember, post who you chose and a BRIEF explination (two or three sentences, max) of why you chose him. Ok, here we go! Have fun!

EDIT - I, of course, voted Cloud. What, do you think I'd vote against my namesake?

[QueenQeeko]

I voted Cloud.

Materia, summon materia, ability to wield huge ass sword efficiently, bottomless pockets of items and limit breaks, as well as up to 9999-HP.

[MasterOfMagic]

If they were to go one on one, I'd say Link would win. With his Gauntlets, he is easily as strong as Cloud, and what he lacks in speed, he makes up for with having a sheild. That, and he can attack from far away, using his bow and arrow.

I'm talking without magic, of course. Neither of them use it as their main attack, so I figure its best just to leave it out.

[Cloud Strife]

Remember to check out the entire argument happening over at the Versus III thread here (http://forum.nuklearpower.com/showthread.php?t=5594&page=74&pp=10).

[Little Unicorn Boy]

arguments like "Cloud has more hit points" and "Link doesn't have to wait to attack" are just retarded.

but yeah Cloud would win.

[Terex4]

I voted Link as I believe he is the superior swordsman. The way people have been boasting about Cloud's strength just makes me think of David and Goliath.

[Elminster_Amaur]

I didn't vote, because I won the fight. See post in Versus Thread.

[Cloud Strife]

See my reply upon realizing just what EA had done.

Well, so far it looks like Cloud is winning. (Yay!)

[Rayinne]

Both are capable swordsmen with enhanced strength and special techniques. Cloud probably has more endurance, but that's more than made up for by the use of a shield.
But in the magic department, it's a few decent attack and effect spells vs. *summoning a dragon the size of a space station to make an orbital strike.* And let's not even get into the Knights.

[Viktor Von Russia]

Didn't one of the mods (Mashirosen?) create the versus thread to keep stuff like this from being made? I mean, you guys even post "refer to the versus thread."

[Cloud Strife]

I posted this poll to find out quickly who thought who would win. I specifically said that I did NOT want an argument, I just wanted who they picked and two or three sentences as to why. No one countering points, no one bashing on others for their views (that souldn't happen anyway), nothing like that at all. Just a simple poll.

[Dante]

Cloud. Because he exudes coolness.

[BlackMageGirl!]

Cloud, because I have seen first hand what he can do.

Edit: Cyclone, quantity never trumphs quality. Just because Link has been in 8 games does not mean that he is 'better' than Cloud.

[Cyclone231]

Link. Link is awesome. I can prove this because Cloud has been in one and may in the future be in two games. Link has been in like eight games.

How can you even think of voting for Cloud?

[Illuminatus]

Link.Here's why:

Mirror Shield
Nayru's Love
Fairies

It'd be close, but Link would win.

[Violetta]

Oh come on? Cloud?

A Nintendo Legend, even if it's mario, always prevail in a battle.

I choose Link, the guy can shoot arrows.

[Truce]

Link And Cloud

Bottles of Fairies: Many Lives>Cloud's Limit Breaks
Fairy Magic: Short Invincibility=Materia Magic: KOTR
Master Sword=Materia Blade (From FFT, this allowed him to use his most powerful technique, Cherry Blossom, a skill greater than Omnislash. However, all limit breaks took time, and starting fresh in either FFT or FF7 would prevent Cloud from using all but the quickest/weakest attacks)

1) Link has actually faced opponents in real time. Moves such as Omnislash don't work against someone who...you know, takes a step back.
2) Yes, Cloud was in Kingdom Hearts...but he lost to a kid with an oversized key.
3) With a sword as big as Cloud's, a shield is all that's needed to block and counterattack.
4) True, in FFT Cloud could shoot arrows, but arrows were pretty pathetic there. Plus, Link shoots enchanted arrows.
5) Boomerang. Longshot. Masks that grant powers. Swords that shoot beams when attacking. Oh yeah, and bombs.
6) Cloud uses items...but, none of them do much really, except heal him.

These are all what I take into account when I vote. I'm not gonna argue with anyone, just showing how I cast my vote.

[Joseph Pandora]

I am overly fond of cloud's big ass sword. And although other people hate him for it I love the angst.

[videogamerz2000]

I chose Link.
At first, I thought Cloud, but then I considered the ATB system vs. real time.
Point taken.

[Introduction]

Link's got a bomb. He wins.

[My Lead Airbag]

If we're sticking Cloud in ATB and Link gets free roam, then we also stick Link with his what, twenty hearts, versus about 9999 HP. Link better hope he doesn't fuck up...

But really, I thought all battles took place in one 'system'. I'm gunna assume a real time AC style Cloud versus OoT Link (I've always thought that was his most powerful, Goron Sword, three spells, Mirror Shield).

Now, AC Cloud, being a two year older Cloud, has a sword equal to his size that he wields effortlesslly, while Link struggles to hold a Goron Sword. Even if Link has his sheild, its gunna get dented in right quick with so many heavy strikes, and Cloud has never shown signs of being knocked off guard after hitting something hard, like Link has.

My opinion as a Legend of Zelda fan, is that Cloud wins.

[Illuminatus]

).

Now, AC Cloud, being a two year older Cloud, has a sword equal to his size that he wields effortlesslly, while Link struggles to hold a Goron Sword. Even if Link has his sheild, its gunna get dented in right quick with so many heavy strikes, and Cloud has never shown signs of being knocked off guard after hitting something hard, like Link has.

No matter how many times am Iron Knuckle beat on me with his huge axe, my Mirror Shield never got a dent.

[Silver Wolf]

Gotta be Cloud Strife. His Ultima Weapon would WUP Link in a heartbeat! Especially with Omni Slash!

[BitVyper]

Yeah, but this went on for like, ten pages in the vs thread, so a separate thread with a poll is a good idea. Anyway, on to why Link would like, totally win man.

Edit: Whoops, responded to a post on the first page there. Oh well.

The thread title just says Link, so I'm assuming I get to choose which one, in which case, I choose Zelda II, Adventure of Link. This Link also has the experience from Zelda I backing him. He has the skill and coordination to effectively use a sword/shield combo, which isn't easy as was already pointed out in the other thread. His sword crushes boulders and his shield can reflect magic. I have yet to see Cloud, despite having such a large sword, crush boulders with it. Link takes on a world filled with monsters that are out to kill him. He does this by himself with no special mode of transportation beyond a raft and the occasional tornado, but never once does he falter. No sooner did Impa tell him about the Triforce of Courage than he was off to find it. He's got eye of the tiger, pure focus, and that can be a big factor in a fight. Like Cloud, he took on an evil version of himself, and he triumphed without having a breakdown

This Link knows some very useful, powerful spells, and he doesn't need any kind of special focus, like materia, to cast them. His sword shoots lasers, giving him another range advantage over Cloud, although it only lasts until he takes a hit, but that could still give him a strong shot at the beginning of a fight.

I'd post more, but it's time for work. In any case; I'm all for Link.

Edit: Biggoron was forged to be wielded single handedly by a mountain giant. Since Link regularily tosses boulders around, one can only assume that it is either somehow forged heavier, perhaps using a core made from a really soft, heavy metal like gold, or it is somehow magically endowed with a lot of extra weight.

[chryos_the_forsaken]

seriously think about this, cloud, although fairly powerful, would get smashed into oblivion before he would get in a single hit. Clouds on an atb gauge, he has to wait to attack, then if hes using a skill has to charge it up, then on the flip side, by the time cloud would get a limit break to use omni slash, link would have pummeled him into the floor, while hes still charging! cloud moves more effortlessly with his weapon, but he moves 10 times less, therefore, i would say link is in better shape, not to mention that Oot Link has a teleportation spell and could easily dodge anything thrown at him.

[Genkotsu Ikaru]

A summary of my arguments from the vs. thread:

At first glance, Cloud seems stronger, but upon investigation, Link turns out at least as strong, if not stronger.

Taking away the artifacts of game design and instead inserting knowledge of real combat, the items wouldn't make much difference. It'd be a battle of swordsmanship. Cloud, using a two-handed sword, would be faster, but his attacks would be limited. Link would have a tactical advantage with the sword and shield.

The original battle took magic out of the equation, for some arbitrary reason, but despite the fans of materia, Link has the advantage in magic. Being a wizard of ridiculous power and a prodigy in the principles of magic, he is inherently magically superior to someone who simply relies on magical items. (My personal pet theory is that Link would be the one using the materia, regardless of the fact that Cloud's the one carrying them. Link might even be able to take them away. Don't carry crystalized magic in the presence of a wizard, folks.) Magic attacks could be reflected. Summons could be destroyed by magic - Thunder, if necessary. (This would kill Cloud too. Insta-kill. 9999 HP? Goodbye.)

The only thing I didn't address in the agrument is Limit Breaks, but the important factor in Cloud's Limit Breaks is that the opponent must be holding still. Link would avoid easily.

[DragonDaimyo]

Cloud. Hands down. Why?

Let's see, Link has just a few spells (though I will admit that they are good) vs. Cloud potentially having a ton of magic. Remember that materia weakens a FF7 character's physical status, so if that is taken out, Cloud gets a lot stronger. Also, even though Link can give himself limited invulnerability and use enchanted arrows, all Cloud has to do is cast barrier and reflect (I LOVE those spells :cool: ) In the end, Cloud would wear Link down.

[Elminster_Amaur]

Obviously, Link is a better spellcaster than Cloud, but Cloud is probably a bit stronger. Quite frankly, that doesn't matter, what matters is how they combine tactics with their strengths.Dance Puppets, Dance!

[chryos_the_forsaken]

Has anyone even mentioned sc2 link? He has an even wider array of moves/weapons to choose from, I'd say a megaton hammer would easily take on the buster sword. not to mention the great fairy's sword and its healing properties.