Buffet an enemy with blows, and all subsequent attacks deal increased damage.
Description
Art of War is Yuffie's default ATB ability in "Episode INTERmission" in Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. It is a melee-range multi-hitting physical attack that primarily deals single-target damage to an enemy, and causes subsequent attacks against them to deal increased damage.
Though the ability is unremarkable on its own, when used while synergized with Sonon Kusakabe while both have the requisite ATB, it becomes Synergized Art of War, a devastating ability.
Mechanics[]
Art of War has multiple animations. The first one is weaker, deals low stagger damage, and has a very small area of effect. This attack will end with Yuffie in a ninjutsu stance regardless of whether her shuriken was thrown, which will also deal increased damage, and allows Yuffie to indefinitely stay in the ninjutsu damage type without her shuriken returning.
When used in rapid succession, or during the buffed ninjutsu combo, Yuffie will utilize a different version with a wider attack range, which deals roughly 50% more damage and considerably higher stagger, as well as providing Yuffie with very high interrupt defense. This attack will end with Yuffie in a melee stance in which the subsequent attack combo deals increased damage.
Synergizing with Sonon before use activates Synergized Art of War, which deals massive damage and high stagger, as well as providing increased interrupt defense. This attack will end with the pair in a melee stance. It still primarily hits a single target, but is also more likely to hit nearby clustered enemies.
Yuffie will utter specific phrases depending on the version used (such as "Run like a Chocobo" for first animation, "Stab like a Tonberry" for the second). Yuffie can skip the weaker version under certain circumstances, most notably directly after a perfect counter against a melee attack, or after using Synergized Art of War.
Use[]
Run like a chocobo, stab like a tonberry!
Yuffie when using Art of War
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Yuffie & Sonon’s Synergized Art of War
Art of War on its own should be used against larger, more durable targets. On its own, its damage is moderate, and once later abilities are acquired, it mostly serves to boost damage dealt by other attacks. The ability is primarily single-target, and as such is limited against groups of enemies, but can still damage foes clustered nearby.
Art of War can be used well with Banishment. By charging Banishment up with other ATB abilities, and using Art of War to charge it further, this can deal a significant amount of damage toward a single target when combined.
The strongest use for the ability is when synergized with Sonon to become Synergized Art of War. This version of the ability is considerably more powerful and its initial hits build decent stagger if used on a pressured enemy. Like the non-synergized version, Synergized Art of War also augments the power of the follow-up ninjutsu.
Etymology[]
Its Japanese name is Fūrinkazan, a popularized version of the battle standard used by the Sengoku period daimyō Takeda Shingen. The banner quoted four phrases from Sun Tzu's The Art of War: "as swift as wind, as gentle as forest, as fierce as fire, as unshakable as mountain." The English name is thus also derived from this source, and is especialluy fitting for Yuffie who can change between elements on-the-fly with her Elemental Ninjutsu (though the element from Elemental Ninjutsu does not carry over to her Art of War).
Yuffie's line when using Art of War may be a nod to the late boxer Muhammad Ali (d. 2016), who was notorious for trash-talking his opponents. In one particular pre-fight interview, he was quoted as saying, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee; the hands can't hit what the eyes can't see."