The Emperor is a warrior of Spiritus in Dissidia Final Fantasy NT and its arcade version, representing Final Fantasy II. He is a Marksman who performs powerful magic. The Emperor returns from his original appearance in the 2008 Dissidia Final Fantasy and Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, in which he had a very similar combat style.
The Emperor's default player name is Nameless Despot. His manikin counterpart, which is now yellow, has been renamed Simulacrum of a Tyrant.
Profile[]
Appearance[]
The Emperor's default costume is "Monarch of Palamecia", an updated version of his default attire from previous Dissidia games, which in turn is based on his artwork by Yoshitaka Amano. Compared to previous Dissidia games, his armor has more metallic luster, including the horns on his head, to set them apart from his hair. The first alternate coloration is identical to his "Silver Despot" coloration from the previous Dissidia games, while the second alternate coloration recolors the Emperor's hair and armor copper, with red horns and cape, and ash white skin.
The Emperor's first alternate costume, "Violet Robe", is an updated version of his second alternate costume from Dissidia 012. His hair is slightly shorter and the metal head ornament is more visible, featuring additional spikes. His boots are now heeled. Its first alternate coloration recolors his robe white with striped pants, his shoulder attachment brown, and his cape a gradient of purple and rose. The second recolors his robe dark rose with white pants, his shoulder attachment black, and his cape a gradient of brown to yellow.
The Emperor's second alternate costume, "Hell's Remnant", is an updated version of his EX Mode appearance in his default costume from Dissidia and Dissidia 012.
Personality[]
While still arrogant and a megalomaniac (such as openly gloating that none of the Eidolons are too powerful for him to command), the Emperor's overall disposition has softened compared to previous Dissidia games, being irritated at the presence of the planesgorgers and also angered at Kuja's betrayal. Unlike in the old cycles, the Emperor shows no desire to betray Spiritus for his own schemes. He agrees to a truce with the warriors of Materia to stop Shinryu. He is implied to have left behind copies of his memories for a manakin to help defend the realm after returning to his original world.
Equipment[]
The Emperor wields rods as his main weapon. His alternate weapons, bar the Rod of Censure, have not appeared in any Final Fantasy game prior, and are newly designed for him in the Dissidia series.
His default weapon, Demon's Rod, is featured in a Yoshitaka Amano's art of the Emperor. This first alternate weapon, the Venom Rod, is a spiked rod resembling a rose with demonic thorns. The second alternate weapon, Rod of Spite, is a black rod with demonic and hellish motifs, including red wings and a purple spiked skull. This rod alludes to the Emperor's Dark form, and refers to his desires for destruction after returning to the death and how almost slaughters the party of heroes that finished him off as a mortal. The third alternate weapon, Rod of Censure, is unlike the other weapons. The rod is lighter in coloration and design, and is angelic in motif, featuring an orbed center, a golden crown at the tip, and white wings underneath. This rod alludes to the Emperor's Light form, and refers to passing judgment onto those considered impure or wicked. The fourth alternate weapon is the Karmic Rod, and is depicted as having jagged spikes as well as largely purple with a green crystal on top. The name alludes to the spiritual concept of cause and effect, namely that one's actions determines their future.
Story[]
Spiritus summons the Emperor back to World B to serve as one of his champions and fight against Materia's chosen warriors. While the Emperor is disinterested, he sets out to gain the support of the Eidolons.
He crosses paths with Terra and Zidane in Midgar. He asks which of the Eidolons they are looking for, and taunts them for not knowing them by name. He is joined by Sephiroth, and together they launch an attack against them, the Emperor going after Zidane. The Emperor gains the upper hand and ensnares Zidane in one of his traps. As the Emperor tortures Zidane, he is ambushed by Kuja, and calls him out for being a traitor. The Emperor and Sephiroth face off against Terra, Zidane, and Kuja, seeking the support of a nearby manikin. After their battle, the Emperor and Sephiroth observe as the planesgorgers descend upon the arena, and speculate that their efforts have awakened the wrong force, before fleeing.
Later, the Emperor participates in the final clash to awaken Shinryu, the dragon god threatening the world with planesgorgers. He assists Exdeath in his struggle against the Onion Knight and Zidane before being sidetracked by Firion. With Shinryu descending upon them, the Emperor aids in defeating him for good. With the threat eliminated, the Emperor departs with the other warriors after bestowing his essence to Spiritus in the form of a crystal.
Gameplay[]
- Type: Marksman - The Emperor can toy with his foes using magic that draws in surrounding enemies, in conjunction with an array of traps and homing spells. Some of his HP attacks can surprise foes by appearing suddenly at their position, and others remain on the stage for a long time.
The Emperor retains his status as a Trap Master, able to conjure spells that immobilize opponents or set them up for combos. He can continually pressure opponents with moves that track them in order to trap them and create an opening for heavy damage. As in 012 this means he is reliant on mind-games and manipulating his opponent's movements to land hits. It also means he is greatly affected by the performance of his teammates, who can either create openings for his traps to help him or capitalize on the openings his traps create. The Emperor has limited means to attack opponents directly and can be hard-pressed to fend off a foe that gets close to him.
Abilities[]
Move | Damage | Input | Type | Power | Frame Data | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Soul | Bravery | Ground | ||||
Emit a blue flare that repels all other magic. | ||||||
Light Crest | Bravery | Ground | ||||
Evoke a magic orb near your foe that emits projectiles of light. | ||||||
Stygian Swell | Bravery | Ground | ||||
Cause a wall of lightning to fall down in front of you. Holding down allows you to control the position of the wall. | ||||||
Red Soul | Bravery | Aerial | ||||
Cast a red flare that causes a massive explosion on hit or after a set period of time. | ||||||
Beckoning Blast | Bravery | Aerial | ||||
Shoot an orb of magic that sucks in nearby enemies. Holding down allows you to aim the projectile. | ||||||
Thunder Crest | Bravery | Aerial | ||||
Conjure an electrical sigil at the opponent's position. It will pursue its target for a short time before becoming a stationary trap. | ||||||
Mine | Bravery | Dash | ||||
Generate several explosive orbs of lightning around you. | ||||||
Dreary Cell | HP | - | ||||
Generate an arcane circle that temporarily pursues and entraps foes. Once it stops pursuing, it remains in play as a trap. | ||||||
Accursed Storm | HP | - | ||||
Cast an orb that tracks foes from midrange and bursts with flame. (Can move while casting) | ||||||
Hellish Gale | HP | - | ||||
Conjure three swirling tempests that will engulf enemies in front of you. (Can move while casting) | ||||||
Thorns of Repentance | HP | - | ||||
Focus a burst of eldritch magic at your foe's position. Charging increases range. (Can move while casting) | ||||||
Starfall | EX Skill | |||||
Rain a seemingly endless stream of meteors down upon your foes. The last meteor temporarily prevents them from moving. |
Gallery[]
Allusions[]
- The Emperor's Hellish Gale is based on his Cyclone failed EX Burst in the original Dissidia, which is turn is based on to the Cyclone he used in a bid to destroy the Kingdom of Fynn in Final Fantasy II.
- The opening scene of his debut trailer in the 2015 arcade game shows floating energy orbs in a dark environment that was part of the Emperor's Dreary Cell, which may allude to the opening FMV for the PS1 version of Final Fantasy II, which similarly opened with a floating energy orb cast by the Emperor.
- Monarch of Palamecia C's coloration may be a reference to the coloring style for the party members and most other NPCs in the NES version of Final Fantasy II.
- The music during The Emperor's reveal trailer is an arranged version of his final boss theme, "Battle Theme 2".
- His victory quote "the future isn't yours to give or take" is taken from a scene in the original Dissidia, when he meets with the warriors of Cosmos at the start of the final storyline.
- The Emperor's Blue Soul and Red Soul Bravery attacks are a reference to his Flare HP attack in the PSP Dissidia.
- Several of the Emperor's custom lines are taken from Final Fantasy II.
- "This world can have but one emperor, and I am he" and "delusions of grandeur do not become you" are what he says when he returns from the dead amidst Leon crowning himself emperor.
- "Who...are...you?" and "Defeated by insects like you...not once, but twice" are what he says when defeated at the end of the game.
- "To the victor goes the princess" is taken from when he has the party fight a Behemoth at the Coliseum to rescue Princess Hilda.
- "You should have disposed of your fantasy and accepted me as master" is instead taken from the PSP Dissidia, when he faced Firion at the end of his storyline.
- "You have braved the depths of Hell to reach me. But the hand of man, which deals in false justice and forsaken love, can never hope to defeat the emperor of hell" is what he says before the final battle of Final Fantasy II.