Halcyon Descent

Halcyon Descent
Availability
Required	Folio, party level 5
Character(s)	Yuffie Kisaragi
Partner(s)	Cloud Strife
Classification
Type	Physical and magic attack
Skillset	Synergy Abilities
Effect	Stagger time extension

Halcyon Descent is a synergy ability in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, used by Yuffie Kisaragi with Cloud Strife as a synergy partner. It costs three synergy charges each, deals physical and magic damage to one target, and extends the stagger duration on a target.

In the ability's animation, Cloud swings his sword at an enemy while Yuffie throws her shuriken at it. Thereafter, Yuffie uses a ninjutsu attack to cause magic energy to fall and hit the target.

Obtained

Halcyon Descent is unlocked on Yuffie's folio, and costs 15 SP. It is available at party level 5.

Use

Halcyon Descent costs three synergy charges each on first use, and four on subsequent uses. When used on a staggered foe, it will lengthen the duration they are staggered for, and increase damage they receive. Though this can be an excellent way to deal more damage to an already-vulnerable enemy during stagger, the length of the Halcyon Descent animation means it should be timed to apply early when the enemy is staggered. The best outcome is when Halcyon Descent itself staggers the enemy.

Though Yuffie's abilities do not target staggered enemies specifically, focusing down staggered targets plays well to her strengths. This is because many of her attacks are single-target, and her playstyle involves building ATB quickly to combo moves together, and to double up with her Doppelgänger.

Cloud can use his Infinity's End to great effect against staggered enemies. The ability is near-guaranteed to hit the 9,999 damage limit, but with Genji Gloves equipped, this limit can be broken to deal considerably more damage, often in the tens of thousands. Though Aerial Onslaught does not explicitly target staggered enemies, it can also be very effective against them.

Yuffie can also achieve this effect with Cyclonic Kick with Tifa Lockhart, while Cloud can also achieve this effect with Relentless Rush with Tifa.

As an alternative, or addition, to extending stagger duration through Halcyon Descent, Stop can be cast on a staggered enemy, as Stop will pause and thus lengthen stagger.