Operator Mode is one of Cloud's two combat stances in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, along with Punisher Mode. Operator Mode makes Cloud more mobile, capable of aerial combat and ranged attacks, while coming at slight cost to his melee damage and attack speed compared to Punisher Mode. Operator Mode is Cloud's default stance.
Operator Mode returns from Final Fantasy VII Remake. The main change is the ability to perform ranged attacks by dodge-rolling before using an attack, performing a magic-based ranged attack.
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Operator Mode is Cloud's default battle stance. It gives Cloud his basic combo by repeatedly pressing the attack button, but holding the attack button causes Cloud to perform a strong attack that launches him airborne, where he has an airborne attack combo (and switching to Punisher Mode returns him to the ground). Dodge-rolling switches to Operator Mode by default, and by pressing the attack button immediately after dodge-rolling, Cloud will swing his sword to perform a ranged magic attack.
Cloud should use Operator Mode against flying enemies, ranged enemies, and when closing the gap on enemies. This is because Cloud can guard against ranged attacks in Operator Mode, use ranged and airborne attacks, and because the mobility helps him close the gap on enemies. Punisher Mode enables Cloud to counter melee attacks and gives him stronger damage, but at great cost to his mobility.
Switching between stances has a small animation time that can pause Cloud's momentum. Disorder can mitigate this, as using it will perform an attack while switching modes.
When Cloud uses Prime Mode to upgrade Punisher Mode, he can still switch back and forth between it and Operator Mode with no changes.