An active and cheerful thief, Zidane exhibits fondness for women and is easily elated. But he has a strong sense of justice beneath that cheerful exterior, and cannot help but aid those in need.
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy description
A thief with great energy and a sharp wit, though all is lost when it comes to women.
Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008) description
Zidane Tribal is one of the heroes fighting for the side of Cosmos in Dissidia Final Fantasy and Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. Lithe and graceful, Zidane excels at midair battling, and can run rings around foes in arenas with few footholds. During his quest to find the Crystals, he befriends Bartz and Squall. However, his nemesis Kuja lays traps for them with the intent to make Zidane feel powerless and break his spirit.
Profile[]
Appearance[]
Zidane's appearance is based on his original appearance in Final Fantasy IX. 
He has golden blond hair and aqua eyes. He wears a teal vest over a white sleeveless shirt and white jabot with blue cargo pants and layered belts. He has gray gloves with large blue cuffs and two-toned gray and white boots. He has a distinctive prehensile, monkey tail the same color as his hair.
Zidane's first alternate outfit, "Navy Gilet", is based on his concept art by Yoshitaka Amano. 
His clothes are dark purple and his hair is a lighter shade. His EX Mode form in this outfit is a gray palette swap.
Zidane's second alternate outfit is "Pluto Uniform", the the uniform of the Knights of Pluto that he disguises himself with in the opening scenes of Final Fantasy IX. 
He wears a single piece chestplate with pale gray and green shorts and brown boots. There is a sword sheath strapped over his torso and a small round shield on his left arm. His tail has disappeared. His EX Mode form in this outfit is purple.
Zidane's third alternate costume, "Marcus's Cloak" (listed in some regions as "Marcus's Hood"), is DLC designed by Hideo Minaba, Final Fantasy IX's art director and the original character designer of Zidane and Kuja. It is based on the cloak Zidane wore to disguise himself during the game's ending. 
Zidane wears a black cloak and hood with light brown patterns over pants that are a darker shade of blue than his default attire. His ponytail hangs out of the hood over his shoulder, and his tail is gone again. Zidane's EX Mode in this outfit gives him silver fur and green eyes, but this time, he remains mostly clothed, removing only his gloves and boots, lowering his hood, and tearing his pants at the knees.
Zidane's manikin version, Capricious Thief, is indigo.
Equipment[]
Zidane wields two Mage Mashers, which are identical to their design in Final Fantasy IX. 
As a reference to item synthesis, he is able to connect them at the hilts to create the the Ogre. 
The Dissidia incarnation of the weapon is not the same as in Final Fantasy IX, where the blades changed color and shape from the Mage Masher; in Dissidia the weapon's appearance remains identical to the Mage Masher. In his alternate outfits, Zidane continues to wield the Mage Mashers and the Ogre, only their color changing.
Zidane's Crystal is light orange and yellow, based on the Crystal in the Final Fantasy IX logo. 
. It is identical in shape to the Crystal that appears in the Crystal World at the end of Final Fantasy IX, which is the progenitor of all life.
Personality[]
I have friends who believe in me. That's how I'm able to face any hardship. That's how it's always been, and that's how it'll always be. I'm going back...to where I belong.
Zidane
Zidane is witty and courageous, stepping in to help others when he can and does not fear his opponents. Despite these outward actions, Zidane harbors many doubts, but conceals them behind his friendly exterior. Zidane feels a duty to find and protect Bartz after the latter is abducted, and worries for his friends when he can't be there for them, blaming himself for leaving them alone. With Cosmos's guidance, Zidane learns to not place the burden on himself and trust in others to find him again, just as he did for Bartz. Zidane is sensitive to his comrades' feelings and will always try to comfort or cheer up them when they are feeling sad or discouraged.
Zidane is a flirtatious womanizer and expresses interest in most women he meets, including Cosmos. He jokes about winning dates from them and not being enthusiastic about fighting them.
Similar to Cecil, Zidane has a complicated relationship with his nemesis/brother, Kuja. Having recovered all memories of his homeworld, Zidane cares about Kuja and sees goodness in him, in spite of Kuja's animosity towards him. Although he is willing to fight Kuja if he harms him and his friends, Zidane always treats Kuja with compassion and does his best to help him.
Story[]
Earlier cycles[]
At some point, Zidane, Squall, and Vaan meet Gilgamesh, who is searching for Bartz, but none remember him.
12th cycle[]
Zidane, along with with the rest of the warriors on the side of harmony, receives powers from Cosmos herself. When everyone set out, Zidane encountered Laguna, who thought Zidane's tail was fake and yanked on it, much to Zidane's annoyance.
While journeying alone, Zidane is surprised to run into Kuja. Having been through several cycles of war and recovered all of his memories, the two are on good terms, and Zidane tells Kuja about how "some idiot" decided to pull on his tail. Zidane assumes that Kuja is on Cosmos's side, who seeks to betray Chaos by aiding the warriors of Cosmos. Kuja convinces Zidane to gather his friends so they can head directly to Chaos's throne and defeat him together.
Kefka derails Kuja's scheme and summons manikins to attack Zidane, Bartz, and Squall. To save face with the warriors of Chaos, and to avoid persecution for his betrayal, Kuja feigns that he had been deceiving the warriors of Cosmos from the beginning. He reluctantly defeats the three, but allows them to escape. During the purification process at the end of twelfth cycle, Kefka implants false memories into Kuja's psyche, causing him to attack Zidane in the thirteenth cycle.
While searching for Tidus and Jecht, Yuna runs into Zidane, who is traveling alone again. Sensing her sadness, he accompanies her for a little while before scouting ahead for more manikins to defeat.
After Kain attacks Zidane and leaves him unconscious, Ultimecia points out Zidane to Tifa to warn her of Kain's betrayal. Before Tifa can help Zidane, Kain returns, taking off with Zidane in his arms. Kain later explains to Tifa that he attacked Zidane to put him to "sleep" for the rest of the twelfth cycle so he can be revived for the thirteenth cycle, thus restoring Zidane's strength to defeat the endless horde of manikins.
13th cycle[]
Bartz and Zidane are attacked by a group of manikins while looking for the Crystals, and Squall comes to assist them. After the battle, the two invite Squall to join them, but Squall declines as he prefers working alone. Before they depart, Bartz gives him a chocobo feather as a good luck charm.
Bartz and Zidane starting their competition.
Bartz and Zidane propose a contest to see who obtains a Crystal first, but their "treasure hunt" is cut short when Bartz falls for a trap meant for Zidane. Zidane is ambushed by Kefka, who helped Kuja set up the trap, and the two fight to a standstill. Kefka tells Zidane that Bartz has been captured by the forces of Chaos and taken to their base.
Zidane finds Squall cornered by Garland and Ultimecia. Zidane rushes to his aid, taking down Garland while Squall fights Ultimecia and receives his Crystal. Afterwards, Zidane and Squall go look for Bartz, following the light emitted from Bartz's chocobo feather as a guide. When they find him, Bartz reveals he escaped on his own, obtaining what appears to be a Crystal. It turns out to be another trap set by Kuja, warping Zidane to his nemesis, who taunts him by claiming his friends have fallen. After Kuja leaves, Zidane traverses Chaos's territory, saddened that Kuja doesn't remember that they aren't really enemies. However, he resolves to beat Kuja if he continues to hurt his friends.
Zidane preparing to face off against Kuja.
At Pandaemonium, Cosmos pays a downtrodden Zidane a visit, who half-jokes that it's not a good time for a date. Cosmos reassures Zidane that his friends believe in him, and he should believe in them in return. With his spirit restored, Zidane encounters Kuja in the Crystal World, who continues to question his resolve. Zidane wants to return to his friends, but Kuja believes it is pointless to have faith in "strangers." After infuriating Kuja by asking about his relation to the other warriors of Chaos, Zidane defeats Kuja and claims his Crystal. As Kuja begins to fade away, Zidane asks why he refuses to believe in others. Kuja does not see the point because people are still alone in the end. Zidane tries to explain the true meaning of friendship, but Kuja refuses to listen and vows to be the one who triumphs in end. Zidane uses his Crystal to lead him back to Bartz and Squall. Soon after, the group meets up with Tidus.
Later on, Zidane talks with Firion about the latter's reason for fighting. When the weapon-master gives "the wild rose" as an answer, Zidane asks if that is what he calls his "princess" (in reference to Princess Garnet of Final Fantasy IX). Before Firion can reply, they hear something behind them and run off to investigate.
Squall and Zidane hold their crystals.
After the Crystals have been collected, Chaos appears, subdues the heroes, and incinerates Cosmos. After the warriors overcome their erasure, they set out to defeat the warriors of Chaos once more. As they travel, Zidane comforts the disillusioned Onion Knight, who questions their existence and worries they are merely advanced manikins with false memories. Zidane assures that how they are born into the world doesn't matter, but what they do afterwards is what counts.
Zidane looks at his Crystal before he returns home.
In Crystal World, Zidane confronts Kuja, who is bent on his envisioned finale, but Zidane defeats him. Kuja laments over losing everything as he asks Zidane to finish him off. Zidane instead extends his hand to help, but Kuja gently brushes it off and asks if there is something else Zidane would rather seize. As Kuja vanishes, he believes "he will return there someday," with Zidane agreeing that they will return to their home.
After Zidane and the other heroes destroy Chaos, they end up in World A. As they begin fading back to their homeworlds, Zidane tells his friends they are returning to their promised places.
Gameplay[]
Zidane is an Aerial Ace. He excels at aerial combat, with many Bravery attacks that hit over different vertical and horizontal ranges, and most of his ground Bravery attacks take the fight back to the air. He is able to combo his attacks together easily, and has several Bravery to HP links. His HP attacks cover various tactical uses and can be used to hit at range. Zidane also moves very quickly and is one of the fastest characters in the game. However, his Bravery damage is very poor and he struggles to deplete the Bravery of a stronger opponent, instead relying on chipping away at their HP directly. Because not many of his attacks can inflict Wall Rush or stun the opponent for a prolonged duration, he can also have trouble finding opportunities to pull off Assist combos.
Boss[]
Zidane is fought as a boss in Distant Glory and Inward Chaos. In Dissidia 012 he is fought in Report 1, Side Story: Singer of the End -2-, using Kuja.
Attacks[]
Bravery Attacks[]
| Move | Type | CP (Mastered) | AP | Priority | Effect | Damage type | Obtained | Image | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rumble Rush | Ground | 30 (15) | 180 | Melee Low | Chase | Physical | Initial | 
| |||
Roll forward and up while slashing, then knock the opponent away.
| |||||||||||
| Scoop Art (ground) |
Ground | 20 (10) | 120 | Ranged Low | None | Magical | Level 14 | 
| |||
Fire three energy bullets.
| |||||||||||
| Swift Attack (ground) |
Ground | 30 (15) | 200 | Melee Low | Chase | Physical | Level 33 | 
| |||
A quick slashing attack that sends the opponent away.
| |||||||||||
| Scoop Art (midair) |
Aerial | 20 (10) | 120 | Ranged Low | None | Magical | Initial |
| |||
Fire three energy bullets.
| |||||||||||
| Swift Attack (midair) |
Aerial | 30 (15) | 160 | Melee Low | Chase | Physical | Initial |
| |||
A quick slashing attack that sends the opponent away.
| |||||||||||
| Tempest | Aerial | 30 (15) | 180 | Melee Low | Chase | Physical | Level 3 | 
| |||
Throw daggers downwards to attack the opponent, then send them away.
| |||||||||||
| Vortex | Aerial | 30 (15) | 180 | Melee Low | Wall Rush | Physical | Level 8 | 
| |||
A quick upward slashing attack followed by multiple hits.
| |||||||||||
| Storm Impulse | Aerial | 30 (15) | 180 | Melee Low | Wall Rush | Physical | Level 10 | 
| |||
A forward spinning slash attack followed by multiple hits.
| |||||||||||
| Solution 9 | Aerial | 30 (15) | 140 | Ranged Low | None | Magical | Level 24 | 
| |||
Fire multiple runes of energy at the opponent.
| |||||||||||
| Move | Type | CP (Mastered) | AP | Priority | Effect | Damage type | Obtained | Image | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rumble Rush | Ground | 30 (15) | 180 | Melee Low | Chase | Physical | Initial |
| |||
Spin towards the opponent while slashing, then strike them multiple times and knock them away.
| |||||||||||
| Booster 8 | Ground | 30 (15) | 120 | Melee Mid | None | Physical | Level 16 | 
| |||
Step back, then perform a quick charge. Can combo into other attacks.
| |||||||||||
| Scoop Art (ground) |
Ground | 20 (10) | 90 | Ranged Low | None | Magical | Level 27 |
| |||
Fire three energy projectiles.
| |||||||||||
| Scoop Art (midair) |
Aerial | 20 (10) | 90 | Ranged Low | None | Magical | Initial |
| |||
Fire three energy projectiles.
| |||||||||||
| Swift Attack | Aerial | 30 (15) | 100 | Melee Low | Chase | Physical | Initial |
| |||
Quickly slash the opponent, then strike them multiple times and knock them away.
| |||||||||||
| Tempest | Aerial | 30 (15) | 160 | Melee Low | Chase | Physical | Level 4 |
| |||
Throw knife downwards, launching the opponent into the air, then strike them multiple times and knock them away.
| |||||||||||
| Vortex | Aerial | 30 (15) | 100 | Melee Low | Wall Rush | Physical | Level 8 |
| |||
Charge at the opponent while spinning upwards, then strike them multiple times and knock them away.
| |||||||||||
| Storm Impulse | Aerial | 30 (15) | 100 | Melee Low | Wall Rush | Physical | Level 32 |
| |||
Charge at the opponent while spinning forward, then strike them multiple times and knock them away.
| |||||||||||
| Solution 9 | Aerial | 30 (15) | 100 | Ranged Low | None | Magical | Level 23 |
| |||
Fire multiple energy projectiles at the opponent.
| |||||||||||
HP Attacks[]
| Move | Type | CP (Mastered) | AP | Priority | Effect | Damage type | Obtained | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tidal Flame | Ground | 40 (20) | 180 | Ranged Mid | None | Magical | Initial | 
| |
Fire a disk of swirling flames that tracks the opponent and explodes on impact.
| |||||||||
| Stellar Circle 5 | Ground | 40 (20) | 180 | Melee High | Absorb | Magical | Level 31 | 
| |
Unleash a massive cyclone around self that has a decent absorption effect.
| |||||||||
| Shift Break | Aerial | 40 (20) | 180 | Ranged MidLightning UnblockableWater burst |
Absorb | Magical | Initial | 
| |
Summon a storm of lightning around the opponent to damage them, then create a blast of water from underneath.
| |||||||||
| Free Energy | Aerial | 40 (20) | 180 | Unblockable | None | Magical | Initial | 
| |
Fire a blast of energy. Quick execution, but short range.
| |||||||||
| Grand Lethal | Aerial | 40 (20) | 300 | Melee High | Wall Rush | Physical | Level 38 | 
| |
Summon an aura of energy and spin towards the opponent. Has good tracking.
| |||||||||
| Move | Type | CP (Mastered) | AP | Priority | Effect | Damage type | Obtained | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tidal Flame | Ground | 30 (15) | 130 | Melee HighStart-up Ranged HighFireballs |
None | Physical | Initial |
| |
Create a ring of spinning flames that moves slowly, then tracks the opponent at high-speeds and explodes if it hits.
| |||||||||
| Stellar Circle 5 | Ground | 30 (15) | 130 | Melee High | Absorb | Magical | Level 12 |
| |
Create a large tornado around self that draws in the opponent.
| |||||||||
| Shift Break | Aerial | 30 (15) | 130 | Ranged MidLightning UnblockableWater burst |
Absorb | Magical | Initial |
| |
Summon a storm of lightning to stun and damage the opponent, then create a blast of water from underneath.
| |||||||||
| Free Energy | Aerial | 30 (15) | 130 | Ranged High | None | Magical | Initial |
| |
Create a quick, short-ranged burst of energy.
| |||||||||
| Grand Lethal | Aerial | 30 (15) | 150 | Melee High | Wall Rush | Physical | Level 38 |
| |
Summon an aura of energy and spin towards the opponent at high-speed. Has strong tracking.
| |||||||||
Bravery to HP Attacks[]
| Move | Type | CP (Mastered) | AP | Priority | Effect | Damage type | Obtained | Image | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meo Twister (ground) A | Ground | 40 (20) | 300 | Unblockable | None | Magical | Rumble Rush | 
| |||||||
Throw twin blades forward and shock the opponent repeatedly with laser beams.
| |||||||||||||||
| Meo Twister (ground) B | Ground | 40 (20) | 300 | Unblockable | None | Magical | Swift Attack (ground) |
| |||||||
Throw twin blades forward and shock the opponent repeatedly with laser beams.
| |||||||||||||||
| Meo Twister (midair) A | Aerial | 40 (20) | 300 | Unblockable | None | Magical | Tempest |
| |||||||
Throw twin blades forward and shock the opponent repeatedly with laser beams.
| |||||||||||||||
| Meo Twister (midair) A | Aerial | 40 (20) | 300 | Unblockable | None | Magical | Swift Attack (midair) |
| |||||||
Throw twin blades forward and shock the opponent repeatedly with laser beams.
| |||||||||||||||
| Move | Type | CP (Mastered) | AP | Priority | Effect | Damage type | Obtained | Image | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meo Twister A | Ground | 30 (15) | 130 | Unblockable | None | Magical | Rumble Rush |
| |||||||
Throw twin blades forward and shock the opponent repeatedly with energy lasers.
| |||||||||||||||
| Meo Twister B | Aerial | 30 (15) | 130 | Unblockable | None | Magical | Tempest |
| |||||||
Throw twin blades forward and shock the opponent repeatedly with energy lasers.
| |||||||||||||||
| Meo Twister C | Aerial | 30 (15) | 130 | Unblockable | None | Magical | Swift Attack |
| |||||||
Throw twin blades forward and shock the opponent repeatedly with energy lasers.
| |||||||||||||||
EX Mode[]
Zidane's EX Mode is his Trance form from Final Fantasy IX. While in EX Mode, Zidane gains the abilities "Aerial Jump" and "Dodge Jump". The former allows Zidane to jump ten more times than usual, in addition to any jump boosting abilities he has equipped, while the latter makes Zidane invincible to some attacks while jumping. In Dissidia 012, Zidane also regains his jumps after dodging, which other characters normally no longer do.
Zidane's EX Burst is Reverse Gaia, an original attack. The player must rapidly press the 
button to fill up a power gauge as Zidane teleports and attacks the opponent several times. Zidane ends the EX Burst by linking his Mage Mashers into an Ogre and spinning around the opponent, hitting them multiple times, with the final hit dealing HP damage. Failing to fill the gauge quickly enough at any point will result in Zidane skipping to the end of the attack and less Bravery damage done.
Equipment[]
Zidane can equip Daggers, Thrown Weapons, Parrying Weapons, Bangles, Gauntlets, Hats, Hairpins, Clothing, and Light Armor.
In Dissidia 012, Zidane can also equip Swords, Poles, Headbands, and Chestplates.
Exclusive weapons[]
| Name | Level | Stats | Effects | Obtained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sargatanas | 50 | ATK +35 | BRV Boost on Dodge +10%. | Trade: 14910 gil, Pinwheel, Great Serpent's Fang x3, Power Shard x2 |
| The Tower | 92 | ATK +62 | BRV Boost on Dodge +15%. | Trade: 29020 gil, Sargatanas, Beastlord Fang x5, Power Crystal x3 |
| Ozma's Splinter | 100 | ATK +67 | BRV Boost on Dodge +20%. Major Gambler's Spirit Effect. |
Trade: 31370 gil, The Tower, Theater Ticket x5, Power Orb x5 |
| Name | Level | Stats | Effects | Obtained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sargatanas | 30 | ATK +38 DEF +2 |
BRV Boost on Dodge +2%. | Trade: 61000 gil, Pinwheel, Scarletite x1, Thief's Desire x5 |
| The Tower | 90 | ATK +62 DEF +1 |
BRV Boost on Dodge +5%. | Trade: 158,000 gil, Sargatanas, Electrum x1, Thief's Dream x5 |
| Ozma's Splinter | 100 | ATK +67 DEF +1 |
BRV Boost on Dodge +8%. Minor Sneak Attack Effect. |
Trade: 182,800 gil, The Tower, Theater Ticket x1, Thief's Hopes x5 |
Gallery[]
Behind the scenes[]
Zidane and the Warrior of Light were the first characters announced for Dissidia.
Zidane is one of three characters, the others being Kuja and the Warrior of Light, to have more than one intro quote when fighting his rival.
Allusions[]
- While performing Zidane's EX Burst, two celestial spheres, one red and one blue, merge, a nod to the merging of Terra and Gaia in Final Fantasy IX, or perhaps as an allusion to the twin moons' eclipse. In further reference of his allegiance with Gaia, the blue planet is the dominant one in the fusion.
- Ozma's Splinter, Zidane's strongest weapon, is named after the optional superboss in Final Fantasy IX. The Sargatanas and The Tower are also weapons Zidane uses in his original game.
- In the ending, Zidane leaps towards the sun to return to Gaia, similar to how the party returns to Gaia in the Invincible in Final Fantasy IX.
- When Squall asks Zidane why he attacked Garland, Zidane replies with, "What? Do I need a reason to help someone?" a reference to his motto of Virtue from Final Fantasy IX. He also speaks this line upon defeating Kuja in Shade Impulse, offering his hand in assistance, much like during their final interaction in Final Fantasy IX.
- When battling Garland, Zidane declares, "This is gonna be your grave!" the line he tells Garland's Final Fantasy IX namesake. The line was translated in the English release of Final Fantasy IX as, "I am the new angel of death! Yours!"
- If Zidane is defeated, he protests, "There's a place I have to go back to..." referring to the recurring theme of Final Fantasy IX, "The Place I'll Return to Someday". A line of his from Destiny Odyssey IX, "I'm going back... to where I belong", also recalls this. In Dissidia 012, when against Feral Chaos, Zidane will exclaim, "We're not going home 'someday', we're going now!" Sephiroth's encounter line against Zidane in Dissidia 012 further references the theme, "There is nowhere to return home to". Zidane's final line in Shade Impulse is "We're not vanishing. We're returning. To where we're supposed to be".
- Zidane's line towards Shantotto when battling her, "If I win, you owe me a date!" is what he says to Garnet before the Festival of the Hunt.
- In the English release, Destiny Odyssey IX is subtitled "Melodies of Life", the name of the Final Fantasy IX main theme.
- After being kidnapped by Kuja, Cosmos appears to Zidane in Pandaemonium and convinces him to keep fighting. This mirrors the events of Final Fantasy IX, when Zidane wakes up alone in Pandemonium after his confrontation with Garland and fights his way past Garland's servants to reunite with his friends.
- When Zidane is defeated, his pose is similar to when he and the others were defeated in Burmecia. The Onion Knight, Tidus, Prishe, and Vaan also assume this pose when defeated.
- Garland's specific quote when he battles Zidane is, "I will erase you and your soul", a reference to what the Garland of Final Fantasy IX said. Sephiroth's line to Zidane is, "Your planet is an illusion", a possible reference to Gaia being an assimilation for Terra.
- When confronting Kefka in Dissidia 012, the latter tells Zidane in a mocking tone "Gimme back my heart, please?!", alluding to Zidane temporarily losing his soul to Garland until his friends snapped him out of it.
- When facing Zidane with a female character, Zidane will usually flirt in his opening quote. In his original game, he is a womanizer, as he flirts and stares at most pretty females he meets. In Dissidia 012, Tifa asks "What are you looking at? Focus!"
- In Dissidia 012, Zidane encounters Gilgamesh and said that if he had more arms, he would probably recognize him. This alludes to Gilgamesh's appearance in Final Fantasy IX, where he is a multi-armed character that went by the alias, "Alleyway Jack".
- In one of the reports in Dissidia 012, Zidane comforts the Onion Knight, who is questioning himself, wondering whether they are progressed manikins. This resembles Zidane's comforting of Vivi, who went through a similar process upon encountering the black mages.