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A stalwart consigned to the endless cycle of battle, he enjoys dueling with stronger foes.

Dissidia 012 description

Garland is a playable character in Dissidia Final Fantasy and Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. He is a warrior of Chaos and the antagonist representing the first Final Fantasy. Garland acts as the leader of Chaos' forces and is the god's right-hand man and confidante, a position that stands in opposition to his rival, the Warrior of Light, the right-hand man of Cosmos. However, he knows things of the cycles of war and even Chaos himself that he hides from the god.

While the Warrior of Light is his current rival in the original Dissidia Final Fantasy, his primary rival in Dissidia 012 is Lightning. This rivalry is featured briefly in the game's opening cinematic, making Garland the only character with two rivals.

Profile[]

Appearance[]

Garland's default outfit is an original design by Tetsuya Nomura, broadly based on his appearance in past releases of Final Fantasy, as Nomura had no original concept art designs for Garland to base his Dissidia design on. Garland wears a dark blue cape with silver armor set with blue jewels, and his distinctive horned helmet. His eyes glow yellow inside it but his face is otherwise hidden entirely. In his EX Mode Garland's cape turns white and gains blue runic patterns along the bottom.

Garland's first alternate outfit, "Stalwart's Armor", is an original palette swap, which colors his cape burgundy and his armor gold, contrasting the Warrior of Light's "Amethyst Armor WoL alt" costume, which is similarly colored to evoke a weathered, aged feeling. In EX Mode his cape is cream with red runes.

Garland's second alternate outfit, "Discord Incarnate", gives him the appearance of Yoshitaka Amano's "Cloudsea Djinn Final Fantasy Anniversary XMB art" art for Final Fantasy. Garland wears no armor and is depicted as a black-skinned demon with gray claws and blank white eyes. His helmet is replaced by a headpiece with white strikes and multiple horns of various designs and lengths extending around the sides and back of his head. He has long white hair that trails over his shoulder, and his shoulders bear spiked plating. In the "Battle Tips" menu, Penelo implies this is Garland's appearance underneath his armor. In his EX Mode, Garland turns a lighter shade of gray.

Garland's manikin, False Stalwart, is blue.

Equipment[]

Dissidia-GarlandSword

Garland's sword and its forms.

Garland's sword is an entirely original design. It is unnamed in Dissidia but has been referred to as "Claymore" in other spin-offs. It is a massive crushing weapon with a trapezoidal shape that tapers to a bent point, and is so large and heavy Garland does not carry it as a normal weapon, instead dragging it on the ground behind him when not attacking. The Claymore can shift into alternate forms, based on the Four Fiends of the original Final Fantasy: the blade bends at an angle into a massive axe, representing Lich; Garland removes a smaller, secondary blade from the side of the Claymore to dual-wield both at once, representing Marilith; the sword extends from the handle on a long chain that Garland swings like a flail, representing Kraken; and the blade can segment its pieces and extend into a longer, lance-like weapon, representing Tiamat.

In his first alt outfit, Garland's Claymore takes on a reddish tint to match his armor. In his second alt outfit, his sword is instead a large piece of rock in roughly the same shape as the Claymore, but with jagged protrusions around the handle and cracks running along it. This weapon is pale grey with black cracks normally and turns black with orange cracks in his EX Mode. The EX Mode version of the weapon is identified as the "Chaosbringer" in spin-offs.

Personality[]

My wish...? Do I have the right to have one? I am warfare incarnate, a prisoner to the cycle of battle. As it was, so it shall be... No matter what the world desires.

Garland

Whereas in Final Fantasy Garland and Chaos are the same character, Dissidia Final Fantasy separates the two, although Garland implies that he would eventually become Chaos right before his and Chaos's final battle against the warriors of Cosmos. Garland has a proud, arrogant, and brutal personality, and enjoys combat more than any of the other warriors of Chaos. When he and the Emperor lose to Lightning and the Warrior of Light, he is only disappointed at how short the fight was. It has been hinted that this love for combat is Garland's method of enduring the endless cycles. Garland is obsessed with the concept, and believes it is the heroes' and villains' fate to fight one another eternally. He therefore attempts to test the resolves of those who wish to end the conflict.

Garland remains loyal to Chaos, and to a greater extent Cid of the Lufaine (though he only refers to the latter as the Great Will) by maintaining his job of developing Chaos as the ultimate weapon. Dissidia 012 hints that Garland's motive for his actions are more for sympathy for Chaos, who is in similar circumstances as himself. Garland is the only Warrior of Chaos who stays by Chaos's side even after Cosmos is killed. He objects to the Emperor's suggestion of recruiting the disabled Jecht as a Warrior of Chaos for the next cycle, anticipating that this would end up being against Chaos's and the other warriors of Chaos best interests (with his hunch ultimately being proven correct).

Story[]

Early cycles[]

In his own world, Garland was a knight of Cornelia that fell from grace and made a pact with the Four Fiends - when the Warriors of Light killed him, the Fiends would send him to the past, where he would send them into the future as part of a time loop to become the creature Chaos and gain immortality. During this time, Garland was pulled into World B and met with Chaos, Cosmos, Cid of the Lufaine, and Shinryu. He thus became the first warrior the gods summoned from another world as their cycles of war began. Over time, knowledge of the time loop in his home world, and the cycles of war in this one, drove Garland to believe he was condemned to an eternity of endless conflict one way or the other, and he immersed himself in the joys of battle.

At some point, Cid attempted to create a "perfect" manikin by infusing his memories into them, and eventually succeeded and created the Warrior of Light - a manikin without a crystalline body and with sapience, but it still lacked a will and personality. Cid placed this manikin among the summoned warriors to observe how it would react and grow. Garland and Prishe came upon him; Garland was stunned and recognized him, possibly as one of the "Warriors of Light" who would kill him. The two fought to claim the Warrior and Prishe prevailed, and she took the Warrior to Cosmos and he became one of her warriors.

In an unspecified cycle, Gabranth learned the truth of Shinryu's "purification" of fallen warriors and became disillusioned with the war. Garland and the Emperor confronted him and ordered him to keep to his duty, but Gabranth refused and fought them, and denounced both Chaos and Cosmos. For his disobedience, Gabranth was ejected from the cycle and trapped in a hell dimension until he submitted to Chaos's will. On another occasion, Shantotto plotted to escape the cycles by destroying gateways, intending to create a dimensional disturbance that will open a portal to the Rift. Garland confronts her, shocked by her brash actions, and then growing enraged when she explains the purpose behind them. In the wake of their battle a portal to the Rift opens and Shantotto leaves, ignoring Garland's warnings she may not be able to return.

In another cycle, Garland arrived as Cosmos' throne to strike her down, desiring to know if even a goddess would be purified and revived by Shinryu. Racked with guilt over summoning her warriors and trapping them in the war, Cosmos did not resist Garland. With her death her summoned warriors vanished and were never revived, save for the Warrior of Light. Cosmos was revived in the next cycle, but as with her warriors her memories were purified, causing her to forget about her warriors and only have fleeting fragments of who they were.

12th cycle[]

As the 12th cycle began, Garland led an attack on Cosmos' lands alongside the Emperor, and was met with the Warrior of Light and Lightning, the latter of whom took the lead in the battle. Though they prevailed, Garland was disappointed in the fight being so short and warned they would meet again. After Lightning was almost struck down by Kain, Garland and Exdeath confronted the two, and Exdeath pursued Kain. Garland taunted Lightning that the manikins would soon descend upon all of Cosmos' forces and destroy them, and he had no need to fight her and so departed.

When Cloud and Sephiroth prepared to fight, Garland intervened, refusing to let them kill each other as it would be of no benefit to Chaos to have his own forces purify each other. Cloud pursued Garland demanding if they would truly be purified if they killed each other, and challenged Garland to find out. Garland held back and refused to kill Cloud, but warned him they had noticed he was refusing to fight his enemies and attacking his allies. After Sephiroth killed himself as part of a plan to determine the nature of his own existence, the Emperor witnessed this and met with Garland to discuss it; they presumed Sephiroth would be removed from the cycle as Gabranth was, but the Emperor pointed out that opening the portal to the Rift and releasing the manikins had changed the nature of the cycle. As he suspected, Sephiroth returned in the 13th cycle in spite of his disobedience.

Garland witnessed the Emperor bring Jecht before Chaos and ask the god to convert Jecht into one of his warriors. Garland was taken aback, but Chaos relented and infused his power into the fallen Jecht.

At the end of the 12th cycle, Garland and other warriors of Chaos defended the portal to the Rift where the manikins were emerging from the warriors of Cosmos who had come to seal it. Garland fought Lightning but was defeated, and led the other forces of Chaos in retreat.

13th cycle[]

DFF GarlandvsCloud

Garland facing off against Cloud.

Early into the Warrior of Light's journey, Garland arrived and challenged him to battle. Garland was defeated, but he told the Warrior that fighting back was pointless, and faded away. Believing Garland was dead, the Warrior of Light journeyed on, but Garland survived. Sephiroth questioned Garland about the memories he had lost and a glowing dragon he had seen when he awoke, but Garland did not answer.

Garland confronted Ultimecia about her manipulations of Squall, and she revealed she had her own plans separate from the Emperor, and asked Garland to assist her. Later, when Cloud defeated Sephiroth and claimed his Crystal, Garland spoke to the Emperor, and the two agreed that Sephiroth may become a threat to the Emperor's plan. Later, the two met again to discuss Terra's shaky alliance to Cosmos due to her lack of light, and Kefka's plans to bring her back into the fold.

Squall arrived to battle Ultimecia and Garland approached, intending for Squall to fight both of them. Zidane appeared and fought Garland so that Squall may face Ultimecia alone. Squall defeated Ultimecia, but Garland only thanked Zidane for the battle, and left after Ultimecia fell. The Warrior of Light defeated the Emperor, and Garland appeared before him, telling the shocked knight that he cannot be defeated. He invited the Warrior of Light to follow him to discover the war's true nature. Before their final battle, Garland lectured Kuja about fate, telling him they all share the same destiny, including Ultimecia. He spoke to Sephiroth again, who questioned Garland's ability to be revived despite numerous defeats.

When the Warrior of Light arrived at the Chaos Shrine, Garland told the Warrior the reason he came back to life was because of Chaos, and revealed the true nature of the gods' conflict. Garland encouraged the Warrior of Light to submit to the cycle of war, but he refused, and the two battle again. Garland was defeated and the Warrior of Light claimed his Crystal, but Garland goaded him. Garland claimed the Crystals have the power to stop the cycle, and even the gods could not foresee what would become of the world if the Crystals were brought together.

The Emperor, Garland, and the other warriors of Chaos, had in fact allowed themselves to be defeated to ensure that the warriors of Cosmos receive the Crystals, as per their plan. After Chaos killed Cosmos, Garland oversees his god's slumber. Sephiroth questioned Garland about the memories he had regained, asking what Garland's desire would be once Chaos is destroyed. Garland rejected the idea, claiming he is a prisoner to the cycle of war and has no right to desire anything else. While with Golbez, Garland revealed the world to be a testing ground for Chaos and how he had arranged it under Cid's instructions. Garland believes he cannot leave the cycle even if he wanted to, but is interested on its disbursal.

When Chaos awakened from slumber and described a peculiar dream in which he governed the world harmoniously with Cosmos, Garland revealed this was World B before the conflict, and that he himself had instigated it in accordance to the Great Will. Garland told Chaos he is predestined to be sent 2,000 years into the past by Chaos and will become Chaos himself—their fates are intertwined as Chaos.

As the warriors of Cosmos approached Chaos's domain in the Land of Discord, Garland stood as the final villain before them. He revealed Chaos plans to destroy World B with the cycle finally broken. Though the heroes questioned Garland's acceptance of this, Garland told them his spirit would endure and he would find another cycle. He faded while vowing he and the heroes will meet again. As he perished, Garland spoke to the Great Will and learned that Shinryu was now involving itself in the conflict's final battle.

Gameplay[]

Garland's fighting title is Nemesis. Garland attacks with powerful blows that deal heavy damage, and many Wall Rush opponents for further damage and to easily set up Assist combos. Some of his attacks have different follow-up effects depending on the timing of the button input, giving Garland strategic variance. He is mostly a melee fighter but has some ranged skills to pressure opponents, and his HP attacks are very versatile. He also has very high Attack and Defense, both the highest in the game in Dissidia; in Dissidia 012 both are lowered but are still among the highest in the game.

As downsides, Garland moves and attacks slowly, and many of his melee attacks can be blocked, leaving him vulnerable. This means he may struggle to find openings to attack safely without being punished.

Boss[]

In Dissidia, Garland is fought in Destiny Odyssey I and IX, Shade Impulse, Distant Glory and Inward Chaos.

In Dissidia 012, he is fought in An Undocumented Battle, Trust, Champions of her Will (twice), and Conclusion of the Cycle chapters of Story Mode, as well as during Report #18.

Attacks[]

Bravery Attacks[]

Dissidia Bravery attacks
Move Type CP (Mastered) AP Priority Effect Damage type Obtained Image
Round Edge Ground 30 (15) 120 Melee Low (Initial swing and follow-ups)
Melee Mid (Second swing)
Melee High (Third swing)
Wall Rush Physical Initial DFF Roundedge1
DFF Roundedge2
DFF Roundedge3
Garland spins forward in a circle to hit the opponent twice, then brings his sword down. If Circle is pressed before the last hit connects, Garland will turn his sword into its axe form and swing upwards to send the opponent flying. If Circle is pressed after the last hit connects, Garland will turn his sword into two and strike the opponent with a four hit combo.
Deathblow Ground 20 (10) 90 Melee Low None Physical Initial DFF Deathblow
Garland steps forward and swings his sword upwards to knock the opponent into the air.
Lance Charge Ground 30 (15) 120 Melee Mid Wall Rush Physical Level 8 DFF Lance Charge
Garland turns his sword into a spear and charges forward. If it hits, Garland will jump up and slam the opponent down. The charge staggers the opponent if blocked and Garland can still execute the second part of the attack.
Highbringer Ground 30 (15) 120 Melee Low Chase (Press)
Wall Rush (Hold)
Physical Level 24 DFF Highbringer1
DFF Highbringer2
Garland dashes forward and swings his sword up. Depending on how long Circle is held, the attack results with different continuations. If Circle is pressed, Garland will shoot his blade out on a chain, knocking the opponent higher into the air. If Circle is held, Garland will jump into the air during the uppercut and can follow up with a three-hit combo.
Twin Swords Aerial 30 (15) 180 Melee Low Wall Rush Physical Initial DFF Twin Sword
Garland turns his sword into two and strikes the opponent multiple times while moving forward.
Chain Cast Aerial 30 (15) 180 Melee Low Chase Physical Initial DFF Chain Cast
Garland whips his sword out on a chain downwards and then back up to knock his opponent into the air.
Bardiche Aerial 30 (15) 180 Melee Low Wall Rush Physical Level 3 DFF Bardiche
Garland turns his sword into a deformed axe and swings it downward. This attack slightly homes because Garland will move downward before the attack is performed.
Twist Drill Aerial 30 (15) 180 Melee Low Chase Physical Level 19 DFF Twist Drill
Garland charges upwards on an angle, then shoots his blade out on a chain, knocking the opponent away.
Dissidia 012 Bravery attacks
Move Type CP (Mastered) AP Priority Effect Damage type Obtained Image
Round Edge Ground 30 (15) 100 Melee Low (Initial swing and follow-ups)
Melee Mid (Second swing)
Melee High (Third swing)
Wall Rush (axe follow-up)
Chase (twin swords follow-up)
Physical Initial DFF Roundedge1
DFF Roundedge2
DFF Roundedge3
Garland spins forward in a circle to hit the opponent twice, then brings his sword down. If Circle is pressed before the last hit connects, Garland will turn his sword into its axe form and swing upwards to send the opponent flying. If Circle is pressed after the last hit connects, Garland will turn his sword into two and strike the opponent with a four-hit combo.
Deathblow Ground 20 (10) 90 Melee Low None Physical Initial DFF Deathblow
Garland charges forward and swings his sword upwards, causing the opponent to be knocked to the sky.
Lance Charge Ground 30 (15) 100 Melee Mid Wall Rush Physical Level 8 DFF Lance Charge
Garland lengthens each section of his sword and charges forward. If the hit connects, Garland will jump up and slam the opponent downward. The charge staggers opponents if blocked and Garland can still execute the second part of the attack.
Thundaga
(ground)
Ground 30 100 Ranged Low None Magical Level 23 D012 Garland Thundaga
Garland's sword floats between his arms as lightning bolts come down on his opponent.
Highbringer Ground 30 (15) 120 Melee Low Chase (Press)
Wall Rush (Hold)
Physical Level 32 DFF Highbringer1
DFF Highbringer2
Dashes forward and swing his sword up. Depending on how long Circle is held, the attack results with different continuations. If Circle is pressed, Garland will stay on the ground and can follow up by shooting his blade out on a chain, knocking the enemy further into the air. If Circle is held, Garland will leap up into the air during the uppercut and can follow up with a four-hit combo.
Twin Swords Aerial 30 (15) 100 Melee Low Wall Rush Physical Initial DFF Twin Sword
Garland separates his sword in two and deals multiple blows with each blade while moving forward.
Chain Cast Aerial 30 (15) 100 Melee Low Chase Physical Initial DFF Chain Cast
Garland extends his sword on a chain and whips it down and back up. Easy to dodge but has long range and can hit opponents above and below Garland.
Bardiche Aerial 30 (15) 100 Melee Low Wall Rush Physical Level 4 DFF Bardiche
Garland turns his sword into a deformed axe and swings it down on the opponent. This attack slightly homes as Garland will move directly in front of the opponent if the attack is performed.
Thundaga
(midair)
Aerial 30 100 Ranged Low None Physical Unknown D012 Garland Thundaga
Garland's sword floats between his arms as lightning bolts come down on his opponent.
Twist Drill Aerial 30 (15) 180 Melee Low Chase Physical Level 28 DFF Twist Drill
Garland charges upwards on an angle and shoots his sword on a chain to knock the opponent back.


HP Attacks[]

Dissidia HP attacks
Move Type CP (Mastered) AP Priority Effect Damage type Obtained Image
Earthquake Ground 40 (20) 180 Melee High (The rocks do Magical damage and are of Unblockable priority.) Wall Rush Physical Initial Dissidia Garland Earthquake
Garland smashes his sword into the ground, causing the ground to erupt into stone spikes. If this move is performed at a ledge, the spikes will appear at the next lower ground. Can damage the opponent and send them flying at close-range.
Blaze
(ground)
Ground 40 (20) 180 Ranged Mid None N/A Level 13 DFF Blaze
Garland splits his sword into two and then spins them to shoot six flaming projectiles that home on the opponent.
Tsunami Ground 40 (20) 300 Melee Mid Wall Rush Physical Level 38 DFF Tsunami
Garland jumps into the air and then throws his sword out on the floor. The sword curls around the floor, leaving a burst of water that explodes.
Blaze
(midair)
Aerial 40 (20) 180 Ranged Mid None N/A Initial DFF Blaze
Garland splits his sword into two and then spins them to shoot six flaming projectiles that home on the enemies.
Cyclone Aerial 40 (20) 300 Ranged High Absorb N/A Level 30 DFF Cyclone
Garland swings his blade and creates two gigantic tornadoes that slowly spin forward. Has weak homing and can reflect projectiles and attacks.
Dissidia 012 HP attacks
Move Type CP (Mastered) AP Priority Effect Damage type Obtained Image
Earthquake Ground 30 (15) 130 Melee High Wall Rush Physical Initial Dissidia Garland Earthquake
Garland smashes his sword into the ground, causing the ground to erupt into stone spikes. If this move is performed at a ledge, the spikes will appear at the next lower ground. Can damage the opponent and send them flying at close-range.
Blaze
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 130 Ranged High None N/A Level 13 DFF Blaze
Garland splits his sword into two and then spins them to shoot six flaming projectiles that home on the opponent.
Tsunami Ground 40 (20) 300 Melee High Wall Rush Physical Level 36 DFF Tsunami
Garland jumps into the air and throws his sword onto the floor. The sword curls around the floor, leaving a burst of water that explodes.
Blaze
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 130 Ranged High None N/A Initial DFF Blaze
Garland splits his sword into two and then spins them to shoot six flaming projectiles that home on the opponent.
Cyclone Aerial 30 (15) 300 Ranged High Absorb N/A Level 12 DFF Cyclone
Garland swings his blade and creates two gigantic tornadoes that slowly spin forward. Has weak homing and can reflect projectiles and attacks.
Flare Aerial 30 (15) 130 Melee High Wall Rush Physical Level 22 D012FF - Garland's Flare
Charge sword with energy and swing once while moving towards the opponent. If first hit connects, consume the opponent in flame and swing again to knock them away.


EX Mode[]

Garland's EX Mode is Class change, where his cape turns white and gains runic patterns along the edges. Garland gains the ability "Indomitable Resolve" preventing him from flinching or being knocked back by an opponent's Bravery attacks while executing an attack of his own. This immunity extends to not flinching if attacking into an attack with the same damage priority as his attack, though higher-priority attacks can still cancel out his own. He will still flinch from HP damage, but HP attacks that inflict Bravery damage will not make him flinch with the Bravery-damaging part of the attack, only the HP damage. His attacks can be blocked normally, and all Assist attacks, even Bravery attacks, will instantly end Garland's EX Mode and thus he will flinch. This benefit lets Garland be more aggressive and creates more openings for him to do so by striking the opponent in the middle of their attacks while they cannot block or dodge.

Garland's EX Burst is Soul of Chaos, where he knocks his foe back and raises his sword. The player must press Circle repeatedly to fill a meter as Garland charges energy. If filled, Garland will repeatedly attack his opponent with twin swords, hits them several times with the chain, stabs them with the spear, then swings his axe downwards hitting the opponent multiple times. He ends the EX Burst by spinning to unleash two powerful sword blows.


Equipment[]

Garland can equip Greatswords, Katanas, Spears, Axes, Shields, Gauntlets, Helms, Light Armor, and Heavy Armor. In Dissidia 012, Garland can also equip Large Shields.

Exclusive weapons[]

Dissidia Exclusive weapons
Name Level Stats Effects Obtained
Ogrekiller 50 ATK +38
DEF -2
EX Force Absorption +15% Trade: 15460 gil, Francisca, Gigas Bone x3 Strength Shard x2
Viking Axe 92 ATK +65
DEF -2
EX Force Absorption +20% Trade: 29570 gil, Ogrekiller, Blood-Darkened Bone x5, Strength Crystal x3
Gigant Axe 100 ATK +70
DEF -2
EX Force Absorption +30%
Minor Anti-EX Effect
Trade: 31920 gil, Viking Axe, Wheel of Darkness x5, Strength Orb x5
Dissidia 012 exclusive weapons
Name Level Stats Effects Obtained
Ogrekiller 30 BRV -84
ATK +44
EX Force Absorption +5% Trade: 61000 gil, Claymore, Scarletite x1, Stalwart's Desire x5
Viking Axe 90 BRV -70
ATK +65
EX Force Absorption +7% Trade: 158,000 gil, Ogrekiller, Electrum x1, Stalwart's Dream x5
Gigant Axe 100 ATK +70 EX Force Absorption +10%
Minor Anti-EX Effect
Trade: 182,800 gil, Viking Axe, Wheel of Darkness x1, Stalwart's Hopes x5


Behind the scenes[]

DFF Early Magazine Coverage

Magazine scan of early Dissidia coverage featuring the Warrior of Light and Garland.

Garland, the Warrior of Light, Zidane, and Kuja, were the first characters to be announced for Dissidia. Tetsuya Nomura has said that Garland was one of the most difficult characters to design for Dissidia, as he had no original concept art to work off of like most characters, and only had game sprites. Thus he felt like he was designing an entirely new character, but he had to do so in a way that the final design would still be recognizable to the players as the Garland they knew from Final Fantasy.

DFF Garland EX Mode Texture Error

Garland's EX Mode between Dissidia and Dissidia 012.

Garland's first outfit's EX Mode model is plagued by several graphical errors in the original Dissidia due to misaligned textures. Such errors include his earrings, the folds of his cape around his neck, the small horns on his helmet, the armor plates on his hips, and the eyes of his helmet. These errors are not present in his alt outfit's EX Mode, and are fixed in Dissidia 012.

In the original Dissidia Garland's manikin, False Stalwart, appears the most times of any manikin across all the story modes, thirty times.

In the Reports, Garland muses on the time loop of Final Fantasy, and the paradoxical nature of his future self calling him into the past - Garland notes that this cycle must have begun when a force other than himself first called him into the past, but he does not know who or what could have done this.

When speaking to Chaos, Garland claims that Chaos was the one who sent him 2000 years into the past, and they are one and the same. However, the Reports in Dissidia 012 reveal that the Chaos of Dissidia and the Chaos of Final Fantasy are not the same being. This also contradicts Garland's entry in the Reports where he is aware he will become Chaos one day, but he does not recognize the Chaos he meets in World B. Given the nature of the cycles of war and their effects on memories, it is possible that Garland's memory of these things have been distorted and he is simply mistaken. Alternatively, it is unclear if he is aware of how the Dissidia Chaos was created, and thus he may have come to believe that the two Chaoses are the same being. As circumstantial evidence for the latter, it is implied Chaos had no name until Garland gave him one; if he came to believe the god and the demon are the same being, it follows he would use the same name for them.

Another explanation could be chalked up to developer oversight. Dissidia 012 had several story changes from the original Dissidia, but the voiced cutscenes in Dissidia were not changed to fit these changes. Additionally, the full story of Chaos, Cosmos, and the cycles of war, were kept vague in Dissidia but made more clear in Dissidia 012. Thus, it is possible that Garland's statement that he will become Chaos was true in the original Dissidia, but this plot point was removed in Dissidia 012 and Garland's cutscene was not altered to reflect this change.

The Garland from the Dissidia games is indirectly referred to in the DLC storyline for Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin, "Wanderer of the Rift", where the titular antagonist Gilgamesh, when encountering Jack Garland, notes he encountered a different Garland during his travels. A similar reference was later made by Mog in the DLC storyline "Different Future" where the moogle relays the history of his timeline and how that timeline's Garland was responsible for ending the control of various beasts that forced him and other warriors into conflict.

Voice[]

Garland is voiced by Christopher Sabat in the English versions.

In the Japanese versions of Dissidia Final Fantasy and Dissidia 012, he is voiced by Kenji Utsumi. In Dissidia Final Fantasy NT and its arcade version, he is voiced by Kōji Ishii, due to the former's death in 2013, who also voiced Ba'Gamnan in Final Fantasy XII and Oscha from Final Fantasy: Unlimited.

Both of Garland's English and first Japanese voice actors also voiced Alex Louis Armstrong from another Square Enix project: Fullmetal Alchemist and its reboot Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Allusions[]

  • At the start of Destiny Odyssey I-5, Garland's line "You will meet your end here, and I will live forever!" is based on what he says in Final Fantasy before the final battle after transforming into Chaos.
  • In his battle dialogue with Kuja, the two refer to Kuja's antagonistic relationship with the Garland of Final Fantasy IX. Garland says, "I sense you are haunted by your fate", referring to the mortality Garland of Final Fantasy IX placed upon Kuja. His dialogue to Zidane, "I will erase you and your soul", refers to when the Garland of Final Fantasy IX attempted to destroy Zidane and take back the soul he had given him.
  • Garland's introduction to Tidus is, "Better you fall down fate's spiral", referring to Sin's cycle of destruction and rebirth in Final Fantasy X. His quote to Jecht, "Another prisoner of fate", refers to how Jecht became trapped within the cycle of Spira, similar to Garland.
  • Garland's EX Burst is named after the Soul of Chaos dungeons in the Dawn of Souls and 20th Anniversary editions of Final Fantasy. His three exclusive weapons are weapons found in the Whisperwind Cove, another bonus dungeon in the aforementioned releases, and are named after a subset of axes that do additional damage to giant-type enemies.
  • Garland is the only antagonist fought twice in the same storyline. He is fought as a boss both at the beginning of Destiny Odyssey I and at the end—reflecting his role as the first and, in essence, the final boss of Final Fantasy. Furthermore, Garland is the last antagonist fought in Shade Impulse before Chaos, in Chapter 3-5, again reflecting his role in Final Fantasy.
  • In Garland's conversation with Chaos in Shade Impulse, he states he was sent 2,000 years into the past to become Chaos himself, paralleling his actions in Final Fantasy. In Final Fantasy, Garland says he will lose all memory of the past in 2,000 years, reflected in Chaos's amnesia in Dissidia.
  • In the Japanese version of Dissidia 012, Garland's "Thundaga" is named "Thunga". This is the original Japanese name of the high-tier lightning-type spell in Final Fantasy in the NES version.
  • Garland's fighting pose is the same pose he takes right before fighting the warriors of Cosmos in the opening FMV. This is also the pose as his enemy sprite in the original game.
  • When facing Chaos, Chaos's opening line alludes to the time loop.

Gallery[]

Etymology[]

A garland is a wreath of flowers worn on the head, usually given to great military heroes in ancient Greece and Rome, not unlike the medals of today are. They were also sometimes left on the graves of fallen soldiers. In reference to Garland, the name may be symbolic, as he was a great hero who had "fallen" (corrupted by evil), possible a reference to the original Garland being killed in the first dungeon the player completes in Final Fantasy. The name may also stem from a garland being something that forms a loop, alluding to the time loop in which the first Garland in Final Fantasy becomes involved.

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