Cloud is definitely one of the best characters in the game due to his mobility, damage, and disjoints. This has caused many people to believe him to be best in the game and even to some overpowered. Both of these topics are debatable right now, but one topic that is clear-cut to me is whether he is brain-dead or not. Characters such as Mario and Ness are considered brain-dead because of the amount of knowledge you need to use the character at a competitive level, or, to put it bluntly, you only need to use four or five moves to win. I honestly do not see why people say that Cloud is a brain-dead character compared to the likes of Ness.
I believe the biggest reason Cloud is considered brain-dead is because of his frame data. Considering he is a hard-hitting swordsman, he has uncomfortably good frame data on most of his moves unlike characters like Ike and Shulk. This doesn't mean Cloud has windows he can be punished though. Nair and Dair when not auto-cancelled are unsafe to land with and can be punished pretty hard. Bair and Fair need to be spaced properly in order to be safe as well. And, although most people have a hard time with this, all of his smash attacks are punishable especially when not spaced. The difference between Mario and Cloud in this scenario is that you have to learn spacing when using Cloud instead of just throwing out moves. Mario can do any aerial except fair and be perfectly safe if he uses jab or shield afterward. Also, the stupidity that is up smash and down smash have crazy good frame data and power so you can literally spam them. Although they can be punished, it is hard to in a way that is rewarding and since they come out so quickly it is harder to react to them. Cloud's down smash does come out frame 8, but the hitbox on it leaves something to be desired.
Cloud is able to kill fairly well with his limits, which are, I believe, his best tools. Limit Cross Slash is one of the best killing moves in the game far none. The biggest problem with it though, or with any limit, is that it can only be used once and it goes away for a minimum of six seconds, which is a decent amount of time. This teaches a Cloud player to use limit wisely and be punished for using it improperly. But there are moves, such as Ness' back throw, that can be used multiple times in succession and receive no punishment for its use. There is very little skill in grabbing your opponent at 110% and throwing them. Another great tool of his is his uair, another reason why he considered brain-dead. So much damage, big hitbox, and can kill. The thing is though that even if you use that move a lot, it eventually becomes weakened through staling. Moves like Mario's up tilt do so little damage it doesn't matter too much that they are stale, and in this case they lead to many follow-ups. Also moves like Ness' fair put the opponent at a disadvantageous position. Cloud's uair should really be used once or twice in succession because it eventually weakens a lot and don't put the opponent in too bad of a position (you can always grab the ledge or even air dodge at the right time).
In all honesty, every character takes skill to master. Top players use these characters because they are undoubtedly good and that is a reason why they are considered "brain-dead". Not one character is good enough to spam moves over and over again and win. This is why I believe Cloud is not brain-dead.
Let's face it, the only real brain-dead character is Brawl Meta Knight.
I believe the biggest reason Cloud is considered brain-dead is because of his frame data. Considering he is a hard-hitting swordsman, he has uncomfortably good frame data on most of his moves unlike characters like Ike and Shulk. This doesn't mean Cloud has windows he can be punished though. Nair and Dair when not auto-cancelled are unsafe to land with and can be punished pretty hard. Bair and Fair need to be spaced properly in order to be safe as well. And, although most people have a hard time with this, all of his smash attacks are punishable especially when not spaced. The difference between Mario and Cloud in this scenario is that you have to learn spacing when using Cloud instead of just throwing out moves. Mario can do any aerial except fair and be perfectly safe if he uses jab or shield afterward. Also, the stupidity that is up smash and down smash have crazy good frame data and power so you can literally spam them. Although they can be punished, it is hard to in a way that is rewarding and since they come out so quickly it is harder to react to them. Cloud's down smash does come out frame 8, but the hitbox on it leaves something to be desired.
Cloud is able to kill fairly well with his limits, which are, I believe, his best tools. Limit Cross Slash is one of the best killing moves in the game far none. The biggest problem with it though, or with any limit, is that it can only be used once and it goes away for a minimum of six seconds, which is a decent amount of time. This teaches a Cloud player to use limit wisely and be punished for using it improperly. But there are moves, such as Ness' back throw, that can be used multiple times in succession and receive no punishment for its use. There is very little skill in grabbing your opponent at 110% and throwing them. Another great tool of his is his uair, another reason why he considered brain-dead. So much damage, big hitbox, and can kill. The thing is though that even if you use that move a lot, it eventually becomes weakened through staling. Moves like Mario's up tilt do so little damage it doesn't matter too much that they are stale, and in this case they lead to many follow-ups. Also moves like Ness' fair put the opponent at a disadvantageous position. Cloud's uair should really be used once or twice in succession because it eventually weakens a lot and don't put the opponent in too bad of a position (you can always grab the ledge or even air dodge at the right time).
In all honesty, every character takes skill to master. Top players use these characters because they are undoubtedly good and that is a reason why they are considered "brain-dead". Not one character is good enough to spam moves over and over again and win. This is why I believe Cloud is not brain-dead.
Let's face it, the only real brain-dead character is Brawl Meta Knight.