Difference Between Cloud and Other SOLDIERs

[Roger]

Considering 14-year-olds with no training can join Shinra's army, it's not so far-fetched to say that Shinra infantrymen are not supposed to perform at least remotely on par with the humans from Cloud's party. Tifa was trained, Barret is a huge muscular man with a machine gun arm, Yufi is a ninja who's done her "ninja things" for years, and Cid, well, all we know is that he's using a spear and is pretty brave. Who even knows if he was as strong back during the events of FFVII as he's portrayed to be in AC.

Again, humans appear to have way bigger potential in FFVII than IRL, but that potential has to be reached.

But they weren't all 14-year old recruits with no training, but they were all utterly useless in the face of the threats Shinra face over the course of the game including the SOLDIERs, unlike Tifa, ect. Reno and Rude aren't superhuman at all either but it was kinda vital to Rufus' plots that they were able to keep the Remnants busy.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Being stabbed did enough damage for him to hit his limit break?

In universe, they don't have a turn based combat system.

The Limit Break/Trance isn't just a gameplay mechanic.

 

[Clement Rage]

Yeah But cutscene injuries are treated differently than battle screen injuries, or else Cloud stabbing Sephiroth in the back with the Buster Sword would've done 40 HP damage and not significantly hurt him.