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FF7 Rebirth

First Strike Explained

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First Strike Explained
Landing the first strike when initiating combat will slightly fill up your ATB gauge in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (FF7 Rebirth). Read on to learn how to perform the first strike, its effects, and so much more.

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First Strike Explained

First Strike Fills Your ATB Gauge

Enemies are alerted as you approach, and a red circle will gradually form. This will give you the time to decide whether to initiate combat with the enemy or retreat to avoid the fight.

If you choose to engage in combat by pressing the square button, you will start the fight with First Strike, and your ATB gauge will fill slightly at the start of the battle.

ATB Gauge lets you use spells and items

FF7 Rebirth Demo ATB Fill Slightly

The ATB gauge, or Active Time Battle Gauge, is the meter below your health that gradually fills up as you fight enemies. Once the gauge is full, you can expend the ATB charges to cast spells or use abilities and items. Initiating a First Strike will fill 20% of the ATB gauge.

No Penalties if Not Initiated

You won't receive an ATB gauge bonus if you fail to activate First Strike. Additionally, enemies won't receive buffs if they land the first strike and your team will not get any debuffs.

First Strike Materia for More ATB

FF7 Rebirth - First Strike Materia

In Final Fantasy 7 Remake, First Strike took form of a Materia that you can equip, providing the same effect but without any activation requirement.

The First Strike Materia makes its return in FF7 Rebirth and, when equipped, increases the amount of ATB loaded into your Gauge upon executing a First Strike. As this materia levels up, the amount of ATB granted after a First Strike will also increase!

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FF7 Rebirth - Romance and Relationship Guide BannerRomance FF7 Rebirth - World IntelWorld Intel
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FF7 Rebirth - Limit BreakLimit Breaks Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth - Folio Skill TreeFolio Skill Tree
FF7 Rebirth - ChocobosChocobos FF7 Rebirth - Maps and LocationsMaps and Locations
FF7 Rebirth - Combat Simulator PartialCombat Simulator FF7 Rebirth - Materials Partial Crafting Materials
FF7 Rebirth - EnemiesEnemies FF7 Rebirth - News and Game InfoNews and Game Info
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Gameplay System Tips and Tricks

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Combat System Explained Battle Icons and Status Effects Explained
Active and Classic Combat Style Differences First Strike Explained
How to Restore HP and MP How to Change Your Party
How to Pressure and Stagger Enemies How to Fill the ATB Gauge
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Farming Guides
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Post-Game Guides

Post-Game Guides
Chapter Select and New Game Plus Explained Post-Game Content and How to Get 100% Clear
Hard Mode Difficulty Guide List of All Manuscripts Guide
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Story Guides

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Point of No Return -

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