FF7 Rebirth

First Strike Explained

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.

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!

FF7 Rebirth Related Guides

FF7 Rebirth Wiki

FF7 Rebirth Complete Guide

All FF7 Rebirth Guides

FF7 Rebirth Guides
FF7 Rebirth - Story WalkthroughStory Walkthrough FF7 Rebirth - BossesBosses
FF7 Rebirth - Side Quests Side Quests FF7 Rebirth - QueenQueen's Blood
FF7 Rebirth - MinigamesMinigames FF7 Rebirth - CharactersCharacters
FF7 Rebirth - Romance and Relationship Guide BannerRomance FF7 Rebirth - World IntelWorld Intel
FF7 Rebirth - Materia PartialMateria FF7 Rebirth - WeaponsWeapons
FF7 Rebirth - ArmorArmor FF7 Rebirth - AccessoriesAccessories
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
FF7 Rebirth - Demo WalkthroughDemo Walkthrough

FF7 Rebirth - Recommended Guides

Beginner's Guide and Getting Started

Guides for Getting Started
Beginner's Guide Best Gameplay Settings
Difficulty Setting Differences Should You Watch The Story So Far?
How to Claim Bonuses How to Skip Chapter 1
Trophy List and Guide List of Controls

Gameplay System Tips and Tricks

Gameplay Tips and Tricks
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
How to Attack Flying Enemies How to Counter and Parry Attacks
How to Dash (Run) How to Use Terrain Actions
How to Run Away (Fleeing) Chocobo Customization Guide
How to Fix Insert Data Disc Bug How to Fast Travel Across Regions
All Beach Outfits and Which to Choose How to Go Down Ladders Fast
Steal List & Guide: Best Items to Steal Morph List & Guide: Best Items to Morph
What to Spend GP On and All Gold Saucer Items Missable Items, Events, and Quests
Weapon Upgrades Explained How to Get Unbound
How to Take Photos in Photo Mode All Synergy Abilities and How to Use
How to Save the Game and Delete Save Files Shinra Boxes Explained
Weapon Abilities Explained How to Lock On to Enemies
How to Farm GP -

Character Stat Guides

Character Stats Guides
Character Stats Explained What Does Attack Do?
What Does Defense Do? What Does Magic Do?
What Does Magic Defense Do? What Does Magic Attack Do?
What Does Strength Do? What Does Spirit Do?
What Does Vitality Do? What Does Speed Do?
What Does Luck Do? -

Mount Guides

Mount Guides
All Mounts and How to Unlock How to Get the Buggy
How to Get the Tiny Bronco How to Get the Wheelie (Segway)

Farming Guides

Farming Guides
Gil Farming Guide - How to Farm Gil (Money) Fast AP Farming Guide - How to Farm AP Fast
EXP Farming Guide - How to Level Up Fast How to Increase Party Level and Rewards
Moogle Medal Farming Guide SP Farming Guide - How to Farm SP Fast

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
All Johnny's Treasure Trove Locations How to Recover MP in Hard Mode

Story Guides

Story Guides
How to Escape the Depths How to Get Into the Crow's Nest
How to Get the Gondola Ticket How to Wake Up the Dead Businessmen
Should You Pay 2,000 Gil to the Bandits? Swindling Seminar Solution
Which Direction Should You Set the Minecart? World Intel Guide and Rewards
Which Direction Should You Set the Minecart? All Pirate Relic Locations
Which Gift to Choose for Aerith? How to Unlock the Elevator with Yuffie
Point of No Return -

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