ATB Guide: How to Fill the ATB Gauge

The ATB, or Active Time Battle Gauge, in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (FF7 Rebirth) is a major battle mechanic that enables the usage of Abilities in battle. Check out our guide to learn how to fill the ATB Gauge and what it's for.

How to Fill the ATB Gauge

Fills Automatically Over Time

The ATB Gauge fills up on its own, albeit very slowly. So long as your party is engaged in combat, you and your party members will steadily gain ATB charges, so defending against attacks won't be detrimental to your progress.

Normal Attacks Help Fill the Gauge

In addition to ATB Abilities, you and your teammates can attack with your equipped weapons and even unleash skills that use up neither MP nor ATB charges. Using such attacks can help with filling up the ATB Gauge faster.

Block Attacks as Much as Possible

Successfully blocking incoming attacks can also fill your ATB Gauge in addition to reducing the damage you take.

ATB Gauge Tips and Tricks

Get the First Strike

First Strikes are will result in a partially filled ATB Gauge at the start of battle. Previously, the First Strike can only be attained if the First Strike Materia is embedded into a weapon. However, in FF7 Rebirth, players can get preemptive strikes more actively.

Upon approaching an enemy, a detection gauge will fill up. Once it's full, a battle commences. If players strike an enemy before this gauge becomes full, they will get successfully initiate a First Strike.

Parry Incoming Attacks

Parrying enemy attacks also contribute largely to the ATB Gauge. However, this may be a little tricky to pull off as you need to keep a close eye on your enemies' attack patterns and time your block right.

Switch to a Character

A subtle difference that many players may not notice is that the active character's ATB Gauge charges faster than those of inactive ones. If you have your sights set on a particular character's ability, you may want to switch to them for faster results.

Cast Haste for Even Faster Charging

Casting Haste on yourself and your teammates can help accelerate the ATB Gauge's charging time so be sure to cast it every chance you get. On the flip side, having Slow cast on you will have the completely opposite effect.

Other status ailments like Stopor Sleep are also detrimental to your ATB Gauge. Should you be afflicted with this status ailment, be sure to cast Esuna or use items like Remedy to negate its effects.

What is the ATB Guage

For Skills and Abilities

Apart for normal attacks, Cloud and his companions can execute unique abilities and cast spells which consume ATB charges. These abilities can be accessed in the Commands Menu and must be manually selected in order to be executed.

Helps With Filling the Synergy Gauge

Certain Abilities that use ATB charges give the caster Synergy Charges which enables them to use Synergy Abilities. These Abilities will have two party members combine their attacks to deliver a devastating blow.

FF7 Rebirth Related Guides

FF7 Rebirth Complete Guide

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FF7 Rebirth Guides
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Side Quests	Queen's Blood
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Romance	World Intel
Materia	Weapons
Armor	Accessories
Limit Breaks	Folio Skill Tree
Chocobos	Maps and Locations
Combat Simulator	Crafting Materials
Enemies	News and Game Info
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