Battle System Explained

This is a guide on how the battle system works in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (FF7 Rebirth). Read on to learn more about how combat plays out in the game, as well as how to use abilities, items, and Limit Breaks in the game.

Battle System Basics

All Battle System Controls

Commands	Action
	Normal Attack
	Access Commands Menu
	Dodge
	Unique Ability
Hold	Guard
or	Issue Commands to Allies
+ Corresponding Button	Access Command Shortcuts
+ Corresponding Button	Access Synergy Skills
	Switch Characters
	Lock-On to Enemy
	Switch Targets

List of Controls

Attack Enemies With Your Equipped Weapon

How to Use	(Press Repeatedly)

You can attack enemies on the battlefield by pressing the Square button on your controller. You can press Square button in quick succession to unleash an attack combo that deals increasing amounts of damage for each chained attack.

Do note that the attacks executed by your characters will depend on the weapon that they use. For example, Barret only requires you to hold down Square to continue firing his gun, while Cloud requires you to keep tapping square to continue his attack combos.

List of Weapons Stats and Materia Slots

Access the Commands Menu

How to Use

Use ATB (Active Time Battle) Commands by pressing the X Button on your controller to open up the Commands Menu. When the menu is available, you can use abilities, items, and spells by consuming an ATB charge.

Do note that you can only use abilities, items, or spells in battle if you have sufficient ATB charges available. ATB gauges are gradually filled over time, and they can be charged faster by attacking enemies or blocking incoming attacks.

ATB Guide: How to Fill the ATB Gauge

Use Evade to Dodge Enemy Attacks

How to Use

Dodge enemy attacks by pressing Circle on your controller. Dodging is an effective method to avoid damage dealt by your enemies and, in FF7 Rebirth, will lead to new ground and aerial attacks when followed by an attack button input.

Perform Unique Abilities

How to Use

Each Character in your party will have a unique ability that can be activated by pressing Triangle on your controller. Using these unique abilities at the right time can give you many advantages during battle.

For example, using Cloud's unique ability and switching to Punisher Mode will allow you to deal a massive amount of damage to Staggered enemies as well as use Counterattack after blocking an enemy attack, perfectly.

Unlike ATB Command Skills, you won't need to consume ATB charges when performing unique abilities. However, they will usually go on cooldown or revert to normal after using or dodging with your selected character.

Unique Character Abilities
Cloud	・Punisher Mode ・Operator Mode
Barret	・Overcharge
Tifa	(Chi Level 1) ・Whirling Uppercut (Chi Level 2) ・Rise and Fall (Unbridled Strength) ・Rage and Fall (Unfettered Fury) (Chi Level 3) ・Omnistrike (Unbridled Strength) ・Omniflurry (Unfettered Fury)
Aerith	・Ward Shift
Red XIII	・Activate Vengeance Mode (During Vengeance Mode) ・Soul Siphon
Yuffie	・Throw/Retrieve Shuriken
Cait Sith	(No Moogle) ・Kitty Wallop (Moogle Mounted) ・Random (depending on level)
Sephiroth	・Aura Charge ・Telluric Fury ・Sword Dance ・Pierce

Use Guard to Block Enemy Attacks

How to Use	Hold

You could guard against enemy attacks by pressing or holding R1 on your controller. This will significantly reduce the damage you've taken from enemy attacks during battle.

Do note that some enemy attacks are unblockable, so it is best to just outright dodge them. You could also perform Perfect Blocks that could completely negate enemy damage.

Issue Commands to Allies

How to Use	or

There is also the option of issuing commands to your party members by pressing either L2 or R2 on your controller.

This can help you choose the most optimal attacks or strategies that can be employed by your party members while maintaining control of the current character.

Use Command Shortcuts

How to Use	Hold + Corresponding Button for Command

To quickly access abilities, spells, and even items, you can use Command Shortcuts instead of manually going to the Commands menu and searching for the command you wish to use. This will save time and effort, and will lead to a more fluid combat experience.

You can set up Command Shortcuts in the Combat Settings screen.

Use Synergy Skills

How to Use	Hold + Corresponding Button for Synergy Skill

One of the highlights introduced in FF7 Rebirth is the concept of Synergy Skills wherein a character from your party will execute an attack with another party member.

The Synergy Skill can be activated by holding down the R1 button on your controller while pressing the corresponding button that activates the skill.

How to Use Synergy Skills

Switch Characters

How to Use

You could switch to characters by pressing the Directional Pad on your controller, and selecting the character you want to control in your party.

Switching characters can usually give you an advantage during battle after you've learned all your members' abilities and fighting styles.

Lock On to Enemies

How to Use

Selecting a target can be achieved by pressing R3 on your controller. Targeting helps in prioritizing the enemies that you need to take down first, especially when you're engaging with multiple enemies in battle.

How to Lock On to Enemies

Switch Targets

How to Use

You can switch between targets by tilting the Right Analog Stick. This will cause the lock-on reticle to move to the target in the direction you tilted the stick to.

Use this to change priorities such as tracking an enemy that is closing in on you, or eliminating an enemy's body part.

Battle Tips and Tricks

Combat Tips and Tricks
Use First Strike to Charge ATB Gauge Stagger Enemies to Deal More Damage Set Shortcuts for More Fluid Combat Perfect Blocks to Completely Negate Damage Use Assess Materia to View Enemy Info Retreat When Necessary to Save HP, MP and Items

Use First Strike to Charge ATB Gauge

Enemies in the game will have a red gauge that gradually fills up as you come closer to the enemy. When the gauge is filled, you will be engaged in combat.

Attack the enemy before its red gauge fills up to execute a First Strike, ensuring you an upper hand in battle while also filling up some of your ATB gauge once battle commences.

First Strike Explained

Stagger Enemies to Deal More Damage

Similar to FF7 Remake, the Focus Gauge can be seen below the enemy's health bar and fills up once you've attacked the enemy multiple times in a row.

Once the Focus Gauge is full, the enemy will become staggered. Staggered enemies will allow you to deal more damage with your attacks than usual.

How to Pressure and Stagger Enemies

Set Shortcuts for More Fluid Combat

You could set shortcuts to your controller buttons that will help you access commands faster without the need to open up the Commands Menu.

You could set shortcuts on your controller by opening the Main Menu, and selecting the Combat Settings tab. From there, choose the commands you wish to designate with shortcuts.

Perform Perfect Blocks to Completely Negate Damage

Unlike regular blocks, a perfect block can entirely negate the damage dealt by an opponent's attack and fill up the ATB gauge much faster.

Although it is much harder to execute due to its small timing window, it can also give you a huge advantage when you're saving HP during a boss fight and trying to acquire ATB charges for a strong ability.

Use Assess Materia to View Enemy Info

The Assess Materia is a very helpful item that can let you view info involving the target enemy of your choosing using Assess. Materia can be equipped by accessing the Main Menu, and then selecting the Materia & Equipment tab.

From there, select the character you want to customize and select the weapon or accessory that you choose to equip with Materia.

How to Get the Assess Materia

Retreat When Necessary to Save HP, MP and Items

You may encounter enemies that are far too strong for you to handle at your current level. You could choose to retreat in said instances by simply moving away from the enemy's range of detection.

How to Restore HP and MP

FF7 Rebirth Related Guides

FF7 Rebirth Complete Guide

All FF7 Rebirth Guides

FF7 Rebirth Guides
Story Walkthrough	Bosses
Side Quests	Queen's Blood
Minigames	Characters
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
Demo Walkthrough

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	-