Red XIII Best Builds and Weapons

Red XIII (or Red 13) is a playable character in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (FF7 Rebirth). See the best builds for Red XIII, list of weapons, their voice actors, and more about this character's background in this guide!

Red XIII Character Guides
Best Builds and Weapons	Romance Guide

Red XIII Best Builds

Stage and Chapter	List of Red XIII Builds
Endgame (Hard Mode)	Red XIII Endgame Build
Late Game (Chapter 11)	Red XIII Late Game Build
Mid Game (Chapter 7)	Red XIII Mid Game Build
Early Game (Chapter 2-4)	Red XIII Early Game Build

Red XIII Endgame Build

Equipment	Materia
Golden Collar Weapon Lv. 8	Healing + Auto-Cast Vitality Up + Spirit Up Precision Defense Focus Darkside Alexander
Celestial Bangle	Barrier + Magic Focus Provoke Auto-Weapon Ability HP Up Steadfast Block
Alternative Armor
・ Valkyrian Bangle ・ Enhanced Yggdrasill Armlet
Weapon Skills	Vengeance Gauge Charge Rate Up Invigorating Vengeance Opening ATB Bonus Max HP +200

Accessory	Effect
Gi Warrior's Charm	Increases the limit gauge fill rate by 10%.
Alternative Accessories
・ Draconic Ring ・ Transference Module

Red XIII's best endgame build for Hard Mode focuses mainly on increasing his survivability so he can tank more hits for the Vengeance Gauge. This build works even if you're not actively controlling Red.

Start by casting Chilling Roar for the extra Vengeance Gauge buildup whenever Red is hit followed by Darkside to increase the damage of Sidewinder, Crescent Claw, and his other attack abilities.

The health Red loses due to Darkside's effect and tanking hits can be recovered using Cure, Siphon Fang, and his Lv1 Limit Break, Bloody Fang. You can also make use of the damage he received to empower Reaper Touch before you let Red heal.

Gi Warrior's Charm allows Red to frequently use any of his Limit Break depending on his needs. It can be Bloody Fang to recover HP and MP, Howling moon to instantly trigger a longer Vengeance Mode, or Wrath of the Land to deal devastating damage.

Best Team Synergies

Synergy Skills
Any	Wild Charge Lets Red XIII and an ally charge through attacks while closing gaps between their target.
Tifa Aerith Yuffie	Iron Defense More of a protection for Red's allies, as he can quickly move to a safe spot and "pull" an ally from harm with this Synergy Skill while also bracing for other incoming attacks.
Synergy Abilities
Aerith	Planetary Roar Increases both members' limit levels, giving Aerith access to Planet's Protection that adds a layer to Red's tanking capabilities.
Tifa	Call of the Wild Extends the Stagger duration for Red's Vengeance Mode attacks.

Additional Build Notes

• Alexander can be swapped with a summon of your choice.
• Try to unlock Retaliation in Red's folio skill tree for a more powerful counterattack than Sentinel Stance! Take note that using this ability immediately ends Vengeance Mode, so only use it when the Vengeance Gauge is about to be depleted.

Red XIII Late Game Build

Equipment	Materia
Golden Collar Weapon Lv. 5	Fire and Ice + Elemental Steadfast Block Speed Up HP Up Bahamut Arisen
Garm Bangle	Empowerment + Magic Efficiency Auto-Weapon Ability + Auto-Unique Ability Darkside
Weapon Skills	Opening ATB Bonus Vengeance Gauge Charge Rate Up

Accessory	Effect
Precision Defense Focus Materia Earrings	Allows use of the highest level of precision defense focus materia, rendering enemies' binding attacks ineffective against perfectly timed blocks.
Alternative Accessories
・ Gi Warrior's Charm ・ Survival Vest

This build for Red XIII can be followed during Chapter 11: The Long Shadow of Shinra onwards. Building up the Vengeance Gauge and having a reactive but speedy playstyle is still the priority for Red XIII.

Golden Collar provides a high attack damage for Red XIII. Garm Bangle is an easily accessible armor piece if you do not have access yet to equipment like the Valkyrian Bangle. When needed, Fire and Ice can be swapped out for any other element materia depending on the fight.

Best Team Synergies

Synergy Skills
Any	Wild Charge Allows Red XIII to damage and close the distance between enemies. It also guards against attacks, helping you build up the Vengeance gauge faster.
Synergy Abilities
Cloud Barret	United Refocus Temporarily partitions both Red XIII's and Barret's ATB gauges into three segments, making it easier to save up on command usage.
Cloud	Savage Assault Red XIII and Cloud pair up for a strong synergy attack. Raises Limit Levels.
Barret	Overfang Barret sends Red XIII flying at the enemy, doing big damage and raising their Limit Levels.

Additional Build Notes

• Speed Up is rewarded from completing Gongaga Battle Intel: Rooted in the Planet.
• The Valkyrian Bangle is obtained at the Nidhogg Grotto in the Nibel Region (far southwest island). This needs a Chocobo capable of using Chocojet (Chocobo Intel found from the side quest Esoteric Secrets of the Elders).

Red XIII Mid Game Build

Equipment	Materia
Renegade's Collar	Poison Ice HP Up Precision Defense Focus
Abyssal Bangle	HP Absorption + Enemy Skill Steadfast Block
Weapon Skills	ATB Charge Rate Up Enduring Vengeance

Accessory	Effect
Hi-Power Wristguards	Increases strength by 5%. Increases max HP by 250.

This build for Red XIII can be followed during Chapter 7: Those Left Behind onwards. We focused on augmenting Red XIII's Vengeance gauge buildup by giving him defense-based materia such as Precision Defense Focus.

Renegade's Collar is the choice weapon for Red XIII since it provides him a high attack power stat and the ATB Charge Rate Up weapon skill. HP Absorption and Enemy Skill are paired to grant him HP whenever he uses the Enemy Skill ability.

Best Team Synergies

Synergy Skills
Cloud Barret Tifa Aerith	Wild Charge Allows Red XIII to damage and close the distance between enemies. It also guards against attacks, helping you build up the Vengeance gauge faster.
Synergy Abilities
Barret	United Refocus Temporarily partitions both Red XIII's and Barret's ATB gauges into three segments, making it easier to save up on command usage.
Barret	Overfang Barret sends Red XIII flying at the enemy, doing big damage and raising their Limit Levels.

Additional Build Notes

• HP Absorption can be developed at Chadley's Research in the Corel Region. Gathering Data Points from that region becomes available starting at Chapter 7.
• Enemy Skill can be obtained as a reward from Biological Intel: Know Thine Enemy in Chadley's Combat Simulator.
• Hi-Power Wristguards can be unlocked for transmutation by completing Excavation Intel 2: Pipeline Depository (can be discovered by completing Expedition Intel) in the Grasslands.

Red XIII Early Game Build

Equipment	Materia
Mythril Collar	Chakra + Poison Lightning
Hunter's Bangle	Precision Defense Focus + HP Up
Weapon Skills	Invigorating Vengeance

Accessory	Effect
Hi-Power Wristguards	Increases strength by 5%. Increases max HP by 250.

This is an early game build for Red XIII available before fighting Midgardsomr, the game's first open world boss in Chapter 2: A New Journey Begins.

Red XIII is exceptionally quick in battle, being able to cover lots of ground through both his dodges and attacks. Take advantage of Precision Defense Focus to make easier to time perfect blocks on enemies.

Best Team Synergies

Synergy Skills
Cloud Barret Tifa Aerith	Wild Charge Allows Red XIII to damage and close the distance between enemies. It also guards against attacks, helping you build up the Vengeance gauge faster.
Synergy Abilities
Barret	United Refocus Temporarily partitions both Red XIII's and Barret's ATB gauges into three segments, making it easier to save up on command usage.
Barret	Overfang Barret sends Red XIII flying at the enemy, doing big damage and raising their Limit Levels.

Additional Build Notes

• Precision Defense Focus Materia and HP Up Materia can be bought from the Vending Machine at Oliver's Farm.
• You can switch out the Lightning materia for another element when fighting a different enemy. Lightning when fighting the Mythril Golem boss alongside Barret in Chapter 3: Deeper into Darkness.
• Hi-Power Wristguards can be unlocked for transmutation by completing Excavation Intel 2: Pipeline Depository (can be discovered by completing Expedition Intel) in the Grasslands.

How to Use Red XIII and Combat Guide

Red XIII Controls

Button / Action	Description
Attack	Basic slash attack
Hold Whirling Slash	Spinning attack
Vengeance Mode	Increases attack power and dodge speed
Siphon Fang (During Vengeance Mode)	Vertical slashes that can recover a portion of your HP.
Dodge	Dodge attacks
Commands Menu	Access the Command Menu for Abilities, Spells, Items, and Synergy
Block	Block attacks
Sprint	General control for running

Red XIII Battle Tips

How to Use Red XIII
Best Against Ground Enemies Build Up Vengeance Gauge First Use Siphon Fang to Recover HP Don't Hesitate to Use Abilities Utilize Red XIII's Speed

Best Against Multiple Ground Enemies

Red XIII excels at fighting multiple enemies on the ground, as most of his attacks and abilities cover a lot of space. Avoid using Red XIII against flying enemies, as he doesn't have aerial skills that can hit enemies hovering in the air.

Build Up Vengeance Gauge First

You can maximize Red XIII's full potential if you use his Vengeance Mode in combat. Build it up first by playing a bit defensively and guarding until you get enough gauge for the rest of the battle.

Practice perfect blocking attacks and use his Sentinel Stance to fill the Vengeance meter quickly!

Use Siphon Fang to Recover HP

Siphon Fang allows Red XIII to recover a portion of its HP for each hit. Mix it with different combos to maximize Red XIII's damage dealt during combat!

Note that you need Red XIII's Vengeance Mode up before you can use his Siphon Fang.

Don't Hesitate to Use Abilities

Most of Red XIII's heavy-hitting attacks come from his abilities. Don't hesitate to use them to defeat your enemies quickly, especially when they are staggered!

Utilize Red XIII's Speed

Red XIII is a swift character in FF7 Rebirth. Use his speed to move around and get an advantageous position during combat!

Red XIII Best Combos

Attack	Function
Standard Whirling Slash Combo x4, Hold	Perform basic slash attacks and do a Whirling Slash as the finisher.
Siphon Fang Combo (During Vengeance) x4,	Do basic slash attacks and perform a Siphon Fang at the end during Vengeance Mode.

Names given to above combos are for descriptive purposes. The list above is subject to updates.

Red XIII Best Folio Skill Cores

Skill Core / Priority	Type and Effect
Retaliation ★★★	Ability ・Great alternative for Sentinel Stance when Vengeance Mode is about to end and Red XIII has 2 ATB bars ready.
Ringmaster / Call of the Wild ★★★	Synergy Ability ・Allows Yuffie to setup her Ninjutsu and Doppelganger earlier in the fight.
Limit Gauge Guard ★★★	Stat Boost ・Increases limit gauge charge rate when blocking, allowing more Bloody Fang casts to recover HP and MP.
Speed Up ★★★	Stat Boost ・Increases ATB charge rate.
Enduring Vengeance ★★★	Stat Boost ・Makes Vengeance Mode last longer.
Vengeful Guardian ★★★	Stat Boost ・Extends staggered time and further increases damage dealt against staggered enemies during Vengeance Mode.
Wrath of the Land ★★☆	Limit Break ・Deals massive damage, but only useful during battles where you can reach Limit Level 3 before the fight ends.
Iron Defense ★★☆	Synergy Skill ・Pulls an ally to block an incoming attack together.
Wild Charge ★★☆	Synergy Skill ・Close gaps between a target while blocking incoming attacks.
Max HP Up ★★☆	Stat Boost ・Increases max HP.
MDEF Up ★★☆	Stat Boost ・Reduces damage received from magic attacks.
Elemental Defense Up ★★☆	Stat Boost ・Reduces damage received from elemental attacks.
Enhanced Counterspin ★☆☆	Stat Boost ・Improves the effect of Counterspin (press the attack button after getting hit or blocking an attack).

Folio Skill Trees Guide

Red XIII Weapon Locations and Stats

Mythril Collar

Mythril Collar
Stats and Ability		Weapon Skills
・ATK + 24 ・MATK + 20 ・DEF + 0 ・MDEF + 0 Slots: ◯-◯◯ Ability: Stardust Ray		Limit Gauge Charge Rate +10% Attack Damage +5% Weapon Ability Damage +5% Max HP +200 Siphon Fang HP Up MP Recovery Rate Up Enduring Vengeance Weapon Ability Damage +5% Enhanced Counterspin Invigorating Vengeance
Location
Red XIII starts with the Mythril Collar as his default weapon. You'll gain access to this weapon as soon as he joins you in Chapter 2.

Renegade's Collar

Renegade's Collar
Stats and Ability		Weapon Skills
・ATK + 40 ・MATK + 22 ・DEF + 0 ・MDEF + 0 Slots: ◯◯ Ability: Crescent Claw		MP Recovery Rate Up Selfish Buff Up Max HP +200 Enhanced Physical Guard Selfish Recovery +25% Invigorating Vengeance Siphon Fang HP Up Vengeful Revenant ATB Charge Rate Up Enduring Vengeance
Location
After fighting Elena and Rude in the Mythril Mine

Silver Collar

Silver Collar
Stats and Ability		Weapon Skills
・ATK + 37 ・MATK + 37 ・DEF + 0 ・MDEF + 0 Slots: ◯◯◯◯ Ability: Chilling Roar		Trade-Off Magic Attack Power +20 Restorative MP Saver Vengeance Gauge Charge Rate Up Max MP +3 Attack Power +20 Offensive MP Saver Attack Damage +5% MP Recovery Rate Up Vengeance Gauge Charge Rate Up
Location
Get First Place in Run Wild Minigame

Amethyst Collar

Amethyst Collar
Stats and Ability		Weapon Skills
・ATK + 45 ・MATK + 70 ・DEF + 0 ・MDEF + 0 Slots: ◯-◯◯-◯ Ability: Supernal Fervor		Trade-Off Enhanced Magic Guard ATB Charge Rate Up Attack Power +20 Max MP +3 Limit Break Damage +10% Max HP +200 Attack Power +20 Enhanced Counterspin Enduring Vengeance
Location
Complete Of Robed Men and Ransoms Sidequest

Golden Collar

Golden Collar
Stats and Ability		Weapon Skills
・ATK + 106 ・MATK + 29 ・DEF + 0 ・MDEF + 0 Slots: ◯-◯◯◯◯ Ability: Watcher's Respite		Weapon Ability ATB Recovery Max HP +200 Enemy Parts Damage Up Magic Attack Power +20 Max MP +3 Opening ATB Bonus Magic Attack Power +20 Vengeful Revenant Invigorating Vengeance Vengeance Gauge Charge Rate Up
Location
On a Broken Platform in Gongaga Reactor

Mystic Collar

Mystic Collar
Stats and Ability		Weapon Skills
・ATK + 97 ・MATK + 59 ・DEF + 0 ・MDEF + 0 Slots: ◯◯◯◯◯◯ Ability: Watcher's Spirit		ATB Charge Rate Up Attack Power +20 Stagger Recovery Weapon Ability ATB Recovery Magic Attack Power +20 Attack Damage +5% Weapon Ability Damage +5% Invigorating Vengeance Enduring Vengeance Siphon Fang HP Up
Location
Obtainable on the Fetch Sequence in Cave of Gi

Brisingamen

Brisingamen
Stats and Ability		Weapon Skills
・ATK + 79 ・MATK + 97 ・DEF + 0 ・MDEF + 0 Slots: ◯-◯◯-◯◯◯ Ability: Reaper Touch		Altruistic Buff Up Vengeance Gauge Charge Rate Up Max MP +3 Altruistic Buff Up Attack Power +20 Max MP +3 MP Recovery Rate Up Attack Damage +5% Enhanced Counterspin Vengeance Gauge Charge Rate Up
Location
Found After Doing Life Vessel in Hall of Life

All Weapons and How to Get Them

Red XIII Manuscript Locations

Tale of the Red Warrior Locations

Volume	Difficulty Req.	How to Get
Vol. 1	Easy / Normal	Moogle Shop Can be purchased at Merchant Rank 2 for 6 Moogle Medals.
Vol. 2	Easy / Normal	Side Quest: Of Robed Men and Ransoms Reward for completing the Of Robed Men and Ransoms Side Quest in the Corel region.
Vol. 3	Easy / Normal	GP Exchange Purchase at the GP Exchange for 100 GP.
Vol. 4	Easy / Normal	Musclehead Colosseum Reward for clearing Two-Person Bout: Ghoulish Delights.
Vol. 5	Easy / Normal	Moogle Shop Can be purchased at Merchant Rank 5 for 6 Moogle Medals.
Vol. 6	Easy / Normal	Side Quest: Bonds of Trust Reward for completing the Bonds of Trust Side Quest in the Cosmo Canyon region.
Vol. 7	Hard	Side Quest: Livestock's Bane Reward for defeating the White Terror during the Livestock's Bane Side Quest, in the Grasslands region while playing in Hard Mode.
Vol. 8	Hard	Boss: Mythril Golem Reward for defeating Mythril Golem in Chapter 3 Hard Mode.
Vol. 9	Hard	Side Quest: The Hardest Sell Reward for defeating the White Mousse during the The Hardest Sell Side Quest, in the Junon region while playing in Hard Mode.
Vol. 10	Hard	Side Quest: Of Robed Men and Ransoms Reward for defeating the Dark Claw during the Of Robed Men and Ransoms Side Quest, in the Corel region while playing in Hard Mode.
Vol. 11	Hard	Side Quest: O Chicken, Where Art Thou Reward for defeating the Levridon during the O Chicken, Where Art Thou Side Quest, in the Gongaga region while playing in Hard Mode.
Vol. 12	Hard	Side Quest: From Whence Life Flows Reward for completing the From Whence Life Flows Side Quest, in the Cosmo Canyon region while playing in Hard Mode.
Vol. 13	Hard	Side Quest: Promises to Keep Reward for defeating the Irasceros during the Promises to Keep Side Quest, in the Grasslands region while playing in Hard Mode.
Vol. 14	Hard	Boss: Gi Nattak Reward for defeating the Gi Nattak in Chapter 10 Hard Mode.
Vol. 15	Hard	Boss: Red Dragon Reward for defeating the Red Dragon in Chapter 13 Hard Mode.
Vol. 16	Hard	Combat Simulator: Red XIII vs. The Beasts Reward for completing the Legendary Bout: Red XIII vs. The Beasts in Combat Simulator.

List of All Manuscripts Guide

Red XIII Character Profile and Background

Profile and Voice Actor

Red XIII	Voice Actors
	EN: Max Mittelman JP: Kappei Yamaguchi
	Weapon
	Collar
	Chapter Unlocked
	Chapter 2 A New Journey Begins
Official Introduction
Red XIII is a beast with a flaming tail, crimson fur, ​deadly claws, and the ability to speak. Cloud and ​company help him escape Professor Hojo's clutches,​ and he decides to join them on their journey. ​His species is known for their long life spans, ​and he is no exception. As this Cosmo Canyon ​native is the eldest member of the party, he offers ​its members words of wisdom from time to time.

Dr. Hojo's Beast Captive

Red XIII is a beast capable of human language that is held captive by Dr. Hojo for his experiments. Red XIII joins Cloud and his party after getting saved by them and helps them with their journey, but not as a playable character.

Red XIII Abilities

List of Red XIII Abilities

Ability	Effect / Source
Sidewinder	Leap into the air to deliver a punishing blow from above. Unlocked from the start
Sentinel Stance	Guard against attacks to greatly increase Vengeance Gauge. Press to deliver a counterstrike. Unlocked from the start
Stardust Ray	Unleash a devastating attack over a wide area. Costs 2 ATB. Weapon: Mythril Collar
Crescent Claw	Slash at a foe. Deplete the gauge while in Vengeance Mode to increase potency and range. Weapon: Renegade's Collar
Chilling Roar	Retaliate with ice shards whenever hit by an attack. Charges the Vengeance Gauge when a counterstrike lands. Weapon: Silver Collar
Supernal Fervor	Grant Haste on all party members. Can only be used during Vengeance Mode. Costs 2 ATB. Weapon: Amethyst Collar
Watcher's Respite	Deplete the Vengeance Gauge to heal allies. Potency proportional to amount expended. Weapon: Golden Collar
Watcher's Spirit	Deplete the Vengeance Gauge to increase allies' ATB. Potency proportional to amount expended. Weapon: Mystic Collar
Reaper Touch	Deliver a deadly strike. Potency is inversely proportional to current HP. Weapon: Brisingamen

Red XIII Limit Breaks

List of Red XIII Limit Breaks

Limit Break	Effect / How to Get
Bloody Fang	Limit Level 1 Charge forward in an animalistic rage, bathing in foes' blood and restoring your HP and MP. Available from the start of Dawn in a New Era of Junon.
Howling Moon	Limit Level 2 Howl to the moon above, activating a longer-lasting Vengeance Mode Available in Dawn in a New Era of Junon.
Wrath of the Land	Limit Level 3 Call upon the might of the planet and rend the enemy with deadly fangs. Unlocked through the Folio Skill Tree at party level 8.

Red XIII Synergy Skills

List of Red XIII Synergy Skills

Synergy Skill	Synergy Skill	Folio Level
Wild Charge	Partner(s): Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith Team up with your partner to charge forward while guarding against incoming attacks.	1
Phantom Fang	Partner(s): Cloud, Barret Team up with your partner to dodge and deliver a counterstrike. Dodge at the right time to perofrm a follow up attack.	2

Red XIII Synergy Abilities

List of Red XIII Synergy Abilities

Synergy Ability	Description	Buff
Savage Assault	Cloud and Red XIII channel their burning anger as they tear into an enemy. Raises their limit levels.	Limit Level Increase
Planetary Roar	Aerith channels her magic through Red XIII's howl, unleashing a ranged attack across a wide area. Raises their limit levels.	Limit Level Increase
Overfang	Barret sends Red XIII flying toward an enemy at high velocity. Raises their limit levels.	Limit Level Increase

Red XIII's Role in FF7 Rebirth

Supporting Playable Character

Red XIII is a playable character that has a supporting role in FF7 Rebirth. Aside from aiding the party using his deadly claws and sharp fangs, he also impart words of wisdom to their members as they look for Sephiroth in their journey!

FF7 Rebirth Related Guides

List of All Characters

Other Character Guides

Character Guides
Characters Tier List	Best Builds
Best Party Compositions	Best Abilities

List of Playable Characters

All Characters
Aerith	Barret	Cait Sith	Cloud
Red XIII	Sephiroth	Tifa	Yuffie
Zack