How to Counter and Parry Attacks

Only Cloud Strife and Sephiroth can Counter and Parry respectively in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (FF7 Rebirth). Check out this guide to learn how to Counter or Parry enemy attacks and how to perform a Perfect Counter.

How to Counter Using Cloud

Cloud's Counter
Counter by Entering Punisher Mode	(Right Before an Attack Lands)
Counter During Punisher Mode	(Right Before an Attack Lands)

Enter Punisher Mode to Counter Physical Attacks

Cloud can counterattack simply by entering Punisher Mode just before the enemy lands a Physical attack. Entering Punisher Mode this way is much faster compared to manually entering the stance.

Cloud will negate most of the damage if you manage dto land a Counter. Do note that Cloud cannot counter Magical or Ranged attacks.

Use Punisher Mode to Enter Counterstance

Cloud can use his Punisher Mode to sacrifice his ability to Guard attacks for counter-attacking Physical attacks.

Cloud Best Builds and Weapons

How to Perform a Perfect Counter

Counter at the Right Time

A Perfect Counter is a kind of Counter negates all damage. Unleashing the Perfect Counter requires you to Counter at the exact moment an enemy lands a hit on you.

You can increase the timing window for unleashing Perfect Counters by equipping the Precision Defense Focus Materia on Cloud.

How to Parry Using Sephiroth

Sephiroth's Retaliation Stance
Parry	(Right Before an Attack Lands)
Retaliation	(After a Successful Parry)

Press the Square Button during Retaliation Stance

Sephiroth can enter a Retaliation Stance by pressing the R1 trigger button. While in Retaliation Stance, press the Square button just before receiving an enemy attack to perform a Parry.

Sephiroth's Parry can negate the incoming damage from an enemy's Physical attack.

Press the Triangle Button to Retaliate

After a successful Parry, you can press the Triangle button to perform a Retaliation attack and deal damage to enemies.

Sephiroth Gameplay and Profile

What is Counter and Parry?

Counter is a Cloud Exclusive Move

Of all the permanent playable characters so far, only Cloud can Counter enemy attacks through his Counterstance and Punisher Mode abilities.

Cloud's Counter can also fill up an enemy's Trigger Gauge faster compared to attacking normally with the Square button.

Parry is a Sephiroth Exclusive Move

Sephiroth, a guest character, is the only playable character who can Parry attacks as long as he's in the Retaliation Stance. Sephiroth can Retaliate and deal damage to enemies after a successful parry.

Can Other Characters Counter or Parry?

As of FF7 Rebirth's Demo, the other playable characters don't have access to Counter or Parry and can only Guard and Perfect Block. We will update this if we encounter other playable characters can Counter or Parry.

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