FF7 Rebirth

First Strike Explained

FF7 Rebirth Walkthrough Team

Last updated on: February 25, 2024 08:58 PM

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.

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First Strike Explained
Related Guides

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
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

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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First Strike Explained

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First Strike Explained

First Strike Explained

First Strike Fills Your ATB Gauge

ATB Gauge lets you use spells and items

No Penalties if Not Initiated

First Strike Materia for More ATB

FF7 Rebirth Related Guides