FAQs

Navigate Final Fantasy VII Remake's Hard Mode with expert FAQs. Discover strategies for AP, EXP, Gil farming, boss fights, and challenging encounters like Top Secrets and Fort Condor.

Q: How can I efficiently farm AP, EXP, and Gil in Final Fantasy VII Remake?

A: After beating the game once, use Chapter Select to return to Chapter 16 on Easy difficulty. Equip Cloud with Magify+Fire, First Strike, Mythril Saber, and Fury Ring/Circlet. Load other materia slots with those you want to level up (ATB Boost & ATB Stagger on Cloud can speed things up). Run to the Shinra garage bridge, use Fire on enemies (Fire/Firaga for SOLDIERs, Fire for dogs). Once you reach the sliding glass doors, use Chapter Select to restart Chapter 16. This route yields 279 AP per run (558 with AP Up), is free, and allows for three party members full of materia. EXP and Gil farming become trivial, making EXP Up and Gil Up materia almost unnecessary. Each run takes about three minutes.

Q: What's the best way to farm AP for Yuffie and Sonon?

A: For Yuffie and Sonon, the best grinding locations are in the Combat Simulator. Equip Yuffie with First Strike and Boomerang (with AP Up unlocked). Have one character wear the Ninja Armlet, or use the Volant Armlet (though it has only one materia slot). Method 1: Begin "vs. Shinra's Dark Secrets," use Throw > Windstorm for the win, and repeat. Method 2: Begin "vs. Shinra's Midgarian Monsters," use Throw > Windstorm for the win, then quit the challenge before the Behemoth. Repeat as needed.

Q: How do I exploit the MP Shard Crate Farming exploit?

A: This exploit helps with MP management on Hard Difficulty. When you break a crate and get an MP shard, manually save the game immediately after. Then, load that save file. Break the same crates again to receive more MP shards. Repeat this process until you have sufficient MP. This only works on crates that initially yielded MP shards.

Q: What are general tips for playing on Hard Difficulty?

A: It's advised to complete the "Top Secrets" challenge before tackling Hard Mode to obtain the Gotterdammerung accessory. A common strategy involves using MP Absorption+(element) with Magnify+(same element) on Cloud when Aerith isn't playable, which is highly effective. Synergy attacks are now very useful as they require no MP or ATB. Be aware that parry/dodge canceling can prevent ATB Assist from working. HP and MP refill between chapters.

Q: What are recommended loadouts and strategies for Chapters 1-3 on Hard Mode?

A: Recommended Loadouts: Cloud (Mythril Saber, Chain Bangle, Circlet; First Strike, Steadfast Block, Magnify+Fire, MP Absorption+Fire, HP Up, MP Up, Magic Up x2). Tifa (Metal Knuckles, Force Bracelet, Champion Belt; First Strike, Steadfast Block, ATB Assist, ATB Stagger, Parry, HP Up x2, Elemental+Ice (weapon), Luck Up). Barret (Gattling Gun, Force Bracelet, Circlet; First Strike, Steadfast Block, Synergy+Fire, Healing, Revival, HP Up, MP Up x2). Strategy: Use magnified Fire/Fira with MP Absorption to conserve MP. Switch to Lightning for machine enemies. In Chapter 3, Tifa can build ATB with Focused Strikes for Cloud's magnified magic. For Scorpion Sentinel, equip Elemental on Cloud's armor with Fire materia, use Thundaga, and Firaga on the Field Generator.

Q: What are the strategies for Chapter 4, including the Roche fight?

A: Cloud's loadout should prioritize double HP Ups over MP Up. For the bike mini-game, use ramps to refill the ability meter and block while retreating. For the Roche fight, Counterstance and Punisher-blocking are effective. Be cautious when Punisher-blocking Roche's magic attacks, as Cloud won't block projectiles.

Q: How should I approach Chapter 5, specifically the Crab Warden?

A: For the Crab Warden, equip Elemental+Fire on Cloud's and Tifa's armor. Use Lightning+Magnify on Cloud for Slug-Rays, but disable Magnify when attacking the Crab Warden directly. Focus on the Crab Warden's legs when its weakness isn't revealed. Have fire-absorbing team members attack when it uses fire-based moves.

Q: What are the strategies for Chapters 6 & 7, including the Airbuster fight?

A: Use the MP Absorption+(element) and Magnify+(same element) combo with Cloud, and Synergy with Barret. Tifa builds ATB with Focused Strike chaining. For Airbuster, use Elemental+Lightning on the weapon. Tifa should activate Synergy and build ATB for fast Thundaga casts. Block when its finger-tips glow, and retreat from palm glows until the flame attack ends.

Q: What are the strategies for Chapter 8, including the Reno and Rude fights?

A: For Reno, equip Elemental+Lightning on armor and use Counterstance or Punisher-block. Use MP Absorption+(element) and Magnify+(same element) on Aerith, and Synergy on Cloud. For Rude, spam Aero in Arcane Ward and attack between his moves.

Q: What are the strategies for Chapter 9, including the Hell House fight?

A: For the Corneo Tournament fights before Hell House, use Fire, Fire, and Lightning respectively. For Hell House, equip elemental materia on Aerith. Cloud should have Synergy and two HP Ups. Use Triple Slashes or Warding+Subversion on Tonberries. Exploit Hell House's elemental weaknesses when it shifts forms and be mindful of HP thresholds.

Q: What are the strategies for Chapter 10, including the Abzu fight?

A: Use the MP Absorption+(element), Magnify+(same element) combo with Aerith, Synergy Cloud, and Tifa as an ATB builder. For Abzu, equip Aerith with Synergy+Fire, and Cloud and Tifa with Elemental+Fire on their weapons. Chain Focused Strikes and use Focused Thrust with Cloud when Abzu is pressured. Dodging Pounce pressures Abzu.

Q: What are the strategies for Chapter 11, including the Ghoul and Eligor fights?

A: For Ghoul, Synergy attacks are not effective but not needed. Take it slow during debris attacks and Piercing Scream; the big damage comes when it's pressured and staggered. Ensure Arcane Ward is in an open area. For Eligor, Ice damage is effective. When airborne, stay at a distance to trigger Piercing Gaze. On the ground, prioritize destroying its wheels using Lightning/Wind magic.

Q: What are the strategies for Chapter 12, including the Reno & Rude fight?

A: Use Cloud as a Fire magnifier and Tifa with Elemental+Fire. For Reno & Rude, equip Barret with Synergy+Wind, Tifa with Time, and Cloud with Magnify+Wind/Binding. Both are susceptible to Sleep and Stop. Wind magic pressures them. Standing behind Reno when he jumps back delays his Pyramid attack.

Q: What are the strategies for Chapter 13, including the Failed Experiment fight?

A: Use MP Absorb/Magnify+Wind or Fire on Barret, and Tifa with ATB Assist chaining paired with Synergy Barret. For Failed Experiment, equip Tifa with Elemental+Ice (weapon) and Barret with Synergy+Ice. Use Focused Strikes chaining with ATB Assist during the first phase.