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Hard Mode Unlocks & Rewards
Final Fantasy VII Remake

Hard Mode Unlocks & Rewards

Master Final Fantasy VII Remake's Hard Mode! Learn enemy buffs, MP management strategies, essential Materia, and how to unlock powerful rewards through the Shinra Combat Simulator.

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Master Final Fantasy VII Remake's Hard Mode! Learn enemy buffs, MP management strategies, essential Materia, and how to unlock powerful rewards through the Shinra Combat Simulator.

Hard Mode in Final Fantasy VII Remake presents a significant challenge compared to Normal difficulty. Enemies boast higher HP and stats, with a 40% damage increase across the board. Crucially, items are unusable, and MP is not recovered at benches or from completing side-quests. MP recovery is limited to fully restoring at the end of each chapter. This guide details strategies and unlocks related to Hard Mode.

General Information & MP Management:

  1. MP Absorption Materia: Link with Magic Materia to recover MP when dealing damage.
  2. Aerith's Soul Drain: Absorbs MP from enemies, especially when staggered.
  3. Mako Shards: Found in breakable boxes, these can regenerate 10% of a character's maximum MP.
  4. Healing Alternatives: Prayer Materia (uses 2 ATB bars but heals the party) is recommended over Chakra Materia (heals based on damage taken).
  5. Stat Up Materias: MP Up is vital; equipping two mastered MP Up Materias doubles maximum MP. Magic Up and Luck Up Materias are also highly beneficial, especially for Aerith (Magic) and Tifa (Luck/Crit Rate).

Unlocks & Shinra Combat Simulator:

  1. Accessing Hard Mode Challenges: Load a clear save file and select Chapter 17 via Chapter Select.
  2. Chadley: After exiting Aerith's room and defeating the Unknown Entities before the Drum, Chadley will appear. He offers access to the Shinra Combat Simulator.
  3. New Challenges: The simulator in Chapter 17 features new challenges, some exclusive to Hard difficulty, alongside Aerith's previous challenges.
  4. EXP & AP Boosts: Playing on Chapter Select (except Hard difficulty) grants double EXP. Hard difficulty and Chapter Select offer triple AP, accelerating Materia leveling (e.g., Elemental, Warding, Stat Up).
  5. Leveling to 50: Completing these challenges before starting Hard Mode ensures players reach Level 50 due to the double EXP bonus.

Example Setup (Aerith vs. SOLDIER Trainees):

  • Character: Aerith
  • Weapon: Mythril Rod
  • Armor: Chain Bangle
  • Accessory: Fury Ring
  • Materia: Fire, Lightning, Subversion, ATB Boost, MP Up, MP Up, Magic Up, Magic Up, First Strike
  • Abilities: Breach (L1+Square), Arcane Ward (L1+Triangle), Firaga (L1+Circle), Thundara (L1+X)

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