Chapter 12: Fight for Survival

The chapter involves climbing a tower floor by floor. Follow the clearly marked stairs and ladders. Clear all enemies on each floor, search for treasures and events, and use your map to find the path upwards. Ignore the destination marker until you reach the top floor.

Objective: Head for the Pillar
Fight through Mysterious Spectres. Focus attacks on the Enigmatic Spectre when it becomes vulnerable.

Objective: Link Up with Avalanche
This section is primarily about progressing upwards.

Battle Intel Report 13 -- Refocus Analysis
To complete this report and unlock the ATB Assist Materia: Equip Cloud with Refocus Materia. Fight enemies until only one remains. Let this enemy attack Cloud until his Limit gauge fills, healing as needed. Use Refocus as Cloud's Limit Break, then defeat the last enemy. Repeat this process to complete the report.

Objective: Saving Marlene
Help Aerith reach Seventh Heaven. This is a non-interactive segment.

Objective: To the Top
On Pillar - 12F, find an Elixir in a chest. A Bench is located on 14F.

Before the boss battle after joining up with Barret, Reno and Rude will appear. Press and hold the Square button when prompted to access the menu and adjust Materia and equipment.

Rude: Weak to Sleep.

Equip Poison Materia and Binding Materia.

Reno attacks physically; use Cloud's Punisher Mode to guard and counter.

Poison Reno as soon as possible.

When Rude appears, Barret's Overcharge can deal significant damage.

Reno will deploy a Pyramid Mine that binds and drains HP; destroy it quickly.

Keep Reno poisoned and continue guarding his attacks.

When Rude returns, immediately put him to Sleep to prevent combined attacks. Focus on defeating Reno while Rude is asleep. Note that Rude can only be put to sleep once.

After Reno is defeated, Rude will be easier to handle. Poison him and continue attacking.