Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
There is no single best materia setup for every fight in Final Fantasy VII Remake. A reliable starting point is to build Cloud for close-range damage, Tifa for fast physical pressure, Barret for ranged attacks or support, and Aerith for magic and healing. Then adjust linked Elemental materia, healing, and support to the enemy and your available weapon and armor slots.
How materia choices shape a party
Materia equipped in weapons and armor can grant spells, abilities, and summons. Linked materia can create additional effects: for example, pairing Elemental with a spell materia can apply that element to a weapon, or provide elemental resistance when used in armor. The pairing requires a linked slot, so check the weapon or armor you have equipped before planning around it. Square Enix’s materia and combat overview explains these systems.
Use Assess to inspect an enemy’s characteristics, weaknesses, and resistances before choosing an element. An elemental weapon can help exploit a weakness, but the same element may be a poor choice against an enemy with an affinity for it. If Cloud is carrying an unsuitable Elemental pairing, consider moving it to Barret or another character with the needed linked slot. GameSpot’s loadout recommendations also caution against leaving Cloud on an element that matches the enemy.
Starting materia setups for each party member
These are role-based templates, not mathematically proven or mandatory builds. Equip only what your current weapons and armor allow, and remember that materia assigned to one character is unavailable to another at the same time.
#1 Best Overall
- The award-winning FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE* retells the original story up to the escape from Midgar, with breathtaking visuals, fast-paced gameplay, and additional story elements. This RPG delivers unforgettable characters, a powerful narrative, and a hybrid battle system that blends real-time action with strategic, command-based combat. It also includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a side story starring Yuffie Kisaragi that offers a fresh perspective running in parallel to Cloud’s journey.
- STUNNING VISUALS - Explore Midgar like never before with stunning visuals and richly detailed environments that bring the city’s layered, industrial districts to life, all while staying true to the spirit of the original game.
- DYNAMIC COMBAT WITH STRATEGIC DEPTH -The innovative battle system combines strategic command-based gameplay with fast-paced action. Seamlessly switch between characters, harness the power of materia, summon iconic creatures, and unleash devastating limit breaks.
- ICONIC CHARACTERS, UNFORGETTABLE STORY - Follow Cloud Strife, an ex-SOLDIER turned mercenary, as he joins Avalanche to take on the Shinra Electric Power Company. Cloud and his allies Barret, Tifa, and Aerith are pulled into a battle that will decide the fate of the planet.
- EXPANDED CONTENT - FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE offers quests, mini-games, and missions set in expanded areas of Midgar. Encounter new characters and experience exciting content that adds even more depth to the story.
Cloud: close-range offense and flexible utility
Cloud’s sword makes him a natural close-range attacker. Deadly Dodge is a useful option: it lets him follow a dodge with an area physical attack. When you have a suitable linked slot, consider pairing Elemental with the spell that exploits the current enemy’s weakness on his weapon. If the target resists or benefits from that element, remove or relocate the pairing rather than treating it as a permanent upgrade. Barret can carry Elemental instead if his slots and the encounter make that a better fit.
Tifa: fast physical pressure and stagger support
Build Tifa around frequent physical attacks that help pressure enemies and contribute to stagger. Keep her available to capitalize when an opponent is vulnerable rather than assigning her a fixed set of support materia for every fight. In one specific Leviathan challenge, a GameFAQs guide assigns her First Strike and ATB Assist alongside Lightning; that is an encounter-specific arrangement, not a universal recommendation for the story or every boss. The Leviathan challenge setup is useful as an example of tailoring her materia to a particular fight.
Rank #2
- Immerse yourself in the city of Midgar like never before, with improved textures, lighting, and background environments
- Players can switch between two game modes: "Graphics Mode" prioritizes 4K high-resolution graphics; "Performance Mode" prioritizes smooth action at 60 frames per second
- Capture and share your memorable moments from the game with a fully customizable “Photo Mode”
- Players can enjoy immersive battles by using the DualSense PlayStation 5 controller with its haptic feedback integration
- Play the brand-new episode featuring Yuffie and experience new combat and gameplay additions
Barret: ranged damage or party support
Barret’s long-range attacks let him contribute while staying at a distance. Keep him focused on ranged damage when the party needs that coverage; shift him toward support when the encounter calls for it and his slots allow. In the same Leviathan challenge guide, Barret carries Magnify linked with Time to cast Haste across the party. Treat that as a situational option, and move the linked pair if another character is better placed to use it.
Aerith: magic, healing, and multi-target spells
Aerith is the party’s strongest fit for a magic-focused role. Magnify linked with Healing can extend healing to multiple characters; linked to an offensive spell, it can hit multiple enemies. For offensive spells, the primary target takes most of the damage and nearby targets take less, so Magnify should not be read as a promise of equal damage to every enemy. Choose the pairing according to whether the fight needs group healing or multi-target offense.
Rank #3
How to adapt the setup to a fight
- Assess the enemy. Check its weakness and resistance information before committing to an elemental weapon or spell. Use an element that serves the encounter, not one chosen simply because it is available.
- Check linked slots. Elemental needs a linked slot with the relevant spell materia. Confirm that the weapon or armor you plan to use has the required connection before assigning the pair.
- Cover healing and defense. Magnify can support multi-target healing or offense. Barrier is another option: GameSpot recommends leveling it for physical defense and its later Manaward effect against magic. Choose based on the threats in the fight.
- Move support where it helps most. Magnify, Time, healing, and defensive materia are party resources, not character-specific requirements. Reassign them when the next encounter changes who needs them or who has the right slots.
- Equip a suitable summon. When a summon is available and appropriate for the encounter, equip one thoughtfully. GameSpot notes that a summon can also help take pressure off the party while characters heal.
Why boss and challenge loadouts can differ
A story-area setup does not have to match a boss or combat-simulator setup. A specific challenge may reward a party-wide Haste pairing or other concentrated support, while a general exploration loadout may prioritize broader coverage. The Leviathan configuration is an example for that encounter only; it does not establish the best setup for every chapter, difficulty, or party arrangement.
When comparing options, consider the character’s role, the linked slots on current equipment, the enemy’s elemental affinities, healing and defense coverage, and the kind of fight ahead. No single weapon-and-materia combination is established as best across every situation. This guide covers the original four-character party in Final Fantasy VII Remake: Cloud, Tifa, Barret, and Aerith.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Immerse yourself in the city of Midgar like never before, with improved textures, lighting, and background environments
- Players can switch between two game modes: o "Graphics Mode" prioritises 4K high-resolution graphics o "Performance Mode" prioritises smooth action at 60 frames per second
- Capture and share your memorable moments from the game with a fully customisable “Photo Mode”
- Players can enjoy immersive battles by using the DualSense PlayStation 5 controller with its haptic feedback integration
Rank #4
- The Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH PS5 controller skin (inside the case) featuring Cloud and Sephiroth. This PS5 controller skin provides full coverage without buttons or sensor interference.
- An Expansive World: As the party searches for Sephiroth, explore the beautiful, expansive regions of the world and open up new areas to discover through unique forms of transportation
- Deepen their relationships to unleash powerful team based combos
- An Evolved Battle System: Combine strategic thinking with thrilling action combat alongside your comrades, including newly added characters
- Beyond the Walls of Fate: In this standalone adventure for fans and newcomers, Cloud and his comrades venture across the planet, their fates unwritten, making each step outside the dystopian city of Midgar fresh and mysterious
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
