In this article, we will discuss the best hard mode builds and party setups that you can use for every challenge present in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which includes the VR missions as well as additional missions present within the game.
The main difference between Normal Mode and Hard Mode is the fact that you cannot use items during Hard Mode and there are additional folios present for players to find to completely upgrade the characters.
Without further ado, let’s start the article.
7. Cloud
The main star of the game. This eccentric swordsman can be placed literally anywhere on the party and he would still be making waves and highlights during gameplay.
This build is made specially for keeping hard mode users in mind and making the best use of Cloud’s abilities during combat.
How this build works:
- Place Cloud on the 1st slot of the party to make her take on a more leading role.
- With a faster ATB rate, unleash abilities after abilities to quickly eliminate enemies from the battleground.
- Equip Igneous Saber to have Cloud build faster ATB Charge Rate for more abilities for Cloud to use.
- By equipping First Strike, ATB Boost Materia along with Chocoking’s Cape, you will have enough ATB to cast a max-level spell within an Arcane Ward (if Aerith is in your party and should she cast it), hence doubling the damage output that Cloud delivers.
Hard Mode Build Strengths:
- Cloud will now eviscerate enemies on sight, no matter how tough they are.
- Valkyrian Bangle provides more slots for Materia, improving Cloud’s magic or physical prowess depending on the Materia equipped within the slots.
- Ascension and Finishing Touch are OP Limit Break abilities that can almost break the game, given how powerful their damage output is.
- The Jump Materia will help Cloud deliver massive damage to airborne enemies.
Hard Mode Build Details:
- Abilities: - Stalwart Punisher, Unrelenting Punisher, Limit Gauge Stagger
- Accessory: - Gotterdammerung (Completely fills the limit break gauge at the start of the battle and gradually fills the limit break gauge during battle.)
- Weapon: - Igneous Saber Level 7 (Equip Elemental paired with Fire and Ice, Steadfast Block, Precision Defence Focus, Jump, and HP Up Materia on this weapon)
- Armor: - Valkyrian Bangle (Equip Elemental paired with Lightning and Wind, Auto-Cast paired with Chakra, Auto-Unique Ability paired with Auto-Weapon Ability and HP Absorption paired with Enemy Skill Materia on this armor)
- Summon:- Odin
Team Compatibility:
- Aerith – Can use United Refocus, which divides ATB Bar into three segments and unleashes more ATB Attacks for more damage.
- Tifa – Can use Divine Punishment, where Aerith teams up with her to unleash a massive AoE attack that applies to a wide area and affects multiple enemies. It also raises Limit Break Levels or you can also use Relentless Rush with Tifa as well.
- Cait Sith – Can use SOLDIER Moogle Class, where Cait Sith teams up with Cloud and delivers massive damage while raising the Limit Break Levels of Cloud and Cait Sith.
6. Tifa
The Pugilist of the party is a noteworthy addition to any team formation, and if you are going for an offensive approach, she is a must-have.
Also, her ATB Attacks have lots of Stagger Build-Up, which is essential for defeating bosses and hordes of enemies quickly.
How this build works:
- Place Tifa in the 1st/2nd slot of the party, depending on your playstyle, whether you want to make her take a leading role or put her on standby.
- With a faster ATB rate, unleash abilities after abilities to quickly eliminate enemies from the battleground.
- Equip Kaiser Knuckles to have Tifa build faster ATB Charge Rate for more abilities for her to use.
Hard Mode Build Strengths:
- Tifa will now eviscerate enemies on sight, no matter how tough they are.
- Cetran Armlet provides more slots for Materia, improving Tifa’s capacity to execute Counter’s and land dangerous blows during her combos.
- Karmic Cowl increases Tifa’s survivability during the battle along with the HP Up, Chakra, and the Spirit-Up Materia.
Hard Mode Build Details:
- Abilities: - Critical Hit Rate +5%, Critical Hit Damage +10%, ATB Charge Rate Up, and Concentration.
- Accessory: - Accessory: - Karmic Cowl (Increases vitality and spirit by 30. Grants immunity to Slow and Instant Death.)
- Weapon: - Kaiser Knuckles (Equip First Strike paired with ATB Stagger and Elemental paired with Fire and Ice on this weapon)
- Armor: - Cetran Armlet (Equip Enemy Skill paired with HP Absorption, Chakra paired with Empowerment, Auto-Unique Ability paired with Auto-Weapon Ability, and Spirit Up paired with Luck Up Materia on this armor)
- Summon:- Bahamut Arisen
Team Compatibility:
- Cloud – Can use United Refocus, which divides ATB Bar into three segments and unleash more ATB Attacks for more damage. Can also use Relentless Rush
- Aerith – Can use Divine Punishment, where Tifa teams up with Aerith to unleash a massive AoE attack that applies to a wide area and affects multiple enemies. It also raises Limit Break Levels.
- Barret – Can use Avalanche Two-Step, where Tifa and Barrett team up and deliver a flurry of attacks, which increases the Stagger meter of the enemy. The Stagger buff from this ability is similar to Cloud and Tifa's Relentless Rush. If you decide to bring Barret as the third party member, you can use both Synergy Abilities back-to-back to maximize the enemy's Staggered state duration.
- Yuffie – Can use Cyclonic Kick, where Tifa pairs up with Yuffie and increases the Stagger build-up on an enemy, similar to Tifa and Cloud’s Relentless Rush Synergy Attack.
5. Aerith
Everyone’s favorite healer deserves a highlight here because what would the party do without her? Hell, what would WE do without her in Hard Mode!?
With Aerith being one of the most overpowered members of the party during the Hard Mode of the game and given that you can’t use items, she is a godsend, and with this build, you’ll be earning that sweet platinum in no time.
How this build works:
- Place Aerith in the 1st/2nd slot of the party, depending on your playstyle.
- Use Arcane Ward ATB to increase magic efficacy i.e., use two magic spells at the cost of one.
- Make sure to cast not just one but two Arcane Ward circles so that Aerith can have ease of teleportation and access to different points during combat.
- By equipping First Strike, ATB Boost Materia along with Chocoking’s Cape, you will have enough ATB to cast a max-level spell within an Arcane Ward, hence doubling the damage output that Aerith delivers.
Hard Mode Build Strengths:
- Aerith will now eviscerate enemies on sight and be a force to be reckoned with, thanks to her fully unlocked magical prowess.
- Enhanced Yggdrasil Armlet provides more slots for Materia, improving Aerith’s magic prowess.
- The Magnify Materia now becomes available, which is essential for complete party healing and complete enemy decimation, respectively.
- Petrify Materia can also be used to build up Stagger on enemies, and Poison can also be used concurrently for more damage output.
Hard Mode Build Details:
- Abilities: - Ward Shift Mastery, Enduring Ward, Not-So-Fleeting-Familiar, Max HP +200
- Accessory: - Chocoking’s Cape (Fills up One ATB bar at the start of the battle.)
- Weapon: - Plumrose Rod (Can Equip the Materia in the following slots; Poison and Petrify paired with Swiftcast, First Strike paired with HP Up, Vitality Up, MP Up)
- Armor: - Hades Armlet (Can Equip the Materia in the following slots; Healing paired with Magnify, Fire And Ice paired with Magnify, Lightning and Wind paired with Magnify, and ATB Boost)
- Summon:- Phoenix
Team Compatibility:
- Cloud – Can use United Refocus, which divides ATB Bar into three segments and unleash more ATB Attacks for more damage.
- Tifa – Can use Divine Punishment, where Aerith teams up with her to unleash a massive AoE attack that applies to a wide area and affects multiple enemies. It also raises Limit Break Levels or you can also use United Refocus with Tifa as well.
- Yuffie – Can use Mystic Manipulation, where Aerith clones Yuffie to assault an enemy and grants unlimited MP for a limited amount of time.
4. Barret
The fearsome gunslinger of the party, Barret is best used as a Tank, as he should, and provides unyielding support for the remainder of the party members.
Thanks to his Steelskin ability, he will literally take damage without losing much health and charge toward the enemy so that the other character can use his/her ATB Attack to bring down the enemy the party is fighting against.
How this build works:
- Place Barret on the 2nd or 3rd spot, depending on your playstyle
- With a faster ATB rate, unleash abilities after abilities to quickly eliminate enemies from the battleground.
- Equip Battle Cry to have Barret build faster ATB Charge Rate for more abilities for Barret to use.
Hard Mode Build Strengths:
- Barret will now eviscerate enemies on sight, no matter how tough they are.
- Cetran Bracer provides more slots for Materia, improving Cloud’s magic or physical prowess depending on the Materia equipped within the slots.
- With his Steelskin and Lifesaver abilities, Barret will swoop in to save their comrades from imminent danger.
Hard Mode Build Details:
- Abilities: - Opening ATB Bonus, ATB Charge Rate Up, Weapon Ability ATB Recovery, Massive Recharge
- Accessory: - Whistlewind Scarf (Slightly fills the limit break gauge at the start of the battle.)
- Weapon: - Battle Cry Level 8 (Equip Elemental paired with Lightning, ATB Assist paired with Skill Master, Precision Defense Focus, and Steadfast Block Materia on this weapon)
- Armor: - Cetran Bracer (Equip First Strike paired with ATB Stagger, Prayer paired with Chakra, Reraise paired with Healing, and Vitality Up paired with Spirit Up Materia on this armor)
- Summon:- Alexander
Team Compatibility:
- Aerith – Can use United Refocus, which divides ATB Bar into three segments and unleash more ATB Attacks for more damage. Can also use Sweet And Sour Salvo, which extends the Stagger Time Duration on an enemy.
- Cait Sith – Can use United Refocus, which divides ATB Gauges to three segments and can also use Overfang, which delivers massive damage while raising Limit Break Levels.
- Tifa – Can use Avalanche Two-Step to deliver massive Stagger damage to enemies.
- Cait Sith – Can use Mayhem-Go-Round, where Barret teams up with Cait Sith and shoots two lasers all across the battlefield, increasing their Limit Break Levels.
3. Red XIII
Red’s the Offensive Support of the party compared to Barret, who is a Tank or a Defensive Support, and if you are gunning for a party layout that’s more attack-oriented, then this Red Build is for you.
Oh, yeah, he can act as a healer, too, in case you get tired of Aerith.
How this build works:
- Place Red XIII on the 2nd or 3rd spot, depending on your playstyle
- With a faster ATB rate, unleash abilities after abilities to quickly eliminate enemies from the battleground.
- Equip Golden Collar to have Cait Sith build faster ATB Charge Rate, for more abilities for Red XIII to use.
Hard Mode Build Strengths:
- Red XIII will now eviscerate enemies on sight, no matter how tough they are.
- Celestial Bangle provides more slots for Materia, improving Red XIII’s magic or physical prowess depending on the Materia equipped within the slots.
- With his Sidewinder and Crescent Claw abilities in Vengeance Mode, Red XIII will become unstoppable.
Hard Mode Build Details:
- Abilities: - Opening ATB Bonus, Vengeance Gauge Charge Rate Up, Invigorating Vengeance, Max HP +200
- Accessory: - Gi Warrior’s Charm (Increases the limit fill gauge by 10%)
- Weapon: - Golden Collar Level 8 (Equip Healing paired with Auto-Cast, Vitality Up paired with Spirit Up, Precision Defense Focus, and Darkside Materia on this weapon)
- Armor: - Celestial Bangle (Equip Barrier paired with Magic Focus, Lightning and Wind, Auto-Weapon Ability, HP Up, and Steadfast Block Materia on this armor)
- Summon:- Alexander or Bahamut Arisen
Team Compatibility:
- Barret – Can use United Refocus, which divides ATB Gauges into three segments, and can also use Overfang, which delivers massive damage while raising Limit Break Levels.
- Cloud – Can use Savage Assault which delivers massive damage while raising Limit Break Levels.
- Aerith – Can use Ringmaster, which increases the Stagger Rate of an enemy. Can also use Planetary Roar with her, which increases the Limit Break Levels of Aerith and Cait Sith.
- Yuffie – Can use Hack and Slash which delivers massive damage while raising Limit Break Levels.
- Tifa – Can use Call of the Wild, which, when used, extends Stagger duration for Cait Sith’s Vengeance Mode Attacks.
2. Yuffie
The all-time very fast Ninja, Yuffie, is a must-have if you are gunning for an offensive or speed-oriented party, and nothing matches her durability as of yet.
Thanks to her Elemental Ninjutsu, you won’t need to spend all those magic points as well.
How this build works:
- Place Yuffie on the 2nd or 3rd spot, depending on your playstyle
- With a faster ATB rate, unleash abilities after abilities to quickly eliminate enemies from the battleground.
- Equip Crescent Sickle to have Yuffie build faster ATB Charge Rate, for more abilities for Yuffie to use.
Hard Mode Build Strengths:
- Yuffie will now eviscerate enemies on sight, no matter how tough they are.
- Cetran Bracer provides more slots for Materia, improving Cait Sith’s magic or physical prowess depending on the Materia equipped within the slots.
- With her Doppleganger and Art of War skills, Yuffie will be unstoppable, and she will destroy any enemies in front of her.
Hard Mode Build Details:
- Abilities: - Opening ATB Bonus, ATB Charge Rate Up, Synerygy Damage Up, Limit Break Damage +10%
- Accessory: - Corsair’s Compass (Partitions ATB gauge into 3 segments for a short period after using 5 types of commands.)
- Weapon: - Crescent Sickle Level 8 (Equip Fire and Ice paired with Elemental, Subversion paired with Warding, ATB Assist and Luck Up Materia on this weapon)
- Armor: - Cetran Bracer (Equip Time paired with Magic Focus, ATB Stagger paired with Skill Master, First Strike paired with Speed Up, and Prayer paired with Assess Materia on this armor)
- Summon:- Bahamut Arisen
Team Compatibility:
- Barret – Can use United Refocus; which divides ATB Gauges into three segments, and can also use Shuriken Sync, which delivers massive damage while raising Stagger Meter.
- Cloud – Can use Halcyon Descent, which delivers massive damage while increasing Stagger damage.
- Aerith – Can use United Refocus, which splits ATB Bar into 3 segments.
- Cait Sith – Can use Hack and Slash, which delivers massive damage while raising Limit Break Levels.
- Tifa – Can use Cyclonic Kick, which, when used, extends Stagger duration for enemies.
1. Cait Sith
This party setup is perhaps one of the strongest party setups out there for the game, and it’s for a good reason, as well. First, all the abilities of the party members complement each other, and secondly, the tactics can be interchanged pretty easily.
Cloud will be the frontrunner here as he can deal some pretty nasty damage towards enemies, Cait Sith will act as DPS thanks to his Vengeance Mode, and Barret will play the role of Support, with his long-range attacks dealing damage from afar while healing the party!
How this build works:
- Place Cait Sith on the 2nd or 3rd spot, depending on your playstyle
- With a faster ATB rate, unleash abilities after abilities to quickly eliminate enemies from the battleground.
- Equip Gotterdammerung to have Cait Sith build Limit Break at the starting of the match.
Hard Mode Build Strengths:
- Cait Sith will now eviscerate enemies on sight, no matter how tough they are.
- Valkyrian Bangle provides more slots for Materia, improving Cait Sith’s magic or physical prowess depending on the Materia equipped within the slots.
- Make use of Cait Sith’s Moogle Magic, as well as Lightning and Wind spells, to take advantage of enemies.
Hard Mode Build Details:
- Abilities: - Opening ATB Bonus, Lucky Jockey, ATB Limit
- Accessory: - Gotterdammerung (Completely fills the limit break gauge at the start of battle. Gradually fills the limit break gauge during battle.)
- Weapon: - Gjallarhorn (Equip Elemental paired with Lightning and Wind, First Strike paired with Limit Siphon, Steadfast Block paired with Chakra Materia on this weapon)
- Armor: - Valkyrian Bangle (Equip HP Up paired with MP Up, Warding paired with Poison and Petrify, and Luck Up paired with Skill Master Materia on this armor)
- Summon:- Kujata
Team Compatibility:
- Barret – Can use United Refocus, which divides ATB Gauges into three segments, and can also use Mayhem-Go-Round, which delivers massive damage to surrounding enemies.
- Cloud – Can use SOLDIER Moogle Class, which delivers massive damage while raising Limit Break Levels.
And that’s about it with the best party setups that you can have in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. See ya.
