With plenty of weapons available to Cloud and the gang, we’ve narrowed it down to ten of the best! Final Fantasy VII has given the franchise some of the most iconic weapons, not only because of their designs but also because of their power and ability. Each weapon has a strong and unique role compared to the others, making it easy to cater your party to your specific playstyle. 
 

10. Tifa’s Sonic Strikers

Tifa hits hard AND fast!
 

The Sonic Strikers are a great mid-game weapon for Tifa, found fairly early in Chapter 7. With the speed and materia slots offered, Tifa becomes a force to be reckoned with. Being quick with a fast attack speed makes clearing out groups of enemies a cinch. It’s very well rounded and great for most situations. While they may not carry you to the end of the game, they’re reliable mid-game and make for fun combat.

Tifa moves quick! Skip to 0:51 to see Focused Strike in action.
 

The Sonic Strikers are a great mid-game weapon for Tifa, found fairly early in Chapter 7. With the speed and materia slots offered, Tifa becomes a force to be reckoned with. Being quick with a fast attack speed makes clearing out groups of enemies a cinch.

It’s very well-rounded and great for most situations. While they may not carry you to the end of the game, they’re reliable mid-game and make for fun combat.
 

• This weapon's materia capabilities make it excellent for dealing out some good elemental damage. It grants four initial materia slots and upgrades to six by weapon level five. Already having access to linked materia gives you the opportunity to equip some Elemental Materia and go to town! 
   
• The Sonic Strikers give Tifa the second-highest Speed Boost out of all her gloves, second to Purple Pain. This, along with the special ability Focused Strike, offers great evasion, aiding in Tifa’s overall DPS. 
   
• The initial Attack Power and Magic Attack Stats are fairly balanced, making them quite well-rounded with a lean towards Magic stats. If you enjoy the Battlemage type build for Tifa, these are a great choice. 
   
• The special ability Focused Strike allows for some excellent evasive maneuvers, all the while increasing your enemies’ stagger bar. Flying up and back, it allows Tifa to quickly get out of the way of an incoming attack while constantly putting pressure on the enemy.
   

SONIC STRIKERS Item Details

• Attack Power Base/Max - 32/87
• Magic Attack Base/Max - 21/58
• Initial Materia - 4 Slots (2 Linked) 
• Ability - Focused Strike
• Obtained - Chapter 7: “Sentenced to Death” - PurpleChest

9. Barret’s Wrecking Ball 

The Wrecking Ball makes for fun close-range combat!
 

Skip to 1:34 and see the huge AOE hits!

This one may be a bit of a niche pick, but hear me out! The Wrecking Ball is a really fun and interesting weapon if you want to make Barret your damage sponge while he gets his hands dirty with some crazy Melee AoE damage.

Typically, Barret takes the ranged role in the party. However, the Wrecking Ball will have him running right into the thick of it, planting small bombs that can cause BIG explosions. With great materia capabilities on top of that, why not let Barret tank through the enemies? 
 

• The Wrecking Ball has the highest Attack Power out of all his weapons. While it is slower than others, it packs a powerful punch against any enemies who are vulnerable to physical damage.
   
• While the low magic stat compromises his spellcasting potential, if you build your party around this it can be accounted for. When combined with the Steelskin ability, he can absorb more of the damage dealt while the rest of your party deals with the rest.
   
• The Smackdown ability sends out an intense shockwave around Barret that staggers and launches the enemies away from him. This makes it ideal for crowd control and well worth leveling up for when your party becomes overwhelmed.
   
• At level six, the weapon can be upgraded to gain Reprieve, which will be great for when things get really heated up in the midst of battle. With the amount of damage he’ll be taking doing melee, that Reprieve will definitely come in handy.  
   

WRECKING BALL Item Details

• Attack Power Base/Max - 65/117
• Magic Attack Base/Max - 17/31
• Initial Materia - 4 Slots (2 Linked)
• Ability - Smackdown 
• Obtained - Chapter 14: Complete "Subterranean Menace"

8. Aerith’s Mythril Rod

The Mythril Rod is great for a magic damage strategy!
 

Skip to 1:50 to see some great magic damage!

In the spirit of switching up everyone’s typical roles, if you want to put Aerith in a more damage-oriented position, the Mythril Rod is a great choice! It boasts a high Magic Attack stat when fully upgraded, and her ability Ray of Judgement launches an energy beam that deals multiple hits while increasing the enemies’ Stagger damage bonus.

This makes it all the easier for the party to rip and tear through the bad guys. It may lack the great MP regeneration that other staffs provide, but with a well-balanced party, Aerith will pack a big punch. 

• Bloodsucker is a great unlock, giving Aerith HP with every downed enemy. With the lack of MP regeneration available to her without additional materia, this will help with her sustainability in battle. 
   
• A focus on materia slot upgrades followed by the Magic 20% Boost with Full MP as well as Bloodsucker will really help you get the most out of the Mythril Rod sooner rather than later. Once you have your materia equipped and your Magic Attack stats are fully upgraded, you can watch Aerith unleash a barrage of Magic Damage! 
   
• Ray of Judgment works really well alongside Tifa’s abilities and is great for getting that Stagger bar to a full 300%, as long as it’s timed well. It takes up two ATB slots, so be sure to hit your enemies after they’re staggered! 
   

MYTHRIL ROD Item Details

• Attack Power Base/Max - 24/24
• Magic Attack Base/Max - 92/164
• Initial Materia - 3 Slots 
• Ability - Ray of Judgment
• Obtained - Purple Chest in the Train Graveyard 

7. Cloud’s Buster Sword 

The Buster Sword could take you all the way to the end!
 

Skip to 0:40 to see how much damage the Buster Sword can put out!

Cloud’s Buster Sword is one of THE most iconic weapons in RPG history, making a cameo in a plethora of other RPGs. (The "Old Mercs Pal" is even a 1 star drop on Genshin Impact!)Don’t let the fact that it’s your beginning weapon deter you from continuing to upgrade it throughout the game. It’s a well-balanced weapon, meaning that while it won’t exceed in one direction or another if you like to bounce between physical attacks and magic use, it’s a great option.

It could even carry you through to the end of the game if you maintain your upgrades, and it’s great for "starter weapon-only challenges." Ideal for fights with a variety of enemies to account for physical and magical damage weaknesses.
 

• With balanced upgrades, it’s perfect for a middle-of-the-road build for Cloud. It provides equal boosts to both his Attack Power and Magic Attack. 
   
• Starting with the Materia upgrades and quickly following up with your Physical and HP upgrades will keep your build balanced. You only start off with two materia slots, so you’ll want to get those right away to make the most of your magic. 
   
• Focused Thrust is a great move for not only closing the distance on an enemy, but also dealing out multiple hits and getting a Stagger on your enemies. 
   

BUSTER SWORD Item Details

• Attack Power Base/Max - 22/91
• Magic Attack Base/Max - 22/91
• Initial Materia - 2 Slots (Linked) 
• Ability - Focused Thrust
• Obtained - Starting Default Weapon 

6. Tifa’s Feathered Gloves 

The Feathered Gloves with some Elemental Materia make a great combo.
 

Starshower in action! Skip to 1:10!

The Feathered Gloves are a personal favorite of mine. Their speed and attack power are beastly, making it easy to rip through the enemies quickly! I love using these when I know I’ll be up against multiple enemies, or bosses that have more than one hit box to worry about. The Starshower ability is incredible, and puts on quite a display of particle effects in the process. Equip these with elemental materia for a powerful combination!

• The Feathered Gloves have the highest raw Speed boost out of all her other gloves. Prioritizing Speed stats, followed with Attack Power upgrades, Tifa will be able to move around at almost breakneck speeds. Paired with her Focus Strike obtained from the Sonic Strikers this makes for great evasion and overall DPS. 
   
• If you don’t plan on having Tifa be your spellcaster, these will be your go to physical attack weapon. At Sub-Core IV you get access to two Attack Power +12, Speed +7, Magic Attack Power +15 and two more materia slots. It’s well worth the SP to make her an absolute powerhouse. 
   
• Concentration Activation 70% Boost is a great upgrade that can allow Tifa to enter battle with an accelerated Chi level, going straight into Omnistrike and landing those big hits early. 
   
• Starshower is a fantastic ability that not only looks great but can also deal massive damage.Coming at the enemy from all angles, she unleashes nine blows, all doing progressively more damage. She finished this off with a massive attack from above, delivering a shockwave that will hurt and stagger the enemy. Once it’s done, hit them again with something hard. Tifa's next attack gains strength from Starshower; if you plan your next move quickly enough, Tifa will be a physical damage BEAST.
   

Feathered Gloves Item Details

• Attack Power Base/Max - 50/120
• Magic Attack Base/Max - 33/80
• Initial Materia - 3 Slots 
• Ability - Starshower
• Obtained - Chapter 10: Purple Chest 

5. Cloud’s Mythril Sabre 

The Mythril Saber is as deadly as it is beautiful.
 

Skip to 2:36 to see the impact of Blade Burst!

If you’re looking to make the most of Cloud’s magic capabilities, the Mythril Sabre is an excellent choice! It has an insanely high Magic Attack stat of 138 when fully upgraded, making it the second-highest in the game. If you like to hit hard and throw some spells around, this is a great fit. When you pair all of that with the four initial materia slots, it’s just begging to unleash elemental damage on your enemies!  

• The ability Blade Burst scales off of Cloud's Magic Attack, sending an intense wave of non-elemental mako energy towards the enemy. With your weapon fully upgraded, this can be devastating! It’s especially effective on bosses with multiple parts. 
   
• Starting with 4 materia slots off the bat, using Magnify plus your Elemental materia will really pack a punch! At weapon level 4, you can unlock Enhanced Elements, which give your Elemental Materia a 10% boost in damage! 
   
• The Mythril Saber offers lots of self-sustaining upgrades, including Trade Off for MP recovery, MP Recovery Up III for a 50% regeneration boost, and MP Saver for Attack Spells. Pairing this with your best materia would make this weapon great for Hardmode. 
   

Mythril Saber Item Details

• Attack Power Base/Max - 24/46
• Magic Attack Base/Max - 72/138
• Initial Materia - 4 Slots (2 Linked) 
• Ability - Blade Burst
• Obtained - Chapter 14: Weapons Store in Wall Market 

4.  Aerith’s Silver Staff 

The Silver Staff is elegant and powerful!
 

Skip to 0:09 to see a STAGGERING amount of damage!
 

The Silver Staff is an amazing weapon for Aerith, and while some say that the Mythril Rod is her best weapon, I put the Silver Staff higher up the list, and I have good reasons! It offers outstanding upgrades that will let Aerith be more self-sustaining, and get you through Hard Mode! With the ability Sorcerous Storm offering great Magic Damage AoE, the Silver Staff is worth leveling up! 
 

• The Silver Staff offers the highest MP Regeneration at a full 50%! It has great offensive potential when combined with a Magic Up Materia to compensate for the low magical attack (at least when compared to the Mythril Rod).
   
• It’s easy to find at an early level of the game, giving you plenty of time to level it up and get your perfect materia combo worked out. 
   
• It offers the abilities Reprieve, as well as Trade Off. This will be useful in Hard Mode when you can’t use any items, so be sure to invest the SP. 
   

Silver Staff Item Details

• Attack Power Base/Max - 27/27
• Magic Attack Base/Max - 50/120
• Initial Materia - 2 Slots (Linked)  
• Ability - Sorcerous Storm
• Obtained - Purchased from the Moogle Emporium

3. Barret’s Big Bertha  

Big Bertha is a beastly gun with a huge punch!

See Barret unleash some critical damage; skip to 0:34.

Big Bertha is an HP-boosting beast that lives up to her name! It is excellent for having Barret take a ranged tank roll, and I could consider this his best weapon. The HP boost is insane, and Maximum Fury is a great ability that will make taking out enemies an absolute breeze. It’s great for Hard Mode when fully upgraded, as there is plenty to help keep Barret alive without the use of items. 
 

• Survivability is great for Big Bertha. Trade Off, Self Healing 50% Boost with Low HP, and Reprieve are all present. Pair that with the plethora of max HP Boosts, which, when fully upgraded, give Barret +1250! 
   
• There are plenty of Attack Power upgrades as well! This will ensure his ranged attacks are hitting hard! Be sure to unlock the Attack Power +5 with High HP ability, as this will increase his attack power when his health is above 75%. 
   
• Big Bertha has the highest Attack Power out of all his ranged weapons! They didn’t skimp on his Magic Attack either. So, while Big Bertha excels at physical ranged damage, it doesn't entirely negate Barret's spellcasting abilities if you still want to give him some spells to work with!
   
• Be sure to prioritize his HP buffs and Low HP skills when upgrading. After that, go ham on the Attack Stats and Materia, and then any other abilities to suit your taste. 
   

Big Bertha Item Details

• Attack Power Base/Max - 45/93
• Magic Attack Base/Max - 30/62
• Initial Materia - 3 Slots (2 Linked)  
• Ability - Maximum Fury 
• Obtained - Chapter 13: Sector 6 Weapons Shop

2. Tifa’s Purple Pain 

The Purple Pain glove do some crazy Stagger damage, living up to their name.
 

Skip to 3:07 to see Tifa unleash a ton of Stagger damage.

Easily one of Tifa’s best weapons in the game, Purple Pain is a Crit machine! This will be your best bet if you’re looking to really put in some physical damage. The Attack Power doesn’t seem like much at first but don’t let it fool you. These gloves' strengths lie in the Crit Rate buffs that are just waiting to be unlocked. With an added Concentration buff of 70% making Omnistrike all the more accessible, Tifa will bring that crit hit pain to the table. Be careful, they can be easy to miss! 
 

• True Strike is an excellent ability, letting Tifa deal a hard-hitting close range strike that increases the enemies’ stagger bonus damage. Pulling this off after using Omnistrike to get the stagger up will ensure the most damage! 
   
• These are great if you want to give Tifa some durability. Two abilities, one for physical and the other for magic, offer a defense of +10 when Tifa’s health is below 25% or lower. This, along with Reprieve, will make it easier for Tifa to stay alive just a little bit longer during combat, especially if you’re rolling in Hardmode. 
   
• These work well with HP UP and Luck UP to maximize crits. Complete Materia will also let you get the most out of her abilities. 
   
• These do really well against bosses that can be really hard to dodge or throw out burst damage that’s nearly unavoidable. 
   

Purple Pain Item Details

• Attack Power Base/Max - 51/82
• Magic Attack Base/Max - 41/66
• Initial Materia - 4 Materia Slots (2 Linked)  
• Ability - True Strike
• Obtained Chapter 16-Climbing Section in Purple Chest

1. Cloud’s Hardedge

Hardedge is there to deal out a LOT of physical damage!
 

Skip to 0:45 to witness a high amount of stagger damage!

Hardedge is one of THE best weapons for Cloud if you like to dish out pure physical damage without much focus on magic. It has some of the highest raw attack power, and what it lacks in magic attack power, it makes up for in how hard it hits. When you combine the increased stagger damage from Infinity’s End with Stagger Siphon, Cloud can really hold his own while dealing insane damage at the same time. 

• Materia is limited initially; however, you start off with two linked Materia slots. This will allow the use of Elemental Materia, or even HP absorption if you’re on Hard Mode and want an extra boost to HP reserves. 
   
• With the right build, this can decimate boss fights. Stagger Siphon allows for HP recovery when using unique abilities on staggered enemies, Crippling Damage with a 10% Boost deals extra damage to hard-to-hit boss parts; and the ever-faithful Bloodsucker comes in and gives back HP when Cloud downs another enemy. This will also be beneficial during a Hard Mode playthrough. 
   
• Hardedge comes with an abundance of boosts to Cloud’s basic attacks. Not only that, but there is an Enhanced Punisher Mode ability, as well as an ability that increases Limit Break Damage by 5%. 
   

Hardedge Item Details

• Attack Power Base/Max - 57/137
• Magic Attack Base/Max - 19/46
• Initial Materia - 3 Slots (2 Linked)   
• Ability - Infinity’s End
• Obtained - Chapter 9: Wall Market Weapon Shop

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