FINAL FANTASY 7 REBIRTH - Aerith EMBARRASSES Virtual Sephiroth in record time!!

Special thanks to theexperience7522 and ewaep for their contributions to this run. Notably, swiftcast Thundaga is always safe, and is an instant interrupt on almost anything, and Trancendence grants a passive buff to Aerith while it is held/not used, so I kept it up for the whole run.
Another huge shoutout to eauvni, whose impressive solo runs with 6 characters inspired me to make the best Aerith run I could make.
Loadout
Ceremonial Staff
Cetran Bracer
Genji Gloves
🟣HP Up 🟣Skill Master 🟣Steadfast Block 🟣Precision Defense Focus 🔵Swiftcast 🟢Lightning and Wind🔴Phoenix
🔵Elemental 🟢Fire and Ice 🔵MP Absorbtion 🟢Lightning 🟢Healing 🟢Barrier 🟡Enemy Skill 🟡ATB Boost
🔴Altruistic Buff Up 🔴Altruistic Buff Up 🔵Magic Attack Power +20 🟢Reprieve
Thanks for watching.

[@kjwong4730]

Damn aerith would have lived if you were there at the ancient capital …

[@ivoroid]

It shows that in another universe, Aerith saved the world alone.

[@garethbourn5189]

I could practically sense your heart rate imploding when radiant ward ran out at the end of the Gilgamesh fight. This is fucking amazing. It took me a day to beat this with a party of 3 😂

[@fable23]

The more I see these solo runs, the clearer it gets that Precision Defense Focus is the single best materia in the game. Negates all damage, gives you ATB, _and_ builds so much stagger on the enemy that, with practice, you can fill the bar without even bothering to pressure them. And it costs you nothing but the time it takes to git gud, lol

[@aethertruck]

On top of all that, it lets you parry moves like crush grip which are much harder to avoid than parry, and parry animation is much shorter than blocking/dodging allowing for instant followups. Sometimes parry has special interactions with enemy attacks like Gilgamesh when he's pressured, and VR Sephiroth's shadowy chains. And on top of even all of that, parry is satisfying to do. It's one thing to overwhelm enemies with sheer build power and prevent them from ever getting to attack you, but it's another to let them use every attack in their arsenal and have an answer for it. When you parry, that answer is "no".

[@JoeBob189]

As much as I want to put the effort into parrying/perfect dodging, I fear it would trivialize the game too much

[@aethertruck]

@@JoeBob189 you don't need to worry about that. It took me a very long time to get comfortable parrying these 8 bosses. I only can because I've fought them for like 40 hours. Every other enemy in the game is still hard for me to parry lol. Still gotta take it one enemy at a time

[@inthebeginning4751]

​​@@JoeBob189 thats the point lol. kinda strange to mix trivialize and skill of parrying together tho.

[@giamn7]

Man you play this game like it's Sekiro, what the hell! You are awesome!

[@StefawnVan]

damn you're so good at those precision blocks! nice! even Aerith was like, "I don't know how i did that" esp with Odin wow man. I am inspired to get good at that too. Sephy baby tried SO MANY TIMES to get you with chains

[@NewTypexvii]

Top quality game play. Using the full tool kit was amazing to see. This had me on the edge of my seat especially the Gilgamesh fight.

[@Coolio_Ash]

I still love hecks gate, focus n thrust, busted sword, and mossy moony that's just so funny to me Can't forget bravish either haha

[@aethertruck]

He learns bravish from his replica "busted sword"

[@ladyms7840]

Aerith is a beast when handled right

[@baphnie]

The blocks are so good. I aspire.

[@beefsquatch5352]

What I don't get is why is Phoenix able to revive Kajata but not your party with its ultimate attack....That's some BS....

[@tonymaccaroni1683]

That's my babygurl 🥰

[@kagekun1198]

Oh boy, I need to learn deeply from this!

[@eauvni]

Thank you for the shoutout, i finally did all the characters i will post them soon ❤

[@aethertruck]

Looking forward to seeing the master at work!

[@VizierSaranAlkydmi]

Perfect block raises the pressure gauge?? How did I not know that?? Amazing job!

[@aethertruck]

It does a small amount by default. Level 2 of precision defense focus makes that number go up, between 50-100% bonus pressure. It's my vote for #1 best materia in the game (if perfect blocks are something you actually try to do, anyway)

[@tvsoup4405]

Crazy badass!

[@pantherman8719]

You are the frickin man. I could barely do it even with the easiest method.

[@Fissiccisst1]

Sick video, really impressive stuff, I wish I could parry like a god like you lol. I had to brumal cheese this fight myself. But finally beat all the VRs What's the buff that Transcendnce gives while its active? I didn't know it had any properties like that. Also, can you also explain that gorgon shield interaction when Kujata tried to goomba stomp you?

[@SteveCancel78]

This run was faster than the last I think. Man I hope your channel takes off you’re amazing at this game! Is there a good place to safely practice perfect blocks (safely in that I won’t get one shotted or so staggered I can’t recover) practicing against orcs in the sim is too easy. Any suggestions? Maybe the summons on easy but being at level 70 could work. I just need more practice - for perfect blocks do I need to be target locked or is it ok if I’m just hitting R1 and it’s an AOE block?

[@aethertruck]

Play Barret and use steelskin. Steelskin gives him extra poise and a 30% damage reduction. Give him HP Up, Vitality Up, Spirit Up, Precision Defense Focus, Steadfast Block, Healing, and anything else you want. Give him a Riot Vest, or better, a Karmic Cowl, Enhanced Karmic Cowl, Fortitude Ring, or Genji Ring. Set summons as weak as you want. Pop steelskin, lifesaver, and regen. They won't be able to kill you. Odin can because of Zantetsuken though. You need to hurt him a lot to prevent him from using it which is very hard solo. Gilgamesh can only be practiced if you maintain a save file before his fight. Same thing with the double battles. There's no way to practice Sephiroth without getting to stage 5 of the boss rush. Good luck! And remember it took me dozens of hours to reach my level so take breaks and don't get discouraged.

[@SteveCancel78]

@@aethertruck really appreciate it! I didn’t realize steel skin did that big of a reduction. I’ll try adding the fortitude ring or the enhanced karmic cowl, the genji ring doesn’t seem worth the accessory slot given it also brings your damage down 15% but worth trying all the different combos. I am just going to tank him up with most of his slots. Maybe one prayer and one revival materia but that’s it. I’ve been finding time to be surprisingly good in this game too! Like a lot of bosses even you can stop them during stagger and that has also helped to get off a ton of damage but you’ve shown me a lot of great stuff. Keep up the great work!

[@aethertruck]

@@SteveCancel78 thank you! And the genji ring was just a suggestion to help you prolong the bosses for more practice time. I wasn't sure what kinda gear you had yet. But if you want practice perfect parrying, Barret is your main man

[@lotheravanti4295]

Insane levels of perfect parrying Didn't know you could block Gilgamesh's Pose ATTACK!

[@aethertruck]

I had to watch another player parry it before I learned too! The combat is full of hidden details. I'm excited for when those details will be posted on the wiki. I have a feeling that trancendence gives a passive bonus to stagger buildup but it's too subtle to be sure

[@ewaep]

Despite all the haters out there, the character is OP AF. We don't even have her LB 4 yet. Part 3 might be the hardest hard mode of all if she's locked behind certain missions only like Sephi/Zack.

[@Alex-ur1io]

Definitely a lot of dumbasses who think she is bad because she has low mobility and no free counters like melee people. "I don't like how she plays so she is bad". Low IQ people. I myself have always disliked playing mages, but if you know how to use her she is amazing support and can be one of the highest DPS once her buffs are going

[@aethertruck]

I gave you special thanks in the description 😅 thank you for your assistance!

[@ryanwahyu8313]

the haters are having skill issues on using her i guess

[@InfiniteMelodio]

she's the hardest char to play (even harder than cait sith imo), no doubt people hate her 🤣

[@BintangPaluAerith]

I always think of playing her is akin to using something like an AWP in Counter Strike. She's god(des) tier when used correctly but kinda handful/tricky/hard to master

[@wetrash5329]

idk how im gonna play the next game without her shes too op man

[@gleninfante216]

Aerith is so OP when you finally learn how to use her. I really hope we are going to be able to play as her again in part 3.

[@Roogle]

I'd also like to know what the passive buff on Transcendence is that's referenced in the description.

[@aethertruck]

10% bonus magic attack at level 1 20% bonus at level 2. It's pretty easy to test. Cast a bunch of elemental spells or heals, then do it again with trancendence active

[@SomerandomguySSJ4]

So what passive buff does transcendence give exactly?

[@SteveCancel78]

Also I’m not 💯 on if I’m using transcendence correctly. The first one activates it then to release the attack you need to use the ability again i gather, but I knows there’s a part in the middle I’m missing (I.e. building it to a higher level (I think it’s level 2 max but correct me if I’m wrong) what’s the big advantage using this attack say vs ray of judgement? Or sorcerous storm for that matter

[@aethertruck]

You are correct. Use it once and you'll see a circular meter appear next to her name on the bottom right. It takes 30 seconds after using it for it to build to level 2. If you unleash it at level 2, you'll attack your target with a 10 hit homing magic missile barrage. If you unleash it before 30 seconds of charge while it is still level 1, you'll attack your target with a 5 hit homing magic missile barrage. Each hit does a considerable chunk of damage. At 500 magic with faith on a staggered enemy, each hit does 3000 damage for a total of about 30000 at level 2. Trancendence has an additional property though. While it is at level 1, Aerith gains a 10% boost to magic power. While it is level 2, she gains a 20% boost. So it is often worth holding to boost her elemental damage. Sorcerous storm is a weak, short range AoE attack centered on Aerith. It is only good when Aerith is surrounded by multiple weak enemies. Ray of judgement is almost never worth using. The damage is pathetic, the stagger bonus is miniscule and it takes way too long to use. It's probably her worst skill, but I'll use it with Tifa and Cait to boost stagger for the lols

[@SteveCancel78]

@@aethertruck thank you so much!

[@CJLAKE123]

There’s always one uber nerd who’s excellent at these games. I need to become a master at parrying.

[@XenelXIV]

On the video description is that the materia you have using in this video? I’m confused as which weapon or gear you have to equip all that

[@aethertruck]

Indeed, the description has my loadout. Proof of loadout is at the very end of the video

[@XenelXIV]

How do you get 6 materia slots on ceremonial staff? Do you need all manuscripts?

[@inthebeginning4751]

​@@XenelXIV yes, or mostly all of them.

[@GoldChocobo77]

How come though some attacks like Gilgamesh Pose can be perfect blocked? I thought an exclamation point next to attacks meant it cannot be blocked

[@aethertruck]

Precision defense focus materia can block "bind" type attacks at level 3, which are attacks that have special animations when they hit you. Things like Bahamut's crush grip, Sephiroth's skewer, and Titan's throw move. Not every exclamation point is a bind attack, but every bind attack is an exclamation point move. Learning which is which is something you have to figure out, the game doesn't tell you. But you need max level precision defense focus materia for perfect blocks to work on them. Some of these bind attacks are much easier to perfect block than dodge. Gilgamesh pose is easier to perfect block than dodge in my opinion, but skewer is easier to dodge. Still though, perfect blocking generates a good chunk of stagger, so when I'm playing normally I try to parry a lot

[@rasdan1192]

Did you just spoil us Sephiroth vs Aerith in the lifestream?!

[@akinamori1615]

So basically have her wear something she can actually move in and she survives.

[@finalfantasyfordays127]

Aerith was my best character in Remake, and seeing everything shes got under her belt in this game is making me all the more excited to mess around with her new, advanced kit. That Luminous Ward/Shield ability from Remake was nuts, but i dont see you using it here. Is that just a preference thing or did it get nerfed?

[@aethertruck]

Lustrous shield is very good in specific scenarios. It's not very useful against these bosses, particularly while solo. The shield doesn't bonk them if they collide with it, its only real use is to stop projectiles. And while solo you spend a lot of time with enemies right in your face. As Aerith it's hard to keep a shield between you. It has some great usefulness in the Odin fight thought. Odin is prone to wander the field, putting distance between you on his own. He has some ranged attacks as well, and a vicious ranged counterattack to boot. Most characters will find few opportunities to bypass the ranged counterattack, called reprisal, but a Lustrous Shield is all Aerith needs to shut it down. If the shield lasted as long as the wards do, I might change my opinion. It does do very minor damage while colliding with these bosses. If it was perhaps double or triple the duration, you could justify keeping one or two up during Gilgamesh and Sephiroth, who do have a couple ranged attacks, but Aerith's ATB generation is so poor that it's hard to justify the expenditure.

[@finalfantasyfordays127]

@aethertruck Gooooot it, thanks a ton for clearing that up. It's gonna be a hot minute, but when I get my hands on this game, I plan to give it the same treatment I gave Remake, which is to say, of course, get everything. Much taller order this time around, but that only excites me. Parrying shit looks like so much fun this time around. It wasn't my jam in Remake, Steadfast Block was my bestie there lol. Last question I've got, when/where is Trancendence acquired? That move looks incredible.

[@aethertruck]

@@finalfantasyfordays127 trancendence is her folio skill. Everyone except Cait Sith has a folio skill. It requires weapon level 8 and party level 9 I think. Maybe WL7 and PL8. But it's late game. You won't get it til at least 70/80% story completion is my guess. Maybe even later. If you haven't seen any resources on it yet, it has 2 effects: It needs to be used twice to do damage. The first time you use it, it only begins to prime, indicated by a gauge next to her name. It starts at level 1 and takes 30 seconds to reach level 2. Nothing else makes it charge faster. At level 1, for those 30 seconds, Aerith gains 10% bonus magic power. It's multiplicative with her output so spells that did 5000 are gonna do 5500. At level 2, Aerith maintains a permanent 20% magic power bonus. It lasts until she unleashes trancendence. This means spells that did 5000 will do 6000. Which is often more than unleashing trancendence will do before postgame. Once the damage cap starts coming into play, trancendence can artificially bypass it because multihit. But if you use Genji Gloves, elemental magic becomes her bread and butter again, which synergizes with her kit in a way that feels more true to her combat design. So I keep Genji Gloves on her. Big number make happy yes?

[@finalfantasyfordays127]

Big number ALWAYS make happy lol. However, I'm also a pretty big fan of big total number through lots of small numbers, so I love that she's got both. Transcendence sounds insane. And this is just the stuff Aerith can pull off. I imagine it's even more fun when she's got Barret or Red XIII around to damage sponge and maybe Yuffie to help with atb gen. This game is going to eat a week or two of my existence when i get it, man. It's crazy how much there is.

[@aethertruck]

@@finalfantasyfordays127 I've never put more of my time into a single player game. Clock is at 240 hours now but I would have like 40 more if I didn't just shut the game off without saving after grinding and failing challenges for 5 hours straight. There's only like 650 hours in a month lol. I just can't stop. It's so good. Best RPG I've ever played right next to Dragon Quest 11

[@user-ki4no3ly5]

5:55 yeah I don’t know how you did that @@

[@Taylorculosis]

Does Berserk stack with Faith and Transcendence?

[@aethertruck]

It does, but I can't give myself berserk without losing the genji gloves, or losing a much more useful materia. Sometimes Gilgamesh gives me berserk when I get hit by his ephemerality though 😬

[@Taylorculosis]

@@aethertruck Yeah it's risky. The only thing I can see going is Skill Master or ATB Boost.

[@aethertruck]

@@Taylorculosis Skill master gives a ridiculous amount of value. I couldn't possibly pass it. You get every 3rd ATB for free if you weave your skills properly. I've even considered going corsair's compass because the value of skill master gets boosted by 50% when you have 3 ATBs. ATB boost is also really nice. I rely on them both heavily. The only thing I could see going is HP Up, but berserk+30% less HP probably means even barrier won't save you from octaslash

[@candyhandsjf7288]

Does Skill Master work if it's 3 of the same types of commands? Like if you cast different magic spells 3 times? Or if you place 3 different wards? Or does it need to alternate between command types?

[@aethertruck]

@@candyhandsjf7288 yeah. It even works if you cycle the same materia. Thunder->Thundara->Thundaga gives a refund. (Only 0.9 bars even if a 2 ATB skill) And after you get the refund, whatever free ATB skill you use counts as the first skill in the new chain

[@halokosovo1]

it's crazy how Healing Wind is not even better than normal cure

[@aethertruck]

That depends on how you're measuring it. It hits a full party, the heal is guaranteed to come out, it can't be interrupted, and Aerith is invincible while using it. Healing wind doesn't scale with magic, it scales with max HP. It heals everyone exactly half of their max HP, but it can be boosted with +Healing traits.

[@MrNademe]

Watching this it is clear that I am soo bad in this game, not that it's hard 😂

[@DILLIGAF785643]

lol it took me reducing phoenix difficulty all the way and 3 party members. Fought all the way to the end, with tifa on 100hp and a limit break to beat him. And you destroy two summons with fkn AERITH??? 😅

[@nosaebomoyi4449]

9:13 Wonder Woman type ish….

[@drgeniusphd]

Why equip two altruistic buffs for a solo run? Wouldn't they have no effect on buffs you cast on yourself?

[@aethertruck]

I tested it, they absolutely have effect, and they stack. Sonic boom normally gives a 30 second bravery/faith. One Altruistic Buff Up makes it 38 seconds, two makes it 45. The flavor text on the buff states (paraphrasing) "extends duration of buffs applied by the wearer". Not "extends duration of buffs applied to others".

[@drgeniusphd]

@@aethertruck Oh okay that’s great to know! I was so confused by the naming

[@Konosuke7]

I’m dead serious rn…..I will pay you $20 to beat this damn mission for me…..we can SharePlay this shit rn, please take my money and get this demon mission away from me already I beg of you 😭😭😭

[@inthebeginning4751]

just learn the fights man. it aint that bad

[@Konosuke7]

@@inthebeginning4751 it’s all good, I beat em