Final Fantasy 7 Remake - Best Party Setup For Hard Mode | FF7 Remake Combat Tips & Tricks!

[@RaeBordz27]

Party Equipment- 1:10 Cloud Build- 2:42 Tifa Build- 3:35 Aerith Build- 4:58 Barret Build- 6:14

[@XxWhIpLaSh18xX]

All these videos suggest the end game is super difficult, when it's really not that difficult if you grind your materia and level to max first. First Strike materia will allow Cloud to insta-gimp majority of the basic mob encounters immediately. If you can get through Pride and Joy, and use the accessory from it, having an immediate Limit Break, and 1-2 more throughout boss fights, makes most of them pretty trivial. So many people think that the fact that you can't use items, and benches don't refresh MP is a huge hurdle. I know i did at first. But when everything dies so fast, it's not that big an issue as you're not spamming magic/healing nearly as much as you likely think you will be doing. So if hard mode has you doubting your abilities, put the time in, grind out level 50 and max your purple materia, and you'll be golden. Hell House, Eligor, and Sephiroth are the hardest encounters outside of the Pride and Joy run (mostly due to Bahamut alone). But, with some knowledge, and pretty simple strats, they too can be beaten pretty easily.

[@ryanlong7268]

XxWhIpLaSh18xX I agree. Although parts are challenging at times, my 6 year old son is currently on Chapter 8 on hard mode mostly by himself. I help him with material builds and talk him through strategy if he is struggling with a boss.

[@J78Kio]

I'm shuddering just thinking of grinding through the pride and joy fight. I'm collecting any manuscripts i missed right now and then will eventually come to that fight.

[@cool_chemist7644]

@@J78Kio Like XxWhIpLaSh18xX said above, I haven't found hard mode to be that difficult yet either. After I beat the main story on normal, I grinded to level 50, maxed out all my materia, and got one more manuscript for each character so that I could have level 6 weapons. You can do the Ch. 17 Shinra VR combat simulator and beat some of the 5 star challenges (hard difficulty only) to get those 4 manuscripts. As far as Pride and Joy goes, I had my doubts, too, especially since I don't consider myself very good at the real-time combat (I'm OK, but NOT great). But I did manage to beat him on my first try and before I even began my hard-mode run! What really helped me I think was ice-elemental armor on one character (for Shiva fight) and fire-elemental armor on another (Ifrit will heal you, and some of Pride and Joy's attacks are fire-based and will heal you, too). Also, that accessory you get, Götterdämmerung, is undeniably helpful for hard mode!

[@siralextraffo]

@@cool_chemist7644 Sorry one question. Are you saying that before starting with the actual complete Hard Mode run you can just run chapter 17 on Hard mode, get to the simulator, get one manuscript for each character and that will let you unlock the 6th tier(assuming you're lvl50 and got all the manuscripts available in normal mode)? Also, you mention 2 elemental materias, but doesn't the 2nd come only after doing all the side quests? Did you replay chapter 9 too before starting with hard mode?

[@cool_chemist7644]

@@siralextraffo Yes, post-game you can select Ch. 17 and complete some of the Shinra VR combat simulator 5-star challenges to get one more manuscript for each character so you can unlock lv. 6 for all your weapons. Those challenges are on hard difficulty by default. It can't be changed, so it doesn't matter what difficulty you choose for chapter select--you will still get the manuscripts. Regarding the second elemental materia, yes, I received that after completing all 24 possible side quests that can be completed on your first playthrough (the other 2 can be completed on another playthrough via chapter select for Ch. 9 if you want the trophy). Finally, yes, I did replay Ch. 9 before my hard mode playthrough because in order to unlock that last Shinra VR 7-star challenge (to get the Gotterdammerung accessory for beating Pride and Joy), you need to complete the following: ALL 11 Coliseum challenges (I only had one left to do for Aerith in Ch. 9 iirc), ALL of the other 13 Shinra VR challenges, and you need to have defeated all of Chadley's VR summons battles. It's a lot of work and can be somewhat difficult, but that accessory is SO worth it and has pretty much trivialized hard mode for me so far, including most of the boss battles. I'm currently on Ch. 14 on hard mode and I've done all the side quests, too (to get more manuscripts). To be honest, I had my doubts about how difficult it was going to be, and that really hasn't been the case so far!

[@sunnyterah2985]

I fell in love with Fury Ring when I played hard mode for the first time. In chapter 2, when you have to fight Don Corneo’s thugs I noticed that all of them went into fury mode and I would get pummeled. I died so many times and eventually decided “well if you can’t beat them join them” and that did it. You can essentially get one for each party member by completing chapter 9 through chapter select.

[@jonathandoe2316]

That's where I'm stuck they're beating my ass. Beck's fucking gang.

[@CastroJr92]

Used these loadouts and was finally able to beat Three-Person Team vs Top Secrets. Thanks.

[@duckymans7604]

This is the first time I've heard someone say to absorb the fire dmg from ifrit. I did that long time ago and can honestly say it is the easiest way past Bahamut.

[@xbolt678]

Just in time! I legit just took down the Top Secret combat sim which means I need the hard mode trophy (and the all bridal outfits trophy) to get the Platinum! Thanks for the work you put in dude!!

[@CozyBanx]

This setup is really close to mine. The one big difference is I pair Enemy Skill with HP absorb instead of deadly dodge. It hits more and heals more when you use algid aura, plus you get status with bad breath, and a super high damage with Self-Destruct. You can also put self-destruct on someone who normally doesn't hit the damage cap and have them use it with subversion-warding to avoid the death from using it.

[@Ephideltrance]

Yep Hp absorb is definitely really good on either deadly dodge or enemy skill. But enemy skill just has a lot of utility. Honestly, I wish it had more monster skills to learn...I always liked blue magic. Hopefully, each game adds more and more monster skills for us to learn, and they can get pretty inventive with some. I find spirit syphon really good when there are lots of enemies around.

[@Akatsu2010]

Cylus O'Brady The original game have 24 (or close) enemy skill. Cant wait to steal the Midgar Snake *_*

[@oggregster]

Big guard and white wind were the best enemy skill to have in the og ffvii anybody would be a fool to not try and get those two ASAP in the game.

[@Arrull0]

@@oggregster As long as it doesn't cost 64 bloody MP haha

[@Evilj82]

Do you use enemy skill with HP absorb for Cloud? Or some other character?

[@hellojohno]

Your videos have been probably the most helpful in my Hard Mode playthrough. Thanks for being so concise and informative!

[@Boothenson]

Thanks for the upload, Last night i beat all the Hard mode training sims, but died to Bahamut several times, all i have left is Bahamut and the secret fight left, then finish chapter 17 and 18 on hard. This video is going to help tremendously and has perfect timing. Thanks again!

[@jonathanolvera1948]

I completed Ch 17 and 18 before completing the challenge as it slowed me down. It also levels up MP and gets the 2 chapters out of the way, if you going for the Platinum.

[@zadiczane7618]

I love your vids man, they always make my day

[@itachii267]

Hey khraze, ty for the vids, can we get a full battle playthrough from you by any chance? I would like to see how you switch between characters and abilities they have over the period of a full battle uninterrupted. Voice over explanations with it would be awesome as well. Thx !

[@Khrazegaming]

itachii267 Which battle do you want to see? Pride and Joy, Last campaign battle or something else?

[@itachii267]

@@Khrazegaming honestly I'm not certain which battles those are. I haven't beaten the game yet I'm only on as far as the plate just getting destroyed

[@itachii267]

@@Khrazegaming main thing is I just wanted to observe a longer battle scenario from you because I can't get a good feel on how your battle flow is

[@cyniic]

Aerith is better off with ATB boost than the scarf as this accessory is only useful at the beginning of the fight whereas the ATB boost is more flexible. You can do Arcane Ward + Firaga in one full sequence much faster with First Strike materia.

[@Randallsilver]

Love it when you listen to us and provide us with a video like this. Thanks Khraze! Gonna try this out on Bahamut

[@joelman1989]

This is all close to mine but I like keeping Barrett with the time and cloud gets a revive instead of aerith. If someone is dying it’s her.

[@soldierboy2350]

Have you seen 4-8 productions defeat Bahumut in hard mode in less than a minute while taking zero damage to each character. It's absolutely fricken crazy.

[@Dragonstar13]

Thank-you so much for these tips. I chose my first Hard mode chapter to be chapter 14 since I was trying to do all the trophies I missed in that section, and normal enemies just kept killing me. If it wasn't for counterstance I wouldn't have been able to beat a lot of the side-quests. I can't wait to try your builds for my hard mode run.

[@PhoeniksStorm]

For every chapter up until 16 ive been able to get by with my own setup but now I'm essentially stuck, oh except against hell house. But now I'm gonna try this setup so thanks.... maybe

[@RanNyehh]

thank you! your vid always inspiring and concise

[@RuffRyder]

if you're going for a luck up materia setup with Tifa, wouldn't purple rain be better? I know it's got lower attack than metal knuckles but so many crit bonuses might make up for it

[@Heftyyyyyy]

I know I’m very late to the party, but how did you get 6 material slots for hardedge??

[@Jelliott424]

I tried this build an its pretty solid regular enemies don't stand chance

[@ViolentNin]

Great guides FF7R guides, looking forward to more!

[@w4yne3d61]

I’m struggling with hard mode now I finished the campaign should I wait till I maxed out all my Materias and get more manuscripts?

[@waynec6093]

Great video. Did I missed it somewhere, explaining why Barret's using skill master materia as a tank? Thanks.

[@threedawg]

Did he ever explain why he is using luck up materia? I'm assuming it is critical hits?

[@randywalker1988]

Question, why not Purple Pain for Tifa since you have her using the 2x Luck UP Materia's? Wouldn't that give you more dps then Metal Knuckles

[@cesarrosario834]

how you get 3 slots materia for the hardege

[@Unknownost]

Why do you have Fury Ring on Cloud when he can naturally get berserk from his Punisher hold Square attack?

[@IntimacyMN]

Less micro managing, it cuts out the need to IMMEDIATELY go put the buff up, as he said his open strategy is to nuke something with magic via cloud and aerith. If you think of it in terms of efficiency having the damage up at the start of every fight and never having to be reapplied means a whole lot when your entire strategy is based off of juggling a couple very specific things in an attempt to stagger lock things to death.

[@Malacite]

So one thing that I'm not sure how much it's caught on if at all, is giving Cloud HP Absorb paired with Enemy Skill. With a high magic attack Algid Aura provides a steady flow of ice damage for just 1 ATB that will continually damage nearby enemies and heal him. It gets even more obnoxious if you use Spirit Siphon (2 ATB is a lot mind you) to create a massive field that will drain yet more HP.

[@gabryelpereira9469]

Tks for this vid, bro Im ready for the hard mod lol

[@yosiyosiro3866]

Hai, where can I watch your gameplay against Sepiroth? I want to watch it with your epic combo. Thanks.

[@callmepopyallfather2473]

I really like this build, I'll be trying it out myself. I'll likely incorporate a few changes, but overall it seems to help them compliment each other pretty well. I always feel like poor Barret just never deals the damage he should, but as a tank he's pretty amazing.

[@ardentdfender4116]

Interesting build and nice setup. I’m surprised that you didn’t give Aerith MP Absorb Materia vs the 2 MP Ups and linked with one the Element she has. Every time she fires off an Elemental Spell she gets back massive MP to keep her going.

[@Ephideltrance]

I am playing through hard mode right now...now at Chapter 10....and really and truly Aerith barley needs to use actual magic...her normal attacks and tempest destroying most mobs. Hell House was surprisingly a breeze in hard mode because Aerith is just so much stronger now...with magic stats nearing 500....tempest easily punishes huge and slow enemies. I am gathering probably the last 4 chapters will be the real challenge in hard mode.....because so far I am having a way easier time...to be fair the secret accessory to use limits quickly trivializes everything.

[@ubergamer2010]

MP Absorption really isn't all that necessary. Silver Staff reduces MP Cost and provides 50% MP regeneration, and if you're always using an Arcane Ward before you cast a spell, you're saving a ton of MP anyway. Aerith can end many fights with just one or two abilities/spells

[@ardentdfender4116]

@@ubergamer2010 Then if that is the case per the build in the video which has 2 MP UP Materia only one is needed and the other slot can be used for something else more useful.

[@dododimitrov9657]

Can we use red13 or any other character I see that party seize is 3 ppl

[@stefantherainbowphoenix]

How did you get a second fury ring?

[@pachuck01diaz12]

If u don’t mind me asking where can you get more than one fury ring at?

[@TR0YX0]

bottom floor in Corneo's Mansion in chapter 14.

[@Angelalex242]

Why cog over force bracelet? Use the Force, Luke!

[@jonathanbarrow1281]

How have u got 6 slots on hard-edged? I've maxed mine n only have 4 slots

[@Pduarte79]

How many magnify materia exist in the game?

[@Unknownost]

Only the 1. Blue materia don't respawn.

[@iIVIakeitRainXO]

I’ve just started playing ff7 remake and I’m just curious to know is this the “main” setup and your other build guilds are just cool ones to try out as you progress through the game? I need all the help I can get as this is my first final fantasy with real time combat like this

[@devonmorsey3872]

You honestly don't need a build, it's pretty easy. Only tip is if you get a green materia, start leveling it if you want Bahamut in your first play through. You need all 12 types maxed to unlock the challenge.

[@iIVIakeitRainXO]

@@devonmorsey3872 cheers for the advice. Have you got any combat tips or will I just get to grips with it as I go along I’ve just finished chapter 3

[@devonmorsey3872]

@@iIVIakeitRainXO I'd say blocking while in clouds operator mode against meele enemies. Ppl forget about it. N as berret if you hit his triangle while he's reloading it does a animation stop, so you get to charge up n reload in 1 animation

[@iIVIakeitRainXO]

@@devonmorsey3872 cheers buddy I appreciate it. It’s such an amazing game story wise that I wanna master everything I can

[@CarnivorePaul]

Why cog bangle for cloud and tifa, arnt they better with 4 materia slots

[@Fusspilzsammler1]

Is there a way to swap entire items filled with materia or do I have to swap every single materia between characters? I'm in chapter 17 where I have to find a way out while playing in two separate groups. Barret and Aerith are my main healers and having them in different groups means I have to swap materia every 3 minutes O.o

[@xsteelfeverx8004]

I never really used Red XIII in the Original FF7 because I knew his Limit Breaks were very mediocre end game but does anyone else think we got ripped off by Square for not getting the option to use him for end game content?

[@jameslindsay8083]

No

[@ianbraun271]

I personally think we got ripped off by Square-Enix by them making it in installments, and releasing the first installment just months before the end of a systems lifetime. Part 1: PS4. Part 2 etc: likely PS5. So not only are we paying ~$60 for each installment, but then $300-$600+ for the PS5 as well.

[@davestationuk7374]

@@ianbraun271 defo pissed Release game on ps4 , but dlc for ps5 Dont think any game has done this before - could be wrong

[@supersaiyaman11589]

@@ianbraun271 i strongly disagree they do they want to maximize profit yes they are a corporation but at the same time we get to explore more of Medgar because part one was midgar only witch i think is great.

[@supersaiyaman11589]

@@ianbraun271 if you feal that strongly you know you could always wait for the pc port but for those that have a ps5 they can buy it day one.

[@RobertAniFreak]

WAIT WAIT WAIT, Magnify works on Heal ? Now I just fell stupid if that actually works

[@bangsuliyong1193]

Why does i only have 4 materia slots? I'm already lv50 weapon stats are max And already finished the main story

[@ominix]

You need to get the Manuscripts from doing hard mode.

[@AtlasAdvice254]

Have they talked about DLC for the game?

[@kieragard]

Because of all the people griping about parts, they said no dlc. Hopefully we can carry our equipment into the next part.

[@anacc9261]

Hell no with how long a game like this would take to make considering part 2 will be more open I prefer them to focus on the sqeual.

[@Draecon666]

@@kieragard I feel like we are gonna get a wipe at the beginning of the next game. Yuffie probably gonna steal all the materia.

[@davestationuk7374]

Yep ps4 wont be getting it

[@supersaiyaman11589]

@@kieragard the people that are complaining about parts probably don't like the game to begin with

[@stonerhino83]

I found Tifa really frustrating to use, since everything knocks her back constantly. Her rank 5 solo challenge was bad enough, but on Bahamut she cant even get close enough to do damage. I used Barret for heals with AOE manawall on Bahamut, and it actually halves the damage of megaflare, so you dont need as many HP ups to survive it.

[@tifalockhart2576]

Really? Tifa can solo the hardest boss in this game,,all speed runner always use cloud tifa aerith in teams,,you just need to upgrade your gaming skill

[@stonerhino83]

@@DayBrandtXIII Bahamut will use umbral strike, which cannot be dodged, and then follow it up with a spinning attack and then a claw strike while you are still on the ground. Can't guard if you are stunlocked.

[@stonerhino83]

​@@tifalockhart2576 Most of the game your party makeup is fixed, so there is no way to specifically pick Tifa for a speedrun. Unless it is VR boss clears?

[@Unknownost]

Umbral strike can be dodge. You dodge right for the first one then left for the second. Just gotta get the timing right

[@SydCar]

@@stonerhino83 If you master Tifa’s mobility and high DPS, you can avoid virtually everything and almost never actually take damage, plus she will melt all bosses in the VS Top Secrets, and basically any time she is available in campaign. Tifa can dodge the projectiles Bahamut sends, and if you want to completely minimize damage against Bahamut, rotate between Tifa and Cloud. Tifa dodges projectiles with parry materia and Cloud punisher guard or counterstrike ability for Bahamut’s melee attacks. If you want to overkill Bahamut, add Aerith to the mix for arcane ward and thunder spells, or ray of judgment when he’s counting down. I play my Cloud with Buster Sword (f*ck Hardedge, Buster all the way!!!) and use him as a hybrid tank, swordsman, and mage, backing up both Tifa and Aerith depending on situation. It’s pretty damn amazing when you master the high mobility mechanics of the game. Once you do though, you’ll hate Barret. Barret will feel like the biggest buzzkill whenever you have to play him.

[@RevolverVash]

Why equip Luck materia?

[@davestationuk7374]

Apart from a re run on hard Vr/coliseum fights There is no end game

[@DeRossi-z]

thx for the share. I'm copying your setup. 😜

[@RuYevon]

Wow I keep prayer and revive on everyone because I die so often. Bahamut and ifrit seem impossible. I thought fury ring locks skills so I'll have to try that out.

[@Ephideltrance]

Fire absorb helps a lot with Ifrit. Magnify and cure is also good because not all the time you may have 2 ATBs on the go for prayer...and Bahamut is relentless with his attacks. Tifa vs Barret made the difference for me because she does a lot more damage. Carbuncle can be a godsend in this battle. Always switch from character to character in this fight because Bahamut can reach far away characters in a split second....so best to keep his focus split often to get room to use your skills uninterrupted.

[@ubergamer2010]

If you have two characters with Elemental Fire defense (aka they both absorb fire and don't take any damage), you can focus Ifrit and take him out quicker. I used Tifa and Barret because if you have Lifesaver on Barret, he can absorb Cloud and Tifa's incoming damage from Bahamut while you finish Ifrit. Steelskin and Magnify+Manawall amplifies this even further. Fury Ring does increase damage taken so I'd recommend not using it. Your main healer should have a Healing Carcanet to make Prayer even better. I didn't have Carbuncle like others did so I really had to focus to win

[@ChristianSedaPlays]

The thing I dont like about his builds is lack of revive on characters. If your healer dies your done. This is like a glass cannon build

[@jonathan-d4d]

zetar0b0t Yeah, I love the set up but I think I’d drop an HP Plus from Cloud/Tifa just to give them both Revive. I had it on one of them in Chapter 3 and found it too easy to be stuck with one party member in a tough fight.

[@cyniic]

Most of the time you won't need revive to be honest. Most of the time I can stunlock an enemy to a point where healing isn't necessary.

[@geneal1989]

Reprieve from the Silver Staff and the Defense Boost in Big Bertha somehow accounts for that.

[@danielskelton1757]

Yeah barrier and revives instead of Hp absorption and deadly dodge

[@leonkennedy8083]

how to more slots on hardedge?

[@Unknownost]

Playthrough the game on hard. Beating certain chapters/bosses unlocks more materia slots. Every weapon can get 6 materia slots all connected.

[@Z3Rocker77]

Sorry, but how do you have 6 materia slots on a hardedge???

[@DigitalWraith]

You have to upgrade it with the *new materia slot* upgrades

[@ianbraun271]

All weapons will eventually have 6 slots if you buy all the upgrades

[@joaobluz]

How did you get two fury rings?!

[@MDGDaniel]

The chest under the stairs in Corneo's mansion respawns for each playthrough with a new fury ring. Just go to Chapter 9 in chapter select and play it through if you want to get it quickly.

[@dubthirsty737]

@@MDGDaniel different level huh

[@MDGDaniel]

@@dubthirsty737 Not sure what you mean. Its exactly where I said it is.

[@420Batata]

why silver staff on aerith tho? isnt mythril more MA?

[@JustADancerOnFire]

Silver staff reduces the mp cost of spells, and has faster mp regeneration if you select the proper nodes while building!

[@420Batata]

@@JustADancerOnFire ok ok

[@mcarr416ix]

Silver Staff is easily Aeriths best weapon. The magic damage is slightly lower then Mythril Rod but it has far better abilities. You get the 50% MP Regen, 20% cost reduction to healing and attack spells plus you get Reprieve.

[@420Batata]

@@mcarr416ix ah ok cool, yea i havent unlocked last level of the weaps yet xd 50hrs in almost killed bahamut in my 1st try xd, want that götterdämmerung dammit

[@mcarr416ix]

@@420Batata it's definitely worth getting the Gotterdammerung before playing through the game on hard mode! It makes a lot of the fights much much easier then they would be otherwise. I didn't find the top secrets combat simulator too difficult, only took a couple of tries so I had for my full hard mode play through. Bahamut is definitely the hardest fight in the group, I found putting Elemental (max level) + fire on my armor really helpful to absorb Ifrit's attacks and heal yourself - made the fight much easier.

[@supervegeta101]

Wait, can you get more than one chain bangle?

[@tonberry_]

In the chapter (jenova) where you play as aerith and tifa you can get 2 chain bangle, but i forget which door and the chest location. Call me if im wrong

[@tonberry_]

Sorry i mean 'correct'

[@Misfiring89]

No

[@hansenmfs]

Can anyone explain to me why he has 6 materia slot for hardedge? Cause I only has 4 materia slot for hardedge..

[@Khrazegaming]

Hansen 3:11 hey you can unlock more material slots by investing those SP in the weapon tree under the weapons upgrade menu.

[@hansenmfs]

@@Khrazegaming thanks so much bro

[@danielskelton1757]

The problem here is it all requires boring grinding, should be able to use all the Gil that serves no purpose to upgrade materia or buy the highest level versions.

[@robertmontejano1986]

just finished this challenge took me 2 try

[@jeanogato3327]

How to get the weapons to level 6?

[@warrencaelum9536]

get manuscripts

[@Souleater564]

this mode is nice but it prioritises too much stats boosting rather than tactics and strategies.

[@gustavoadolfoguardado9101]

♡♡♡♡♡

[@mattapplegate7830]

I cant get through the ultimate weapon set of bosses. Anyone willing to shareplay? 😭 i am an artist lol we can trade 😂

[@바보Queen]

doesn't seem that good to me

[@MarcyPjz]

No disrespect... I enjoy your videos but when I compared my loadout to yours they don't match up... For example you had Hardedge equipped... The materia slots we're far too many for that weapon... actually it matches up with Twin Stinger🤔 and the rest of your loadout as well none of them matches up with mine

[@ianbraun271]

All weapons in the game will have 6 materia slots when maxed out, and additional slots purchased.

[@bl4ckchaos464]

Being honest. You don’t need a setup or a build. I’m an original JRPG from 80’s. You done need a build. Just need good gear and leveling. My character Cloud has no magic at all. Just DPS. Barret had cure for all and dps. Tifa had cure and dps. My characters where all level 50 and HP and MP for barret and Tifa. Cloud just had HP all we’re in 9000 HP. I ran through everything no problem. You don’t need a build. Just level up your character and have best gear. That’s all you need in JRPG. I had all summon and beat every enemy in training and in game story. I never died once.

[@supersaiyaman11589]

the great thing about this game is their are many different ways to approach battles.

[@sygfridlink4148]

No 9999 hp Bye