How to Beat Rufus in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: A Complete Guide – Rufus Shinra is a key boss in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, challenging players with unique attack patterns and clever strategies. This battle isn’t just about brute force – it’s also about strategic timing and understanding Rufus’s strengths and weaknesses. In this guide, we’ll cover tactics for each phase of the fight, recommend specific skills and Materia, and offer tips for both offense and defense to help you conquer this challenging opponent.
About Rufus’s Combat Style
Rufus is more than just another boss in FF7 Rebirth – he has a particular set of moves and unique abilities that make him especially tough. Here’s a breakdown of his key traits:
- Agility and Speed: Rufus is incredibly agile, dodging basic attacks with ease. He can move quickly, making it difficult for players to land consecutive hits.
- Counter Attacks: Rufus’s counters can catch players off guard, especially when you’re too aggressive.
- Dual Attack Phases: Rufus has two primary phases in his attack patterns, with the second phase introducing higher-level skills and strategies.
- Knowing Rufus’s approach and his ability to quickly counterattack is the first step to crafting a winning strategy.
Preparing Your Party and Equipment
Before jumping into battle, preparing your party and customizing your equipment can make a big difference. Since Rufus’s attacks are swift, dealing with his rapid counters and powerful combos requires the right tools.
1. Recommended Party Members
Cloud: Cloud’s versatility with both physical and magical attacks makes him essential in this battle.
Tifa or Aerith: Both characters have supportive skills that are beneficial. Tifa can quickly stack damage with her combos, while Aerith offers healing and magic support.
2. Equipping Materia
- Barrier Materia: Using a Barrier spell on your party early in the fight helps reduce incoming physical damage. This is especially helpful as Rufus often uses strong melee attacks.
- Cure or Regen Materia: Healing is key since Rufus’s attacks can drain health quickly. Regen allows for continuous healing, which can be effective in long fights.
- Haste Materia: The Haste spell can give you a speed boost, helping your characters evade attacks and counter quicker.
3. Weapons and Armor
Choose weapons with high accuracy or speed-enhancing effects to keep up with Rufus’s fast movements.
Equip armor that reduces physical damage or enhances defense to withstand his close-range attacks.
Rufus’s Attack Patterns
To effectively combat Rufus, it’s important to understand his two primary phases and the attacks he uses in each.
Phase 1: Standard Attacks
- Gun Combo: Rufus often starts the fight with his standard gun attack combo, which involves rapid firing. These shots can be dodged if you keep moving but can wear down your health if you’re unprepared.
- Counter Stance: One of Rufus’s standout moves, Counter Stance, involves blocking and then launching a counterattack. Avoid using heavy attacks when you notice him take this stance, as he’ll reflect damage back.
- Dark Star’s Assist: Rufus is accompanied by his pet, Dark Star, who will also attack. While Rufus focuses on range, Dark Star performs melee attacks. Take out Dark Star early to simplify the battle.
Phase 2: Enhanced Moves
- Greater Range on Gun Attacks: In the second phase, Rufus’s gun combo becomes faster and covers a wider area.
- Dark Star’s Ultimate Move: Before Dark Star is defeated, he will unleash one powerful attack that deals high damage to all party members. Keep an eye on Dark Star’s actions and heal up if necessary.
- One-on-One Duel Style: Rufus also changes his strategy to focus primarily on the player’s main character, often singling out Cloud. Be ready to defend and evade during this phase.
Step-By-Step Strategy to Defeat Rufus
Now that you understand Rufus’s strengths and abilities, let’s get into the strategy for beating him. This approach will focus on maintaining defense, utilizing timed attacks, and managing your party’s resources effectively.
Step 1: Target Dark Star First
- Dark Star’s melee attacks can be disruptive, especially when Rufus is also attacking. Begin the fight by focusing on Dark Star while keeping an eye on Rufus’s movements.
- Use fast, strong attacks to take down Dark Star quickly. Cloud’s focused abilities work well, as does Tifa’s combination moves if she’s in your party.
Step 2: Evade and Counter
- Rufus relies on counterattacks and will retaliate if you’re overly aggressive. Evade his attacks and wait for an opening before launching a counterattack.
- Observe his stance – if he enters Counter Stance, it’s best to back off momentarily. Use that time to reposition and prepare for your next move.
Step 3: Time Your Abilities
- Rufus’s speed and counters make him resistant to standard attacks, so rely on abilities like Cloud’s Braver and Tifa’s Divekick when he’s momentarily vulnerable.
- Avoid using high-cost abilities right away, as Rufus can interrupt them. Wait for him to pause before going in with stronger attacks.
Step 4: Manage Your ATB Gauge and MP
- Reserve a portion of your ATB and MP for healing. Rufus’s attacks can drain health quickly, so keep at least one character’s ATB ready to heal at all times.
- Use MP-efficient spells or abilities that provide moderate but frequent healing, like Regen. This can help sustain your health without using excessive resources.
Step 5: Take Advantage of Limit Breaks
Limit Breaks are your most powerful attacks, so wait for the right moment. Rufus’s second phase is a good time to use them since he’ll be more aggressive, giving you a clear opening.
Tifa’s and Cloud’s Limit Breaks are highly effective. Consider pairing Limit Breaks with staggered moments to maximize their damage.
Tips for Staying Alive During the Fight
Surviving this fight takes patience and quick reflexes. Here are some additional tips to keep your party in top shape:
- Heal Regularly: Don’t wait until health is low to heal. Use Cure or Regen to maintain health throughout the fight, especially after Dark Star is defeated and Rufus becomes more aggressive.
- Keep Moving: Stay mobile to avoid being hit by Rufus’s rapid-fire gun attacks. Running around the arena reduces the chance of getting caught in a combo.
- Take Advantage of Parry Materia: If you’re comfortable with timing, Parry Materia allows you to block and retaliate quickly, which can be particularly useful for countering Rufus’s attacks.
Alternate Strategies for High-Level Players
If you’re familiar with FF7 Rebirth mechanics and prefer advanced strategies, here are some bonus tactics:
- Elemental Materia: Equipping Elemental Materia with defensive magic can reduce some damage from Rufus’s attacks.
- Assess Materia: Use Assess at the start to understand Rufus’s vulnerabilities and resistances, if you haven’t already. This can help plan attack types.
- Switch Characters for Strategic Advantage: If you have other characters in your party, switch to them when Rufus focuses on Cloud. This can help spread out damage and give you more chances to heal or use abilities.
Conclusion
Defeating Rufus in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth requires more than raw power – it’s about strategy, timing, and understanding his combat style. By focusing on evasion, prioritizing Dark Star, and using high-damage abilities when Rufus is open, you can overcome this challenging battle. Equip yourself with the right Materia, manage resources carefully, and remember that patience is key. With these tips, you’ll have everything you need to best Rufus and continue your journey in the world of FF7 Rebirth.