Over the course of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, players will assume control of four characters and collect six weapons for each one. These weapons can be upgraded by spending skill points (SP), which are earned by leveling up or collecting manuscripts. Upgrades include increasing a weapon’s base stats, granting passive boosts to the character, and unlocking additional materia slots. Players will also gain access to a new ability with each weapon, which can be learned permanently if players gain proficiency in them.
As the only party member that leans heavily on magic, Aerith is at home when used in a support role as she has an ocean of MP at her disposal. Due to Aerith’s lower HP and slow mobility, players should keep Aerith at a distance during combat where she can cast spells and deal ranged magic damage by using projectiles from her staves. Aerith also has a special attack named Tempest that can be launched at an enemy quickly or charged up to do extra damage after firing. When charged, players will inflict damage from the initial hit and from the explosion that follows.
Guard Stick
While Aerith’s Guard Stick grants her a fair boost to her magic stats, it’s a middle-ground weapon overall, as with many of the default weapons for the party members. Players will begin with two individual materia slots when Aerith’s combat becomes available during Chapter 8 as they explore the Sector 5 slums, the area of Midgar that she calls home.
The most important feature of the Guard Stick is the Arcane Ward ability. For the low cost of one ATB bar, players can create a large ward on the ground in either Aerith’s or one of her allies’ locations during combat. When standing on the glyph, any offensive spells used will be cast twice. Players will gain proficiency by casting Arcane Ward and using another party member to cast a spell while standing within it.
Silver Staff
After players have encountered Moggie during Chapter 8, players can purchase Aerith’s next weapon for two Moogle medals. Providing the highest boost to Aerith’s magic attack stats, the Silver Staff also has the highest MP regeneration making this a perfect fit for players that want to use Aerith in a more offensive role.
Players will have two linked materia slots to work with when they first obtain the Silver Staff and the ability Sorcerous Storm. This ability will create a blast of magical energy resembling lightning in an area of effect around Aerith. The ability will cost one ATB bar to use and players earn proficiency by hitting three or more enemies when using it.
Arcane Scepter
Although the Arcane Scepter has one of the lowest magical stats among Aerith’s available weapons, there are unique feats that players can unlock through the weapon upgrades menu. For example, Stagger Siphon allows Aerith to recover health from staggered enemies and Reprieve will bring her back to 1 HP if she has sustained heavy damage, which is vital for survivability.
Players will be awarded the Arcane Scepter after completing either “A Dynamite Body” or “Shears’ Counterattack” during Chapter 9. This weapon will begin with two sets of two linked materia slots and the ability Fleeting Familiar, which summons a fairy that deals small amounts of damage over time. Aerith will use one ATB to summon the fairy and gains a proficiency bonus for following up this ability with an attack or spell.
Mythril Rod
One of Aerith’s best offensive weapons, players can find the Mythril Rod in a chest that's nestled behind an abandoned train while exploring the train graveyard during Chapter 11. If players miss it here, it can be purchased from weapon shops from Chapter 13 onwards. Players will have three individual materia slots to work with after first obtaining the Mythril Rod.
With the weapon equipped, Aerith gains the Ray of Judgement ability, which will run players two ATB bars to use. Aerith will shoot an impressively long-ranged concentrated beam of magic at a target to deal damage which greatly increases the stagger gauge if the target is pressured. It is Aerith’s most powerful ability in terms of its damage output, and players can gain proficiency by using it against staggered foes.
Bladed Staff
Obtaining the Bladed Staff is a direct reference to how players can find the Striking Staff in the original Final Fantasy 7. Nearing the end of Chapter 11, players will face off against Eligor, and it is possible to steal the Bladed Staff from the boss by equipping Steal to Cloud, Tifa, or Aerith and using it to take the weapon during the fight.
Beginning with two linked and two individual materia slots, the Bladed Staff has the lowest magic attack stat of all Aerith’s weapons. instead, it focuses on her critical hit rate and has the second-highest attack power. Players will also gain the Lustrous Shield ability, which conjures a floating shield in the shape of a flower that blocks enemy projectiles as well as dealing contact damage. Aerith can cast the shield in front of herself or an ally for one ATB bar and will gain proficiency by striking enemies with it.
Reinforced Staff
At the beginning of Chapter 17, players will be able to pick up the Reinforced Staff from a nearby chest before progressing with the main story events. Although it has lower offensive potential, the Reinforced Staff focuses on magic attacks and can increase Aerith’s buff durations by 10%, as well as offering a higher damage reduction while guarding.
Aerith will be able to cast ATB Ward for two ATB bars while equipped with the Reinforced Staff. Players will create a glyph on the ground, similar to the Arcane Ward, which will allow party members (excluding Aerith) who use ATB abilities while standing within the ward to regain a portion of their ATB bars. Immediately after casting, Aerith will gain a large amount of ATB, and players can become proficient in its use by having other party members use a spell or ability while standing on the glyph.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.
