Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: How To Beat Abzu, Turks & Rufus Ch. 12 Bosses
Hello, warriors of Gaia! As we journey through the heart-stopping saga of "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth," Chapter 12 stands as a monumental test of our combat prowess and strategic acumen. This chapter throws a series of formidable bosses at us—Abzu, the Turks, and finally Rufus. Each of these enemies requires a unique strategy to defeat, and in this guide, we’ll dive deep into the tactics that will see you victorious.
Abzu – The Sewer's Fury
The rematch with Abzu can catch many off guard with its increased ferocity and new attacks. Unlike your first encounter, Abzu now calls upon smaller Abzu Shoats to aid it in battle, making area-of-effect (AOE) spells and abilities incredibly valuable.
Preparation: Equip elemental materia linked with fire to your weapons, as Abzu is weak against fire. Ensure you have healing materia like Cure and Revive on hand. Aerith’s magical prowess is very effective here, so make sure she's equipped with Magnify linked to Fire or Healing for group-wide effects.
Strategy: Focus on taking out the Abzu Shoats first with AOE spells such as Fira or Firaga to minimize the crowd around you. Utilize Tifa’s speed to stagger Abzu, and then switch to Barrett or Cloud for heavy physical damage. Keep an eye on Abzu’s move “Backwash Spout,” a high-damage attack that can quickly turn the tide. Dodging or using Barrier Materia can mitigate this.
The Turks – Rude and Reno’s Return
This dynamic duo returns with more coordination and devastating combo attacks that can quickly overwhelm. The key here is disruption and control.
Preparation: Equip Lightning Materia, as both Turks are susceptible to it. Having Wind Materia can also be useful against Rude. Ensure you have status-healing items or Esuna Materia due to Reno’s ability to inflict "Bind."
Strategy: Separate the two if possible, focusing on Reno first, as his attacks are more disruptive. Use Cloud to keep pressure on Reno, capitalizing on Punisher mode for counterattacks. Dodge Rude’s ground slams and utilize Aerith or Barrett for long-range support focusing on AOE spells when they’re close together.
Rufus – The Shinra Heir
Rufus Shinra presents a challenge like no other. Accompanied by his loyal canine, Darkstar, you must navigate a two-phase fight that tests all aspects of your combat skills.
Preparation: Poison Materia works wonders here, especially against Rufus. Equip Cloud with Heal and Revive, and if possible, have Steadfast Block Materia to reduce damage and increase his ATB gauge faster while blocking.
Phase 1 – Darkstar: Focus solely on Darkstar first while avoiding Rufus’s gunfire. Use hit-and-run tactics with Cloud, striking Darkstar then rolling away to avoid counterattacks. Magic isn't very effective in this phase, so conserve your MP.
Phase 2 – Rufus Alone: Once Darkstar is out, Rufus becomes more aggressive. His weakness is in the moments after he attacks. Dodge his coins shooting attack and close in for a few quick hits. Binding Materia can momentarily halt Rufus, giving you a window to deal significant damage.
General Tips Across All Battles
- Always keep one character focused on healing.
- Utilize ATB Boost Materia to gain ATB charges faster.
- Staggering your opponent not only increases damage but gives you a precious moment of respite.
- Save Limit Breaks for critical moments either to deal massive damage or heal in a pinch.
"Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth" epitomizes the essence of strategy and adaptability. Through carefully planning your materia setup, understanding each boss's weaknesses, and maintaining composure under pressure, these challenging foes will fall by your hand. Remember, the key to victory lies not just in brute force but in the harmony of your team's efforts and the strategic use of their abilities. Good luck, champions of Gaia!
