Summary
The Materia system inFinal Fantasy 7was one of the best in the series. It remains just as strong in the remake series, including 2024’sFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Players can go as deep as they want or as simple as they want with the system. For example, equipping all three party members with the same elemental and healing Materia pieces wouldn’t be the worst idea.
It wouldn’t make the party diverse, though, which can cause problems later down the line inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. That’s why players may want to take advantage of these unique combos from the obvious pairings to out-of-the-box ideas. This should help players get through the Junon region at the very least.
6AP Up Combos
Increase Upgrade Levels
AP Up is one of the bestSupport Materia inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. It can increase how much AP the connecting Materia gets after the battle. There wasn’t a Materia like this in the original game as, instead, there were a lot of weapons and armor that doubled or tripled AP.
A lot of hardcore purists probably miss that feature, especially since AP Up is so rare even in the end-game. As far as early pairings go, Fire and Ice Materia or Lightning and WindMagic Materia would be a good idea inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. HP Up also takes a long time to level up, so players may want to boost that instead.
5Auto-Cast Combos
Improve Your Party’s AI
If players don’t control the two other party members in battle or issue them commands, they will just attack normally. Two games in, it is odd that this trilogy doesn’t have a more balanced Gambit-like system akin toFinal Fantasy 12. Instead,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthhas a new Support Materia called Auto-Cast.
Whatever Materia players attach to Auto-Cast, non-controlled party members will use that in battle. For example, a good Materia to attach to it would be Healing so that a party member can cast Cure when HP is getting low. Party AI with Auto-Cast isn’t perfect, but it will help in a pinch.
4Elemental Combos
Imbue Your Weapon With Fire
Elemental Materia has offensive and defensive capabilities. For example, ifa character like Barretequips Elemental plus Fire Materia with his gun-arm, then that weapon will hit with low fire damage. The more Elemental levels up, the more fire damage it will do based on a percentage.
It’s a good combo for bosses or mini-bosses if players know the stats before going into battle. This can be done with Ice, Lightning, and Wind Materia too, and the bonus is that the equipped Materia will lessen damage of that same type. So, Barret’s fire-imbued gun-arm will reduce fire damage from enemies.
3Item Economizer Combos
Make Items Stronger
Item Economizer is aCommand Materia inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthand one of the best. It allows players to use items without depleting the ATB gauge, which is a huge plus especially when in dire situations. There is a Complete Materia that players can get early on called Item Master.
This will increase the effectiveness of items, so a Potion may heal a bit more. It’s a great combo for a character not overloaded with supportive Magic Materia like Healing. Cloud, for example, should be a damage dealer but have the option to heal in emergencies.
2Magic Efficiency Combos
Reduce Magic Costs
Magic Efficiency is a Support Materia that lessens the cost of MP. In the early game, there aren’t a lot of cost-heavy Magic types, unlike later examples like Comet. However, characters aren’t going to have a lot of MP to work with before they need a recharge through Ethers.
That’s why every little bit helps, whether it’s paired on a White Mage-like character with Healing or a Black Mage-like character with Fire and Ice Materia or Lightning and Wind. InRebirth, Aerithcan be a good Black Mage or White Mage in the party.
1Provoke Combos
Become Your Party’s Impenetrable Wall
This combo is one of the most stacked in the game, making characters look like they just came off of the set of Barbie with all of their Pink Complete Materia equipped. For starters, Provoke will taunt and direct enemies toward that equipped hero.Cloud, for example, would be a good characterfor this combo.
Since so many enemies will attack Cloud though, he will need more HP and defense. The aforementioned HP Up will increase HP and Vitality Up will increase the defense stat. Also, Steadfast Block will decrease damage taken and build up the ATB gauge faster. All of these Complete Materia pieces should help Cloud or whoever deals with the extra attention in a healthy way.
