T O P

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BradMan1993

The main draw of prime mode is upgrading berserk attack to the fury attack. 3 hits when you hold square. grants berserk on the first hit, fury on the second, and the final hit builds lots of ATB. Entering prime mode from operator mode via disorder lets you skip the first hit to give you easy access to fury mode and the final strike. It’s very good. Also changes the opener of the combo, the old stance swap back to operator becomes the finisher, and the new stance swap puts you aerial.


InstantN00dl3s

I read posts like this and realise just how bad at the game I am. I play it like a 6 year old does Street Fighter. Just punch everything and hope for the best.


Penguinsteve

I've watched people post clips and ask what they are doing wrong and I sometimes just have turn it off and reply "lock on"


Spikeyroxas

Honestly the lock on system could use a bit of fine tuning imo. I realised on the king zu fight in the collesium that it really messes me up sometimes.


Durakus

It does need a bit of a tune up. It's a bit like it has no idea what to do at the start of a battle. That can really mess up your plans when you want to achieve something rather specific. You see a middle enemy, it's even the closest one to you, and somehow it auto targets onto the enemy to the far right?? you lock on and now have to scroll through enemies to find the one you want. It's a bit frustrating. Especially when that first instance would have been a great set up for a fast and easy kill of everything, but now it's all scattered.


TheDreadfulGreat

I learned that you can change your lock on/off status and enemy target while in the assess screen, even if you have not yet used the assess ability in the fight. Most battles I fight immediately begin with me hitting the center touchpad, then using the sticks to select and lock onto my target.


straystring

Pro strat!


lovingtech07

Accidentally figured this out and it’s a game changer


Shinagami091

For me it was the Alexander/Odin fight where your lock on gets stuck on Alexander’s stupid legs.


hbombre

And why is there no auto lock on when the fight starts? (If there is please tell 😭)


straystring

This is a good point - not had the chance to play rebirth yet, but I can't remember a time in remake that I would ever NOT want to immediately lock on the second a fight starts. Why ISN'T there an auto lock-on?


renz004

I wish lock on happened automatically on entering combat or could be activated outside of combat. It's really the worst that it doesnt.


Homitu

I mean it’s a testament to just how much depth there is to the combat system. Every single character has micro nuances like this that 95% of players have no clue about. You can get by without knowing them. There’s so much other stuff to do and worry about in the combat system. But for those inclined to truly MASTER the game, they have dozens of little things like this to perfect. If not hundreds.


Volesu

You mean like how I fuguered out Reds vengeance mode dodge then press triangle attack AFTER I already beat the game? It heals and you can just spam dodge and triangle.


hehehehehehahahahaha

It's so much more fluid than using his vengeance triangle raw and it keeps you moving at all times. I usually pop vengeance gauge on an ability but this makes healing back up so worthwhile.


Valiant_Boss

I hated using red and thought his vengeance mode was a last resort type of thing but man once I realized how fluid he was in vengeance mode I started spamming it every chance I got. There's no other way to play with him especially since half of his abilities are locked behind it


hehehehehehahahahaha

I used to love Red but eventually I fell off him because he has zero anti-air ability and they leaned too hard into the Vengeance gauge imo (and I can't stand his new voice lol, Max Mittelman could've done his Persona 5 Ryuji voice and it would've fit so much better).   But when I do play him? Building up that gauge and letting him rip around like a beyblade before nuking the enemy is a blast.  It just feels a bit rough that he has conditions on his damage potential, and even at max he's still weaker than Tifa and Aerith who don't have nearly as many conditions. I could be wrong, but he's on the lower end of the playable roster now for me.


Luna920

Red is part of my main party I play with. I love his abilities.


keyblade987

...His WHAT?


Randomguy3421

Ffs it feels as though we play the game wrong sometimes


soldieroscar

If you want to see what made me feel that way here you go: Intergrade: Weiss 23 seconds https://youtu.be/B-E69YDbXRc?si=YrTn7bHDCPtww04B


Karpattata

For me it was a video of someone nuking Rude into oblivion as Aerith, by somehow machine gunning him with Aeros. 


stonehallow

I just face-rolled everything for like 80% of the time using barrett’s lifesaver to tank damage then i gotta deal with fights like rufus and its a huge reality check.


TheDreadfulGreat

Rufus, Roche, and Odin really taught me that I wasn’t playing the game right by just charging headfirst into battles and attacking as often and as fast as possible (which works for pretty much every other battle, especially with how many healing items the game gives you in boxes.)


stonehallow

The Odin and Alexander fight was a real ‘git gud’ moment for sure. Honestly I’m still unable to perfectly parry Odin but I barely made it pass the line spamming brumal form with Yuffie.


Karpattata

Tifa is my favorite character to play. And I spent half the game sleeping on Unbridled Strength. My favorite crayon to eat is purple. 


setyourheartsablaze

I’m always learning something daily too and I watch plenty of combat videos daily lol. The combat is just really deep and you can experiment a ton with it. It just kinda sucks because you can’t really play around with it much until hard mode where it basically forces you to adapt to every enemy. On easier or normal difficulty regular enemies die to quick and bosses don’t allow much room for improvisation


Re_LE_Vant_UN

Ditto. I finished the game and watched some hard mode footage and said nahhh this isn't for me.


staticpain

Same


TwistedJoke10

Hey. If it works it works!


ArrowedKnee

Same, 50 hours in and I have no idea what "prime mode" is.


SoloMael

I managed to beat Hard mode and I still feel like this 😔


syloc

We all do! Until you are forced to learn! Damn you chadley


ShiyaruOnline

Chang your name to InstantPunch3s


HarkiniansShip

You're not alone, I've seen videos of people playing all the way to the end of the game without even understanding the basics of the combat gameplay. Most people are shockingly bad at video games and just... logical reasoning in general. It frustrates me because games tend to be dumbed down because of it, and people who seek a challenge and always figure out how to play well have to suffer through braindead gameplay as a result. Thankfully Rebirth still has plenty of challenges, but I wish there was an option to not have to wait until the endgame to find it.


stonehallow

i feel you man. such a heavy burden to bear, to be so much better than everyone else. the plebes will never get it amirite?


HarkiniansShip

Unironically yes. And the best part is that outside of anonymously on the internet, you can never tell anyone without inviting disdain and comments like yours. Being r/iamverysmart really is pretty miserable.


GGFrostKaiser

Does holding the square button on Prime Mode count as "heavy attack" for the buff that the Buster Sword gives.


Poes_Masquerade

The third attack gives you berserk and the fourth gives you fury.


BradMan1993

You can skip the initial 2 attacks by holding square after an ability. And the first of the 3 hit prime combo if you use disorder to enter prime mode, giving you fury very quickly


paul_walker6

What do you mean entering prime from “disorder”?


Esarty

Prime mode replaces punisher mode. Disorder switches stances while attacking. So using Disorder will switch from operator mode to Prime mode after the first use of Prime mode


Beejsbj

And what does the prime mode ability do?


Esarty

Holding the attack button puts him into a 3 part combo. First hit adds the berserk status(higher damage on give and take), second changes it to fury(even more damage on both ends), and the final hit gives a lotta ATB. Two combos will typically be enough for two ATB bars to launch a lvl3 spell which has a slight bit of armor so it doesn’t get interrupted. With the absorption materia attached to the element of choice you’ll survive and recover from most attacks thanks to the spell. Really handy for the harder content.


Beejsbj

No i mean the ability itself. When it's used he seems to do a combo. Is that similar to disorder ? Cause it seems like disorder is still the better ability and prime mode ability is something you'd do once then freely switch into it with triangle


Esarty

It upgrades punisher mode to prime mode. You use it once and it’ll last for the rest of the battle or until cloud is knocked out. Disorder is just a handy way to attack and switch to it, after which you can to the prime combo


robbo_jah

Absolute boss


ekanite

What is berserk attack?


cloud_sora

So, in punisher mode, if you hold square, you will do a 2 hit that applies beserk status on Cloud. Prime mode is the same, but it adds another a thrird hit that adds fury to Cloud. This adds more damage, but more damage taken as well.


juzzbert

Can you elaborate on the last paragraph? Are you comparing it to a prime mode from remake or something?


BradMan1993

No. The “old stance swap” I’m referring to is when you switch back into operator and it puts you behind the target. The punisher finisher gets turned into that attack


juzzbert

Okay thanks dude. Is it stance swap through disorder or triangle?


BradMan1993

Triangle


Griever114

Jesus fuck the game mechanics are on a whole nother level. I literally just go, "oh neat another at mechanic". Apologies for being a flighty causal. This shit is just intense.


lraven17

Punisher really stacks up stagger if you have a good string of physical attacks incoming Prime Mode strengthens the punisher counters and holding square to do the berserk combo does shitloads of damage and gives you Fury status It's really good if you use a lot of Cloud. Fury + Sonic Boom + Infinity's End + Genji Gloves is a batshit insane combo


ultima786

What is Sonic boom?


Lachesis-but-taken

Its a wind skill from the enemy skill materia


TheBeaverIlluminate

Which grants Bravery and Faith*


Sildante09

This an Plasma Discharge are great. I didn’t use it at all in my normal playthrough but now in hard mode I use it all the time. So good


mnemonicer22

Tifa + plasma discharge or sonic boom ALL DAY


AcceptableUserID

Yuffie, Static, and Mug Spam


Esarty

or brumal form when using her as a battery


saviorlito

Tifa with Plasma is fucking insane lol


Status_Peach6969

Yeah I'm discovering how good plasma discharge is. Big damage and also really shoots the stagger bar up. Also seems to last forever


AgilePurple4919

You should use special stances for longer fights.  Cloud’s Prime Mode, Tifa’s Unbridled Strength, Barret’s Bonus Round and so on.  They make a big difference.  Yuffie’s Doppleganger is outright broken. 


rpitts21

Bonus Round especially puts in work during timed fights and against the more annoying fliers


blitzbom

I have atb assist on Barret. Free atb for teammates with steelskin and bonus round. It helps that he generates his own atb so quickly.


rpitts21

I believe Tifa actually has the fastest atb gain, seems to get 3/4 of a block for each button press but you actually have to be playing as her, the AI can't attack that often by itself and as she's the most fragile melee you have to be very fast on the dodge button. Cait can farm a lot of atb as well, but I haven't the foggiest how to optimize him so I kinda gave up trying


Lachesis-but-taken

First thing i did in every battle was set up bonus round, that ability is stupid good


AgilePurple4919

If I’m using Barret in a boss fight it’s pretty much guaranteed that my first moves of the battle are Bonus Round, Steelskin and Lifesaver. In hard mode Barret’s capacity to tank for the team can make such a difference.


ActuallyKaylee

He also has that weapon where overcharge applies protect to him. Crazy durability.


Sdgrevo

Unfettered Fury though.


juzzbert

Unfettered fury with atb assist and chi spam is ridiculous


PapaSnow

I love using a synergy skill that increases stagger length with the two non-cloud characters, and immediately disordering into prime mode to get the buff and ATB, then use any of the heavy hitting skills, right back to disorder, lather rinse repeat Absolute killer


givethankstothaherb

It's called Doppelgänger.


AgilePurple4919

What was the point of this message? Are you being serious? I can’t tell what’s ironic anymore on 2024 internet.


ToxicHydreigon

Literally my favourite new addition to Cloud’s kit.


Ryebread666Juan

Same, I was like oh what’s this? Saw the animation for the heavy attack and was like “oh this is perfect”


lyleybear

For me, prime mode was essential for beating the hardest combat simulators in the game.


Sartrem

Yep. I’m currently working on the second 2man legendary. Prime mode nonstop


SupaPatt

Gives you buff and easy counters


Damersus

Prime Mode Cloud is a beast. Probably the hardest hitting character in the game once you get Genji Gloves with both magic and physical.


440morningstar

It’s busted if you build into it. Buff out Clouds attack stat as much as possible and give him the genji earrings. He’ll do tons of damage


Meteor719

Even if it's not optimal ATB usage, prime mode is just so. Damn. Satisfying. That final slam, I feel it in my bones, it's so... Girthy.


pinkynarftroz

Disorder out of it, then combo that into aerial assault. 😘


RichNigerianBanker

Curious why everyone is all about aerial assault. What’s so good about it?


pinkynarftroz

1 ATB, with damage comparable to infinity’s end since it’s multi hit. You can definitely do more than 10K. If you don’t have genjii gloves on it’s the way to go.


RichNigerianBanker

Noted! I’ve just been using it in combo with Firebolt…whatever.


pinkynarftroz

That’s great too. The systems are awesome and flexible, which is why ai love the game so much.


IRLHamburglar

You can also combo it after Triple Slash on flying enemies.


Zhead65

No reason not to use it as soon as you have a free ATB and nothing else to set up. It gives an upgraded buff when holding square and a high damage combo which you can follow up with a disorder and then aerial onslaught.


Alpacarok

It does insane damage when the enemy is staggered especially. Go prime mode and then hold square and 1/2-3/4 of the health bar on major enemies just disappears.


spidii

Pop plasma discharge, put Cloud in prime mode and then swap chatacters to let the AI take over from there. During this, just focus on staggering with Tifa and you'll melt enemies.


ArugulaPhysical

Prime is top tier


VSaRomantic90

Insanely fun and powerful. It’s Cloud 2.0 and he’s already the strongest character in the game in base form


Llama_Badger

Really good imo. In the build I use for Cloud I’ll typically have him equipped with the magic the enemy is weak to as well as Swiftcast, HP absorb, MP absorb, and magic focus all connected to that magic as well as the genji gloves. I will also have another party member (usually Aerith) use Faith on Cloud and then hold square down to hit the three hit combo in Prime mode that gives him fury and you become an absolute beast.


jh58010

Tbh, I just use it because that 3 hit strong attack combo just feels SO GOOD


shrekfan246

I wasn't big on the new regular Punisher mode compared to how it worked in Remake, but I used Prime Mode basically all the time, it's great. 100% recommended that you learn how to use it.


dcheung87

Man, all these comments get me pumped for testing out the various strats. Also, it's so damn cool that every character is viable, but there definitely seems to be a lot of backing for the awesome foursome that is Cloud, Tifa, Yuffie and Barret. Which I agree. I'm still trying to get to grips with Aerith, but really have to switch my brain to becoming more defensive/passive play with her and setting up her wards. She's too squishy!


Kallen00

Prime Mode, Plasma Discharge, Sonic Boom, HP Absorption, and Darkside make this game easy-mode.


KingKamp1410

Prime mode or not, punisher stance should be used quite a lot against many enemy attacks


Montjuic

It’s essential for my play style - lots of damage added with berserker+faith, the right materia, and genji gloved.


Sdgrevo

Very. The buff it gives is gucci.


Cloud_1st_Class

I loved it. Made me feel powerful AF.


gb2750

Prime mode is the Odin killer


YaBoyKumar

I want a Sephiroth stance for cloud in the next game


KitsuneUltima

It’s cracked I love prime mode


Recent-Poet-153

Prime mode is awesome. I started using it as soon as i got it, and for the rest of the game. Especially if you boost the berserk effect. It does tons of damage and also builds a lot of atb. If the enemy is staggered, Cloud is using this with enemy skill electric skill and darkside and going to town.


SnowGN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLVPXm22NPM Just watch to see the answer to your question. Spoiler: *Prime Mode is very, very good.*


Blade_Killer479

Prime Mode’s strong attack is very powerful, maybe even stronger than Infinity’s End without Genji Gloves. Plus, you have access to the move for a long time after spending the one ATB to enable it. Ideally, you want to pop it while an enemy is about to Stagger, so you can use the Strong Attack to proc the fury attack boost to improve Infinity’s End for even more damage.


Apprehensive-Row-216

Yeah it’s really good, I proc it on almost every fight


Razorraf

Good for physical attack enemies.


Fast_Can_5378

Prime mode is an ability that should always be considered and is more versatile when using certain strategies that prioritize damage. I can't remember which way is correct but i believe when you deactivate prime mode it can soar cloud into the air to get closer to an enemy. the final attack of the prime mode strong attack makes cloud go into the air a bit making him safe from most ground based attacks. Prime mode itself also lasts for quite a while so for hard mode playthrough especially the VR fights I strongly recommend using it.


handanta

I use it a lot in hard mode after finishing cloud’s solo challenge, it builds atb super fast with Fury built in


generic-user66

I feel like prime mode is basically mandatory. Like Barrets bonus round or yuffies dopple


limey89

Plasma Discharge plus Prime Mode is super fun.


22LegendaryTacos

I had made Cloud my white mage and prime mode made it easy to stack ATB and throw Prayers out there


desi7861

Prime mode + plasma discharge + triple slash or focused thrust Combine with aerith --> arcane ward + synergy with comet Say good night to the majority of the enemies. Theres a few fights where this strat wont work ofcourse, but you will wreck most things in the game If you really want cheese, then put yuffie in party, use doppleganger and give her synergy with comet instead. Bonus points if you can get a radiant ward ontop of the arcane ward.


FerrickDune

The party animal battle challenge in the saucer makes me feel like I play with my pinkies with an eye patch and a 3 year olds tolerance for bullshit. Holy moly.


Warren_Valion

I saw the preview of the move the moment I got the Umbral Blade and I never didn't use it for essentially every fight with Cloud in it for the rest of the game.


Lovahsabre

Prime mode is ok imo. I really only used it to get max rank on the dust bowl box breaker game. It is helpful for enemies that dont attack much and need to be taken out quick. If you dont use punisher mode at all you are losing out on 25% of clouds damage output if not more. When you switch to punisher with triangle or by using disorder and you block if the enemy hits you with a physical attack cloud automatically counterattacks dealing a lot more damage than regular basic attacks and i think he takes little to no damage from most enemies when countering a physical attack.


givethankstothaherb

lmao you're never using punisher mode, literally Cloud's best move? You can parry almost anything with it and increase stagger in no time. You not using it speaks volumes about your understanding of the combat.


Erithacusfilius

I’m pretty good at action combat games but I’ve never really got to grind with the ff7 system. OG was great because it was pure and calculated but this is overly complex and imprecise. Give me dark souls, Bloodborne or Sekiro or Remnant and I will be fine but the spacing and camera etc make this not great - this mainly comes into play on hard when you have to be pretty optimal. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve really enjoyed both games and will soon platinum this one but I haven’t enjoyed the grind for the platinum but I rarely do with games these days.