I haven't played RPG's in the past (except for action types like fallout 3) as I've never understood the battle systems they use. I love the music scores from the final fantasy games though and would really like to get into them. I've decided to start with FF7, but I'm having trouble with understanding the combat. I have the manual and have scoured the internet for 'beginner' guides, but can't find anything easy to understand for the complete novice. Would someone be kind enough to give me or point me to some advice so I'm not randomly pushing buttons during combat!

Thanks folks!

Chris

Hello! Welcome!

FFVII uses the traditional 'ATB' system (or 'Active Time Battle') most older FF games use. In the ATB system, characters take turns fighting by waiting for a time gauge to fill, whereby the player can select commands from the menu, such as physical attacking ('Attack'), use magic, a consumable item, or defend. At the very start of the game you don't have access to materia for a while so you're stuck with Barret and Cloud's default attacks (Barret can only physically attack, use item and defend, while Cloud is the same with magic (two spells, Ice and Bolt). Luckily though the first part of the game (the Number 1 Reactor) is so easy that is sufficient to dispatch most random battles you may encounter.

Another aspect of the battle system that is very valuable is Limit Breaks - these are FFVII's special attacks, whereby each player has a special 'Limit' gauge, which fills each time they're hit by the enemy (supposedly it represents their anger). Once this gauge reaches the maximum, it changes colour to a rainbow effect and the message 'LIMIT BREAK!' appears on the screen, and that character's 'Attack' command is replaced with 'Limit'. Selecting this command will allow that player to use their Limit Break on the enemy - most are extremely powerful physical attacks, but there are some that are defensive based, such as Aeris's Limit Breaks, and Yuffie's 'Clear and Tranquil'.

Button commands are straight forward - (this is the PS1 version controls I'm referring to): 'O' is confirm, 'X' is cancel, triangle opens the Main Menu, start button pauses the game in battle, and the shoulder buttons when held down in battle allow the player to try to escape (this is also handy for if the battle starts as a 'back attack' - holding the shoulder buttons down momentarily turns the party around to face the enemy, reducing the physical damage they'll take.

Anyway, hopefully that hasn't been to confusing for you. If you need any more help, don't be afraid to ask - although FFVII is pretty easy to get into, so I'm sure you'll get the hang of the game pretty quickly. :)

Hello! Welcome!

FFVII uses the traditional 'ATB' system (or 'Active Time Battle') most older FF games use. In the ATB system, characters take turns fighting by waiting for a time gauge to fill, whereby the player can select commands from the menu, such as physical attacking ('Attack'), use magic, a consumable item, or defend. At the very start of the game you don't have access to materia for a while so you're stuck with Barret and Cloud's default attacks (Barret can only physically attack, use item and defend, while Cloud is the same with magic (two spells, Ice and Bolt). Luckily though the first part of the game (the Number 1 Reactor) is so easy that is sufficient to dispatch most random battles you may encounter.

Another aspect of the battle system that is very valuable is Limit Breaks - these are FFVII's special attacks, whereby each player has a special 'Limit' gauge, which fills each time they're hit by the enemy (supposedly it represents their anger). Once this gauge reaches the maximum, it changes colour to a rainbow effect and the message 'LIMIT BREAK!' appears on the screen, and that character's 'Attack' command is replaced with 'Limit'. Selecting this command will allow that player to use their Limit Break on the enemy - most are extremely powerful physical attacks, but there are some that are defensive based, such as Aeris's Limit Breaks, and Yuffie's 'Clear and Tranquil'.

Button commands are straight forward - (this is the PS1 version controls I'm referring to): 'O' is confirm, 'X' is cancel, triangle opens the Main Menu, start button pauses the game in battle, and the shoulder buttons when held down in battle allow the player to try to escape (this is also handy for if the battle starts as a 'back attack' - holding the shoulder buttons down momentarily turns the party around to face the enemy, reducing the physical damage they'll take.

Anyway, hopefully that hasn't been to confusing for you. If you need any more help, don't be afraid to ask - although FFVII is pretty easy to get into, so I'm sure you'll get the hang of the game pretty quickly. :)

Wow what a great reply, thanks! That has certainly cleared up some confusion around Limit Breaks! Is the LB designed to be used as soon as it's available 'to help you out', or is there a more strategic way to use it? My other question is, when should I be using magic as opposed to the normal weapons? (In my few encounters so far I've only used Cloud's sword and Barrett's gun). Also, could you maybe shed some light on the situation regarding attacks from the side and rear? It's happened in the game but I wasn't sure of the implications of this.

Thanks again for all your help :)

caterix

Limit Breaks technically are meant to be used immediately (it's why when you reach Limit Break status, the ATB gauge immediately fills up so you can use the attack straight away, making it technically a 'get-out-of-jail-free-card' of sorts), but you can definitely hold off using it if you so desire. The only thing is, the Limit command replaces that character's Attack command until the Limit Break is selected and used, meaning the only other things you can use are other commands, magic, items, defend and move.

As for magic, it is wise to use it when you can, as magic starts to become more potent than physical attacks (especially against certain enemies who have elemental weaknesses). But apart from Cloud's default spells you can't equip any new materia until you gain the Materia system after returning to Sector 7 following the bombing of the Number 1 Reactor and spending the night at Seventh Heaven (you'll gain a Restore materia by default when you go through the first reactor early on). A note about magic materia though - besides allowing a character to use magic, magic (green) materia also alter that character's stats while it's equipped - usually magic materia increase Spirit, Magic and total MP at the cost of lowering Strength, Defense, Dexterity and total HP.

Hence, this can negatively impact on characters like Cloud and Barret who are heavy melee hitters - they're competent magic users, but they're better at physically attacking and using their Limit Breaks. You wouldn't have her in your party at that stage, but soon enough you'll gain Aeris in your party, who is the best person to have as your magic user - she has the highest Magic, MP and Spirit stats in the game, making her a perfect spell caster, especially also as her Limit Breaks are purely defensive based, and her HP, defense and strength are low, so keep her in the back row casting spells, where she'll take less physical damage.

Finally, in regards to battle formations, Side Attacks mean your party is completely surrounded on both sides by enemies - this is the worst attack as it means you can't escape from battle normally (the only way is to equip and use the 'Exit' magic materia and cast the spell 'Escape', which you don't gain til much later in the game). Your characters will also suffer more damage on account of being constantly hit from behind, where physical damage is increased. Back Attacks are when the enemy sneaks up on you from behind.

Not only is this disadvantageous in that your characters will take more damage being hit in the back, the enemy can always attack first in such a situation, as there is a delay for the party's ATB gauges to start filling, meaning you're handicapped further. However, you can tip the odds a little in your favour in a back attack by holding the shoulder buttons down briefly which makes your party turn around to face the enemy quickly, meaning they'll take default damage rather than increased 'rear' damage.

Anyway, I hope this has not been too confusing for you, and has answered your questions. :)

Brilliant, thanks a lot for such a detailed answer :) I think the best thing I can do now is carry on with the game (I've only reached the first save point), and inquire again if I get stuck (I probably will!)

Thanks again for all your help!

caterix

Enkidoh is great at explaining things you should have no problem getting to the end of the game with them 2 simple posts, well you shouldn't need help untill you beat the game an want to do optional side quests ....Good luck and enjoy, it really is an all round great RPG. I'm starting a game right now to..i haven't played in almost a year im starting to miss the soundtrack i need to hear it haha...

Hi guys, thought I'd drop back in and give an update on my progress...!

I'm now 8 hours into the game, and have just reached the world map, and arrived in Kalm. The game has been amazing so far! I've always been into action/shooter games, even from the master system, megadrive and snes days I never played RPG's as I didn't 'get' them. I'm glad that I pushed myself to learn the basics so I could get into this game :) Now I know my way a little around materia, I've not struggled in battles, the only one that was a bit of a challenge (as Aeris had my restore materia :|) was the boss fight after the motorbike level.

Thanks again for getting me started on this game!

You're welcome! Glad to hear you're really enjoying it.

As for the Motorball fight (the boss at the end of the highway), that battle could be easily prepared beforehand, as just prior to the chase minigame which leads into it, you're given the chance to access the main menu and change your party configuration. thus allowing you to switch materia around or equip new gear.

Just being able to do this makes the boss fight so much easier, but it's a repetitively straightforward battle anyway. :)