Hey guys! Getting ready to dive into Final Fantasy VII Reunion and want to make sure your team is equipped with the absolute best Materia? You've come to the right place! Materia is the backbone of character customization in FFVII, and knowing which ones to prioritize can make a huge difference in your success against Shinra and all the challenges that await. So, let's break down the must-have Materia that will turn your party into unstoppable forces. Let's get started, shall we?

Understanding Materia in FFVII Reunion

Before we jump into the specifics, let's quickly recap what Materia is and how it works in Final Fantasy VII. Materia are magical orbs that you equip to your characters' weapons and armor. These orbs grant your characters special abilities, spells, stat boosts, and other beneficial effects. Think of them as the building blocks for your characters' strengths. Experimenting with different Materia combinations is crucial. Some Materia level up as you gain AP (Ability Points) in battle, becoming more powerful and sometimes unlocking new abilities. Many Materia can be linked together to create powerful combinations. For example, linking an Elemental Materia with an offensive magic Materia (like Fire or Ice) will imbue your weapon with that element, allowing you to exploit enemy weaknesses. Different Materia colors indicate different categories: Green for magic, Yellow for commands, Blue for support, Purple for independent, and Red for summons. The best part? Materia allows for a ton of customization. You can tailor each character's abilities to suit your playstyle and to tackle specific challenges. Whether you like offensive powerhouses, defensive tanks, or versatile support characters, Materia is the key to making it happen.

Must-Have Magic Materia

Magic Materia is your bread and butter for dealing elemental damage and healing your party. Here are some of the most essential ones you'll want to get your hands on:

Restore Materia

Restore is arguably the most important Materia in the game. It allows you to cast healing spells like Cure, Cura, and Curaga, keeping your party alive through tough battles. As you level up the Materia, you'll also gain access to Regen, which provides a steady stream of healing over time. Keeping your party healthy is priority number one, and Restore Materia ensures you can do just that. Having multiple copies of this Materia is always a good idea, so you can spread the healing love around. It's worth noting that pairing Restore with an All Materia can turn one character into a dedicated party healer. A well-leveled Restore Materia can also remove status ailments, making it incredibly versatile in various combat situations. Don't leave home without it!

Fire, Ice, Lightning, and Wind Materia

These elemental magic Materia are essential for exploiting enemy weaknesses. Most enemies in FFVII are vulnerable to one or more of these elements, so having access to Fire, Ice, Lightning, and Wind spells can dramatically increase your damage output. Leveling up these Materia will unlock more powerful versions of the spells (like Fira, Firaga, Blizzara, Blizzaga, etc.). Also, when combined with Elemental Materia in your weapon slots, they will allow the equipped character to absorb elemental damage. Experiment with different combinations to discover enemy vulnerabilities, and tailor your party's magic arsenal accordingly. Having a diverse range of elemental attacks ensures you're always prepared for any encounter. Remember to keep an eye on enemy weaknesses, as exploiting them can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Each of these Materia can be found relatively early in the game, so prioritize acquiring them as soon as possible.

Revive Materia

Revive does exactly what it sounds like: it brings fallen party members back to life. The ability to revive characters is invaluable, especially during challenging boss fights. As you level up Revive, you'll gain access to Raise, which revives a character with more HP than the base Revive spell. Trust me, you'll be thankful you have this Materia when things get tough. No one wants to see their favorite characters knocked out, and Revive ensures they can get back in the fight. It's an essential tool for overcoming difficult encounters and keeping your party in top shape. Don't underestimate the importance of resurrection magic!

Top-Tier Command Materia

Command Materia grants your characters special abilities that aren't spells. These can range from stealing items to analyzing enemies. Here are some standout Command Materia:

Steal Materia

Steal allows you to pilfer items from enemies during battle. While it might not seem essential at first, stealing can net you valuable items that you can't obtain any other way. Some enemies carry rare equipment or consumables that can give you a significant edge. Plus, it's always fun to be a bit of a kleptomaniac, right? Stealing can also provide you with useful resources early in the game when money is tight. Don't overlook the potential benefits of acquiring rare and powerful items through thievery. Get your Steal Materia ready and become the ultimate loot ninja! As the saying goes, "finders keepers, losers weepers!"

Sense Materia

Sense is incredibly useful for identifying enemy weaknesses and stats. Using Sense on an enemy will reveal their HP, strengths, weaknesses, and any immunities they may have. This information is crucial for planning your attacks and exploiting vulnerabilities. Knowing what your enemies are weak against can dramatically increase your damage output and make battles much easier. Plus, it helps you avoid using ineffective attacks that waste MP and turns. Equip it to a character and use it at the start of new encounters. As you progress, it evolves into Assess, providing even more detailed information. Sense Materia is your key to tactical combat, so don't leave home without it. Knowing is half the battle, after all!

Manipulate Materia

Manipulate allows you to control enemies and make them fight for you temporarily. While it might seem situational, Manipulate can be incredibly powerful in certain battles. You can use Manipulated enemies to inflict damage on their allies, heal your party, or even cast powerful spells. It's a great way to turn the tide of battle and gain a tactical advantage. Plus, it's just plain fun to control your enemies and make them do your bidding. Experiment with different enemies to see which ones have the most useful abilities. With Manipulate Materia, you're not just fighting the enemy; you're making them part of your strategy.

Support Materia: The Unsung Heroes

Support Materia enhances the effects of other Materia, making them even more powerful. Here are some key Support Materia you should be using:

All Materia

All allows you to cast a spell on all enemies or all allies, depending on the linked Materia. Linking All with a magic Materia like Fire will allow you to cast Fire on all enemies at once. Linking it with Restore will allow you to heal your entire party with Cure, Cura, or Curaga. All is incredibly versatile and can be used in many different situations. It's a must-have for any party that wants to maximize its efficiency in combat. Using All with healing spells is especially effective, as it allows you to quickly restore your entire party's health. You'll be thankful you have All when facing large groups of enemies or when your party is taking heavy damage. With All Materia, you can turn any single-target spell into an area-of-effect powerhouse.

Elemental Materia

Elemental is a game-changer when linked with magic Materia in your weapon or armor. When linked in a weapon, it imbues your attacks with the linked element, allowing you to exploit enemy weaknesses. When linked in armor, it reduces or negates damage from the linked element. For example, linking Elemental with Fire in your armor will make you resistant or immune to fire damage. This is invaluable for boss fights that focus on elemental attacks. It can dramatically increase your survivability and give you a significant advantage. Experiment with different elemental combinations to find the best defensive setups for each encounter. With Elemental Materia, you can become virtually immune to certain types of damage.

Magic Plus Materia

Magic Plus increases the effectiveness of magic spells. It's a simple but powerful Materia that can boost the damage and healing of your magic spells by a significant amount. Leveling up Magic Plus will further increase its effectiveness, making your magic even more potent. It's a great way to maximize the impact of your spells and make your magic users even more formidable. If you're relying on magic as your primary source of damage or healing, Magic Plus is a must-have. It's the perfect way to amplify your magic and turn your spellcasters into unstoppable forces.

Don't Forget Independent Materia

Independent Materia provides passive benefits to your characters. While they don't directly cast spells or use abilities, they can still have a significant impact on your party's performance.

Cover Materia

Cover allows a character to automatically jump in and take damage for a party member who is about to be attacked. This is invaluable for protecting your squishier characters from harm. Equipping Cover on a tanky character will make them a meat shield, absorbing damage that would otherwise be directed at your more vulnerable party members. It's a great way to keep your healers and mages alive, ensuring they can continue to support the party. Cover is especially useful in boss fights where enemies use powerful single-target attacks. With Cover Materia, you can ensure your party's survival by redirecting damage to your strongest character.

Long Range Materia

Long Range allows characters equipped with ranged weapons to attack from the back row without any penalty to their damage. This is essential for characters like Barret and Yuffie, who excel at dealing damage from a distance. By equipping Long Range, you can keep them safe from melee attacks while still allowing them to contribute to the battle. It's a simple but effective way to maximize the effectiveness of your ranged characters. If you're using characters with ranged weapons, Long Range Materia is a must-have.

Summons Materia: Unleash the Power

Summons Materia allows you to summon powerful creatures to aid you in battle. These summons can inflict massive damage on enemies or provide valuable buffs to your party.

Ifrit, Shiva, Ramuh, Titan Materia

These are some of the earlier summons you'll acquire, and they're all incredibly useful for dealing elemental damage. Ifrit is a fire-based summon, Shiva is ice-based, Ramuh is lightning-based, and Titan is earth-based. Each summon can inflict massive damage on enemies with the corresponding elemental weakness. Plus, they look incredibly cool doing it. Experiment with different summons to see which ones are most effective against different enemies. Summons can turn the tide of battle in your favor, especially when facing tough bosses or large groups of enemies. Don't underestimate the power of summoning a legendary creature to fight by your side!

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, folks! My guide to the best Materia in Final Fantasy VII Reunion. With these Materia equipped, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any challenge the game throws your way. Remember to experiment with different combinations and find what works best for your playstyle. And most importantly, have fun! Good luck, and may your Materia always be leveled up to the max!