Aerith is one of the harder characters to play as inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. She wasn’t easy to control in the first remake in this trilogy either because of a couple of factors. One, her attacks were slow and didn’t do a lot of damage.
Also, Aerith’s movement speed was not fast either. However,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthfixes Aerith and her rod weaponsby giving her some interesting abilities to play with. Figuring out how to properly use these abilities can be tricky so let’s go down that strategy road now. For those interested in acquiring all seven, there will be spoilers on their locations.
Updated on February 3rd, 2025, By Joshua Leeds:Aerith will never be a front-line fighter, but she has a wide range of abilities that make her incredibly useful to have in the back line. This article has been updated to include more detailed descriptions of where to find each staff so that you may master each ability and have access to them all whenever needed. We’ve also added the ATB cost of each ability so you know everything you need to know about the ability before deciding which ones to track down.
7Lustrous Shield (Plumose Rod)
You Shall Not Pass!
The Plumose Rod is not an easy weapon to get as it is hidden behind a wall of challenges for Hojo in the Shinra Mansion. Once players defeat all of the enemy challenges, this will be the best reward available. The rod will bestow Aerith with an ability called Lustrous Shield which has defensive capabilities.
Once formed, enemies cannot pass through the Lustrous Shield and it will stop projectiles. Aerith, when players put her inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’sparty, should be the designated spell caster. Setting up a Lustrous Shield while performing spells like Cure or Fire wouldn’t be a bad strategy.
6Chrono Aegis (Timeless Rod)
It’s A Chrono Trigger
After getting the quest to find the Chocobo in The Grasslands region, players may leave immediately. However, they should explore the barn first as there are rare materials, items, and a rod for Aerith called the Timeless Rod. This funky-looking rod has the ability Chrono Aegis attached to it.
Chrono Aegis is another barrier-type ability but this one attacks back if enemies hit it. There is also a chance enemies will get afflicted by the Stop status effect which can also be cast with the Magic Materia, Time. Stop rarely works onbosses inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthbut it is useful against smaller enemies in the field.
5ATB Ward (Ceremonial Staff)
For The Long-Ranged Heroes
One of thebiggest story changes inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthhappens after Red 13’s trials in the Cave of the Gi. Afterward, a Gi ancestor will take the party to the Village of the Gi wherein they will fight a few rounds of battles and gain some loot. This is where players can get the Ceremonial Staff, for example, which comes with the ATB Ward ability for Aerith.
Once summoned, the ATB Ward will increase how fast the ATB gauge recharges for everyone in it. Since the ward is stationary, it would make sense to have ranged characters in the party like Barret or Yuffie. Making the party AI stand in this zone can be tricky though.
4Arcane Ward (Guard Stick)
A Quadra Magic Materia Replacement
Aerith’s default weapon is the Guard Stick which is less iconic than other starting weapons for characters likeCloud’s Buster Sword. Regardless of the look, the Guard Stick has a great ability attached to it for Aerith. Arcane Ward will make her more powerful in battle.
Any spell cast within this space will now be used twice such as Ice on enemies. There was a Support Materia in the original game called Quadra Magic that had a similar effect except it was better as it would cast the same spell four times instead of two. Maybe it will appear in the final game of this trilogy, but Aerith’s Arcane Ward is a good substitute.
3Radiant Ward (Empress’s Scepter)
Make Aerith’s Attack Actually Hurt
Out of all of the characters in the game, Aerith gets showered in weapons quickly. The Empress’s Scepter can be obtained in the Junon Inn afterCloud has his momentwith Aerith. It can bless Aerith with the Radiant Ward ability which will make her more powerful during combat.
For starters, her basic attack will change into a set of laser beams that deal more damage and are faster. It’s a dynamic shift in how she plays in most of the game. Spells will be more effective and Aerith will be invincible as long as she is in the space too.
2Ray Of Judgement (Wizard’s Rod)
Piccolo Would Be Impressed
The Wizard’s Rod is a weapon obtainable on Mt. Corel during the hike up with Cloudand Red 13. The rod will grant her the ability of Ray of Judgement which is a rare offensive attack for her. Aerith will summon a laser beam that can pierce through multiple enemies on screen.
The Radiant Ward’s beams aren’t as strong to pierces through enemies. Ray of Judgment then is kind of like Aerith’s version of Piccolo’s Special Beam Cannon fromDragon Ball Z.
1Noble Sacrifice (Gambanteinn)
A Powerful Premonition
The Temple of the Ancients is the final dungeon of the game and it’s where most characters can get their ultimate weapons. Aerith’s is called Gambanteinn and it has the incredible Noble Sacrifice attached to it. Unlike most of Aerith’s abilities, Noble Sacrifice costs 2 ATB bars to activate but it is worth it in a pinch.
Noble Sacrifice will force Aerith to die in battle and in that literal sacrifice, other characters will be healed fully including from death and status ailments. She can be revived as well so it’s not like a final solution for the heroine which would be weird.
