AIGameGuides.com v4/27/2025

Here's a detailed guide for defeating Jenova Lifeclinger in "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth," including requirements, walkthrough, strategies, and additional tips:

Requirements:

•Location: Fought at the Forgotten Capital during Chapter 14.

•Rewards: Experience, AP, and progression towards the game's conclusion.

•Party Composition: Cloud, Tifa, and Red XIII are your team for this fight in Chapter 14, "End of the World."

Materia:

•Fire and Lightning Materia: Jenova Lifeclinger has no elemental weaknesses but is resistant to Ice and Wind, so avoid these.

•Healing Materia: Cure or Pray for healing, especially since party members can be expelled from battle.

•Barrier Materia: To mitigate damage from Jenova's various attacks.

•Assess Materia: To understand Jenova's attack patterns and resistances.

Gear:

•Equip Cloud with the Hardedge for high damage or Twin Stinger for Counterstance; Tifa with Mythril Claws for stagger; Red XIII with the Mythril Collar for defense and stagger.

•Consider gear with high defense or resistance to magic damage since Jenova uses a lot of magical attacks.

•Level: Aim for around level 55-60 for an easier fight, but with the right strategy, lower levels can work.

Detailed Walkthrough:

Phase 1: Initial Attacks:

1.Contaminant Expulsion, Castigate, Mourning Wail, Blizzaga, Aeroga, Lachrymal Exhale

2.Strategy:

3.Contaminant Expulsion: This unblockable attack will remove party members; focus on dealing damage before they're expelled.

4.Avoid Magic: Stay away from Jenova when it's casting Blizzaga or Aeroga; these are area spells.

5.Mourning Wail: Move out of the vortex or get pushed back, losing position.

6.Castigate: Dodge or guard against the quick burst of energy.

7.Lachrymal Exhale: Move to avoid the bubbles; they're unblockable.

Phase 2 (Obliterate):

1.Obliterate: A devastating attack that can be prevented by dealing enough damage to Jenova.

2.Strategy:

3.Damage Rush: Use this phase to deal as much damage as possible. Use Limit Breaks or powerful abilities to prevent Obliterate.

Phase 3 (Arena Destruction - 35-40% HP):

1.Arena Split: The arena breaks, splitting into three platforms with Jenova's body parts (wings and head) as targets.

2.Strategy:

3.Tifa and Cait Sith: Focus on destroying the Right Wing.

4.Barret and Red XIII: Target and destroy the Left Wing.

5.Cloud and Yuffie: Attack the Head.

6.Synergy: Use Synergy Abilities to quickly dispatch each part.

Final Phase:

1.Post-Destruction: Jenova is vulnerable after all parts are destroyed, and your party is reunited.

2.Strategy:

3.All Out Assault: Use all available Limit Breaks, summon if possible, and keep up the pressure with Fire and Lightning.

Strategies:

•Elemental Focus: Use Fire and Lightning as Jenova has resistances to other elements.

•Stagger Management: Pressure Jenova by dealing consistent damage, use Tifa's abilities to build stagger.

•Defensive Play: Use Barrier to reduce damage from Jenova's magical attacks.

•Synergy Abilities: Key for managing the fight, especially during the arena split phase.

Tips:

•ATB Management: Use ATB for abilities that deal damage or heal during member expulsion.

•MP Management: On Hard Mode, be conservative with MP; use MP Absorption if you have it.

•Positioning: Stay mobile to avoid Jenova's area attacks and to quickly react to member expulsion.

•Limit Breaks: Save for when Jenova is staggered or after destroying body parts in the third phase.

•Hard Mode: Equip Fire and Lightning with Elemental Materia on weapons for passive damage. Use Barrier and Manawall wisely.

•Summoning: If you have a summon like Bahamut, use it after reuniting the party for maximum impact.

•Tifa's Role: She's vital for stagger; use her to pressure Jenova quickly.