AIGameGuides.com v4/27/2025

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

Requirements:

•Location: Fought in the Musclehead Colosseum at the Gold Saucer during Chapter 12.

•Party Composition: This is a solo fight with Cloud in Chapter 12, "A Golden Key."

Materia:

•No specific elemental Materia since Rufus is immune to elemental damage, but:

•Healing Materia: Cure or Prayer for self-healing.

•Steadfast Block Materia: To generate ATB through blocking.

•First Strike Materia: To start with an ATB charge.

•ATB Boost Materia: For additional ATB when you need it.

Gear:

•Equip Cloud with the Hardedge for high damage output or Twin Stinger for Counterstance.

•Consider gear with high defense or evasion to manage Rufus's relentless attacks.

•Level: Around level 45-50 for an easier fight, but with optimal strategy and gear, you might tackle him at a lower level.

Detailed Walkthrough:

Phase 1: Initial Encounter:

1.Attacks: Rufus uses Reload, Double Shot, Bad Luck, Divebomb

Strategy:

2.Use the reload moment to strike with an ATB command or basic attack to pressure him.

3.Dodge or perfect block Double Shot; perfect blocking builds ATB.

4.Avoid Bad Luck by keeping distance or blocking if necessary.

5.Divebomb requires a quick dodge when Rufus jumps.

Phase 2 (Around 50% HP - Darkstar Joins):

Rufus and Darkstar:

1.New Mechanics: Darkstar adds Rush, Snarl, and can heal Rufus.

Strategy:

2.Focus on breaking the link between Rufus and Darkstar to pressure both. Use Triple Slash or ranged attacks.

3.When Darkstar is pressured or staggered, deal as much damage as possible to defeat it first, as it simplifies the fight.

4.Continue to exploit Rufus's reload moments, now using Focused Thrust or Braver for more damage.

Phase 3 (After Darkstar is Defeated):

Rufus Alone:

1.Aggressive: Rufus becomes more aggressive with moves like Up in Smoke and Think Fast.

Strategy:

2.Keep up the strategy of attacking during reloads. Use Limit Breaks if you have them for the final push.

3.Dodge Up in Smoke and Think Fast by watching Rufus's actions closely.

Strategies:

•Timing is Key: Attack Rufus when he's reloading or immediately after he uses an attack; this is when he's most vulnerable.

•Defensive Play: Use Punisher Mode for counterattacks after blocking, but be mindful of when to attack to avoid counters.

•ATB Management: Use Steadfast Block to generate ATB through blocking, then spend it on powerful abilities.

•Counter Rufus's Moves: Triple Slash can interrupt Rufus if timed right (right after he uses an attack or during reload).

Tips:

•ATB Build: Perfect blocks and Steadfast Block are your friends here for ATB generation.

•Healing: Use items or spells conservatively, focusing more on dodging than healing if possible.

•Positioning: Keep moving to avoid Rufus's area attacks and to position yourself for optimal counterattacks.

•Limit Breaks: Save for when Rufus is staggered or after Darkstar is defeated for finishing him off.

•Hard Mode: Focus on MP efficiency, use Steadfast Block and Precision Defense Focus to ensure you're building ATB while defending.

•Summoning: If you can summon, use Bahamut or another powerful summon when Darkstar is down to deal with Rufus.

•Learn Rufus’s Moves: Some of his attacks have long wind-ups; use this time to prepare your next move or heal.