Best Early-Game Build for Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (FF7)

Using a character’s strengths to your advantage is the best way to progress through Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and starting early will only make the process easier. Here’s our best early game build for Aerith in FF7 Rebirth.

Best Equipment, Materia, and Folios for Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (FF7)

In FF7 Rebirth, Aerith is a natural spellcaster and a fantastic support character for any team. While her basic attack may be lackluster compared to others, her skills and Folios can quickly turn her into a powerful archmage with enormous healing capabilities, making her an incredible asset. Utilizing her Arcane Ward not only allows her to dual-cast spells, but also allows her to teleport back to it, making her much more mobile than she was in Remake.

Best Early Equipment for Aerith

• Weapon – Aerith’s starting weapon, Guard Stick, is a perfect early-game tool and teaches her Arcane Ward, which is easily one of her most important abilities.
• Armor – Most early-game armor works fine for Aerith, like Metal Bracer or Leather Bangle. Once you obtain it, the Warmage’s Armband is great for adding three more Materia slots for even more spells.
• Accessory – It can be difficult to build ATB with Aerith, so the Whistlewind Scarf gives her a nice headstart at the beginning of each battle.

Best Early Materia for Aerith

• Prayer – Although it costs 2 ATB bars to cast, Prayer is a valuable party-wide heal for Aerith that costs no MP.
• Healing Materia – With the right setup, Aerith’s heals can be quite powerful, which makes her the ideal candidate to toss out Cures and Curas when needed.
• Fire and Ice Materia – Aerith’s elemental magic can be very strong, so having two elemental spells for the price of one Materia is a no-brainer.
• Wind and Lightning Materia – For the same reasoning above, Aerith can have access to four elemental magics for only two Materia slots.
• MP Up – Give Aerith the mana pool she deserves by increasing her MP as high as possible.
• Weapon Skill – Spiritual Harvest

Best Early Folios for Aerith

• Synergy Skill: Bodyguard – Since Aerith’s defensive capabilities are weak, Bodyguard is a perfect skill to supplement that when she needs to reduce incoming damage.
• Max MP Up – Aerith’s strength lies in her magical abilities, so increasing her mana pool will benefit the entire team.
• Synergy Damage Up – When she’s not casting spells, Aerith has access to valuable synergy skills when paired with the right partners.
• Jetstream – A wind attack that costs no MP and strengthens Aerith’s Wind magic spells.
• Rolling Thunder – A lightning attack that costs no MP and strengthens Aerith’s Lightning magic spells.

With the use of Arcane Ward and Soul Drain, Aerith can dish out magical devastation for days without having to worry as much about her MP pool. Her offensive spells can instantly stagger enemies that are weak to them, and her healing capabilities like her Healing Wind Limit Break can be a lifesaver for your team in dire moments.

For more guides on character skill sets, check out our guide on the best early-game builds for Cloud in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.