Mastering Weapon Upgrades in Final Fantasy VII Remake

So, you’re diving deep into the world of Midgar in Final Fantasy VII Remake and wondering how to make your weapons even more badass? We get it. Slapping Sephiroth around is way more satisfying when your Buster Sword is gleaming with extra materia slots and pumped-up stats. The weapon upgrade system in FF7R is key to customizing your characters and truly optimizing them for any challenge the Shinra Corporation throws your way. Let’s break down everything you need to know about collecting those precious upgrade materials.

Weapon Upgrade Materials Guide: FF7 Remake

The Final Fantasy VII Remake presents a revamped combat system, and along with it, a robust weapon upgrade mechanic. Instead of simply finding better weapons, you’re encouraged to invest in the weapons you already have. Upgrading your weapons allows you to customize them to fit your playstyle and maximize your character’s potential. But where do you find the necessary materials for these upgrades? That’s what we’re here to unravel. Consider this your personal materia-infused cheat sheet!

Unlocking Weapon Skills and Stats

Before we dive into the material hunt, let’s quickly recap *why* you’re even collecting them in the first place. Weapon upgrades in FF7R unlock a variety of perks, ranging from simple stat boosts to completely new materia slots and even powerful weapon skills. Each weapon has its own upgrade tree, and the path you choose will drastically alter how that weapon performs in battle. Think of it like building a custom lightsaber; you wouldn’t want a wimpy one when facing Darth Vader, right?

Understanding Weapon Proficiency

As you use a weapon in combat, your weapon proficiency increases. Once proficiency is maxed out, you’ll learn the weapon’s unique skill. This skill can then be used by any character, even if they aren’t wielding that particular weapon. For example, mastering the Iron Blade unlocks the “Triple Slash” skill, which is incredibly useful for staggering enemies. This is a huge incentive to experiment with different weapons and unlock their full potential.

Key Weapon Upgrade Materials and Where to Find Them

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. Here’s a breakdown of some essential weapon upgrade materials and the best ways to acquire them. Keep in mind that enemy drops and locations can vary slightly depending on the difficulty level you’re playing on.

AP Up Materia Farming

Okay, this isn’t technically a weapon upgrade material, BUT it directly impacts how powerful your weapons become! Leveling up your materia is crucial, and AP Up materia makes the process significantly faster. Equip AP Up Materia linked to other Materia to double the AP they gain after each battle. The best place to farm for AP is in the Shinra Combat Simulator. The Three-Person Team vs. Shinra Warriors challenge is particularly effective. This allows you to level up your materia quicker, thus making the most of those upgraded materia slots on your weapons.

Moogle Medals

Moogle Medals are a unique currency used to purchase rare items from the Moogle Emporium. This shop is found within the children’s secret hideout in the Sector 5 Slums. While not directly used in weapon upgrades, the Moogle Emporium sells items like manuscripts that grant SP for your weapons or valuable crafting materials. These medals are cleverly hidden throughout the game world. Check behind boxes, in corners, and even hanging from ceilings. Completing side quests often rewards you with a stash of Moogle Medals as well.

Manuscripts

Manuscripts provide Skill Points (SP) which you’ll use to upgrade your weapons’ stats and unlock new abilities within their upgrade trees. These manuscripts are often rewards for completing side quests, finding treasure chests, or defeating specific enemies. Always prioritize side quests when they appear, as they frequently offer powerful manuscripts. Exploring every nook and cranny of the world is also crucial to finding hidden treasure chests containing manuscripts.

Chakra Shards

Chakra Shards are commonly found throughout the game and are used in various crafting recipes, including some that indirectly contribute to weapon upgrades. For example, you can craft items that boost your stats or provide other benefits that enhance your character’s overall power, thus indirectly boosting the effectiveness of your upgraded weapons. Look for Chakra Shards by destroying Shinra boxes, opening chests, and defeating enemies. They’re pretty common, so you should amass a healthy supply as you progress.

Wrath Crystals

Wrath Crystals are a rarer material, often found in more challenging areas or as rewards for completing optional content. They’re frequently used in crafting powerful accessories or items that can significantly enhance your character’s damage output. Imagine them as the super spice that makes your combat dish extra fiery! Look for them in endgame areas, hard mode challenges, and by completing all side quests in each chapter. You may even find them after completing certain VR missions.

Iron Ore, Mythril Ore and Other Common Ores

Don’t underestimate the value of common ores like Iron Ore and Mythril Ore. These materials are frequently used in early-game crafting recipes and are essential for creating the accessories that provide vital stat boosts early in the game. Collect them from Shinra boxes, defeating enemies, and exploring the environment. Even though they seem basic, stockpiling these ores is crucial for optimizing your characters early on and making your weapon upgrades feel more impactful.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Material Gathering

Hunting for weapon upgrade materials can feel like a grind, but here are some tips to make the process more efficient and less tedious:

Complete Side Quests Diligently

We can’t stress this enough: Side quests are your friend! They not only provide valuable experience and gil but also often reward you with manuscripts, Moogle Medals, and other essential upgrade materials. Treat side quests as an integral part of the main story, rather than optional distractions.

Explore Every Nook and Cranny

The world of Final Fantasy VII Remake is surprisingly detailed, and hidden within its environments are tons of valuable resources. Take the time to explore every corner, check behind objects, and look up to find Moogle Medals dangling from the ceiling. You’d be surprised at what you can find by simply being observant.

Break Every Shinra Box You See

Shinra boxes are practically treasure chests in disguise. Smashing them open yields a variety of useful materials, from basic ores to more valuable shards and crystals. Make it a habit to destroy every Shinra box you encounter, and your material stockpiles will thank you.

Engage in VR Missions and the Combat Simulator

The VR Missions and Combat Simulator offer unique challenges that reward you with rare materials and manuscripts. These challenges are a great way to test your skills and earn valuable resources in the process. Plus, they’re a fun way to break up the monotony of the main story.

Utilize the Assess Materia

Equipping the Assess materia allows you to learn about the weaknesses and resistances of enemies. More importantly, it can reveal which enemies drop specific materials. This information can help you target specific enemies to farm for the materials you need. It’s like having a built-in encyclopedia of loot drops!

Late Game Material Farming and Hard Mode Tips

Once you’ve conquered the main story and unlocked Hard Mode, the material grind takes on a whole new dimension. Hard Mode enemies are tougher, but they also drop better loot, making it the ideal place to farm for endgame materials. Here are some tips for efficient material farming in Hard Mode:

Focus on Chapter Select

Utilize the Chapter Select feature to replay specific chapters that contain enemies known to drop the materials you need. Some chapters have a higher concentration of certain enemy types, making them ideal for targeted farming.

Master Enemy Weaknesses

In Hard Mode, exploiting enemy weaknesses is more crucial than ever. Use the Assess materia to identify weaknesses and tailor your attacks accordingly. This will not only make battles easier but also increase your chances of getting rare item drops.

Crafting Synergy

Experiment with different item crafting recipes to find synergies that boost your material gathering efficiency. Some accessories can increase your drop rates or provide other benefits that make farming more rewarding. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

Team Composition Optimization

Your party composition plays a significant role in Hard Mode. Choose characters and weapons that complement each other and exploit enemy weaknesses effectively. A well-balanced team will make material farming much smoother.

The Satisfaction of a Maxed-Out Weapon

Ultimately, the grind for weapon upgrade materials in Final Fantasy VII Remake is a rewarding experience. As you unlock new abilities, boost your stats, and master your favorite weapons, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. And when you finally face off against Sephiroth with a fully upgraded weapon, you’ll know that all the hard work was worth it. So, go forth, gather your materials, and become the ultimate weapon master in Midgar!

FAQ

Q

A: Manuscripts are primarily obtained by completing side quests, finding treasure chests, and sometimes as rewards for defeating specific enemies. Always prioritize side quests and thoroughly explore each area to uncover hidden chests. Don’t forget to check the Moogle Emporium too; some manuscripts can be purchased there using Moogle Medals.

Q

A: Yes, Hard Mode introduces some exclusive materials that are not found in lower difficulty settings. These materials are often used to craft powerful accessories or enhance existing gear. Keep an eye out for unique drops from Hard Mode enemies, especially those in challenging encounters.

Q

A: While you don’t *need* to upgrade every single weapon to beat the game, doing so unlocks each weapon’s unique skill, which can then be used by any character. This provides immense flexibility in combat and allows you to customize your characters to fit your playstyle. Furthermore, upgrading multiple weapons gives you more options for materia slots and stat boosts, making your team more versatile overall. If you’re aiming for 100% completion, you’ll eventually need to upgrade them all!