How to Stagger Enemies in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

Stagger is one of the key mechanics you need to master in the modern Final Fantasy series, including the most recent release, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. The stagger system allows players to build up a stagger gauge on enemies by dealing damage, which, when filled, temporarily incapacitates the enemy and makes them more vulnerable to attacks.

Building and filling the stagger gauge is not easy, especially without applying pressure, as pressure increases the effectiveness of your attacks and accelerates the filling of the stagger gauge.

However, new players—especially those who are new to the franchise—often have difficulty initiating pressure and ultimately staggering enemies. Here is a guide to help you easily apply pressure and stagger your foes.

How to Build a Pressure on Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth?

The first thing you need to know about applying pressure to enemies is understanding their weaknesses. Use the Assess Materia to examine enemy weaknesses, as it provides three important pieces of information for pressuring and staggering foes.

The description in yellow text on the left side indicates the conditions you must meet to pressure the enemies. In this case, it involves exploiting their elemental weaknesses. For example, Quetzalcoatl is weak to the Ice element.

Attacking with Ice-elemental damage—whether from Materia, a weapon, or even an item—can help you apply pressure to the enemy, significantly filling the stagger gauge.

When pressure is successfully applied, you’ll see the stagger gauge charge significantly, along with a notification indicating that the enemy has been “Pressured.” Continue applying pressure until the enemy is staggered; at that point, they will become incapacitated, allowing you to deal increased damage (see the multiplier next to the staggered).

You will receive an even greater damage bonus if you exploit the elemental weakness of the staggered enemy. Take advantage of this opportunity to utilize your ATB skills and other abilities. The enemy’s HP will decrease more rapidly, enabling you to achieve victory in a shorter amount of time.

Additional Notes

Tifa is a great choice to increase the multiplier stagger damage. Use her ATB charges to perform Unbridled Strength twice, After that strike staggered enemies with Rise and Fall, Omnistrike, and Whirling Uppercut to further enhance the damage multiplier.

Elemental weakness is not always a method for applying pressure, so it’s essential to check the enemy’s conditions using the Assess Materia. For example, Fonadu is an enemy that cannot be pressured through elemental weaknesses. Instead, you need to dodge their “Death from Above” attack to apply pressure effectively.