Cloud begins the game with his iconic Buster Sword. He somehow lost the rest of his gear along with everyone else from Final Fantasy 7 Remake. It doesn’t make a lot of sense but players have to go with the flow. Cloud, like all other playable characters in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, can learn abilities from his new assortment of weapons.
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Using these abilities in battle will help Cloud master them so that they can be used with other swords in the future. In total, counting the Buster Sword, Cloud can get seven swords and thus learn seven abilities. To discuss them properly, there will be a few location spoilers.
Updated on February 1st, 2025 by Joshua Leeds: This article has been updated to include more detailed explanations on where to get each weapon as some can be missed. We’ve also included a brief description of the ability along with the ATB cost so you’ll know almost everything you need to know before figuring out how those abilities fit into your build.
7
Focused Thrust (Buster Sword)
A Standard Thrust
- Lunge forward to hit an enemy multiple times.
- ATB – 1
- Location: The Buster Sword is Cloud’s starting weapon.
Focused Thrust comes with Cloud’s trusty Buster Sword. It’s a standard attack that will thrust Cloud forward with a stabbing motion. This move will help trigger Stagger in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth which will weaken an enemy.
The best part about the ability is being able to cover a long distance with the thrust. It, unfortunately, doesn’t thrust Cloud into the air for skyward enemies but it is a decent ground attack for an overall good and iconic weapon.
6
Counterstance (Slipstream Saber)
More Than A Counter
- Brace for an attack to reduce damage and counterattack.
- ATB – 1
- Location: In Chapter 13 in The Temple Of The Ancients, you’ll flip gravity for the first time and be in Rubystar Chamber – Ceiling. Jump down off the right ledge to the lowest area below and up the stairs to the left to the vines. Climb the vines up and to the right to find a purple chest with the sword within.
The Slipstream Saber looks a lot like Noctis’ starting blade in Final Fantasy 15. It has a trigger as if to rev an engine and everything but players unfortunately can’t do that. It’s Cloud’s last sword that he will get in the final dungeon which is the Temple of the Ancients.
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Counterstance is the move tied to the Slipstream Saber and while powerful, it isn’t Cloud’s coolest move. Activating it will put Cloud in a defensive stance wherein he will counter an enemy that attacks him heavily. The payoff is good, but getting it timed right can often be a fool’s errand.
5
Disorder (Rune Blade)
A Whirlwind Defense
- A powerful attack that switches your stance during the attack.
- ATB – 1
- Location: Towards the end of Chapter 4, you’ll take control of Cloud while he leads the 7th Infantry Squad. Once taking control, there will be a checkpoint right before the stairs leading down into Junon with a purple chest next to the vending machine.
The Rune Blade can be obtained in Junon and it also has an engine-like design in the hilt. It’s one of Cloud’s more unique-looking blades because of how flat and oddly shaped it is. The move tied to it is called Disorder and it sounds cooler than it is.
The range is short and Cloud will unleash a series of quick slashes onto his opponent. It can hit multiple targets if players align their sights right, but it is mostly a close-range attack designed to take a good chunk of HP out of one enemy. It’s good against challenging bosses in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for example.
4
Prime Mode (Umbral Blade)
Maximizing Punisher Mode
- Increases damage during punisher mode, along with utilizing a burst of three powerful attacks.
- ATB – 1
- Location: In Chapter 8, during the mission Meeting Your Mount, you’ll find yourself in the Dustbowl. Once you start the quest you’ll follow an NPC down the stairs with a purple chest by the door leading outside, with the sword within.
The Umbral Blade looks like Cloud made a deal with the devil as it oozes a purple glow whenever he goes. It can be obtained in the Dustbowl, which was just called the Corel Prison in the original game. It has a move called Prime Mode attached to it.
Prime Mode will allow Cloud to do extra combos while in Punisher Mode. Punisher Mode slows Cloud’s movement down if players hit the triangle button on the PS5 controller. While his movement is slow, Cloud’s damage will increase as well as his slashing speed and Prime Mode just ups the ante a bit.
3
Infinity’s End (Crystal Sword)
A Slow, Ultimate Attack
- Unleashes a powerful overhead attack.
- ATB – 2
- Location: In Chapter 9 you’ll head to the Gongaga Reactor. After passing the checkpoint out front, you’ll head down the stairs and into the tunnel leading into the Reactor. Once you enter the first room, continue forward to the small connecting room that has a purple chest with the sword within.
Thankfully the Crystal Sword isn’t made entirely out of crystal or else it would break upon impact. This well-made blade can be obtained in the Gongaga Reactor which has quite a few story changes implemented into its design for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Cloud can learn the devastating Infinity’s End attack from it.
This ability, unlike the rest, requires 2 ATB bars to activate it. Cloud will spin around and then launch himself forward with a huge ground attack that can hit multiple targets. It does a lot of damage but the wind-up can often be detrimental as targets can evade Cloud easily if players don’t have their timing down.
2
Blade Burst (Igneous Blade)
This Blade Rocks
- Unleashes an arc of non-elemental magic straight ahead.
- ATB – 1
- Location: The Igneous Blade is found in Mt. Nibel, along the Northern Ridge – 160 m area. Once you reach the wider area with the two monsters, there will be a lot of yellow ledges you can climb up and over to the left, dropping down on the platform with the purple chest that holds the sword.
The Igneous Blade is even more colossal and cumbersome looking than the Buster Sword which can be obtained on Mt. Nibel. It’s like a big lava rock that someone kind of fashioned into a blade. Looks aside, this weird sword has a great ability packed inside called Blade Burst.
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Blade Burst will launch a series of beams once Cloud slams his sword into the ground. This attack has the potential to hit a lot of enemies or it can miss them all if the beams go haywire. It seems like a retooled version of one of Cloud’s Limit Breaks from the original game which was called Blade Beam.
1
Firebolt Blade (Sleek Saber)
Two Elements To The Skies
- Imbues the blade with fire and lightning to attack an enemy.
- ATB – 1
- Location: The Sleek Saber is found in a purple chest at the Abandon Docks, just off to the right of the actual dock in front of the building, in the southern section of the Grasslands region. Heading to this dock will be part of your first quest in the region.
The Sleek Saber is true to its name as it’s the smallest sword in Cloud’s repertoire. It’s the second sword players can obtain which is in the starting area of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in The Grasslands. For such an early blade, it’s amazing that it has such a powerful attack built into it.
Firebolt Blade will launch Cloud forward and slightly into the air as he slashes enemies a few times. If enemies are airborne, he will launch slightly higher to attack them. The best part about it is that Firebolt Blade is based on the fire and lightning elements, meaning that it can exploit a majority of the weaknesses enemies have in the game. It’s just too bad there isn’t a combo ability for Cloud based on the wind and ice elements.
- Released
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February 29, 2024
- ESRB
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T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence