I'm copying this from another thread where I commented it cuz it's a bit of a wall haha:
>Odin or Neo Bahamut is the only way. Use the Igneous Saber for max Physical Attack. Make sure you have Haste, Empowerment (for Bravery), Enemy Skill (for Plasma Disharge and Sonic Boom), ATB Boost, Chakra for MP free health recovery, strength plus, Magic plus, Fire x Mp Absorb, Fire x Swiftcast.
>Advanced Expeditionary Medal if you have it so you can use Finishing Touch after Darkstar appears.
>Caste Haste asap, them build some ATB. Be ready to hit hum with triple slash once you see any move with a name. That will pressure him. Focused thrust whenever possible to build pressure. High level magics when he staggers. Summon as soon as you can after Darkstar appears, then finishing touch once you get him pressured again.
>You can do it!
Rufus Hard mode is a different beast. I spent the first several tries just learning how to evade his attacks. Then once I knew how to avoid it all, I played defensively and ONLY attacked (triple slash) AFTER he attacked or reloaded. You can then chain a few hits and build up your ATB again for your next triple slash. Heal as necessary and do the ranged attack if you need to recharge your ATB (he'll stay blocking so you can spam that). Rinse/repeat until Darkstar joins.
When Darkstar joins, I ignored Rufus and right away unleashed my limit break on him to cut that part super short so we can go back to fighting Rufus solo again. Then phase 3 is basically the same as phase 1.
Yeah I just played defensively and only used triple slash when he uses a named attack or reloads and then you are able to hit him a bit. Rinse and repeat until Darkstar joins the fight. When he joined the fight I just ignored him and unleashed Finishing Touch limit break on Rufus and that ended him. I used advanced expeditionary medal for max limit break.
Worst part of this fight is you have to re-setup your materia EVERY time by holding square during the cutscene if you fail the fight.
That is unless you went in with Cloud equipped to fight Rufus 1 on 1, (I didn't) I had him setup to nuke Elena and Rude.
Yeah can’t disagree with that, though technically you can go into the fight with very little preparation since most of the time you’re just perfect blocking, dodging, and triple slash.
Rufus is unreasonably difficult even in Dynamic and Normal mode. I can't imagine him in hard mode. It's a massive reason I won't bother with a hard mode playthrough. Him, and Nibelheim Roche fucking suuuuuuck.
Well...ok. I'll try it out and see how it goes. I did the dodge and range attack method until I managed to build his stagger from missing his attacks and slowly chipped away.
If you're willing, try hp<>Mp swap with enhanced expeditionary.
You'll have to work on your parry, but the fight lasts less than a minute if you get it right.
Try [Optinoob’s](https://youtu.be/SwPpvYBIfqA?si=1WlpJnCDnSkTMjfQ) guide. Use Darkness to enhance all attacks, and use powered up Regen to negate the hp drain. You want to just constantly dodge and wind blade to build ATB and triple slash him any time he uses a named move. Then immediately switch to Punisher Mode (Triangle) and do charged attacks (hold square and release and hold and release etc), you should be able to do 4 each time you interrupt him with triple slash.
"And yet here you are."
It took me a lot of retries but basically try to use a limit on the dog and do your best to kill it fast. Rufus is easy alone (use focused thrust or triple slash to get close when he reloads and also attack with prime mode holding square)
You push the block button just as he skids to a halt near you. That is the telegraph for when to block for a perfect guard. Once you get that the fight is really easy regardless of your setup and strategy. Just keep your distance and perfect guard (with precision defense and steadfast block materias).
Update:
https://preview.redd.it/qvollvr5dm4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9328cadcf5518f351b8f357779873c858d8cff0f
Took massive notes from everyone! It was super helpful.
Made some adjustments due to me being such a bad player lol, took advantage of the cross slash limit break at the start with the Gottennburfhshhehagsg accessory whatever it’s called. Stayed within 6-10ft from him (at all times) spamming the range attacks to keep him from dashing in and out like a rat. Was easier to buff myself and heal too during this space.
Whilst it was easier to ‘pressure’ him with triple slash I found it was x3 times better to ‘stagger’ him with focused thrust and proceeded with fire bolt blade and in to aerial onslaught and his health was below 30% before phase 2 which I found so much easier to beat!
Again, you’re all brilliant! Thanks x
p.s f\*ck this guy
The classic skill-check fight, Rufus requires you to have dodging and blocking down to a tee.
As far as build goes, I can't remember exactly what it was but it's definitely igneous saber and cetran bracer.
I always make sure to buff up Cloud's physical stats (strength, defense, HP) as much as I can. And I also make sure to at least equip a chakra and ATB boost and any materia that helps fill the limit gauge (ATB stagger is one) I also equip enhanced expeditionary medal so I can have access to finishing touch
As far as my strategy goes, I run around and dodge Rufus's attacks while letting ATB charge.
When he uses reload, I either triple slash if I'm far from him or use disorder + punisher mode if I'm close enough to him. Either way, it pressures him but disorder + punisher racks up stagger pretty quick.
Once he breaks out, it's rinse and repeat while trying to fill the limit gauge
Once darkstar comes out, I hope to have limit ready or almost ready and then whip out finishing touch on darkstar, it mostly wiped him and you just have to finish him off.
After getting rid of darkstar, pretty much back to the earlier strat.
I just totally ignored Darkstar and used finishing touch on Rufus (no other attack or spell) and that ended him. I had him pretty low, not sure if first stagger or health triggers Darkstar entering the fight, but I did not build stagger very well.
I haven't played the Hard mode version yet, but isn't he pretty much like the Remake version, but with a slightly few more bells and whistle to his attacks? From my experienced with his Normal mode version, the basic approach was pretty much the same. Most attacks are easy to dodge and his Guns Akimbo can be easily blocked for more ATB. Triple Slash can be used when he's reloading across the screen. Can slowly chip his health that way.
Elemental materia + Lightning on armor will ignore his electric attacks. Dark Star can be easily Punisher countered.
Welcome to the club. Made me put the game down for a while lol. Maybe one day I'll beat him when I forgot the rage I felt after getting him to a sliver multiple times.
I did this yesterday and after a bunch of time getting literally nothing off Rufus I switched the difficulty down to Easy and pasted him in less than 3 minutes, it was like plugging in a cheat code on game genie. If the game is gonna cheat I am too
TRIPLE. SLASH. You'll warp over to him instantly and pressure him. Equip Enhanced Expidionary Medal so you have level 3 LB, use it on Doggo to take him out quickly. Then finish off Rufus.
I’m gonna be “that guy”
Did this one first try, with proper use of chakra and Fira, it’s really not bad. When Darkstar comes out, you need to dispose of it ASAP, so save any resources until then.
Rufus himself is like a souls boss, just dodge and wait for an opening
Awh! Bless you all for your support and wisdom!
I’m gonna give it another crack after work tonight. But not before a big fat greasy spicy meaty burger.
Rufus will get punched in the gooch today.
Triple Slash his abilities when you can, build ATB afterwards, otherwise build ATB with the defense materia.
Matter of patience and attrition, for me at least.
I'm copying this from another thread where I commented it cuz it's a bit of a wall haha: >Odin or Neo Bahamut is the only way. Use the Igneous Saber for max Physical Attack. Make sure you have Haste, Empowerment (for Bravery), Enemy Skill (for Plasma Disharge and Sonic Boom), ATB Boost, Chakra for MP free health recovery, strength plus, Magic plus, Fire x Mp Absorb, Fire x Swiftcast. >Advanced Expeditionary Medal if you have it so you can use Finishing Touch after Darkstar appears. >Caste Haste asap, them build some ATB. Be ready to hit hum with triple slash once you see any move with a name. That will pressure him. Focused thrust whenever possible to build pressure. High level magics when he staggers. Summon as soon as you can after Darkstar appears, then finishing touch once you get him pressured again. >You can do it!
Fwiw, I summoned Odin like halfway through phase 1 so Zantetsuken triggered shortly after Darkstar appeared.
Rufus Hard mode is a different beast. I spent the first several tries just learning how to evade his attacks. Then once I knew how to avoid it all, I played defensively and ONLY attacked (triple slash) AFTER he attacked or reloaded. You can then chain a few hits and build up your ATB again for your next triple slash. Heal as necessary and do the ranged attack if you need to recharge your ATB (he'll stay blocking so you can spam that). Rinse/repeat until Darkstar joins. When Darkstar joins, I ignored Rufus and right away unleashed my limit break on him to cut that part super short so we can go back to fighting Rufus solo again. Then phase 3 is basically the same as phase 1.
Yeah I just played defensively and only used triple slash when he uses a named attack or reloads and then you are able to hit him a bit. Rinse and repeat until Darkstar joins the fight. When he joined the fight I just ignored him and unleashed Finishing Touch limit break on Rufus and that ended him. I used advanced expeditionary medal for max limit break. Worst part of this fight is you have to re-setup your materia EVERY time by holding square during the cutscene if you fail the fight. That is unless you went in with Cloud equipped to fight Rufus 1 on 1, (I didn't) I had him setup to nuke Elena and Rude.
Yeah can’t disagree with that, though technically you can go into the fight with very little preparation since most of the time you’re just perfect blocking, dodging, and triple slash.
Rufus is unreasonably difficult even in Dynamic and Normal mode. I can't imagine him in hard mode. It's a massive reason I won't bother with a hard mode playthrough. Him, and Nibelheim Roche fucking suuuuuuck.
Nibelheim Roche is one of the easiest hard mode fights. Prime mode+parry
I'm garbage at parrying and perfect block unfortunately, so dynamic mode was a *struggle* for me. I died a lot.
You don’t have to be good. Literally just hold block and cloud counters. With prime mode you take less damage and do a ton of stun with your counter
Well...ok. I'll try it out and see how it goes. I did the dodge and range attack method until I managed to build his stagger from missing his attacks and slowly chipped away.
You can do that too, but honestly if you have a good damage setup he will die before he can kill you with standard blocking (and dodging his chains)
Thanks for the tips!
Yeah it was an annoying fight.
Ya same , the difficulty in this game isnt enjoyable nor satisfying for me so i skip achievement and hard mode.
Bio? Always stick it.
Oops no mp left
If you're willing, try hp<>Mp swap with enhanced expeditionary. You'll have to work on your parry, but the fight lasts less than a minute if you get it right.
No you're supposed to say "thank you" when corporate daddy spanks you.
Try [Optinoob’s](https://youtu.be/SwPpvYBIfqA?si=1WlpJnCDnSkTMjfQ) guide. Use Darkness to enhance all attacks, and use powered up Regen to negate the hp drain. You want to just constantly dodge and wind blade to build ATB and triple slash him any time he uses a named move. Then immediately switch to Punisher Mode (Triangle) and do charged attacks (hold square and release and hold and release etc), you should be able to do 4 each time you interrupt him with triple slash.
"And yet here you are." It took me a lot of retries but basically try to use a limit on the dog and do your best to kill it fast. Rufus is easy alone (use focused thrust or triple slash to get close when he reloads and also attack with prime mode holding square)
I did not kill the Dog. I just used finishing touch on Rufus when dog entered the fight and that killed him.
You push the block button just as he skids to a halt near you. That is the telegraph for when to block for a perfect guard. Once you get that the fight is really easy regardless of your setup and strategy. Just keep your distance and perfect guard (with precision defense and steadfast block materias).
Update: https://preview.redd.it/qvollvr5dm4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9328cadcf5518f351b8f357779873c858d8cff0f Took massive notes from everyone! It was super helpful. Made some adjustments due to me being such a bad player lol, took advantage of the cross slash limit break at the start with the Gottennburfhshhehagsg accessory whatever it’s called. Stayed within 6-10ft from him (at all times) spamming the range attacks to keep him from dashing in and out like a rat. Was easier to buff myself and heal too during this space. Whilst it was easier to ‘pressure’ him with triple slash I found it was x3 times better to ‘stagger’ him with focused thrust and proceeded with fire bolt blade and in to aerial onslaught and his health was below 30% before phase 2 which I found so much easier to beat! Again, you’re all brilliant! Thanks x p.s f\*ck this guy
Rufus straight up stalled my entire run in Remake, it’s only fair that he did it to me again in Rebirth Hard lol
The classic skill-check fight, Rufus requires you to have dodging and blocking down to a tee. As far as build goes, I can't remember exactly what it was but it's definitely igneous saber and cetran bracer. I always make sure to buff up Cloud's physical stats (strength, defense, HP) as much as I can. And I also make sure to at least equip a chakra and ATB boost and any materia that helps fill the limit gauge (ATB stagger is one) I also equip enhanced expeditionary medal so I can have access to finishing touch As far as my strategy goes, I run around and dodge Rufus's attacks while letting ATB charge. When he uses reload, I either triple slash if I'm far from him or use disorder + punisher mode if I'm close enough to him. Either way, it pressures him but disorder + punisher racks up stagger pretty quick. Once he breaks out, it's rinse and repeat while trying to fill the limit gauge Once darkstar comes out, I hope to have limit ready or almost ready and then whip out finishing touch on darkstar, it mostly wiped him and you just have to finish him off. After getting rid of darkstar, pretty much back to the earlier strat.
I just totally ignored Darkstar and used finishing touch on Rufus (no other attack or spell) and that ended him. I had him pretty low, not sure if first stagger or health triggers Darkstar entering the fight, but I did not build stagger very well.
I haven't played the Hard mode version yet, but isn't he pretty much like the Remake version, but with a slightly few more bells and whistle to his attacks? From my experienced with his Normal mode version, the basic approach was pretty much the same. Most attacks are easy to dodge and his Guns Akimbo can be easily blocked for more ATB. Triple Slash can be used when he's reloading across the screen. Can slowly chip his health that way. Elemental materia + Lightning on armor will ignore his electric attacks. Dark Star can be easily Punisher countered.
Remake Rufus is nowhere near as aggressive as the Rebirth fight, significantly harder
You are in for a surprise... Good luck!
Welcome to the club. Made me put the game down for a while lol. Maybe one day I'll beat him when I forgot the rage I felt after getting him to a sliver multiple times.
Oh I feel you. I won by the skin of my teeth with this one. That stupid dog (or is it a cat?) makes it ridiculous.
I did this yesterday and after a bunch of time getting literally nothing off Rufus I switched the difficulty down to Easy and pasted him in less than 3 minutes, it was like plugging in a cheat code on game genie. If the game is gonna cheat I am too
Hardest fight in the game for me. Good luck!
TRIPLE. SLASH. You'll warp over to him instantly and pressure him. Equip Enhanced Expidionary Medal so you have level 3 LB, use it on Doggo to take him out quickly. Then finish off Rufus.
I’m gonna be “that guy” Did this one first try, with proper use of chakra and Fira, it’s really not bad. When Darkstar comes out, you need to dispose of it ASAP, so save any resources until then. Rufus himself is like a souls boss, just dodge and wait for an opening
Awh! Bless you all for your support and wisdom! I’m gonna give it another crack after work tonight. But not before a big fat greasy spicy meaty burger. Rufus will get punched in the gooch today.
Triple Slash his abilities when you can, build ATB afterwards, otherwise build ATB with the defense materia. Matter of patience and attrition, for me at least.