Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis is launching soon, so it's time to rank the characters based on the first few launch months.
The tier list focuses on PvE viability since Ever Crisis is primarily PVE.
Character gear and abilities are key, and those are obtained from the gacha system, which give characters different attacks based on equipped weapons.
Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis Character and Weapon Tier List
Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis features 10 playable characters, each with 7-10 weapons to choose from.
This tier list covers the best weapons and roles for each character based on beta stats and mechanics.
Why a Tier List Matters
A tier list is a great tool for understanding the potential of each character in the game.
It helps you make informed decisions on which characters to focus on, particularly when it comes to in-game gacha elements that unlock weapons and abilities.
Remember, it's not just about the characters; their weapons and outfits play a significant role in their performance.
And yes, expect future balance patches to shake things up.
Criteria for Ranking
Characters are ranked based on:
- Overall Damage Output
- Utility in Battle
- Healing and Support Abilities
- Weapons Potential and Gacha Elements
Overview of Weapons
- Characters equip 1 primary, 1 secondary, and up to 3 sub weapons
- Primary and Secondary weapons provide a Character Ability
- Sub weapons provide stats only
Battle Mechanics
- Stages are timed and some are DPS checks
- Focus on building at least 2 DPS characters
- Need just enough survival/healing to get by
Let's get to the actual tier list:
Tier List Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis
S Tier: Cloud, Sephiroth, Aerith
A Tier: Tifa, Barret, Zack, Matt
B Tier: Red XIII, Glenn, Lucia
Let's get into more details about each character and their tier rank:
S Tier
Cloud
Extremely high single target physical damage dealer, especially against bosses.
Lightning-elemental attacks are very strong against many current bosses. Murasame weapon grants huge lightning damage and was the first banner we had on launch.
Hardedge weapon does high physical damage and lowers defense, while Crystal Sword weapon provides AOE healing which is invaluable.
Best Weapons:
- Murasame - Strongest lightning damage
- Hardedge - Reduces enemy defense
- Zidane's Sword - Highest non-elemental damage
- Maritime Sword - High physical water damage
- Bandaged Sword - AOE MDEF up
Aerith
Her Fairy Tale weapon has an extremely potent 67% AOE heal that can save your team in extreme situations. Provides burst healing that other characters lack. Although her skills are ATB expensive, they are highly effective and can often be game-changing.
She can also do AOE and single target magical damage, being a flexible character with both damage and healing abilities.
Best Weapons:
- Fairy Tale - Best AOE heal
- Wizard/Wizer/Silver Staff - AOE elemental damage
- Full Metal Staff - Damages and debuffs enemies
- Sun Umbrella - Deals damage while debuffing physical and magical defense
- Prism Rod - Best Wind Magic damage
- Garnet's Rod - Buffs MATK from an ally while providing healing and regen
Sephiroth
He was added 29th September 2023.
Extremely high single target magic damage dealer, especially against bosses. Strong ice, fire and lightning elemental attacks + wind physical attack.
Best Weapons and Builds:
Here's a detailed Sephiroth guide.
To sum it up, these are his best builds:
- Ice ST Build with Edged Wings and Aonibi weapons
- Wind ST Build with Dark Heavens
- AOE MATK/PATK Debuffer with Kuja's Spirit Blade
- Fire AOE Build with Prototype Crimson Blade and Aonibi weapons
- Lightning AOE Build with CC Alloy Sword and Aonibi weapons
A Tier
Tifa
Tiger Fangs and Leather Gloves weapons deal high damage and debuff magic/physical attack. She lowers boss offense to increase team survivability.
Her limit break debuffs enemies' physicial and magic defense. She is a flexible unit providing physical and magical debuffs, making her universally valuable.
She can also AOE heal with her Lifeguard Wraps weapon, allows her to be a solid healer.
Best Weapons:
- Tiger Fangs / Leather Gloves - Reduces enemy magic/physical attack
- Motor Drive - Strongest wind damage
- Lifeguard Wraps - Heal all allies
- Amarant's Claws - Self-buffs PATK while dealing non-elemental damage
- Holy Flame Gloves - Physical ice damage to a single target
Barrett
Barret functions as secondary DPS that also debuffs, an excellent choice for any team composition.
War Machine cheaply lowers all enemies' defense, enabling DPS.
He also has access to strong AOE attacks to clear waves and damage adds.
Best Weapons:
- W Machine - Spammable defense debuff
- Enemy Launcher - Highest AOE damage
- Assault Gun - Buffs allies' defense
- Heavy Hauser
Zack
Zack is an extremely hard hitting single target physical attack. Can debuff both physical and magical defense with his different swords.
Specializes in bursting down bosses like Cloud but with fewer top-tier weapon choices.
Best Weapons:
- Falchion - AOE wind damage
- Zweihander - Highest single target damage
- Cutlass - Damage and defense debuff
- Black Whiskers - Best water and physical debuff weapon
Matt
Matt is very versatile with damage and healing, but not at the same level as Aerith.
Stingray and Slick Beetle weapons allow magical/physical debuffs, while Prime Number weapon provides solid AOE healing.
Best Weapons:
- Killer Hornet/Broadsword Axis - Huge single target damage
- Prime Number - 2nd best AOE heal
- Stingray/Slick Beetle - Damage and debuffs
B Tier
Red XIII
Gold Collar provides AOE regen healing but feels weak currently. Regen needs buffs to improve his healing viability.
Has access to AOE and single target magical attacks.
Best Weapons:
- Platinum Collar - Reduces enemy magic defense
- Noble Collar - Strongest water damage
- Gold Collar - Provides AOE regen
- Seaside Collar - Great for decreasing enemies' thunder resistance, making it a great weapon to team up with Cloud against bosses weak to lightning
Glenn
Focuses on support damage and buffs/debuffs.
Piece of Cake weapon cheaply debuffs a single target's defense while Pumpkin Lamppost buffs an ally's PATK.
However, he lacks AOE debuff capabilities like Barrett.
Best Weapons:
- Piece of Cake - Spammable defense debuff
- Jiggy Fam - Strongest AOE earth damage
- Apology in Hell - Best non-elemental damage
- Pumpkin Lamppost - Buffs PATK of a single ally
Lucia
Black Rifle's Silence ailment could be very strong but is not very effective. Reliant on Silence working properly to enable full potential.
She also has unique water and wind damage abilities with her other weapons.
Best Weapons:
- Pulse Gun - Only water damage
- Serpent Gun - Only wind damage
- Black Rifle - Can silence enemies
- Bald Eagle - Decreases enemy resistance to Ice, making it a great weapon paired with Sephiroth's ice build
- Holiday Revolver - Magical earth damage
Key Takeaways
- Cloud, Sephiroth and Aerith stand out as exceptionally strong
- Use debuffs to support main DPS characters
- AOE healing is almost mandatory
- Focus on elemental advantages and rare damage types when selecting weapons
The tier list will likely change each patch as characters get new gear and balancing updates.
But this list provides a general sense of the current PvE viability.
