Rufus was one of three of the worst enemies I had to deal with in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hard Mode, probably because he forces you to play at your own pace. If this daddy's boy is making your Hard Mode difficult, here's how I “cheesed” the fight.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hard Mode Rufus guide
To defeat Rufus in FF7 Rebirth Hard Mode, it's all about understanding what he can do, when you can act, and what it means to “split the link to pressure” the dog. Let me break down my strategies for you.
Attack after Rufus uses Guns Akimbo
Having trouble understanding the timing of Rufus' reloads? The same. But that's why paying attention to a move called Guns Akimbo is useful. After using Guns Akimbo (which you can avoid by simply running), Rufus is always Reloadingallowing you to squeeze him.
Attack, then Triple Slash when pressed
Rufus recovers from Pressure really quickly unless he's hit with ATB commands (which “reset” the invisible timer of when his Pressure status goes down). To deal the most damage during his Pressure state, start by having Cloud launch a combo basic attack and follow up with Triple Slash.
The basic attacks will charge your ATB bar and the Triple Slash will extend its Suppressed status. Triple Slash is a move that Cloud quickly recovers from, allowing you to land another basic combo. And another Triple Slash.
You understand what I mean.
Related: FF7 Rebirth Tempering Trials Guide – How to beat all Gilgamesh Island summons
Once Rufus starts to get angry, he will use a move called despair. It's a forward laser that can be dodged by side dodging.
Avoid Despair and press him again
Desperation is a move that Rufus uses when he takes too much damage. After what he will reload automatically. This means that as long as you avoid Despair successfully, you can punish him again with basic attacks and Triple Eggs.
Despair is a forward laser move. When you see the name on Rufus' head, immediately move to the side. Launch a basic attack and he will be pressured.
Only use your summon after he summons Darkstar
To make your life infinitely easier in the next round, just use your summon after Rufus summons Darkstar. Make sure you have one ATB fully charged for the next round though.
Wait for a Darkstar and Rufus combo before attacking
Darkstar is crushed when its “link is severed” by Rufus. You can do this while waiting for Rufus to use heel and connection with his dog (look for the blue line between them) and running away until Rufus uses an elemental “Shot” move and Darkstar, the spell. This is their common attack(s).
Spoiler, he Reloads after. So, after dodging the spell shots, use Triple Slash on Rufus (don't even wait for “Reload” to appear). This will pressure Rufus and to sever his bond with DarkStar, who presses the dog.
Use the Attack + Triple Slash hack I taught on Rufus (again), which will make him angry (again), cycling back to Despair. You can continue this until DarkStar recovers from the Pressed state. In that case, just wait for them to link and unleash another joint shooting spell attack.
With two to three rounds of bullying, Rufus is defeated. Congratulations!
For more help on Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, check out FF7 Rebirth: Gears and Gambits Guide – Standard & Hard Mode and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Enemy Skill List here at Pro Game Guides.
