Safer∙Sephiroth

Safer∙Sephiroth is the final boss in Final Fantasy VII. Being the most powerful of Sephiroth's forms, this is his final transformation in the process of attaining godhood. This battle is penultimate but still usually considered the last challenge in the game, as it is followed by a plot-related battle that cannot be lost. The song "One-Winged Angel" is played during the battle; a reference to Sephiroth's right arm being replaced by a single dark wing, which is a side effect of being exposed to Jenova cells.

Safer∙Sephiroth's base stats are listed in the table, but they change depending on many variables:
 * For every character at Level 99 (not counting Aeris), 30,000 maximum HP, 2 Attack, 20 Defense, 5 Magic, and 16 Magic Defense are added to Safer∙Sephiroth's stats.
 * If Knights of the Round was cast on Jenova∙SYNTHESIS, Safer∙Sephiroth receives an extra 80,000 maximum HP.
 * For every time Bizarro∙Sephiroth's head was killed during the previous fight, Safer∙Sephiroth's maximum HP is reduced by 100, up to a maximum reduction of 24,900 HP.

Considering all these, Safer∙Sephiroth's maximum stats (bracketed in the table) are:
 * 400,000 maximum HP, 246 Attack, 260 Defense, 140 Magic Power, and 308 Magic Defense.

Strategy
As this is the final battle, the party should go all out with their best Materia and equipment. Ribbons are strongly suggested as Safer∙Sephiroth can inflict dangerous status effects. Mastered Restore and Revive Materia are also recommended as is stocking up on Elixirs and Megalixirs. Level 4 Limit Breaks make quick work of Sephiroth. It is a good idea to be at Level 50 or higher, but it is in no way necessary.

Safer∙Sephiroth's attacks follow an eight turn cycle, allowing the player to predict his next attack and prepare accordingly. The cycle is as follows:
 * 1) Wall or DeSpell (usually alternates per cycle, starting with Wall, but DeSpell is always used on himself if under Slow status)
 * 2) Deen (if DeSpell was cast on his previous turn) or Shadow Flare (if Wall was cast on his previous turn)
 * 3) Unnamed physical attack
 * 4) Safer∙Sephiroth flies up into the air; becomes Long Range
 * 5) Pale Horse
 * 6) Super Nova
 * 7) Break (if Safer∙Sephiroth's HP > 25%) or Heartless Angel (if Safer∙Sephiroth's HP < 25%)
 * 8) Safer∙Sephiroth drops back down

Safer∙Sephiroth's opening move is Wall, setting Barrier and MBarrier on himself. This cuts the damage the party does, so DeBarrier should be cast right away. He then casts Shadow Flare, a powerful single-target attack, Pale Horse, which is a less powerful powerful single-target attack that may inflict Sadness, Frog and Small, and a simple but powerful physical attack, which causes Paralyze and Darkness. His other attacks he may use include Break, which is yet another single-target attack which may cause Petrify, a weak attack named Deen, DeSpell, and Super Nova, which is an attack that reduces the player's HP by 15/16 and may cause Confusion, Silence and Slow. Perhaps his most dangerous spell is Heartless Angel, which will reduce the HP of the entire party to 1, but can be blocked and Safer∙Sephiroth will not use it until his HP is low.

Safer∙Sephiroth may rise into the air, becoming a Long Range enemy. He cannot be hit by close range physical attacks during this time, but is limited to using Pale Horse, Super Nova, Heartless Angel or Break.

The party should use Big Guard or Wall to stay protected. Safer∙Sephiroth's Super Nova charges the party's Limit Breaks quickly; this is especially useful if the party has Level 4 Limit Breaks. If the party has Knights of the Round, the summon can kill Safer∙Sephiroth in a few uses, if not on the very first use.

Etymology
Safer∙Sephiroth could easily be seen as a Seraph, with a seventh wing in place of his arm. However, the origin of the name Safer∙Sephiroth is Hebrew; the boss's name as written in Japanese is "セーファ・セフィロス," or "Sēfa Sefirosu"; note that "safer" can also be transliterated as "sefer," "sapher," and "sepher". "Sepher" (סֶפֶר) is Hebrew for "book"; thus, Safer Sephiroth (Sefer Sfirot) literally translates to "Book of Numerations". However, it more likely refers to the 10 Kabbalistic Sefirot, the ten aspects of creation according to Jewish Mysticism.

Names in Other Languages

 * Spanish: Sefirot Seguro - Safe Sephiroth
 * German: Retter Sephiroth - Saviour Sephiroth

Related enemies

 * Bizarro∙Sephiroth
 * Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII Boss)