Guard Scorpion (Final Fantasy VII)

The Guard Scorpion is the first boss you encounter in Final Fantasy VII. Cloud and Barret fight it in the Sector 1 Reactor, in front of the Mako Reactor's Core.

It can be a strong boss, though it generally isn't if you follow the game's advice and don't attack it while it's tail is up, which it will do randomly. It uses the attacks Rifle, Search Scope and Scorpion Tail equally. Rifle isn't too damaging but Scorpion tail can be quite painful.

Search scope isn't a true attack as it doesn't do anything, such as damage or inflict a status effect. All it tells you is who Guard Scorpion is going to attack on its next turn.

A mistranslation has Cloud tell the player to attack Guard Scorpion while its tail is raised, however doing so will cause it to use Tail Laser. This attack is very damaging and attacks both Cloud and Barret, but besides this Guard Scorpion is not a difficult first boss.

Strategy
The Guard Scorpion is a simple boss. Have Cloud use Bolt while Barret just attacks. Eventually, it will raise its tail, and counter attack with Tail Laser whenever hit. Just heal whenever it raises its tail. Limit Breaks should help you take it out even faster.