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Aerith Gainsborough is a playable character in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. A ranged party member who wields staves, Aerith uses magic projectiles as her basic attack, and is heavily geared toward spellcasting due to strong magic attributes.
Aerith is present in the party from the beginning of the game, and is mandatory at multiple points in the story. Aerith is one of five date options for the Gold Saucer in both chapter 8, "All That Glitters", and chapter 12, "A Golden Key".
If Aerith is transformed into a toad, she has a little pink ribbon on her head and switches to physical damage entirely.
Aerith is considerably altered from her Final Fantasy VII Remake gameplay, with her basic attacks and her unique ability changed. She nonetheless still plays a similar role in battle as to her original Final Fantasy VII appearance.
Battle[]
Aerith as a ranged party member with the highest magic attributes. Her basic attack launches magic projectiles that can be used in a combo of up to five hits, where the fourth and fifth can hit up to three targets at once. New to VII Rebirth is the incorporation of Tempest and Fleeting Familiar into her basic attacks: holding down attack to charge a Tempest will release it, creating an explosion that can hit multiple targets for greater damage than normal hits. If fully charged, it will also deploy a Fleeting Familiar that will add supplementary damage to Aerith's attacks.
Aerith's new unique ability in Rebirth is Ward Shift, which to causes her to teleport to a deployed Arcane Ward, ATB Ward, or Radiant Ward. Doing so can help Aerith position herself better in battles, or avoid enemy attacks. It also helps her movement, as she has very low mobility compared to other party members. If no ward is currently active, Ward Shift will teleport Aerith a few meters away from her current position based on the direction held.
Aerith is distinct among party members in having almost exclusively magic-based attacks (although Cloud, Yuffie, and Cait Sith each can use magic damage from basic attacks, Aerith's are exclusive). She is also unique in that her limit breaks heal and strengthen party members, rather than dealing damage. Along with Barret, Aerith is one of two exclusively ranged attackers.
Aerith's attributes and playstyle lock her into a spellcasting role, on which the only variation is if she is equipped with defensive spells, offensive spells, or a mix. Aerith's spellcasting potential far exceeds other party members', making her first choice for powerful or MP-heavy spells, such as Comet, but also meaning even basic and low-cost spells, such as Cure, can be very effective when cast by Aerith. Most of Aerith's abilities, specifically her wards, capitalize on this.
Aerith's primary weaknesses are in her low durability and mobility. This can cause Aerith to be overwhelmed if not protected by other party members, and means her potential is based heavily on her positioning. Ward Shift can somewhat alleviate the problem, as well-placed wards allow her to move around battlefield more effectively. Defensive spells and certain synergy skills can also help protect her.
Attributes[]
Aerith has the highest 
Magic and MP pool in the game, making her the best spellcaster. The closest to her magic attribute are Cloud, Yuffie, and Cait Sith. She also has the highest 
Spirit, giving her the best magic defense.
Conversely, Aerith has the lowest HP, and the second-lowest 
Vitality (ahead of only Cait Sith). She also has the second-lowest speed ahead of only Barret.
Equipment[]
Abilities[]
From the start, Aerith has two weapon abilities available: Soul Drain and Sorcerous Storm. Like all the other party members, Aerith can acquire more abilities from new weapons gained over the course of the game.
- Soul Drain is a magic attack than drains MP from foes, absorbing more if they are staggered. This ability should be used when necessary to capitalize on Aerith's magic damage, and can help avoid consuming excess items. It is helpful in Hard Mode where item-use is disabled and benches only restore HP.
- Sorcerous Storm unleashes a magic blast around Aerith. It can help if Aerith is ever surrounded by foes, but is otherwise an average ability.
- Arcane Ward casts a sigil at the feet of the chosen party member, and when inside it, offensive magic spells will be cast twice with the second cast dealing around half the damage of the first. This is an exceptionally useful ability, for all characters capable of good magic damage and against any strong foes. If Yuffie casts magic inside an Arcane Ward with Doppelgänger active, the spell will be cast four times. It is tied to her initial weapon the Guard Stick.
- Chrono Aegis deploys a barrier around Aerith that briefly stops, then damages foes that enter it. While it can help Aerith if she is surrounded, it is ineffective against ranged attacks. It is the ability of the Timeless Rod.
- Radiant Ward casts a sigil at the feet of the chosen party member and when inside it, grants the party invincibility while casting magic. It also improves Aerith's basic attack and dodge, letting her strike with fast lasers that quickly build ATB and stagger, and dodge faster and farther. Another essential ability for Aerith, this keeps her safe while being offensive or defensive. The sigil is also large, letting her cast another ward inside it and reap the benefits of both. It is tied to the Empress's Scepter.
- Lustrous Shield creates a shield that repels enemies and blocks projectiles. It should be used in the ward the player is primarily using, and can block things from all sides, so it may be repositioned if necessary. Though this ability can help save Aerith from getting overwhelmed, it does not work well against mobile enemies who can circle around it. It is tied to the Wizards Rod.
- ATB Ward casts a sigil at the feet of the chosen party member and when inside it, will increase the ATB gauge of party members when Aerith gains an ATB charge. To maximize this effect, it should be used while inside Radiant Ward so Aerith can gain ATB faster. It couples well with ATB Boost. It is tied to the Ceremonial Staff.
- Ray of Judgment makes Aerith shoot a beam at a foe, damaging anything it hits along the way with magic damage, and can raise their stagger percentage by 10%. While the increased percentage is useful, the beam has a noticeable cast time, and characters like Tifa and Cait Sith are better at raising the percentage. Aerith would likely be better off using offensive magic instead. It is the ability of the Plumose Rod.
- Noble Sacrifice is Aerith's penultimate ability. It costs 2 ATB, revives dead party members, restores HP, and cleanses debuffs, at the cost of Aerith's life. This ability can serve well as a last resort, should the player need it. Aerith can cast Reraise on herself before using Noble Sacrifice. It is the weapon ability of her final weapon Gamabanteinn.
- Transcendence is Aerith's ultimate ability, gained from her folio at Party Level 9. Aerith begins to charge power, during which the player can use the ability again at level 1, or when it reaches level 2 (as indicated by the gauge next to her health). While she charges power, her magic attack increases. The ability shoots magical beams at the target, shooting much more at level 2. This ability is capable of dealing some great damage, and synergizes with Radiant and Arcane Ward with its magic attack boost.
Synergy abilities[]
| Synergy ability | Partner | Effect | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Refocus |  Cloud Strife Yuffie Kisaragi Tifa Lockhart[note 1]
|
 Temporary 3 ATB charges
|
Party level 2 (Cloud & Tifa[note 1]) Party level 5 (Yuffie) |
| Sweet-and-Sour Salvo |  Barret Wallace
|
 Increase stagger time on foe
|
Party level 5 |
| Divine Punishment | Tifa Lockhart
|
 Limit level increase
|
Party level 2 |
| Planetary Roar |  Red XIII
|
Limit level increase
|
Party level 8 |
| Kitty Cannonade |  Cait Sith
|
 Temporary unlimited MP
|
Party level 8 |
| Firework Blade | Cloud Strife
|
Limit level increase
|
Party level 2 (Cloud's folio) |
| Arcane Blast | Barret Wallace
|
Temporary unlimited MP
|
Party level 5 (Barret's folio) |
| Ringmaster | Red XIII
|
Increase stagger time on foe
|
Party level 5 (Red XIII's folio) |
| Mystic Multiplication | Yuffie Kisaragi
|
Temporary unlimited MP
|
Party level 8 (Yuffie's folio) |
| Mega Moogle Mash | Cait Sith
|
Increase stagger time on foe
|
Party level 5 (Cait Sith's folio) |
Synergy skills[]
| Synergy skill | Partners | Type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodyguard | Cloud Strife Barret Wallace Tifa Lockhart Red XIII Yuffie Kisaragi Cait Sith
|
Defensive | Skill core, party level 1 |
| Combat Savior | Cloud Strife Barret Wallace Red XIII
|
Offensive | Skill core, party level 2 |
| Spellbound Blast | Tifa Lockhart Yuffie Kisaragi Cait Sith
|
Offensive | Skill core, party level 3 |
Aerith also takes part in others' synergy skills, namely Cloud's Counterfire & Spell Blade, Barret's Iron Defense & Friendly Fire, Tifa's Heavenly Ascent & Slip and Slide, Red XIII's Wild Charge & Iron Defense, Yuffie's Ninja Bazooka & Foxflame, and Cait Sith's All-Out Assault & Bodyguard.
Materia[]
Aerith starts out equipped with the 
Prayer Materia just like in Remake, but unlike in Remake, she is also equipped with 
Wind Materia. She is also equipped with the summon Shiva to do Ice damage.
Limit breaks[]
Aerith has three limit breaks. Her level 1, Healing Wind, heals all active party members. Her level 2 limit break, Planet's Protection, makes the party impervious to physical damage for a brief period of time. Unlike in Remake, however, it was nerfed to only be usable once per battle. Her level 3 limit break, Rising Fury, instantly fills the other two party members' limit gauges and is unlocked via her folio.
Quests[]
Main scenario[]
Aerith is one of the default party members available from chapter 2, "A New Journey Begins". During the Temple of the Ancients in chapter 13, "Where Angels Fear to Tread", she, Yuffie, and Red XIII get separated from the others, making her a temporary party leader. When playing as her, she can channel lifestream to make pathways and can store energy in herself, which grants buffs during battles. She also joins Cloud in the final phase of the final boss fight.
Odd Jobs[]
Interactions[]
Aerith is a possible date option for Gold Saucer. Cloud's affinity with Aerith also affects the dialogue in the Sector 5 slums church scene.