Platinum Fist (Final Fantasy VII)

Platinum Fist
(プラチナフィスト, Purachina Fisuto?)
Availability
Obtained	Nibelheim; Junon purchase
Character users	Tifa
Value	2,700 gil
Classification
Type	Glove
Range	Melee
Element	Hit
Specifications
Attack	30
Magic atk	7
Attack%	108
Materia slots	x4

The Platinum Fist is a weapon for Tifa in Final Fantasy VII. It can first be found in Nibelheim. Platinum Fist has moderate stats, but more notably provides all four Materia slots with double AP growth. As with all of Tifa's gloves, it cannot be thrown, though unlike most of her weapons, it does not improve her critical hit rate. The Platinum Fist outclasses the Motor Drive, which has a similar purpose, but lower stats and only three Materia slots.

Obtained

The Platinum Fist is found in Nibelheim when first visited in "Unnatural Hometown". It is obtained by talking to the man in black found in Tifa's house. Later, it can be purchased from Junon for 2,700 gil after the player has the Highwind. However, at this stage, Powersoul can also be purchased from the same shop for a slightly higher price, meaning the player can forgo the Platinum Fist.

Mechanics

As the Platinum Fist has a base Attack stat bonus of 75, the base damage for physical attacks when the Platinum Fist is equipped is in the following formula:

$\text{Base Damage} = \text{(30 + Strength)} + \frac{\text{(30 + Strength)} + \text{Level}}{32} \times \frac{\text{(30 + Strength)} \times \text{Level}}{32}$

where "Level" is Tifa's current level and "Strength" is her Strength stat. The Platinum Fist also has an Attack% (Accuracy) of 108%, and grants a +7 bonus to Tifa's Magic stat.

Use

Promotional render.

Though Platinum Fist has fairly low stats compared to Tifa's other weapons, it more notably provides double AP growth. This means that the Materia equipped on its four slots grow at double the normal rate. Platinum Fist can be used if Tifa is in the party while grinding to level up Materia.

Platinum Fist only has four slots, all of which should be given to Materia that can level up. Since they are unlinked, none can benefit from Support Materia, though this restriction is less detrimental to Tifa as she relies more on physical damage than magical damage. Tifa should equip Command Materia and Independent Materia on Platinum Fist and level them up. To help with clearing waves of enemies, the player can bring a character with the Enemy Skill Materia, with an ability such as Aqualung that can clear enemies quickly, preferably equipped on an armor slot as it cannot gain AP. Later on, Tifa can effectively equip Slash-All to clear waves, taking advantage of her strong physical damage when clearing waves to level up Materia, also leveling up a useful Materia in the process.

Platinum Fist is outclassed overall by the Powersoul, which has comparable stats, but can potentially deal significantly more damage as its damage doubles if Tifa is in critically low HP or in the Death-sentence status. For leveling up Materia using Platinum Fist, Tifa is equally as competent as other characters with weapons that have four Materia slots at double AP growth.