Allows you to use the Refocus limit break. Can only be used once per battle.
Description
Refocus materia is a Complete Materia in Final Fantasy VII Remake. It grants an additional limit break, Refocus, which grants the user an additional ATB bar for an extended period in battle.
Obtained[]
Refocus materia is initially equipped on Aerith when she joins the party. Another can be won in the "Two-Person Team vs. Dynamic Duos" or "Three-Person Team vs. Monsters of Legend" challenges in the Shinra Combat Simulator.
Mechanics[]
Once their limit gauge is filled, the equipped character may choose the Refocus limit break, which splits the character's ATB bar to 3 segments rather than 2. It will not change a character's maximum ATB, meaning that each gauge will cost less total ATB. With Refocus active, a single ATB gauge is equal to 666.67 ATB. This is active for 300 seconds (5 minutes) when used at limit level 1, or 600 seconds (10 minutes) when used at limit level 2, and each character may use it once per battle.
Use[]
Refocus adds a third ATB charge to the user for a long time, and partially refills the limit gauge to make the next limit break available faster. In a long, drawn-out fight, Refocus can greatly buff a character for the rest of the battle as opposed to normal limit breaks that provide a short burst of power. In short fights, Refocus is less likely to activate, meaning First Strike Materia is a better alternative. Refocus can be used once per battle, meaning that it should be the first limit break a character uses in a drawn-out fight, before using their typical limit break. The duration of Refocus varies based on the level of limit break that character has equipped, since level 2 limits takes longer to build up, even for Refocus, it also lasts longer, with level 1 and 2 limits last for 300 seconds and 600 seconds, respectively.
Refocus is useful for all party members, for varying reasons. Giving Aerith a third ATB bar greatly benefits her, as her abilities are ATB-intensive, and she excels in support abilities, such as Arcane Ward and ATB Ward, before then casting magic spells. Tifa relies on performing her abilities together in quick succession in combos, and has the highest Speed attribute, and the combination of a third ATB bar and shortened ATB bars allows easier chaining of abilities. Many of Barret's abilities use all ATB charges for increased effect, which causes these attacks to become even stronger with three charges. While Cloud's abilities are typically not ATB-intensive, he can nonetheless benefit from using abilities more often. It is especially useful on him for the final battles, as Cloud partakes in every battle and Refocus does not lapse between "rounds" in the first section of Singularity.
Refocus materia can be used effectively in combination with other materia that also increase characters' ATB gauges throughout battle. These include ATB Stagger Materia, ATB Assist Materia, Skill Master Materia, and ATB Boost Materia. By using these materia to increase the ATB gauge of one character quickly, Refocus allows them to build up to three charges at once to great effect in lengthier battles.
With Transference Module, Refocus cannot only be used earlier in battle, but to bring online the next limit break much more rapidly because Transference Module adds to the limit gauge after ATB charges are expended, which will happen much faster after using Refocus, making the two a great combo. This can be used well on Tifa and Cloud, the best beneficiaries of the accessory. Spectral Cogwheel serves a similar purpose for Aerith, adding to the gauge as MP is expended. With Götterdämmerung, Refocus can be used at the beginning of a battle. Clarity Pendant completely fills the ATB gauge after using Refocus.
Other appearances[]
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth[]
Instead of appearing as a materia, United Refocus is a synergy ability available to most party members. It extends the ATB gauges of two party members to three but does not refill the limit gauge.