You’ll likely find a number of these weapons as you just play the game, but some are a little hard to find. This guide will lay out where to look for each weapon, as well as offer some advice on when it’s best to equip a new one.
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Purple chests = New Weapons
Purple chests = New Weapons
You’ll probably come across many of these weapons naturally as you explore the world and follow main story events. Some are tucked away and just require you to poke around a bit, while others are rewards for completing mini-games or sidequests. In general, you should keep your eyes peeled for purple chests, as these will always grant a weapon you haven’t found before.
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Also, if you miss a weapon in a certain area, you’ll usually be able to purchase it from a weapons store as the game goes on. So if you’re uncertain about whether or not you’ve missed a weapon as you move through the game, be sure to check in with weapon shops.
Finally, any weapons earned in the Temple of the Ancients will require you to replay that sequence in Chapter 12. As you’ll unlock Chapter Select upon finishing the main game, this will be easier once the credits roll.
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Aerith’s magical staves
Aerith’s magical staves
Our elegant spellcaster has a wide choice of staves to use. Here’s where they are and what abilities they grant.
Guard Stick - Starting weapon. Grants Arcane Ward Timeless Rod - Chapter 2: Bill’s Chocobo Ranch. Grants Chrono Aegis Empress’s Scepter - Chapter 4: Under Junon Inn, Junon. Grants Radiant Ward Wizard’s Rod - Chapter 7: Mt. Corel. Grants Lustrous Shield Ceremonial Staff - Chapter 10: Outcast’s Shore, Village of the Gi. Grants ATB Ward Plumose Rod - Chapter 12: Complete all Shinra Combat challenges*. Grants Ray of Judgement Gambanteinn - Chapter 13: Hall of Life, Temple of the Ancients. Grants Noble Sacrifice
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*Complete the “Lament of the Damned” quest in Nibelheim to unlock these challenges.
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Barret’s explosive gun arms
Barret’s explosive gun arms
Barret’s loud and dangerous gun arms can be found scattered throughout the world, but note that you won’t find a new one after Chapter 2 for a little while.
*You’ll need to gather 45 chocograss and deliver them to the Chocograss Collector at the chocobo manor in Nibel.
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Cloud’s enormous swords
Cloud’s enormous swords
You’d think the Buster Sword would be enough for our fearless hero with a faulty memory, but no. He is coming home with a load of swords. Here’s where to find each of Mr. Strife’s armaments.
*You won’t be able to return to Junon until after completing the main campaign, so be sure to grab this one before leaving the city. You will need to replay Chapter 4 via Chapter Select if you miss this weapon.
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Red XIII’s good-boy collars
Red XIII’s good-boy collars
Look, the collars don’t make it any easier to resist dog jokes. Here’s where you can find all of Nanaki’s collars:
Mythril Collar - Starting Weapon. Grants Stardust Ray Renegade’s Collar - Chapter 3: Subterranean Terrace, Mythril Mine.Grants Crescent Claw Amethyst Collar - Chapter 7: Colliery No. 1, Old South Corel Mine.* Grants Supernal Fervor Silver Collar - Chapter 7: Costa del Sol**. Grants Chilling Roar Golden Collar - Chapter 9: Coolant Room - B3, Gongaga Reactor. Grants Watcher’s Respite Mystic Collar - Chapter 10: Hall of Diversion, Cave of the Gi***. Grants Watcher’s Spirit Brisingamen - Chapter 13: Corridor of Repose, Temple of the Ancients. Grants Reaper Touch
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*You’ll need to complete the “Robes and Ransoms” sidequest to find this weapon. **Reach Rank 3 in the “Run Wild” minigame. ***You’ll need to pick up the Watcher’s Glaive and drop it in front of Bugenhagen to earn this weapon.
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Tifa’s punchy gloves
Tifa’s punchy gloves
Tifa’s strength is only paralleled by her speed, but don’t move through the game so fast as to neglect these gloves:
*You’ll need to replay Chapter 5 via Chapter Select if you miss this weapon. **Earn a Rank 3 score in “Desert Rush.”
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Yuffie’s pointy shurikens
Yuffie’s pointy shurikens
Our materia thief doesn’t just rely on the Planet’s magic to deal damage. Her weapons grant her access to some wildly effective ATB abilities. You can find all of them here:
*Earn Rank 3 in “Glide de Chocobo Training Course 1,” as part of the “Bonds of Trust” sidequest. **You can grab this during the “Hightailing It” scenario near the entrance to Event Square.
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How to know when to switch weapons (and how to upgrade them)
How to know when to switch weapons (and how to upgrade them)
With seven weapons per character (totalling 49 across all characters), it can be tricky to know when to switch weapons. While you may be tempted to switch to a new weapon the moment you find it, you’ll want to make sure you’ve unlocked your previous weapon’s ability before swapping.
Each weapon comes with a Weapon Ability which you can spend ATB charges on to use during combat. Activate this ability enough times in combat and it will be permanently available regardless of what weapon you have equipped. To learn that ability more quickly, you can fulfill the conditions listed under the weapon’s Proficiency Bonus. Cloud’s “Disorder” ability, for example, can be learned more quickly by striking an enemy with either a basic or strong attack after switching between his Operator and Punisher modes while using the Rune Blade.
Upgrading weapons in Rebirth isn’t too dissimilar to equipping materia. While there is a dedicated Upgrade Weapons page of the main menu, unless you’re using the auto-upgrade feature in this menu, you can otherwise just manually equip a weapon’s upgrades in the Equipment & Materia menu.
If equipping another selection of buffs via weapon upgrades feels overwhelming, it’s fine to start with the auto-upgrade feature, which you can activate in the Upgrade Weapons page.
The fight against Shinra and Sephiroth won’t be easy, but these staves, guns, megaphones, swords, collars, gloves, and shurikens will make all the difference as you travel the Planet.
Updated: 3/11/2024, 10:00 a.m. ET: Added details about the Proficiency Bonus for Weapon Abilities.