Cloud Strife:
This is the main character of FF7. He's the only character (minus Sephiroth, who can't really count) who can use swords. He's fairly well rounded, having above-average HP and MP, good attack and magic strength, and the best limit breaks. Cloud is supposed to be an ex-member of a group known as SOLDIER, but he's much deeper than that. He starts as a mercinary, but quickly becomes the leader of all of the other characters.
Limit Breaks:
Level 1:
Braver: Strikes one enemy for moderate damage.
Cross-slash: Strikes one enemy with an X for moderate damage. Sometimes causes [paralysis]. (Japanese Name: Omen Slash)
Level 2:
Blade Beam: Strikes one enemy for moderate damage, and all others for light, splash-style damage.
Climhazzard: Impales and garrotes one enemy for heavy damage.
Level 3:
Meteorain: 8 meteors hit all enemies, doing moderate damage per strike.
Finishing Touch: Attempted instant kill on all enemies in a whirlwind. Survivors get hit for moderate damage. (Japanese Name: Dragon Painting Finishing Touch)
Level 4:
Omnislash: Cloud strikes all enemies 15 times for heavy damage, with many color changes.
Barret Wallace:
Barret is a starting character, who uses machine guns as weapons. He's not as strong as Cloud in magic or attack, but has massive HP. He becomes obsolete after about level 30, when you start getting really powerful summon spells. Might as well keep him in the back of the party, since he uses long-range attacks most of the time.
Limit Breaks:
Level 1:
Big Shot: Strikes one enemy for moderate damage. (Japanese Name: Mighty Shot)
Mindblow: Strikes one enemy, drains them of all MP if it works. Otherwise, does nothing.
Level 2:
Grenade Bomb: Strikes all enemies for moderate damage.
Hammerblow: Attempts instant kill on one enemy.
Level 3:
Sattelite Beam: Strikes all enemies for moderate damage.
Ungamax: Strikes all enemies for heavy damage.
Level 4:
Catastrophe: Strikes all enemies for heavy damage 10 times.
Tifa Lockheart:
Tifa is, by far, the weakest character in the game. She's also the least developed and has the worst weapons: She pummels enemies with her fists. Her limit breaks aren't very good, as all of them only strike one enemy. Do not use unless you're desperate, or have no choice.
Limit Breaks:
Level 1:
Beat Rush: Strikes one enemy for moderate damage.
Somersault: Strikes one enemy for moderate damage.
Level 2:
Waterkick: Strikes one enemy for moderate water damage.
Meteodive: Slams enemy for moderate damage. (NOTE: This is the equivalent of Sabin's Suplex move from Final Fantasy VI)
Level 3:
Dolphin Blow: Uppercut doing moderate damage.
Meteor Slam: Body slam that does moderate damage.
Level 4:
Final Heaven: Explosive strike doing heavy damage.
Aerith:
Aerith (known as Aeris in the US version) is a very good spellcaster. However, her attack power is very weak; she does only a bit more than Tifa. But she has some of the best limit breaks (healing ones), and can do massive damage with magic. She won't last long in your party, though (I won't say why).
Limit Breaks:
Level 1:
Healing Wind: Restores 1/2 of all character's max HP.
Seal Evil: Silences and Stops all enemies.
Level 2:
Breath of Earth: Heals all party's status ailments.
Fury Brand: Fills all other character's limit gagues to maximum.
Level 3:
Planet Protector: Temporarily makes party invulnerable. (Japanese Name: Protecting Star)
Pulse of Life: Restores HP/MP, and cures all status ailments to all party members.
Level 4:
Great Gospel: Restores all HP/MP, and makes party invulnerable.
Red XIII:
Red XIII is an interesting character as well, as no one knows what he is (looks like part dog, part tiger to me). Red is a very well-balanced character, capable of doing good physical damage, and average magic damage. A good party member to use along with Yuffie or Cid.
Limit Breaks:
Level 1:
Sled Fang: Strikes one opponent for moderate damage.
Lunatic High: Casts Haste on all party members.
Level 2:
Blood Fang: Strikes one enemy, doing moderate damage and absorbing HP and MP.
Stardust Ray: 12 strikes on all enemies for moderate damage.
Level 3:
Howling Moon: Casts Haste and Berserk on Red. NOTE: This can be dangerous if you're facing off magic damage-only enemies!
Earth Rave: Moderate fire and normal attacks on all enemies.
Level 4:
Cosmo Memory: Heavy fire damage on all enemies.
Yuffie Kasagiri:
Yuffie is a self-centered, egotistical ninja who has good attack and magic damage. She's well balanced, but her limit breaks aren't the best. She's a good party member to keep in your party, nonetheless, as she can be put in the back row, and she has plenty of HP. Yuffie is an optional character, which means you have to find her. Look around Junon's forests, and you'll find her. Remember that she's self-centered...
Limit Breaks:
Level 1:
Greased Lightning: Strikes one opponent for moderate damage.
Clear Tranquil: Restores some of the party's HP.
Level 2:
Landscaper: Strikes one enemy for moderate earth damage. Will not hit flying enemies.
Bloodfest: 10 strikes on all enemies for moderate damage.
Level 3:
Gauntlet: Strikes all enemies for moderate damage.
Doom of the Living: 15 strikes, each doing moderate damage, on all enemies. (Japanese Name: All Humans Must Die)
Level 4:
All Creation: Heavy damage on all enemies. Sounds like Ultima.
Cait Sith:
Cait Sith is almost as worthless as Tifa is. His attack strength is pitiful, and his magic damage isn't even as good as Yuffie's. I suggest you keep him out of the party, as he's not very useful, and has the least limits of all members.
Limit Breaks:
Level 1:
Dice: Strikes one opponent for varied (depends on dice roll) damage.
Level 2:
Slot: Various effects:
3 Bars: Summons random enemy.
3 Crowns: Toy soldiers attack all enemies for moderate damage.
3 Stars: The moglie does a little jig, and restores HP and MP to the party.
3 Hearts: Lucky Girl appears, and all party members do critical strikes.
3 Moglies: The party becomes one giant Cait Sith, who can do massive damage, and has many HP and MP.
3 Faces: Instantly kills all enemies, no exceptions.
2 faces, 1 bar: Instantly kills party, no exceptions.
All other: Toy box attacks one enemy for moderate damage.
Vincent Valentine:
Vincent is, like Yuffie an optional/hidden character. To get him, you need the basement key, which is in the Shinra Mansion safe in Nibelheim. Here's the combo: Right 36, left 10, right 59, right 97. After you kill the Lost Number, you can get Vincent, who is down in the room just at the start of the basement. Vincent has an interesting limit ability: he morphs into monsters. He's not a good attacker, so use him for his magic.
Limit Breaks:
Level 1:
Galian Beast: Monster that does light fire damage.
Level 2:
Death Gigas: Slow, strong monster that does moderate lightning damage.
Level 3:
Hell Masker: Defensive monster that deals out moderate damage and status ailments.
Level 4:
Chaos: Powerful monster that does heavy damage and randomly attempts an instant kill. My favorite, and a familiar enemy to FF1 players.
Cid Highwind:
Cid is, by far, the strongest attacker you can have in your party. He's got more moderate magic damage, but it's still sufficient. His limit breaks are pretty good, too. He makes a good fighter for you, and is best equipped with a Cover materia when the other party members are magic users.
Limit Breaks:
Level 1:
Boost Jump: Strikes one opponent for moderate damage.
Dynamite: Moderate damage from explosion on all enemies.
Level 2:
Hyper Jump: Strikes all enemies for moderate damage.
Dragon: A dragon steals some of the target's HP/MP and gives it to Cid.
Level 3:
Dragon Dive: Strikes all enemies 6 times for moderate damage per strike.
Big Brawl: Strikes all enemies 8 times for heavy damage.
Level 4:
Highwind: Light missile damage on all enemies, 18 strikes.
Sephiroth:
Although you only use Sephiroth for one short sequence, he is still a major character, and an enemy at that. He uses the Masamune, a really powerful blade. Don't mess with him until you have to.
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