5 Best Abilities for Barret in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Barret is one of the most formidable fighters in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. In addition to his efficient weapons, his powerful abilities are among his strongest features. He has two default abilities. However, players can unlock more of his abilities by acquiring select weapons at various levels throughout the game.

Barret’s abilities have varying effects. Most boost your attacks’ impact, while some strengthen your defenses. Overall, some abilities are more powerful and efficient than others. This article ranks and discusses Barret’s five best abilities.

5. Steelskin

The Steelskin ability makes Barret’s skin as tough as, well, steel. A tough skin allows you to sustain less damage than usual, making it harder for enemies to take you down. Essentially, it is Barret’s default defense ability. In addition to reducing the damage taken, steelskin also prevents you from getting easily distracted by enemy attacks, enabling you to focus on your targets.

Steelskin is a default ability, meaning you get it from the start. However, its effects are temporary, and thus, you should make use of it while it is still active. Ideally, you should use this ability when engaging in short-range combat with multiple enemies, considering that Barret moves quite slowly.

Timing is essential when using the steelskin ability, considering its temporary nature. The trick is to finish your enemies off or try to establish a safe fighting distance before the ability expires. However, the first option is always more efficient, considering Barret’s clumsy evasion tactics. Using the ability costs one ATB gauge, enabling you to use another special ability before or after.

4. Smackdown

Smackdown enables you to strike the ground with tremendous power, sending surrounding enemies flying like rag dolls. In addition to dealing some damage, the strike’s impact also temporarily disorients your enemies, making them vulnerable. It is especially handy when multiple enemies close in on your position, as you can quickly create some safe space around you.

You need the Calamitous Bazooka to use the Smackdown special ability. You can get the weapon when you reach the Main Scenario Quest: To Thine Own Self Be True in Chapter 10. Go to the Cave of the Gi and proceed to the Chamber of Sacrifice. You will find the weapon stashed in a treasure chest located in the Gate of Anger room.

Interestingly, Smackdown isn’t the only ability that sends your enemies flying into the air. If you find the strategy handy, you can also try the Charging Uppercut ability. It involves charging towards enemies and unleashing such a powerful blow that it launches them into the air. Besides inflicting damage, this ability also increases charge. However, you need to unlock the Vulcan Cannon to use this special ability.

3. Maximum Fury

In addition to Steelskin, Maximum Fury is Barret’s only other default ability. Interestingly, while Steelskin serves as a defensive to protect Barret from damage, Maximum Fury serves as an offensive ability. It enables you to fire a long stream of bullets at your enemies, overwhelming them and causing considerable damage. Moreover, the attack’s impact can cause staggering, disorienting enemies so that other party members can strike.

Maximum Fury is one of Barret’s go-to abilities when fighting tough bosses. Interestingly, his Overcharge special ability enables you to quickly reload your weapons after applying the Maximum Fury ability.

However, there’s one catch when you use Maximum Fury: you deplete both ATB charges, temporarily limiting the use of other special abilities. As such, a strategic approach is always recommendable. Ideally, you should focus on weakening your enemies first before finishing them off with a barrage of bullets.

2. Focused Shot

Focused Shot is a devastating energy-based attack. The ability uses up all of your ATB charges to create and unleash a concentrated energy burst. The charged energy burst causes considerable stagger, knocking your enemies off their feet.

Notably, staggering is one of the most efficient and strategic attacks in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, as it enables you to attack your enemies without incurring damage yourself. Staggering is especially efficient when fighting bosses, making this ability handy during the most desperate moments.

The Focused Shot ability works with the Gatling Gun. Fortunately, this is Barret’s default weapon, meaning that you don’t need to do anything special to get it. However, it is worth noting that you can only use this gun (and the Focused Shot ability) starting in Chapter 2.

While Focused Shot is an efficient and reliable ability, it also comes with one major drawback: depleting your ATB charges. You need at least one fully charged ATB gauge to use any ability. Therefore, depleting both ATB charges limits your special abilities temporarily, making you more vulnerable to attacks. As such, it is important to ensure that the Long Shot is strategic and has a maximum impact on your enemies.

1. Turbulent Spirit

ATB charge is crucial to your ability to use special abilities. You need at least one full ATB charge to use most of Barret’s special abilities. Moreover, some special abilities consume both ATB charges, rendering you temporarily incapable of using other special abilities. One ATB gauge can take up to 30 seconds to charge to full capacity, which feels like an eternity when in the middle of a heated battle.

Fortunately, you can use the Turbulent Spirit ability to speed up the charging process. When activated, the ability fills both ATB charge gauges within a few seconds, as opposed to the usual 20-30 seconds. It works especially well with ATB-intensive abilities, such as Maximum Fury. However, it has two notable shortcomings: the effects are temporary, and you can only use it once per battle.

You need the Battle Cry weapon to unlock this ability. You can acquire the weapon when you pass the A Way Across phase in Forging Ahead, the main scenario in Chapter 13. The weapon is stored in a purple treasure chest hidden in the tall stone tower.

So, what’s your take on our picks for the five best abilities for Barret in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.