Set-up Ideals

[Lt_Basch]

This is my main problem in the FF games that dont have set ways, such as FFX with the sphere grid.

My problem right now is with FF7 which i haven't ever played past the 1st disc. And what im asking is, is Materia such as 'fire' and 'ice' that important? Obviously i want my Black mage and my White mage etc, but i prefer equipping a better piece of equipment over enabling a good materia set-up. Im getting by just fine, but id like to be able to play through without worrying about my materia set-ups. And to be perfectly honest, my physical attacks are on par with the damage i inflict when using magic.

I do value some materia, such as haste, esuna and restore obviously, but is it really important to include all magic (Fire,ice,lightning,earth) and Summon materia in my set-ups?

[Josh_R]

basch when playing FF VII materia is a necessity unless you have awesome weapons...because their are some enemies that are resistant to physical attacks and can be easily killed with fire, ice, etc...What I suggest you do is give one type fire, ice, bolt to each of your three fighters and equip an all materia to each this is a good idea also do the same thing with the cure materia...in the beginning of the game summons are good unless you powered leveled as soon as leaving Midgar, once you get farther in the game the only important materia is zero-bahamut, neo bahamut, phoenix, and knights of the round...Be sure when playing to get knights of the round if you haven't heard it is the shit....


I apoligize for the long post but i am a FF VII freak!!!

[Lt_Basch]

basch when playing FF VII materia is a necessity unless you have awesome weapons...because their are some enemies that are resistant to physical attacks and can be easily killed with fire, ice, etc...What I suggest you do is give one type fire, ice, bolt to each of your three fighters and equip an all materia to each this is a good idea also do the same thing with the cure materia...in the beginning of the game summons are good unless you powered leveled as soon as leaving Midgar, once you get farther in the game the only important materia is zero-bahamut, neo bahamut, phoenix, and knights of the round...Be sure when playing to get knights of the round if you haven't heard it is the shit....


I apoligize for the long post but i am a FF VII freak!!!

I appreciate the 'goodposts', i realise that they are useful (as in the fire, lightning, ice) but is it possible to get by without overloading characters with every bit of materia, for example, Gravity can be useful in fights, but in 99% i won't use it, therefore there's no real need to equip it right? As for summons, I have never needed to use them, barring once or twice and so is it a mistake if i don't include them in my set-up? (Ive just acquired Bahamut, he is beast)

I think im making it more confusing than it is. Basically, can i get by, if i only use what i want? As in, if i dont include every little bit of materia i pick up?

[Meier Link]

You don't have to level up every materia in the game to beat it, if you are a completionist though then you will want to have as much materia equiped as possible. Fire materia is a necessity later in the game because it has the potential to hit for more damage then normal attacks when you get to the frozen waste lands just before the Northern Crater. Plus if you pair it with added affect you can have some fun with alot of baddies.

You can pretty much set them up how ever you like and using junctioned materia with certain materia can add some great perks or damn near make your characters invincible as long as you have MP to support it. For instance Pheonix and Final Attack are cruicial in one of the optional boss fights.

Really it is up to you on how you want to use your magics though. You can pretty much tank your way through the story mode if you want to for the most part. Then again there are a few baddies in the game that require magic to defeate like Kisuke pointed out. If you have a slot availible fill it, never hurts to level up unused materia. Mastered materia sells for a pretty penny you know, specially the all materia.

[Josh_R]

You can of course get by without materia but it never hurts to have. While going through the game be sure to pick up all materia you see because some is needed at certain points...
I forgot yesterday but get the grav materia because it needed when fighting Emerald weapon...Well not needed if strong enough and you have Underwater materia but it does 9999 damage every paired with W-magic materia it is a devasting move...