How Do I Learn Enemy Skills in FF7?

Learning Enemy Skills in Final Fantasy VII (FF7) can significantly enhance your strategic options in battles. On LEARNS.EDU.VN, we guide you through acquiring and mastering these skills, turning your characters into powerhouses. Discover how to unlock unique abilities and dominate your foes.

1. Understanding Enemy Skills in FF7

Enemy Skills in FF7 are abilities that your characters can learn from enemies throughout the game. These skills are acquired by equipping specific materia called “Enemy Skill” and being targeted by the skill in battle. This allows your characters to learn and use these moves, adding a layer of depth to your combat strategy.

Definition: Enemy Skills are unique abilities learned from enemies.
Acquisition: Equip “Enemy Skill” materia and be targeted by the skill.
Strategic Depth: Adds variety and power to your combat tactics.

2. Key Materia Locations and Acquisition

Acquiring the Enemy Skill materia is the first step in mastering these abilities. There are four Enemy Skill materia in FF7, each found at different points in the game. Here’s where you can find them:

2.1. Shinra HQ

The first Enemy Skill materia is obtained in Shinra HQ after Red XIII joins your team. Make sure not to miss it, as this is a one-time opportunity.

2.2. Junon

The second Enemy Skill materia is located in Junon. After completing the march as part of the infiltration, explore the town to find a tutorial house similar to the one in Sector 7 of Midgar. Inside, a man near the door will acknowledge your knowledge and grant you access to the basement, where you’ll find the materia on the floor.

2.3. The Forgotten City

The third Enemy Skill materia is found in the Forgotten City near the end of Disc 1. In the area with small buildings, find the resting area and rest there. During the night, the team will decide to continue exploring. The materia is a yellow orb located behind the top bed.

2.4. Northern Continent

The fourth and final Enemy Skill materia is located on the Northern Continent. After obtaining the airship, fly to a small green patch surrounded by cliffs near the Forgotten City. Inside a house, you’ll find a strange-colored Chocobo. Talking to it will grant you the fourth Enemy Skill materia.

3. Essential Beginner’s Tips for Learning Enemy Skills

Before diving into the specifics of learning each Enemy Skill, here are some crucial tips to keep in mind:

3.1. Equipping the Materia

Ensure the Enemy Skill materia is equipped on the character you want to learn the skill with. The character must be targeted by the enemy’s skill while the materia is equipped to learn it.

3.2. Avoiding Duplicates

If you’re hunting for an Enemy Skill for your second, third, or fourth materia, remove the materia that already knows the skill. If the move hits everyone, remove it from all characters. The game will not allow you to learn the skill if it’s already known.

3.3. Unique Encounters

Some skills, like Trine, can only be learned from specific, one-time enemies or areas. Make sure to stall the battle until you have the Enemy Skill materia equipped to learn it.

4. Detailed Guide to Learning Specific Enemy Skills

Here’s a detailed breakdown of each Enemy Skill, including where to find the enemies that use them and how to ensure your characters learn the abilities:

4.1. Matra Magic

Location: Outside Midgar
Enemy: Custom Sweeper
Description: Hits every enemy and is non-elemental.
Availability: From when you leave Midgar until just before the end of the game.
Strategy: The Custom Sweeper uses Matra Magic frequently, making it relatively easy to learn. Equip the Enemy Skill materia and engage in battle with the Custom Sweeper.

4.2. Level 4 Suicide

Location: Chocobo Farm Area
Enemy: Mu
Description: Almost kills any enemy whose level is a multiple of 4, and minimizes them.
Availability: From when you leave Midgar until just before the end of the game.
Strategy: Equip the Enemy Skill materia and battle the Mu. It helps if a character’s level is divisible by 4 to encourage the Mu to use the skill. However, it can be used even if no one’s level is a multiple of 4, so be patient.

4.3. Chocobuckle

Location: Chocobo Farm Area
Enemy: Level 16 Chocobo
Description: Gets more powerful the more you escape from battles.
Availability: From when you leave Midgar until just before the end of the game.
Strategy: This skill requires a level 16 Chocobo, which usually appears with Ostrich-like creatures and Elephunks. Use the Sense materia to identify the level 16 Chocobo. Feed it expensive greens and have the character with the Enemy Skill materia ready to attack. Use Level 4 Suicide on the other enemies, and the Chocobo should use Chocobuckle on you before running off.

4.4. Flamethrower

Location: Mythril Mines
Enemy: Ark Dragon
Description: Deals fire damage to a single target.
Availability: Once you reach the area until the end of the game.
Strategy: The Ark Dragon always uses Flamethrower on the character with the highest HP. Equip the Enemy Skill materia on that character, or use the Manipulate materia to force the enemy to use it.

4.5. Laser

Location: Corel Prison
Enemy: Death Claw
Description: A Gravity/Demi move that lowers an enemy’s health to 3/4.
Availability: Only during your first visit to Corel Prison.
Strategy: Use the Manipulate materia on Cait Sith to control the Death Claw and make it use Laser on your party. This is a crucial skill to acquire early, as it can be challenging to obtain later.

4.6. Big Guard

Location: Beach near Corel Prison/Gold Saucer
Enemy: Beachplug
Description: Casts Shell, Protect, and Haste on the entire party.
Availability: As soon as you leave Corel Prison until the end of the game.
Strategy: Manipulate the Beachplug to use Big Guard on your party. This is a highly useful defensive move, making it a priority to acquire.

4.7. Aqualung

Location: Desert near Corel Prison/Gold Saucer
Enemy: Harpy
Description: Deals water damage to all enemies.
Availability: From when you leave the prison until you lose the buggy on Disc 2.
Strategy: The Harpy is immune to Manipulate, so you’ll need to wait for it to use Aqualung. Ensure your party has high/full health or use Big Guard to mitigate the damage.

4.8. Frog Song

Location: Gongaga Area
Enemy: Touch Me
Description: Inflicts Frog status on a single target.
Availability: From when you reach Gongaga to the end of the game.
Strategy: Equip an accessory that defends against frog/toad and use the Manipulate materia to make the Touch Me use Frog Song on your party.

4.9. White Wind

Location: Junon Area
Enemy: Zemzelett
Description: Heals the party for an amount based on the user’s current HP.
Availability: As soon as you get out of the prison up until the end.
Strategy: Manipulate the Zemzelett to use White Wind on your team. This is a valuable healing move to have.

4.10. Beta

Location: Swamps on route to Mythril Mines, near Chocobo Farm
Enemy: Midgar Zolom
Description: A powerful fire-based attack.
Availability: Technically as soon as you get to the swamps, but it’s recommended to wait until you’re at a higher level.
Strategy: This is one of the toughest Enemy Skills to acquire early in the game. Equip Cloud with all the Enemy Skill materia and ensure everyone is around level 30. Have a high attacker attack the Zolom until it knocks them out of battle. Use Big Guard and White Wind to stay alive. Be careful not to kill the Zolom before it uses Beta.

4.11. Death Sentence

Location: Cosmo Canyon / Cave of the Gi
Enemy: Gi Specter and Sneaky Step
Description: Inflicts Death Sentence status on a single target.
Availability: You can only go to Cave of the Gi once. You can get Death Sentence just before the end of Disc 1, up until the end of the game.
Strategy: Equip both Enemy Skill materia onto one character. These enemies are common, so you don’t even have to Manipulate it—they’ll probably do it.

4.12. ????

Location: Nibelheim – Shinra Mansion
Enemy: Jersey
Description: A move that depends on how much health you’ve lost compared to your total HP.
Availability: As soon as you get to Nibelheim until the end of the game.
Strategy: The Jersey rarely turns up, and when they do, they cast confusion and silence on you. Manipulate may not work on this enemy, so it’s a matter of waiting for it to use the move.

4.13. Trine

Location: Mt. Nibel
Enemy: Materia Keeper
Description: Deals lightning damage to all enemies.
Availability: The Materia Keeper is a one-off battle, so make sure both materia’s are equipped when you fight him.
Strategy: This is a one-time opportunity during the Materia Keeper boss battle. Ensure both Enemy Skill materia are equipped to learn Trine.

4.14. Death Force

Location: Wutai
Enemy: Adamantaimai
Description: Makes you immune to instant death.
Availability: When you get to Wutai (After getting the Tiny Bronco) up until the end of the game.
Strategy: Manipulate the Adamantaimai to use Death Force on your party.

4.15. Magic Hammer

Location: Wutai
Enemy: Razor Weed
Description: Drains 100MP (or less depending on how much they have left) and gives it to you.
Availability: When you get to Wutai (After getting the Tiny Bronco) up until the end of the game.
Strategy: Manipulate the Razor Weed to use Magic Hammer on your party.

4.16. Magic Breath

Location: Gaea’s Cliff
Enemy: Stilva
Description: Deals fire damage to all enemies.
Availability: You can only get Magic Breath when you’re in the area, once you’re done with that part of the game, you can’t go back.
Strategy: Wander around until you come across a huge red creature called Stilva, it will use Magic Breath on you almost right away.

4.17. Bad Breath

Location: Gaea’s Cliff
Enemy: Malboro
Description: Inflicts multiple status ailments on the entire party.
Availability: You can only get this when you’re in the area, once you’re done with that part of the game, you can’t go back.
Strategy: Equip Ribbon’s to protect against status ailments and wait for the Malboro to use Bad Breath on your party.

4.18. Goblin Punch

Location: Goblin Island (far northeast part of the map)
Enemy: Goblin
Description: A physical attack that deals damage based on the user’s level.
Availability: Anytime after you get control of the Highwind.
Strategy: Manipulate the Goblin to use Goblin Punch on your party.

4.19. Shadow Flare

Location: Cosmo Canyon
Enemy: Ultimate Weapon
Description: A powerful non-elemental attack.
Availability: As soon as you weaken/defeat the Diamond Weapon that’s attacking Midgar.
Strategy: Weaken the Ultimate Weapon until it hovers near Cosmo Canyon. The person you are equipping all your enemy skills too needs to be full health, and needs a lot of it (the move does about 7000 damage). Equip HP plusses and everything on your strongest attacker. Weapon uses the skill on you as a finishing blow, to the person who killed him.

4.20. Laser (Disc 3)

Location: The Great Northern Cave
Enemy: Dark Dragon
Description: A magic based attack with gravity element.
Availability: As soon as you reach the crater.
Strategy: Use Manipulate materia on Dark Dragon to have it cast Laser on your party member.

4.21. Angel Whisper

Location: The Great Northern Cave
Enemy: Pollensalta
Description: Revives fallen party members and restores their HP.
Availability: Anytime once you reach the crater.
Strategy: Manipulate the Pollensalta until it uses Angel Whisper on your party.

4.22. Level 5 Death

Location: The Great Northern Cave
Enemy: Parasite
Description: Inflicts instant death on enemies with levels divisible by 5.
Availability: Anytime once you reach the crater.
Strategy: Manipulate the Parasite until it casts Level 5 Death on party members.

4.23. Dragon Force

Location: The Great Northern Cave
Enemy: Dark Dragon
Description: Increases both physical and magical defense of the caster.
Availability: Anytime once you reach the crater.
Strategy: Use Manipulate materia on Dark Dragon to have it cast Dragon Force on your party member.

4.24. Roulette

Location: The Great Northern Cave
Enemy: Death Dealer
Description: Kills random target.
Availability: Anytime once you reach the crater.
Strategy: Cast Death Force on one of the Death Dealers, and have Safety Bit equipped to your Enemy Skiller.

4.25. Pandora’s Box

Location: The Great Northern Cave
Enemy: Dragon Zombie
Description: Very powerful magic attack.
Availability: Anytime once you reach the crater.
Strategy: This one is very hard to get, because Dragon Zombie only uses it once per battle. Survive until it uses the move.

5. Optimizing Your Enemy Skill Setup

Once you’ve acquired a variety of Enemy Skills, optimizing your setup is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness.

5.1. Strategic Placement

Place the Enemy Skill materia on characters who can benefit most from the acquired abilities. Consider their roles in battle and equip them accordingly.

5.2. Synergistic Combinations

Combine Enemy Skills with other materia to create powerful combinations. For example, pairing Big Guard with high-magic characters can make them formidable support units.

5.3. Adapting to Enemy Weaknesses

Analyze enemy weaknesses and adjust your Enemy Skill setup accordingly. Having a range of elemental and non-elemental attacks can provide a significant advantage in battles.

6. Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Learning Enemy Skills can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can overcome these obstacles.

6.1. Rare Encounters

Some enemies that possess valuable Enemy Skills are rare. Use Chocobo Lure materia or explore specific areas known to spawn these enemies to increase your chances of encountering them.

6.2. High-Level Enemies

Some enemies with useful skills are high-level and can be difficult to defeat early in the game. Focus on leveling up your party and equipping better gear before attempting to learn these skills.

6.3. Resistance to Manipulation

Some enemies are resistant to the Manipulate materia, making it challenging to force them to use the desired skill. In these cases, equip characters with high magic stats and patience.

7. Advanced Strategies for Enemy Skill Mastery

For experienced players, here are some advanced strategies to further enhance your Enemy Skill mastery:

7.1. Mastering Multiple Materia

Aim to master multiple Enemy Skill materia to create versatile characters who can adapt to any situation.

7.2. Utilizing Enemy Skills in Boss Battles

Strategic use of Enemy Skills can significantly impact boss battles. Analyze boss weaknesses and use the appropriate skills to exploit them.

7.3. Speedrunning Tactics

In speedrunning, efficient use of Enemy Skills can save valuable time. Plan your route and prioritize acquiring essential skills early in the game.

8. The Benefits of Mastering Enemy Skills

Mastering Enemy Skills in FF7 offers numerous benefits that enhance your gameplay experience.

8.1. Enhanced Combat Abilities

Enemy Skills provide access to unique and powerful abilities that are not available through standard materia.

8.2. Strategic Flexibility

The ability to learn and use a variety of Enemy Skills allows for greater strategic flexibility in battles.

8.3. Completionist Satisfaction

For completionists, mastering all Enemy Skills adds a rewarding sense of accomplishment.

9. Conclusion: Elevate Your FF7 Experience with Enemy Skills

Mastering Enemy Skills in FF7 can drastically change your gaming experience, making battles more strategic and rewarding. By following this comprehensive guide on LEARNS.EDU.VN, you’ll be well-equipped to acquire and utilize these powerful abilities.

Ready to explore more ways to enhance your FF7 gameplay and beyond? Visit LEARNS.EDU.VN for expert guides, tips, and educational resources that empower you to excel.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Enemy Skills in FF7

9.1. What are Enemy Skills in FF7?

Enemy Skills are special abilities that characters can learn from enemies by equipping the Enemy Skill materia and being targeted by the skill during battle.

9.2. How do I equip Enemy Skill materia?

Equip the Enemy Skill materia in any available materia slot on your characters, just like any other materia.

9.3. Can I learn an Enemy Skill if I already know it?

No, you cannot learn an Enemy Skill if you already know it on any of your equipped Enemy Skill materia.

9.4. Where can I find the Enemy Skill materia?

There are four Enemy Skill materia in the game, located in Shinra HQ, Junon, The Forgotten City, and the Northern Continent.

9.5. How do I increase my chances of encountering rare enemies with Enemy Skills?

Use Chocobo Lure materia or explore specific areas known to spawn these enemies to increase your chances of encountering them.

9.6. What is the Manipulate materia, and how does it help with learning Enemy Skills?

The Manipulate materia allows you to control enemies and force them to use specific abilities, making it easier to learn Enemy Skills.

9.7. Are there any Enemy Skills that are missable?

Yes, some Enemy Skills, like Trine from the Materia Keeper in Mt. Nibel, are missable if you don’t have the Enemy Skill materia equipped during the battle.

9.8. What are some of the most useful Enemy Skills to acquire early in the game?

Some of the most useful Enemy Skills to acquire early include Matra Magic, Big Guard, and White Wind.

9.9. Can Enemy Skills be used in the Battle Square or Gold Saucer?

Yes, Enemy Skills can be used in the Battle Square and Gold Saucer, providing a strategic advantage in these challenges.

9.10. How do I optimize my Enemy Skill setup for boss battles?

Analyze boss weaknesses and equip the appropriate Enemy Skills to exploit them. Combine Enemy Skills with other materia to create powerful combinations.

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