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Completing enough missions in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion will eventually unlock M9-6-6: The Reigning Deity, arguably the most challenging mission in the entire game. Instead of scavenging a random area in search of treasure and monsters, this mission tasks Zack with defeating Minerva, the most powerful boss in the game.

How To Prepare For The Battle Against Minerva

As the most powerful boss in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion, Minerva can hit exceptionally hard on multiple fronts. While she mostly relies on magic-based attacks, she can also perform a few physical combos, so the player should make sure to equip the appropriate accessories, items, and Materia to minimize her damage output.

HP++ Materia

Minerva can deal out some seriously high damage, so players will need to figure out a way to survive. While a high defense can go a long way, the best way to ensure Zack’s survival is for players to equip a HP++ Materia. This Materia will multiply Zack’s maximum HP by the percentage applied to it, but it’s only effective if Zack has an accessory equipped that allows him to break his HP limit.

Minerva’s most deadly move, Judgment Arrow, can deal 75,000 points of damage, and though it can be reduced, it’s safer to raise Zack’s HP. The player should fuse Fat Chocobo Feathers and HP Stones into the Materia they wish to bring to the battle, as they will not reach 75,000 HP otherwise.

Phoenix Downs

The player will likely have amassed a great deal of Phoenix Downs before reaching Minerva, but they may have used them all in prior battles. Thankfully, these helpful items can be restocked by stealing from Minerva, whose inventory happens to be full of them.

Elixirs

Zack will need to use restorative items quite frequently throughout the battle against Minerva. Elixirs are the best option for this, but they are also the most difficult items to obtain. If the player wishes, they can obtain more Elixirs from the Magic Pot, but it isn’t always guaranteed.

X-Potions

Since the player won’t need to focus on magic if they plan on using items, there is no need to use Elixirs to restore Zack’s MP. That said, they are helpful when restoring all of Zack’s HP, but so are X-Potions. X-Potions can be stolen from various monsters throughout the story, but the best way to obtain several is by unlocking the M8-5-6: Treasure Info 6 mission, and stealing them from Bahamut Fury.

Hi-Potions

The easiest restorative item to obtain is the Hi-Potion, but the means of obtaining it can be lost if the player misses a chest. During Chapter 10, Zack will make a brief visit to Gongaga. In the Gongaga - Outskirts, he can find a chest containing the Research Dept. QMC+ shop, where he will be able to purchase Hi-Potions for 500 Gil each.

While it is possible to use restorative spells instead of items, using items in battle is slightly faster. That said, the player should be sure to bring a Curaga Materia with them into the fight just in case.

Costly Punch Materia

Costly Punch should be the player’s main source of damage, as it ignores Minerva’s defense and is always guaranteed to deal maximum damage. Using it effectively can be tough; however, as Minerva tends to move out of Zack’s range after each of her attacks. Cornering Minerva will usually prevent her from moving, leaving her open to two easy Costly Punch hits.

Genji Gear

The Genji Gear offers most of the buffs Zack needs to survive the battle against Minerva. Sadly, they can be quite difficult to obtain, but the player should have access to their whereabouts before they unlock Minerva. If the Genji Gear is proving to be too difficult to obtain; however, Zack should prioritize the Brutal, Adaman Bangle, and Protect Ring accessories, as they can be decent substitutes.

Zack will need to have pretty high stats if he hopes to survive any of Minerva’s attacks, and though they can be increased by leveling up, they can also be enhanced by equipping certain accessories. The Ziedrich accessory offers +100 on all of Zack’s main stats, and should therefore be equipped somewhere in Zack’s Accessories slots. Given that Minerva takes only half damage from magic-based attacks, the Ziedrich should be used in favor of the Genji Helm, as players won’t have too much need for the magic buffs the accessory provides.

How To Beat Minerva

Healing immediately after being hit will go a long way, but it’s better to prioritize Phoenix Downs whenever required, as it can be difficult to tell how much damage Minerva will do. Using a Phoenix Down allows Zack to be revived after being killed, something he will likely experience a few times during the fight.

Whenever Zack gets an opening, he should use the Costly Punch Materia on Minerva to dish out damage. Though it will take some time to defeat her using this Materia, it’s simply the easiest way to do it.

Minerva has a variety of different attacks, but thankfully, they’re quite easy to figure out as long as the player pays attention. The main goal in this fight is to avoid as many of Minerva’s attacks as possible. Failing this, the player should be prepared to tank as much damage as they can.

Crimson Fire

The Crimson Fire move is arguably the least threatening attack up Minerva’s sleeves. When used, a small ball of fire will appear and track Zack around the arena. Though it can be blocked to reduce damage, Zack should flee whenever it comes near, as it can often leave him open to a more unforgiving attack.

Flash Slash

The Flash Slash attack can easily be avoided with two well-timed dodges. Minerva needs to be quite close to Zack before she unleashes it, so it’s best to calmly run from her before she closes in. When her stance begins to change, the player should dodge twice in succession, as the second attack’s range is surprisingly big.

Thor’s Hammer

The Thor’s Hammer attack is easy to dodge, so long as the player is fast enough. When used, Minerva will call forth a devastating bolt of lightning unto wherever Zack is positioned. It can be avoided by dodging after hearing the third surge of lightning.

Krysta

When used, the Krysta attack will engulf Zack in ice and inflict some serious damage on him. Thankfully, it can be avoided, but only if the player times a dodge at the perfect moment. Just before the ice emerges from the ground is the best time to dodge, but it will take a few attempts to time it perfectly. The key to dodging this move is to focus on Minerva’s staff; when she raises it upward, the player should dodge.

Photon Feather

The Photon Feather can be a real pain to deal with, as it can be extremely tricky to dodge. To avoid getting hit by it, the player should run in the opposite direction while dodging to the left or the right. Eventually, the beams tracking Zack will fade away, and Minerva will be open for a brief moment.

If the player wishes to get some extra damage in during this attack, they can do so by dodging behind Minerva, where the attack can’t reach. With any luck, Zack will be able to attack Minerva four times before she counterattacks.

Ultima

Most players will come across the Ultima spell at some point during their Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion playthrough, but Minerva’s version of it is perhaps the most powerful. Thanks to the passive Wall effect gained by equipping the Protect Ring or Genji Shield, Ultima shouldn’t pose too much of an issue, so long as the player heals immediately after being hit. It’s also possible to avoid Ultima by dodging just as the screen glows white.

Judgment Arrow

The Judgment Arrow attack is Minerva’s most dangerous move by far. Before she unleashes it, a power gauge will appear over her. Normally, depleting an enemy’s power gauge would take priority, but there’s no real reason to attempt it here. Instead, players should ensure Zack’s health is above 75,000 HP, as the incoming attack will deal exactly that amount at full power. Once the attack is over, a Phoenix Down should be used to restore the Auto-Life ability that the attack just removed.

When Minerva is eventually defeated, Zack will be rewarded with the Divine Slayer accessory, one of the best accessories in all of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion. Though players won’t have much use for it after defeating the game’s most powerful boss, it can serve to be a great reminder of how they emerged victorious.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC.

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