FF7 Rebirth Cloud Vs Rufus Hard Mode (No Damage, No Limit, Improved Run)

Essentially an improved run from my previous Cloud speedrun against Rufus as I am running at max weapon level and capitalizing on Sleek Saber's ATB Charge Rate Up weapon skill. The erstwhile run was done at weapon level 8 and Igneous Saber so it may have an impact on my overall dps.
Equipment and gear at the end of the video.

[@Ultinarok47]

Some of the sickest Cloud gameplay ive ever seen. The mid-Prime Counterstance was a chef's kiss.

[@cloudcs]

That's actually Cloud CS hidden 'Vengeance Mode'🤣 So glad I got my revenge lol

[@BSeeD06]

Counterstance was my main strategy for Rufus in Remake, I don't know why I totally forgot to try it there. Thanks for the tip !

[@RE_Prince_Vegeta]

That was so clean 🔥 I blinked and first phase was already done haha. Great stuff bro. Amazing counterstance timings too!!

[@cloudcs]

I was literally in rage mode when I reached this SOB lol. Glad I got my revenge😆

[@RE_Prince_Vegeta]

😂 Congrats man !!!

[@therussellfamily1425]

I was waiting on you man! Way to go! 💯

[@Perfect_playthroughs]

Putting in the work! Good job keep it up ❤️

[@tamarcussingleton9251]

Seek saber+fury 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@reydez84]

Fury ring wasnt active for half of that fight cause prime mode buff overrided it hehe good fight man

[@sourisooo2434]

Carry by counterstance, it makes so much damages (4-7K)!

[@chucklesxcore]

damn using the range slashes to stall him out to build up atb and finishing withsonic boom for perma bravery is smart as fuck. I didn't realize counterstance instead of perfectly timed guard was that good too. gotta use it more.

[@cloudcs]

Counterstance is dope. Don't sleep on it when you have the chance to use it!

[@hakunamatata7056]

What mode are you playing,Perfomance or Graphics?
It is possible to guard cancel every attack ?

[@cloudcs]

Performance. Yes it's possible to guard cancel just you have to quickly release square

[@terj7987]

That's so good - I just got him last night and it took me so many tries.
I love playing as Cloud but I can't seem to figure out when to use Parry, Punisher Counter, or Counterstance. Game descriptions of the abilities are so poor

[@cloudcs]

Punisher counter can parry physical melee attack but cannot parry range projectiles and magic. Counterstance counters everything except unblockable attacks. Normal block is useful to guard against physical attack in addition to range projectiles and magic if you don't have enough ATB to use Counterstance

[@ForzaTerra89]

With punisher mode do you hold square or tap it. I never use it
Counterstance I can’t get right either do I just let them hit me or do I have to push attack at a certain time?
Great guide

[@cloudcs]

Sorry I don't understand your 1st question😅
For Counterstance to work you have to activate it just before you get hit

[@ForzaTerra89]

@@cloudcs okay so counteretrike is a timing thing, thanks
1st question is when you’re in punisher do you tap square over and over or do you hold the button down as they do 2 different things

[@cloudcs]

@ForzaTerra89 Tapping square while in punisher will have Cloud do his normal combo strings. Holding square will make Cloud stab the ground and apply berserk to himself if it connects.
Activating prime mode completely changes the hold square move into a 3-hit consecutive strike that enhances the berserk potency

[@ultima_mello96]

Does the Fury Ring in this game have higher damage percentage than one of the Genji accessories (forgot the specific name)?

[@reydez84]

Genji would have been better since he used prime mode

[@cloudcs]

I don't have genji items yet. Just too lazy to complete the remaining mini games lol

[@talalabuissa273]

Bro how did you make the sleek saber have that extra materia slot?

[@cloudcs]

All my weapons are maxed out. Weapons at maxed level (level 9) will have 6 slots

[@tRaInWrEcK4751]

How the hell did you do that you literally made this bastard stand still while you ran circles around him on hard mode while I struggled to beat him on normal. Amazing job man!

[@cloudcs]

Basically blocking his gunshots with Counterstance will pressure him for some time to give you ample time to build your ATB, hit him with your most powerful offensive abilities, etc. That's the gist of it

[@tRaInWrEcK4751]

@@cloudcs Thank you! I still have a ways to go, I am currently trying to complete Chadleys VR before I run through Story Mode hard mode but I am getting wrecked on Brutal Challenge Helions, I had to take a break as I was getting so frustrated. I may just complete story mode first then try Brutal challenges again.

[@toaster4693]

​@@tRaInWrEcK4751You'll have an easier (and hopefully more fun) time if you get the Brutal challenge rewards first to be able to use them in hard mode.