Final Fantasy 7 Remake's INTERmission DLC starring Yuffie Kisaragi is brimming with intense boss fights. The second to last bout, the Crimson Mare, might indeed prove the most challenging to many players.
It serves as a solid reminder that Scarlet knows her way around a fight, despite spending most of the game sending enemies after the party and using a Shinra Soldier as a footstool. The following guide will help properly prepare for the fight and show the best strategies for victory. Like most hard RPG battles, once you know the best way to engage with a fight, it becomes significantly easier to take on.
Preparing For The Fight
Like many of the mechanical adversaries Yuffie and Sonon face, the Crimson Mare is vulnerable the lightning damage. As such, it is recommended to equip plenty of lightning based attacks, and even have the Elemental Materia equipped to the Lightning Materia for lightning damage in physical attacks.
- Have Lightning Materia linked with Elemental Materia on a weapon
- Have Healing Materia and full MP. Her attacks do massive damage so Yuffie and Sonon will have to heal plenty.
- Have a healthy supply of Ethers.
- Have Chakra and Prayer Materia Equipped to heal without expending MP
- It helps dramatically to have Ramuh, who is earned by beating him in Chapter 1 in Chadley's VR simulator.
The First Phase Of The Fight
Scarlet starts off the fight aggressively. Even from long range, her Bullet Barrage attack will still reach Yuffie.
Simply block this move. Focus on the Sentry Rays stationed on the outside of the play area since these do the most damage. They generally go down with one shuriken throw.
- Block Bullet Barrage to minimize damage
- Stay out of the way of the Flame Sparks move
- Focus attacks on Scarlet, bringing her health down will temporarily disable the Crimson Mare and put pressure on it, filling the stagger bar faster.
Eventually Sentry Launchers will spawn on the upper level. Take these out as quickly as possible.
Second Phase
Eventually Scarlet will jump to the upper level and recharge the Crimson Mare. When she jumps back down the Crimson Mare will have one of two forms:
Makocannons
- Its arms will be replaced by Makocannons. These have devastating attack power even when blocked. To dodge these, stay close and circle around the Crimson Mare when the cannons start charging.
- Focus attacks on these arms until they are disabled.
- The Fusillade move is especially devastating. If not dodged, it can take out more than half of Yuffie's health even when blocked
Claymore And Shield
- Her other form is more close-ranged focus, with the Crimson Mare wielding a sword and shield
- Like the other form, focus attacks on the Claymore and Shield to disable them.
- The only long-range attack here is Rocket Launcher. Run in a circle around her to dodge all the rockets
- Fulgent Blade is particularly devastating sword Claymore attack. When she starts using this, flee from her as quickly as possible.
If Yuffie beat Ramuh in chapter one, at this time she'll be able to summon him. This will make the last half of the battle significantly more manageable.
The Crimson Mare's aggressive tactics also fill up the Limit gauge quickly, which works to the party's advantage near the end of the bout. Remember that even in this second phase, it is still best to focus on reducing Scarlet's health after the weapons are taken down.