Each character in the game uses different weapons that they specialize in, for example, Barret only uses a gun arm, Tifa only uses knuckles, Aerith staffs, and Cloud longswords. In this article, I'll be talking about all of the weapons that Cloud uses throughout the game. 

There are a total of six weapons, and just because you got them in the late game does not mean that they’re the best. I'll be comparing the stats of the weapons and ranking them. These weapons also give different bonuses, effects, and buffs and can be used for different builds. So with that, let's get into the article.

6. Nail Bat (Obtained in the mid-game)

Are we pissing our pants yet?

See Nail Bat In Action:

Nail Bat Stats:

• Abilities: Disorder
• Attack Power: Initial - 30 Max - 30
• Magic Power: Initial - 30 Max - 30
• Materia Slots: Initial - None - Max - 6

Even though Cloud specifically uses longswords or broadswords, he can use this bat. It's a joke weapon from the original Final Fantasy 7. It's not that great in terms of stats, as it boasts only 30 physical and 30 magical damage. 

The great thing about this bat is that it massively increases Cloud’s critical hit rate. You can obtain this bat in the midgame when you reach Chapter 8, specifically from a side quest called “Kids on Patrol.” The bat does give a ton of HP if you level it up. 

The point where you acquire the weapon doesn't make it that viable in the long term. You can use it during Chapters 8 and 9, but I would advise using it against bosses. The weapon also comes with the ability “Disorder” which makes Cloud leap towards an enemy and swing his weapon.

What Nail Bat Is Good For:

• Gives Cloud a ton of HP.
• Increases his critical hit rate and critical damage immensely.
• Unlocks the “Disorder” ability.
• Great against low HP enemies.

How To Get Nail Bat:

• You can unlock this weapon when you reach Chapter 8 from a side quest “Kids on Patrol.”

5. Iron Blade (Obtained in the early game.)

A huge chunk of metal.

See Iron Blade In Action:

Iron Blade Details:

• Abilities: Triple Slash
• Attack Power: Initial - 23, Max - 77
• Magic Power: Initial - 31, Max - 105
• Materia: Initial 3, Max 6.

The next weapon that you can acquire fairly early in the game is the Iron Blade. You get it by completing a side quest called “A Job In The Neighborhood Watch.” The sword provides Cloud with one of the more essential abilities called “Triple Slash,” which is amazing against groups of enemies and great for AoE attacks. 

The sword itself provides Cloud with a higher magic power than attack power. The attack power at the start is 23 and maxes out at  77, while the magic at the start is 31 and maxes out at 105. It's amazing for a magic-centered build and good for a hybrid one as well. 

It starts with 3 materia slots. Additionally, the sword provides Cloud with some decent defensive stats and durability. The sword will be useful throughout the mid-game, especially if you’re going for a magic-centered build.

What The Iron Blade Is Good For:

• Amazing for hybrid builds.
• Great for a full magic build.
• Gives the “Triple Slash” ability, which is great for AoE attacks.
• Gives Cloud defensive stats.

How To Get Iron Blade:

• You can obtain the weapon by completing the side quest “A Job In The Neighborhood Watch.” 

4. Mythril Saber (Obtained in the mid-game)

Time to show you what magic can do.

See Mythril Saber In Action:

Mythril Saber Details:

• Abilities: Blade Burst
• Attack Power: Initial - 24, Max - 46.
• Magic Power: Initial - 72, Max - 138.
• Materia: Initial - 2, Max - 6. 

This broadsword excels at improving Cloud as a magician. It has amazing stats for magic power, and it provides Cloud with buffs to his overall MP pool. It also provides him with resistance to magic. The attack power starts at 24 and maxes out at 46, while the magic power starts at 76 and maxes out at 138. 

Sadly, it starts with 3 initial materia slots. You can buy this magic sword when you reach Chapter 14 in the quest “In Search Of Hope.” The weapon also provides Cloud with the “Blade Burst” ability, which is great for long range attacks. The best use of the weapon is as a magician, fully committing to spell casting. 

What The Mythril Saber Is Good For:

• Improving Clouds mana pool.
• Increasing his MP regeneration.
• Increasing his resistances to debuffs.
• Best used for a full spellcasting build.
• Provides Cloud with an ability “Blade Burst” to deal long range damage.

How To Get Mythril Saber:

• You can buy it for 3,000 gil from a weapon shop in Chapter 14 during the quest “In Search Of Hope.”

3. Twin Stinger (Obtained in the late game.)

Two swords in one.

See Twin Stinger In Action:

Twin Stinger Details:

• Abilities: Counter Stance
• Attack Power: Initial - 46, Max - 73
• Magic Power: Initial - 46, Max - 73.
• Materia: Initial - 4, Max - 6.

In terms of raw attack and magic power, this sword isn't that great. The initial attack and magic power are 46, and both max out at 73. But what it does have is that it starts with 4 materia slots that are linked, which is pretty strong for a materia build. 

It also comes with the “Counterstance” ability, which makes Cloud brace for an attack and then counterattacks. It also improves Clouds MP and makes the duration of buffs longer. It boosts the damage of elemental spells like fire, lighting, ice, and wind by 5% and healing spells as well. 

And boosts the damage to elemental materia by 10%. The best way that you can use this sword is by going for a spell-casting build, and the materia growth is good, so it allows for versatility. You unlock this sword in the late game.

What The Twin Stinger Is Good For:

• Has amazing materia growth. 
• Starts with 4 materia slots.
• Allows for different materia combinations.
• Buffs the damage on spells by 5%.
• All buffs on Cloud are extended by 10%.

How To Get Twin Stinger:

• You can get it in a chest in Chapter 17 during “Find The Others.”

2. Buster Sword (Obtained when you start the game.)

Time to show them what this bad boy can do.

See Buster Sword In Action:

Buster Sword Details:

• Abilities: Focused Thrust
• Attack Power: Initial - 22, Max - 91.
• Magic Power: Initial - 22, Max 91.
• Materia: Initial - 2, Max - 6.

Oh, this one's a classic, and it's the most recognizable sword in gaming. Ask anyone from the 2000s, and they will know whom this sword belongs to. Now, you get this sword as soon as you start the game. It has balanced stats, which improve Cloud's physical and magical stats evenly. Additionally, it has moderate materia growth.

It also improves his durability and makes it a decent weapon throughout the whole game if you want to use it. Additionally, the sword comes with the “Focused Thrust” ability, which deals moderate damage to a single target but increases their stagger exponentially. The initial attack and magic power are 22 but both max out at 91 damage

What Buster Sword Is Good For:

• Comes with the “Focused Thrust” ability which increases the stagger of enemies exponentially.
• Gives Cloud defensive stats.
• Has balanced out stats for damage.
• Great for hybrid builds.
• Can be used throughout the whole game.

How To Get Buster Sword:

• Cloud starts with this weapon.

1. Hardedge

Now, this is what I call a sword.

See Hardedge In Action:

Hardedge Details:

• Abilities: Infinity’s End
• Attack Power: Initial - 57, Max - 137.
• Magic Power: Initial - 19, Max - 46.
• Materia: Initial - 3, Max - 6.

The best sword for a hard mode build and a full physical build is the Hardedge, which you can acquire from a Wall Market shop during “Town That Never Sleeps” or “The Belly Of The Beast.” The attack power of this sword is 57 at the start, but once maxed out it’s 137, while magic only starts at 19 and maxes out at 46. It also comes with three materia slots. 

It comes with the ability “Infinity's End,” which is a powerful strike meant to kill someone in a single slice. You acquire the sword in the middle of the game, which can serve you till the end. The sword in general boosts the damage on Cloud, and if you target specific body parts of a boss, it will deal extra damage. 

It also comes with a “Bloodsucker” ability, which allows Cloud to recover HP whenever he defeats someone in battle. Also, it comes with “Stagger Syphon,” which gives Cloud HP whenever he attacks someone who's staggered with different abilities. The sword makes Cloud durable during the game and allows him to survive a lot. It's also very MP efficient. The best way to use this weapon is throughout the game for a full physical build. 

What Hardedge Is Good For:

• For a full physical attack build.
• Improving his survivability.
• Amazing for a hard mode playthrough.
• Has two abilities that give Cloud HP in battle.
• MP efficient.

How To Get Hardedge:

• You can obtain it for 2,000 gil in Chapter 9 during a quest “The Town That Never Sleeps.”

You may also like: 

• [Top 25] Best Japanese Games Made By Japanese Game Developers
• FF7 Remake Best Accessories For Each Character
• [Top 10] FF7 Remake Best Weapons For Each Character
• FF7 Remake Best Armor For Each Character
• [Top 5] FF7 Remake Best Materia For Each Character