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Crisis Core Reunion, the remaster of the Final Fantasy VII prequel game on the PSP, adds a slew of new features and visual upgrades to the fan-favorite title. When you reach Chapter 6 of the game, Zack will obtain the iconic Buster Sword and unlock the brand new Buster Sword Proficiency mechanic. If you want to learn more about how this system works, continue reading below for everything you need to know about increasing Buster Sword Proficiency in Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion.
How to Increase Buster Sword Proficiency in Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII
From Chapter 6 and later, you should be able to see the Buster Sword Proficiency stat on the upper-right corner of your screen when in a battle. The stat starts at 0.00% and will slowly increase as you do specific actions while using Battle Stances, listed below.
Battle Stance | Proficiency Increase | Maximum Proficiency Obtained |
Guard | 0.01% | 0.07% |
Strong Attack | 0.02% – 0.03% | 0.25% |
Command Materia | 0.02% – 0.03% | 0.25% |
Although this isn’t dependent on the random DMW mechanic like leveling up Zack or Materia, it still involves some grinding. Not to mention that you can only achieve a maximum of 0.57% Buster Sword Proficiency per battle. Therefore the key is to use Battle Stances frequently rather than trying to grind it out in one long fight.
Funny enough, you can only raise the Buster Sword Proficiency to 95%, indicating that Zack might not be the true master of the sword.
Buster Sword Proficiency Abilities
Raising Zack’s Buster Sword Proficiency will open up new Battle Stance abilities for the SOLDIER operative. Below is the list of all abilities that you can unlock:
- Proficiency: 0%
- Buster Guard: Zack can automatically guard attacks when in Battle Stance. Reduces damage by 80%.
- Strong Attack: Zack can execute Strong Attack out of Battle Stance. Gain super armor when performing Strong Attack.
- Necromose: Regain MP and AP when defeating an enemy.
- Proficiency: 23%
- Damage Limit Break: Increase the damage cap of Attacks and Materias from Battle Stance to 99,999 without needing any Accessories.
- Proficiency: 47%
- Battle Piercing: Attacks and Materias from Battle Stance pass/pierce enemy barriers and won’t receive damage reduction or nullification applied to them.
Best Method of Increasing Buster Sword Proficiency in Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII
Since there is a cap on how much Buster Sword Proficiency you can gain during one battle, defeating as many enemies as quickly as possible is the best way to increase the level of Zack’s Buster Sword Proficiency in Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion. Try using the Battle Stances and a Command Materia like Assault Twister often. Below is the best mission to grind Buster Sword Proficiency:
- “Mission M1-1-1: Shinra Basic Training”
- Unlocks after registering for missions in Chapter 1
- Reward: Elixir
- “Mission M1-1-3: 50 Shinra Troops”
- Unlocks after completing “Mission 1-1-2: Shinra’s Advanced Training”
- Reward: Hero Drink x2
- “Mission M9-5-3: Unusually Strong Monsters”
- Unlocks after completing “Mission 9-5-2: Further Below.”
- Reward: Protect Ring (Accessory)
- Loot: Dark Matter, Elemental Strike (Materia), Escort Guard (Accessory), Gil Toss (Materia), Rune Armlet (Accessory), Tri-Thundaga (Materia)
Related:
How to Get the Magic Pot Summon Early in Crisis Core Reunion
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is now available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.