TL;DR
- Manuscripts provide essential SP for weapon upgrades after reaching Level 50
- Four Limit Break Manuscripts available in Corneo Colosseum during Normal Mode
- Hard Mode contains the majority of Manuscripts from boss fights and side-quests
- Each character has 14 standard Manuscript volumes plus one Limit Break volume
- Strategic collection approach saves significant time and maximizes character power
For players determined to fully enhance their arsenal in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, locating Manuscripts becomes absolutely essential. These collectible items serve as the primary method for advancing weapon capabilities beyond standard leveling progression.
Important: This guide reveals details about late-game encounters in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, so proceed with caution if you haven’t completed the main story.
Completing Chapter 18 merely marks the starting point of FF7 Remake’s true challenge. Upon finishing the initial playthrough, Hard Mode unlocks, presenting formidable obstacles including acquiring Chadley’s ultimate summon materia, experiencing all Chapter 14 narrative variations, and conquering the optional Pride and Joy Prototype superboss. To succeed in this demanding difficulty setting, optimizing your weaponry through Manuscript acquisition becomes non-negotiable.
While some Manuscripts appear during standard gameplay, collecting the complete set demands thorough exploration, side-quest completion, and triumph over Hard Mode’s most punishing adversaries. Here’s the definitive roadmap to securing every Manuscript for each party member.
What Manuscripts Do
As characters progress through Final Fantasy 7 Remake, they accumulate skill points (SP) that unlock weapon enhancements. Manuscripts grant SP independently of character levels, with each protagonist possessing unique Manuscript categories. Once your party attains Level 50, Manuscripts represent the exclusive method for obtaining additional SP, making their pursuit critically important for endgame preparation.
Additionally, four special Manuscripts obtainable in the Corneo Colosseum during Normal Mode unlock additional Limit Break abilities for every character. These become accessible in Chapters 9 and 14.
The majority of Manuscripts reside in Hard Mode, accessible exclusively through the Chapter Select interface after completing the game. However, strategic players can locate several during their initial playthrough. Below are the designated Manuscript classifications per character:
- Cloud: Art of Swordplay
- Tifa: Way of the Fist
- Barret: Sharpshooter’s Companion
- Aerith: Telluric Scriptures
Manuscripts follow sequential numbering, enabling players to identify missing volumes based on their numerical sequence. Each character possesses 14 standard Manuscript volumes alongside one Limit Break Manuscript.
Your initial Manuscript acquisitions originate from the Moogle Emporium within Sector 5’s Undercity and through specific side-quest completions.
Chapter 8
Acquire your initial four Manuscript volumes from the Moogle Emporium during Chapter 8.
Available for purchase at the Moogle Emporium (costing 5 Moogle Medals per volume):
- Art of Swordplay Vol. I
- Way of the Fist Vol. I
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. I
- Telluric Scriptures Vol. I
Chapter 9
- Art of Swordplay Vol. II
- Successfully complete “Cloud vs. Shinra Thugs” within the Corneo Colosseum
- Telluric Scriptures Vol. II
- Successfully complete “Aerith vs. Shinra Thugs” within the Corneo Colosseum
- Legacy: Ascension Limit Break (Cloud)
- Successfully complete “Cloud vs. Wild Animals” within the Corneo Colosseum
- Legacy: Planet’s Protection Limit Break (Aerith)
- Successfully complete “Aerith vs. Wild Animals” within the Corneo Colosseum (complete this before revisiting Madam M following Corneo Cup matches)
Chapter 14
- Way of the Fist Vol. II
- Successfully complete “Tifa vs. Shinra Thugs” within the Corneo Colosseum
- Way of the Fist Vol. III
- Successfully complete “Wavering Hearts” side-quest
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. II
- Successfully complete “Barret vs. Shinra Thugs” within the Corneo Colosseum
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. III
- Successfully complete “The Power of Music” side-quest
- Art of Swordplay Vol. III
- Successfully complete “Corneo’s Secret Stash” side-quest
- Telluric Scriptures Vol. III
- Successfully complete “Secret Medicine” side-quest
- Legacy: Dolphin Flurry Limit Break (Tifa)
- Successfully complete “Tifa vs. Wild Animals” within the Corneo Colosseum
- Legacy: Catastrophe Limit Break (Barret)
- Successfully complete “Barret vs. Wild Animals” within the Corneo Colosseum
Final Fantasy 7 Remake News
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade Review – Materia Improvements
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake Dress Guide: How To Get Every Dress In Wall Market
- What Would Suit Tifa Choices: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Dress Guide
- + Show More Final Fantasy 7 Remake News Links (2)
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake Guide: Corneo’s Secret Stash Locations
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake Materia Guide: Essential Materia You Might’ve Missed
Hard Mode Manuscripts
Hard Mode Manuscripts predominantly reward players for overcoming formidable adversaries—either major story bosses or challenging optional encounters discovered during side-quests. Consult our comprehensive Boss Fight guide for assistance with challenging battles, and utilize our side-quests guide if encountering difficulties locating specific objectives.
Chapter 1
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. IV
- Defeat the Scorpion Sentinel boss
Major bosses and challenging adversaries encountered throughout Hard Mode in Final Fantasy 7 Remake grant Manuscripts upon their defeat.
Chapter 2
- Art of Swordplay Vol. IV
- Defeat The Huntsman enemy
Chapter 3
- Art of Swordplay Vol. V
- Defeat the Doom Rats encountered during the “Rat Problem” side-quest
- Way of the Fist Vol. IV
- Defeat the Wrath Hound during the “On the Prowl” side-quest
Chapter 4
- Art of Swordplay Vol. VI
- Defeat Roche during motorcycle sequence
- Way of the Fist Vol. V
- Defeat the Enigmatic Specter boss
Chapter 5
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. V
- Defeat the Crab Warden boss
Chapter 6
- Way of the Fist Vol. VI
- Located within the ventilation fan that previously contained the Chocobo & Moogle summon Materia (click for detailed instructions).
Chapter 7
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. VI
- Defeat the Airbuster boss
Chapter 8
<ul>
<li>Art of Swordplay Vol. VII
<ul><li>Defeat Reno during boss encounter</li></ul></li>
<li>Telluric Scriptures Vol. IV
<ul><li>Defeat Rude during boss encounter</li></ul></li>
<li>Telluric Scriptures Vol. V
<ul><li>Defeat the Monodrive Mk. II enemies encountered during the " li="" on="" rampage"="" side-quest
- Defeat the Hedgehog Pie King during the “Kids on Patrol” side-quest
- Defeat the Chromogger during the “Angel of the Slums” side-quest
- Defeat the Venomantis enemies during the “Paying Respects” side-quest
Chapter 9
- Telluric Scriptures Vol. IX
- Defeat Hell House during boss encounter
- Art of Swordplay Vol. VIII
- Defeat Beck’s Badasses during the “Price of Thievery” side-quest
- Art of Swordplay Vol. IX
- Defeat the Jury-Rigged Cutter during the “Shears’ Counterattack” side-quest
- Art of Swordplay Vol. X
- Defeat the Bombs encountered during the “Dynamite Bodies” side-quest
Chapter 10
- Way of the Fist Vol. VII
- Defeat Abzu during boss encounter
Chapter 11
- Telluric Scriptures Vol. X
- Defeat the Ghoul boss
- Way of the Fist Vol. VIII
- Defeat Eligor during boss encounter
Chapter 12
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. VII
- Defeat Reno and Rude during combined boss fight
Players receive only a single Manuscript volume for overcoming Reno and Rude simultaneously.
Chapter 13
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. VIII
- Defeat the Failed Experiment boss
Chapter 14
- Art of Swordplay Vol. XI
- Defeat Beastmaster and Hellhound during the “Tomboy Bandit” side-quest
- Way of the Fist Vol. IX
- Defeat Abzu and the Abzu Shoats located within the sewer system
- Way of the Fist Vol. X
- Defeat the Phantoms encountered during the “Missing Children” side-quest
- Way of the Fist Vol. XI
- Defeat the Trypapolis enemies within the Collapsed Expressway during the “Chocobo Search” side-quest
- Way of the Fist Vol. XII
- Defeat the Sahagin Prince within the sewers during the “Corneo’s Secret Stash” side-quest
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. IX
- Defeat the Tonberry during the “Malicious Goons” side-quest
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. X
- Defeat the Behemoth Type 0 during the “Subterranean Menace” side-quest
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. XI
- Defeat the Rust Drake during the “Chocobo Search” side-quest
Virtually every significant adversary confronted in Chapter 14 will yield a Manuscript volume.
Chapter 15
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. XII
- Defeat the Valkyrie boss
Chapter 16
- Art of Swordplay Vol. XII
- Defeat Specimen HO512 boss
Chapter 17
- Art of Swordplay Vol. XIII
- Successfully complete “Cloud vs. SOLDIER 3-C Candidates” within the Shinra Combat Simulator
- Art of Swordplay Vol. XIV
- Defeat Rufus and Darkstar during boss encounter
- Way of the Fist Vol. XIII
- Successfully complete “Tifa vs. SOLDIER 3-C Candidates” within the Shinra Combat Simulator
- Way of the Fist Vol. XIV
- Defeat Jenova Dreamweaver boss
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. XIII
- Successfully complete “Barret vs. SOLDIER 3-C Candidates” within the Shinra Combat Simulator
- Telluric Scriptures Vol. XI
- Successfully complete “Aerith vs. SOLDIER 3-C Candidates” within the Shinra Combat Simulator
- Telluric Scriptures Vol. XII
- Defeat the Swordipede boss
- Telluric Scriptures Vol. XIII
- Defeat The Arsenal boss
Players will confront multiple boss encounters throughout Chapter 17, acquiring Manuscripts from each victory.
Chapter 18
- Sharpshooter’s Companion Vol. XIV
- Defeat the Whisper Harbinger boss
- Telluric Scriptures Vol. XIV
- Defeat Sephiroth during final boss encounter
Successfully gathering all Manuscripts demands strategic planning and optimized approaches. Here are professional techniques to maximize efficiency:
Strategic Preparation: Before attempting Hard Mode Manuscript collection, ensure your party reaches Level 50 and possesses fully upgraded armor and materia. The difference between preparation and inadequate gear can determine success or failure against these challenging encounters.
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Many players underestimate the difficulty spike in Hard Mode. Don’t attempt Manuscript collection without mastering materia combinations and understanding enemy attack patterns. Consult our Class Guide for optimal character builds.
Time Management: Expect to invest approximately 25-30 hours specifically for Manuscript acquisition if following an organized approach. Random exploration without planning can extend this to 40+ hours.
Optimization Tips: Focus on completing all side-quests during your initial Normal Mode playthrough to familiarize yourself with locations and objectives.
Advanced Mechanics: Understanding the stagger system becomes crucial for Hard Mode Manuscript bosses. Implement pressure-building techniques and utilize character-specific abilities at optimal moments. For comprehensive weapon strategies, reference our Weapons Unlock guide for complementary information.
Action Checklist
- Complete Normal Mode and reach Level 50 with all characters
- Acquire initial Manuscripts from Moogle Emporium in Chapter 8
- Complete Corneo Colosseum battles in Chapters 9 and 14 for Limit Break Manuscripts
- Systematically progress through Hard Mode chapters, focusing on boss encounters
- Consult boss fight guides for challenging Hard Mode encounters
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » FF7 Remake Manuscript Guide: How To Get Every Weapon Upgrade Complete guide to finding all Manuscripts in FF7 Remake for maximum weapon upgrades and Limit Breaks