TL;DR
- Materia provides spells, abilities, and stat boosts essential for combat success
- Five distinct Materia types require different equipment strategies and slot management
- Weapon and armor upgrades progressively unlock additional Materia slots
- Strategic AP farming and usage patterns accelerate Materia leveling progression
- Linked Support Materia combinations dramatically enhance combat effectiveness
Materia serves as the cornerstone of FF7 Remake’s combat mechanics, transforming basic attacks into strategic engagements. These mystical orbs contain condensed mako energy that grants characters extraordinary capabilities when properly utilized.
Similar to the original Final Fantasy 7, Materia remains absolutely vital in the remake’s reimagined battle system. These colored spheres function as your primary source of magical spells, special abilities, and summoning capabilities. Equipping Materia not only enhances your offensive power but also provides crucial defensive and utility benefits that can determine battle outcomes. A fundamental principle: deploy as many Materia orbs as possible during early gameplay phases, since consistent usage directly contributes to their experience growth and power escalation.
For comprehensive strategies on optimizing your party’s Materia configurations, consult our detailed Class Guide for complementary tactical approaches. Continue reading for a thorough examination of Materia mechanics and essential operational knowledge. For additional assistance, explore our complete Battlefield 6 Complete Guide collection. Additionally, don’t miss our weapon specialization insights in the Weapons Unlock guide.
Five distinct Materia categories await your strategic deployment, each providing unique combat enhancements that synergize with different playstyles. Consistent utilization remains paramount, as each orb accumulates Ability Points (AP) through battle participation, gradually advancing through multiple mastery tiers that significantly boost performance metrics.

Strategic Materia placement transcends simple slot filling, requiring thoughtful consideration of character roles, anticipated enemy types, and desired combat flow. Different weapon and armor configurations offer varying slot quantities and linkage patterns that dramatically influence available combat combinations.

Weapon slots primarily enhance offensive capabilities, making them ideal for Magic and Command Materia that directly influence damage output. Armor slots typically bolster defensive and supportive functions, better suited for Healing, Barrier, and Support Materia types. Critical mistake avoidance: never leave available slots empty, as even basic stat-boosting Independent Materia provides cumulative benefits.
Linked slot optimization represents perhaps the most sophisticated aspect of Materia management. Position complementary Magic and Support Materia in connected slots to create powerful synergies—pairing Elemental Materia with specific magic types, or connecting MP Absorption with high-cost spells. Advanced players should experiment with different linkage configurations against specific boss encounters to identify optimal setups.
Materia slot availability progressively expands through deliberate character development and equipment acquisition. Initial weapons typically offer 1-2 slots, while end-game equipment can provide 6+ slots with multiple linkage opportunities.

Weapon upgrades represent the primary method for slot acquisition, with new models frequently offering additional connection points. Armor enhancements similarly expand your supportive capabilities, with advanced garments providing both standard and linked slot configurations. Character level progression occasionally unlocks innate slot capabilities independent of equipped items.
Strategic progression planning: prioritize weapons with linked slot pairs during mid-game acquisition, as these enable powerful Support Materia combinations that dramatically increase combat efficiency. Time investment recommendation: allocate 2-3 hours specifically for slot-enhancing equipment quests during Chapter 8-10 progression.
Building a comprehensive Materia collection requires exploration, completion, and commercial engagement across multiple game chapters. Various acquisition channels provide different orb types at different gameplay stages.

Merchant inventories gradually expand as story progression advances, with specialized vendors appearing in sectors like Wall Market offering rare Materia varieties. Side quest completion frequently rewards unique Materia unavailable through other means, making thorough exploration economically rewarding.
Hidden locations and environmental interaction represent additional acquisition opportunities. Thorough sector exploration often reveals Materia hidden in containers, behind obstacles, or as environmental interaction rewards. Completionist approach benefit: pursuing 100% side quest completion typically yields 8-12 additional Materia orbs by mid-game.
Materia advancement through AP accumulation follows predictable patterns that skilled players can optimize for rapid power escalation. Different Materia types require varying AP quantities to reach master level, with Support and Complete Materia typically demanding the most substantial investment.
AP farming optimization: identify combat scenarios with high enemy density and minimal risk, then repeatedly engage these encounters while cycling through desired Materia abilities. Optimal usage patterns involve balancing spell/ability deployment across multiple characters to ensure equitable experience distribution.
Master level benefits substantially enhance Materia performance, often providing additional properties beyond simple potency improvements. For example, mastered Healing Materia gains Auto-Cure capability, while elemental magic frequently reduces MP consumption at highest tiers.
Time-efficient strategy: focus on leveling 2-3 core Materia simultaneously rather than spreading usage too thinly across numerous orbs. Advanced technique: utilize the AP Up Materia in linked slots to accelerate leveling progression by 50-100% depending on equipment configurations.
Action Checklist
- Equip all available Materia slots immediately, prioritizing Magic and Command types
- Identify and utilize weapons with linked Materia slots for Support combinations
- Complete Chapter 8-10 side quests to unlock additional Materia slots
- Farm AP in high-density combat zones while cycling through priority Materia
- Experiment with different Support Materia linkages against specific boss encounters
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » FF7 Remake Materia Guide: How They Work, Best Practices, And How To Get More Master FF7 Remake's combat system with essential Materia strategies, slot optimization, and leveling techniques
