TL;DR
- Red XIII’s affinity peaks early, requiring strategic conversation choices from Chapter 2 onward
- Synergy Skills and Abilities provide significant boosts when used strategically in combat
- Chapter 12 side quests for other characters can override Red XIII’s accumulated affinity
- Monitor relationship levels via L1 button smiley face indicators throughout your journey
- Missable events in Chapters 5, 6, and 12 require careful attention to timing and choices
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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth introduces deeper character relationships, with Red XIII emerging as a surprising contender for Cloud’s closest companion. This comprehensive guide details every affinity increase opportunity for the noble creature, helping you navigate the complex web of interpersonal dynamics that shape your journey.
The affinity mechanics governing Cloud’s bonds with party members operate through multiple interconnected systems. Understanding these systems is crucial for maximizing your relationship with Red XIII while maintaining balanced connections with other characters.
Four primary factors influence Cloud’s relationship progression with Red XIII throughout the campaign:
These cumulative factors ultimately determine which companion joins Cloud during the pivotal Gold Saucer date sequence in Chapter 12: A Golden Key. You can continuously monitor affinity levels by pressing L1 to display the smiley face icon above each character’s head, with fuller expressions indicating stronger bonds.
Red XIII’s relationship building begins surprisingly early in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, with numerous opportunities available during the initial chapters that can establish him as Cloud’s primary confidant.

Chapter 2 presents your first significant interaction with Red XIII in Kalm’s town square. The conversation choices here establish the foundation of your relationship, with options reflecting trust, curiosity, or professional distance. Selecting responses that acknowledge his wisdom and unique perspective yields the strongest affinity gains.

Completing the Livestock’s Bane and Where the Wind Blows side quests in the Grasslands region provides moderate relationship boosts. These early missions demonstrate Cloud’s willingness to engage with Red XIII’s capabilities and perspective.

Chapter 4 features another crucial conversation opportunity at the Under Junon inn. This dialogue occurs after significant story developments and allows Cloud to either reinforce or recalibrate his connection with Red XIII based on previous interactions.

The The Hardest Sell side quest in Under Junon offers another affinity increase. This mission’s narrative themes align particularly well with Red XIII’s character arc, making completion especially rewarding from both story and gameplay perspectives.
The middle chapters of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth introduce more complex relationship mechanics and several missable affinity opportunities that require careful attention to timing.

Chapter 5 contains a potentially missable relationship boost during the Queen’s Blood Tournament. This event occurs within a specific timeframe and requires particular attention to Red XIII’s involvement during the competition sequences.

Chapter 6 features another time-sensitive affinity increase during the beach battle sequence at Costa del Sol. Your tactical choices and party composition during this encounter can significantly impact Red XIII’s relationship progression.

A significant conversation occurs on the Costa del Sol beach, presenting another opportunity to strengthen your bond through dialogue choices that reflect mutual understanding and respect.

The Of Robed Men and Ransoms side quest in Chapter 7 provides another substantial affinity boost. This mission’s narrative depth and character development opportunities make it particularly valuable for relationship building.
Common Mistake: Many players overlook the importance of these mid-game events, assuming relationship building occurs primarily through main story progression. However, these optional interactions often provide disproportionate affinity gains compared to their time investment.
The final chapters present both the culmination of your relationship building efforts and strategic decisions that can dramatically alter affinity outcomes.

Chapter 9 features a poignant conversation at Gongaga Memorial Hill. This dialogue occurs after significant revelations about Red XIII’s background and provides opportunities to demonstrate deep understanding of his character.

Completing the O’ Chicken, Where Art Thou side quest in Gongaga delivers another affinity increase while advancing Red XIII’s personal narrative arc.

Chapter 10 presents a crucial conversation at Cosmo Canyon’s Torch location. This interaction directly addresses Red XIII’s heritage and provides Cloud with opportunities to demonstrate respect for his companion’s cultural background.

The dual side quests From Whence Life Flows and Promises to Keep in Cosmo Canyon offer substantial relationship boosts. These missions are particularly significant as they explore Red XIII’s origins and family legacy.

Chapter 12 contains a final missable affinity opportunity at Gold Saucer’s Wonderment Square. This final boost can determine whether Red XIII becomes Cloud’s companion for the date sequence.
Strategic Consideration: If Red XIII has accumulated high affinity through previous chapters, you may need to deliberately avoid completing Chapter 12 side quests for Tifa or Aerith, as these later missions provide substantial boosts that could override his lead.
Mastering combat synergy represents one of the most controllable and repeatable methods for increasing Red XIII’s relationship with Cloud throughout the entire game.

Synergy Skills and Synergy Abilities provide relationship boosts upon their first successful activation with Red XIII as your combat partner.
Access these abilities through the Folio menu skill tree system. Strategic unlocking and deployment of these combat mechanics can significantly accelerate affinity progression.
Optimization Strategy: Plan your Folio progression to unlock key Synergy Skills early, then intentionally create combat situations where Cloud and Red XIII can utilize them together.

Successfully achieving Red XIII as your Gold Saucer companion represents the culmination of strategic relationship building throughout your journey.
Time Management Tip: Allocate approximately 15-20 minutes per chapter to specifically focus on Red XIII’s relationship opportunities, balancing these efforts with broader gameplay objectives.
For players seeking to master other aspects of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s combat systems, our Class Guide provides complementary strategic insights that can enhance your overall gameplay effectiveness while pursuing specific relationship outcomes.
Understanding these relationship mechanics provides valuable context for other character interactions. Our comprehensive Complete Guide offers additional context on the game’s broader systems, while the Weapons Unlock guide details complementary progression systems.
Action Checklist
- Monitor affinity levels regularly using L1 button smiley face indicators
- Prioritize Red XIII’s character-specific side quests as they become available
- Select conversation options that acknowledge Red XIII’s wisdom and unique perspective
- Unlock and utilize Synergy Skills/Abilities through strategic Folio menu progression
- Create combat situations specifically designed to activate synergy mechanics with Red XIII
- Strategically avoid late-game Tifa/Aerith quests if Red XIII has affinity lead
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth – All Red XIII Relationship Increases Master Red XIII's relationship system with strategic conversation choices, side quest priorities, and battle synergy optimization
