walkthrough

How Synergy Abilities and Synergy Skills actually work

Two different things, both bound to L1. Here's the difference, when to use each, and why the limit-break and ATB-split bonuses are the picks.

“Synergy abilities can be a little weird to get used to. They're built up by spending ATB on actions like abilities, spells or items. Once full you get one of four bonuses: infinite MP for a short duration, extended stagger window, increased limit break level, or splitting the ATB gauge into three bars. We found the limit break level increases and the ATB gauge split to be very good options. Synergy skills are always available and can be performed without consuming any ATB — hold R1 and use the corresponding button prompts. Successfully landing them fills the ATB bar of both characters.”

Synergy Abilities and Synergy Skills

Rebirth bolts two new mechanics onto FF7 Remake's combat: Synergy Skills (free, always available) and Synergy Abilities (limited, build up over a fight). Both are on the L1 wheel and players confuse them constantly.

Synergy Skills (free, anytime)

  • Hold R1 / L1 to open the wheel.
  • Two skills per partner, no ATB cost, fills both characters' ATB on use.
  • Free damage and utility. Use them constantly.
  • Cloud + Aerith Counterfire blocks ranged projectiles in Punisher mode.
  • Cloud + Aerith Spellblade is one of the strongest free hits in the game.
  • Tifa's offensive skills get her airborne instantly.

Press the touchpad while the wheel is open to read skill descriptions.

Synergy Abilities (limited, build up)

  • Open the command menu — those small bars next to a partner are the Synergy gauge.
  • Filled by spending ATB on abilities, spells, or items.
  • Once full, the duo executes a Synergy Ability — a powerful cinematic that grants one of four bonuses:
    1. Infinite MP for a short duration
    2. Extended stagger window
    3. Limit break level up — unlocks higher-tier limit breaks
    4. Three-bar ATB split — more actions, faster

Which bonus to pick

Arekkz's recommendation, which lines up with the community: limit-break level + ATB split are the strongest. The MP bonus is wasted unless you're a magic-heavy build, and the stagger extension is okay but the others scale better.

Synergy Support materia

  • Equip on a character → they generate extra Synergy gauge bars when other party members use Synergy Abilities. Stack on Aerith, who's ATB-spamming spells anyway.

If stuck: if your Synergy Ability bars never fill, you're not spending ATB. Synergy gauge requires abilities, spells, or items — auto-attacks alone don't fill it.