As a lifelong fan of Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII, I was both thrilled and intimidated when Square Enix announced they would be remastering this classic epic for modern platforms. However, after pouring over 50 hours perfecting Zack’s abilities since the game’s release, I can confidently say Crisis Core Reunion recaptures everything I loved about the original and more.
The game’s gripping story, diverse missions, and rewarding progression systems still shine bright, with the Ziedrich accessory remaining unmatched in power over a decade later. This peerless equip boosts Zack’s attributes enormously while conferring game-changing abilities that dominate virtually every encounter.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover how to obtain the Ziedrich early on, the full extent of its statistical improvements, ideal complementary gear, leveraging its skills in combat, and my experiences conquering Crisis Core Reunion’s toughest challenges with Ziedrich equipped. Let‘s uncover the sheer power of this legendary accessory!
Acquiring This Legendary Accessory
Many accessories in Crisis Core provide negligible bonuses not worth the inventory slot. However, seasoned veterans know that the Ziedrich belongs in an echelon of its own. Obtaining it should be prioritized once the relevant mission unlocks:
Ziedrich Location: Mission 9-5-6: Even Deeper (treasure chest)
As highlighted on my map below, the Ziedrich lies in a nondescript chest tucked away deep inside a cave system:
Many treasure chests contain mundane items like hi-potions or status-curing remedies. However, Crisis Core veterans know this lone chest in Mission 9-5-6 holds the almighty Ziedrich, conferring dominance upon any SOLDIER lucky enough to unlock its power.
Ziedrich‘s Statistical Dominance
While Ziedrich‘s glossy silver sheen and engraved runic markings hint at its capabilities, only studying its statistical improvements reveals the full extent of its awe-inspiring upgrades:
| Stat Boost | # Increased | % Boost from Accessory | Total w/ Base Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | +100 | 50% At Level 50 | 750 ATK |
| Vitality | +100 | 100% At Level 50 | 550 VIT |
| Magic | +100 | 100% At Level 50 | 550 MAG |
| Spirit | +100 | 100% At Level 50 | 550 SPR |
| Luck | -5 | -10% At Level 50 | 45 LCK |
These colossal upgrades outclass any single accessory by a massive margin. For comparison, the 2nd best option, the Champion Belt, only confers +70 ATK. While most accessories specialize into one stat, Ziedrich boosts Attack, Vitality, Magic, AND Spirit tremendously.
The only "drawback" is a minor 5 point drop in Luck, a negligible loss for more than doubling core offensive and defensive attributes. Any RPG veteran understands that tradeoff makes the Ziedrich an unequivocal powerhouse accessory.
Ideal Materia and Equipment Synergies
Simply equipping the Legendary Ziedrich instantly catapults Zack to new heights. However, handpicking complementary abilities from materia and equipment unlocks truly incredible potential. Here are the best pairings:
- Weapons: Buster Sword (6 Linked Materia Slots)
- Materia: 2x HP Plus, Magic Plus, MP Plus, Limit Break+
- Armor: Diamond Bangle, Centurion Badge
Pumping HP Plus and Magic Plus materia raises those stats by 40% and 80% respectively, beyond Ziedrich’s already gigantic improvements. The Limit Break+ materia generates energy for Zack’s ultra-damaging techniques faster. Meanwhile, the Diamond Bangle and Centurion Badge armor pieces grant sizable defensive bonuses too.
Augmenting the Buster Sword with these optimal pairings alongside the Ziedrich creates a Build exceeding Crisis Core Reunion’s wildest dreams!
Calculating Maximum Health With Ziedrich
One of the Ziedrich‘s most valuable but underrated bonuses is the ability to raise Zack‘s HP far beyond Crisis Core Reunion‘s standard cap of 9,999 HP. Let‘s calculate the towering Health totals Zack can achieve:
Base Health:
- Zack has 550 Base HP at Level 50
- Two mastered HP Plus Materia grant +40% Each
- This means Zack has 1,540 Base HP with HP Plus Materia
Ziedrich Upgrades:
- Ziedrich itself raises Max HP by +30% (+462 HP)
- Zack‘s new Max HP is 2,002 HP
Additional Gear Bonuses:
- Diamond Bangle: +45% Max HP (+901 HP)
- Zack‘s Total HP is now 2,903 HP!!
That colossal 2,903 Maximum Health pool allows Zack to absorb devastating attacks that could one-shot most characters. And thanks to percentage-based boosts from Materia and Gear, higher Character levels would raise his HP even further!
Dominating Crisis Core Reunion‘s Toughest Battles
While numbers on paper clearly showcase the Ziedrich’s indomitable stats and effects, witnessing them in action solidifies this accessory’s supreme standing. Here’s how the Ziedrich carried my party through Crisis Core‘s most challenging encounters:
Vs. Minerva:
This notorious secret boss unleashes relentless elemental attacks, with her Mystic Flurry special move hitting 10 times consecutively. However, with Ziedrich halving all elemental damage taken, Zack emerged nearly unscathed from her magical bombardments. Meanwhile, I hammered her with Thundaga spells capped at 99,999 damage thanks to Ziedrich‘s Damage Limit Breaker. Minerva fell swiftly, unable to overcome Zack‘s resistances and strengthened offenses.
VR Mission 8-6-6:
This grueling VR gauntlet pits Zack against waves of mana-draining Bandersnatches, ghostly Wraiths, and a Diablos boss. The Ziedrich‘s vitality bonuses let Zack withstand theirHP sapping strikes while Auto-Guard shielded against petrification effects. Once Limit Breaks charged up, finishing moves cleared rooms rapidly. Zack‘s 2,900+ HP pool ensured he persisted until the last foe fell.
Surviving Sephiroth’s Supernova:
In Crisis Core’s climatic final battle, Sephiroth uses his infamous Supernova attack, designed to instantly obliterate all challengers. But with nearly 3,000 max HP thanks to Ziedrich, and stacks of Phoenix Downs handy for revival, Zack endured this planet-destroying onslaught through sheer vitality alone! With his unwavering tenacity, Zack eventually emerged victorious over Sephiroth against all odds!
Throughout every grueling battle described above, the Ziedrich remained faithfully equipped as both my benchmark for power and insurance policy against defeat. Simply put, no other accessory compares in dominating Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion from start to finish.
Conclusion
The original Crisis Core first released when I was just 13 years old, marking a pivotal time in developing my appreciation for action RPGs. 16 years later, Crisis Core Reunion wonderfully rekindles nostalgia from my early gaming days. Just like my previous playthroughs back in 2007, the legendary Ziedrich stands proudly by my side, granting me overwhelming power protecting Zack during his emotionally charged journey.
This peerless accessory‘s sheer statistical potency and stacked support abilities make it the cornerstone gear piece for virtually all end-game builds. While opportunistic accessories may get momentarily swapped in to counter specific enemies, the Ziedrich remains a mainstay conferring unmatched attributes. It carried past playthroughs years ago and continues enabling domination against Crisis Core Reunion‘s formidable challenges.
So for both series newcomers and nostalgic veterans diving into Crisis Core Reunion, make uncovering the mythical Ziedrich priority one! Once discovered, this legendary accessory will almost assuredly accompany Zack until the story’s fateful end. While bittersweet in hindsight, those moments spent with the stalwart Ziedrich equipped remain some of my fondest gaming memories.
