Final Fantasy VII

Fort Condor

When you pass through the caves after getting past the Midgar golem, you can head south to Fort Condor. There is an item and a materia shop here, but they won’t sell you anything until you talk to the guy sitting at the table just below them. Chat him up, agree to fight against the Shinra, and you should be able to shop there.

At first they only have basic stuff, but their wares level up as the game progresses. Be sure to come back to Fort Condor as often as you can so you can help them fight the Shinra. It’s kinda reminiscent of FF Tactics, but more, I dunno, brain-dead, maybe? I’ve found you can get some decent items this way, so it can be worth it.

The reason they ask for Gil is so they can fight any battles you’re not around for. In general, you’ll want to leave them with a minimum of 18,000 Gil for the six battles you can’t be here for, plus 3,000 Gil for any battles you’re planning to miss. Take a look at the rewards for each battle below, and decide if it’s worth it to come all the way back and fight. Or if you just like this mini-game, that’s cool too, I guess.

You win if there are no enemies on the screen at the same time as you. You can place units a little below your lowest unit when the battle is actively taking place, so there are two basic strategies here.

Easy Mode Strategy

First, place one cheap unit as far down the mountain as possible, then start the battle. Next, turn the battle speed to its lowest and place another cheap unit as low as you can. Repeat until you can place units next to the enemies as they appear. Pick the appropriate unit for whatever enemy is there. You can usually win after killing off three or four units at most.

General Strategy

Place your units pretty much right at the lower-edge line. Use two catapults in the middle, and one on each side. Have a shooter, an attacker, a defender, and a repairer at each catapult. When you get access to upgraded catapults, use those instead. Vary which unit attacks the enemy based on the type of enemy. If it’s a beast, use an attacker. If it’s a human, use a defender. For wyverns, use shooters. Have the repairers heal in between skirmishes. Stay close to the catapult lines.

Battle Schedule

Round	When	Reward	Strategy
1	Just after the Mithral Mines		I deployed a lot of fighters, just like he suggested.
2	After you rescue Priscilla. In some versions of the game, you’ll need to rest in the house by the town entrance.		I deployed a lot of defenders, just like he suggested.
3	After being introduced to Mr Dolphin. You don’t even have to jump into the water, but if you do, you can just jump right out.		See the basic strategy in the opening of this section. The game called it a Tincture.
4	Right after you get the Buggy. The cargo ship won’t go back before then.		See the basic strategy in the opening of this section. Use fire catapults instead of regular catapults. If you have the second Enemy Skills Materia, be sure to learn the enemy skills around here, like Beta.
5	Cosmo Canyon: after the campfire scene, but before you begin the Cave of the Gi.	5x	Same as above. The game says 5x , but they’re really 5x . Don’t forget Beta for the second Enemy Skills Materia, if you missed it above.
6	Cosmo Canyon: after completing the Cave of the Gi.	5x	Same as above. Beta? Other skills?
7	Rocket Town: after talking with Shera but before talking with Cid.		See the basic strategy in the opening of this section. Use tristaners instead of catapults.
8	Rocket Town: after you get the Tiny Bronco.	3x	See the basic strategy in the opening of this section. Use tristaners instead of catapults.
9	After you get the , but before you use it.	3x	Same as above.
10	Right after completing the Temple of the Ancients.	5x	Same as above.
11	After you use the .	5x	Same as above.
12	After you sleep in the Forgotten Capital, but before Disc 2.	5x	Same as above.
13	Once you get to Disc 2, before snowboarding.	3x	Same as above. Be sure to leave them with at least 15,000 Gil so they can fight 5 battles, since you won’t be able to come back for these.
14-18	While you are away.	No reward possible.	You left them with enough Gil after the last battle, right?
19	As soon as you get the Highwind, with Tifa as your party leader.	3x	See the basic strategy guide at the start of this section. Be sure to leave them with at least 3,000 Gil after this battle. The item store now includes and . The materia store now includes Throw Materia, Manipulate Materia, Death blow Materia, Destruct Materia, and All Materia.
20	While you are away.	No reward possible.	You left them with enough Gil after the last battle, right?
21	While fighting for .	Phoenix Materia and	Go outside after the battle. See the basic strategy guide at the start of this section.

When the final battle is over, be sure to visit the materia shop and see their new offerings if you haven’t been following along. It’s the same stuff you saw otherwise.

This concludes this section.