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Rufus Shinra is a non-playable character from the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII. Initially the vice-president of the Shinra Company, Rufus assumes presidency of the company upon his father's death.

Final Fantasy VII

Rufus is first encountered just after the party finds President Shinra dead in his office. Rufus wastes no time in declaring himself president. After a somewhat boastful speech, Cloud engages Rufus in a one-on-one fight before Rufus escapes on his helicopter.

While undercover in Junon, Cloud participates in Rufus’ welcoming ceremony. Cloud and the rest of the party hitch a ride on his ship to Costa del Sol. Later, when the party meets Cid Highwind, they learn that Rufus is planning an arrival in Rocket Town. Rufus is seeking the Tiny Bronco so that he may pursue Sephiroth. The party takes the plane instead, leaving Rufus behind.

Eventually, Rufus makes his way to the Northern Crater seeking the Promised Land. When Sephiroth summons Meteor, Rufus flees along with AVALANCHE back to Junon. He sentences Barret and Tifa to be executed to appease the people during the panic.

Rufus is later seen after he’s moved the Sister Ray to Midgar. He attempts to use the cannon to destroy Diamond WEAPON and eliminate Sephiroth’s barrier over the Northern Crater. Diamond WEAPON, however, manages to get an attack off which explodes the President’s office and seemingly kills Rufus.

Boss Battle

Rufus is fought as a boss battle with Dark Nation at Shinra HQ. He is fought only by Cloud.

Stats

No Damage: Gravity

Attacks: Shotgun

Protected Against: Death, Sleep, Poison, Confusion, Silence, Frog, Small, Slowly Stone, Petrify, Death Sentence, Manipulate, Berserk

Drop: Protect Vest

Strategy

This is the first and last time you'll fight Rufus. Luckily, he's easy to defeat. The only problem is Dark Nation, his pet panther. It can cast Barrier and MBarrier. This means your physical and magical attacks are halved in damage. So the first target should be Dark Nation. Dark Nation is also in the back row, which further weakens your physical attacks. So the best way to kill it is by using magic. Once that is out of the way, focus on Rufus. He has no MP to cast magic and will continue to blast you with his shotgun. Make sure you keep your HP high and after you've inflicted 500 HP, he'll run off.

See Also: Bosses (FFVII) or Dark Nation

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core

Rufus doesn’t appear in the game but is mentioned in an e-mail to Zack as having become the Vice President of the Shinra Company.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

When Cloud visits Healin Lodge at the request of Reno, he finds that Rufus is, in fact, alive, but bound to a wheelchair and afflicted with Geostigma. Rufus explains that he recognizes that his company’s actions had endangered the Planet, and he now requests Cloud’s help. Cloud refuses, and for the majority of the film, Rufus spends his time under the eyes of Kadaj. Rufus eventually reveals, removing his sheet and standing from the wheelchair, that he has been in possession of Jenova the entire time. He throws it off the edge of the building and both Kadaj and Rufus jump over the edge. During their fall, he shoots the Jenova container and is rescued by Tseng and Elena. Rufus is pictured at the end of the film surrounded by his Turks being cured of Geostigma.

Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus

In the opening scene of the game, Rufus can just barely be seen being carted off before Meteorfall, indicating that he survived the attack of Diamond WEAPON. Later, Reeve Tuesti hints that his myterious benefactor would be someone who owes a debt to the Planet, insinuating that Rufus is providing the WRO’s monetary support.

Quotes

"That's right. I'll let you hear my new appointment speech. ...My old man tried to control the world with money. It seems to have been working. The population thought that Shinra would protect them. Work at Shinra, get your pay. If a terrorist attacks, the Shinra army will help you. It looks perfect on the outside. But, I do things differently. I'll control the world with fear. It takes too much to do it like my old man. A little fear will control the minds of the common people. There's no reason to waste money on them." (FFVII)

"A good son would have known." (Advent Children)

"The Lifestream courses through our planet back and forth across the borders of life and death. If that cycle is the very truth of life, then history, too, will inevitably repeat itself. So go on; bring your Jenovas and your Sephiroths. It won't matter. We'll do as life dictates and stop you every single time." (Advent Children)

"You're an ex-SOLDIER aren't you?" (to Cloud – Advent Children)

"I understand there are orphans living with you. Don't you want to put smiles back on their faces?" (to Cloud – Advent Children)

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Major portions of this page were written by: tifabelle