Rufus Shinra (Remake)

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==Summary==
Rufus Shinra was originally a major antagonist in the original Final Fantasy VII and its prequel Before Crisis, later appearing as a supporting character in the sequel movie Advent Children, as well as having brief mentions in Crisis Core and Dirge of Cerberus. In Final Fantasy VII: Remake proper he serves as a minor antagonist.
Son of the president of the Shinra Electric Power Company and vice-president himself, Rufus is an brilliant, charismatic and ruthless man who always considered himself a better fit to lead the company over his father. Earning himself the respect and admiration of his colleagues wasn't enough and despite president Shinra's intention to give the company to him, Rufus decided to take it by force by becoming an ally and leaking information to the anti-Shinra extremist group AVALANCHE, in order to take down his father and rebuild the company in the direction he chose. However, one of AVALANCHE's leaders, Fuhito, had other plans and betrayed Rufus leading to him being taken back by Shinra, however there was no punishment as the president simply told Rufus he was the right heir all along.
Time later, AVALANCHE had been disbanded, but a second incarnation, led by a man named Barret Wallace and accompanied by a former 1st Class SOLDIER, Cloud Strife, reappeared destroying Shinra's reactors in Midgar. Shinra managed to capture this new group, but Shinra's greatest hero, Sephiroth, a SOLDIER long thought to be dead, suddenly showed up that same night and set AVALANCHE free murdering the entire personnel of Shinra's upper floors in the process, including the president himself. With the head gone, Rufus finally took over the company and confronted AVALANCHE in person. This was, however, happened the same night Sephiroth had set in motion his plans to destroy the fate of the Planet and break free from its intended path. After engaging Cloud ina duel alongside his beast companion Darkstar, Rufus was defeated and forced to retreat, he would return to the Shinra HQ and observe how the Whispers of Fate marched around the city, in confusion at the meaning of such event and why his subordinates could not see that as well. What will happen to Rufus and Shinra in this unknown journey remains to be seen.
==Powers and Stats==
Tier: At least , likely higher | At least , likely higher
Key: Rufus | Darkstar
Name: Rufus Shinra
Origin: Final Fantasy VII: Remake
Gender: Male
Age: 30
Classification: Shinra Company's Vice-President, Shinra's President
Powers and Abilities:
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Abilities:
*Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Weapon Mastery and Martial Arts (Can skillfully playFinal Fantasy VII Remake (2020) around Cloud's swordsmanship with precise parries and dodges using his custom rifle, throwing him off balance and making close combat surprisingly ineffective. Can effectively keep Cloud at bay with his gunplay, which rotates between shotgun scattershotsFinal Fantasy VII Remake (2020) and machine gunFinal Fantasy VII Remake (2020) rapid-fire), Enhanced Senses (Can casually shoot coinsFinal Fantasy VII Remake (2020) while they are midair towards a specific target), Acrobatics (Hypermobility, can perform agile jumps and moves to evade Cloud's attacks and perform combinations with Darkstar. Can propel himselfFinal Fantasy VII Remake (2020) through the battlefield using bursts from his rifle), Spirit Energy Manipulation (Can use his Spirit Energy to perform special abilities with it), Non-Physical Interaction (Spirit Energy allows users to interact with non-corporeal beings like ghosts or Summons, the latter whom trascend physicalCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-: The Complete Guide (2007) matter), Explosion Manipulation (Via Think Fast), Smoke Manipulation (Via Up in Smoke), Electricity Manipulation (Via Thunderclap, in combination with Darkstar, and Thread Softly), Absorption (As shown with his Thunderclap combination attack, Rufus can absorb lightning using his rifle), Paralysis Inducement (Thread Sofly can paralyze those who touch the electricity), Light Manipulation (Via Bright Lights)
Resistances:
*Resistance to Madness Manipulation (Type 2, unaffected by Berserk) and Time Manipulation (Unaffected by Slow)
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Abilities:
*Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Acrobatics (Hypermobility, can perform complex flips and jumpsFinal Fantasy VII Remake (2020) to attack Cloud and combination moves with Rufus), Bodily Weaponry (Conventional, has claws and fangs it employs in combat. Can use the tentacle on its head as a whip with enough force to knock down Cloud), Spirit Energy Manipulation and Magic (Can use magic despite not being equipped with Materia), Non-Physical Interaction (Spirit Energy allows users to interact with non-corporeal beings like ghosts or Summons, the latter whom trascend physicalCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-: The Complete Guide (2007) matter) Electricity Manipulation (via Thunder and Thunderclap, in combination with Rufus), Healing (Via Curaga)
Resistances:
*Resistance to: Madness Manipulation (Type 2. Unaffected by Confusion), Time Manipulation (Unaffected by Slow), minor resistance to Electricity Manipulation (Takes reduced damage from electrical attacks)
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Attack Potency: At least Multi-Continent level, likely higher (Proved to be a very challenging opponent to Cloud, whom had defeated Summons like Ifrit, Shiva and some far above them like Bahamut. Held Cloud consistently at distance with his gunfire) | At least Multi-Continent level, likely higher (Was a powerful assist for Rufus in the duel against Cloud. Its physical and magical attacks could hurt and push back the Ex-SOLDIER)
Speed: Sub-Relativistic+ (Can keep up with Cloud in a fight and is swift enough to skillfully work around Cloud's attacks and keep him at distance with a combination of dodges, parries and gunfire, being seemingly overall quicker as Cloud had a lot of trouble catching up Rufus) | Sub-Relativistic+ (Can catch up Cloud during a fight with its movements and attacks)
Lifting Strength: At least Class M, likely higher (Can easily throw Cloud off-balance with his parries if given the chance and even graple with him to an extent. Cloud already had defeated Summons like Ifrit and Shiva who are comparable to Titan, and even Bahamut who far surpasses them) | At least Class M, likely higher (Can easily pin down Cloud when attacking him)
Striking Strength: At least Multi-Continent level, likely higher (Can use his rifle as a melee weapon with enough strength to force Cloud to block and stagger him and easily knock Cloud aside to keep him at distance) | At least Multi-Continent level, likely higher (Can easily knock down Cloud with his whip and by charging at him, as well as hurt him with its fangs and claws)
Durability: At least Multi-Continent level, likely higher (Can endure attacks from Cloud who had already defeated Summons like Ifrit and Shiva, and even Bahamut who is far above them) | At least Multi-Continent level, likely higher (Can withstand attacks from Cloud)
Stamina: Superhuman. Despite fighting a very intense duel against Cloud and being defeated, Rufus didn't show any signs of exhaustion and retreated without losing his composture. | Above Average. Darkstar is a powerful partner for Rufus, but unlike its master it can't hold for too long against opponents on a similar level, as seen in the battle against Cloud and how easily it can fall in battle or run out of Magic power to cast spells, making Rufus go one-on-one against the ex-SOLDIER.
Range: Tens of Meters with his shotgun | Standard Melee Range with physical attacks. Tens of Meters with magic
Standard Equipment: 
Rufus Shotgun.png|Rufus' shotgun in his complete form
Rufus Two Firearms.png|Rufus splitting his shotgun into two firearms
Rufus holding Coins.png|Rufus's coins
*Custom Shotgun: Rufus' main weapon. A custom made shotgun which can split into two smaller firearms. This weapon is capable of three different kinds of gunfire: in its full form it can alternate between a spread shot like a regular shotgun or single bullets like a handgun, while in its split form it's capable of rapid fire similar to a machine-gun. The weapon is also incredibly resistant, being capable of blocking Cloud's sword swings and being useable as a melee weapon without sustaining damage nor messing with the mechanisms. Additionally, in its full form, Rufus can use it to create a small explosion to propel himself in the desired direction.
*Coins: Rufus carries with him several coins which he employs in battle to perform his different special moves by combining them with Spirit Energy. The coins in their designFinal Fantasy VII Remake: Ultimania (2020) on the front have a symbol of a sword, a shield and wings with the words "Shinra Inc., A New Era. Ever Forward. Reign Supreme.", while on the back the words "Fierce Pride" with and image of Darkstar and a mandragora flowers, which symbolize "fear."
Intelligence: Gifted. Rufus is an very intelligent, cunning and manipulative man, capable of not only handling the Shinra company despite his rather young age but also scheme brilliantly against it before that. Despite not being a SOLDIER or a Turk, Rufus is an extremely skilled and technichal fighter combining precise gunplay and close combat to both keep his opponents at distance but also easily dance around their close range attacks, managing to be a very hard opponent to catch even for opponents with superior raw capabilities, such as Cloud. Rufus can flawlessly cooperate with Dark Nation for combinations and taking advantage of his partner's support magic, while controlling the pace and distance of the fight by taking advantage of his shotgun's different types of gunfire and its firepower to propel himself on any direction. Additionally, despite his focus on defensive maneuvers and counters, Rufus can be a very aggresive fighter if needed, propelling himself at opponents, shooting at close range and resorting to close combat if he deems it fitting. | Above average. Despite seeming like a feral animal, Dark Nation can work surprisingly well with Rufus in combinations and takes a very tactical approach to defend its master, being very obedient to commands and knowing when to retreat should Rufus deem it necessary.
Weaknesses: Rufus may run out of ammo during battle needing to reload. Taking advantage of this is not easy as it seems, as Rufus only takes a short moment to prepare and will parry and evade attacks while he readies his firearm once again. | Dark Nation has a limited pool of magic which can run out.
Notable Attacks/Techniques:
Rufus Bright Lights.gif|Bright Lights
Rufus Thunderclap.png|Thunderclap
*Rufus:
**Gunfire: Rufus main form of offense is his shotgun. This custom made firearm can rotate betwen three different types of gunfire, two of them in its complete form: regular spread shots which Rufus uses at close and mid range and single bullet shots which Rufus uses at any range.
**Guns Akimbo: By separating the shotgun into the two smaller firearms components, Rufus can fire up to 13 bullets in quick succession akin to a machine gun, but needing to reload immediately after.
**Burst: Rufus can shoot at the floor, creating a small explosion to propel himself in any direction he desires at speeds that managed to surprise even Cloud. This move can also be used midair.
**Thunderclap: By having Darkstar cast Thunder on himself and absorbing the spell with his shotgun, Rufus can shoot the lightning bolt towards the enemy with his weapon.
**Thread Softly: Rufus throws three coins at the floor, creating rings of electricity which will paralyze anyone who comes into contact with them. They last around eight seconds.
**Up in Smoke: Rufus throw a coin and shoots it creating a smokescreen.
**Think Fast: Rufus throws and then fires at five coins, detonating them on the enemy.
**Bright Lights: Rufus throws two coins into the air and then separates his shotgun into the smaller firearms, shooting a single bullet into each coin, turning them into a beam of lightFinal Fantasy VII Remake: Ultimania (2020) which is then fired towards the enemy.
*Darkstar:
**Claws and Fangs: Like any other canine, Darkstar is naturally armed with sharp fangs and claws he uses to attack enemies.
**Whip: Using the whip on its head, Darkstar slams opponents into the ground.
**Corkscrew: Darkstar charges at an opponent while spinning, with enough force to knock them down.
**Subdue: Darkstar pins the opponent to the floor, usually to then throw them into the air and allow Rufus to follow up with a close range shot.
**Thunder: A basic lightning spell which casts a bolt of lightning on the enemy. Darkstar also uses it in combination with Rufus by casting it on his master, who absorbs it with his shotgun and shoots it at enemies in a move called Thunderclap.
**Curaga: A high-level healing spell. Darkstar will usually use it on Rufus.
==Explanations==
*Though Remake is not a separate continuity, rather the very same setting of the original game branching off to an "unknown journey" due to the characters breaking free from fate, due to the many differences between the game and the original due to the updated setting and gameplay, characters are still considered separate incarnations for the most part (such as abilities, available equipment and such), with the exception of their basic capabilities and skill as they are consistent between both games and don't play into the differences between Remake and the original.
==Gallery==
Cloud vs Rufus and Darkstar.png|Cloud fighting Rufus and Darkstar
Rufus Shinra Design.png|Rufus' Design in Remake by Roberto Ferrari
Rufus Coin Design.png|Rufus' Coins Design by Roberto Ferrari
Rufus Shotgun Remake.jpg|Rufus' Rifle Design by Roberto Ferrari
Darkstar Artwork Remake.png|Artwork of Darkstar in Remake by Roberto Ferrari
Rufus-reno-and-rude.jpg|Rufus alongside his Turks, Rude and Reno
BeforeCrisisRufus.jpg|Rufus in Before Crisis
==Notable Matchups==
Victories:
Losses:
Inconclusive:
Category:Final Fantasy
Category:Final Fantasy VII
Category:Science Fantasy Characters
Category:Antagonists
Category:Anti-villains
Category:Gun Users
Category:Weapon Masters
Category:Light Users
Category:Chi Users
Category:Non-Physical Interaction Users
Category:Acrobats
Category:Enhanced Senses Users
Category:Magic Users
Category:Electricity Users
Category:Explosion Users
Category:Smoke Users
Category:Healers
Category:Characters