If you’re struggling to defeat Shiva, this article is for you.

To defeat Shiva bring Fire materia, and Elemental materia linked with Fire. It’s also wise to bring the Ifrit summon materia. Switch your weapon upgrades to magic damage since Shiva’s resistant to physical damage.

When and where can you fight Shiva?

You can obtain Shiva in a VR battle through Chadley during Chapter 8.

Shiva’s Attacks

These attacks are listed in priority to dodge or block:

• Whiteout – this is a slow-moving attack that sends a small wave of ice towards you which will put you to sleep if you don’t get out of the way. If you don’t dodge this, then she will cast Heavenly Strike on you.
• Heavenly Strike – a strong attack that deals over 1000 damage, which typically comes after Whiteout. You really can’t dodge this if you’ve been slept by Whiteout, otherwise dodge it quickly.
• Diamond Dust – another strong attack, but one which you can prepare for because Shiva will be channeling for a few seconds beforehand.
• Blizzaga – there’s a slight channel and release time to this attack, making it easy to dodge, so make sure you do.
• Icicle Impact – when you are near Shiva, she’ll unleash this AoE (area of effect) attack around herself to deal damage. You can block this if you can manage to in time because this is a fast attack.
• Frost Familiars – Shiva summons a few frost orbs that will attack you, this is a weak attack but you should block if you see an orb flying towards you.

Other than these attacks, she’ll shoot icicles at you which you should dodge or block.

Strategy

Check out this video showing the Shiva fight:

Follow these tips:

• Prioritize dodging or blocking spells that Shiva casts.
• Use Fire-related materia: cast Fire, and use Elemental materia linked with Fire, and bring Ifrit.
• Consider building magic damage since Shiva has physical damage resistance.