In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, each character has unique strengths and weaknesses that are best suited to specific weapons. Here is a detailed overview of the best weapons for each playable party member:

### Cloud
– **Best Weapon:** **Slipstream Saber**
– **Stats:** High stats with equal max attack and magic potential.
– **Ability:** Prime Mode – Strengthen Punisher Mode, allowing for consecutive strikes and increased Berserk potency.
– **Location:** Unlocked near the end of the game.
– **Alternative:** **Umbral Blade**
– **Stats:** Balanced stats with equal max attack and magic potential.
– **Ability:** Prime Mode – Strengthen Punisher Mode, similar to the Slipstream Saber.

### Aerith
– **Best Weapon:** **Gambanteinn**
– **Stats:** Focus on magical damage with additional materia slots.
– **Ability:** Noble Sacrifice, a powerful weapon ability.
– **Alternative:** **Timeless Rod**
– **Stats:** More focus on magical damage.
– **Ability:** None specified.

### Tifa
– **Best Weapon:** **Jarngreipr**
– **Stats:** Good materia slots and high stats.
– **Ability:** True Strike, increasing stagger meters at close range.
– **Location:** Unlocked late in the game.
– **Alternative:** **Leather Gloves**
– **Stats:** Solid attack stat.
– **Ability:** None specified.

### Barret
– **Best Weapon:** **Battle Cry**
– **Stats:** High stats and solid materia slots.
– **Ability:** Turbulent Spirit, quickly increasing ATB charge rate.
– **Alternative:** **Hi-Caliber Rifle**
– **Stats:** Pure physical damage with no additional abilities.
– **Location:** Barret starts with this weapon.

### Yuffie
– **Best Weapon:** **Twin Viper**
– **Stats:** Focus on her stats.
– **Ability:** None specified.
– **Alternative:** **Bird of Prey**
– **Stats:** Good stats and materia slots.
– **Ability:** None specified.

### Red XIII
– **Best Weapon:** **Golden Collar**
– **Stats:** One of the highest pure physical attack stats in the game.
– **Ability:** None specified.
– **Location:** Found in the Gongaga Reactor.
– **Alternative:** **Brisingamen**
– **Stats:** Good stats, especially in magic, with many materia slots.
– **Ability:** Reaper Touch, delivering a deadly strike with potency inversely proportional to current HP.

### Cait Sith
– **Best Weapon:** **Golden Megaphone**
– **Stats:** Great physical attack capabilities without sacrificing too much in magical attack power.
– **Ability:** Moogle Knuckle, dealing significant stagger damage.
– **Alternative:** **Yellow Megaphone**
– **Stats:** Good stats for physical attackers.
– **Ability:** None specified.

### Summary
Each character’s best weapon is tailored to their unique abilities and playstyle:
– **Cloud:** Slipstream Saber or Umbral Blade for balanced stats and powerful abilities.
– **Aerith:** Gambanteinn for magical damage and materia slots.
– **Tifa:** Jarngreipr for high stats and critical hit potential.
– **Barret:** Battle Cry for high stats and ATB charge rate increase.
– **Yuffie:** Twin Viper or Bird of Prey for versatile combat.
– **Red XIII:** Golden Collar for high physical attack or Brisingamen for balanced stats and magic.
– **Cait Sith:** Golden Megaphone for balanced physical and magical attack or Yellow Megaphone for physical attackers.

These recommendations should help you optimize your party’s performance in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, especially in Hard Mode where strategic weapon choices are crucial.