You’re finally in Costa del Sol. The sun is out, the music is catchy, and Cloud is stuck doing errands again. If you’ve been roaming the Corel Region in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, you’ve probably seen the notice for the "Trouble in Paradise" quest. It’s one of those odd-job side quests that seems straightforward until you're suddenly staring down a monster that won't die.
Honestly, the rewards are worth it. You get a boost to your relationship with Tifa, which is basically the main reason most people are playing this anyway, right? But between finding the right beach and dealing with the specific combat mechanics of the boss at the end, it’s easy to get turned around.
Starting the FF7 Rebirth Trouble in Paradise Quest
First thing’s first. You need to head to the Community Noticeboard in Costa del Sol. This isn't available the second you step off the boat; you usually need to progress a bit into Chapter 6. Once you grab the job, you’ll meet a character named Anyu. He’s hanging out near the shore, looking pretty stressed about some monsters ruining the vibe of a nearby "private" beach.
The quest location isn't right in the main city. You have to head to Del Sol Coast. If you’ve been exploring, it’s that stretch of sand to the northeast.
Here is the thing about Rebirth: the map can be a bit deceptive. You’ll see the quest marker, but you might find yourself hitting rock walls if you don't take the right path. Just follow the coastline. You’re looking for a group of monsters that are hassling the staff.
Clearing the Beach
When you arrive, you’ll run into some standard fodder. It’s mostly Specters and Seagaze Neptieri. Nothing too crazy. Use Fire on the Specters—they hate it. For the Neptieri, just stay aggressive.
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Once you clear the initial wave, Anyu will mention a "great threat" further up the coast. This is where the FF7 Rebirth Trouble in Paradise quest actually gets a little spicy. You aren't just hitting things with a sword anymore; you need a strategy for the boss.
The Mirage Mantis Fight
The real meat of this quest is the fight against the Mirage Mantis. It’s a fast, annoying bug that loves to turn invisible. If you go in just mashing the Square button, you're going to have a bad time.
The Mantis is weak to Ice.
Seriously, load up on Blizzard Materia. If you have Shiva equipped, now is the time to let her shine. The gimmick here is that the Mantis creates decoys. It uses an ability called "Mirage" to split itself. If you hit the wrong one, you’re wasting ATB bars.
How to Pressure the Mantis
To Pressure the Mirage Mantis, you need to hit it with its elemental weakness while it's preparing an attack.
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- Wait for it to start a named move.
- Blast it with Blizzara or Blizzaga.
- Once it’s Pressured, use Cloud’s Focused Thrust or Tifa’s Focused Strike to fill that Stagger bar.
The Mantis also has a move called "Infrasound." It’s an AOE (Area of Effect) attack that can stun your party. If you see the name pop up over the enemy's head, dodge backward immediately. Getting caught in a stun loop while the Mantis is invisible is a quick way to see the Game Over screen.
Why Tifa Matters Here
Since this quest is tied to Tifa’s affinity, you should probably have her in your active party. Not just for the "romance" points, but because her combat style is perfect for the Mantis. Tifa is the queen of Stagger.
Once the Mirage Mantis is finally staggered, use Tifa’s Unbridled Strength to buff her Chi level. Hit it with Rise and Fall, then Omnistrike. This increases the damage multiplier. While the Mantis is down, have Cloud use Infinity’s End if you have the ATB for it.
You’ll know the fight is over when the Mantis dissolves into that classic mako-green pixel dust.
The Quest Rewards
After the bug is dead, head back to Anyu. He’ll be thrilled. You get a few specific things:
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- Affinity with Tifa: This is the big one. It helps determine who shows up for the Gold Saucer date later.
- Party EXP: Always useful for leveling up those Folio skills.
- Character EXP: A decent chunk to keep you on pace for the region.
- Codex Fragments: Specifically, "Way of the Fist Vol. II." This gives Tifa extra Skill Points (SP), which is essential for unlocking her better nodes in the Folio system.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
A lot of players think they can come back and do this later in Chapter 12. You can, but you’ll be massively overleveled, and it won't feel like much of a challenge. Plus, you want those Codex fragments early to make the mid-game fights easier.
Another mistake? Ignoring the "Off-Limits" signs. The quest specifically directs you to a restricted area. Don't wander into the ocean thinking the boss is out at sea; it's tucked away in a cove.
People also forget to scan. Use Assess. It costs one ATB charge and tells you exactly how much health the Mantis has left and if you're hitting the real one or a clone. If you haven't been using the Assess Materia, Rebirth is going to be a very long, very difficult game for you.
Actionable Tips for Completion
- Check your Materia: Ensure at least two party members have Ice Materia linked to an Elemental Materia in their armor for resistance, or in their weapon for extra punch.
- Healing is key: The Mantis hits hard and fast. Keep a character like Aerith or even Barret with Pray Materia on standby.
- Watch the clones: The real Mirage Mantis usually has a slightly different visual aura or is the one actively targeting you. Don't chase the decoys.
- Finish the dialogue: Make sure you actually talk to Anyu after the fight. The quest doesn't "count" until the checkmark appears in your log.
Once this is wrapped up, you’re free to enjoy the rest of Costa del Sol. Grab a smoothie, change into some beachwear, and get ready for the next set of challenges. This quest is a small piece of the puzzle, but it’s one of the better side stories that actually feels like it fits the tropical vibe of the Corel region.
Move on to the next Community Noticeboard task, or head back to the main story. Just don't forget to spend those new SP points on Tifa's Folio immediately to make use of that Codex you just earned.