Natsu DragneelInformation and Guide

Natsu is an S-rank Dimensional Warrior whose kit is based around reducing enemies max HP, and dealing massive damage in a small cone.

Before battle, the player can choose between Lightning and Fire modes. Whereas Fire mode deals more damage, Lightning mode features CC and a Haste debuff.

His Ultimate, Dragon’s Roar, deals massive damage in a short-ranged cone shaped area, which scales decently well with Ultimate Power charms.

His first skill, Dragon’s Iron Fist, has different target priority depending on which mode Natsu is using. In Lightning Mode, he targets the enemy DPS carry, reducing their Haste. While in Fire mode, Natsu strikes against any adjacent enemy dealing more damage and is paired with a short Stun.

His second skill, Fiery Ties, is a passive skill and increases his stats when an ally dies. Furthemore giving extra stats if that ally is Lucy.

Now, for a quick overview of his performance in the various game modes:

• Story and AFK stages – Natsu’s max HP reduction can be very valuable in AFK stages. While he has the damage to go with it he has very little mobility and/or survivability leading to him often struggling to stay alive. This is especially the case at higher deficit, to the point where he might die before the timer even runs out. Nonetheless, if you can keep him alive he is good at pushing AFK stages.

• Dream Realm – Natsu’s kit is intentionally nerfed against bosses, as his max HP reduction cannot trigger here which results in Natsu not being good enough for top Dream Realm Teams. However, he does see some usage in Ravaged Realm, owed to being in the Mauler unit pool for RR, which is an overall lower DPS bossing unit pool, allowing Natsu to shine for that purpose.

• PVP – Natsu can nuke enemy teams almost instantly when he gets his Ultimate to go off in a tight enemy formation. However, he has several drawbacks keeping him from being a favourable pick for the arena. As previously mentioned, Natsu has very little mobility, and zero survivability, making him very slow and very squishy. If Natsu is up against the likes of Tasi or Bonnie, which can reposition, it is unlikely that his short-ranged Ultimate will be able to reliably hit them. Natsu also does not have an easy way of dealing with reviving enemies, such as Talene, Thoran and Tasi.

  • Furthermore, he also suffers against burst teams - especially Athalia or Eironn teams, if not just straight up countered by Lily May. This leaves Natsu with at least 3 very bad matchups which just so happen to be very popular picks in Arena meta leaving him with one main niche - Supreme Arena. In which the Wilder Tiles help him get all up in the enemy’s business to get his Ultimate out, and preferably against low burst enemies such as Mauler teams, which will give Natsu the best chance to survive and catch enemies in his small, but deadly AOE.

Investment

Natsu’s damage is high enough that he can work at a single dupe, but his survivability issues are magnified even more in this case.

• Legendary+ gives him Haste in Lightning Mode, and ATK% in Fire Mode.

• Mythic+ allows him to reduce enemy max HP based on damage dealt. (Does not apply to bosses)

• EX+10 Improves his max HP reduction ability, especially in Lightning Mode.

• Supreme+ adds a Damage over Time effect to his skills and Ultimate.

Ideally, Natsu wants at least Mythic+ and EX +10 for AFK stages and Supreme+ EX +15 for PVP.

Conclusion

While Natsu can deal massive damage with his Ultimate, his kit has too many issues to make him a first pick in most content. Some of them being low range, slow walking speed, and poor survivability.

We recommend pulling 1 dupe during the crossover event and saving resources for other rate up banners. Invest fully if you wish to have Natsu’s HP reduction effect as an extra tool for future content, or if you like Fairy Tail characters.