Top Tier Characters & Why

Top Tier Characters & Why

While Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 boasts a remarkably balanced roster, certain characters consistently rise to the top of competitive play and online rankings due to their exceptional kits, versatile movesets, and high damage potential. This section will delve into the crème de la crème, explaining precisely why these shinobi are considered top-tier and how to best utilize their strengths.

1. Naruto (Sage Mode)

Naruto (Sage Mode) is a perennial favorite and for good reason. His kit offers an incredible blend of offensive pressure, defensive utility, and burst damage, making him a nightmare for many opponents.

• Strengths:
  • Rasenshuriken (Jutsu): This is arguably his most potent tool. It has excellent tracking, a wide hitbox, and significant guard break potential. It can be charged for increased damage and range, making it a fantastic zoning tool and combo finisher. When charged, it can even break through certain invincibility frames or guard-heavy opponents.
  • Sage Art: Giant Rasengan (Awakening Action): A fast, high-damage attack that can catch opponents off guard. It's a reliable way to punish whiffed attacks or finish off a low-health opponent.
  • Substitution Jutsu: Sage Mode Naruto's substitution is quick and allows for immediate counter-attacks, making him difficult to pin down.
  • Reliable Combos: His standard combos are easy to execute and lead into significant damage, often allowing for Rasenshuriken follow-ups or ultimate jutsu. His neutral combo (XXXX) ends with a powerful kick that launches opponents, setting up aerial attacks or ground follow-ups.
  • Speed and Agility: Despite his powerful attacks, Sage Mode Naruto retains good movement speed, allowing for effective evasion and pressure.
• Common Strategies:
  • Utilize charged Rasenshuriken to control space and force opponents to approach.
  • After a successful combo, immediately follow up with Rasenshuriken or Ultimate Jutsu for maximum damage.
  • His tilt (down + O/B) is a quick dash that can be used to close gaps or escape pressure.
  • In Awakening, prioritize the Giant Rasengan for quick, decisive strikes.
• Weaknesses: While strong, he can be vulnerable to characters with long-range projectiles if not played carefully. His awakening can be predictable if spammed.

2. Sasuke (Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan)

Sasuke (EMS) is a master of mid-range combat and oppressive pressure. His unique abilities, particularly Amaterasu, make him a formidable opponent who can control the flow of battle.

• Strengths:
  • Amaterasu (Jutsu): This is Sasuke's signature move. It's a projectile that tracks opponents relentlessly, applies a damage-over-time burn, and can interrupt many attacks. It's excellent for zoning, pressuring guards, and setting up combos. The flames persist on the ground for a short duration, creating hazardous zones.
  • Susano'o: Chidori (Awakening Action): A powerful, armored dash attack that can break through guards and deal massive damage. It's a fantastic tool for punishing aggressive opponents or closing out rounds.
  • Chidori True Spear (Tilt): A quick, unblockable dash attack that can catch opponents off guard. It's a great mix-up tool and can lead into combos.
  • High Combo Potential: Sasuke's combos are fluid and can be easily extended with chakra dashes and support characters. His aerial combos are particularly strong.
  • Sharingan (Unique Ability): Allows him to see through substitutions, giving him a significant advantage in mind games and combo extensions.
• Common Strategies:
  • Open with Amaterasu to apply pressure and force opponents to move.
  • Follow up Amaterasu with chakra dashes or standard combos.
  • Use Chidori True Spear as a surprise attack or to punish defensive opponents.
  • In Awakening, utilize the armored Susano'o: Chidori to break through defenses and secure KOs.
  • Always be mindful of your Sharingan's cooldown to maximize its utility.
• Weaknesses: Can be vulnerable up close if his Amaterasu is dodged. Relies heavily on chakra management for his Jutsu.

3. Minato Namikaze (Fourth Hokage)

Minato is the epitome of speed and evasiveness. His Flying Raijin Jutsu allows for unparalleled mobility, making him incredibly difficult to hit while simultaneously setting up devastating attacks.

• Strengths:
  • Flying Raijin Jutsu (Jutsu): Minato throws a kunai, and with a second press of the Jutsu button, he teleports to its location. This is his defining ability, offering incredible mobility, combo extensions, and escape potential. It can be used to cross the stage instantly, dodge attacks, or appear behind an opponent for a surprise assault.
  • Rasengan (Awakening Action): A fast, high-damage Rasengan that comes out quickly and can be difficult to react to.
  • Flying Raijin: Level 2 (Tilt): A quick dash that leaves a kunai behind, allowing for a teleport follow-up. Excellent for initiating combos or escaping.
  • Fast Attack Speed: Minato's basic attacks are incredibly quick, allowing him to overwhelm opponents with flurries of strikes.
  • Excellent Evasion: His speed and teleportation make him one of the hardest characters to pin down, allowing him to dictate the pace of the fight.
• Common Strategies:
  • Use Flying Raijin Jutsu to constantly reposition, confuse opponents, and set up attacks from unexpected angles.
  • Throw a kunai, then teleport behind a guarding opponent for a grab or combo starter.
  • Combine Flying Raijin with chakra dashes for extended, high-damage combos.
  • Utilize his tilt (Flying Raijin: Level 2) to quickly close distances or escape dangerous situations.
  • In Awakening, use the quick Rasengan to punish openings.
• Weaknesses: Can be difficult for beginners to master due to his reliance on precise teleportation. His damage output can be lower than others if combos aren't executed perfectly.

4. Obito Uchiha (Ten Tails Jinchuriki)

Obito (Ten Tails Jinchuriki) is a powerhouse with immense range, unblockable attacks, and a highly disruptive playstyle. He excels at controlling space and punishing opponents from a distance.

• Strengths:
  • Truth-Seeking Orb (Jutsu): Obito launches a large, slow-moving projectile that tracks opponents and deals significant damage. It has a huge hitbox and can be charged for even more impact. This is a fantastic zoning tool that forces opponents to move or guard.
  • Truth-Seeking Orb: Spear (Tilt): Obito extends a spear made of Truth-Seeking Orbs, which is an unblockable attack. This is incredibly potent for breaking guards and punishing defensive players.
  • Immense Range: Many of Obito's attacks, including his standard combos, have surprisingly long reach, allowing him to keep opponents at bay.
  • High Damage Output: His attacks hit hard, and his combos can quickly deplete an opponent's health bar.
  • Awakening (Ten Tails Jinchuriki): Grants him increased stats and access to even more devastating Truth-Seeking Orb attacks, making him a true juggernaut.
• Common Strategies:
  • Spam Truth-Seeking Orb (Jutsu) to zone opponents and force them into disadvantageous positions.
  • Mix in Truth-Seeking Orb: Spear (Tilt) to break guards and open up opponents for combos.
  • Utilize his long-range normal attacks to poke and pressure.
  • In Awakening, become hyper-aggressive, using the increased power and range to overwhelm the opponent.
  • Use his charged Jutsu to punish opponents trying to close the distance.
• Weaknesses: Can be slow, making him vulnerable to faster, more agile characters if they get in close. His large hitbox can make him an easier target for projectiles.

5. Madara Uchiha (Six Paths)

Madara (Six Paths) is a character defined by overwhelming power, wide-reaching attacks, and the ability to summon powerful assists. He is a dominant force in both close and mid-range combat.

• Strengths:
  • Limbo: Border Jail (Jutsu): Madara summons an invisible clone that attacks the opponent. This is an incredibly versatile tool for extending combos, pressuring guards, and creating unblockable setups. The clone's attacks are often difficult to see and react to.
  • Sage Art: Majestic Attire: Susano'o (Awakening Action): Madara summons a massive Susano'o that delivers a devastating attack. This is a high-damage, armored move that can turn the tide of a match.
  • Wide Hitboxes: Many of Madara's standard attacks and combos have expansive hitboxes, making it easy to catch opponents and initiate pressure.
  • High Damage: Madara's attacks hit incredibly hard, and his combos, especially when incorporating Limbo, can lead to massive damage numbers.
  • Ranged Options: He has various projectile-like attacks within his combos and a powerful fire Jutsu (Great Fire Annihilation) that can be used for zoning.
• Common Strategies:
  • Use Limbo: Border Jail to extend combos, create guard pressure, or set up unblockable situations.
  • After a successful combo, immediately summon Limbo to continue the assault or prevent the opponent from substituting.
  • Utilize his wide-reaching normal attacks to control space and initiate combos.
  • His tilt (down + O/B) is a quick dash that can be used to close gaps or escape.
  • In Awakening, unleash the Majestic Attire: Susano'o for a powerful, decisive blow.
• Weaknesses: Can be somewhat slow compared to other top-tiers, making him susceptible to rushdown characters if not played carefully. Relies on chakra for his powerful Jutsu.

General Top-Tier Strategies & Tips

• Chakra Management: For all these characters, effective chakra management is paramount. Their most powerful tools (Jutsu, Awakening Actions) consume chakra, so knowing when to charge and when to spend is crucial.
• Support Characters: Pair these top-tier characters with supports that complement their weaknesses or enhance their strengths. For example, a support that offers quick, long-range projectiles can help cover a character like Obito's slower movement.
• Substitution Jutsu: Master the timing of your substitutions. Top-tier play often revolves around baiting and punishing substitutions.
• Guard Breaking: Learn which attacks have guard-breaking properties (like Sage Mode Naruto's Rasenshuriken or EMS Sasuke's Susano'o: Chidori) and integrate them into your pressure.
• Awakening Timing: Don't just activate Awakening when you're low on health. Sometimes, activating it strategically to gain access to powerful armored attacks or unique abilities can turn the tide of a match.
• Practice Combos: While these characters are strong, their full potential is unlocked through consistent combo execution. Spend time in practice mode to master their basic and advanced combos.

While these characters represent the pinnacle of power in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, remember that player skill always trumps character tier. Even lower-tier characters can be devastating in the hands of a skilled player who understands their nuances. However, mastering these top-tier shinobi will undoubtedly give you a significant edge in competitive play.