Given the popularity of a lot of 5-Star Servants in Fate/Grand Order, it’s easy for players to immediately feel frustrated with 4-Star Servants in their team. However, with the right perspective and growth, some 4-Star Servants may end up performing better than their 5-Star counterparts.
In this regard, just which among the 4-Star Servants in the game should players pay attention to? Moreover, would these Servants in Fate/Grand Order offer something to the table that 5-Star Servants wouldn’t be able to achieve?
10 Heracles (Berserker)
Perhaps the prime example of a Berserker in the series, it makes sense for Heracles to be one of the most competent 4-Star Servants in Fate/Grand Order. His Nine Lives C-A+ (NP) not only is a potent single-target attack but also decreases an enemy’s defense when overcharged. It doesn’t help opponents that Valor A+ (Skill) boosts Heracles’s attacks even further.
Not to mention, Heracles also has decent defensive buffs as well. His Mind’s Eye (Fake) B (Skill) can give him an attack-avoiding Evade, while Battle Continuation A (Skill) ensures he can tank lethal blows. Unfortunately, the steep cooldowns of these defensive skills still make Heracles rather vulnerable on the defensive front.
9 Lancelot (Berserker)
The original iteration of Lancelot that appeared in the franchise had to be his Berserker form, and he remains a force to reckon with in Fate/Grand Order. His Knight Of Owner A++ (NP) alone deals immense damage to all enemies, which can be further increased if Overcharged. The rest of his toolkit is also straightforwardly damage-boosting, with Eternal Arms Mastery A+ (Skill) and Protection Of The Spirits A (Skill) boosting his critical rate, and Mana Reversal A (Skill) giving him a nifty NP boost.
However, despite his powerhouse of an offensive kit, Lancelot's lack of defenses make him extremely vulnerable when caught off-guard. Not to mention, his potential lack of synergy with other party members may make Lancelot’s presence more detrimental than helpful.
8 Parvati (Lancer)
Considered as one of the most consistent damage-dealers among Lancers out there, Parvati shines when working with other damage-focused Servants. Her Trishula Shakti EX (NP) not only deals damage to all enemies but may even stun them via Charm. Not only that, Overcharging this NP can boost the NP Gauge of allies, potentially paving the way for another wave of NPs next turn.
This is extremely compatible with the rest of her self-supportive toolkit, particularly her criticals and NP Gain with Imaginary Around EX (Skill), base attack and defense with Ash Of Kama EX (Skill), and even sacrifice some NP to boost an ally’s HP and NP Gauge via Blessing Of A Goddess A+ (Skill). Despite her competence, however, Parvati is only really effective if paired with support characters that can help her gain consistent NP.
7 Nitocris (Caster)
One of the more surprising Casters of the game, Nitocris is a potentially-devastating Servant to possess for damage-focused builds. Her Anpu Neb Ta Djeser (NP) deals massive damage to all enemies and may also instant-kill them when Overcharged. This works well with her toolkit, all geared to enhance the odds of this one-shot-combo happening, particularly with Egyptian Magecraft A (Skill) and the healing from Works Of The God Of The Underworld A+ (Skill). She even has a nifty NP Gain ability with Rapid Words Of Divine B (Skill).
Thing is, the instant-death focus of her toolkit makes Nitocris quite a self-serving Caster, with not much to offer allies in terms of support. This is quite unlike the Caster’s toolkit, meaning Nitocris is only extremely useful if there’s a way to guarantee her instant-death build, or if she can reliably deal damage.
6 Lancelot (Saber)
Had Lancelot not been infected with Madness, this Saber form would’ve been how he appeared in the Fate/Zero story. His Arondight Overload A (NP) deals immense single-target damage and also boosts Lancelot’s own Arts Card effectiveness. When positioned as the first skill, this NP is a nifty Arts-attack combo buff.
This works well with his self-buffing toolkit, with critical-boosting Eternal Arms Mastery A+ (Skill) and Knight Of Owner A++ (Skill), and NP Gauge-boosting Knight Of The Lake A (Skill). However, his lack of defensive skills makes Lancelot quite vulnerable considering his position as a frontline vanguard.
5 Jeanne D’Arc (Alter, Berserker)
The usually pious Jeanne D’Arc transforms into a juggernaut in her Alter Berserker form, resulting in one of the most devastatingly-strong Servants in the game. Her Volkermord Feuerdrache (NP) not only boasts high single-target damage but also inflicts Burn when Overcharged.
This NP works well with Jeanne D’Arc's self-boosting toolkit. Fallen Witch A+ (Skill) enhances her attack and even inflicts Burn upon normal damage. Likewise, Meurs Ou Tu Dois EX (Skill) trades 1,000 damage for NP Gain and Buster Card effectiveness. Serving as icing for her self-serving cake, this Jeanne gets delayed NP Gain and Evade with Schwarzwald Flake B (Skill). Despite her rather self-supporting toolkit, Jeanne D’Arc still has limited damage output. Furthermore, her timing-reliant defense leaves her vulnerable if players predict their enemies in the wrong way.
4 Prince Of Lan Ling (Saber)
The masked Prince of Lan Ling is by no means a stereotypical aristocrat. When he unsheathed his sword, his Prince of Lan Ling In Battle (NP) can inspire his comrades by decreasing their incoming damage while also reducing the opponents' special attack gauges. This works well with his overall supportive toolkit, as Demonic Visage EX (Skill) can boost Arts cards and may even boost criticals with a 60-percent chance. Not to mention, Mask Of Concealing Beauty A (Skill) boosts everyone’s attack while making Prince of Lan Ling Invincible, whereas Great Vigor C (Skill) can boost the NP Gauge of an ally while leaving them more susceptible to buffs.
These skills make Prince of Lan Ling quite a decent support Saber, quite unusual for the Servant Class. However, this does mean the Prince has a lower damage output compared to other counterparts.
3 Nagao Kagetora (Lancer)
Katana in hand, Nagao Kagetora slices through the battlefield as one of the best Servants who can turn the tide. Her Bishamonten’s Eight Aspect Rotating Formation B (NP) is a decent single-target attack that also disables an enemy’s offensive buff. This leaves them incapable of countering Nagao’s teammates, especially when their attacks and criticals are boosted with Glory Gained On Foot A (Skill).
Nagao herself becomes an offensive powerhouse with Fate Decreed By Heavens A (Skill) that boosts her criticals and Arts attack, whereas Armor Strengthened By Heart A (Skill) boosts her NP Gain alongside guaranteed evasion. While her toolkit doesn’t always allow Nagao to dish out damage consistently, pairing her with the right NP-boosting supports can do the trick.
2 Mash Kyrielight (Shielder)
The only Shielder to exist in the game is Mash Kyrielight, who coincidentally also serves as both the mascot and the deuteragonist in the game. Outside her relevance in the story, Mash is one of the most useful 4-Star Servants once her toolkit is fully developed. Her Lord Chaldeas (NP) boosts the team’s defenses and also lessens incoming enemy damage. This is quite helpful and combines well with her survivability-oriented toolkit.
Mash's Transient Wall Of Snowflakes (Skill) is a separate defense-booster for allies, whereas Obscurant Wall Of Chalk (Skill) boosts an ally’s NP Gauge while making them Invincible. Lastly, Shield Of Rousing Resolution (Skill) puts enemy aggression on her while boosting her own NP. With the right usage, Mash Kyrielight is a literal tank that can make her team nigh-invincible, provided the team can cope with her severe lack of defenses.
1 Sakata Kintoki (Rider)
Biker Sakata Kintoki takes the cake as the best 4-Star Servant in Fate/Grand Order. His Golden Drive (NP) might seem straightforward in its single-target dominance, but the rest of his toolkit proves why he’s such a powerhouse. At its core, Natural Body A (Skill) is a nifty heal while providing debuff resists. Likewise, Animal Communication C (Skill) boosts his NP Gauge, which works in tandem with Long-Distance Dash A (Skill) to enhance his potential as a Quick character.
What makes Kintoki so impressive is his capacity to become a damage powerhouse, regardless if he’s simply a 4-Star Servant. Of course, he’s not without flaws, considering his lack of defense and heals make him somewhat of a glass cannon. His Quick-reliant toolkit means Kintoki works best with other Quick-boosting characters.
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