Puzzle and Dragons Noctis Teambuilding Guide

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Noctis Teambuilding Post- Final Fantasy

Welcome to the Noctis Teambuilding Guide! Below you will find several charts outlining our thoughts on teambuilding options for The Chosen King, Noctis. We have compiled these selections based on many hours of experience with Noctis in a variety of dungeons, especially the Arenas, and have catered the guide to reflect A3 consistency. While Noctis is able to clear Colosseum, high combo shields can still be a significant hurdle to overcome and therefore for the most part, Colosseum-specific consistency will not be taken into consideration as part of this particular guide. Additionally, inherit options will be covered in a separate document.

It must also be noted that the following options are intended to assist with teambuilding for Dark-Attribute Noctis teams. There are many ways to run Noctis using other Attributes, but this guide focuses specifically on Dark-Attribute sub options (with several noteworthy exceptions).

For those who plan to use Noctis as a lead, we hope this guide will serve as a useful resource to help you determine the subs in your box that are worth investing in, as well as to help you decide when to roll the REM. If not, then we hope it will at least provide an informative and enjoyable read. Good luck with teambuilding and future rolls, and as always please let us know if you have any further questions or suggestions!

Recommended Subs

These subs represent the best-of-the best for building an Arena-focused Dark-based Noctis team.

Recommended SubsRating(Out of 5)ProsCons
Dark Cecil5-Dark/Light/Heart tricolor board-Decent ATK, RCV-Dark resists help give extra turns against HeraDra-Low-ish HP
Yomi Dragon5-Unbindable bind clear-Massive stats-Active guarantees 2 combos, with hearts-Light sub-Attribute hits perfectly on Sopdet/Parvati-No offensive awakenings, but not really needed
Dark Cotton5-Resolve Killer trivializes need for delay(s)-2x 7c awakenings-Unbindable-Very low CD active makes darks and hearts-Better stats than Kamimusubi
-No TPAs
Nergigante5-Resolve Killer-2 TEs-Unbindable-Gigantic stats-Active makes darks and hearts + 4-turn dark skyfall-No TPAs-3 OEs may throw off conventional damage control
Anaphon5-Unbindable bind clear-Active board includes hearts & darks + haste-Balanced-type with natural Devil Killer-Limit Break Super Awakening will offer FUA-Only 1 TPA-Base active has 13-turn CD, may not produce enough D/H orbs in rare cases
Planar5-Resolve Killer-Huge stats, especially HP-Base active makes ideal board + 3c boost-Unbindable-3 TEs + 7c-CD is very long
Noctis4.75-Perfect damage control-3 TEs, 2 TPAs, Devil Killer-Low CD active makes darks + combo boost-Active doesn’t make hearts
Sub Ryune4.75-Resolve Killer-2 TPAs + 7c-Dark sub-Attribute-Base active makes ideal board-Great stats-Blue main-Attribute
Vraska4.75-Unbindable-FUA-Dark sub-Attribute-Ideal board change active + RCV boost-0 TPAs-0 TEs-7cs go relatively unused
Kamimusubi4.75-Dark Resolve Killer-Very low CD active-Unbindable
-Lower stats than D/D Cotton-Active doesn’t do a whole lot for Noctis
Revo Persephone4.5-Huge stats-Gives dark skyfall buff-Potential to be a HephDra solution-2x Heart TPA provides excellent RCV
-Active removes hearts
D/B Okuni4.5-Low cd base active delay + small spike-Low RCV-Best used as inherit base
Revo Haku4.5-Tricolor board + haste-Very high RCV, great stats-2 TPAs, 1 7c-Active doesn’t make hearts-Red TPA with 3c goes over on Parvati
Beach Pandora4.5-Dark + Heartmaker-Healer Killer good in Arenas-Enhances Hearts

-Low ATK and HP
Sima Yi4.5-Active makes darks, doesn’t touch hearts-Orb unlock-7c + 2 TEs
-Overall stats aren’t the greatest

Alternative Subs with 2 TPAs

Because having 2-TPA subs across the team is of paramount importance for damage control, these options represent some of the most noteworthy alternatives to the recommended subs above.

2 TPAsRating(Out of 5)ProsCons
Valentine Ney4-Optimal Board Change-Great Stats-2x 7c and VDP-Active also recovers bind/awoken binds-Light sub-Attribute-0 TEs-VDP likely won’t be used-Will hit way too hard for damage control at 7+ combos
Bride Persephone4-Color absorb void + makes darks-Team RCV+ with high RCV-Light sub-Attribute-Low HP-Very long CD active, removes hearts
Asmodeus Another4-Full board changer that includes Darks + Hearts-7c, 2 TEs-Very low stats, except RCV
Dark Ney4-Tricolor board includes Darks + Hearts-High ATK-Unbindable
-Board also makes jammers-ATK with 2x 7c likely too high for some things in A3-Low RCV-No TEs
Xin Hua4-Dark + Heartmaker-Physical Killer good in A3-Low CD active-Great stats-Balanced-type-Block Resolve Killer-Only makes 3 of each orb-No sub-Attribute-Difficult to activate resolve killer and make combos
Reincarnated Durga4-Mini spike base active good against Heph in solo-2 TEs
-Active halves HP-Skill Charge goes unused
Dark Uruka4-Damage absorb void-Unbindable, 2 TEs-High stats-Very long CD active-Rainbow board doesn’t guarantee activation-High ATK may throw off damage control
Revo Loki4-Base spike-High stats-7c awakening-Spike is only 2x
Batman + Cyborg4-Unbindable-Good stats-Balanced-type-Dual-purpose active-Active doesn’t make orbs-Spike only lasts one turn
Dark Sonia3.5-Excellent tricolor board change active with darks + hearts-Bind clear awakening-Mediocre stats-Bindable-No SBR
Kaworu Kali3.5-Great stats-2 TEs-Unbindable Bind Clear-Small burst built into active-Rainbow board doesn’t guarantee activation
Revo Hades3.5-High stats-Strong gravity active with +5s move time
-ATK may be too high for damage control-Active not necessary in Arenas
Halloween Ruel3.5-Unbindable-2 TPAs + 7c-Decent stats-Active makes darks-Active only makes 3 darks + 3 woods, and can remove hearts-0 TEs
Arianrhod3.5-2 TEs-Balanced-type-2-turn base shield active-CD is really long-Skill Charge will likely go unused-Mediocre stats
Dark Valkyrie3-Makes Darks-High RCV-7c awakening-Low CD active-Breaks Hearts-Low HP-Guard Break likely left unused
Sephiroth3-Stellar Colosseum sub-Strong stats and enhance active-Attacker/God Killer makes him unusable in Arenas-Active CD too long for what it does
Batman+Batmobile3-Balanced-type-Active can kill one Predra and likely provide enough spike to kill the other-Low stats-No other great awakenings

Sub Fenrir
2.5-Decent stats-Low CD active, can override poison/jammer skyfall-Active makes 3 jammers-Must leave God Killer un-Awoken-ATK may still be too high for damage control
Sleeping Beauty2.5-Unbindable Bind Clear-Balanced-type-Active makes hearts from green, a mostly useless color for Noctis-Very weak stats-Reliant on Killers for damage-Really a budget bind clear if you have no better options
Karasu2.5-Board change active-High ATK-2x Machine Killers-0 TEs or SB-Board makes jammers and 0 hearts-Machine Killers not very useful in A3
Zweihander2-Decent stats-Very low CD active for inherit-Co-op boost-No other relevant awakenings-Active basically does nothing, and takes away Dark-Attribute
Chibi Dark Metatron2-Unbindable-4 OEs-Decent stats for a Chibi-Small shield active on a low CD-No other relevant awakenings-Active doesn’t make any orbs
Halloween Kali2-Decent RCV-Light sub-Attribute
-Awful ATK/HP-Rainbow board with no hearts-Bindable
Halloween Vampire Lord2-2 TPAs-Active makes Darks-Balanced-type-Must leave God Killer un-awoken-0 TEs-Mediocre stats
Jize2-Very high ATK-True damage active on 2-turn CD for inherit-Co-op boost-Awful HP/RCV-Active probably won’t even be up when it’s relevant (Predras)
Justine & Caroline2-Team HP, Team RCV, and Co-op Boost-0 TEs-Active makes hazards-Mediocre stats
Beach Claire1.5-Good RCV-Active makes darks-Potential for Colosseum use with Machine Killer-Attacker Killer makes her unusable in Arenas-Low HP-Active breaks hearts
Hollow Ichigo1.5-2 TEs, 2 Enhance Killers-Decent stats-Balanced-type-Time extend active skill-God Killer makes him unusable in Arenas-Rainbow board doesn’t guarantee activation
Chibi DQ Hera1.5-Big gravity active, 13-turn CD
-No other relevant awakenings-Long CD to inherit over-Mediocre stats
Dill Sirius1-Unbindable-Active makes dark column + OE on a low CD-Poor stats-God and Attacker Killers unusable in Arenas
Vector Finn0.5-Double orb change to D/L on a low CD-Clears hazard orbs-Heart TPA awakening-Light sub-Attribute-Abysmal stats except ATK-Active removes hearts
Chibi Lilith0.5-1 TE-Poison active-Light sub-Attribute-Abysmal stats except RCV-No other relevant awakenings-Long-ish CD for active only being poison

Alternative Subs with <2 TPAs

Despite potentially lagging behind in damage, these options still possess unique traits and utility, making them worthy of consideration.

<2 TPAsRating(Out of 5)ProsCons
Revo Anubis4.5-Unbindable bind clear-Great stats-2 TEs-Balanced-type-Active makes darks and clears hazards + Counterattack-0 TPAs
Yomi4.5-4 TEs-Great stats-Active enhances board plus long time buff
-0 TPAs
Dark Gremory4.5-Huge stats-Unbindable bind clear-Balanced-type-Low CD active makes darks + heals and clears binds-0 TPAs-Active only makes 3 of each orb-Row awakenings mostly go unused-No sub-Attribute
Revo Okuninushi4.5-2 TEs-Unbindable SA option-Active includes delay + mini-spike-Strong HP-1 TPA-7c goes relatively unused-Poor RCV
UEvo Typhon4-Unbindable bind clear-Excellent board change with hearts + haste-Natural Devil Killer-Decent stats-1 TPA-Board change may not produce enough D/H orbs in rare cases-If you have Typhon, making Anaphon or Lead Typhon is just a better option
Dark Kali4-Unbindable Bind Clear-Full board change active on low CD-1 TPA-Rainbow board doesn’t guarantee useful activation-Stats don’t contend much with other bind clear options
Ren4-FUA-Balanced-type-Excellent Bind Clear active + Delay-Unbindable-2 TEs-7cs not super relevant-Active doesn’t make orbs-No soft Bind Clear awakening
Pixel Cecil3.5-Amazing board change active-2 TEs + Team HP buff-Great HP-1 TPA-No sub-Attribute-Pixel awakening goes unused-Poor RCV-Active better as inherit
UEvo Pandora3.5-Active makes hearts and darks + enhances hearts-Okay stats-Bind clear awakening-Can take Dragon Killers-2 TEs-Bindable-1 TPA
Batman + Disruptor3.5-2-turn delay + bind clear active-Unbindable
-1 TPA-Poor ATK/RCV
Halloween Nene3.5-Ideal active, makes darks + hearts + 2c boost-Unbindable-Block Resolve Killer-Decent stats-0 TPAs-No bind clear awakening-Resolve Killer difficult to activate
Barbara3-Decent stats, high ATK-Bicolor board change with darks + spike-Killers all good for Arenas-1 TPA-Devil Killer with high ATK and fire sub-Attribute potentially rough against Parvati-No TEs-Spike likely won’t affect much of the team
Halloween Verdandi3-Excellent active, makes darks + hearts-Great awakenings, especially unbindable and 2x 7c-Balanced-type-Good stats-0 TPAs-Low ATK until 7c-No bind clear awakening
OE Eschamali3-Active makes lots of dark orbs & clears hazards + long skyfall buff-Light sub-Attribute-0 TPAs-Too many OEs-Active removes hearts- Tendency to flood board with darks
D/D Lajoa3-FUA-Great HP/ATK-Bicolor board with hearts + bind clear and heal-Unbindable-0 TPAs-Rows go unused-0 TEs-Low RCV
Elizabeth3-Unbindable-Cloud Resist-3x L-Unlock-Att. Absorb void + Full bind and HP recovery-0 TPAs-0 TEs-Ls require 5 orbs-No soft bind clear-CD very long
Batman Tamazo2.5-Unbindable bind clear-2x Heart TPA for future buff-Active gives Heart skyfall buff + haste-Balanced-type-0 TPAs-0 TEs-Mediocre stats-Active doesn’t do anything immediately
Halloween Alraune2.5-Unbindable bind clear-2 TEs-Good RCV-Can take Dragon Killers-Active clears binds-0 TPAs-Abysmal HP/ATK
Lead Fenrir2.5-3 TEs-Decent stats-Low CD active, can override poison/jammer skyfall-1 TPA-Active makes 3 jammers-God Killer may ruin damage control-No sub-Attribute
Lead Zuoh2.5-Tricolor board change with darks-Natural Dragon Killer-Good HP/ATK
-1 TPA-0 TEs-Abysmal RCV-No sub-Attribute-Board change doesn’t include hearts
Sub Zuoh2.5-Tricolor board change with darks-Natural Dragon Killer-Good HP-1 TPA-0 RCV-Mediocre ATK-Board change doesn’t include hearts

Pixel Sephiroth
2.5-Double dark column active + combo boost-Good HP/ATK-Team HP boost-0 TPAs-Natural Machine Killer almost unused in Arenas-Pixel awakening unused-No sub-Attribute-Poor RCV
Awoken Lu Bu2.5-FUA-Unbindable-Strong spike active-No RCV + low HP-0 TPAs-Long CD, and halves HP
Awoken Lucifer2.5-3 TEs-Unbindable-Active makes darks + hearts on low CD-1 TPA-Active halves HP-Stats are just okay
Dark Male Hunter2.5-2 TEs-Co-op boost-Dragon Killer-Decent board change + button-0 TPAs-CD is too long-Board doesn’t include hearts-Mediocre stats outside of co-op-No SBR
Shishio2.5-Unbindable-3x L-Unlock-High ATK-Active makes rows including dark + spike-0 TPAs-Ls require 5 orbs-Poor RCV-Red row from active isn’t too useful
Awoken Vajrabhairava2.5-2x co-op boost-Active gives small spike + 6 orbs-3 SB-1 TPA7c goes mostly unused
Nobunaga2-Unbindable-Natural Devil Killer-Active makes darks + bind clear-0 TPAs-Mediocre stats-Dark orbs created at random-No bind clear awakening
UEvo Vajrabhairava2-Co-op boost, unbindable-Active gives 2x spike for 3 turns + haste-Light sub-Attribute-1 TPA-Active CD way too long for too little enhance
UEvo Lu Bu2-Unbindable bind clear-Good HP/ATK-Strong Devil-type enhance-0 TPAs-0 TEs-0 RCV-Suicide active-Not all members of the team are Devils
Dark Female Hunter2-Co-op boost, natural Dragon Killer awakenings-Mass true damage active + 5 dark orbs-0 TPAs-0 TEs-Dark orbs created at random
Leona2-Absorb void-Strong spike-Skill Charge-2 TEs-0 TPAs-Too many Killers for damage control-CD is too long, and skill charge will likely go unused-Spike only lasts 1 turn
Awoken Castor2-L-Unlock-Heart OEs-High ATK-Active makes darks-0 TPAs-Ls require 5 orbs-HP/RCV stats not great-OEs can affect damage control
Academy Loki2-Spike active for 3 turns + haste-Mech and God Killers for damage-0 TPAs-Mech Killer not especially useful in A3-CD is too long
Valphalk1.5-Huge stats-Unbindable-7c + Team RCV awakenings-Mass true damage + board change active-1 TPA-0 TEs-Rainbow board change without hearts doesn’t guarantee activation
Nenji1.5-Unbindable-Active clears hazards and binds + makes dark orbs-Okay stats-Balanced-type-1 TPA-No bind clear awakening
Awoken Akechi1.5-2 TEs-Active makes darks + hearts and enhances both-0 TPAs-Stats are just okay
Iori1.5-2 TEs-Unbindable-Skill Charge-0 TPAs-Rainbow board change-CD is long
Halloween Chiyome1-Natural Dragon Killer-Low CD active makes Darks-Balanced-type-1 TPA-0 TEs-Mediocre stats
Creuse1-Fixed damage can kill 1 Predra + decent spike for Physical-type
-1 TPA-No other relevant awakenings-0 RCV-Bad stats overall
Hanzo0.5-3x glasses to block blinds-Low CD active makes darks-Natural Devil Killer-1 TPA-Attacker Killer unusable in Arenas-Poor stats

Alternative Subs with >2 TPAs

These options are not entirely viable in the Arenas, especially A2 and A3, but are able to shine in other dungeons where controlling damage is not a factor (especially Alt. Arena and Colosseum).

>2 TPAsRating(Out of 5)ProsCons

Lead Typhon
5-3 TPAs-3 TEs-Bind clear awakening-Excellent board change with hearts + haste-Amazing ATK
-Bindable-No sub-Attribute-Board change may not produce enough D/H orbs in rare cases-Poor RCV
Nicol Bolas5-5 TPAs-2 TEsHigh HP/ATK-Active is 100% shield + haste-Active doesn’t make orbs, so dupes aren’t great on one team-Long CD

Sub Satsuki
4.5-4 TPAs-Natural Devil Killer-Good HP-Active clears hazards + makes darks & doesn’t affect hearts-Can take Machine Killers-Basically 0 RCV-0 TEs

Dark Athena
4.5-4 TPAs-Long delay + OE active, short CD for what it does-Very high ATK-Unbindable-Nice Killer SA choices
-0 SBR-0 TEs-0 RCV

School Orochi
4-3 TPAs-Very high HP-Long delay active-2 TEs-Can take Machine Killers-Low ATK-Long CD to inherit over
Lead Satsuki4-3 TPAs-Active clears hazards + makes darks & doesn’t affect hearts-Good stats-Can take Machine Killers-No sub-Attribute-Low-ish RCV

Dark Kanna
3.5-3 TPAs-Good stats-Can take Machine Killers
-Somewhat long CD active that doesn’t do much for Noctis teams on its own
Hiei3.5-4 TPAS-2 TEs-High ATK-Active makes lots of darks + strong spike-Low HP/RCV-Skill Charge goes unused-Active can sometimes flood board
Sub Lumiel3-3 TPAs-Unbindable-Mass true damage + Board change with darks
-Board doesn’t guarantee activation in very rare cases-Mediocre stats-0 TEs

Halloween Rozuel
2.5-3 TPAs-Unbindable Bind Clear-Low CD active makes hearts-Mediocre Stats-0 TEs
Kakkab2-3 TPAs-Unbindable-Active makes column of darks + haste-Poor stats-0 TEs
Lucifer1-3 TPAs-Balanced-type-Low CD active makes hearts-Suicide active-Mediocre stats-0 TEs-Autoheals largely unnecessary

Farmable Alternative Subs

While the lower end of the farmable selection doesn’t offer a whole lot, the upper end has a few decently useful options to consider if you find yourself lacking more effective REM subs.

Farmables
Rating(Out of 5)ProsCons
Hinomitsuha4-2 TPAs-Great overall awakenings-Good stats except RCV-Very low CD active-Neither of her random skills is terrible, and both override time debuffs-Almost no RCV-Base active is still random (50% chance at either)
Grida3.5-2 TPAs-Good stats except RCV-Low CD active, makes darks + haste
-Basically no RCV-No TEs-Active removes lights
Dark Agni3-2 TPAs-Okay stats-Very low CD active for inherit-Autoheal and Green resist awakenings aren’t great-No TEs-Active doesn’t do much of anything
Zaerog ∞2.5-Good overall awakenings, including co-op boost-Okay stats-Low CD active with skyfall buff + haste-1 TPA-Active doesn’t make any orbs
Despharion2.5-Great stats-Good overall awakenings-Unbindable-Low CD active with skyfall buff n darks-1 TPA-No sub-Attribute-Active makes 3 darks, and skyfall buff is only for 1 turn
Eir2.5-High RCV-3 Heart OEs-Great bind clear active-Unbindable-0 TPAs-0 TEs-Low HP ATK boost inconsistent-Active doesn’t make orbs-No soft bind clear
Dark Fagan2-2 TPAs-Okay stats-Unbindable-Light sub-Attribute-Gravity active
-Color resists often go unused-Gravity not really necessary for Arenas-0 TEs
Azathoth1.5-Huge stats, especially with co-op boost-Unbindable, 7c awakening-Board change + recovers binds-0 TPAs-Rainbow board doesn’t guarantee useful activation
Kuroganemaru1.5-3 TEs-Very low CD active-Limit Break-Team HP awakening-Okay stats-0 TPAs-No SBR-Active doesn’t make orbs
Machine Hera1-Huge stats-Unbindable-Big gravity active
-1 TPA-God Killer likely to throw off damage control-No TEs-Active CD is really long
Hel1-2 TPAs-Okay stats, except RCV-Low CD active for inherit-Light sub-Attribute-Awakenings are okay-Active makes poisons + removes hearts randomly -Poison skyfall-No TEs-Basically no RCV
Gilles Legato1-2 TEs-Active makes darks + unlocks board-Limit Break-0 TPAs-God Killer(s) may throw off damage control-Stats are just okay-Removes hearts
Beelze0.5-2 TPAs-Decent ATK-Low CD active-Halfway unbindable-Halfway bindable-No TEs-Active recovers 4649 HP and enhances darks-Poor HP/RCV

Off-Color (Non-Dark) Alternative Subs

These options are worth consideration if you lack some of the better Dark subs, assuming that the goal is still to build a Dark-focused Noctis team.

Off-Color Subs Worth ConsideringRating (Out of 5)ProsCons
Glavenus4-Resolve Killer-Dark sub-Attribute-3 TEs-Huge stats
-0 TPAs-Active is not useful for Noctis-Red doesn’t synergize well with Noctis playstyle
New Year Khepri4
-Unbindable-2 combo boost active, very important for Colosseum without multiple Oichi inherits-3 TEs-2 Team HP awakenings-Decent stats-Light Attribute
-0 TPAs-No Dark Attribute-CD is long, especially when attempting to use multiple times in Colosseum-Can’t take Machine Killers
Khepri3.5-Farmable-Unbindable bind clear-2 combo boost active, very important for Colosseum without multiple Oichi inherits-2 TEs-Decent stats-0 TPAs-No Dark Attribute-CD is long, especially when attempting to use multiple times in Colosseum-Can’t take Machine Killers
Revo Susano3.5-2 TPAs-Unbindable bind clear-Dark sub-Attribute-Good stats-Good shield active
-ATK not very high-Un-Awoken Susano shield is much better
Cthugha3.5-2 TPAs-Great stats, especially with co-op boost-2 combo boost active, very important for Colosseum without multiple Oichi inherits-Can take Machine Killers-No dark-Attribute-CD is long, especially when attempting to use multiple times in Colosseum-Red doesn’t synergize well with Noctis playstyle
Revo Amaterasu3-2 TPAs-Unbindable bind clear-Light Attribute, Dark sub-Attribute-Great HP/RCV-Bind clear + heal active-Low ATK-Light main-Attribute may be problematic for damage control in Arenas-Un-Awoken Amaterasu active is much better
Revo Meimei2-2 TPAs + 7c-Dark sub-Attribute-Great HP/ATK-Great tricolor board change active + haste-Weak RCV
Christmas Kali2-Unbindable bind clear-Dark sub-Attribute-Good stats-2 TEs-1 TPA-Rainbow board does not guarantee activation-Red doesn’t synergize well with Noctis playstyle
Xiahou Dun1.5-2 TPAs + 7c-Dark sub-Attribute-Active unlocks board and makes darks without touching hearts-2 TEs-Mediocre stats-Red doesn’t synergize well with Noctis playstyle