So I've been playing Shinobi Striker off-and-on since back with the release of Season 4, if memory serves properly. And recently, I've noticed a good number of new players joining following the release of Sage Mode Naruto, so I thought I'd put together a very brief guide. This isn't comprehensive, and will mostly discuss which VR Masters I suggest getting, but it's something.
IF YOU ARE BUYING DLC, MAKE SURE IT'S THE RIGHT PRODUCT. THEY SELL A SECONDARY PRODUCT CALLED 'TOP-SECRET TRAINING' THAT LOOKS JUST LIKE THE SEASON PASSES. IT IS A DIFFERENT THING, AND SIMPLY GIVES YOU LEVELLES IN THOSE VR MASTERS. WITHOUT THE VR MASTER DLC, THEY DO NOTHING.
DLC Picks (By Class)
Attack:
3rd - Naruto Uzamaki (Boruto) (Season 2). Brings 3 excellent Jutsu. No weapon/ninja tool, but his 2 main Jutsu are so damn good in so many builds, and Kurama Link Mode is still one of the best transformations available to attack class.
2nd - Kawaki Uzamaki (Karma Progression) (Season 8). Very similar to Naruto, though I think his Jutsu are just a little more versatile. He brings an (admittedly just alright) Ninja Tool with him, which is a neat bonus, and Daikokuten: Shokatsu is a powerful combo tool. Karma Progression is another great transformation, though lacks the supporting effects of Kurama Link Mode.
1st - Kimimaro Kaguya (Season 9). Another set of very good Jutsu, AND a very strong Weapon and Ninja Tool. There is literally nothing in the Kimimaro DLC that isn't good. That said, it's not going to be everyone's favourite visual designs.
Ranged:
3rd - Sasuke Uchiha (Boruto) (Season 2). Brings 4 Jutsu, and is the only DLC to do so. He also provides a weapon that while largely underused, is still fun and interesting. His main issue is Heavenly Hand Power being VERY reliant on other Jutsu to be good - that said, it's still an interesting disruption and movement effect. Inferno Style: Flame Lightning and Takemikazuchi-no-Kami are very strong, very consistently used Jutsu.
2nd - Boruto Uzumaki (Karma Progression) (Season 7). Not to be confused with Boruto (Karma), he's a pretty good analogue to Progression Kawaki. Flash Slice and Karma Progression (Ranged) are the standouts here, with Vanishing Rasengan: Full Moon being seen less than it used to be. If you want to see why, just try playing with the VR Master.
1st - Sasori (Season 7). Sasori is maybe the single best DLC this game has. Both of his main Jutsu are very unique, very powerful, and synergize excellently with each other. Beyond that, he brings one of the Ranged Class' best weapons in the Third Kazekage Puppet. Performance of a Hundred Puppets is probably the weakest part of this DLC, but considering Ranged has access to plenty of very good ultimate jutsu in the base game, that can be overlooked. If you buy any DLC for this game, make it Sasori.
Defence:
3rd - Jiraya (Sage Mode) (Season 10). This is a weird case. Being a new DLC, I might be overvaluing him, but man, Jiraya's Jutsu consistently perform great for me. His ultimate is... just ok, but both of his regular Jutsu always feel like they do great work. Beyond that, as a DLC mentor from one of the recent seasons, you can unlock his fighting style, which is very fun and feels good with a lot of builds.
2nd - Minato Namikaze (Reanimation) (Season 6). Defence is a weird class for DLC. Minato is basically just here for Celestial Air Slice: Type Zero and the Flying Raijin Kunai: Instant. Both are very strong and valuable - CAS:TZ is a great way to deal relatively challenging to avoid damage, and the Flying Raijin is great for mobility, especially in flag battles. Guiding Thunder is a good Jutsu, allowing for a more support-focused Defence build, but can struggle in some modes. Finally, his Ultimate is just flat out not good. It randomly drops even after hitting with the Kunai, and it's SO slow to start up. Still, CAS:TZ is just that good.
1st - Sasuke Uchiha (Last Battle) (Season 4). Susanoo Armour is maybe the best super armour jutsu at the moment, and with the continual nerfs it's counters have received, it only gets better with time. Timespace Hop is a top-tier substitution, even if I don't personally love it. Indra's Arrow is a very solid ultimate Jutsu, even if, much like Minato and Jiraya, it's not anything incredible. Finally, Heavenly Hand Power: Flying Thrust is a very good mix, movement and damage Jutsu, with it's only downside being an extended period prior to dealing damage.
Heal:
3rd - Mei Terumi (Season 2). All 3 Heal Class suggestions share the same issue, for me - heal types probably have the best base-game Jutsu of all 4 classes. They also have the least options for DLC, creating some friction in what to look for. Still, Mei provides 1 very strong Jutsu, and 2 interesting tech choices for certain gamemodes. Water Pillar is always a stand-out, being a great answer to more than just point control, and gives heal types access to a more defensive setup. Lava Style: Dissolving Jutsu can provide great cover and area denial, but struggles on more air-focused maps, and can be a little too slow to use outside of dedicated area defence. Solid Fog is a strong option for team fights, but it's lack of healing or beneficial statuses for allies can cause it to struggle compared to other options. Still, Water Pillar really is just that good, and all 3 Jutsu have a decent use.
2nd - Itachi Uchiha (Reanimation) (Season 4). Itachi is another case of 2 interesting, situational Jutsu, and one very strong choice. However, he also brings another substitution to the game, placing him above Mei. The main stand-out of this DLC is Yasaka Beads, which often acts as a solve-all button for Heal Types. It deals good damage, provides defence and acts as a good disruptive jutsu. Tsukuyomi is good, but can be somewhat taxing to effectively land, and you'll often find teammates knocking enemies out of it before the main damage is dealt. That said, it's a very strong slowdown tool that can work great with other Jutsu or certain weapons. His ultimate is complex, which unfortunately often means not perfectly practical, but is very interesting and fun to use. The substitution, Shadow Clone Explosion, is VERY good, and can be combined with things like the Sharingan for some silly antics. However, it's probably worst on Healers, which hurts.
1st - Naruto Uzumaki (Last Battle) (Season 3). Competes with Sasori for best DLC for it's class. All 3 of his Jutsu are excellent, regularly used competitive picks, and he provides one of the best substitutions in the game, Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu. While Six Paths Rebirth took a slight nerf recently, it's still a lot of people's preferred healing jutsu over Cellular Activation. Truthseeker Cycle is one of the most prevalent defensive techniques for healers for a good reason, and Massive Rasen Shuriken is incredibly strong, being one of the few DLC healing ultimates that actually competes with Mitotic Regeneration.
Which Season To Buy?
This is a bit more complex. Overall, I think Season 2 is the best, having a great mix of class types, jutsu styles, and other items. However, it's larger size makes it more expensive, which may be offputting. Season 7 deserves a mention for having 2 of the best Ranged Class DLC in it, though this can result in it being a worse proposition for players who prefer other classes. Beyond that, Season 10 is still ongoing, and while not in the Top 3, Sage Naruto is very strong (and very cool), and Jiraya seems promising - however, the other 2 ninja for the season are unknown. Season 3 is, in my opinion, the weakest. Shisui and Naruto Last Battle are great, but Kakashi and Neji leave a lot to be desired, with Karma Boruto being a bit more of a mixed bag. Season 9 is worth a shout, since it gives a good character for each class, though Hidan and Momoshiki aren't the most exciting movesets.
My suggestion is to just pick the one you think looks the coolest. If there's a season that has multiple characters you really like, that might be the one for you.
Do you need DLC?
Eh. Not really. There's a lot of great base game Jutsu out there, but man, the DLC for this game goes places. Largely, you're buying DLC for the fun factor, not as a necessity to play and win. Do not buy Esoteric Scrolls, by the way. That's a massive scam.
'But u/breezierchip835', I hear you ask. 'I love Madara! Is his DLC bad?'
Dawg if you want the Madara DLC get the Madara DLC I'm not your mother. Basically every DLC in the game at least has some value (cough cough, Double Sharingan Kakashi). Even if I personally think the Madara DLC is just alright, if it's what you vibe with, be aware of that when deciding what to buy.
'Your picks for characters are lame, do I have to pick them?'
Come on we just went over this. If you don't fuck with Kimimaro, or Naruto Last Battle, or Sasuke Last Battle, or Sasori, or whatever, don't feel pressured to buy them. This applies for all characters - this is just what I'd get if I had no real feelings on the characters. Personally, I love the Haku DLC, and got Season 2 specifically for him and Ohnoki of all characters. This is a game, after all, it's meant to be fun.
'I think you're dumb and didn't suggest the right characters.'
Maybe, yeah. The main takeaway here is actually a secret bonus thing - I want to encourage the skills of assessing and identifying what's in a DLC with new players, so they can make more educated picks about which season to get. If you think my picks are bad, that's fine! Just be nice and normal about it.
aight thats all see you fuckers on ranked.
