WithNarutoboasting some of anime’s best combat and fight scenes, it makes sense for a game likeNaruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4to hype special techniques, abilities, and transformations. And with a huge roster of over 100 characters, the game adds Supports as a way to showcase these shinobi and protect teammates likeNarutowhile they charge their awesome techniques.
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Unlike other games where support-type characters simply add an extra attack,Supports inUltimate Ninja Storm 4have unique gameplay mechanics attached to them. However, just who should players count on whenever they need to up their support game?
Sakura Haruno (Charge Assist)
Hailed as Konoha’sbest medical-nin aside from Tsunade herself,Sakura Harunoboasts both incredible healing prowess and sheer strength. In combat, Sakura specializes in devastating melee combos to send opponents rushing to get out of her sight. However, Sakura is also extremely competent as a Support unit, particularly with her Charge Assist archetype.
Through this archetype, Sakura can aid players to charge their chakra much faster. She does this by using herNinjutsu: Cherry Blossom Clash, practically stalling opponents while giving players more than enough time to charge their more powerful movesets. Despite the simplicity of this move, Sakura’s melee specialization makes this a must-have in team setups.
Hinata Hyuga (Charge Assist)
Despite her meek nature,Hinata Hyugaof the Hyuga Clan has received more than enoughtraining in their signature Gentle Fistto make a mark as one of the more melee-intensive combatants inUNS4. However, she also specializes in being a Support unit. Classified as a Charge Assist, Hinata specializes in delaying opponents in order to help players charge their attacks.
In particular, calling Hinata for support will have her unleash herNinjutsu: 8 Trigrams Air Palmon opponents. This is a long-ranged projectile that can be spammed to create more bullets, allowing her to practically force opponents to spend time dodging these attacks and give players enough time to charge a fierce follow-through.
Hashirama Senju (Charge Guard)
Only two people in the world hold the distinction ofbeing the “God of Shinobi”: Hiruzen Sarutobi the Third Hokage andHashirama Senju. Serving as the First Hokage, Hashirama was a monster while he lived and the same can be said for when he was revived. His mastery of the unique Wood Nature forms a lot of his signature combat style consisting of tree-based attacks.
Uniquely enough, Hashirama is still a beast to behold as a Support character. Labeled as a Charge Guard type, Hashirama is one of the best deterrents for an enemy’s advance while protecting a character charging their chakra. When prompted, Hashirama will use hisShuriken Shadow Clone Jutsuto dish out a barrage of attacks to opponents, preventing a close-ranged attack on the player.
Naruto Uzumaki (Strike Back)
Of all characters inUNS4, it’sNarutothat has probably gotten some of the more flexible toolkits. And while his signature Secret Techniques, Ninjutsu, and Awakenings may differ depending on his costume, his variation as a Support unit remains the same. Naruto perfectly fits the Strike Back archetype, capable of releasing a fierce counter whenever players get to block the opponent’s attack.
In the case of Naruto, healways uses theRasenganwhenever called upon as a Support unit. In particular, this Rasengan variation will have him toss the opponent high up in the air, leaving opponents vulnerable to a fierce counter-assault if they don’t recover fast enough.
Neji Hyuga (Secret Technique Substitution)
Hailed as a genius and prodigy ahead of his time,Neji Hyugais one of the strongest members of Naruto’s generation. Possessing a mastery of the Byakugan, Neji Hyuga can outmaneuver his opponents through careful study of their chakra systems. And through the Gentle Fist, Neji can practically stop them in their tracks.
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InUNS4, Neji is a Support unit with the Secret Technique Substitution, practically subbing with the player with an attack that doubles as a location change. Neji’s Support attack, in particular, is the8 Trigrams Palm Rotation, a mid-ranged spherical attack that not only blocks the opponent’s view but also knocks them back. This is handy for players who want to get out of harm’s way or prepare for a nasty counter-attack.
Tobi (Cover Fire)
Prior to revealing his identity as Obito Uchiha,the mysterious masked man in the Akatsukiis known simply asTobi. This rather goofy and comedic character almost always stays on the sidelines, but he is not to be underestimated. In fact, inUNS4, Tobi is one of the more impressive melee powerhouses in the game.
As a Cover Fire Support, Tobi’sshuriken assaultcan become a great deterrent for enemy advance while his teammates dish out other attacks. This works well in teams that rely on fast-paced, timing-heavy attacks, as Tobi’s assist ensures opponents don’t have the time to prepare a counter against them.
Pain (Strike Back)
The leader of the Akatsuki proves one has to excel in everything to become a literal powerhouse, andPainpossesses the skills to boast exactly that. When used as a Support, Pain is classified as a Strike Back defense, allowing players to dish out fierce follow-throughs once their blocks connect with enemy attacks.
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In the case of Pain, hisAlmighty Pushis a great way to dominate defense. Aside from punishing opponents with a fierce block, Almighty Push ensures enemies have a hard time coming back from a stunning upset by cutting out their momentum with a harsh stun.
Naruto Uzumaki (Six Paths Sage Mode, Strike Back)
WhenNaruto and Sasuke realize their fates as the reincarnations of Asura and Indra Otstutsuki, Hagoromo Otsutsuki endows them with his gifts as the Sage of Six Paths. While Sasuke awakens his special variation of the Rinnegan, Naruto attains his ownSix Paths Sage Mode. Contrary to his original counterpart, Naruto gets a more all-ranged toolkit courtesy of Chakra Rods and Truth-Seeking Orbs.
However, where this Naruto variant particularly excels is in his nature as a Support unit. Retaining the Strike Back archetype like his usual variations, this Naruto type has a special attack in store. When called upon in combat, Six Paths Naruto will release aTailed Beast Bomb Rasenshurikenas a counter-attack to an enemy attack.
Sasuke Uchiha (Cover Fire)
When Naruto and his friends fail to retrieveSasukefrom Orochimaru, he essentiallybecomes the Sannin’s star pupil in Part 2. Here, he boasts a deadly arsenal augmented with Orochimaru’s white snake techniques, transforming Sasuke into quite a literal, slithering mobile powerhouse inUNS4.
Perhaps more compelling is using Sasuke as a Support character. As an assist unit, he uses Cover Fire withInferno Style: Fire Ball Jutsu, practically deterring an enemy’s frontal assault. In a melee-oriented team, having Sasuke dish out a wide area-covering attack is quite helpful to secure the ranged space.
Itachi Uchiha (Charge Guard)
In the manga and anime,Itachi Uchihamakes his presence known as one of the deadliest shinobi by being able to fight at least three Jonin-ranked shinobi at once. And this isn’t even while using the full extent of his Sharingan’s abilities! As such, it can be a sigh of relief for players to have Itachi on their side inUNS4, particularly as a Support unit.
As a Charge Guard, Itachi is an ever-reliant assist in regard to ensuring players can charge their chakra with ease. This is especially the case if the technique assigned isNinjutsu: Amaterasu, especially considering its place as one of the best offensive deterrents in the game.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4is available for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
