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Unlike other games where support-type characters simply add an extra attack, Supports in Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 have 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’s best medical-nin aside from Tsunade herself, Sakura Haruno boasts 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 her Ninjutsu: 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 Hyuga of the Hyuga Clan has received more than enough training in their signature Gentle Fist to make a mark as one of the more melee-intensive combatants in UNS4. 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 her Ninjutsu: 8 Trigrams Air Palm on 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 of being the “God of Shinobi”: Hiruzen Sarutobi the Third Hokage and Hashirama 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 his Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu to dish out a barrage of attacks to opponents, preventing a close-ranged attack on the player.

Naruto Uzumaki (Strike Back)

Of all characters in UNS4, it’s Naruto that 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, he always uses the Rasengan whenever 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 Hyuga is 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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In UNS4, 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 the 8 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 Akatsuki is known simply as Tobi. This rather goofy and comedic character almost always stays on the sidelines, but he is not to be underestimated. In fact, in UNS4, Tobi is one of the more impressive melee powerhouses in the game.

As a Cover Fire Support, Tobi’s shuriken assault can 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, and Pain possesses 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, his Almighty Push is 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)

When Naruto 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 own Six 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 a Tailed Beast Bomb Rasenshuriken as a counter-attack to an enemy attack.

Sasuke Uchiha (Cover Fire)

When Naruto and his friends fail to retrieve Sasuke from Orochimaru, he essentially becomes 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 in UNS4.

Perhaps more compelling is using Sasuke as a Support character. As an assist unit, he uses Cover Fire with Inferno 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 Uchiha makes 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 in UNS4, 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 is Ninjutsu: Amaterasu, especially considering its place as one of the best offensive deterrents in the game.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is available for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

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