Metal Slug Tactics: All Characters, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Metal Slug: Tactics
showcases strong character personalities from the
Metal Slug
franchise with unique battlefield abilities.
Some characters; like Trevor Spacey, Clark Still, and Nadia Cassel, offer distinct playstyles and strategic advantages.
Each character in
Metal Slug: Tactics
requires a time investment to reach their full potential, offering diverse and rewarding gameplay.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I have to say that diving into the world of Metal Slug: Tactics was an absolute delight! The roster is nothing short of exceptional, and it’s clear that each character has been carefully crafted to offer unique playstyles and strategies.

Despite being known for its fast-paced run-and-gun gameplay that requires coins, the beloved Metal Slug series by SNK is not limited to this genre. In fact, it’s quite versatile. This versatility is evident even in the grid-based tactical combat of Metal Slug: Tactics, where the distinctive personalities and powerful weaponry of the Metal Slug team remain as dynamic and spirited as ever, making a strong impression.

The collection of characters in Metal Slug: Tactics spans from timeless icons such as Marco Rossi, all the way to fresh faces like Trevor Spacey and Leona Heidern. This roster is filled with robust personalities, each possessing impressive combat skills on the battlefield.

9 Marco Rossi

The All-Rounder Who Lacks Individual Power But Can Bolster Allies

In the Metal Slug series, he’s a character that stands out, and it was clear that he would be featured in Leikir Studios’ tactical spin-off, Metal Slug: Tactics. Although he carries over his role as the fearless leader of Peregrine Falcons Squad, this lacks the raw power found in some of his fellow characters, which can somewhat limit his abilities in comparison.

Marco is versatile, able to perform in various roles assigned to him, particularly shining when he brings out the best in his subordinates. Although his style may not have the intricate finesse or specialized focus of his teammates, he thrives when supporting tankier or DPS-oriented allies.

8 Clark Still

The Classic SNK Brawler Who Moves Himself & Enemies Into Allied Lines Of Sight

Metal Slug Tactics: All Characters, Ranked

Clark Still initially gained recognition through his significant roles in SNK’s Ikari Warriors and The King of Fighters series, but his stern demeanor aligns perfectly with the rest of the Metal Slug crew. Drawing on his lineage since his debut in Metal Slug 6 in 2006, the “unyielding soldier” delivers powerful blows and employs his robust wrestling might to hurl himself and adversaries across the battlefield, right into the firing zone of friendly forces.

In the early stages of Metal Slug: Tactics, Clark’s wrestling moveset is relatively limited compared to his teammates’ potent weaponry. This can make his performance seem lackluster. However, as you progress and upgrade him, he becomes more formidable. It might be more advantageous for players to invest their time in developing Clark later on, rather than focusing on his allies who start with stronger toolkits.

7 Nadia Cassel

A Tech-Obsessed Former Model Who Lays Destructive Traps For Her Enemies

In Metal Slug: Tactics, a more recent character, Nadia Cassel, brings a fresh dynamic to the team with her background as a model transitioning into a soldier. This unique history leads her to strategically step away from direct combat. Reflecting this concept, Nadia’s gameplay style primarily focuses on the strategic placement of not just herself but also her traps and gadgets for tactical advantage.

The “gadget enthusiast with a sweet tooth” delights in and encourages tricky provocation of adversaries on the battlefield. Watching and setting up the devastating aftermath is equally thrilling. Yet, despite her formidable combat skills, there are moments when her tactics appear less effective compared to those of some fellow allies who rely more on brute force.

6 Ralf Jones

A Hard-Hitting SNK Veteran Who Can Lay Down Impressive Damage In One Strike

Through various appearances across numerous SNK series, such as “Ikari Warriors,” “The King of Fighters,” “T.A.N.K,” and eventually joining the “Metal Slug” team, Ralf Jones has firmly etched his spot in SNK lore. In the lineup of “Metal Slug: Tactics,” he maintains a solid position, but it’s with his exceptional ‘Vulcan Punch’ skill that he truly shines.

In “[rushing] at the foe like a furious bull,” Ralf’s Vulcan Punch stands out for being one of the highest damage-dealing attacks in “Metal Slug: Tactics.” Given Ralf’s unique role as a seemingly solitary force, thanks to his Vulcan Punch ability, and his well-rounded standard stats, he is an ally that players might find they significantly lack without.

5 Leona Heidern

A Relative Newcomer To The Metal Slug Series With Aura-Fuelled Abilities

In the somewhat limited cast of characters for the game “Metal Slug: Tactics,” it seems unusual that Leona Heidern, who has been a fixture in the “King of Fighters” series since its third edition and possesses supernatural powers, would be included. Despite only appearing in the “Metal Slug” series once before “Tactics,” in downloadable content for 2009’s “Metal Slug XX,” her relatively low profile doesn’t hinder her ability to excel as a character.

She tends to hide her true abilities, but when she unleashes the ability to create ‘Duplicates’ of herself on the battlefield, it can be incredibly powerful, especially in the right circumstances. Though she is a strong combatant even without enhancements, players might need to spend a considerable amount of time developing her skills to reach her maximum potential. However, the effort invested is generally considered worthwhile.

4 Tarma Roving

A Familiar Face From Metal Slug’s Past Who Can Lay Down Damage Out Of Harm’s Way

As a veteran character from the original Metal Slug series, Tarma Roving’s cool but sarcastic demeanor translates effortlessly into the tactical-oriented gameplay of Metal Slug: Tactics. His gameplay is heavily centered around movement, which is further emphasized by his unique abilities and range of attack. This allows Tarma to navigate the battlefield with great ease, even tearing through it when needed.

When I’m playing Metal Slug: Tactics as Tarma, I can make myself nearly invincible by mastering the Dodge mechanic. This lets me dish out some serious damage in one turn without taking any in return. Plus, with his focus on Area Of Effect attacks, it feels like I’m raining down firepower while effortlessly shifting to a defensive stance mid-battle.

3 Fio Germi

The Versatile Virtuoso From Metal Slug’s Past Who Can Adapt On The Fly

Fiolina Germi has been a mainstay character in the Metal Slug series since its second installment, and she often appears briefly in SNK’s fighting game series The King of Fighters. Reflecting her energetic yet practical personality, Fio is skilled at keeping enemies at bay while still adapting her playstyle to fit the changing circumstances.

Using a variety of Special Actions, Fio’s equipment and gameplay style can be tailored to suit different battle scenarios. Her abilities emphasize the bond with her teammates, allowing players to not only unleash significant firepower individually, but also support their allies in various types of combat.

2 Eri Kasamoto

A Series Veteran With An Explosive Penchant For Pyrotechnic Barrages

In a shy demeanor and being a part of the Metal Slug team since 1998, Eri Kasamoto might have been included in Metal Slug: Tactics just as a fan service touch with minimal impact. However, her aggressive gameplay style sets her apart as one of the game’s most effective fighters. She unleashes chaos from above using her favorite pyrotechnic weaponry.

By choosing explosive-focused loadouts and abilities, player characters controlled by Eri can attack enemies from unexpected angles and strike multiple times within a single turn. The versatility of these loadouts allows Eri to potentially annihilate entire enemy infantry units in significantly fewer turns compared to most other team members.

1 Trevor Spacey

A Champion Powerhouse Who Exhibits An Almost Unfair Level Of Damage Output

In the game ‘Metal Slug: Tactics’, the character roster is anything but dull or weak. However, it’s debatable that any other characters come close to matching the power level of Trevor Spacey. First introduced in 2002’s ‘Metal Slug 4’, Trevor’s formidable abilities are on display in ‘Tactics’. Here, he leverages advanced and somewhat questionable nanotechnology for his power source.

Trevor possesses impressive offensive capabilities, dealing substantial damage consistently. Interestingly, he can manipulate enemies to fight each other. While it might seem like spectators can relax as the enemies clash, Trevor is actually capable of inflicting extraordinary damage. By utilizing his low Adrenaline requirement for abilities and secondary effects that let him strike multiple times, players can essentially turn Trevor into a powerful one-man force.

2024-11-13 15:54