As usual, Global ratings are my own opinions relative to other character or TMs available at the time this is written (effectively, rating on a curve where a 10/10 unit is the best, or tied with the best, at this exact moment -- not forever), with Japanese ratings coming from altema.jp and are based on the characters current max rarity in Japan. Japanese TM ratings are on a scale from: Unranked, A, S, SS, to SSS.

FANG:

Rarity: 3★ to 5★

Global Party Rating: 5/10

As you know, we already have a Dragoon on Global in the form of Kain (yeah, we won't be talking about Skaha today) -- since Kain is a 'good for a 5★' character and therefore relevant to those of you who haven't gone full 6★ yet (i.e. not the assholes I'm fighting in Arena everyday) I'm going to directly compare Fang to Kain as we go along. Read the italics if you care; skip them if you don't!

Fang is a physical damage character (of the Dragoon archetype) with good ATK for a 5★ (113 ATK 20%, 15% ATK, 20% with a spear equipped), a decent selection of weapons (dagger, sword, katana, spear) and a very solid set of equipment options (hat, helm, clothing, light armor, heavy armor.) Kain has 1 less base ATK, only 20% ATK and 20% ATK with a spear equipped for ATK passives, the same weapon options, and is lacking access to hat (which isn't a big deal if you have Dark Helm and don't already have someone that needs it.)

Passively she brings 10% HP, 15% DEF, Beast Killer (not as universally useful as Man-Eater, but still one of the better "killers"), a 30% chance to counter physical attacks, and a 100% bonus to jump damage. Kain brings the same 10% HP, doesn't have the 15% DEF, Dragon Killer instead of Beast Killer (there are more Beasts than Dragons but we haven't seen the last of Dragons either), lacks the counter chance, and gets a 220% bonus to jump damage

For white magic, she brings Dispel. Honestly that's more than her character type is expected to have and, while you likely already have dispel on your healer, it is a useful ability even if you'll rarely have Fang cast it. Kain brings nothing, but that probably doesn't matter!

Offensively she brings a pretty interesting, but generally underwhelming, kit. She, of course, has Jump (1 Turn Jump 180% ST 1 Hit Physical Attack) which as mentioned gets a 100% damage bonus with her passive, but she also has Area Blast just like Lightning (180% AoE Physical Attack) as well as Flamestrike and Froststrike (140% ST 1 Hit Physical Attack of the corresponding element.) Kain brings Dragon Dive (1 Turn Jump 210% ST 1 Hit Physical Attack) which when combined which his higher Jump damage passive makes for much higher Jump damage. This means than Kain will, regardless of the elemental weaknesses Fang can hit, practically always do more single target damage than her. Kain using Dragon Dive will do an average of 336% DMG per turn, while Fang would do 180% with Jump, 180% with Area Blast, or up to 280% with Flamestrike or Froststrike if the enemy was -100% resist to fire or ice respectively. Even against Beasts, to which Fang has a Killer and Kain does not, for Fang to match Kain's single target damage she would need to use Flamestrike or Froststike AND that beast would need to be -60% or lower resist to fire or ice. On the flip-side, Kain has zero AOE abilities. As soon as there are two or more targets, Fang is capable of higher damage than Kain using Area Blast.

Her Limit Burst is a 250% to 345% (depending on rank) single target 1 hit physical ATK plus a 3 turn -30% ATK to -49% ATK debuff (also depending on rank) which depending on what your breaker has (or if you even have one) could be a pretty huge incoming physical damage decrease. Kain's Limit Burst 270% to 365% (depending on rank) 11 hit Physical Attack -- and therefore, unless you have someone to chain with, it's not worth using over Dragon Dive.

Japanese Character Rating (altema.jp): 76/100

Global Trust Mastery Rating: Equip Spear - 2/10

Materia - Allows you to equip spears

So this is pretty much useless. There really aren't enough 'good' spears (especially easily accessible ones) nor are there a lot of top tier attackers that would particularly benefit from being able to equip spears. Even if you somehow are overflowing with Kain spears (if you're overflowing with Elza spears I imagine you would be putting them on your Elza(s)) remember that this is replacing an effectively free 10% ATK materia, so on a 6★ with 150 base ATK this would need you to be able to equip Kain's TM spear to replace a 74 ATK (or lower) weapon to gain any damage at all -- substantially lower if you want to make finishing this TM 'worthwhile' over other TMs. In the future there may be elemental lances that synergize well with elemental imperils from other casters but... eh...

Japanese TM Rating (altema.jp): A Ranked

Why would you want Fang?: As mentioned above, outside of AOE situations she's almost never stronger than Kain. If you've been playing for awhile, you have Kain (more likely multiple Kains.) If you're new to the game, she's not awful, specially if you're replacing a 4★ max or an under-performing 5★ max but unless you need her she's probably not worth the experience and materials to awaken her.

Is she FUTURE-PROOF?: No. Fang does not currently have a 6★ upgrade in Japan and has not received Ability Enhancements. Kain has received Ability Enhancements, but he's a 5★ max so you probably don't care anyway.

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HOPE:

Rarity: 4★ to 5★

Global Party Rating: 6/10

Hope is a black / utility mage with good MAG for a 5★ (116 MAG 20% MAG), slightly more weapons type options than your average mage (dagger, rod, staff, thrown) and good equipment options (hat, clothes, light armor, robe.)

For passives, Hope brings 20% MP and 20% DEF.

For white magic / utility skills, Hope brings Esuna (ST Cure Poison, Blind, Sleep, Silence, Paralyze, Confuse), Deshell (ST 3 Turn -20% SPR Debuff -- but you probably have better), and Raise (ST Revive with 30% HP)

Offensively, Hope brings Firaga, Waterga, Blizzaga, Aeroga, Thundaga (180% AOE 1 hit magic attack of their respective elements) making him the 5★ mage able to hit the most elemental weaknesses. He also brings Area Blast (180% AoE Physical Attack) for.. uh.. flavour I guess?

His limit burst is a 270% to 365% (depending on rank) AOE 1 Hit Magic Attack Ignore -50% MND making it stronger than any of his elemental spells regardless of the level of elemental resist.

Japanese Character Rating (altema.jp): 80/100

Global Trust Mastery Rating: Nue - 2/10

Weapon - Thrown - 51 ATK, 82 MAG

82 MAG might seem decent, but being a Thrown weapon makes this very very limiting. You can effectively ignore this entirely.

Japanese TM Rating (altema.jp): B Tier

Why would you want Hope?: He's kind of like a Tellah, but without Cura (although he can equip it) and without Osmose, but can hit more elemental weaknesses. That doesn't really seem like enough of a trade-off to me. Unfortunately there's no real niche that Hope excels at so even if you're in a situation where he would be an upgrade for you, he's likely not worth the experience or materials to awaken and level him.

Is he FUTURE-PROOF?: No. Hope has not received 6★ in Japan. He has received Ability Enhancements which increase both Waterga and Aeroga to 250% AoE 1 Hit Water Magic Attack 100% Each Use (Max: 5.)

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LIGHTNING:

Rarity: 5★ to 6★

Global Party Rating: 10/10

I mean... you already know she's good, but I suppose we should continue along with the formality of it all.

Lightning is a physical damage dealer with high ATK (145 ATK 30%), a great selection of weapons (dagger, sword, greatsword, katana, bow, spear, gun) and a great selection of equipment (light shield, hat, helm, clothing, light armor, heavy armor)

Passively, Lightning brings 20% HP, Auto-Refresh (Recover 5% MP per Turn -- like nearly every 5★ base), a 30% Chance to Dodge Physical Attacks, and innate DUAL WIELD

Offensively, Lightning for single target damage brings Crushing Blow (270% ST 4 Hit Physical Attack & ST 3 Turn -20% Thunder Resist) and for AOE she brings Area Blast (180% AoE Physical Attack) and a variety of elemental AOEs including Ice Blitz, Heat Blitz, and Aero Blitz (190% AOE 1 hit physical attack of their respective element) and Electric Blitz (200% AOE 1 hit thunder physical attack -- slightly stronger because... Lightning)

Her Limit Burst is a 290% to 410% (depending on rank) single target 20 hit physical attack and single target 3 turn -30% to -54% DEF debuff (also depending on rank.) Depending on your current breaker, this can be a substantial physical damage increase for your team.

Japanese Character Rating (altema.jp): 94/100

Global Trust Mastery Rating: Aurora Scarf - 4/10

Accessory - 3 DEF and double normal attack hits

The theme of this week's banner is shitty TMs. I'm just going to quote what I wrote last time of "This ability effectively makes your attack a 0 MP 200% ATK ability. Not awful, but outside of situations where MP is an issue, you're probably better off with a Hero Ring."

Japanese TM Rating (altema.jp): B Tier

Why would you want Lightning?: She's still one of the best physical attackers on Global, and (for most of us) the fact that she comes with innate Dual Wield is still huge. In certain circumstances Luneth (if single target and no elemental weakness) or Gilgamesh (if he has Dual Wield and the target has no STRONG elemental weakness) will out damage her but no one, outside of the most passionate FFXIII hater, would turn down a Lightning.

Is she FUTURE-PROOF?: Yes. Lightning comes with 6★ and while her strength does fade with time, she's boosted back up to relevance (not top top top tier, but still very high) with the addition of her Ability Enhancements. Her Ability Enhancements include upgrading her chance to dodge physical attacks to also have a 20% chance to dodge magic attacks, upgrading Area Blast to 220%, and upgrading Crushing Blow to a 350% ST 4 Hit Physical Attack & ST 3 Turn -75% Thunder Resist (which would be so so much better if there was a Thunder element weapon in this game that was any good.)

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SHOULD YOU PULL?: No. This banner has two forgettable units and Lightning. If you want to daily pull for the chance at Lightning, more power to you, but going all in for a 5★ base is never a good idea. This banner is just here because Gumi knows some of you are weak and Lightning is your waifu and will therefore spend money for her.

(BY POPULAR REQUEST) SHOULD YOU PULL JUST FOR EVENT CURRENCY?: As I mentioned last time, outside of the usual important rewards (cactaurs, tickets, possibly Star Quartz) there's nothing 'must have' on this event. Use a friend Lightning to get the handful of things you need and move on.