The Ultimate Summoners War Guide: How to Choose Your Nat 4 and Nat 5 Units

In Summoners War, the ability to choose your own monsters—whether through summoning events, Anniversary scrolls, or Transcendence pieces—is one of the most impactful decisions you will make. Because resources like Devilmons and high-end runes are finite, picking the wrong unit can stall your progress for months. To build a robust account, you must move beyond aesthetic preference and evaluate each unit based on its ability to solve specific progression bottlenecks.

Whether you are a mid-game player struggling to stabilize Abyss dungeons or a late-game strategist looking to climb the World Arena (RTA) ranks, your selections should always be dictated by your account's current "stage of impact."

Prioritizing Nat 4 Units: The Foundation of Efficiency

Nat 4 units are the workhorses of Summoners War. While Nat 5s often get the spotlight, your ability to farm runes efficiently—and thus your ability to gear your Nat 5s—depends entirely on your Nat 4-heavy PvE teams.

The "Progression Gap" Rule

When selecting a Nat 4, ask yourself: "Does this unit reduce my run time or increase my success rate in Abyss Hard/Hell?" If you are struggling to clear Giants, Dragons, or Necro Abyss stages, prioritize units that provide:

• Reliable Defense Break: Monsters like Galleon or Loren (though 3-star, the logic applies) are non-negotiable.
• Attack Buff & Speed Scaling: Units that enable your damage dealers to one-shot waves are vital.
• Elemental Advantage: In Abyss dungeons, elemental synergy is the only way to maintain consistency. If you lack a strong Wind damage dealer for Giants Abyss, prioritize that element.

Avoid picking "niche" PvP units (like specific anti-meta counters) until your dungeon farming is fully automated and under 45 seconds per run. A faster farming speed is the single most effective way to gain more runes, which is the true source of account power.

Evaluating Nat 5 Units: Utility Over Rarity

When choosing a Nat 5, the mistake many players make is selecting a "trophy" unit—a monster that looks cool but requires an extremely specific, high-end rune set to function. Instead, focus on versatility and mechanical uniqueness.

The Versatility Test

A top-tier Nat 5 pick for an evolving account should ideally have utility in at least two areas of the game. For example:

• PvE/PvP Hybrids: Units that excel in Trial of Ascension (ToA) and RTA are the highest value. They help you clear content for resources while simultaneously strengthening your arena presence.
• Unique Mechanics: If a unit possesses a mechanic that no other monster offers (e.g., specific turn-cycling, unique passive damage reduction, or mass immunity), it is a priority pick.
• The "Core" Factor: Does this unit define a team? If a monster allows you to build an entire "Cleave" team or a "Bruiser" team, its value is exponentially higher than a unit that simply provides raw damage.

Strategic Checklist for Event Selections

Before confirming any major selection, run your potential picks through this professional filter:

1. Synergy Audit: Look at your current box. If you have three primary damage dealers but no reliable immunity buffer (like Velajuel or Woosa), your selection should be a support unit. Never pick a redundant damage dealer.
2. Rune Requirement Reality: Be honest about your rune quality. Many "S-Tier" RTA units are useless if you cannot hit specific speed, accuracy, and survivability thresholds. If you lack the runes to make a unit viable, it will sit in storage.
3. Skill-Up Accessibility: Can you farm skill-ups for this unit through Fusion or Secret Dungeons? A Nat 5 that is easy to max-skill is often more valuable to a mid-game player than a "better" unit that requires 12 rare Devilmons.
4. Meta Relevance: Check recent balance patches. Summoners War is a living game; a unit that was dominant a year ago may have been power-crept by newer, more efficient monsters.

Avoiding Common Selection Pitfalls

The most common trap is "Streamer Bias." Players often see high-level streamers dominating with a specific unit and assume it will solve their problems. In reality, that streamer likely has years of rune farming and maxed-out Glory Buildings.

• Don't chase the meta if you lack the support: A high-damage RTA unit is only as good as the speed lead and attack bar booster supporting it. If you don't have the "engine" (the support units), don't pick the "car" (the damage dealer).
• Ignore the "Fun" factor early on: It sounds harsh, but "fun" is a luxury for players who have already established a stable farming foundation. If you are struggling to maintain a 95%+ success rate in your primary dungeons, you cannot afford to pick a unit for aesthetic reasons.

When to Prioritize Personal Preference

Once you reach the "End-Game" plateau—where your dungeon runs are optimized, your ToA rotation is trivial, and you are comfortable in C1+ RTA—your selection criteria should shift.

At this stage, you are no longer picking for progression; you are picking for playstyle expansion. If you enjoy slow, methodical, "turn-two" gameplay, prioritize tanky bruisers that fit that mold. If you enjoy explosive, fast-paced matches, look for monsters that enable speed-cleaves. The game is a marathon, and picking a unit you truly enjoy playing with is the best way to prevent burnout.

Final Decision Framework

To make the best choice, summarize your account status:

• Early/Mid-Game: Focus on PvE stability and dungeon speed. If it helps you farm runes faster, pick it.
• Late-Game: Focus on RTA synergy and filling gaps in your draft. If it counters the current meta or enables a new team archetype, pick it.

By consistently applying this logical framework, you ensure that every Summoners War selection event moves your account forward, turning your roster into a collection of assets rather than just a list of names. Always prioritize the "utility-per-resource" ratio, and you will find that your account grows in power, consistency, and competitive relevance.