Theorylytics

Khora vs Nova

Same Support / Healer fantasy — which support kit fits your squad and mission rota?

TL;DR — Quick Pick

Pick Khora if…

  • You're sold on Khora's fantasy (Khora is red in whip and claw) more than another Support / Healer option.
  • Nova's pitch (“Harness antimatter”) isn't what you're missing — Venari is.
  • You're buying into Khora's passive — the ferocious kavat, Venari, fights by Khora's side and provides her with an a percentage speed….

Pick Nova if…

  • You're sold on Nova's fantasy (Harness antimatter) more than another Support / Healer option.
  • Khora's pitch (“Khora is red in whip and claw”) isn't what you're missing — Wormhole is.
  • You value Nova's orb-efficiency passive for longer ability spam on dense holds.
Verdict

Both fill the Support / Healer lane. Lean Khora for Venari and Venari; lean Nova for orb economy and Wormhole. Mission Usefulness is where they split: Steel Path (Strong vs Excellent — edge Nova); speed clears (Excellent vs Situational — edge Khora).

At a Glance

Khora
Stat
Nova
Support / Healer
Role
Support / Healer
VazarinVazarin
Aura
NaramonNaramon
Match the priority to your main ability
Mod Priority
Match the priority to your main ability
Whipclaw
Kit Opener
Null Star

Mission Usefulness

Mission
Khora
Nova
Steel Path Survival / Defense / Disruption
Strong
ExcellentWinner
Mobile Defense / Excavation
Excellent
Excellent
Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs
ExcellentWinner
Situational
Spy / Rescue / Nightmare
Situational
Situational
Open World / Bounties
Strong
Strong
Long-Range Gunplay / Eidolon-Style Content
Weak
Weak

When Each Shines

Khora

  • Venari carries mid-mission casts; Strangledome is the density payoff.
  • Mod focus stays on match the priority to your main ability so the cast loop doesn't fall over mid-rota.
  • Dense spawns where Khora's cast cadence outpaces gun-only clears.

Nova

  • Wormhole carries mid-mission casts; Molecular Prime is the density payoff.
  • Long holds where energy comfort matters — Nova's loop stays online without babysitting orbs.
  • Nova shines on tile clears where ability damage — not just weapons — carries the pack.

Mod Scaling Focus

Khora

Match the priority to your main ability — Strength or Duration first for most kits, then Efficiency, then Range.

STR
Raises damage and effect potency across Khora’s Strength-scaling abilities.
DUR
Extends channeled / timed effects — often comfort on Khora if the kit leans on buffs or zones.
RNG
Helps radius / targeting tools. Dump it if Khora is mostly self-buff or exalted weapons.
EFF
Keeps ability uptime comfortable, especially on longer Steel Path missions.

Nova

Match the priority to your main ability — Strength or Duration first for most kits, then Efficiency, then Range.

STR
Raises damage and effect potency across Nova’s Strength-scaling abilities.
DUR
Extends channeled / timed effects — often comfort on Nova if the kit leans on buffs or zones.
RNG
Helps radius / targeting tools. Dump it if Nova is mostly self-buff or exalted weapons.
EFF
Keeps ability uptime comfortable, especially on longer Steel Path missions.

Who Should You Pull?

Khora
Pull Khora if…
  • Venari into Strangledome is the cast story you want to master — not a random subsume mashup.
  • Weapon damage still matters in your loadouts and Khora is the frame that amplifies that plan.
  • You've tried (or watched) Nova and the orb economy fantasy didn't stick.
  • Khora rates higher on speed clears (Excellent vs Situational) — that rota is where you actually play.
  • You're chasing one strong Support main, and Khora is the candidate.
Khora Full Guide
Nova
Pull Nova if…
  • Energy / health orb rooms are common in your rota and Nova gets more mileage out of every pickup.
  • Squad comps where someone has to own tile clear alone — Nova is the frame you trust for that job.
  • Khora can stay on the shelf; Nova is the one you'll actually Forma twice.
  • Nova rates higher on Steel Path holds (Excellent vs Strong) — that rota is where you actually play.
  • Your endgame loadout screen should show Nova before it shows another same-role experiment.
Nova Full Guide