Lavos vs Nova
Same Support / Healer fantasy — which support kit fits your squad and mission rota?
TL;DR — Quick Pick
Pick Lavos if…
- You want the squad gap filled by Lavos's vibe — The serpents of Lavos encourage him as he transmutes the battlefield.
- This slot should feel like Ophidian Bite, Vial Rush, and Catalyze, not a reskin of Nova's Null Star, Antimatter Drop, and Molecular Prime.
- You value Lavos's orb-efficiency passive for longer ability spam on dense holds.
Pick Nova if…
- You're sold on Nova's fantasy (Harness antimatter) more than another Support / Healer option.
- You'd rather build around Wormhole than live in Lavos's Transmutation Probe loop.
- You value Nova's orb-efficiency passive for longer ability spam on dense holds.
Verdict
Both fill the Support / Healer lane. Lean Lavos for orb economy and Transmutation Probe; lean Nova for orb economy and Wormhole. Mission Usefulness is where they split: Steel Path (Strong vs Excellent — edge Nova).
At a Glance
Lavos
Stat
Nova
Support / Healer
Role
Support / Healer
NaramonAura
NaramonMatch the priority to your main ability
Mod Priority
Match the priority to your main ability
Ophidian Bite
Kit Opener
Null Star
Mission Usefulness
Mission
Lavos
Nova
Steel Path Survival / Defense / Disruption
Winner
Mobile Defense / Excavation
Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs
Spy / Rescue / Nightmare
Open World / Bounties
Long-Range Gunplay / Eidolon-Style Content
When Each Shines
Lavos
- Transmutation Probe carries mid-mission casts; Catalyze is the density payoff.
- Long holds where energy comfort matters — Lavos's loop stays online without babysitting orbs.
- Missions that reward committing to Lavos's full ability loop instead of dabbling.
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
Lavos
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 Lavos’s Strength-scaling abilities.
- DUR
- Extends channeled / timed effects — often comfort on Lavos if the kit leans on buffs or zones.
- RNG
- Helps radius / targeting tools. Dump it if Lavos 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?
- Energy / health orb rooms are common in your rota and Lavos gets more mileage out of every pickup.
- Squad comps where someone has to own tile clear alone — Lavos is the frame you trust for that job.
- Nova can stay on the shelf; Lavos is the one you'll actually Forma twice.
- Even after Helminth, Vial Rush and later abilities are still the reason Lavos earned potato.
- Your endgame loadout screen should show Lavos before it shows another same-role experiment.
- 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.
- Lavos 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.