Theorylytics

Nova vs Valkyr

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

TL;DR — Quick Pick

Pick Nova if…

  • You're sold on Nova's fantasy (Harness antimatter) more than another Support / Healer option.
  • Valkyr's pitch (“Valkyr was modified into a highly motivated and fearsome killer”) isn't what you're missing — Wormhole is.
  • You value Nova's orb-efficiency passive for longer ability spam on dense holds.

Pick Valkyr if…

  • You want the squad gap filled by Valkyr's vibe — Valkyr was modified into a highly motivated and fearsome killer.
  • This slot should feel like Rip Line, Warcry, and Hysteria, not a reskin of Nova's Null Star, Antimatter Drop, and Molecular Prime.
  • You're buying into Valkyr's passive — valkyr accumulates Rage when hitting or killing enemies with melee weapons, increasing her Melee….
Verdict

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

At a Glance

Nova
Stat
Valkyr
Support / Healer
Role
Support / Healer
NaramonNaramon
Aura
MaduraiMadurai
Match the priority to your main ability
Mod Priority
Match the priority to your main ability
Null Star
Kit Opener
Rip Line

Mission Usefulness

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

When Each Shines

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.

Valkyr

  • Paralysis carries mid-mission casts; Hysteria 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.
  • Missions that reward committing to Valkyr's full ability loop instead of dabbling.

Mod Scaling Focus

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.

Valkyr

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

Who Should You Pull?

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.
  • Valkyr can stay on the shelf; Nova is the one you'll actually Forma twice.
  • Even after Helminth, Antimatter Drop and later abilities are still the reason Nova earned potato.
  • Your endgame loadout screen should show Nova before it shows another same-role experiment.
Nova Full Guide
Valkyr
Pull Valkyr if…
  • Paralysis into Hysteria is the cast story you want to master — not a random subsume mashup.
  • You'd rather specialize hard into Paralysis than stay generic in the Support lane.
  • Skipping Nova frees a craft slot — you'd rather finish Valkyr properly.
  • Valkyr rates higher on speed clears (Excellent vs Situational) — that rota is where you actually play.
  • Inventory space / foundry queue: Valkyr jumps the line over another Nova craft.
Valkyr Full Guide