Popular Leaders and Their Full Sub List with Inheritance Options

I am in the process of updating this list over the next week or two and work from the top down so somethings will still be outdated/missing in the meantime.

Introduction

Due to the ever changing dynamic of team building through Skill Inheritance, team building has either become more flexible or more rigid. It becomes more flexible due to the fact that you can use almost any card as a sub and fill in the blanks via inheritance. However, this does eventually lead to a more rigid team building experience as you will end up using similar powerful bases and supplementing with appropriate assists.

As such, I have been trying to determine how I can have this list reflect both aspects of team building. Listing subs that fulfill specific roles is helpful, but may become misleading once you begin to acquire more cards to play around with. Thus, I will try my best to list higher tier subs along with other options and include a massive inheritance chart at the beginning you can use to fill in the gaps.

When deciding which leader and team you want to invest in, you ideally want to find a balance between a deep and diverse sub pool combined with a love for their playstyle that suits your personality and matching skills. Even leaders who are not popular in the meta are capable of clearing high end content provided you have a synergetic team and passion for their gameplay.

Furthermore, you should try to balance the subs/actives you bring to ensure a healthy mixture of quick orb changers, damage enhancing, and defensive utility. When trying to determine if you require a bind clearing sub, you must take into account how dangerous the bind is and whether you can stall through it or avoid it. If you are able to avoid the bind by bursting through the boss before they are able to attack, it may be best to do so as bind clearing subs tend to bring little to the party aside from their active. Lastly, leaders with higher multipliers are more reliant on consistency and survivability over offensive actives as the sheer strength of their leader skill can sweep most floors.

If you wish to read about how I approach tackling a dungeon and subsequently how I build my team, please read my previous article HERE.

Video commentary

—video goes here—

Popular leaders sorted by category

When trying to find a particular leader in this post, it is best to use the ctrl + F (search) feature. Otherwise, the leaders are colour sorted in no particular order. Due to the sheer size of this ever growing list, I may have trimmed out lesser leaders and simply put their names alongside other cards that are similar to them (eg. placing other rainbow leaders alongside Ra if similar).

I am not including the button farming coop teams.

Style	Leader
Rainbow:
Combo Based:
5 orbs, 1 enhanced: (5o,1e)
Tank teams:	+ + + +
Heart orbs required:
Multiple combos of specific colour:
Row Based:
Speed farming:
Colour Cross
Heart Cross:

If you feel I left out your favourite team, leave a reply in the comments below and I shall add in accordingly. For a list of 5×4 leads, feel free to check out my other guide HERE.

If you wish to read a more detailed analysis of all the REM pantheon monsters, please refer to my Master List Breakdown. If you are considering to purchase a Monster Point card, please read my Tier List HERE.

Skill Inheritance

Skill Inheritance has become a vital part of the Puzzle and Dragons meta as it allows you to utilize desirable active skills from cards that would not be ideal to run as subs. This also enables you to better customize your team to your liking and address any dangerous mechanic the dungeon can throw at you. I encourage you to read my revamped Skill Inheritance Guide to better understand all the changes that have been made and how to better utilize this mechanic.

Below is for the most part, a full overview of the various inheritance options you can use sorted by categories. For full board changers, you can utilize off-colour inherits provided they generate your desired element. However, if possible, you should try to use same attribute inherit and base to take advantage of the stat transfer feature.

ACTIVE	MONSTER
Gravity
Damage reduction
Full board changers	Rainbow: jjj Bi-colour: — Tri-element with hearts: — Tri-element with no hearts: — Other:
True damage / poison
Damage enhance	—
Delay
Bind clearing

Popular leaders and the sub list:

Reincarnated Shiva

49x ATK / 4x RCV

Shiva is a relatively easy to use leader as you are reliant on TPA and have a scaling combo multiplier. While it does take 7 combos to cap on damage, you can still match a TPA with fewer and sweep through most content. Fully maxed out Shivas will hit for about 2 million damage with a single fire TPA and a total of 7 combos. You should be running the +HP Badge while prioritizing TPA cards.

	Sub
Single orb changers:
Offensive double orb:
Damage Enhance:
Defensive double orb:
Full board changer:
Bind Clearing:
Damage Mitigation:
Delays:
Gravity:
Bases for SI:
Sample teams:	MOMtastic

Xiang Mei

2.25x HP / 81x ATK healer types

Xiang Mei has quickly fallen out of the Meta due to the power of Heart Crosses. This is not to say she cannot clear content, but she is simply slower, more restrictive, and lacks consistency in end game content. Please read my Full Review for more detailed information.

Staple subs:

Xiang Mei fills up your sub slot and becomes reliant on Skill Inheritance to shine while providing haste and heart orb generation.
Gadius is unbindable and provides heart and fire orb generation with his full board changer and recover bind awakening. Just be careful as he lacks a skill bind resist awakening.
Uriel is another essential sub who possess a double orb changer to spawn fire and heal orbs. Has perfect synergy with Gadius’s full board changer. Dupes are encouraged.

Viable subs:

Valen provides a 30% damage reduction shield for 4 turns on a 6-turn cooldown should you require damage mitigation. With Xiang Mei’s haste component, you an have nearly 100% uptime.
Laila produces full horizontal line of fire orbs at the bottom row of the board. This enables you to automatically form a row, just be careful you have sufficient heart orbs present.
Red Riding Hood has a water to heart orb active along a 3-turn bind clear.
Christmas Echidna (or regular Echidna ) provides 3 turns of delay which becomes vital when dealing with dangerous bosses who have either resolve/perseverance or dangerous kill mechanics
Party Fox, Mitsuki (NY REM) promises a festive time with her double orb to heart active and 1 turn haste. Can also use the regular Mitsuki from the REM.
Mamiya comes from the Fist of the North Star Collab and features a jammer and water to fire orb changer along with 20% reduction to dark damage via 4 awakenings.
Kiriko is a rare pull from the Shinarabansho Choco Collab and provides a full board changer into fire, light, and heart orbs.

Gadius

1.82x HP Dragon type
42.25x ATK ( and heart orb reliant)

Gadius is quite outdated due to the fact that far stronger options exist. However, if you are keen on playing him, it can still work.

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Shiva Dragon

39x ATK 6.25x RCV for Fire Gods

Shiva Dragon is a premiere speed farming leader that has an unconditional 39x ATK to fire Gods. You are able to stack either TPA or rows and are able to deal spectacular damage with minimal effort. There is no “perfect” team for him and it is mostly using the cards that you have been given to succeed while countering the dungeon mechanics. Due to your amazing RCV, you can easily stall for skills.

	SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb:
Damage Enhance:
Full board changer:
Bind Clearing:
Damage Mitigation:
Base for SI:
Gravity:
Sample teams:

Awoken Horus

45.56x ATK 2.25x RCV when skill used & match R,B,G,L,D

	SUB
Offensive orb changers:
Damage Enhance:
Full board changer:
Bind Clearing:
Damage Mitigation:
Delays:
Gravity:
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Raoh

2.25x HP / 20.25x ATK (Attack and Devil, based)
OR

+
Raoh + Freyr

1.5x HP / 14.625x ATK / 2.5x RCV (Attack and Devil, based)

SUB
Orb changers:
Damage Enhance:
Full board changer:
Bind Clearing:
Damage Mitigation:
Delays:
Gravity:
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Sumire

56.25x ATK / 75% Damage reduction shield.
Heart Crosses & 5o1e

SUB
Single Orb Changer:
Double Orb Changer:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage Enhance:
Utility:
Delay:
Sample teams:	Completes the system

Umisachi & Yamasachi

56.25x ATK (water, wood, light, and dark)
Full Guide

	SUB
Offensive orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Rukia

56.25x ATK / 2.25x RCV (Combo based, Water TPA )

SUB
Orb changers:
Damage Enhance:
Full board changer:
Bind Clearing:
Damage Mitigation:	Skill Inheritance
Delays:
Gravity:
Niche:
Sample teams:

Awoken Lakshmi

56.25x ATK / 2.25x RCV (heart and reliant)

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:	removes hearts, but can be combo-ed
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:	generate hearts do not generate hearts
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

/
Awoken I&I + Ryune

2x HP / 14.06x ATK / 2.5x RCV
Full Guide

Also applies to

Sarasvati

100x ATK (3 water combos, row based)
Full Guide

	SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + + + + + +
Sample teams:

Andromeda

25x ATK (10 connected water orbs, )

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample team:

Neptune Dragon

36x ATK / 2.25x RCV (God types, reliant, match 11 water orbs)
Can be successfully paired with
Read why HERE

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Blue Sonia

14x ATK / 6.25x RCV for Physical & Dragon Types
Video showcasing high end game play

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample team:

Kaede

64x ATK / 75% Damage reduction shield. Heart Crosses & TPA
Full Analysis

SUB
Single Orb Changer:
Double Orb Changer:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage Enhance:
Utility:
Sample teams:	Completes the system

Ronove

Corresponding Post:
2.5x ATK with 3 colours (not hearts). 0.5x ATK for each additional orb type, up to 3x at 4+ colours. 4x ATK & 35% damage reduction shield with heart cross
144x ATK / 57.75% damage reduction

16x ATK with heart cross and 2 or less colours
9x ATK with no heart cross and 4+ colours

SUB
Single Orb Changer:
Double Orb Changer:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage Enhance:
Utility:
Sample teams:	Perhaps the ideal team

Awoken Bastet

36x ATK (7 combos, reliant)
OR

Kushinadahime

2.25-144x ATK (God type, 3-20 combos)


Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:	works better for
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + + + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Green Sonia

14x ATK / 6.25x RCV
OR

+
Green Sonia + Sylvie

2x HP / 12.19x ATK / 2.5x RCV


Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

/
Awoken Freyja & Sylvie

2x HP / 14.06x ATK / 2.5x RCV

Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + + + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Awoken Parvati

56.25x ATK / 2.25x RCV (heal orb and reliant)


Single orb changers:	must be used with
Double orb changers:	must be used with
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:	requires
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ AND + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample team:

Awoken Astaroth

2.25x HP / 20.25x ATK (Devil & Healer, reliant)

Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Spica

16x ATK, 51% damage reduction vs fire, water, light, and dark

Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + + + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Miru / Myr

49x ATK / 75% Damage reduction shield.
Heart Crosses & Light Rows
Full Guide

SUB
Single Orb Changer:
Double Orb Changer:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage Enhance:
Utility:
Delay:
Sample teams:	Fantastic’s team Mantastic’s team

Awoken Da Qiao & Xiao Qiao

Leader Skill:
4x ATK when matching 4 elements. 1.5x ATK for matching 5 connected light or water orbs. Up to 2.5x ATK when matching 7+
Full Review and Discussion

ROLE
Offensive orb changers:
Full board changers:
Damage Enhance:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Delay:
Gravity:

Sparkling Goddess of Secrets, Kali

56.25x ATK (match Fire, Water, Light, Dark & 6+ Combos)
Full Guide

	SUB
Offensive orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Awoken Sakuya

25-100x ATK (Fire, Water, Wood, Light scales to 10 combos)
Full Guide

	SUB
Offensive orb changers:
Full board changers:
Damage Enhance:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Delay:
Gravity:
Skill lock Resist :
Sample team:	Ideal

Awoken Ra

100x ATK (God types, match R,B,G,L,D)

SUB
Offensive orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Skill lock Resist :
Sample team:	Ideal

/
Saria + Awoken Thor

2x HP / 14.06x ATK / 2.5x RCV
Full Guide

	SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Awoken Amaterasu

16x ATK, 10x RCV healed per turn (Healer and or based)
OR mix and match with

SUB
Offensive orb changers:	+
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Ra Dragon

144x ATK / 2.25x RCV for Gods when matching
R/B/G/L/D/H

SUB
Orb changers:	Cannot use
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:	Arena 1 Arena 2

Yomi Dragon

36x ATK / 2.25x RCV (Dark Gods, match 5 orb 1 enhance)

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:	has and is bind immune
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:	Arena 1

Awoken Archdemon Lucifer

1.82x HP / 16.4x ATK / 1.82x RCV (God & Devil based team)
Full Guide
Arena Strategy Guide

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	/ + + / + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:	Arena 1 Arena 2

Typhon

1.82x HP Dragons
42.25x ATK (heart and reliant)

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:	needs
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ / + must use to generate hearts +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Awoken Yomi

56.25x ATK (5 orbs, 1 enhanced, 7 combos)
OR

Castor

16x ATK, 51% dmg reduction R,B,G,L (5o1e)
Also can mix with

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	+ + + + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Awoken Anubis

16-400x (9-12 combos, dark monster)

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	Highly un-recommended as this can hinder your chances of making 9+ combo as you may be left with too many of a particular orb
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Zaerog Infinity

36x ATK (1.21x ATK / 43.56x ATK / 1.21x RCV Dragon types)
Match 4 unique sets of dark orbs, desired

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Dragon type:
Orb changer combos:	/ + + / + + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Dark Metatron

1.82x HP / 29.16x ATK (lower health = more damage, reliant)
Video clear of Arena 1

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Damage mitigation:
Gravity:
Delay:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	/ + + / + + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Awoken Pandora

1.56x HP / 25x ATK / 1.56x RCV (Devil and )
Pandora evolution comparison HERE

SUB
Single orb changers:
Double orb changers:
Orb/damage enhance:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:
Gravity:
Niche:
Orb changer combos:	/ + + + + +
Skill lock Resist :
Sample teams:

Gremory

Corresponding Post
2x ATK Devils & Balance on turn skill used. 6x ATK & 35% damage reduction with heart cross
144x ATK / 57.75% damage reduction

SUB
Single Orb Changer:
Double Orb Changer:
Full board changers:
Bind clearing:	Largely do not need
Damage Enhance:
Utility:
Sample teams:	Solo M Hera clear

Conclusion

Let me know if I overlooked anything in the comments below.

Happy Puzzling!

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