In the expansive world of Fate/Grand Order, Berserker Minamoto no Raikou stands out as a complex and powerful Servant. With her strong AoE Noble Phantasm, unique personality, and compelling lore rooted in Japanese mythology, Raikou has earned a place in many Masters’ rosters. Her design is a blend of elegance and terror, as she represents the overwhelming maternal figure and the ruthless warrior. Understanding her abilities, gameplay mechanics, and narrative background can enhance how players utilize her in battle and appreciate her place in the Fate universe.
Character Background and Mythological Origin
Minamoto no Raikou, also known as Minamoto no Yorimitsu, is based on a real historical figure from Japan’s Heian period. She was known for her bravery and military prowess, leading campaigns to protect the capital from monsters and bandits. Fate/Grand Order reimagines her as a female warrior with deep ties to the supernatural, especially famous for leading the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’ and slaying demons like Shuten-Douji and the Tsuchigumo.
Her Berserker version emphasizes her raw destructive power and emotional instability, a result of mixing her historical valor with her maternal instincts gone awry. She views all allies as her ‘children,’ which shapes much of her dialogue and actions, blending affection with fury.
The Dual Nature of Raikou
One of the most striking aspects of Berserker Minamoto no Raikou is the duality in her personality. She’s both a fierce warrior and a doting mother figure. In battle, she’s relentless and brutal. Outside of combat, her voice lines and expressions often reveal tenderness, even obsession, over the Master’s safety. This creates a character who is both fearsome and emotionally complicated, making her stand out from more one-dimensional Servants.
Gameplay Overview
Berserker Minamoto no Raikou is classified as a 5-star Berserker with a powerful AoE Buster Noble Phantasm. She is well-regarded for her high damage output, strong critical capabilities, and excellent farming utility. Despite being a Berserker, her durability can be enhanced with proper support, allowing her to survive longer than expected for a class known for glass-cannon characteristics.
Base Stats
- Class: Berserker
- Rarity: ★★★★★ (5-Star)
- Max HP: 12,150
- Max ATK: 11,811
- Star Absorption: 10
- NP Charge on Attack: 0.94%
Command Card Deck
- Quick: 1
- Arts: 2
- Buster: 2
This deck allows her to generate decent NP gain while still delivering strong Buster-based damage, perfect for combining with Buster supports like Merlin or Oberon.
Skills and Abilities
Skill 1: Mana Burst (Lightning)
Increases Raikou’s Buster card performance and NP damage for one turn. This skill enhances her burst potential, making it ideal for one-turn farming or boss battles where quick elimination is required.
Skill 2: Eternal Arms Mastery
Increases critical star generation and boosts critical damage for a set number of turns. With this skill, Raikou can deal consistent critical damage, especially if supported by CEs or allies that boost star gain.
Skill 3: Mystic Slayer
Grants bonus damage against Demonic and Undead enemies. Since many enemies in Fate/Grand Order fall into these categories, this skill greatly increases her versatility in story quests and event farming.
Noble Phantasm: Vengeful Thunder of the Battle God
This AoE Buster NP deals high damage and gains a significant boost from her first skill. Its wide coverage and synergy with supports make it ideal for three-turn farming setups or clearing waves of enemies in events.
Craft Essence Recommendations
Choosing the right Craft Essence (CE) can significantly improve Raikou’s performance. Depending on your strategy farming, boss-killing, or sustained damage different CEs may be appropriate.
- Kaleidoscope / The Imaginary Element: For NP charge to enable early Noble Phantasm use in farming setups.
- Victor of the Moon / Joint Recital: For a mix of Buster and critical damage, enhancing both her NP and critical hits.
- Holy Night Supper: Excellent blend of NP and critical damage, with some starting charge.
- Aerial Drive: Another good hybrid CE for Buster and NP boost, with starting gauge.
Team Composition and Synergy
As a Berserker, Raikou can fit into almost any team, but she especially shines when paired with supports that amplify her Buster capabilities, protect her, or provide critical stars.
Ideal Allies
- Merlin: Offers Buster buffs, healing, invincibility, and NP charge.
- Skadi (Double Skadi System for Critical): Unusual but effective when using her to generate stars with crits.
- Waver (Zhuge Liang): NP charge, defense buffs, and damage increases make Raikou last longer in battle.
- Oberon: Increases NP damage significantly and extends her farming potential into higher HP waves.
For consistent star generation, supports like Caster Gilgamesh or Hans Christian Andersen can complement Raikou’s crit capabilities while also boosting survivability.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Massive AoE damage potential.
- Effective against common enemy traits like Demonic and Undead.
- High critical hit damage with proper setup.
- Versatile usage in both farming and boss battles.
Weaknesses
- Low star absorption as a Berserker makes crit reliability dependent on support.
- Fragile without defensive supports or healing.
- Heavy reliance on skill timing for burst effectiveness.
Ascension and Skill Material Requirements
Raikou’s ascension materials include a variety of items that can be challenging to farm, especially for newer players. Players should focus on event shops and farming nodes that drop these consistently.
- Ascension: Berserker Pieces, Berserker Monuments, Hearts of the Foreign God, Claws of Chaos
- Skills: Dust of Osiris, Ghost Lanterns, Cursed Beasts Gallstones
Players aiming to max out her skills should prioritize her Mana Burst (Lightning) first, as it directly affects NP damage, followed by Mystic Slayer for utility and Eternal Arms Mastery for critical boosts.
Character Popularity and Event Appearances
Berserker Minamoto no Raikou has been featured in various Fate/Grand Order events and banners. She often appears in summer events and story chapters that explore Japanese mythology or introduce characters like Shuten-Douji and Ibaraki-Douji. Her deep narrative connection to these characters makes her central in many dramatic storylines, often exploring her identity as a demon-slaying protector with conflicted feelings about the very demons she fights.
Raikou’s voice lines and interactions with other characters also add emotional layers, blending moments of warmth, protectiveness, and madness. This complexity is a major reason she remains a fan-favorite character, especially for those interested in mythological reinterpretations within the Fate universe.
Berserker Minamoto no Raikou is a unique and formidable Servant in Fate/Grand Order, offering players powerful offensive tools paired with a rich backstory rooted in Japanese legend. Her gameplay is accessible to both casual and veteran Masters, and her synergy with top-tier supports makes her one of the more efficient farming Berserkers available. Whether you’re drawn to her motherly demeanor, her fearsome battle style, or her mythological heritage, Raikou brings depth and strength to any Chaldea roster.