- Tatari traits define each unit's element, role, and combat behavior in Clash of Critters.
- Water pick: Way Flutter carries horde modes with a game-changing support kit.
- Fire pick: Flarevix edges out Azurion through burst damage and lane coverage.
- Grass pick: Krinarva combines AoE slows, stuns, and horde healing.
- Team rule: Cover all five elements with a balance of damage, stuns, and healing.
Understanding Tatari Traits by Element
Tatari traits are the defining characteristics that determine how each critter performs in tower defense combat. Every Tatari belongs to one of five elements — Water, Fire, Grass, Rock, or Lightning — and each element pool contains roughly 13 units with distinct roles: damage dealers, healers, buffers, and crowd controllers. Choosing the wrong unit for an element slot can completely undermine an otherwise solid team setup.
Video Highlights:
- Breakdown of the best Tatari for all five elements
- Way Flutter highlighted as the standout Water unit
- Flarevix vs. Azurion damage chart comparison
- Krinarva's buffed healing explained for horde modes
- Kling Naga vs. Zen Scarab debated for the Rock slot
The table below summarizes the core trait identity of each element:
| Element | Trait Identity | Typical Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Sustain, team carry potential | Carries, healers, all-rounders |
| Fire | High burst damage | Damage dealers, lane pushers |
| Grass | Support and utility | Healers, attack-speed buffers, AoE control |
| Rock | Tanky lane control | Bulky attackers, stunners |
| Lightning | Conditional power spikes | Top-tier damage, situational specialists |
Element coverage matters more than raw rarity. A balanced squad with one strong Tatari per element outperforms a stacked team that leaves slots weak.
Best Tatari Picks for Each Element
Based on current meta performance, these are the units that stand out in each element slot.
| Element | Top Pick | Key Traits | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Way Flutter | Changes playstyle entirely, carries teams in hordes | Various solid supports |
| Fire | Flarevix | Burst damage, strong lane coverage | Azurion |
| Grass | Krinarva | AoE slows, stuns, horde healing buff | Healer/buffer supports |
| Rock | Kling Naga | Piercing machine-gun damage, stuns, new Tier 4 form | Zen Scarab |
| Lightning | Cheerspring | AoE healing, invincibility, attack and defense buffs | Volt Marr (damage) |
Way Flutter (Water)
- Game-changing kit
- Carries both you and your teammate in hordes
- Redefines how you play the game
Flarevix (Fire)
- Burst damage specialist
- Excellent lane coverage
- Outperforms Azurion in most damage charts
Cheerspring (Lightning)
- AoE healing and invincibility
- Attack and defense buffs
- Expected pick in horde invasions
Rock Wu was once the easy number-one Rock pick, but recent nerfs put his position in question. Always re-check unit performance after balance patches.
Step-by-Step: Building Your Tatari Team
Follow this process to assemble a team that covers every element with strong Tatari traits.
Audit Your Roster
List every Tatari you own by element. Identify which of the five slots is your weakest so you know where to invest resources first.
Prioritize the Meta Picks
Build toward Way Flutter, Flarevix, Krinarva, Kling Naga, and Cheerspring. These units define their element slots in the current meta.
Balance Damage and Utility
Ensure your team has at least one stun source, one healing source, and consistent lane damage. Krinarva and Cheerspring cover utility while Flarevix handles burst.
Optimize for Horde Invasions
Bring Cheerspring into horde invasions — teammates expect her AoE healing and buffing. Way Flutter adds carry potential for longer waves.
Re-Evaluate After Patches
Track nerfs like those that hit Rock Wu and the Zapantlers. Adjust your element picks when the balance changes.
A squad with Flarevix burst, Krinarva control, Kling Naga stuns, and Cheerspring support handles both standard lanes and horde invasions reliably.
Competitor Comparison: Close Element Calls
Several element slots feature tight races between two strong units. Here is how the key head-to-head matchups break down:
| Matchup | Winner | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Flarevix vs. Azurion | Flarevix | Damage charts favor the fox; burst and lane coverage edge out the fan-favorite |
| Kling Naga vs. Zen Scarab | Kling Naga | Stuns preferred over slows; new Tier 4 form boosts his piercing damage |
| Sonar Bat vs. Cheerspring | Cheerspring | Sonar Bat only excels in horde invasions; Cheerspring is versatile everywhere |
| Volt Marr vs. Cheerspring | Cheerspring | Volt Marr is top-tier damage but comes with prerequisites |
| Krinarva vs. other Grass | Krinarva | Dev healing buff in hordes pushed her over pure supports |
Azurion remains a beast on the field despite losing the comparison. Many players have both fire units built — if you already invested in Azurion, he is still a strong fire option while you work toward Flarevix.
Build Priorities Checklist
Team Development Goals:
- Secure one strong Tatari for every element slot
- Build Flarevix or a top fire damage dealer
- Add Krinarva for AoE slow and stun control
- Invest in Kling Naga's Tier 4 form for lane pressure
- Deploy Cheerspring in every horde invasion
- Re-check meta picks after each balance patch
Focus resources on your weakest element slot first. A single underbuilt slot can ruin a full team setup more than any individual star unit can fix.
FAQ
Q: What are Tatari traits?
Tatari traits are the element, role, and combat characteristics that define each critter in Clash of Critters. They determine whether a unit deals burst damage, provides healing, controls lanes with stuns and slows, or buffs teammates.
Q: Is Azurion better than Flarevix?
Both are strong fire units, but damage charts from players who built both show Flarevix wins out in most cases. Her burst and lane coverage give her the edge, though Azurion remains a viable fire pick.
Q: Why is Kling Naga ranked over Zen Scarab and Rock Wu?
Rock Wu received recent nerfs that weakened his top spot, while Zen Scarab's lingering damage is solid but slow-based. Kling Naga's new Tier 4 form, piercing machine-gun damage, and stuns give him the utility advantage.
Q: Do I need Cheerspring for horde invasions?
She is widely considered an expected pick. Her AoE healing, invincibility, and attack and defense buffing make her the best lightning Tatari for horde content, and teammates generally anticipate her deployment.