Dragon Slayer magic is commonly regarded as one of the most hyped forms of power in the Fairy Tail universe, which is not strange considering that Natsu, the protagonist, is introduced as one. However, do you know that by the end of Fairy Tail, Natsu is not even the strongest Dragon Slayer?
Whereas there were revealed to be five Dragon Slayers – special humans blessed with the capacity to take down dragons – more were introduced over time. Classifications were introduced, such that three generations of Dragon Slayers are currently known. Dragons themselves taught first generation Dragon Slayers how to use this uncommon magic.
Having been born and reared by dragons in the past, Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy are members of this generation. Second generation Dragon Slayers, who are artificial Dragon Slayers, gain their strength by having a Dragon Lacrima implanted into their body. As magic users who gain their power from learning directly from dragons and having a lacrima implanted into their bodies, third generation Dragon Slayers are, in a sense, a hybrid of the first and second generations. However, not all dragons like Dragon Slayers are equal in terms of power and a lot of factors determine their abilities.
Top 10 Dragon Slayers who have made their marks in the Fairy Tail universe
10. Cobra/Erik
Erik, who was formerly known as Cobra when he was a member of the Dark Guild Oración Seis, is a little mysterious. Given that the majority of his significant battles took place in earlier Fairy Tail series story arcs, it is challenging to determine the true scope of his power. However, in that time he was defeated by Natsu so while powerful (as a Dragon Slayer is), he ranks relatively low on this list.
What we did observe, though, was that the second generation Poison Dragon Slayer was able to compete with Erza and Natsu on a level playing field. His poison can have fatal side effects, and “his Magic gives him the ability to hear the voices of other people’s hearts.” His acute hearing has a few drawbacks because loud noises like Natsu’s screaming can make him quite uncomfortable.
9. God Serena
The fact that God Serena ranks so low on this list might come as a surprise to most considering that he was hyped to be the greatest among Fiore’s Wizard Saints. However, God Serena’s hyped abilities failed in comparison to his actual feats on screen, being one-shot by Acnologia and ranking even below the third-strongest among the Spriggan 12, who was defeated by Sting as well as Dimaria, who was defeated by Sherry (regarded as Wendy’s equal).
Because of the countless Dragon Slaying Magic Lacrimas he had implanted in his body, he was known as Eight-Dragon God Serena. He has been observed employing Lightning, Cavern, Purgatory, Sea King, and Gale Dragon Slaying Magic, albeit not all of them are known. He carelessly destroyed Bosco during the Alvarez Empire arc while travelling to Magnolia with other Spriggan 12 members. Then, he quickly dismantled Ishgar’s defences. Sadly, he was never given the opportunity to reach his full potential because his role was primarily to support Acnologia when the dragon entered the fray.
8. Rogue Cheney
Rogue is the Shadow Dragon Slayer and one of Sabertooth’s five most powerful magicians. Rogue is a third generation Dragon Slayer who was implanted with a Dragon Lacrima and was raised by the dragon Skiadrum, who also taught him Dragon Slayer Magic.
He can perform Unison Raid: Holy Shadow Dragon’s Flash Fang by combining his abilities with guildmate and fellow Dragon Slayer Sting. He is also capable of using Shadow Drive and summoning his Dragon Force at will. Rogue even manages to take down the Historia of Bloodman, one of the Spriggan 12, during the Alvarez Empire narrative. Future Rogue, despite coming as a villain in one arc, showed how much potential the character has.
7. Wendy Marvell
Wendy, the Dragon Slayer who is the youngest, has significantly developed her abilities since she first appeared in the series. Grandeeney nurtured her and trained her Sky Dragon Slayer Magic 400 years ago, and she was later sent to the year 777 to slay the terrifying foe Acnologia. Being an enchanter who is skilled in healing magic. Wendy has the ability to use her magic to enhance the innate qualities of anything or anyone, even herself.
Wendy has a particularly high aptitude for enchantments; she has magic casting abilities that much beyond her years. Not to mention that she had free access to Dragon Force during the Alvarez Empire arc. She is really resilient. While currently ranking low, her feats at her age prove that she can soar beyond the rest on this list as she had even showcased her battle prowess against Irene, even managing to fool her in one instance.
6. Sting Eucliffe
Sting, the Guild Master of Sabertooth, the White Dragon Slayer, is the opposite of Rogue. He is a third generation Dragon Slayer as well because he was nurtured by Weisslogia and implanted with Dragon Lacrima. When it seemed that he had murdered Sting’s Exceed partner Lector, this formidable Dragon Slayer was able to badly hurt the former guild master, Jiemma.
Sabertooth offers assistance throughout the Alvarez Empire arc after establishing friendships and allies with the Fairy Tail guild. The third-strongest member of the Spriggan 12, Larcade, was defeated with Sting’s assistance.
5. Gajeel Redfox
Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer and former Phantom Lord bad boy, was reared and educated by Metallicana. He was an S-Class Mage, according to his previous guild. His Iron Shadow Dragon Mode is extremely terrifying, and his Dragon Force is nothing to scoff at.
Over the course of the series, this hard ass has had some pretty legendary moments, including defeating Rogue in the Grand Magic Games arc, Torafuzar in the Tartoras arc, and Bloodman in the Alvarez Empire arc. Gajeel is a Dragon Slayer that any adversary should fear since he is willing to die for his friends.
4. Laxus Dreyar
When the second generation Lightning Dragon Slayer initially appears, he poses some difficulties. The S-Class Mage attacks Fairy Tail because he thinks its members are helpless. Laxus is briefly expelled from the guild following his defeat. He redeems himself, nevertheless, by demonstrating how the real meaning of the word “family” is present in his persona.
To everyone’s amazement, Laxus makes a comeback to aid his guildmates in defeating Hades during the Tenrou Island arc. He became proud and in love with Fairy Tail after feeling ashamed of his earlier deeds. Along with his guildmates, Laxus engaged in combat during the Grand Magic Games, taking down all five Raven Tail members, including his father, who had fallen into corruption. Even Jura, one of the Wizard Saints, was defeated by him.
3. Acnologia
Throughout the Fairy Tail series, Acnologia was one of the most formidable foes. He had a frightfully large amount of Magic power, and he could freely switch between his dragon and human bodies. Zeref was a violent, war-loving, and utterly merciless man who claimed to have the ability to dominate the globe but chose not to.
Acnologia was essentially unstoppable, destroying Tenrou Island and slaying the Fire Dragon King Igneel and God Serena in a single action, along with the majority of Fairy Tail’s best Mages. His soul-form could only be vanquished by Natsu and the other Dragon Slayers working together, while the entire Fairy Tail guild and its allies was required to destroy his body.
2. Natsu Dragneel
Natsu, the Fire Dragon Slayer and the main character of the Fairy Tail manga, was reared and educated by Igneel, the Fire Dragon King. Natsu, who is often vivacious and goofy, has always had a strong sense of loyalty to his guildmates, considering them to be his family. As demonstrated by Jellal, Zero, Hades, Future Rogue, etc., if someone injures the people they love, they will be held accountable.
He can employ Lightning Fire, Black Fire, and Fire Dragon King Modes by fusing his Fire Dragon Slayer Magic with a variety of other spells. When Natsu switches on the Fire Dragon King Mode, his power increases exponentially. It goes without saying that Natsu is a formidable force.
1. Irene Belserion
Irene Belserion was so powerful that she not only founded the entire genre of Dragon Slayer magic but who was not even defeated. She had faced Acnologia on an even ground and only accepted defeat by stabbing herself after feeling a surge of love for her daughter Erza whom she had grown to hate. A complex character, Irene’s character had as much power as it did tragedy, as is common with several female characters that are born of Hiro Mashima’s pen.
She is known as the Queen of Dragons because she has the ability to change into a dragon. The toughest woman among the Spriggan 12, she was grateful to Zeref for transforming her from dragon to human form because she was unable to do so on her own. She wins Acnologia’s admiration for being a worthy opponent, which is no minor accomplishment. As such, she rightfully takes her place at the top of the list as far as the end of the original series and the end of the Alvarez Empire arc is concerned.