Ni No Kuni: The Best Familiars, Ranked

Summary

• Ni no Kuni is a masterpiece JRPG praised for its story, familiars, and re-releases on multiple platforms.
• Familiars like Sapdragon, Relixx, and Bumbler Family offer unique abilities and evolve differently.
• Characters like Ice Maiden, Thumbelemur, and Toko have specific affinities and roles in battles, offering variety.

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch originally launched in 2013 for PlayStation 3 to critical acclaim, widely hailed as a masterpiece from Level-5. It went on to have a sequel with Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom for PlayStation 4 in 2018. Fortunately for fans who missed out on the first title, the game was re-released for PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch in 2019.

Ni No Kuni follows the story of Oliver, a young boy who discovers that he has heritage in an alternate world and is actually a wizard. It’s up to Oliver and his fabulously Welsh companion Drippy to save the other world from the evil wizard Shadar. There are familiars to collect (think Pokémon or Yokai) that can help in battles – and once fellow heroes Esther and Swaine have joined your team, you can recruit even more. Check out the best familiars below!

Quick note: our ranking is excluding the golden versions of familiars, which are stronger counterparts but are only available deep into the postgame.

Updated on February 22, 2025 by Bobby Mills: Level-5 is enjoying something of a renaissance in the West. After many gamers had declared they were down for the count outside of Japan, they sprung back, announcing new installments of Professor Layton, Fantasy Life, Inazuma Eleven, and more. To celebrate, we thought we’d touch up our list of the best familiars in Ni No Kuni, the jewel of the Level-5 crown.

18

Sapdragon

One Letter Off ‘Napdragon’, And Equally As Dangerous

This cute lizard is a member of the Dracones genus, making him a fab fit for Oliver’s build, especially in the late-game (which is when he becomes accessible via a Familiar Retreat ticket). The breed’s biggest utility is as an AOE healer, with its passive Healing Rain spell allowing you to remain in the fight without direct command inputs.

Its evolutions, Scrapdragon and Flapdragon, each also excel in different fields. Scrapdragon focuses on Dark element physical attacks to lay the smackdown, while Flapdragon can Spite its foes, which makes them more susceptible to cursing. Magical curses, not swearing. Obviously.

17

Relixx

Gets Your Enemies Lixxed

With wings for ears and a cuddly shape, these Nopon-alikes appear to have wandered in off the set of Xenoblade Chronicles. But don’t be fooled: Relixx is no garden-variety cutesypon. Character #4 is a good pick for this one, as it’s of the Daemonia genus, and covers a whopping three gem element affinities: Neutral, Water, and Storm.

In its base form, it can drench enemies with a Water Bomb, or stir up winds on the battlefield with Whirligig. Then, its three metamorphoses, Electrixx, Medixx, and Angelixx, bring even further variety to the table. Whether you’re in the market for lightning storms or healing, this bad boy has you covered. About the only downside to this line is that you’ll need to wait until the Nazcaa ruins to be able to catch one.

16

The Bumbler Family

With A Name Like That, Their Competence Is Staggering

We’re cheating slightly by having the entire Bumbler family line in one entry, but they’re just so versatile, and each member so different, that it’d be doing them a disservice to lump them all together. They’re far from bumbling, and make for good familiars to pair with Oliver, being of the Vermes genus.

The base Worker Bumbler can poison foes; Drone Bumbler has the Ray of Light support move; Soldier Bumbler can buff everyone’s attack by 35 percent with its Miracle Move; and finally, Queen Bumbler is the cream of the Bumbler crop, being resistant to all poisons and offering a bevy of healing moves (alongside access to all the attacks its predecessors possess).

15

Seed Sprite

The Germination Of A Great Army

You’ll unlock the Seed Sprite familiar very early on in the game, but it’s largely not useful until you unlock the fourth character (again, spoilers) who has an affinity with the Nymphae genus of familiar. This familiar is perfect for that character and is a great healer to have on your team.

Additionally, it can be found on Ugly Duckling Isle if you want a different Seed Sprite than the one the game gives you. Its secondary form is Sprout Sprite, and when it comes to choosing the third form, we recommend that you choose Sugarplum Sprite over Sweetpea Sprite.

14

Griffy

Make Sure You Bow

The great thing about the re-release of Ni No Kuni is that all DLC familiars will be given to you at some point. So, for example: Griffy was originally a pre-order bonus ticket familiar from Amazon, but now you can just cash in your in-game ticket after the trials.

Griffy is one of the best attackers that you can assign to Esther and, as it is of the Aves genus, Esther has an affinity with it too. Its secondary form is Greater Griffy, then after that, you can choose to make it either Griffurnace or Griffrigerator.

13

Ice Maiden

Blizzaria’s Distant Cousin

Ice Maiden is another great choice for the secret fourth character you will eventually unlock, as she is of the Daemonia genus, which he has an affinity for. Ice Maiden can be found in the northern region of the Winter Wonderlands.

Her next form is Ice Queen, then you have the choice of Eldritch Empress or Sinister Sovereign. We recommend Eldritch Empress as it’s a fantastic tank with high physical and magical defense, as well as the Defend command, making her a perfect protective choice.

12

Thumbelemur

Not To Be Confused With The Don Bluth Movie

You’ll be given a Thumbelemur as part of the storyline in Ding Dong Dell, but you can also later catch them from Swan Island. As a member of the Bestiae genus, it makes an ideal partner for Swaine and is a decent attacker.

Its next form is Dumbelemur, and when it metamorphoses for the third time, we recommend choosing Aye-Aye Sir over Aye-Aye Catcher, as the latter fulfills the role of healer and there are better healers to choose from than Aye-Aye Catcher.

11

Lagoon Naiad

20,000 Naiads Under The Sea

Lagoon Naiad is another great choice for the fourth character you unlock, and as it is of the Nymphae genus, he has an affinity for this familiar type. It can be found on Friday Island and its secondary form is Sea Naiad.

This familiar is a great choice for a healer, though there are better ones for this character later on in the game (hint: we may have already discussed one!). When it comes to the third metamorphosis, we recommend the Greater Naiad over the Lesser Spotted Naiad.

10

Dinoceros

Sounds Like A Pokemon

As part of the Dracones genus, Dinoceros is an ideal familiar for Oliver. It is vulnerable to poison but has nothing that it is highly vulnerable to. Additionally, it’s easy to level and has some very powerful moves.

Dinoceros can be found at The Genie’s Steps, and it metamorphoses into Destroceros, before becoming either Catastroceros or Demoliceros. To ensure its final form is the powerhouse you want it to be, you should wait until Destroceros learns Belly Buster at level 16 before metamorphosing it into its final form, and Catastroceros is usually the preferred choice.

9

Whippersnapper

Or Snapperwhipper To Its Friends

Whippersnapper is arguably the best familiar to fulfill the role of a tank for Oliver. As part of the Vermes genus, it has an affinity with Oliver. It can be found in the Deep Dark Wood area.

Its next evolutionary form is Trapper Snapper, and then it can morph into either Snaptrap or Claptrap, both of which are good. However, if you find you need a little extra help, choose Claptrap as its final form, as it has some healing tricks it can use to support the party.

8

Bonehead

Dry Bones Would Cower In Fear

Bonehead is part of the Mortui genus, and this makes it the perfect choice for an attacker for Swaine, who has an affinity with this genus. Not only does it deliver strong attacks, but it also has a resistance to physical attacks.

Boneheads can be found in the Golden Grove-South area, and morph into Bone Ranger before its final forms of either Bone Brigadier or Bone Baron.

Bone Baron is the recommended choice, which itself can also be found in the Shimmering Sands desert area. Generally, however, it is better to level your familiars yourself to make them as strong as possible.

7

Hooray

Hip Hip, Even

Hooray is part of the Aquatica genus, and this makes it an ideal attacker for Esther’s team. Arguably, it is the best attacker for her, even – as not only is it a powerful force to be reckoned with, but it has high speed and defense too. Additionally, it has a good range of offensive tricks at its disposal.

Hoorays can be found in the sea just south of the Summerlands, generally around Castaway Cove. It metamorphoses into Hip-Hooray before its final branching forms of Grimray or Springray.

6

Oroboros

Noah And Mio Would Be Proud

Oroboros is part of the Vermes genus, making Oliver the best choice for this critter due to his affinity with them. It has a high magic stat that makes it a brilliant spellcaster or healer choice for Oliver to use, depending on the final form that the player chooses.

Oroboros is found in the Rolling Hills area and metamorphoses into Chloroboros, before its final forms of either Obscuroboros or Fluoroboros. For a healer role, choose Fluoroboros, and for a spellcaster role, choose Obscuroboros.

5

Monolith

Noah And Mio Would Be Proud… Again

Monolith is part of the Automata genus, so it is best used with Swaine, who has an affinity with this type. Monolith is a brilliant tank choice for Swaine, as it has a natural resistance to physical attacks as well as a high defense.

Monoliths can be found in The Bayous area near Castaway Cove and metamorphoses into Megalith, before its final forms of Paleolith or Neolith. Both final forms are good, but Paleolith has a handy trick called Upsy-Daisy, which revives an unconscious ally.

4

Napcap

Mushroom Kingdom Reject

Napcaps are exceptional spellcasters and very handy healers to have in your party. As part of the Flora genus, they are best used with Esther, as they synergise well with her support and magic-based toolkit.

Napcaps are found in the Golden Grove area and metamorphose into Duncecap, before its final forms of Madcap or Nightcap. To make it the most efficient healer, you might want to get it to level 32 (as Duncecap) to learn Second Wind, before morphing it into a third form. Nightcap is the better healer/support role of the final forms based on the tricks it can learn.

3

Sillymander

Not A Silly Choice

Sillymander is the fastest familiar in the game and can also hit hard, making it a great choice for an attacker in your team. As part of the Vermes genus, they are best used with Oliver, who has an affinity with them.

Sillymanders can be found in the Vault of Tears, and it metamorphoses into Slamander before it transitions into its final forms of Pyromander or Petramander. Pyromander is the best choice, as Petramander has a weakness to physical attacks.

2

Lumberwood

Timber!

Lumberwood is of the Flora genus and hence is best suited for Esther. You know the drill by now! It is the best tank in the game, and, if you have Esther set to defense when she has this little guy out, she essentially never dies.

Lumberwood can be found in the No Longer Mine area and metamorphoses into Limberwood before turning into either Umberwood or Wildwood. Wildwood is the preferred choice of most players, but, if you find you are struggling a little, then choose Umberwood as it has some healing tricks.

1

Toko

One Letter Off ‘Noko’, And Equally As Rare

Toko is capable of becoming one of the best powerhouse healers if you’re willing to put the time in. Not only is it a grind to obtain, as it only has a two percent chance of being recruited and is prone to running away, but it also takes a long time to build up to its final forms.

Tokos can be found on Ugly Duckling Isle and give massive amounts of EXP as a reward, so that’s one upside to farming them. Its next form is Tokotoko, eventually metamorphosing into either Tokotocold or Docotoko. Tokotocold can heal the entire party with its Healing Rain trick, while Docotoko is a good choice for party buffs and removing status ailments as well as being able to revive party members. It’s a perfect choice for the fourth party member’s team.