Last War DVA Guide: Skills, Stats & Best Builds

DVA, also known as Blade Striker, is a UR Aircraft Attack hero in Last War: Survival who specializes in Energy Damage. Her main strength is Steel Barrage, a Tactics skill that damages every enemy in the opposing formation, while her passive Crit boost gives her strong burst potential.

For most players actively building DVA, the practical priority is straightforward: upgrade Steel Barrage first, follow with Vortex Missile, place DVA in the back row, and give your best offensive Cannon/Railgun and Chip gear to her before heavily investing in her defensive pieces. On older servers, her Season 1 Exclusive Weapon and Season 6 Awakening provide additional progression.

DVA Stats and Role at a Glance

Category	DVA
Rarity	UR
Hero Type	Aircraft
Role	Attack / Damage Dealer
Damage Type	Energy Damage
Title	Blade Striker
Recommended Position	Back row
Later Progression	Exclusive Weapon in Season 1; Awakening on eligible Season 6 servers

Fixed Attack, HP, and Defense numbers are not especially useful for comparing DVA between accounts because hero attributes change with level, progression, research, buildings, and equipment. Instead, compare DVA at the same development stage as the other damage dealers competing for a place in your squad.

Because she is an Aircraft hero, Aircraft-specific progression also matters. Developing the Aircraft Center and the rest of your Aircraft roster can improve the value you get from investing heavily in DVA.

DVA Skills Explained

DVA’s kit is built around frequent Energy Damage, critical hits, and a powerful multi-target Tactics attack. Her skills should not receive equal investment: some contribute far more directly to her role as a back-row carry.

Vortex Missile

• Type: Auto Attack
• Cooldown: 1.35 seconds
• Damage Type: Energy Damage
• Documented high-level effect: Energy Damage equal to 408.11% of DVA’s Attack.

Vortex Missile is DVA’s regular attack and provides the steady damage between Steel Barrage activations. Its short cooldown makes improvements to the skill relevant throughout an entire fight rather than only during one burst window.

For that reason, Vortex Missile is generally DVA’s second skill priority after Steel Barrage.

Armament Upgrade

• Type: Passive
• Cooldown: Not applicable
• Effect: Increases DVA’s Crit, reaching a documented +30% at the higher referenced skill level.

Armament Upgrade is one of the reasons DVA scales well as an offensive carry. More critical hits increase the burst potential of both her regular attacks and her larger damage skills.

It is valuable, but damage from Steel Barrage and Vortex Missile normally deserves your skill medals first. Treat Armament Upgrade as the third priority unless your current skill levels or progression create a specific breakpoint you want to reach.

Steel Barrage

• Type: Tactics
• Cooldown: 10 seconds
• Damage Type: Energy Damage
• Documented high-level effect: Attacks all enemies for Energy Damage equal to 718.17% of DVA’s Attack.

Steel Barrage is the centerpiece of DVA’s kit. Instead of concentrating damage on one target, it pressures the entire enemy squad. That makes it especially valuable while all five opposing heroes are still active and in PvP battles where weakening several heroes at once can change which front line collapses first.

Steel Barrage should normally be the first DVA skill you upgrade.

Super Sensing

• Type: Expertise
• Cooldown: Not applicable
• Documented high-level effect: Increases DVA’s HP, Attack, and Defense by 20% and skill cooldown rate by 10%.

Super Sensing improves both offense and survivability, but it is a broader stat skill rather than DVA’s primary source of damage. Before Awakening becomes relevant, it generally comes after Steel Barrage, Vortex Missile, and Armament Upgrade when allocating limited skill resources.

Best DVA Skill Upgrade Priority

The strongest general DVA skill priority is:

Priority	Skill	Why Upgrade It
1	Steel Barrage	DVA’s major all-enemy burst skill and the defining part of her damage kit.
2	Vortex Missile	Improves the frequent damage she deals between Tactics activations.
3	Armament Upgrade	Raises Crit and improves her overall burst potential.
4	Super Sensing	Provides useful general stats and cooldown benefits but is less direct than her main damage skills.

This order is especially useful when Skill Medals are limited. Players with abundant resources will eventually develop the entire kit, but equalizing every skill too early slows the upgrades that affect DVA’s damage most. For broader advice on allocating Skill Medals across a full roster, see the Last War hero skill upgrade guide.

Best Gear and Build Priority for DVA

Every hero uses four normal gear slots: Cannon/Railgun, Chip, Armor, and Radar. Attack heroes generally benefit most from receiving offensive gear first, while defensive heroes receive the highest-value Armor and Radar pieces.

For DVA, a practical gear order is:

Priority	Gear	Purpose
1	Cannon / Railgun	Raises the offensive base that DVA’s Attack-scaling skills use.
2	Chip	Supports offensive and Crit-focused scaling, complementing Armament Upgrade.
3	Radar	Add survivability against Energy-heavy threats and skill damage.
4	Armor	Rounds out DVA’s physical survivability once her key offensive pieces are established.

The order should not be treated as absolute. If DVA regularly dies before getting meaningful damage out, upgrading her defensive gear can produce more real battle value than adding another small offensive increase.

More importantly, avoid crafting or promoting expensive gear for every hero at the same time. Finish the important pieces on your main squad first. The Last War gear upgrade and promotion guide covers the wider equipment progression system.

DVA Exclusive Weapon: Season 1 Progression

DVA receives an Exclusive Weapon during Season 1: The Crimson Plague. This is an important progression point for players committed to an Aircraft squad because the weapon increases her attributes and raises the maximum level available to her skills.

Exclusive Weapon Requirement	Details
DVA Star Level	5 stars
Activation	50 DVA Exclusive Weapon Shards
After Activation	Universal Exclusive Weapon Shards can also be used for further levels
Maximum Weapon Level	30
Main Progression Effects	Improves DVA’s HP, Attack, Defense, All-Damage Resistance, and skill level cap

The weapon is much easier to justify when DVA is one of your main carries. If Aircraft is only your second or third formation, spending scarce weapon resources on her before your primary squad is established can slow your overall combat progression.

DVA Awakening in Season 6

DVA also becomes relevant to the Hero Awakening system introduced with Season 6. Awakening is a later-stage progression system, so it will not be available on every server at the same time.

For an eligible Awakening hero, the warzone must have reached Season 6 and the hero’s Exclusive Weapon must reach Level 20. Awakening then uses the corresponding hero’s Exclusive Awakening Shards, while later progression can use both Exclusive and Universal Awakening Shards.

The most important mechanical change is that the Awakened Skill replaces the hero’s Expertise Skill while inheriting the original Expertise effects. For DVA, that means late-game players should view Super Sensing not as a dead-end skill, but as part of the progression path that eventually leads into her Awakened Skill.

Because Awakening schedules depend on server progression and newer Awakening details may be adjusted, check DVA’s Awakening tab in-game once your warzone reaches the relevant Season 6 stage rather than relying on a fixed calendar date.

Best DVA Team and Positioning

DVA belongs in the back row. Her value comes from surviving long enough to repeatedly attack and activate Steel Barrage, not from absorbing the opening damage intended for defensive heroes.

A developed Aircraft roster commonly builds around a structure such as:

Position	Example Heroes	Role
Front Row	Carlie, Lucius	Durability and protection
Back Row	DVA, Morrison, Schuyler	DVA as primary damage, supported by additional Aircraft damage and utility

This is an example Aircraft core rather than a mandatory five-hero lineup. Star levels, gear, Exclusive Weapons, Awakening progress, and the heroes actually available on your server can make a different formation stronger for your account.

There are two broader reasons to keep DVA with Aircraft heroes when your roster supports it. First, the formation system rewards same-type squads: once that feature is available, five heroes of the same type provide the highest formation bonus at +20% HP, Attack, and Defense. Second, Aircraft has the favorable troop-type matchup against Tank formations, while Missile Vehicle formations are the counter you need to respect.

Continue upgrading the Aircraft Center alongside the heroes themselves if Aircraft is becoming your primary formation.

Is DVA Worth Upgrading?

DVA is worth substantial investment when Aircraft is your main squad or your planned long-term transition. She is much harder to recommend as an expensive side project if your best heroes, gear, and Skill Medals are still concentrated in a Tank or Missile Vehicle team.

Player Situation	Recommendation
Early-game F2P	Build the strongest main squad you already have before diverting major resources into a second Aircraft formation.
F2P transitioning to Aircraft	Collect DVA and Aircraft pieces gradually, then shift major investment once the formation is strong enough to justify it.
Aircraft main	DVA should receive high priority for skills, offensive gear, star progression, and later Exclusive Weapon development.
Late-game / older server	Plan DVA’s Exclusive Weapon and Season 6 Awakening alongside the rest of your Aircraft core.
DVA only used in a secondary squad	Keep her investment below the heroes that decide battles for your primary formation.

If you are moving into Aircraft progression late and prefer to begin from a more established roster, browsing Last War accounts for sale is an optional route. Review the exact server, heroes, gear, and progression shown on each listing rather than assuming DVA, her Exclusive Weapon, or Awakening progress is included.

How to Use DVA Effectively

• Keep her in the back row: Front-row exposure cuts short the time she has to use Steel Barrage.
• Upgrade Steel Barrage first: It is the defining damage skill in her kit.
• Give her high-priority offensive gear: Cannon/Railgun and Chip should normally receive attention before her Armor and Radar.
• Build a real Aircraft core: DVA becomes more valuable when she benefits from the same-type formation bonus and Aircraft-specific progression.
• Do not neglect the front line: More DVA damage does little if your defensive heroes collapse before she can deliver it.
• Plan for later systems: On older servers, her Exclusive Weapon and Awakening become important parts of the investment decision.

Common DVA Build Mistakes

Upgrading All Four Skills Equally

This slows the skills that matter most. When medals are limited, Steel Barrage and Vortex Missile should receive more attention than trying to keep every skill at the same level.

Putting DVA in the Front Row

DVA is an Attack hero, not the hero you want absorbing the opening damage. Use defensive heroes in front and let DVA operate from the back row.

Building Aircraft Before Your Main Squad Is Ready

DVA can be an attractive long-term carry, but a half-developed Aircraft squad does not automatically outperform a mature Tank or Missile team. This is particularly important for F2P players who cannot replace gear, shards, Skill Medals, and Exclusive Weapon materials quickly.

Focusing Only on DVA and Ignoring Her Front Line

A highly upgraded DVA still needs time to deal damage. If Carlie, Lucius, or whichever defenders you use fall immediately, part of DVA’s investment is effectively wasted.

Using One Fixed Build Against Every Opponent

Aircraft is naturally more attractive against Tank-heavy opponents and more vulnerable into Missile Vehicle formations. Use battle reports and your opponent’s squad type when deciding where to deploy DVA.

FAQs

Is DVA good in Last War?

Yes. DVA is a strong UR Aircraft attacker when she receives enough investment and has a front line that can protect her. She is particularly valuable for players committed to an Aircraft formation rather than using her as an underdeveloped off-type hero.

What is the best DVA skill priority?

Upgrade Steel Barrage first, Vortex Missile second, Armament Upgrade third, and Super Sensing fourth as a general priority. Steel Barrage receives the highest priority because it is DVA’s main all-enemy Tactics attack.

What gear should DVA use?

Prioritize DVA’s Cannon or Railgun first and her Chip second because she is a damage dealer. Radar and Armor remain useful for survival, especially if she is dying before getting enough attacks or Tactics activations.

What does Blade Striker mean in Last War?

Blade Striker is DVA’s hero title. Searches for Blade Striker or Blade Striker DVA refer to the same UR Aircraft Attack hero.

When does DVA get her Exclusive Weapon?

DVA’s Exclusive Weapon is part of Season 1 progression. The documented activation requirements include DVA at 5 stars and 50 DVA Exclusive Weapon Shards. After activation, Universal Exclusive Weapon Shards can also contribute to further weapon levels.

Does DVA have an Awakening?

Yes. DVA is part of the Season 6 Awakening progression. Awakening becomes relevant after the warzone reaches Season 6 and DVA’s Exclusive Weapon reaches Level 20. The Awakened Skill replaces her Expertise Skill while inheriting its original effects.

Conclusion

DVA is one of the clearest carry investments for an Aircraft-focused player: prioritize Steel Barrage and Vortex Missile, develop her Cannon/Railgun and Chip first, and keep her protected in the back row. Her value increases further once your server reaches the Exclusive Weapon and Awakening stages, but players with limited resources should still prioritize one strong main squad instead of spreading progression too thin.

For more current hero, formation, event, and progression coverage, browse the Last War guides on Heaven Guardian.