Two Basilikos users....

If we're excluding merges, and looking at neutral stats, Linus has more attack and more defense.

As far as who's superior, I guess that mostly depends on what exactly the build is. Raven is the better "glass cannon" because he has less defense, but more speed.

Raven for sure. Raven has access to IVs while Linus doesn't, so Raven has access to a +Atk IV to match his attack while being faster. He also has access to +10 merge which allows him to score higher in Arena. That being said, Linus is tankier(at least physically), he can run the +Eff Basilikos and Fury and still have 30 defense, even though he would probably still prefer his default Brazen Atk/Spd due to it being cheaper for him and also because he has the bulk to take a hit from pretty much anyone and the speed to avoid doubles. Linus is still an extremely powerful unit, it's just that he's kinda like a F2P Raven(even though Raven is already quite F2P friendly, especially now that he's in the 3/4* summoning pool).

I have a +2 Raven that is going to be my first +10 unit and I value speed a lot(which is why I run +speed). That's something Linus can't achieve but that doesn't mean he's bad. The guy has 65 attack when in Brazen range, with Desperation, Heavy Blade seal and Draconic Aura(what I used to run in my Raven) he can pretty much ignore the weapon triangle.

Let's say that generally, Raven is better as an offensive powerhouse, but Linus runs a bruiser build better.

Linus is a lot hotter looking/better art. And Linus's voice and lines can't be worse than Raven's so Linus wins just by virtue of being less annoying/not making me want to gouge out his eyes and strangle him to death XDDD

As for the IVs and merges angle, do you have 220,000 extra feathers you don't need right now and a Raven with the IV's you want? Yeah, probably not cause I know I don't. XD But that's what it will cost to make just one +10 merge. Look, most players are never going to get to that 10+ merge for any character. I've been playing since shortly after the game launched and the best I have is a +4 regular Azura XD One I wasn't even trying for. The units I would want for that are only +1 maybe +2 and that's in spite of trying when they rerun on banners. ;w;

Additionally, a +10 merge only provides an extra + 4 points to each stat, even to stats the character doesn't need. And you can get similar results with well placed Drive/Tactic/Ward/Goad/Hone/Fortify/Bond skills.

Even though I've been harsh on Raven, I have nothing against the character. Maybe if they give him better art and a voice actor that doesn't half-a** dial it in for his combat lines, he'd be great. ^w^ btw, Some of the GHB units are my best units especially for specific emblem teams like Flier and Horse: Michalis, Xander, & Camus.

Finally, go with a character you like because you're going to be seeing A LOT of them. Don't want someone you wanna murder every time you hear their "nails on chalkboard voice". @[email protected]