Rank the most useful basic elements as seen in the series

[Sagebee]

Rank the usefulness of each basic element as seen in the series

Fire might be the best for offensive and defensive purposes and works well as a combination element for the rest of the elements

Lightning might provide for the best power and speed boosts

Wind might probably be the best for defensive because we've seen from shojoji and obito it's ability to negate attacks

Water beats fire and can be used for invisibility

Earths fairly decent for offense and defense but I think other elements do better and with earth you can mess with mass which is fairly useful

 

[Dissonant Values]

Basic elements? I wouldn’t say any are particularly useful outside of drown the opponent, electrocute the opponent, charbroil the opponent, crush the opponent, and blow the opponent away? Lol

Now if you put Earth and Water together you get Wood Style which of the advanced nature’s I’d say is infinitely useful every way you look at it.

 

[Nerosmoke]

Im liking water. because it makes a mist for killing.

 

[Prince Badman]

I believe Wind was described as most destructive and rare.....other than that it would depend on the user. In the series the order is really convoluted but lets see..... Water > Lightning > Fire > Earth > Wind.

My personal preference would be Earth > Wind > Lightning > Water > Fire

 

[salamander uchiha]

The most versatile element for a shinobi are earth and water land and water combat amongst other benefits.

Raiton is highly versatile and massive offensive/defenaive capacity.

My favourite is fire and it can incinerate opponents leave them with burns inhibiting their ability for combat if not kill them(hence the restriction).

Wind is also pretty cool and if used properly quite good.

Over all they're well balanced and all beneficial but the most useful are earth followed by water.

 

[Umari Senju]

I’d go with Water it seems to work in tangent with every other element creating mainly different Kekkei Genkai. For instance:

Water and Earth = Wood
Water and Wind = Ice
Water and Fire = Steam
Water and Lightning = Storm

In addition to Kekkei Genkai it can also be used separately with the other elements for combos:

Wind plus water = Typhoon (Naruto and Yamato’s combo)

Water and lighting = electrocution and even genjutsu as Sarada displayed

Water and Earth = Mud

Water can be used for mist.
Outside of battle can water crops provide water in the desert area where there is none to drink.
And probably a whole other list of uses I can’t even think of at present.

The others have many uses too as you mentioned above, Sagebee. But I think water is the most useful and versatile

 

[Azarath Metrion Zinthos]

1. Suiton
2. Doton
3. Raiton
4. Katon

 

[Uverdore9]

Water looks beautiful. Wind is the most powerful element and has no weakness in reality only in theory. Its not weak to fire and that is why Temari can blow the whole universe away. Useful ness will be earth element, lighted rock for gravity control, golem of akatsuchi for blocking explosions and eat hashirama's cells(Eating zetsu). Trapping gedo mazou, crushing men. It is changing in its use according to situation. Lava and ice is also useful and underrated. Solidified lava is a defense and can be an offense at the same time. Ice mirrors helps Haku travel at the speed of light and attack enemies and better use will be making ice mountains and freezing enemies.

 

[lndra]

Really digging the properties of Wind and Lightning thus far

 

[startup98]

Wind is the best.

 

[Rikudou Tobi]

Same as yours except that lightning is the best