Near vs L vs Light vs Mello

[ahill1]

Rate them from the smarter to the least smart.

 

[Kyo]

L > Light > Near > Mello

There’s some databook that has Near and Light above L, but that goes directly against the narrative and the author’s own words.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

I'd say its not possible to give them a solid ranking as all of them (except Mello, who's a step behind the others) have their strengths over the others in various ways. L is overall better at analysis than Light, but Light is better when it comes to tactics and using resources to his advantage. Near has the most composure out of the three and has more unconventional decisions to give him an edge, such as some that were barely legal. If having to give them a ranking, on an equal playing field, I'd say L ~ Light > Near >> Mello

 

[ahill1]

L > Light > Near > Mello

There’s some databook that has Near and Light above L, but that goes directly against the narrative and the author’s own words.

True, but when Near pressed down Light, when they were having an argument, Light stated "He is actually worse than L...", with the "worse" meaning "more dangerous", "better".

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Considering the How to Read guidebook specifies that Near's ability to remain calm under pressure is "perhaps superior to L's", it seems Light's statement was based on Near's composure when combined with his intelligence, rather than just intelligence itself.

 

[ahill1]

^ Fair enough.

 

[SSJ2]

Mello >~ L > Light > Near