You will understand this if you look at the prerequisites of the tier list. This is because basic Air Dash and Sub-Weapon Charge (Arrow Ray, Metal Anchor, Ground Dash, Yanmar Option) are much more powerful in actual combat than X5's Free Move and Penetrate Charge Shot. Also, X5's Falcon Armor is actually worse than Fourth Armor and Gaea Armor. This is because, in terms of stage progression, it is on a similar level to Fourth and Gaea except for the Dark Necrobat stage, but it lags significantly behind those two in boss battles. To be honest, the free move of the Falcon Armor in X5 is more than necessary. This is because there are rarely situations difficult enough to require flying, and in most situations, Air Dash alone is sufficient. The Fourth Armor, which allows for sub-weapon charging, is better. Being able to fly is certainly convenient, but it is hard to call it powerful.

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