The Phantom Troupe is a group that includes some of the worst thieves in the Hunter x Hunter world. Also known as the Spider, this notorious group consists of thirteen members, all of whom possess exceptional Nen abilities and talents. Most of the Phantom Troupe originate from Meteor City, a dilapidated scrapheap town whose location remains unknown.
Characters like Kalluto, Illumi, and Hisoka join the Troupe for their own personal reasons. However, membership can only be secured if an applicant manages to kill and replace one of the thirteen members. No matter how they are ranked in terms of overall power, it is incredibly difficult to defeat any of them in a head-on battle. Even Gon and Killua aren't strong enough to take the Spider down.
Updated on October 25th, 2022 by Ajay Aravind: The Phantom Troupe was effectively disbanded in the Hunter x Hunter anime, but Chrollo regains his lost Nen during the Succession Contest arc in the manga. Shalnark, Uvogin, Kortopi, and Pakunoda are already deceased at this point in the story. The remaining survivors board the Black Whale, a massive transport ship headed toward the Dark Continent. What they plan to do upon reaching their destination is anybody's guess.
15 Kortopi's Gallery Fake Is Probably One Of The Most Practical Nen Abilities in Hunter X Hunter
Kortopi doesn't have much physical power, but his Nen abilities make him a worthy addition to the Phantom Troupe. As a Conjurer, he can duplicate any object he comes into contact with. These include everything from articles of clothing to entire buildings. Kortopi's Gallery Fake is probably one of the most practical Nen techniques in Hunter x Hunter.
While he's capable of replicating living creatures, his Nen facsimiles look like mannequins or dead bodies. Despite these limitations, Kortopi eludes his opponents with relative ease, including those with heightened En.
14 Shalnark's Black Voice Can Effortlessly Override The Human Consciousness
Shalnark was once a licensed Hunter, but he eventually joins the Phantom Troupe at some point in his life. He possesses tremendous strength, even if he doesn't look very robust. Shalnark's Nen technique is based on Manipulation. His Black Voice can effortlessly override the human consciousness, similar to Illumi Zoldyck's Corpse Control.
That said, Shalnark's version is far weaker than the advanced style employed by his former comrade. Shalnark's most fearsome ability, however, is Autopilot Mode. By applying Black Voice to himself, he gains a considerable boost in fighting power and agility.
13 Pakunoda's Pyschometry Makes Her A Truly Formidable Opponent
Pakunoda doesn't really look like a villain; on the contrary, she resembles a stock character in an office-themed Josei novel. As a Specialist, Pakunoda has some of the rarest Nen abilities mentioned in Hunter x Hunter. Her combat prowess may be negligible, but her Psychometry makes her a truly formidable opponent.
With this technique, Pakunoda can scan people's minds and extract any data she deems relevant. Her targets have no choice in the matter, as Pakunoda easily sifts through reams of conflicting information to find what she needs.
12 Machi Komacine's Nen Stitches Are Capable Of Fixing Seemingly Permanent Injuries
Machi Komacine's general demeanor is surly and withdrawn, but it's clear that she cares about her teammates. Her sense of loyalty extends to Hisoka, even though she doesn't totally trust him.
Machi's strong grasp over the Transmutation and Emission categories allows her to craft unique abilities like Nen Stitches, an infinitely superior alternative to surgical suturing. In addition to sealing surface injuries, her Nen Stitches can remedy permanent injuries. Machi's Nen Threads are equally impressive, turning unsuspecting opponents into her personal marionettes.
11 Bonolenov's Battle Cantabile Translates Music Into Offense And Defense
Bonolenov is almost always wrapped in bandages from head to toe, somewhat like an Ancient Egyptian mummy. He openly acknowledges his flaws, but ultimately manages to work through them and win the fight. His Conjuration-based Nen ability, called Battle Cantabile, translates music into offensive and defensive attacks.
This technique has two subtypes, both of which are remarkable. Battle Cantabile: The Prologue summons combat armor and weaponry, whereas Jupiter spawns a massive Jovian-esque orb that basically pulverizes anyone in the area.
10 Shizuku Murasaki Depends More On Tactical Foresight Than Brute Force
Gon nearly loses an arm-wrestling match to Shizuku Murasaki, despite the latter employing her weaker hand. She is also an adept parkour artist, scaling sheer vertical surfaces without losing an ounce of traction. Shizuku depends more on tactical foresight than brute force, as shown in her duel with the Chimera Ant Pike.
Although technically a Conjurer, Shizuku's Nen construct is incredibly specialized. Blinky is an aura-based vacuum cleaner capable of sucking up nearly every material and object known to humankind. Shizuku occasionally fights with Blinky, but she wouldn't last very long against strong opponents.
9 Franklin Bordeau's Double Machine Gun Can Decimate Countless Enemies Within Seconds
Franklin Bordeau's imposing stature and stern appearance underscore his overly belligerent and bloodthirsty nature. His Nen ability exclusively relies on Emission. Franklin's Double Machine Gun is an extremely dangerous technique, converting his aura into high-caliber bullets.
These Nen missiles fly through his fingertips at ultrasonic speeds, allowing him to decimate dozens of enemies within seconds. Franklin augments his Double Machine Gun by intentionally sawing off his fingertips, consequently ridding himself of subconscious Nen restrictions.
8 Kalluto Zoldyck Displays An Array Of Breathtaking Powers And Abilities
Kalluto might be a Zoldyck, but he relinquishes his kin-related duties in favor of joining the Phantom Troupe. While he isn't nearly as strong as his elder brother Killua, Kalluto displays a range of breathtaking powers and abilities. He replaces Hisoka after the latter reveals his true colors, and quickly becomes an integral part of the Spider.
As a highly trained assassin, Kalluto's Zetsu expertise earns him Hisoka's grudging praise. He can plant untraceable wiretaps on chosen targets without alerting them, including various members of the Phantom Troupe.
7 Nobunaga Hazama's Iaido Skills Put Him A Notch Above His Comrades
If Hunter x Hunter was set during Japan's Edo period, then Nobunaga Hazama would unquestionably be among the top five combatants in the story. His swordsmanship skills alone put him a notch above his comrades. As a self-proclaimed Iaido virtuoso, Nobunaga's katana movements are all but imperceptible.
Even someone as fast as Killua cannot escape Nobunaga's attack range without paying a fatal price. He's an Enhancer, but he's never shown using any Nen technique. However, this just means that Nobunaga hasn't had the opportunity to showcase his powers yet.
6 Phinks Magcub's Ripper Cyclotron Charges And Stores Power Using Rotational Motion
Considering his proficiency at unarmed combat, Phinks Magcub rarely resorts to his Nen abilities. He assassinates several Mafia guards without exposing his location, easily outpaces Killua, and annihilates the Chimera Ant Gorilla. In addition to being a competent Enhancer, Phinks displays a high level of understanding of Zetsu, Ryu, Ten, Gyo, and Ren.
His Ripper Cyclotron technique charges and stores aura via motion, not unlike a wind turbine — the number of arm rotations is directly proportional to his power output. Further, there doesn't seem to be any upper limit to this terrifying ability.
5 Uvogin Is Notorious For His Indomitable Grit And Devastating Strength
Uvogin's indomitable grit, devastating raw strength, and shaggy appearance make him the Wolverine of Hunter x Hunter. That said, he's not a fraction as heroic as Logan. On the contrary, Uvogin is the most brazenly violent member of the Phantom Troupe, a character trait that often annoys his colleagues.
His ostensibly durable skin is immune to bullets, heat, and almost all kinds of damage. Uvogin's Big Bang Impact is exactly as cataclysmic as it sounds. This technique produces so much energy that it leaves a gigantic crater in the ground. Thankfully, Kurapika undermines Uvogin's intense aura and eventually kills him.
4 Illumi Zoldyck's Nen Aura Can Only Be Described As Nightmarishly Ominous
Illumi Zoldyck's Nen aura can only be described as nightmarishly ominous. He manages to terrify Killua into submission with a single glare, a monumental achievement to say the least. Illumi's versatile approach, comprehensive knowledge, and flawless precision satisfy all the criteria required in an assassin — or, for that matter, a member of the Phantom Troupe.
Illumi has four iconic Nen abilities: Needle People, Body Transformation, Corpse Control, and Hypnotic Spell, each more terrifying than the next. He may not be as strong as Silva and Zeno yet, but he's certainly capable of surpassing them one day.
3 Feitan Portor's Rising Sun Is Ridiculously Overpowered And Vaporizes Everything Within Its Range
Feitan incorporates Conjuration, Emission, and Transmutation into his Nen ability, a feat that's simultaneously difficult and dangerous. His Zetsu, Ren, Gyo, and Ten are unparalleled, but he's best known for Pain Packer and Rising Sun.
The latter technique is ridiculously overpowered and affects everything in the environment, including any unfortunate bystanders. Rising Sun generates copious amounts of heat, vaporizing anything within range. The Chimera Ant Zazan slowly asphyxiates and roasts to death as Feitain coldly mocks her arrogance.
2 Hisoka Morow's Battle Expertise & Nen Proficiency Are Beyond Phenomenal
Hisoka is one of the most mysterious characters in Hunter x Hunter. On the other hand, the entire world is probably aware of his unnerving obsession. Like many stereotypical shonen antagonists, Hisoka lives to fight. This cryptic clown is one of Hunter x Hunter's focal centers, a bizarre blend between lovable antihero and malicious villain.
Hisoka's battle skill is beyond phenomenal: he continuously modulates his combat strategy, even in the middle of a heated duel. Although he only has two Nen techniques in his arsenal, Hisoka doesn't need anything more than Bungee Gum and Texture Suprise to turn the tide in his favor.
1 Chrollo Lucifer Is Undoubtedly The Strongest Member Of The Phantom Troupe
Chrollo Lucilfer is undoubtedly the strongest member of the Phantom Troupe. He demonstrates his overwhelming power on several occasions and almost always earns his opponent's admiration. The Zoldycks would have likely defeated Chrollo during their battle in Yorknew City, but not without sacrificing one of their lives in the process.
Chrollo's Specialist Nen type defines his career path — his Skill Hunter not only allows him to steal others' Nen abilities, but also completely master them. Chrollo's manga-exclusive battle with Hisoka is one of the highlights of Hunter x Hunter.