- #98
I think Laxus is surely only below Gildartz in the guild, Erza would last against him only because of the lightning reducing thunder goddess armor... he would've even won vs. the 2 dragons slayers in the previous arc.
About Ultear, her magic may not be as good vs some of the formentioned magics, but I wouldn't underestimate her. Her fight vs. Grey and lose was more of an asspull then a clear victory to me, I as a great Grey fan don't even count that among the good Grey fights. Also, I'm pretty sure she would beat Natsu (if we don't put in the FT logic of Natsu being unbeatable unless it's a random scene in the guild or Gildartz/Makarov/Purehito whom I consider the strongest in FT so far.)
As swords are not part of the body, Ultear can easily make them corode, and her ice molding magic (the same as Ul's who was told to be on WS level) is highly superior to Greys. So no. I would easily put her among the strongest females, if not the strongest. FT members and all others with high motive get her lvl when she's joking, but no one considers what a beast would Ultear be with "the power of feelings and friendship".