u/somaturk98

The Espada are hard to rank because their Reiatsu ranking doesn't give the full picture of how far apart they are in terms of power.

What is apparent is that they are 2 types of Espada.

1.Ability based

2.Raw Power based

The Espada that are based in raw power are 1-6 and in this bracket the power gaps are not big.

Below this the power gap is massive.

Espada 7-9 are ability based Espada, their raw power is significantly lower than Espada 6 and up.

Luppi is the biggest proof of this

Luppi is was given Espada 6 after Grimmjow's power dipped after losing his arm. This automatically means he had higher reiatsu than 7-9 otherwise he wouldn't have been given the 6 title.

But what happened to him? Grimmjow decimated him in an instant when his power returned. This automatically proves that Espada below 6 are fodder.

What people point to prove that only Espada 1-4 are on another level is Ulq statement that they are not allowed to use Gran Rey Cero or Release mode in the canopy of los noches.

This is merely a suggestion because Yammy used his release mode in the canopy of Los Noches and his reiatsu in his released mode is the highest thus making him Espada 0. Despite him using his release mode the canopy didn't get destroyed.

TLDR-

Espada 1-6 proper Captain tier

Espada 7-9 Espada cuz of abilities/hax not power