User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 452: The Prelude to the Final Battle, Review./@comment-26884814-20150914213005/@comment-7418318-20150915084454

Remember that Natsu had to pull out LFDM to beat Max, so he can't be all that weak.

Sure it was pre-second-origin, but it still shows that Max is no slouch either. Though granted, against enemies like the Spriggans he won't be of much help.