Nova needs to be awakened, but even so, he is just good. BWDO, Guardian, Red Guardian and Tigra are all better and don't need to be awakened. However, Red Guardian probably benefits the most of the ones listed.
Does Nova even get played? Ive got a duped 5* version and other than Seatin's tier list and all the content creator's initial impressions of the champion, I'm having a hard time finding any info on the character.