Merlin's buffs will help her a bit, but yeah, she really wants NP2. If I throw enough ATK buffs on her it's pretty decent though even at NP1, and I know she'll get a bunch of critical stars on the second round to clean anything up (assuming the game gives me some of her cards).I try to do this but god damn does her NP do piss for damage at NP1.
The Onigashima re-run can't come soon enough though, definitely going to try to get that NP2.