Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-34938099-20180807075632/@comment-31099706-20180809141638

Nagato himself isn't all that powerful, (he is strong but come on). What makes him powerful is the Rinnegen and it's jutsus. That's the very part that makes him more of a difficult to the rest of the main characters, since they could handle basic ninjutsu, but not six unique Tailed beast level Ninjutsu.

Basically, if Nagato relied on baisc Ninjutsu other than his Rinnegen techs for most part of his battle, it would be a waste of time and chakra. Since it's not like he is as talented or powerful with basic Ninjutsu as Itachi, Madara, Sasuke, Kakashi and Naruto are.