Arknights Tier List – Best Operators Ranked for 2025

If you’ve been grinding Arknights for a while like me, you know how much of a game-changer picking the right operators can be. Whether you’re trying to clear Contingency Contracts, speedrun new story stages, or optimize IS4 (Integrated Strategies), having a solid grasp of the Arknights tier list is essential.

I. Introduction to Arknights Tier List

This guide breaks down the current meta for 2025, analyzing who’s worth your materials, who’s still dominating, and which new additions are shaking things up.

A. Purpose of the Tier List

The purpose isn’t just to tell you who’s “S-tier” — it’s about helping you understand why they’re good, how they perform in different modes, and where to invest your LMD and resources efficiently.

B. Ranking Methodology

Rankings are based on:

• Damage output and survivability

• Utility across modes (Story, CC, IS4, Annihilation)

• Ease of use and synergy potential

• Investment cost-to-value ratio

C. Meta Overview

The meta right now favors burst damage, sustain, and flexibility. Operators like Surtr, Thorns, and Saria remain kings of consistency, while newer specialists and supporters have carved out strong niches.

D. 2025 Update Highlights

The most recent updates brought power shifts with:

• Specter the Unchained’s buffs

• Eyjafjalla’s renewed dominance thanks to IS4 relic synergies

• Bagpipe’s insane early DP generation remaining unmatched

E. Community Consensus

Across Reddit, Discord, and top-level clears, the community largely agrees — Surtr is still a monster, Saria the queen of sustain, and Exusiai continues to melt waves. But depending on your playstyle, there’s flexibility beyond the “usual suspects.”

II. Tier List Structure and Rankings

A. Overview

The Arknights tier list is split by rarity and role. The general ranking goes:

• S Tier – Meta-defining; useful in almost all content

• A Tier – Excellent with small weaknesses

• B Tier – Solid but niche or situational

• C Tier – Functional, but heavily outclassed

B. S Tier Explanation

These are your cornerstone units. You’ll see them in almost every high-difficulty clear:

• Surtr, Saria, Thorns, Eyjafjalla, Mudrock, Bagpipe, Ch’en the Holungday, Ling, Exusiai, SilverAsh.

C. A Tier

Powerful but with more specific uses:

• Blaze, Angelina, Hoshiguma, Specter, Archetto, Mostima, Liskarm, Saileach.

D. B & C Tier

Still useful, especially for F2P:

• Nearl, Greyy, Perfumer, Estelle, Courier, Matoimaru.
  These operators shine when you lack resources or need elemental flexibility.

E. Ranking Criteria

Each operator is judged by performance at E2 with M3 skills — the level where their true potential shows.

III. Operator Ranking System

A. Overview

Unlike standard RPGs, Arknights balances around utility and survivability as much as damage. That’s why supports like Saria often out-rank DPS.

B. Mechanics

Each operator’s kit interacts with terrain, timing, and map layout — so rankings assume balanced stage conditions.

C. Performance Metrics

1. DPS uptime

2. Survivability

3. Range coverage

4. Team synergy

5. Investment efficiency

D. Updates

With each patch, new limited units and module upgrades shift rankings. For example, Eyja’s new module massively boosted her consistency.

E. Meta Evolution

Earlier metas were all about burst casters and snipers. Now, sustain and hybrid flexibility dominate.

IV. Best Operators Overview

A. Top-tier Picks

Let’s talk about who’s currently shaping the meta:

• Surtr (Guard) – Boss eraser

• Saria (Defender) – Healer-tank hybrid

• Thorns (Guard) – Consistent auto-DPS

• Mudrock (Defender) – Self-sustaining wall

• Eyjafjalla (Caster) – Top-tier AOE DPS

• Bagpipe (Vanguard) – Best opener in the game

B. Analysis

Surtr’s S3 skill still trivializes bosses. Saria can both heal and stall elite waves. Mudrock tanks entire squads solo, and Thorns’ infinite uptime lets you AFK farm.

C. Usage

All these operators appear in IS4 meta comps and CC clears.

D. Stats

Even at M1 or M2, they outperform most 6★s.

E. Recommendation

If you’re new, Surtr, Saria, and Bagpipe should be your first 6★ investments. They’ll carry every game mode.

V. Six Star and Five Star Operators

A. Six Star Guide

6★ operators define the meta. Their skills and modules elevate them above others. Units like Ling and SilverAsh can solo entire maps.

B. Rarity

6★s usually cost high resources but offer longevity — you can invest confidently knowing they’ll stay viable for years.

C. Five Star Overview

Not to be ignored — Lappland, Ptilopsis, and Texas still perform exceptionally well with the right setup.

D. Star Rating

Rarity affects more than stats — it changes module access and potential synergy slots.

E. Comparison

5★s like Projekt Red remain vital due to cheap deployment costs, even next to 6★s.

VI. Four Star Operators and Value Picks

A. Four Star Guide

4★s are great for early or budget players.

• Myrtle – Essential DP battery

• Gavial – Reliable early healer

• Shirayuki – Long-range slow sniper

B. Budget Selections

Some 4★s are still CC-viable — Myrtle alone can change your early game flow.

C. Rarity Tiers

4★s are your stepping stones — easy to max and promote, they fill gaps until you pull premium operators.

D. Star Progression

Promotion unlocks unique talents, often making 4★s feel like pseudo-5★s.

E. Value

Don’t underestimate these; Myrtle is literally irreplaceable even in endgame comps.

VII. Class Tier List Overview

A. Overview

Classes determine an operator’s battlefield role and synergy potential.

B. Explanation

Each map favors different classes — understanding this helps you build balanced teams.

C. Importance

A meta team usually includes:

• 2 Vanguards

• 2 Guards or Snipers

• 1 Caster

• 1 Defender

• 1 Supporter/Medic

D. Role Specialization

Each class has subtypes with unique strengths — e.g., AoE Casters vs Chain Casters, or Healing Defenders vs Normal Defenders.

E. Selection Strategy

Prioritize class diversity before maxing duplicates.

VIII. Caster and Guard Classes

A. Caster Tier List

Top Casters:

• Eyjafjalla (S)

• Ifrit (A+)

• Ceobe (A)

• Amiya (B+)

B. Overview

Casters provide ranged magic damage — crucial for high-DEF enemies.

C. Guard Tier List

• Surtr (S+)

• Thorns (S)

• SilverAsh (S)

• Blaze (A+)

• Specter the Unchained (A)

D. Mechanics

Guards dominate melee lanes; their versatility keeps them meta-proof.

E. Damage Role

Most of your main DPS will come from these classes.

IX. Defender and Medic Classes

A. Defender Tier List

• Saria (S+)

• Mudrock (S)

• Hoshiguma (A)

• Nearl (B+)

B. Overview

Defenders now come in multiple flavors — some heal (Saria), some self-sustain (Mudrock).

C. Medic Tier List

• Nightingale (S)

• Ptilopsis (A+)

• Gavial (A)

D. Mechanics

Medics keep your team alive during chip-heavy fights. Ptilopsis’s SP regen aura remains invaluable.

E. Role

Tank + healer balance defines stable team cores.

X. Sniper and Supporter Classes

A. Sniper Tier List

• Exusiai (S)

• Archetto (A+)

• Ash (Rainbow Six) (A)

B. Overview

Snipers excel at early-game control and wave clearing.

C. Supporter Tier List

• Angelina (S)

• Suzuran (S)

• Pramanix (A)

D. Overview

Supporters slow enemies, buff allies, and debuff armor — vital utility roles.

E. Range

Their large map coverage makes them essential for hybrid strategies.

XI. Vanguard and Specialist Classes

A. Vanguard Tier List

• Bagpipe (S+)

• Myrtle (S)

• Saileach (A)

• Texas (A)

B. Overview

Vanguards handle deployment cost efficiency — Bagpipe’s skill 2 ensures quick starts.

C. Specialist Tier List

• Projekt Red (A)

• Weedy (A)

• Phantom (A+)

• Gravel (B+)

D. Mechanics

Specialists offer niche skills like push/pull, burst assassination, and deployment tricks.

E. Utility

Still essential in challenge modes and limited deployment missions.

XII–XIX. Spotlight Operator Guides

Eyjafjalla & Ifrit

• Eyjafjalla remains queen of AOE; her S3 melts mobs and bosses alike.

• Ifrit’s straight-line damage still dominates corridor maps.

Surtr & SilverAsh

• Surtr = delete button. No boss survives her S3.

• SilverAsh’s Truesilver Slash continues to be one of the most iconic bursts in the game.

Mostima & Blaze

• Mostima excels in control-heavy stages with slow/stun synergy.

• Blaze = crowd-clearing machine for melee choke points.

Bagpipe & Thorns

• Bagpipe defines early deployment; S3 starts fights strong.

• Thorns offers effortless sustained DPS with infinite uptime.

Angelina & Hoshiguma

• Angelina is a must-have hybrid support/DPS.

• Hoshiguma tanks like a champ and remains solid for defensive lanes.

Mudrock & Nightingale

• Mudrock is an unkillable wall with her shield mechanic.

• Nightingale’s magic damage negation remains invaluable in endgame CC.

Exusiai & Liskarm

• Exusiai – insane multi-hit potential.

• Liskarm – charge battery for your team with SP sharing.

Saria & Greyy

• Saria provides unmatched sustain and crowd control.

• Greyy is a strong budget slow caster, great for early IS progress.

XX. Operator Comparison and Selection

A. Overview

Choosing between meta operators depends on your playstyle. Burst lovers go Surtr or SilverAsh, sustain fans go Thorns or Saria.

B. Strengths & Weaknesses

C. Role Matchups

Pair burst with sustain. For example: Surtr + Saria + Angelina — pure synergy.

D. Criteria

Focus first on universal usefulness; avoid hyper-investing in niche specialists early.

E. Recommendations

New players: build Myrtle, Bagpipe, Saria, Thorns, Exusiai.
Veterans: expand into supports like Suzuran or Ling for flexibility.

XXI. Recruitment and Banner Strategy

A. Recruitment Overview

Recruitment offers free operators daily. Tag combinations can yield 4★ or 5★ units. Always lock in Senior Operator tags.

B. Mechanics

Use recruitment calculators to maximize efficiency — “Vanguard + Healing” might give Nearl or Courier.

C. Guaranteed Banners

Every new account gets a guaranteed 6★ in the first 10 pulls — perfect for scoring Bagpipe or Exusiai.

D. Banner Mechanics

Event banners rotate roughly every two weeks. Limited units (like Ch’en Holungday) rerun seasonally.

E. Pull Strategy

Save your Orundum for limited banners or S-tier operators; don’t scatter resources across minor reruns.

Arknights is one of those rare games where strategy trumps rarity. Sure, 6★ units dominate headlines, but a well-built 4★ or 5★ team can still clear high-end content with smart play.

In 2025, the meta remains balanced — Surtr, Saria, and Thorns still reign supreme, but new modules, event stages, and relic modes continue to shake things up. The real fun lies in experimentation: maybe pairing Eyjafjalla with Suzuran for crazy DPS uptime, or building a Myrtle–Bagpipe–Texas trio for instant map control.

Whatever your strategy, the key takeaway is this: build smart, not just meta. Every operator has value if you learn how to maximize their strengths.

So, Doctor, it’s time to deploy your favorites and climb that next operation. After all — there’s no single “right” tier list in Arknights, just the one that fits your playstyle best.