Story Mode Tier List

Best units for clearing Story Mode efficiently. Rankings based on clear speed, versatility, and cost efficiency.

Data Source:Community testing, Balancer Bakumiti analysis, YouTuber guides|Updated: Dec 2025

S Tier - Meta

Best units for Story Mode - Fast clear, high efficiency

Sun Jin Wu

Main DPS / Hybrid

Summons deal extreme damage, can solo Frostbite Dragon Shield. Hybrid attack (Air+Ground), High Range, Cost Efficient.

Trait: Ruler (0.1%) or Sacred (0.3%)

Current #1 unit in the game. Summon mechanic is extremely overpowered.

Berserker (Kenpachi)

Main DPS / Debuffer

Full AoE, Hybrid attack. Slow enemies, Vulnerability (+15% damage taken), Hyper Armor Damage for boss shields.

Trait: Ruler (0.1%) or Sacred (0.3%)

Game #2 overall. Perfect "all-in-one package" - damage, debuff, and control.

Ace (Spade)

AoE DPS / Burn

Full Screen AoE, Burn damage, Hyper Armor bypass. 3 Placement limit. Cheap to place.

Trait: Ruler (0.1%) or Wizard (DoT)

Easier to reach E6 than Scarlet Maid. Great cost efficiency for story clearing.

A Tier - Strong

Strong picks that perform well in most story maps

Kyito

Crit DPS

Crit-based damage dealer. Only needs Duelist trait (0.8%) to be effective, not Ruler.

Trait: Duelist (0.8%)

Low investment for high returns. Better saved for Virtual Realm but works in Story too.

Sasuke

DPS / Control

Has Stun control skill. Black Burn (Amaterasu) deals high damage. Can dodge boss attacks.

Trait: Damage-related traits

Better than Shanks due to utility. Good for boss waves.

Ragna

Burst DPS

Extremely high theoretical DPS, possibly highest in game. Self-delete mechanic after burst.

Trait: Ruler (0.1%)

High risk high reward. Slow startup, but devastating when fully ramped.

Sakuya

Support / Hybrid

Time Stop - one of the most useful control abilities. Becomes Hybrid after upgrade.

Trait: Cooldown-related

Underrated unit. Perfect sub-DPS with consistent output.

B Tier - Viable

Viable options, good for specific situations

Scarlet Maid

DPS / Debuffer

1 Placement limit. Enemies take +40% damage but move faster. Hybrid attack.

Trait: Ruler (0.1%) - Required

High ceiling but requires 0.1% trait. Without Ruler, not worth investing.

Shanks

Hybrid DPS

Worse version of Berserker. Hybrid attack, decent damage.

Trait: Damage-related

Use if you don't have Berserker. No unique advantage.

Cyborg Fearless (Genos)

Scaling DPS

Infinite scaling through self-stun. Burn effect. Every 5 waves, stunned for 1 wave.

Trait: Damage or DoT

Stun mechanic hurts late-game output. Free upgrade compensation is useless when maxed.

Law

Support / Boss Killer

Room ability teleports enemies back. Excellent for boss control.

Trait: Range or Cooldown

Must-have for boss stages. Battle Pass unit (Lv 50 reward).

C Tier - Starter

Early game / Starter units

Rogue Oni

Starter DPS

Basic damage dealer. Good for early game progression.

Trait: Any

Starter unit only. Replace as soon as you get better units.

Footballer

Starter

Battle Pass Lv 25 reward. Basic kit.

Trait: None

DO NOT invest resources. Extremely weak, waste of materials.

Obito

Starter / AoE

Decent AoE for early clearing. Shiny version is better.

Trait: Any

Good early game unit. Outscaled by Mythics later.

Support Units

Essential support units for any Story Mode team

Virtual Idol (Miku)

#1 Buffer

Best Buff unit in the game. Reduces ally upgrade cost or increases stats.

Trait: Range or Cooldown

MUST HAVE. Etherealize for better buff potency. Use Buff Potency relic (+27%).

Speedwagon (Fast Cart)

Economy

Only money-generating unit. ~6,000 gold per wave when maxed. 2 upgrades to max.

Trait: Fortunate (Required)

MUST HAVE. Etherealize for "More Money" passive. Without this, you can't afford upgrades.

Admiral

Boss Support

Useful for Featured Challenge and boss fights.

Trait: Cooldown

#2 Support. Bring for boss-heavy maps.

Recommended Team Composition

Most balanced and versatile team for Story Mode

Speedwagon

Economy

Required. Get money first.

Sun Jin Wu

Main DPS

Use summons to clear high-pressure waves.

Berserker

Debuff / DPS

Armor break + Vulnerability for boss.

Virtual Idol

Buffer

Buff the whole team.

Ace

Sub DPS

Full screen AoE for mob clear.

Flex

Situational

Admiral for boss, Kyito for more DPS.

Story Mode Tips

• Set difficulty to 75% for balanced rewards and clear speed
• With Ace or Kenpachi, try 1000% difficulty for ~400 gems per act
• Always place Speedwagon first - economy is crucial
• Clear Act 1-6, then Marine Base, then Hollowed Moon
• For Hollowed Moon, you need Flyer Capable Units (Hybrid attackers)
• Grind Story Act 1 for fast takedowns (unit evolution requirement)

Infinite Mode Tier List Virtual Realm Tier List