Arknights Tier List (October 2025) Best Operators

Our comprehensive Arknights tier list ranks all operators by class to help you build the ultimate team. Based on analysis of top gaming sources and community consensus, this guide reveals the strongest characters for every role in October 2025. Whether you're a new Doctor or veteran commander, you'll find exactly which operators deserve your resources and promotion priority.

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Quick Reference: Top Operators by Class

Class	S-Tier Operators	Key Strength
Vanguard	Bagpipe, Elysium, Muelsyse	DP generation, team support
Guard	SilverAsh, Surtr, Mlynar	High DPS, versatile combat
Defender	Saria, Horn, Mudrock	Tanking, healing, utility
Caster	Eyjafjalla, Goldenglow, Logos	Magic damage, AoE devastation
Medic	Kal'tsit, Nightingale, Shining	Healing, support, survivability
Sniper	Exusiai, Rosmontis, Ch'en the Holungday	Ranged DPS, anti-air
Specialist	Texas the Omertosa, Phantom, Gladiia	Crowd control, utility
Supporter	Angelina, Ling, Suzuran	Buffs, debuffs, summons

Understanding Our Ranking Methodology

Our Arknights tier list combines data from Pocket Tactics, Dexerto, GameWith, and community voting on TierMaker to provide the most accurate rankings possible. We evaluate operators based on:

• Overall kit effectiveness and versatility across different game modes
• Synergy potential with other operators and team compositions
• Resource efficiency considering promotion costs and return on investment
• Meta relevance for current game content and challenge modes
• Unique utility that can't be easily replaced by other operators

Operators are ranked from S (essential, game-changing) to D (situational at best), with special attention paid to how they perform in their specific class roles.

Complete Arknights Tier List by Class 2025

Vanguard Tier List

Vanguards are your early-game DP generators and crucial for establishing board presence. The best vanguards not only generate DP efficiently but provide additional utility that makes them valuable even in the late game.

S-Tier Vanguards

• Bagpipe: The gold standard for vanguards. Refunds full DP when retreated, increases initial SP gain for all vanguards, and provides substantial team utility. Essential for many high-end strategies.
• Elysium: Fast DP generator who synergizes perfectly with Bagpipe and Myrtle. Lowers DP cost for snipers and increases their ASPD while debuffing surrounding enemies.
• Muelsyse: Versatile vanguard with incredible utility. Her drone deployment provides flexible battlefield control and she maintains relevance throughout entire missions.
• Cantabile: Excellent DP generation with the added benefit of arts damage and crowd control capabilities. Fits well in both standard and specialized team compositions.
• Ines: Powerful offensive vanguard who can hold her own in combat while generating DP. Her skills provide significant burst damage potential.
• Saileach: Outstanding support vanguard who heals allies while generating DP. Perfect for sustain-focused team compositions.

A-Tier Vanguards

• Siege: Reliable DP generator with solid combat capabilities. Less utility than S-tier options but consistently effective.
• Fang the Fire-Sharpened: Good balance of DP generation and combat effectiveness. Her fire attacks provide additional utility against certain enemy types.
• Flametail: Fast redeployment capabilities make her useful for specific map layouts and emergency situations.
• Myrtle: Excellent when combined with Bagpipe. Provides healing to other vanguards and generates DP efficiently.
• Saga: Strong offensive capabilities with good DP generation. Particularly effective in certain challenge modes.
• Surfer: Versatile with good damage output and reliable DP generation.
• Vulpisfoglia: Unique mechanics that can be devastating in the right compositions, though requires more strategic planning.

B-Tier Vanguards

• Beanstalk: Decent DP generation but lacks the utility of higher-tier options.
• Chilchuck: Situational effectiveness, can be useful in specific team compositions but generally outclassed.
• Mitm: Adequate performance but doesn't excel in any particular area.
• Poncirus: Limited utility compared to top-tier vanguards.
• Puzzle: Niche applications but generally not worth investing in heavily.
• Reed: Fast redeployment is useful but overall performance is average.
• Texas: Classic vanguard with reliable performance but power-crept by newer options.
• Vigil: Solid but unremarkable performance across most scenarios.
• Vigna: Good damage output but DP generation is less efficient than top options.
• Wanqing: Situational effectiveness with limited overall utility.
• Zima: Adequate but generally outperformed by other vanguards.

C-Tier Vanguards

• Chiave: Limited effectiveness and easily replaced by better options.
• Courier: Below-average DP generation and minimal utility.
• Fang: Basic vanguard with no standout features.
• Grani: Fast redeployment is her only notable feature.
• Kestrel: Poor performance across most metrics.
• Plume: Limited utility and weak combat capabilities.
• Scavenger: Outdated and power-crept by newer vanguards.
• Vanilla: Minimal impact on battles.
• Wild Mane: Situational at best with poor overall performance.
• Yato: Fast redeployment but otherwise ineffective.

Guard Tier List

Guards are your primary damage dealers and frontline fighters. The best guards combine high DPS with survivability and utility that makes them essential for clearing difficult content.

S-Tier Guards

• SilverAsh: The undisputed king of guards. Can perform ranged attacks, has devastating damage output with his third skill, and provides incredible value despite high promotion costs.
• Surtr: Absolutely devastating damage output with incredible survivability. Her third skill can wipe out entire waves of enemies and she excels in both boss fights and crowd control.
• Mlynar: Currently the best guard in the game, especially after his module upgrades. Provides incredible burst damage with excellent crowd control capabilities.
• Degenbrecher: Outstanding burst damage with valuable crowd control that allows her to pull enemies. Versatile and effective in almost any situation.
• Blaze: Excellent AoE damage capabilities that make her perfect for clearing groups of enemies. Maintains effectiveness throughout entire missions.
• Chongyue: Powerful damage dealer with unique mechanics that make him valuable in specialized team compositions.
• Executor the Ex Foedere: High damage output with excellent utility against specific enemy types.
• Gavial the Invincible: Incredible sustain combined with strong damage output. Perfect for prolonged battles.
• Hellagur: Excellent lifesteal capabilities make him nearly unstoppable in extended fights.
• La Pluma: Versatile damage dealer with good mobility and utility.
• Mountain: Tanky guard with impressive damage output and survivability.
• Nearl the Radiant Knight: Excellent balance of offense and defense with valuable team utility.
• Qiubai: Unique mechanics that can be devastating in the right hands.
• Rathalos S Noir: High damage output with excellent crowd control capabilities.
• Specter: Powerful AoE damage with good survivability and utility.
• Thorns: Versatile guard who can perform ranged attacks and provide valuable utility.
• Vina Victoria: Excellent damage output with unique mechanics that make her valuable in specific situations.
• Zuo Le: Powerful damage dealer with excellent utility against certain enemy types.

A-Tier Guards

• Akafuyu: Good damage output with useful utility abilities.
• Amiya (Guard): Versatile but generally outperformed by dedicated guards.
• Bibeak: Solid performance with good damage output.
• Broca: Reliable damage dealer with consistent performance.
• Ch'en: High damage output with excellent utility, though requires careful positioning.
• Cutter: Good balance of offense and defense.
• Doc: Useful utility but damage output is average.
• Flint: Fast attacker with good damage potential.
• Highmore: Solid performance across most scenarios.
• Hoederer: Good sustain capabilities with decent damage output.
• Irene: Useful utility abilities with adequate damage.
• Lappland: Versatile with good damage output and utility.
• Lessing: Reliable performance with consistent damage output.
• Odda: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Pallas: Solid guard with good damage output.
• Pepe: Fast attacker with good damage potential.
• Skadi: Excellent damage output with good survivability.
• Tachanka: High damage output with unique utility.
• Tequila: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Ulpianus: Solid performance with good damage output.
• Utage: Excellent lifesteal capabilities make her valuable in extended fights.
• Whislash: Good damage output with unique utility.
• Wind Chimes: Versatile with good damage output.

B-Tier Guards

• Arene: Average performance with limited utility.
• Astesia: Arts damage is useful but overall performance is mediocre.
• Ayerscarpe: Situational effectiveness with limited overall utility.
• Beehunter: Limited effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Conviction: Below-average performance across most metrics.
• Dagda: Minimal impact on battles.
• Estelle: Tanky but damage output is lacking.
• Flamebringer: Good sustain but damage output is average.
• Franka: Reliable but unremarkable performance.
• Fuze: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Humus: Below-average performance across most scenarios.
• Indra: Fast attacker but overall effectiveness is limited.
• Jackie: Minimal impact on battles.
• Laios: Average performance with no standout features.
• Leto: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Luo Xiaohei: Unique mechanics but generally ineffective.
• Matoimaru: Tanky but damage output is lacking.
• Melantha: Basic guard with no standout features.
• Midnight: Below-average performance across most metrics.
• Mousse: Arts damage is useful but overall performance is poor.
• Savage: Average performance with limited utility.
• Sideroca: Arts damage is situational at best.

C-Tier Guards

• Bryophyta: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Castle-3: Poor performance across all metrics.
• Dobermann: Outdated and power-crept by newer guards.
• Frostleaf: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Morgan: Minimal impact on battles.
• Popukar: Poor performance across most scenarios.
• Quartz: Situational effectiveness at best.

Defender Tier List

Defenders are your frontline tanks who block enemies and absorb damage. The best defenders provide additional utility like healing, crowd control, or damage output that makes them valuable beyond just being damage sponges.

S-Tier Defenders

• Saria: The ultimate defender with excellent healing capabilities. She can restore ally SP, provide single-target and AoE healing, and apply debuffs + healing simultaneously. Incredibly versatile and essential for many strategies.
• Horn: Outstanding damage output for a defender combined with excellent tanking capabilities. Can hold her own against even the toughest enemies while dealing significant damage.
• Mudrock: Incredible survivability with good damage output. Her unique mechanics make her nearly unstoppable in prolonged battles.
• Shu: Provides burst healing to allies while reducing incoming damage and disrupting enemy movement with teleportation. Incredibly valuable utility that makes her essential for many team compositions.
• Jessica the Liberated: Excellent balance of tanking and damage output with useful utility abilities.
• Penance: Outstanding defender with excellent utility and crowd control capabilities.
• Yu: Versatile defender with good damage output and useful utility.

A-Tier Defenders

• Blemishine: Good balance of offense and defense with valuable healing utility.
• Eunectes: Excellent damage output for a defender with good tanking capabilities.
• Hoshiguma: Solid defender with good damage output and useful utility.
• Liskarm: Reliable defender with good damage output and utility.
• Nian: Excellent tank with good damage output and valuable utility.
• Aurora: Good defender with useful utility abilities.
• Blitz: Solid performance with good damage output.
• Bubble: Excellent utility with good tanking capabilities.
• Cement: Reliable defender with good crowd control.
• Cuora: Basic but effective defender with good tanking capabilities.
• Czerny: Good defender with useful utility.
• Gummy: Healing utility makes her valuable for sustain-focused teams.
• Shalem: Solid defender with good damage output.

B-Tier Defenders

• Asbestos: Arts damage is useful but overall performance is average.
• Ashlock: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Bassline: Minimal impact on battles.
• Beagle: Basic defender with no standout features.
• Bison: Average performance with limited utility.
• Cardigan: Reliable but unremarkable performance.
• Croissant: Solid defender but easily replaced by better options.
• Dur-nar: Arts damage is situational at best.
• Firewhistle: Below-average performance across most metrics.
• Heavyrain: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Hung: Healing utility is useful but overall performance is poor.
• Matterhorn: Tanky but damage output is lacking.
• Nearl: Good defender but generally outperformed by S-tier options.
• Philae: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Senshi: Below-average performance across most scenarios.
• Spot: Healing utility is useful but overall performance is average.
• Underflow: Minimal impact on battles.
• Vulcan: Self-healing is useful but overall performance is mediocre.

C-Tier Defenders

• Friston-3: Poor performance across all metrics.
• Lutonada: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Noir Corne: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.

Caster Tier List

Casters specialize in magic damage and are essential for dealing with high-RES enemies and providing AoE devastation. The best casters combine high damage output with utility that makes them valuable in various situations.

S-Tier Casters

• Eyjafjalla: The ultimate caster with incredible damage output and utility. Increases damage of all casters and can devastate anything with her second skill. Her third skill is superb and damaging, making her essential for many strategies.
• Goldenglow: Outstanding damage output with excellent utility. Her unique mechanics make her valuable in specialized team compositions.
• Lappland the Decadenza: Versatile caster with good damage output and useful utility against specific enemy types.
• Logos: Well-rounded caster with extra damage capabilities and plethora of buffs/debuffs. Easily belongs in S-tier due to his versatility and effectiveness.
• Nymph: Excellent damage output with unique utility that makes her valuable in specific situations.
• Necrass: Powerful damage dealer with excellent utility against certain enemy types.

A-Tier Casters

• Blaze the Igniting Spark: Good damage output with useful utility abilities.
• Carnelian: Reliable caster with good damage output.
• Ceobe: Solid single-target damage dealer with consistent performance.
• Ebenholz: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Ho'olheyak: Versatile caster with good damage output and utility.
• Ifrit: Excellent AoE damage capabilities that can hit up to 5 tiles in front of her. Can burst down enemies with her second skill and debuff them, though limited by map layout.
• Kjera: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Leonhardt: Excellent AoE damage capabilities with good utility.
• Lin: Solid caster with good damage output.
• Marcille: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Mostima: Excellent AoE damage capabilities with good utility.
• Passenger: Versatile caster with good damage output.

B-Tier Casters

• Absinthe: Average performance with limited utility.
• Amiya: Versatile but generally outperformed by dedicated casters.
• Astgenne: Situational effectiveness with limited overall utility.
• Beeswax: AoE damage is useful but overall performance is average.
• Click: Below-average performance across most metrics.
• Corroserum: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Delphine: Poor performance across most scenarios.
• Diamante: Minimal impact on battles.
• Dusk: Situational effectiveness at best.
• Gitano: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Greyy: Basic caster with no standout features.
• Harmonie: Average performance with limited utility.
• Haze: Damage over time is useful but overall performance is mediocre.
• Indigo: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Iris: Below-average performance across most scenarios.
• Kjera: Good damage output but generally outperformed by better options.
• Lava the Purgatory: Good damage output but limited utility.
• Leizi: Arts damage is useful but overall performance is average.
• Minimalist: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Mint: Below-average performance across most metrics.
• Pudding: Poor performance across all metrics.
• Qanipalaat: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Rockrock: Minimal impact on battles.
• Santalla: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Skyfire: AoE damage is useful but overall performance is average.
• Tecno: Newer operator with situational effectiveness.
• Tomimi: Healing utility is useful but overall performance is poor.
• Warmy: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.

C-Tier Casters

• 12F: Poor performance across all metrics.
• Aroma: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Durin: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Nightmare: Situational effectiveness at best.
• Steward: Basic caster with no standout features.

Medic Tier List

Medics are essential for keeping your operators alive and providing sustain throughout battles. The best medics combine powerful healing with additional utility that makes them valuable beyond just restoring HP.

S-Tier Medics

• Kal'tsit: The ultimate medic with Mon3tr providing incredible utility. Offers excellent healing with versatile applications and battlefield control.
• Nightingale: Outstanding AoE healing capabilities with excellent utility. Her RES buff makes her essential for dealing with arts damage enemies.
• Reed the Flame Shadow: Excellent healing capabilities with good damage output and utility.
• Eyjafjalla the Hvit Aska: Versatile healer with excellent range who can cleanse elemental damage from allies. Brings incredible utility that can clutch difficult situations.
• Shining: Excellent single-target healer with good utility and RES buff capabilities.
• Warfarin: Great single-target healer who provides ATK buffs to allies, making her valuable for damage-focused teams.

A-Tier Medics

• Amiya (Medic): Versatile but generally outperformed by dedicated medics.
• Lumen: Good healing capabilities with useful utility.
• Perfumer: Excellent AoE healing with good utility.
• Ptilopsis: Great AoE healer with good utility and SP restoration.
• Rose Salt: Good healing capabilities with useful utility.
• Honeyberry: Solid healer with good utility.
• Mulberry: Good healing capabilities with useful utility.
• Papyrus: Good healer with useful utility.
• Silence: Good healing capabilities with useful utility.

B-Tier Medics

• Breeze: Basic healer with no standout features.
• Ceylon: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Chestnut: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Folinic: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Gavial: Below-average performance across most metrics.
• Harold: Poor performance across most scenarios.
• Hibiscus the Purifier: Healing utility is useful but overall performance is average.
• Myrrh: Minimal impact on battles.
• Paprika: Situational effectiveness at best.
• Purestream: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Sussurro: Average performance with limited utility.
• Tuye: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Vendela: Poor performance across all metrics.
• Whisperain: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.

C-Tier Medics

• Ansel: Basic healer with no standout features.
• Hibiscus: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Lancet-2: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.

Sniper Tier List

Snipers specialize in long-range physical damage and are essential for dealing with aerial enemies and providing consistent DPS. The best snipers combine high damage output with utility that makes them valuable in various situations.

S-Tier Snipers

• Exusiai: One of the highest DPS snipers in the game who prioritizes aerial enemies first. Her consistent damage output makes her essential for many strategies.
• Ch'en the Holungday: Outstanding damage output with excellent utility and versatility.
• Pozemka: Excellent damage output with unique utility that makes her valuable in specific situations.
• Ray: Powerful damage dealer with excellent utility against certain enemy types.
• Rosmontis: Excellent AoE damage capabilities with good utility.
• Typhon: Versatile sniper with good damage output and utility.
• Wiš'adel: Incredible turret-based AoE attacks that can delete multiple enemies and stun them. Essential for crowd control.
• Narantuya: Excellent damage output with useful utility.
• Poca: Good damage output with unique utility.

A-Tier Snipers

• Fiametta: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Kroos the Keen Glint: Solid sniper with good damage output.
• Pinecone: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Platinum: Excellent anti-air capabilities with burst attack potential.
• Schwartz: Good damage output with useful utility.
• W: Excellent AoE damage capabilities with good utility.
• Toddifons: Good damage output with useful utility.

B-Tier Snipers

• Adnachiel: Basic sniper with no standout features.
• Ambriel: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Andreana: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• April: Average performance with limited utility.
• Archetto: Good damage output but generally outperformed by better options.
• Ash: Below-average performance across most metrics.
• Blue Poison: Damage over time is useful but overall performance is average.
• Brigid: Minimal impact on battles.
• Caper: Situational effectiveness at best.
• Coldshot: Poor performance across most scenarios.
• Erato: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Executor: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Fartooth: Long-range specialist with situational effectiveness.
• Firewatch: Good damage output but limited utility.
• GreyThroat: Basic sniper with no standout features.
• Greyy the Lightningbearer: Below-average performance across most metrics.
• Insider: Minimal impact on battles.
• Jessica: Basic sniper with no standout features.
• Jieyun: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Kroos: Basic sniper with no standout features.
• Lunacub: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• May: Average performance with limited utility.
• Meteor: Basic sniper with no standout features.
• Meteorite: AoE damage is useful but overall performance is average.
• Provence: Good damage output but generally outperformed by better options.
• Sesa: Good damage output but limited utility.
• Shirayuki: AoE damage is useful but overall performance is average.
• Totter: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.

C-Tier Snipers

• Aciddrop: Poor performance across all metrics.
• Aosta: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Catapult: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Justice Knight: Poor performance across most scenarios.
• Melanite: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Rangers: Basic sniper with no standout features.
• Terra Research Commission: Situational effectiveness at best.
• Vermeil: Minimal impact on battles.

Specialist Tier List

Specialists are experts at disabling or applying debuffs to enemies, with unique utilities that make them valuable for specific situations. The best specialists provide game-changing crowd control and utility that can turn the tide of battle.

S-Tier Specialists

• Texas the Omertosa: The ultimate specialist with incredible versatility. Fast redeployment, low DP cost, stun capabilities, and burst damage make her valuable in almost any situation.
• Phantom: Excellent fast redeployment specialist with incredible utility and battlefield control.
• Gladiia: Outstanding specialist with excellent damage output and utility.
• Ascalon: Excellent damage output with useful utility.
• Ela: Versatile specialist with good damage output and utility.
• Kirin R Yato: Good damage output with unique utility.
• Lee: Excellent specialist with good damage output and utility.
• Specter the Unchained: Powerful damage dealer with excellent utility.
• Thorns the Lodestar: Versatile specialist with good damage output and utility.
• Weedy: Excellent shift (push) specialist with incredible utility.

A-Tier Specialists

• Aak: Good support specialist with useful utility.
• Cliffheart: Excellent shift (pull) specialist with good utility.
• Crownslayer: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Dorothy: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Enforcer: Below-average performance but useful in specific situations.
• FEater: Good shift (push) specialist with useful utility.
• Figurino: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Frost: Good utility with decent damage output.
• Gravel: Excellent fast redeployment specialist with good utility.
• Jaye: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Kafka: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Kazemaru: Below-average performance but useful in specific situations.
• Manticore: Excellent stealth specialist with good utility.
• Mizuki: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Mr. Nothing: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Robin: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Shaw: Good shift (push) specialist with useful utility.
• Swire the Elegant Wit: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Tin Man: Below-average performance but useful in specific situations.

B-Tier Specialists

• Almond: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Bena: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Iana: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Projekt Red: Good fast redeployment specialist but generally outperformed by better options.
• Rope: Below-average shift (pull) specialist with limited utility.
• Snowsant: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Waai Fu: Below-average performance with limited utility.

C-Tier Specialists

• Kirara: Poor performance across all metrics.
• Spuria: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• THRM-EX: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Verdant: Poor performance across most scenarios.

Supporter Tier List

Supporters provide buffs, debuffs, and summoning utility that can dramatically enhance your team's effectiveness. The best supporters offer game-changing utility that makes them essential for many strategies.

S-Tier Supporters

• Angelina: The ultimate supporter with incredible versatility. Increases allies' ASPD with her talent, passively heals allies, and provides excellent debuff capabilities.
• Ling: Outstanding supporter with excellent summoning utility and battlefield control.
• Skadi the Corrupting Heart: Excellent supporter with good damage output and utility.
• Suzuran: Excellent debuff capabilities with good utility.
• Virtuosa: Good damage output with unique utility.
• Gnosis: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Magallan: Excellent summoning specialist with good utility.
• Coldshot: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Valarqvin: Good damage output with unique utility.

A-Tier Supporters

• Civilight Eterna: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Glaucus: Good slow capabilities with useful utility against flying units.
• Grain Buds: Below-average performance but useful in specific situations.
• Mayer: Good summoning specialist with useful utility.
• Pramanix: Good debuff capabilities with useful utility.
• Proviso: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Quercus: Below-average performance but useful in specific situations.
• Roberta: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Sand Reckoner: Good utility with decent damage output.
• Scene: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Shamare: Good debuff capabilities with useful utility.
• Silence the Paradigmatic: Good damage output with useful utility.
• Stainless: Below-average performance but useful in specific situations.

B-Tier Supporters

• Catherine: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• Contrail: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Deepcolor: Situational effectiveness with limited utility.
• Heidi: Below-average performance across most metrics.
• Istina: Good slow capabilities but generally outperformed by better options.
• Lucilla: Minimal impact on battles.
• Podenco: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Sora: Good support and healing utility but overall performance is average.
• Windflit: Situational effectiveness at best.

C-Tier Supporters

• Earthspirit: Poor performance across all metrics.
• Nine-Colored Deer: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• Orchid: Minimal effectiveness and easily replaced.
• PhonoR-0: Poor performance across most scenarios.
• Tsukinogi: Below-average performance with limited utility.
• U-Official: Minimal impact on battles.

D-Tier Supporters

• Nine-Colored Deer: Poor performance across all metrics with minimal utility.

Meta Analysis and Current Trends October 2025

The current Arknights meta in October 2025 favors versatile operators who can perform multiple roles effectively. Based on our analysis of top sources and community consensus, several key trends have emerged:

Rising Stars

• Mlynar has emerged as arguably the best guard in the game after recent module upgrades, offering incredible burst damage and crowd control
• Thorns the Lodestar continues to be highly valued for his versatility and effectiveness in multiple game modes
• Texas the Omertosa remains essential for her unparalleled utility and fast redeployment capabilities

Meta Shifts

• DP generation specialists like Bagpipe and Elysium are becoming increasingly important for high-end content
• Arts damage dealers are gaining prominence due to new enemy types with high physical resistance
• Crowd control specialists are more valuable than ever for dealing with overwhelming enemy numbers

N but Essential Operators

Some operators may not be S-tier but are essential for specific content:

• SilverAsh remains crucial for many high-damage strategies despite being power-crept in some areas
• Eyjafjalla is indispensable for arts damage and elemental damage cleansing
• Kal'tsit with Mon3tr provides unique battlefield control that can't be replicated

Building Your Dream Team: Pro Tips and Strategies

Early Game Priority (Promotion Levels 1-30)

• Focus on DP generation: Bagpipe and Elysium should be your first promotion priorities
• Build versatile guards: SilverAsh or Surtr will carry you through early and mid-game content
• Invest in reliable healing: Kal'tsit or Nightingale will keep your team alive
• Don't neglect snipers: Exusiai or Ch'en the Holungday provide essential ranged DPS

Mid Game Strategy (Promotion Levels 30-60)

• Specialize your team: Start building operators for specific roles and content types
• Invest in crowd control: Texas the Omertosa and Phantom become increasingly valuable
• Balance your roster: Ensure you have strong options for each class
• Plan for endgame: Start saving resources for S-tier operators you'll need later

End Game Optimization (Promotion Levels 60+)

• Maximize synergy: Build teams around specific operator combinations and strategies
• Invest in modules: Module upgrades can dramatically change operator effectiveness
• Master advanced mechanics: Learn to use operator abilities in combination for maximum effect
• Adapt to content: Different game modes require different team compositions and strategies

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-investing in low-tier operators: Save your resources for S and A-tier operators who will remain relevant
• Neglecting DP generation: Many players fail to realize how crucial fast DP generation is for success
• Ignoring operator synergy: The best teams are built around operators who complement each other
• Spreading resources too thin: It's better to have a few fully upgraded operators than many partially upgraded ones
• Forgetting about utility: Damage isn't everything - operators who provide healing, buffs, or crowd control are often more valuable

Community Resources and Official Channels

Official Resources

• Official Arknights Website: https://arknights.global/ - The primary source for game news, updates, and events
• Official Twitter: @ArknightsEN - Real-time updates, announcements, and community engagement
• Official Discord: Arknights Official Discord - Developer Q&A, community discussions, and support

Community Resources

• Arknights Reddit: r/arknights - Active community with guides, discussions, and tier list debates
• Arknights TierMaker: Community Tier Lists - Community-voted operator rankings and meta analysis
• GameWith Arknights: Operator Guides - Detailed operator analysis and strategy guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How often is this Arknights tier list updated?

This tier list is updated monthly to reflect new operator releases, balance changes, and meta shifts. We continuously monitor community feedback and official patch notes to ensure our rankings remain accurate for October 2025.

Should I only use S-tier operators?

While S-tier operators are generally the strongest, team composition and synergy are more important than individual operator tiers. Some A and B-tier operators may be better suited for specific situations or team compositions.

What's the best way to get new operators?

The most reliable methods are:

• Headhunting (gacha pulls) during rate-up banners for desired operators
• Recruitment tags for specific operator classes and rarities
• Shop exchanges using certificates and currency
• Event rewards for limited-time operators

How do I know which operators to promote first?

Prioritize operators based on:

• Versatility - Operators who work well in multiple situations
• Team synergy - Operators who complement your existing roster
• Content needs - Operators who help you clear current challenging content
• Long-term value - Operators who remain relevant in endgame content

Are 6-star operators always better than lower rarity ones?

While 6-star operators generally have higher potential, many 4 and 5-star operators are extremely valuable due to their lower deployment costs, easier promotion requirements, and specific utility that can't be found in 6-star alternatives.

What's the difference between Global and CN server operators?

The Global server typically receives new operators 3-6 months after the Chinese server. Our tier list focuses on Global server availability but includes CN server operators when they're confirmed for upcoming Global releases.

How important are operator modules?

Modules can dramatically change an operator's effectiveness and even shift their tier placement. Some operators jump entire tiers after receiving their modules, making them worth investing in for long-term players.

What's the best team composition for beginners?

A balanced beginner team should include:

• 1-2 Vanguards for DP generation (Bagpipe, Elysium)
• 1-2 Guards for damage (SilverAsh, Surtr)
• 1 Defender for tanking (Saria, Horn)
• 1-2 Snipers for ranged DPS (Exusiai, Ch'en the Holungday)
• 1 Medic for healing (Kal'tsit, Nightingale)
• 1 Specialist/Supporter for utility (Texas the Omertosa, Angelina)

Conclusion and Next Steps

This comprehensive Arknights tier list provides you with everything you need to build the ultimate operator roster in October 2025. Remember that while tier lists are valuable guides, the best team is one that works for your playstyle and the specific content you're facing.

Bookmark this guide and check back monthly for updates as new operators are released and the meta evolves. Join the official Discord community for real-time discussions with other players, and visit the Arknights subreddit for the latest community strategies and tier list debates.

Whether you're a new Doctor just starting your journey or a veteran commander tackling the hardest content, this tier list will help you make informed decisions about operator investment and team building. Good luck, Doctor!

This Arknights tier list was last updated in October 2025 and will be refreshed monthly to ensure accuracy with the latest game updates and meta shifts.