Guilty Gear Strive's competitive meta has evolved significantly in Season 4, with Potemkin emerging as the consensus top-tier character. Based on analysis of over 81,000 competitive matches and insights from top players like LordKnight, the current tier list reflects a meta dominated by heavy hitters and grapplers, with tournament results showing consistent success for characters like Ramlethal, Leo, and Goldlewis Dickinson. This comprehensive guide breaks down every character's viability, strengths, and tournament performance to help you make informed decisions for your competitive journey.
| Tier | Characters | Key Strengths | Tournament Viability |
|---|---|---|---|
| S Tier | Potemkin | Highest damage, excellent command grab, great normals | Excellent |
| A Tier | Ramlethal, Leo, Johnny, Goldlewis | Strong tournament winners, versatile toolkits | Very High |
| B Tier | Anji, Happy Chaos, I-No, Chipp, May, Nagoriyuki, Sin, Sol, Giovanna | Viable with proper matchup knowledge | Good |
| C Tier | Elphelt, Testament, Unika | Niche strengths, situational viability | Moderate |
| D Tier | Bridget, Baiken, Ky, Faust, Millia, Jack-O, Slayer, Bedman, Asuka | Significant weaknesses, requires exceptional skill | Low |
| E Tier | Zato, Axl, Dizzy, Venom | Major flaws, struggling in current meta | Very Low |
| F Tier | A.B.A | Most challenging, highest execution barrier | Minimal |
Our tier list is compiled from multiple authoritative sources including community voting data from EventHubs, professional player assessments from top competitors like LordKnight and Leffen, and analysis of over 81,000 competitive matches. Characters are evaluated based on:
Contents
Why S Tier: Potemkin stands alone at the top of the current meta, and for good reason. His damage output is unparalleled in Guilty Gear Strive, with his Potemkin Buster command grab capable of turning the tide of any match in an instant. What makes him truly exceptional is his combination of overwhelming offense and surprisingly solid defense.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Tournament Impact: Potemkin has been dominating recent tournaments, with dedicated specialists proving his viability at the highest levels of play. His ability to take rounds with a single confirm makes him a consistent threat in any bracket.
Why A Tier: Ramlethal has consistently been a top-tier contender throughout Guilty Gear Strive's lifecycle, and Season 4 is no exception. Her ability to control space with her swords while maintaining strong rushdown potential makes her a versatile threat in any matchup.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why A Tier: Leo represents the perfect balance of offensive pressure and defensive utility in Guilty Gear Strive. His ability to apply constant pressure while maintaining safe options makes him a favorite among tournament players.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why A Tier: Johnny has risen through the ranks in Season 4, thanks to his exceptional neutral game and high damage potential. His ability to control space while maintaining strong mix-up options makes him a formidable opponent.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why A Tier: Goldlewis remains a top-tier contender thanks to his overwhelming offense and unique toolkit. While slow, his ability to control space and apply constant pressure makes him a threat in any matchup.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why B Tier: Anji sits comfortably in the B tier thanks to his versatile toolkit and strong defensive options. While not as dominant as the top tiers, he has the tools to compete at a high level with proper execution.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why B Tier: Happy Chaos offers a unique playstyle that can catch opponents off guard. His ability to zone effectively while maintaining rushdown potential makes him a versatile threat.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why B Tier: I-No remains a solid choice in the current meta, thanks to her strong rushdown capabilities and mix-up potential. While not as dominant as in previous seasons, she still has the tools to compete.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why B Tier: Chipp's speed and mix-up potential keep him relevant in the current meta. While fragile, his ability to apply constant pressure makes him a threat to any opponent.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why B Tier: May has maintained her position as a solid tournament contender throughout Season 4. Her ability to control space with dolphins while maintaining strong pressure makes her a versatile threat.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why B Tier: Nagoriyuki remains a formidable presence in the current meta, thanks to his overwhelming offense and high damage potential. While he has significant weaknesses, his strengths make him viable at high levels.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why B Tier: Sin offers a balanced toolkit that allows him to compete effectively in the current meta. His combination of good normals and strong special moves makes him a solid tournament choice.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why B Tier: Sol, while not as dominant as in previous seasons, still has the tools to compete at a high level. His straightforward playstyle and strong fundamentals make him a reliable choice.
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Weaknesses:
Why B Tier: Giovanna maintains her position as a viable tournament character thanks to her speed and pressure game. While not as dominant as in previous seasons, she still has the tools to compete effectively.
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Weaknesses:
Why C Tier: Elphelt has niche strengths that can be effective in specific matchups, but she struggles to maintain consistency across the entire roster.
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Weaknesses:
Why C Tier: Testament offers unique control options but lacks the consistent tournament performance of higher-tier characters.
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Weaknesses:
Why C Tier: Unika has situational viability but struggles to compete consistently at the highest levels of play.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
These characters have significant weaknesses that make them challenging to use in tournament settings. While they can be effective in the hands of dedicated specialists, they require exceptional skill and matchup knowledge to succeed consistently.
Common Weaknesses:
These characters have major flaws that make them struggling choices in the current meta. They face significant disadvantages across most matchups and require exceptional dedication to achieve even moderate success.
Common Issues:
Why F Tier: A.B.A sits at the bottom of the tier list due to her extremely high execution barrier and inconsistent performance. While she has strong tools in specific situations, she requires exceptional dedication and matchup knowledge to succeed.
Key Strengths:
Weaknesses:
The current meta has shifted significantly from previous seasons, with several key trends emerging:
Top players like LordKnight and Leffen have identified key trends in the current meta:
Top-tier characters in Guilty Gear Strive typically excel in several key areas: exceptional neutral game tools, strong conversion potential from confirms, reliable defensive options, and the ability to control space effectively. They also tend to have favorable matchups across the roster and consistent tournament performance.
The tier list can change significantly with each major patch or balance update. Minor shifts occur as the meta evolves and players discover new strategies. Major updates typically happen 2-3 times per year, with smaller balance adjustments occurring more frequently.
Not necessarily. While top-tier characters offer advantages, player skill and matchup knowledge are often more important than tier placement. Many players find success with lower-tier characters by mastering their unique tools and developing deep matchup knowledge.
Consider factors like playstyle preference, execution comfort, and learning curve. Try out several characters in training mode and online matches to find what feels natural. Don't be afraid to experiment before committing to a main.
Characters like Sol Badguy and Ky Kiske are often recommended for beginners due to their straightforward toolkits and relatively low execution requirements. However, the best beginner character is one that matches your natural playstyle and keeps you engaged with the game.
Matchup knowledge is crucial at all levels of play. Understanding your character's advantages and disadvantages against each member of the cast can often be more important than raw character strength. Dedicate time to learning problematic matchups.
For the most current tier list, check multiple sources including EventHubs for community voting data, Dustloop for professional player opinions, and recent tournament results for real-world performance data.
Balance patches can significantly impact tier lists by adjusting character strengths and weaknesses. Major patches may completely shift the meta, while smaller adjustments might only cause minor tier position changes.
The Guilty Gear Strive tier list for November 2025 reflects a mature meta where character viability is determined by a combination of tournament performance, matchup spreads, and toolkit versatility. While Potemkin currently stands alone at the top, the A tier characters offer excellent tournament viability, and even B tier characters can achieve success with dedicated players.
Remember that tier lists are tools for understanding the meta, not absolute rules for character selection. Player skill, matchup knowledge, and personal comfort with a character often matter more than tier placement. Use this guide as a starting point for your character selection journey, but don't be afraid to experiment and find the character that best suits your playstyle.
For the most current information, regularly check official sources, community discussions, and tournament results. The Guilty Gear Strive meta continues to evolve, and staying informed will help you adapt and improve as a player.
Bookmark this page for regular updates and share your thoughts on the current meta in the comments below!