Highest confidence
Consensus S-tier units
8th Sword (Berserk)
2/2 S tierTop tier in both reviewed lists; a high-confidence release-meta carry.
Consensus #1 · not a strict internal order
Shadow (Divine)
2/2 S tierTop tier in both sources and repeatedly highlighted as a premier damage option.
Consensus #2 · not a strict internal order
Cursed Student (True Love)
2/2 S tierTop tier in both lists, with value extending beyond raw wave damage.
Consensus #3 · not a strict internal order
Puppet (Telekinetic)
2/2 S tierTop tier in both sources; control and utility support the consensus.
Consensus #4 · not a strict internal order
Where judgment matters
Units the current lists disagree on
| Unit | PGG | BO3 | How to use the disagreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimson (Brother) | S tier | A tier | Strong, but the sources disagree on whether the kit clears the very top threshold. |
| Lady Giant (Envy) | A tier | S tier | A good example of team, mode and reviewer weighting changing the result. |
| Elf Mage (Unleashed) | A tier | S tier | Treat as a powerful situational pick rather than an automatic universal best. |
| Flame Emperor (Reincarnate) | S tier | B tier | The widest disagreement; test the status setup and map fit before heavy investment. |
Use the tier list by job, not as a shopping list
Story and waves
Prioritize reliable area coverage, crowd control and economy. A scaling carry is only useful if the team can survive its setup window.
Boss pressure
Favor sustained damage, team amplification and boss-relevant control over a unit that only deletes light waves.
Status teams
Judge Burn, Bleed or control units with the enablers they require. The wide Flame Emperor disagreement is a reason to test the full setup.
New accounts
Fill damage, economy and control first. A usable A-tier role can improve progression more than an inaccessible S-tier target.
What can move a unit
- • Balance updates change damage, cooldown, effects or placement cost.
- • New banners introduce a stronger synergy or replacement for the same role.
- • Maps and bosses reward different range, coverage and control.
- • Reviewers weight peak output, ease of use and investment cost differently.
Before spending, compare the unit’s job on the Anime Expeditions units page and use the current Anime Expeditions code list for resources.
Sources and comparison method
We compared the July 17 release ranking from Pro Game Guides with the July 17 ranking from BO3.gg. A unit enters our consensus group only when both independently place it in S tier. Disagreements stay visible rather than being averaged into false certainty.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Anime Expeditions unit?+
There is no universal number one, but 8th Sword, Shadow, Cursed Student and Puppet are the four units both reviewed July 2026 sources place in S tier.
Why do tier lists disagree?+
Reviewers weight peak damage, team synergy, mode fit, cost and ease of use differently. Early Access balance and newly discovered interactions also move rankings quickly.
When will this tier list update?+
We review the comparison after material balance, banner or mode changes and keep the review date and source links visible.