Answer first
What the five lists actually agree on
dated sources, checked against their July 17–18 versions
units with a 5/5 top-group label
units spanning at least two full normalized bands
ability-bearing units with a profile and test focus
Unanimous top signals
Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk), Puppet (Telekinetic), Cursed Student (True Love).
“Top” preserves each source’s relevant DPS, support or overall group; it does not imply a strict order among these units.
Highest-value disagreement
Flame Emperor ranges from S to B. The split follows setup assumptions: Burn coverage, map density, cost and Hollow synergy can change what reviewers reward.
Compare the Burn pair →Choose by the job you are missing
Best DPS, support and farm picks—with the caveat attached
A single overall rank hides why a unit earns a slot. Start with your team's missing job, then use the source count and condition below before spending evolution materials or trait rerolls.
Carry shortlist · 5/5 and 5/5
8th Sword or Shadow for damage
Both land in the top relevant group in all five lists. Pick 8th Sword when a Physical carry can stack through a long run; pick Shadow when Magical amplification, control and summons fit the rest of your team. The evidence supports a shortlist—not a winner between them.
Compare the two carry jobs →Control support · 4/5
Salmon Sorcerer for extra attack windows
Four lists put Salmon Sorcerer in their highest relevant group; All Things How keeps it one group below S+. Judge its Slow and Stagger by the allied attacks they create, not by personal damage.
Inspect the support test →Economy · 3/4 included sources
Ramen Guy when Yen is the bottleneck
Three of the four lists that include Ramen Guy put it in their top group; Destructoid publishes no economy ranking. Track the wave where bonus Yen repays the slot—short runs can end before the investment breaks even.
Calculate the economy test →Conditional ceiling · 4/5
Toy Maker only with the condition visible
Four sources give Toy Maker a top-group label, but Destructoid grades it A/S with Unbound and B/C without. Treat lane delay and extra attack cycles as the outcome; do not copy the top label onto an untraited raw-DPS comparison.
Check the trait-dependent case →Five-source tier matrix
Interactive evidence matrix
Compare 21 documented units across five lists
Filters do not create a new power score. They expose where sources agree, where role-specific tables change the label, and which setup you should test.
Shadow (Divine)5/5 top groups · 5/5 top group
- PGG
- S
- overall
- BO3
- S DPS
- dps
- ATH
- S+
- overall
- MRG
- S
- overall
- DST
- S DPS
- dps
Compare identical boss waves with and without Shadow Realm, recording the Magical team burst window separately from spirit damage.
8th Sword (Berserk)5/5 top groups · 5/5 top group
- PGG
- S
- overall
- BO3
- S DPS
- dps
- ATH
- S+
- overall
- MRG
- S
- overall
- DST
- S DPS
- dps
Record when Berserk activates and compare short stages with long runs; a test that never reaches the stack threshold underrates the kit.
Puppet (Telekinetic)5/5 top groups · 5/5 top group
- PGG
- S
- overall
- BO3
- S DPS
- dps
- ATH
- S+
- overall
- MRG
- S
- overall
- DST
- S DPS
- dps
Use the same boss and lineup, then record mark uptime, rewind distance and doll survival separately from Puppet's personal output.
Cursed Student (True Love)5/5 top groups · 5/5 top group
- PGG
- S
- overall
- BO3
- S DPS
- dps
- ATH
- S+
- overall
- MRG
- S
- overall
- DST
- S DPS
- dps
Name the copied ally, lock its upgrade state and count follow-ups; test Promise Ring summons as a separate equipment condition.
Toy Maker4/5 top groups · Broad top consensus
- PGG
- S
- overall
- BO3
- S support
- support
- ATH
- S+
- overall
- MRG
- Best support
- support
- DST
- A/S with Unbound · B/C without
- role split
Count seconds of lane delay and toy replacements rather than forcing a DPS score onto a blocker whose value comes from extra attack cycles.
Salmon Sorcerer (Grade 1)4/5 top groups · Broad top consensus
- PGG
- S
- overall
- BO3
- S support
- support
- ATH
- S
- overall
- MRG
- Best support
- support
- DST
- S support
- support
Count extra allied attack cycles created by Slow and Stagger at a fixed placement; personal damage is not the correct primary outcome.
Ramen Guy3/4 top groups · Stable role value
- PGG
- S
- overall
- BO3
- S farm
- economy
- ATH
- S
- overall
- MRG
- Best farm
- economy
- DST
- Not ranked
Record placement cost, cumulative bonus Yen and wave of payback; a run ending before break-even makes the economy slot a loss.
Crimson (Brother)2/5 top groups · Stable A/S range
- PGG
- S
- overall
- BO3
- A DPS
- dps
- ATH
- S
- overall
- MRG
- S
- overall
- DST
- A DPS
- dps
Use the same lane and target density, then separate direct hits from delayed explosions and pool uptime before judging the active.
Lady Giant (Envy)2/5 top groups · Stable role value
- PGG
- A
- overall
- BO3
- S DPS
- dps
- ATH
- S
- overall
- MRG
- A
- overall
- DST
- S DPS
- dps
Measure base and Giant forms separately, including wall delay and slower attack timing; one blended DPS number hides the tradeoff.
Elf Mage (Unleashed)2/5 top groups · Stable A/S range
- PGG
- A
- overall
- BO3
- S DPS / A support
- role split
- ATH
- S
- overall
- MRG
- Good support
- support
- DST
- S DPS
- dps
Count completed Arcane Charge cycles and test long enough to reach repeat scaling; short waves hide the sustained-damage case.
Flame Emperor (Reincarnate)2/5 top groups · High disagreement
- PGG
- S
- overall
- BO3
- B DPS
- dps
- ATH
- S
- overall
- MRG
- S
- overall
- DST
- B DPS
- dps
Compare solo output with a complete Burn setup on the same route, recording Wall of Fire coverage and the number of new targets ignited.
String Demon (Awakened)1/5 top groups · Stable role value
- PGG
- A
- overall
- BO3
- A DPS
- dps
- ATH
- A
- overall
- MRG
- A
- overall
- DST
- A DPS / S support
- role split
Record cocoon triggers, successful hit-count breaks and the linked ally; test team attack volume, not String Demon in isolation.
Reaper (Released)0/5 top groups · Stable A/S range
- PGG
- A
- overall
- BO3
- A DPS
- dps
- ATH
- A
- overall
- MRG
- A
- overall
- DST
- A DPS
- dps
Record enemy-type variety and time in combat; compare only runs where Adaptation had the same opportunity to stack.
Hollow (Blaze)0/5 top groups · Developing signal
- PGG
- A
- overall
- BO3
- B DPS
- dps
- ATH
- A
- overall
- MRG
- A
- overall
- DST
- B DPS
- dps
Test once without a Burn enabler and once with the same verified applicator, counting Austere Flames conversions instead of only final clear time.
True Saint (Holy)0/5 top groups · Developing signal
- PGG
- A
- overall
- BO3
- C DPS / A support
- role split
- ATH
- A
- overall
- MRG
- Good support
- support
- DST
- C DPS / support
- role split
Record the three contributing allies and compare the same boss window before and during Seize; do not generalize from a different formation.
Forbidden Teacher0/5 top groups · Stable role value
- PGG
- A
- overall
- BO3
- A support
- support
- ATH
- A
- overall
- MRG
- Good support
- support
- DST
- Support group
- support
Lock the Magical carry and formation, then compare its output with and without the buff; record how many useful placements fit inside coverage.
The Hero0/5 top groups · Stable role value
- PGG
- A
- overall
- BO3
- A support
- support
- ATH
- A
- overall
- MRG
- Good support
- support
- DST
- Support group
- support
Lock the Physical carry and formation, compare its output before and after the buff, and count how many useful units remain in range.
Ice Queen0/5 top groups · Developing signal
- PGG
- B
- overall
- BO3
- B DPS
- dps
- ATH
- B
- overall
- MRG
- B
- overall
- DST
- Support group
- support
Compare a stage where Freeze prevents a leak with one where enemies die before the cooldown matters; that reveals whether the slot has real control value.
Greed0/5 top groups · Developing signal
- PGG
- B
- overall
- BO3
- B DPS
- dps
- ATH
- B
- overall
- MRG
- B
- overall
- DST
- Beginner mention
- dps
Use one fixed boss at the same upgrade and placement; do not infer general wave performance from the boss bonus.
Scissor0/4 top groups · Developing signal
- PGG
- B
- overall
- BO3
- B DPS
- dps
- ATH
- B
- overall
- MRG
- B
- overall
- DST
- Not ranked
Use a durable target and count uninterrupted attacks; target switches reset the situation that makes the stacking bonus relevant.
Water Princess0/5 top groups · Developing signal
- PGG
- B
- overall
- BO3
- B support
- support
- ATH
- B
- overall
- MRG
- Decent support
- support
- DST
- Support group
- support
Record which debuff was blocked, shield refreshes and whether the protected ally changed the clear; test on content that actually applies a relevant debuff.
| Unit and evidence signal | PGG ↗ | BO3 ↗ | ATH ↗ | MRG ↗ | DST ↗ | What to test next |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow (Divine) DamageControlSummonSupport 5/5 top group5/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Soverall | S DPSdps | S+overall | Soverall | S DPSdps | Compare identical boss waves with and without Shadow Realm, recording the Magical team burst window separately from spirit damage. Open a matched test record → |
| 8th Sword (Berserk) DamageControl 5/5 top group5/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Soverall | S DPSdps | S+overall | Soverall | S DPSdps | Record when Berserk activates and compare short stages with long runs; a test that never reaches the stack threshold underrates the kit. Open a matched test record → |
| Puppet (Telekinetic) DamageSupportControlSummon 5/5 top group5/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Soverall | S DPSdps | S+overall | Soverall | S DPSdps | Use the same boss and lineup, then record mark uptime, rewind distance and doll survival separately from Puppet's personal output. Open a matched test record → |
| Cursed Student (True Love) DamageSummonDOT 5/5 top group5/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Soverall | S DPSdps | S+overall | Soverall | S DPSdps | Name the copied ally, lock its upgrade state and count follow-ups; test Promise Ring summons as a separate equipment condition. Open a matched test record → |
| Toy Maker SummonControlDamage Broad top consensus4/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Soverall | S supportsupport | S+overall | Best supportsupport | A/S with Unbound · B/C withoutrole split | Count seconds of lane delay and toy replacements rather than forcing a DPS score onto a blocker whose value comes from extra attack cycles. Open a matched test record → |
| Salmon Sorcerer (Grade 1) ControlSupport Broad top consensus4/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Soverall | S supportsupport | Soverall | Best supportsupport | S supportsupport | Count extra allied attack cycles created by Slow and Stagger at a fixed placement; personal damage is not the correct primary outcome. Open a matched test record → |
| Ramen Guy Economy Stable role value3/4 top-group labels · 4 normalized | Soverall | S farmeconomy | Soverall | Best farmeconomy | Not ranked | Record placement cost, cumulative bonus Yen and wave of payback; a run ending before break-even makes the economy slot a loss. Open a matched test record → |
| Crimson (Brother) DamageDOT Stable A/S range2/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Soverall | A DPSdps | Soverall | Soverall | A DPSdps | Use the same lane and target density, then separate direct hits from delayed explosions and pool uptime before judging the active. Open a matched test record → |
| Lady Giant (Envy) DamageControlSummon Stable role value2/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Aoverall | S DPSdps | Soverall | Aoverall | S DPSdps | Measure base and Giant forms separately, including wall delay and slower attack timing; one blended DPS number hides the tradeoff. Open a matched test record → |
| Elf Mage (Unleashed) Damage Stable A/S range2/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Aoverall | S DPS / A supportrole split | Soverall | Good supportsupport | S DPSdps | Count completed Arcane Charge cycles and test long enough to reach repeat scaling; short waves hide the sustained-damage case. Open a matched test record → |
| Flame Emperor (Reincarnate) DamageDOTSupport High disagreement2/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Soverall | B DPSdps | Soverall | Soverall | B DPSdps | Compare solo output with a complete Burn setup on the same route, recording Wall of Fire coverage and the number of new targets ignited. Open a matched test record → |
| String Demon (Awakened) DamageControlSupport Stable role value1/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Aoverall | A DPSdps | Aoverall | Aoverall | A DPS / S supportrole split | Record cocoon triggers, successful hit-count breaks and the linked ally; test team attack volume, not String Demon in isolation. Open a matched test record → |
| Reaper (Released) Damage Stable A/S range0/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Aoverall | A DPSdps | Aoverall | Aoverall | A DPSdps | Record enemy-type variety and time in combat; compare only runs where Adaptation had the same opportunity to stack. Open a matched test record → |
| Hollow (Blaze) DamageDOT Developing signal0/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Aoverall | B DPSdps | Aoverall | Aoverall | B DPSdps | Test once without a Burn enabler and once with the same verified applicator, counting Austere Flames conversions instead of only final clear time. Open a matched test record → |
| True Saint (Holy) DamageSupport Developing signal0/5 top-group labels · 5 normalized | Aoverall | C DPS / A supportrole split | Aoverall | Good supportsupport | C DPS / supportrole split | Record the three contributing allies and compare the same boss window before and during Seize; do not generalize from a different formation. Open a matched test record → |
| Forbidden Teacher Support Stable role value0/5 top-group labels · 4 normalized | Aoverall | A supportsupport | Aoverall | Good supportsupport | Support groupsupport | Lock the Magical carry and formation, then compare its output with and without the buff; record how many useful placements fit inside coverage. Open a matched test record → |
| The Hero Support Stable role value0/5 top-group labels · 4 normalized | Aoverall | A supportsupport | Aoverall | Good supportsupport | Support groupsupport | Lock the Physical carry and formation, compare its output before and after the buff, and count how many useful units remain in range. Open a matched test record → |
| Ice Queen ControlDamage Developing signal0/5 top-group labels · 4 normalized | Boverall | B DPSdps | Boverall | Boverall | Support groupsupport | Compare a stage where Freeze prevents a leak with one where enemies die before the cooldown matters; that reveals whether the slot has real control value. Open a matched test record → |
| Greed Damage Developing signal0/5 top-group labels · 4 normalized | Boverall | B DPSdps | Boverall | Boverall | Beginner mentiondps | Use one fixed boss at the same upgrade and placement; do not infer general wave performance from the boss bonus. Open a matched test record → |
| Scissor Damage Developing signal0/4 top-group labels · 4 normalized | Boverall | B DPSdps | Boverall | Boverall | Not ranked | Use a durable target and count uninterrupted attacks; target switches reset the situation that makes the stacking bonus relevant. Open a matched test record → |
| Water Princess Support Developing signal0/5 top-group labels · 4 normalized | Boverall | B supportsupport | Boverall | Decent supportsupport | Support groupsupport | Record which debuff was blocked, shield refreshes and whether the protected ally changed the clear; test on content that actually applies a relevant debuff. Open a matched test record → |
No fake universal score
How the consensus signal is calculated
We preserve the published label
S DPS, S support, Best farm and conditional A/S stay distinct in the matrix. A role-specific top group is not silently converted into universal DPS supremacy.
Normalization only detects spread
S+/S/Best map to the top band, A/Good to the next, then B, C and D. The numbers are used only to flag stability or a two-band disagreement; no average power score is published.
Missing is not a bad rank
“Not ranked” and an ungraded role mention remain unscored. They never become zero and never lower a unit’s consensus mechanically.
Your conditions decide the tie
Each row links to a prefilled private field-test record. Lock the map, wave, upgrade, trait, equipment and team before comparing the result.
Read the evidence badges
- 5/5 top group
- Every reviewed source places this unit in its highest relevant group.
- Broad top consensus
- At least four reviewed sources place this unit in their highest relevant group.
- Stable A/S range
- The sources stay within one band, but do not agree that the unit is universally top tier.
- Stable role value
- The ranking is stable when the unit is judged by its documented team job.
- High disagreement
- The normalized placements span at least two full bands; test the setup before investing.
- Developing signal
- The available rankings support a limited or lower-band conclusion, not a universal recommendation.
Sources, dates and method differences
The five source snapshots were reviewed July 17–18, 2026. Pro Game Guides was rechecked after its July 18 update and the 21 tracked placements remained aligned with this matrix. We record labels, not unsupported certainty; open each source to inspect its reasoning and images.
Combined DPS, support and farm ranking; placements rechecked after its July 18 update.
Separate DPS and support/farm tables.
Combined S+ through D release-meta ranking.
DPS tiers plus separate support/farm groups.
DPS tiers plus a separate support group; no economy ranking.
Method boundary: this page has not reproduced every reviewer’s gameplay test. It compares published judgments and supplies a controlled route for player-side verification. Current game panels and repeatable matched observations override a launch snapshot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best unit in Anime Expeditions?+
8th Sword, Shadow, Puppet and Cursed Student are the clearest current answer because all five reviewed sources place them in a top relevant group. Their jobs and setup still differ, so there is no evidence-backed strict universal order.
Which unit should beginners prioritize?+
The reviewed rankings do not prove one universal easy-to-obtain target. Keep the owned unit that clears waves reliably, then fill the first missing job: control or support when enemies leak, economy only when it repays its slot before failure. Treat True Saint as conditional support rather than a universal carry, and delay rare traits or evolution spending until the lineup clears consistently.
Why is Salmon Sorcerer in the 4/5 group?+
Four sources place Salmon Sorcerer in their highest relevant support or combined group. All Things How places it in S, one group below that list’s S+ tier. That is broad role-specific agreement, not unanimity or a claim that its personal damage matches a Secret carry.
Why do Flame Emperor rankings disagree so much?+
Two sources place Flame Emperor in B while three label it S; All Things How’s S is below its S+ group. Burn coverage, Hollow synergy, map density, cost and whether the reviewer values solo output or team setup can change the result.
Does S+ count higher than S here?+
Yes when identifying whether a unit is in a source’s actual highest group. The normalized spread model keeps both in the same broad strong band, but the top-group count preserves the source’s S+ versus S distinction.
How should I choose between two close units?+
Choose the missing team job first, then compare the two units under the same map, wave, upgrade, trait, equipment and lineup using the linked field-test record.