Most Arknights tier lists rank the newest limited six-stars, operators a brand-new account almost certainly doesn't have. That doesn't help when your real question is: I've got 40 operators and enough materials for two promotions. Who gets them?
This tier list answers that. It ranks operators by value for a new account: how cheap they are to raise, how much they carry the main story and early events, and whether they stay useful later.
How to Read This List
- S: build immediately; these carry your early game
- A: strong investments once your S picks are built
- B: solid fillers that cover specific needs
- Rarity matters: low-rarity operators cost far fewer materials to promote, so a cheap 3★ at Elite 1 often beats an unpromoted 6★
S Tier: Build These First
| Operator | Rarity | Class | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle | 4★ | Vanguard | Generates huge amounts of DP during her skill. Fast deployment wins early stages. |
| Amiya | 5★ | Caster | Free from the story, with strong single-target Arts damage. She gains alternate forms later. |
| Ptilopsis | 5★ | Medic | Area healing plus faster skill charge for nearby allies |
| Texas | 5★ | Vanguard | DP on deployment and a stun skill that rescues bad situations |
| Kroos | 3★ | Sniper | Dirt-cheap, reliable anti-air with critical hits |
| Steward | 3★ | Caster | Cheap Arts damage for high-armour enemies early on |
These six cover the problems that block new players most often: not enough DP, no answer to armoured enemies, not enough healing, and flying units slipping through.
A Tier: Strong Second Wave
| Operator | Rarity | Class | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liskarm | 5★ | Defender | Durable, and helps allies' skills charge when she's hit |
| Angelina | 5★ | Supporter | Slows enemies and deals strong Arts damage from range |
| Cuora | 4★ | Defender | Cheap, tanky blocker that holds early chokepoints |
| Gravel | 4★ | Specialist | Fast redeploy for blocking, stalling and absorbing hits |
| Perfumer | 4★ | Medic | Passive healing for every operator on the field |
| Shirayuki | 4★ | Sniper | Area damage and slows against groups |
| Fang | 3★ | Vanguard | Cheap DP generation that works from the first stage |
| Ansel | 3★ | Medic | Long healing range, easy to place |
B Tier: Useful Fillers
- Beagle (3★ Defender): cheap early tank.
- Hibiscus (3★ Medic): a basic healer that does the job in the first chapters.
- Melantha (3★ Guard): solid single-target melee damage.
- Popukar (3★ Guard): hits several enemies at once.
- Lava (3★ Caster): splash Arts damage.
- Orchid (3★ Supporter): slows key enemies.
- Shaw (4★ Specialist): pushes enemies off ledges and out of lanes.
- Matterhorn and Gummy (4★ Defenders): extra defensive options.
Pulled a Six-Star? Invest Now
If headhunting gives you one of the following, prioritise them above the budget picks. They stay relevant for a long time:
- Exusiai (Sniper): huge physical damage and air coverage
- SilverAsh (Guard): one of the strongest area-damage skills in the game
- Eyjafjalla or Ifrit (Casters): heavy Arts damage, single-target or line AoE
- Saria or Mudrock (Defenders): sustain and durability that trivialise many stages
- Thorns (Guard): ranged melee hybrid with sustained damage
- Ling or Suzuran (Supporters): squad-wide value
- Bagpipe or Saga (Vanguards): DP plus real damage
Among recent releases, the community currently rates operators like Logos, Wiš'adel, Ines and Degenbrecher at the top of their classes. If you get one, build them, but don't spend premium currency chasing them on a new account.
Beginner Investment Rules
- Promote cheap units to Elite 1 first. It's inexpensive and unlocks your squad's core.
- Save Elite 2 for 3 to 5 key operators. Elite 2 is expensive, so spread it thin and nothing gets strong.
- Use recruitment tags. "Top Operator" guarantees a six-star and "Senior Operator" guarantees a five-star. Lock those tags in with the maximum recruit time.
- Build your base. Trading posts and factories fund everything else.
- Don't skip story stages on auto. Clearing them manually teaches mechanics you'll need later.
Arknights rewards planning more than luck. If you enjoy that kind of long-term strategy on mobile, our Rise of Kingdoms beginner guide is worth a look. More rankings are in our Tier Lists section.
