Arknights Operator Tier List: Best Units for IS and CC

Arknights has one of the biggest operator rosters in the gacha genre, and you can't max out everyone. This tier list ranks operators by class, since a top vanguard and a top medic are judged on completely different things. Rankings focus on performance in Integrated Strategies (IS) and Contingency Contract (CC), Arknights' two main endgame modes. An operator who trivializes story stages can still fall apart in IS if their kit needs specific map conditions. All placements assume the operator is fully built: Elite 2, max level, Mastery 3 skills where relevant, and module unlocked. That's not a requirement to use them, just the fairest way to compare ceilings. And if you planning to pull for a SSS Tier Operator? Consider topping up on LootBar now!

Vanguard

These rankings reflect each Vanguard's DP generation and overall performance across Arknights' endgame modes, Integrated Strategies and Contingency Contract. Operators are ranked on their ability to set a team's early tempo and keep it running.

Vanguard tier list

Vanguards get your squad on the field fast. A good one keeps paying that DP cost back over the whole stage, not just at the start. Ines generates DP fast and still brings crowd control and stealth detection once that's no longer the priority. SilverAsh the Reignfrost takes a different route, restructuring the deployment queue so high-cost rosters come out much earlier than normal. Muelsyse is a solid fallback if you have neither.

Tier	Operators
SS
S
A
B
C

Vanguard Tier Definitions

Vanguard Ranking Criteria

The biggest weight goes to DP generation, the defining function of the class, and to overall ceiling at full investment. Strong play in a single mode isn't enough on its own, since grades account for the whole game.

• DP Generation – How much DP the operator produces and how quickly they build your deployment economy.
• Ceiling – Peak value at full investment, weighted more heavily than ease of use.
• Versatility – Consistency across IS and CC, and the ability to adapt to different enemy types, map layouts, and mob density.
• Secondary Utility – Damage, blocking, crowd control, or off-field support that keeps the operator relevant beyond the opening minutes.
• IS Module Value – Whether the ISW-α (IS-specific) module meaningfully shifts the operator's value, since IS is a major mode.

Guard

These rankings reflect each Guard's damage output and overall performance across Arknights' endgame modes, Integrated Strategies and Contingency Contract. Operators are ranked on their ability to carry a squad's offense and break through enemy lines.

Guard tier list

Guards carry front-line damage. The best ones pair that with enough survivability or range to stay useful in a long fight. Ch'en the Dawnstreak's attacks convert into Weakness Damage, automatically hitting whichever stat, DEF or RES, is lower. That fixes the usual Arts-Guard problem of stalling against high-RES enemies. Bellone, also new, only lands in B tier: his DEF-reduction gimmick hasn't mattered much since current damage checks favor raw output over shred, so Shamare still gets picked over him more often.

Tier	Operators
SSS
SS
S
A
B
C

Guard Tier Definitions

Guard Ranking Criteria

The biggest weight goes to damage output, the defining role of the class, and to overall ceiling at full investment. Strong play in a single mode isn't enough on its own, since grades account for the whole game.

• Damage Output – Peak DPS and burst against both single targets and groups of enemies.
• Ceiling – Peak value at full investment, weighted more heavily than ease of use.
• Versatility – Consistency across IS and CC, and the ability to adapt to different enemy types, defenses (Physical versus Arts), and mob density.
• Survivability – Innate sustain, defenses, or block that let the operator hold a lane without heavy support.
• IS Module Value – Whether the ISW-α module meaningfully shifts the operator's value, since IS is a major mode.

Defender

These rankings reflect each Defender's durability and overall performance across Arknights' endgame modes, Integrated Strategies and Contingency Contract. Operators are ranked on their ability to anchor the front line and keep the squad protected.

Defender tier list

Defenders hold lanes so your damage dealers don't have to. Nothing new has challenged this class. Shu and Hoshiguma the Breacher are still the first builds, and Saria remains the pick if you want healing on top of tanking.

Tier	Operators
SSS
SS
S
A
B
C

Defender tier list

Defender Ranking Criteria

The biggest weight goes to durability and blocking, the defining role of the class, and to overall ceiling at full investment. Strong play in a single mode isn't enough on its own, since grades account for the whole game.

• Durability – Effective HP, DEF, RES, and self-sustain that decide how much punishment the operator can absorb.
• Blocking – Block count and the ability to hold a lane or chokepoint against multiple enemies at once.
• Ceiling – Peak value at full investment, weighted more heavily than ease of use.
• Secondary Utility – Healing, ranged offense, buffs, or damage that keep the operator contributing beyond just tanking.
• Versatility – Consistency across IS and CC, and the ability to adapt to different enemy types, damage profiles, and mob density.
• IS Module Value – Whether the ISW-α module meaningfully shifts the operator's value.

Sniper

These rankings reflect each Sniper's damage output and overall performance across Arknights' endgame modes, Integrated Strategies and Contingency Contract. Operators are ranked on their ability to deliver ranged physical damage and cover threats the front line cannot reach.

Sniper tier list

Snipers cover flying enemies and anything outside your front line's range. Exusiai the New Covenant, her limited alternate, joins Wiš'adel at the top. Standard Exusiai is still a reliable A-tier pick if you don't have the alt.

Tier	Operators
SSS
SS
S
A
B
C

Sniper Tier Definitions

Sniper Ranking Criteria

The biggest weight goes to ranged damage output, the defining role of the class, and to overall ceiling at full investment. Strong play in a single mode isn't enough on its own, since grades account for the whole game.

• Damage Output – Peak single-target and AoE physical damage at range.
• Ceiling – Peak value at full investment, weighted more heavily than ease of use.
• Target Coverage – Reliability against aerial, fast, and high-DEF enemies, along with effective range and targeting priority.
• Versatility – Consistency across IS and CC, and the ability to adapt to different enemy types and mob density.
• IS Module Value – Whether the ISW-α module meaningfully shifts the operator's value.

Medic

These rankings reflect each Medic's healing throughput and overall performance across Arknights' endgame modes, Integrated Strategies and Contingency Contract. Operators are ranked on their ability to keep the squad alive through sustained and burst damage.

Medic tier list

Medics keep the squad alive. Coverage matters as much as raw healing, since a single-target healer struggles once a fight spreads out. Mon3tr still leads on healing coverage, unchallenged this update. Reed the Flameshadow and Kal'tsit are dependable picks for a first serious medic.

Tier	Operators
SS
S
A
B
C

Medic Tier Definitions

Medic Ranking Criteria

The biggest weight goes to healing throughput, the defining role of the class, and to overall ceiling at full investment. Strong play in a single mode isn't enough on its own, since grades account for the whole game.

• Healing Throughput – Healing per second, burst healing, and the ability to keep multiple operators topped off.
• Coverage – Range, target count, and how much of the squad the operator can sustain at once.
• Ceiling – Peak value at full investment, weighted more heavily than ease of use.
• Secondary Utility – Debuff cleansing, damage, buffs, or aerial healing that add value beyond raw sustain.
• Versatility – Consistency across IS and CC, and the ability to adapt to different damage profiles and incoming threats.
• IS Module Value – Whether the ISW-α module meaningfully shifts the operator's value.

Caster

These rankings reflect each Caster's damage output and overall performance across Arknights' endgame modes, Integrated Strategies and Contingency Contract. Operators are ranked on their ability to deal ranged Arts damage and cut through high-DEF enemies.

Caster tier list

Casters deal Arts damage, which skips DEF entirely, answering the high-DEF units that stall a Guard or Sniper. Logos and Pramanix the Prerita hold the top, unchallenged. Necrass and Nymph both moved up to S tier after IS runs showed their damage holding up better than expected against armored waves.

Tier	Operators
SS
S
A
B
C	-+-

Caster Tier Definitions

Caster Ranking Criteria

The biggest weight goes to Arts damage output, the defining role of the class, and to overall ceiling at full investment. Strong play in a single mode isn't enough on its own, since grades account for the whole game.

• Damage Output – Peak single-target and AoE Arts damage.
• Ceiling – Peak value at full investment, weighted more heavily than ease of use.
• Target Coverage – Effectiveness against high-DEF, grouped, or fast-moving enemies, along with range and targeting behavior.
• Versatility – Consistency across IS and CC, and the ability to adapt to different enemy types and mob density.
• IS Module Value – Whether the ISW-α module meaningfully shifts the operator's value.

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Supporter

These rankings reflect each Supporter's utility and overall performance across Arknights' endgame modes, Integrated Strategies and Contingency Contract. Operators are ranked on their ability to amplify the squad through buffs, debuffs, and control.

Supporter tier list

Supporters change what everyone else can do, often swinging a fight with one well-timed buff or debuff. Tragodia and Raidian are the two most-built Supporters, since their effects apply reliably across almost any squad.

Tier	Operators
SSS
SS
S
A
B
C

Supporter Tier Definitions

Supporter Ranking Criteria

The biggest weight goes to the strength and reliability of their support, the defining role of the class, and to overall ceiling at full investment. Strong play in a single mode isn't enough on its own, since grades account for the whole game.

• Support Strength – The magnitude of the operator's buffs, debuffs, or crowd control, and how much they swing a fight.
• Ceiling – Peak value at full investment, weighted more heavily than ease of use.
• Reliability – Uptime, range, and how consistently the support lands across different enemies and conditions.
• Versatility – Consistency across IS and CC, and the ability to fit into a wide range of squads and strategies.
• IS Module Value – Whether the ISW-α module meaningfully shifts the operator's value.

Specialist

These rankings reflect each Specialist's utility and overall performance across Arknights' endgame modes, Integrated Strategies and Contingency Contract. Operators are ranked on their ability to solve specific problems that no other class handles as well.

Specialist tier list

Specialists solve a specific problem, displacement, fast redeploy, traps, that no other class handles as cleanly. Wang places linked stones that deal Arts damage and trigger off each other, giving him strong map control. His kit needs Elite 2 to come together, and he's limited, so you can't wait for a standard rerun if you miss his banner. Kirin R Yato, Mizuki, and Ela are safer long-term picks that don't depend on one specific interaction.

Tier	Operators
SSS
SS
S
A
B
C

Specialist Tier Definitions

Specialist Ranking Criteria

The biggest weight goes to the impact and flexibility of their utility, the defining role of the class, and to overall ceiling at full investment. Strong play in a single mode isn't enough on its own, since grades account for the whole game.

• Utility Impact – How decisively the operator's core function, whether displacement, fast redeploy, traps, or dodging, solves problems.
• Ceiling – Peak value at full investment, weighted more heavily than ease of use.
• Flexibility – How many situations the operator's toolkit applies to, rather than a single narrow use case.
• Versatility – Consistency across IS and CC, and the ability to adapt to different enemy types and map layouts.
• IS Module Value – Whether the ISW-α module meaningfully shifts the operator's value. Fast-redeploy Specialists are a prime example, since their IS value can far exceed their general value.

Building a squad instead of chasing one operator

A tier list is a starting point, not a squad. Five top-tier damage dealers with no vanguard or healer usually loses to a balanced team built around A-tier operators. A reasonable baseline: two vanguards for DP, two to three damage dealers split between guards and snipers, one or two medics, and a defender for whatever lane needs it. Adjust based on the enemy composition you're facing, not your favorite operator's raw tier.

When deciding who to build next, prioritize filling a gap in your roster over duplicating a role you already cover. Arknights also rewards patience: the standard banner and recruitment system eventually put most operators within reach, so there's rarely a reason to panic-pull outside a banner you actually want.

Final thoughts

Tier placements will keep shifting as new operators release. Use this list to guide what to build next, but don't drop an A-tier operator you already invested in just because something new landed above them. A finished A-tier roster beats a half-built SSS one — and if resources are the only thing standing between you and your next build, Arknights Top-up on LootBar can help close that gap.