Anime Guardians Tier List (March 2026) Best Units & Artifacts of Update 21

Welcome to the most comprehensive Anime Guardians tier list for Update 21! As a dedicated player who has spent countless hours testing every unit and artifact combination, I’m excited to share my detailed rankings that will help you dominate the game. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build your first team or a veteran seeking to optimize your setup, this guide has everything you need.

Rank	Units	Artifacts	Meta Viability
S+	Kafla (Overpower), Gohan (Ultra Beast)	Toxic Greatsword (SSS)	God Tier
S	Yugi (Dark), Aozort (Hollow Form)	Curse Book, Nuke Ering	Top Meta
A+	Homuro (Devil), Itachi	Greenbone Greatsword	Strong
A	Various A-tier units	Multiple A-tier artifacts	Viable
B	Mid-tier units	Average artifacts	Situational

What Makes This Tier List Special?

This isn’t just another generic ranking – I’ve personally tested every unit combination across different game modes, including story progression, boss battles, and PvP content. Update 21 brought significant balance changes that have reshaped the meta completely, and I’ve documented all the shifts to ensure you’re making informed decisions.

Understanding the Ranking Criteria

Before diving into the rankings, it’s crucial to understand how I evaluate each unit and artifact:

Unit Evaluation Factors

• Damage Output: Both single-target and AoE capabilities
• Utility: Support abilities, crowd control, and team buffs
• Survivability: Health pool, defense stats, and evasion
• Synergy: How well they work with other units
• Resource Efficiency: Cost vs. performance ratio
• Update 21 Impact: How recent balance changes affected them

Artifact Evaluation Factors

• Stat Bonuses: Primary and secondary stat improvements
• Special Effects: Unique abilities and passive bonuses
• Stacking Potential: How well they scale with upgrades
• Unit Compatibility: Which units benefit most
• Rarity vs. Accessibility: Balance between power and availability

S+ Tier Units: The Game Changers

Kafla (Overpower) – The Ultimate Damage Dealer

Kafla stands at the pinnacle of Anime Guardians’ meta in Update 21, and for good reason. This unit combines devastating damage output with excellent utility, making her the most sought-after character in the game.

Key Strengths:

• Massive AoE damage that can clear entire waves
• Active skill deals 300% base damage with burn effect
• Passive increases all ally damage by 25%
• Excellent synergy with fire-type units
• Relatively low deployment cost for her power level

Best Artifacts for Kafla:

1. Toxic Greatsword (SSS) – Maximizes her DoT potential
2. Nuke Ering – Boosts her active skill damage by 100%
3. Curse Book – Adds additional damage over time

Usage Strategy: Deploy Kafla in the middle of your formation to maximize her AoE coverage. Her burn effect stacks beautifully with other DoT units, creating devastating combination attacks. In boss fights, save her active skill for when the boss is vulnerable to maximize damage output.

Gohan (Ultra Beast) – The Versatile Powerhouse

Gohan has received significant buffs in Update 21, propelling him to S+ tier status. His versatility makes him invaluable across all game modes.

Key Strengths:

• Balanced single-target and AoE damage
• Active skill provides temporary invincibility
• Passive increases critical hit chance for all allies
• Excellent progression scaling
• Works well in both offensive and defensive compositions

Best Artifacts for Gohan:

1. Greenbone Greatsword – Enhances his critical damage
2. Toxic Greatsword – Adds consistent DoT
3. Any damage-boosting artifact

Usage Strategy: Gohan excels as a frontline unit thanks to his temporary invincibility skill. Time his active ability carefully during boss attacks or overwhelming enemy waves. His crit chance buff makes him invaluable in teams built around critical damage.

S Tier Units: Meta Defining Choices

Yugi (Dark) – The Control Master

Yugi brings unparalleled control capabilities to the table, making him essential for high-level content where enemy management is crucial.

Key Strengths:

• Long-duration crowd control abilities
• Active skill can disable multiple enemies
• Passive reduces enemy attack speed
• Excellent synergy with other control units
• High utility in PvP scenarios

Best Artifacts for Yugi:

1. Curse Book – Extends control duration
2. Any cooldown reduction artifacts
3. Support-focused artifacts

Usage Strategy: Position Yugi towards the back where he can safely apply his control effects. His abilities are game-changing in boss fights and PvP, allowing your damage dealers to work uninterrupted.

Aozort (Hollow Form) – The Specialized Destroyer

Aozort has climbed the ranks thanks to Update 21’s balance changes, becoming a top-tier choice for specific content types.

Key Strengths:

• Massive single-target damage
• Armor penetration capabilities
• Active skill deals true damage
• Excellent against high-health bosses
• Scales incredibly well with upgrades

Best Artifacts for Aozort:

1. Nuke Ering – Doubles his active skill damage
2. Any armor penetration artifacts
3. Pure damage-focused equipment

Usage Strategy: Aozort shines in boss raids and high-health enemy scenarios. Save his active skill for armor-heavy enemies where his true damage can make the difference between victory and defeat.

A+ Tier Units: Strong Contenders

Homuro (Devil) – The Balanced Fighter

Homuro offers excellent balance between offense and defense, making him a reliable choice for various team compositions.

Key Strengths:

• Good damage output with decent survivability
• Active skill provides lifesteal
• Passive increases team defense
• Versatile placement options
• Cost-effective for mid-game progression

Best Artifacts for Homuro:

1. Any lifesteal-enhancing artifacts
2. Defense-focused equipment
3. Balanced stat artifacts

Itachi – The Strategic Genius

Itachi brings unique strategic elements that, while not as powerful as S-tier units, provide valuable team benefits.

Key Strengths:

• Clone ability for additional units
• Active skill provides team-wide buffs
• Good synergy with ninja-themed units
• Strategic placement options
• Excellent for specific team compositions

Best Artifacts for Itachi:

1. Clone-enhancing artifacts
2. Team buff equipment
3. Cooldown reduction items

SSS Tier Artifacts: Game-Winning Items

Toxic Greatsword (SSS) – The Poison King

Without a doubt, Toxic Greatsword is the most powerful artifact in Update 21. Its poison stacking capability makes it essential for any serious player.

Key Features:

• Stacking poison damage that increases over time
• Works with all unit types
• Scales infinitely with enemy health
• Essential for boss raids
• Synergizes with DoT units

Best Units to Pair With:

• Kafla (Overpower)
• Any fire-type units
• Units with burn/poison abilities

Nuke Ering – The Active Skill Enhancer

Nuke Ering has become increasingly valuable in Update 21, especially with the rise of active skill-focused units.

Key Features:

• +100% active skill damage
• Works with all unit types
• Essential for burst damage compositions
• Great for boss fights
• Scales with unit base damage

Best Units to Pair With:

• Gohan (Ultra Beast)
• Aozort (Hollow Form)
• Any unit with powerful active skills

S Tier Artifacts: Meta Essential Items

Curse Book – The Control Enhancer

Curse Book provides excellent utility for control-focused teams, extending the duration of debuffs and crowd control effects.

Key Features:

• Extends debuff duration by 50%
• Increases DoT damage
• Essential for control compositions
• Great for PvP scenarios
• Synergizes with control units

Best Units to Pair With:

• Yugi (Dark)
• Any control-focused units
• DoT specialists

Greenbone Greatsword – The Critical Specialist

Greenbone Greatsword has gained significant value in Update 21 due to the rise of critical damage compositions.

Key Features:

• +50% critical damage
• +15% critical hit chance
• Essential for crit-based teams
• Scales well with upgrades
• Great for sustained damage

Best Units to Pair With:

• Gohan (Ultra Beast)
• Any units with crit passives
• High attack speed units

Team Composition Strategies

The Ultimate Offense Team

Units: Kafla (Overpower), Gohan (Ultra Beast), Aozort (Hollow Form) Artifacts: Toxic Greatsword, Nuke Ering, Greenbone Greatsword Strategy: Maximum damage output with Kafla’s AoE, Gohan’s versatility, and Aozort’s single-target destruction.

The Control Domination Team

Units: Yugi (Dark), Homuro (Devil), Itachi Artifacts: Curse Book, any control-enhancing items Strategy: Lock down enemies while chipping away at their health with sustained damage.

The Balanced Progression Team

Units: Mix of A+ and A tier units based on availability Artifacts: Combination of damage and utility artifacts Strategy: Focus on steady progression through story content with reliable performance.

Update 21 Meta Analysis

Update 21 brought significant changes that have reshaped the Anime Guardians meta:

Major Balance Changes:

1. Kafla Buff: Increased burn damage and reduced cooldown
2. Gohan Rework: New invincibility mechanics and crit buff
3. Artifact Rework: Many artifacts received significant stat changes
4. New Units: Several powerful additions to the S and A tiers
5. Enemy Scaling: Adjusted to accommodate new power levels

Meta Shifts:

• DoT compositions have become dominant
• Control strategies are more viable than ever
• Critical damage builds see increased usage
• Hybrid compositions are rising in popularity

Progression Guide: From Beginner to Endgame

Early Game (Levels 1-30)

Focus: Acquiring your first S-tier unit Recommended Units: Any available S-tier units Artifacts: Focus on basic stat improvements Strategy: Progress through story mode, save resources for key summons

Mid Game (Levels 31-60)

Focus: Building your core team Recommended Units: Kafla (Overpower), Gohan (Ultra Beast) Artifacts: Toxic Greatsword, Nuke Ering Strategy: Optimize team composition, start investing in artifact upgrades

Late Game (Levels 61+)

Focus: Perfecting your endgame team Recommended Units: Full S+ tier composition Artifacts: Fully upgraded SSS and S tier artifacts Strategy: Participate in high-level content, optimize for specific challenges

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Synergy

Many players focus solely on individual unit power without considering team synergy. Always think about how units work together rather than just their individual rankings.

2. Artifact Misallocation

Don’t give your best artifacts to units that can’t utilize them effectively. Match artifacts to unit strengths for maximum impact.

3. Resource Mismanagement

Save your premium currency for guaranteed S-tier unit summons rather than spending it on random pulls.

4. Neglecting Unit Upgrades

Even S-tier units need proper investment to reach their full potential. Don’t neglect upgrades and enhancements.

Advanced Strategies

Artifact Combination Optimization

The key to maximizing your team’s potential lies in understanding artifact combinations. Here are some powerful synergies:

• Toxic Greatsword + DoT Units: Creates devastating damage over time effects
• Nuke Ering + Active Skill Units: Maximizes burst damage potential
• Curse Book + Control Units: Extends crowd control duration significantly

Positioning Mastery

Unit positioning can make or break battles:

• Frontline: Tanky units with survivability skills
• Midline: Balanced units with good range
• Backline: Ranged damage dealers and support units

Timing Your Abilities

Active skill timing is crucial in high-level content:

• Save burst damage for boss vulnerable phases
• Use defensive abilities during enemy wave surges
• Coordinate team abilities for maximum impact

Future Meta Predictions

Based on current trends and developer patterns, here’s what to expect in future updates:

Likely Changes:

1. New S+ Tier Units: Expect powerful new additions in upcoming updates
2. Artifact Balance: Current SSS artifacts may see nerfs to maintain game balance
3. Game Mode Additions: New content types may shift meta priorities
4. Unit Reworks: Lower-tier units may receive buffs to increase viability

Investment Tips:

• Focus on versatile units that perform well across multiple game modes
• Invest in artifacts that have broad applicability
• Keep resources available for new content releases
• Diversify your unit collection to adapt to meta changes

Community Resources

Official Sources

• Discord Server: Join for official announcements and community discussions
• Reddit Community: r/AnimeGuardians for player strategies and discussions
• Twitter/X: Follow for update announcements and developer insights

Player Resources

• Wiki Pages: Comprehensive unit and artifact databases
• YouTube Guides: Visual guides for team compositions and strategies
• Streaming Communities: Watch top players for advanced techniques

Frequently Asked Questions

How often is this tier list updated?

I update this tier list immediately after major game updates, typically every 2-3 weeks or whenever significant balance changes occur. Update 21 brought major changes, so rankings shifted significantly.

Should I only use S+ tier units?

While S+ tier units offer the best performance, team composition and synergy matter more. A well-coordinated A-tier team can outperform a poorly built S+ tier team.

How do I get Toxic Greatsword?

Toxic Greatsword is primarily obtained through high-level boss raids and special events. It has a low drop rate, so persistence is key.

What’s the best team for beginners?

For beginners, I recommend focusing on acquiring one S-tier unit and building around them with A-tier units that complement their playstyle.

How important are artifacts compared to units?

Artifacts are equally important as units in Update 21. A good artifact can significantly boost a unit’s performance, sometimes even elevating them to a higher tier.

Should I invest in multiple copies of the same unit?

Yes, unit duplicates provide significant stat bonuses and can unlock additional abilities. Focus on duplicating your core S-tier units first.

How do I counter specific enemy types?

Different units excel against different enemy types. Use control units against fast enemies, armor penetration against tanks, and AoE units against groups.

What’s the best way to farm resources?

Focus on daily quests, event participation, and efficient story mode progression. Save your energy for content that rewards the resources you need most.

Conclusion

This Anime Guardians tier list for Update 21 represents hundreds of hours of testing and community feedback. The meta is constantly evolving, but the units and artifacts listed here will serve you well in both current and future content.

Remember that while tier lists provide excellent guidance, your personal playstyle and available units should ultimately guide your decisions. Experiment with different combinations, stay updated with patch notes, and most importantly, have fun building your perfect team!