Saint Seiya EX Tier List (January 2026) 51+ Best Units Ranked
Welcome to the Sanctuary, Saints! If you’re diving into Saint Seiya EX and wondering which characters will help you dominate both PvE and PvP content, I’ve got your cosmos covered. After burning through countless battles and analyzing every single Saint in the game, I’m bringing you the most comprehensive tier list that’ll transform your gameplay from Bronze to Gold level instantly.
Saint Seiya EX brings the legendary anime to life with stunning 3D graphics and strategic card-based combat. But here’s the cosmic truth – not all Saints are created equal. Some characters like Scorpio Milo and Aries Mu can single-handedly carry your team to victory, while others… well, let’s just say they’re better left in the character collection screen. With over 51 unique characters spanning multiple rarities and positions, knowing who to invest your precious resources in can mean the difference between ruling the Sanctuary or getting crushed in the Galaxian Wars.
This guide breaks down every character by their position (Front Line, Middle Line, Back Line), analyzes their strengths and weaknesses, and shows you exactly why they deserve their tier placement. Whether you’re rerolling for that perfect start or deciding which Saint deserves your next upgrade, this tier list will be your constellation guide through the cosmos.
Character Ranking Factors for Saint Seiya EX
Before we dive into the tier lists, let me explain what separates a godly Saint from cosmic dust:
- Raw Damage Output: How much punishment can they dish out consistently?
- Survivability: Can they take hits and keep fighting, or do they crumble like paper?
- Skill Synergy: Do their abilities complement team compositions effectively?
- Versatility: Are they useful across multiple game modes (PvE, PvP, Boss Raids)?
- Resource Efficiency: Is the investment worth the cosmic power they provide?
- Position Effectiveness: How well do they perform in their designated battle position?
Saint Seiya EX Tier List (January 2026)
SS Tier – Cosmic Gods
| Character | Position | Key Stats | Special Abilities | Why They’re SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scorpio Milo | Back Line | Extreme DPS | Scarlet Needle, Mental Damage | Melts enemies with DOT and debuffs |
| Aries Mu | Middle Line | Support/Shield | Crystal Wall, Healing | Best support unit, fits any team |
| Evil Saga | Back Line | Burst DPS | Limited Banner | Insane damage multipliers |
| Gemini Saga | Middle Line | Control/Stun | Galaxian Explosion | Multiple stuns, invincibility frames |
| Aquarius Camus | Middle Line | Freeze Control | Aurora Execution | High-frequency control master |
S Tier – Legendary Saints
| Character | Position | Key Stats | Special Abilities | Why They’re S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leo Aiolia | Front Line | Tank/Knockback | Lightning Plasma | Great starter tank, disrupts formations |
| Phoenix Ikki | Middle Line | Burn/Assassin | Phoenix Wings | Backline killer with resurrection |
| Pisces Aphrodite | Back Line | Poison DPS | Royal Demon Rose | Ignores defense, % HP damage |
| Cancer Deathmask | Back Line | Burst DPS | Underworld Wave | Hard to obtain but devastating |
| Taurus Aldebaran | Front Line | Tank/Shield | Great Horn | Reliable protection for DPS |
A Tier – Elite Warriors
| Character | Position | Key Stats | Special Abilities | Why They’re A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Shiryu | Front Line | Lifesteal Tank | Rising Dragon | Self-sustaining frontliner |
| Cygnus Hyoga | Middle Line | Freeze Support | Diamond Dust | Good crowd control |
| Andromeda Shun | Middle Line | Chain Control | Nebula Chain | Decent utility support |
| Pope Ares | Middle Line | Banish/Control | Another Dimension | 6-second enemy removal |
| Perseus Algol | Back Line | Petrification | Medusa Shield | Mental resistance reduction |
B Tier – Solid Choices
| Character | Position | Key Stats | Special Abilities | Why They’re B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pegasus Seiya | Back Line | Basic DPS | Pegasus Meteor Fist | Starter hero, gets outclassed |
| Black Phoenix | Middle Line | Negative DMG | Dark Phoenix | Budget version of Ikki |
| Crow Kymos | Middle Line | Invincibility | Crow Form | Tricky but counterable |
| Sagitta Tremy | Back Line | Stealth DPS | Ringed Arrows | 60% damage boost when hidden |
| Hound Adrien | Middle Line | Clone Summon | Pack Hunter | Requires AoE to counter |
C Tier – Situational Saints
| Character | Position | Key Stats | Special Abilities | Why They’re C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Pegasus | Back Line | Physical DPS | Dark Meteor | Only for Black Saint synergy |
| Black Dragon | Front Line | Basic Tank | Shadow Shield | Outclassed by better tanks |
| Black Swan | Middle Line | Ice Support | Frozen Wings | Poor man’s Hyoga |
| Whale Moses | Front Line | Knockback | Tidal Wave | Physical damage in mental meta |
| Unicorn Jabu | Middle Line | Basic Support | Gallop Rush | Lacks meaningful utility |
D Tier – Collection Only
| Character | Position | Key Stats | Special Abilities | Why They’re D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Andromeda | Middle Line | Chain User | Dark Nebula | Inferior to regular Shun |
| Bear Geki | Front Line | Physical Tank | Bear Hug | Minimal defensive capabilities |
| Wolf Nachi | Back Line | Speed DPS | Dead Howling | Low damage, no utility |
| Hydra Ichi | Middle Line | Poison | Venom Fang | Outclassed by Aphrodite |
| Lionet Ban | Front Line | Basic Tank | Lion Bomber | No scaling potential |
Detailed Character Analysis
Scorpio Milo – The Cosmic Destroyer
My personal favorite and the undisputed king of DPS in Saint Seiya EX. Milo’s Scarlet Needle doesn’t just hurt – it devastates. His basic attacks apply a debuff that weakens enemy damage while continuously draining their HP. What makes him truly terrifying is his mental damage that bypasses physical defense, making tanky enemies cry cosmic tears. Stack him with proper support like Aries Mu, and you’ll watch health bars disappear faster than Saints rushing through the Twelve Houses. His passive abilities scale beautifully into late game, and that ultimate skill? It’s basically a delete button for anything unfortunate enough to be targeted.
Aries Mu – The Unbreakable Shield
Every team needs Mu. Period. This isn’t even a debate – it’s cosmic law. His Crystal Wall provides team-wide shields that can mean the difference between a perfect victory and a devastating wipe. But Mu isn’t just about defense; his incredibly cheap 3-point ultimate also boosts team damage and increases Bloodsoul Recovery Rate, essentially turbocharging your entire squad’s skill rotations. I’ve tested countless team compositions, and Mu fits into literally every single one. He enables aggressive 1-1-3 formations (1 tank, 1 healer, 3 DPS) because his utility covers multiple roles. If you’re rerolling, Mu should be your top priority alongside a strong DPS.
Evil Saga – The Limited Legend
When Evil Saga’s banner drops, empty your wallet. I’m not even joking. This limited unit sits at the absolute peak of burst damage potential with multipliers that make other DPS units look like they’re throwing pebbles. His kit revolves around devastating AoE attacks that can clear entire enemy teams in seconds. The only reason he’s not completely breaking the game is his limited availability – you can only get him during special banners. But when you do? Pair him with Gemini Saga for the twin terror combo and watch as nothing survives their galactic onslaught.
Gemini Saga – The Control Master
Speaking of Saga, this Gold Saint defines what crowd control should be. Every single one of his abilities includes some form of stun or disable, turning enemy teams into sitting ducks. His signature Galaxian Explosion doesn’t just deal damage – it creates a zone of absolute chaos where enemies can barely move. But here’s the real kicker: Saga can make himself invincible while stunning enemies again. The skill expression potential is incredible, and mastering his rotation separates good players from great ones. In high-level PvP, a well-played Saga can completely shut down enemy strategies.
Aquarius Camus – The Freeze Frame Expert
Camus takes the concept of “chill out” to extreme levels. His freeze mechanics don’t just slow enemies – they create a cascade of control effects that can lock down entire teams for extended periods. When combined with other control characters like Gemini Saga and Pope Ares, you create what I call the “Permafrost Prison” – a situation where enemies literally cannot act. His ultimate ability turns the battlefield into an ice sculpture gallery, and watching frozen enemies shatter never gets old. The recent buffs to freeze duration make him even more oppressive in PvP.
Leo Aiolia – The Golden Gatekeeper
As one of the most accessible Gold Saints, Aiolia serves as many players’ introduction to what real power feels like. His Lightning Plasma creates knockback effects that constantly disrupt enemy formations, making him invaluable against dive compositions. But Aiolia isn’t just about defense – his damage output is respectable for a tank, and his survivability lets him anchor your frontline throughout extended battles. New players should prioritize getting Aiolia early, as he’ll carry you through most PvE content while teaching you proper positioning fundamentals.
Phoenix Ikki – The Eternal Flame
Ikki embodies the Phoenix mythology perfectly – he just won’t stay down. His kit focuses on applying burn effects while having the unique ability to attack backline enemies directly, making him a nightmare for squishy DPS units. What sets Ikki apart is his resurrection mechanic; even when defeated, he can rise from the ashes to continue fighting. This makes him incredibly annoying in PvP, where opponents must essentially kill him twice. His synergy with other burn-focused characters creates a “Scorched Earth” team composition that melts through enemies over time.
Pisces Aphrodite – The Beautiful Destroyer
Don’t let the roses fool you – Aphrodite brings death in the most elegant way possible. His poison completely ignores enemy defense, dealing damage based on their maximum HP percentage. This mechanic makes him invaluable against high-HP bosses and tanky team compositions. The poison stacks up to 10 times, potentially dealing 5% max HP per tick – that’s half their health bar gone through poison alone! His Royal Demon Rose ultimate rains death from above, and when paired with other DoT (damage over time) characters, creates an inevitable countdown to victory.
Taurus Aldebaran – The Immovable Object
Every great DPS needs a great protector, and Aldebaran fills that role perfectly. His massive HP pool and shield generation make him the ideal frontline tank for protecting your damage dealers. Unlike flashier tanks, Aldebaran’s strength lies in consistency – he doesn’t have fancy mechanics, just pure, reliable protection. His Great Horn can push back enemies trying to dive your backline, and his passive defense buffs make your entire team more durable. For new players, Aldebaran represents the gold standard of what a tank should be.
Dragon Shiryu – The Eternal Warrior
Shiryu brings something unique to the tank role – sustainability through lifesteal. His Rising Dragon doesn’t just damage enemies; it heals him based on damage dealt. This creates a warrior who becomes stronger the longer battles continue. In extended PvE content like boss raids, Shiryu’s self-healing reduces the pressure on your supports, allowing them to focus on enabling your DPS. His defensive stance also provides damage reduction for the entire team, making him a hybrid tank-support that excels in endurance battles.
Cygnus Hyoga – The Diamond Dust Master
While not as oppressive as Aquarius Camus, Hyoga provides reliable freeze control at a more accessible rarity. His Diamond Dust slows enemy attack speed, buying precious time for your team to set up combos. What makes Hyoga valuable is his consistency – unlike other control characters who rely on ultimate abilities, Hyoga’s basic attacks apply slow effects. This makes him excellent for newer players who haven’t mastered complex ability rotations yet. In freeze-focused teams, he serves as the perfect complement to Camus.
Black Saints Team – The Budget Brotherhood
The Black Saints (Black Pegasus, Black Dragon, Black Swan, Black Andromeda, Black Phoenix) deserve special mention as a cohesive unit. Individually, they’re C-tier at best. But together? They transform into a surprisingly effective B-tier team. Their synergy provides 20% damage lifesteal and significant stat boosts, making them viable for free-to-play players. The Purgatory Blade item further enhances their critical rate, turning this budget squad into early-game monsters. While they’ll eventually be outclassed, they provide excellent value for resource-conscious players.
The Assassin Meta – High Risk, High Reward
Characters like Crow Kymos, Sagitta Tremy, and Hound Adrien represent the assassin archetype – high damage, tricky mechanics, but easily countered by experienced players. Kymos’s invincibility during crow form makes him untargetable, Tremy gains 60% damage boost while stealthed, and Adrien summons multiple clones. In lower-tier PvP, these characters dominate through confusion and burst damage. However, AoE abilities and proper positioning completely shut them down, which is why they remain in B-tier despite their potential.
Reroll Strategy & Tips (2026)
After helping dozens of players optimize their starts, here’s my proven reroll strategy:
Top Reroll Targets:
- Aries Mu – Universal support that enables any team
- Scorpio Milo – Top-tier DPS that scales perfectly
- Leo Aiolia – Accessible tank that carries early game
- Evil Saga – If his banner is active, go all-in
- Gemini Saga – Control specialist for PvP dominance
Reroll Process:
- Use guest account for quick resets
- Complete tutorial for 20+ free pulls
- Target at least one SS/S tier character
- Aim for 1 tank + 1 support or DPS minimum
- Bind account immediately after good pulls
Red Flags to Reroll:
- Starting with only B/C tier units
- No synergy between pulled characters
- Missing crucial roles (all DPS, no tank/support)
- Poor position distribution
Best Team Compositions (January 2026)
Meta Destroyer (Whale Team)
- Front: Leo Aiolia
- Middle: Aries Mu, Gemini Saga
- Back: Scorpio Milo, Evil Saga
This team has everything – tankiness, control, support, and devastating damage. The Saga brothers create chaos while Mu keeps everyone alive and Milo melts everything.
F2P Frost Control
- Front: Taurus Aldebaran
- Middle: Aquarius Camus, Cygnus Hyoga
- Back: Pisces Aphrodite, Dragon Shiryu
Accessible through selectors and regular banners, this team locks down enemies while Aphrodite’s poison ticks away their health.
Burn Brigade Budget
- Front: Leo Aiolia / Perseus Algol
- Middle: Phoenix Ikki, Gurdi
- Back: Black Phoenix, Pisces Aphrodite
Stack burn damage with poison for inevitable victory. Great against tanky teams that try to outlast you.
Black Saints Synergy
- Front: Black Dragon
- Middle: Black Andromeda, Black Swan
- Back: Black Pegasus, Black Phoenix
Don’t underestimate this team with Purgatory Blade equipped. They’re surprisingly effective for new players.
Meta Analysis & Future Predictions
The current Saint Seiya EX meta heavily favors burst damage and control combinations. Mental damage dealers like Scorpio Milo dominate because most tanks stack physical defense. Looking at other servers, we can expect:
- Upcoming Power Creep: Gold Saints will likely get enhanced versions
- New Mechanics: Expect counter-attack and damage reflection units
- Position Flexibility: Future updates may allow position swapping mid-battle
- Cosmic Awakening: Higher tier evolutions beyond SSR
For longevity, invest in versatile characters like Aries Mu who’ll remain relevant regardless of meta shifts. Avoid over-investing in one-dimensional units that only excel in specific scenarios.
Related Tier Lists
Looking for more tier list guides? Check out these similar games:
- Saint Seiya Legend of Justice Tier List – Compare character rankings with this similar Saint Seiya game
- Genshin Impact Tier List – Master another popular gacha with elemental combat
- Honkai Star Rail Tier List – Turn-based combat tier rankings
- Blue Archive Reroll Tier List – Another gacha game with strategic team building
FAQ’s
What makes a character SS tier in Saint Seiya EX?
SS tier characters excel in multiple areas: exceptional damage output or support capabilities, versatility across all game modes, game-changing ultimate abilities, and synergy with multiple team compositions. They’re worth building entire teams around and remain relevant throughout all content.
Should I reroll if I don’t get Aries Mu?
While Aries Mu is the best support in the game, you don’t absolutely need him to succeed. If you pull other S-tier characters like Scorpio Milo or Leo Aiolia, you can progress comfortably. However, Mu makes every team significantly better, so he’s worth chasing during rate-up banners.
Can R and SR characters upgrade to SSR in Saint Seiya EX?
Yes! This is one of Saint Seiya EX’s best features. Every character can eventually reach SSR status through the Cosmos awakening system. While natural SSR units have better base stats, a fully awakened R character can compete effectively, especially with proper team synergy.
What’s the best position setup for team composition?
The current meta favors 1-2-2 (1 front, 2 middle, 2 back) or 1-1-3 (1 front, 1 middle, 3 back) formations. The first offers balanced offense and defense, while the second maximizes damage output. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize sustainability or burst damage.
How important are limited banner characters like Evil Saga?
Limited characters often define new metas with unique mechanics and higher power levels. While not mandatory for progression, they provide significant advantages in competitive modes. Save resources for these banners, but don’t feel pressured to spend beyond your means – the game remains enjoyable with regular units.
Which game mode should beginners focus on?
Start with the main story campaign to understand game mechanics and unlock features. Once comfortable, tackle daily quests for consistent resources. Avoid PvP initially unless you enjoy the challenge – it’s dominated by veteran players with optimized teams. Focus on building one strong team before diversifying.
How often does the tier list change with updates?
Major shifts occur every 2-3 months with new character releases or balance patches. Minor adjustments happen monthly based on discovered synergies or counter-strategies. I update this tier list regularly to reflect the current meta, so bookmark and check back for the latest rankings!
Is it worth investing in Black Saints for their team synergy?
For new free-to-play players, absolutely! The Black Saints provide excellent value early game with their 20% lifesteal and stat bonuses. They’ll carry you through initial content while you save resources for better units. Just don’t over-invest – they plateau quickly compared to higher-tier options.
Conclusion
The path to becoming a legendary Saint in Saint Seiya EX starts with smart character choices and strategic team building. While SS-tier units like Scorpio Milo and Aries Mu dominate the current meta, remember that skill and strategy matter just as much as raw character power. Even B-tier Saints can shine with proper investment and team synergy.
Focus on building one cohesive team rather than spreading resources thin. Prioritize versatile characters who excel across multiple game modes, and don’t chase every new shiny unit unless they significantly improve your roster. Most importantly, have fun burning your cosmos and protecting Athena!
This tier list will evolve with each update, so check back regularly for the latest rankings and strategies. May your pulls be blessed with golden light, and may you never see another Hydra Ichi in your summons!
What’s your favorite team composition? Did any rankings surprise you? Share your cosmic wisdom in the comments below, and let’s discuss the ever-evolving Saint Seiya EX meta together!