The First Descendant Tier List: All Characters Ranked (2026)

Updated by Garvit Sharma
October 29, 2025
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Welcome to the most comprehensive The First Descendant tier list you’ll find anywhere! After spending countless hours researching, analyzing, and testing every character across multiple sources and gameplay scenarios, I’ve created the definitive ranking system to help you make informed decisions about which Descendants to invest your time and resources in.

The First Descendant Tier List Overview (March 2026)

In The First Descendant, choosing the right character can make or break your gameplay experience. While every Descendant has unique strengths and playstyles, some clearly outperform others in specific content types. This tier list is based on extensive research from top-tier sources including AlcastHQ, Game8, and Sportskeeda, combined with my own hands-on experience.

Quick Reference Table: Overall Tier Rankings

Tier	Characters	Best For
SS Tier	Serena, Bunny, Gley	Maximum performance across all content
S Tier	Freyna, Lepic, Valby, Viessa	Excellent performance with minor weaknesses
A Tier	Hailey, Nell, Ines, Ajax, Blair	Strong performance in specific scenarios
B Tier	Enzo, Sharen, Yujin, Luna, Kyle	Situational use, requires specific builds
C Tier	Jayber, Esiemo	Limited effectiveness, niche uses

Understanding The First Descendant Tier List System

Before diving into the rankings, it’s crucial to understand how this tier list works. Unlike many games where characters are ranked purely on damage output, The First Descendant requires a more nuanced approach due to its varied content types.

Tier List Criteria

I’ve evaluated each Descendant based on multiple factors:

Overall Performance: How well the character performs across all content types
Mobbing Efficiency: Effectiveness at clearing large groups of enemies quickly
Bossing Potential: Performance against Void Intercept bosses and high-value targets
Build Flexibility: How many viable build options exist for the character
Skill Ceiling: How powerful the character becomes with optimal builds and gear
Beginner Friendliness: How accessible the character is to new players

Content-Specific Tier Lists

Different characters excel in different content types. Here’s how they rank across various game modes:

Mobbing Tier List (Best for Farming Missions)

Tier	Characters	Key Strengths
S Tier	Valby, Bunny, Serena	Unmatched clear speed, AoE coverage
A Tier	Gley, Freyna, Viessa, Jayber	Strong mobbing with minor downtime
B Tier	Lepic, Ajax, Kyle, Blair, Enzo, Luna, Hailey	Viable but slower clear speeds
C Tier	Yujin, Sharen	Limited mobbing capabilities

Bossing Tier List (Best for Void Intercepts)

Tier	Characters	Key Strengths
S Tier	Gley, Lepic, Hailey, Serena	Exceptional single-target damage
A Tier	Valby, Enzo, Sharen, Freyna	Strong bossing with utility
B Tier	Viessa, Bunny, Blair, Ajax, Kyle, Yujin	Situational bossing effectiveness
C Tier	Luna, Esiemo	Limited bossing potential

SS Tier Characters: The Meta-Defining Powerhouses

SS Tier characters represent the absolute pinnacle of power in The First Descendant. These characters often dominate multiple content types and can significantly outperform others when properly built.

Serena – The Flying Goddess (Fire)

Overall Rank: SS Tier Mobbing: SS Tier | Bossing: SS Tier

Serena stands as arguably the most broken character in The First Descendant’s current meta. As the first Descendant capable of flight, she brings unprecedented mobility combined with devastating damage output.

Strengths:

Insane Single-Target Damage: Her fourth skill, Redemption, boosts weapon-based damage to astronomical levels
Incredible AoE Clear: With proper weapon setup, she can delete entire rooms of enemies instantly
Powerful Transcendent Modules: Her unique modules scale incredibly well with endgame gear
HP Scaling: Damage scales off max HP, allowing for tanky yet devastating builds
Ultimate Versatility: Excels in literally every content type from dungeons to colossus fights

Weaknesses:

Weapon Dependent: Requires a well-optimized weapon to reach full potential
Resource Management: Can be mana-intensive during extended fights

Best Use Cases:

Speedrunning: With correct AoE weapons, she can speedrun any content
Dungeon Clearing: Melts through harder dungeons with ease
Boss Fights: Can delete most bosses in seconds with proper setup
Solo Play: Exceptionally strong for solo players tackling difficult content

Recommended Builds:

Serena Bossing Build: Optimized for maximum single-target damage against Colossus bosses
Serena Dungeon Build: Focused on AoE weapon damage for mob clearing
Serena Skill Build: Alternative setup for skill-based AoE damage

Bunny – The Electrifying Speedster (Electric)

Overall Rank: SS Tier Mobbing: SS Tier | Bossing: A Tier

Bunny represents the pinnacle of mobility-based gameplay in The First Descendant. Her lightning-fast movement combined with electrocution abilities makes her one of the most fun and effective characters for mobbing content.

Strengths:

Unmatched Mobility: Fastest movement speed of any Descendant
Passive Electrocuting: Movement ability electrocutes enemies she passes by
Resource Generation: Electricity resource scales with travel distance
Low Skill Floor: Easy to pick up and play effectively
Excellent Clear Speed: Can clear entire rooms just by running through them

Weaknesses:

Low Survivability: Fragile compared to other top-tier characters
Close-Range Combat: Requires getting close to enemies for maximum effectiveness
Mana Hungry: High MP costs for sustained combat
Limited Bossing: Not optimized for single-target boss fights

Best Use Cases:

Farming: Unmatched for farming materials and resources
Speed Runs: Excellent for time-based content and challenges
Mobbing Dungeons: Clears hordes of enemies with incredible efficiency
Beginner Friendly: Great choice for new players learning the game

Recommended Builds:

Bunny Mobility Build: Maximizes movement speed and electrocution damage
Bunny Survival Build: Adds defensive stats for harder content
Bunny Mana Efficiency Build: Focuses on resource management for extended play

Gley – High Risk, High Reward (Non-Attribute)

Overall Rank: SS Tier Mobbing: A Tier | Bossing: SS Tier

Gley embodies the “glass cannon” archetype perfectly, offering incredible damage potential at the cost of survivability. She’s currently one of the strongest bossing characters in the game when built correctly.

Strengths:

Insane Single-Target Damage: Frenzied state massively boosts weapon damage
Life Siphon Mechanics: Heals while attacking, creating sustain
Life Sphere Generation: Creates healing orbs on enemy kills
No Ammo Consumption: Ultimate ability makes weapons ammo-free
HP Scaling: Some abilities scale with max HP for tanky damage builds

Weaknesses:

High Risk Playstyle: Frenzied state reduces healing and increases damage taken
No Shield: Only Descendant without a shield, relying purely on HP
Build Dependent: Requires specific modules and gear to shine
Positioning Intensive: Needs careful positioning to survive

Best Use Cases:

Boss Fights: Arguably the best Void Intercept character
High-Damage Content: Excels in content where damage is the primary concern
Endgame Challenges: Shines in the most difficult content with proper support
Speed Killing: Can eliminate bosses incredibly quickly

Recommended Builds:

Gley Universal Build: One build that works effectively in all content types
Gley Bossing Build: Maximum single-target damage setup
Gley Survival Build: Balances damage with survivability for harder content

S Tier Characters: Excellent Performers

S Tier characters are incredibly strong and versatile, though they may have minor weaknesses or specific requirements that prevent them from reaching SS Tier status.

Freyna – The Poison Queen (Toxic)

Overall Rank: S Tier Mobbing: S Tier | Bossing: S Tier

Freyna has risen significantly in the meta following recent updates, becoming one of the most well-rounded characters in the game. Her toxic-based abilities offer both incredible AoE coverage and respectable single-target damage.

Strengths:

Massive AoE Damage: Toxic skills cover huge areas and melt enemy groups
Strong Single-Target: Ultimate exclusive transcendent module provides excellent boss damage
Contagion Mechanics: Poison spreads between enemies, amplifying damage
Powerful Modules: Has access to some of the best transcendent modules
No Real Weaknesses: Performs well in virtually all content types

Weaknesses:

No Burst Damage: Relies on damage over time rather than instant burst
Cooldown Dependent: Performance heavily tied to skill cooldown reduction

Best Use Cases:

All-Around Play: Effective in literally every content type
Speedrunning: One of the best characters for dungeon speed runs
Farming: Excellent for farming materials due to AoE coverage
Solo Content: Great for players who prefer to play alone

Recommended Builds:

Freyna Bossing Build: Optimized for maximum single-target damage
Freyna Dungeon Build: Maximum AoE damage and range for mob clearing
Freyna Void Erosion Build: Specialized for hard content like Void Erosion Purge
Ultimate Freyna One-Phase Build: Designed to nuke bosses within seconds

Lepic – The Grenade Specialist (Fire)

Overall Rank: S Tier Mobbing: B Tier | Bossing: S Tier

Lepic stands as the best starting character in The First Descendant and remains relevant even in endgame content. His grenade-based abilities offer excellent crowd control and burst damage potential.

Strengths:

Beginner Friendly: Easy to understand and play effectively
Strong Burst Damage: Grenades can deal massive instant damage
Crowd Control: Traction Grenade pulls enemies together for efficient clearing
Survivability: Close Call passive provides chances to survive fatal hits
Versatile: Effective in both mobbing and bossing scenarios

Weaknesses:

Limited Range: Grenades have relatively short throwing distance
Cooldown Management: Some abilities have longer cooldowns
Position Dependent: Requires good positioning for maximum effectiveness

Best Use Cases:

New Players: Perfect choice for beginners learning the game
Boss Fights: Excellent single-target damage against Void Intercepts
Crowd Control: Great for managing large groups of enemies
Solo Play: Strong enough to carry players through most content solo

Recommended Builds:

Lepic Bossing Build: Maximum damage setup for Void Intercept fights
Lepic Mobbing Build: Optimized for clearing groups of enemies
Lepic Balanced Build: Good mix of damage and survivability for general play

Valby – The Water Controller (Non-Attribute)

Overall Rank: S Tier Mobbing: SS Tier | Bossing: A Tier

Valby has emerged as one of the strongest overall characters in The First Descendant, particularly excelling in mobbing content. Her water-based abilities provide excellent area control and damage over time effects.

Strengths:

Unmatched Mobbing: Considered by many to be the best farming character
Area Control: Water puddles provide persistent damage zones
Utility: “Laundry” debuff increases damage taken by affected enemies
Crowd Control: Plip Plop can knock down even bosses
Resource Efficiency: Reduced mana cost while standing on water

Weaknesses:

No Burst Damage: Relies entirely on damage over time effects
Build Dependent: Requires proper module setup for maximum effectiveness
Element Limitation: Only enhances Non-Attribute and Electric damage

Best Use Cases:

Farming: Unmatched for material and resource farming
Team Play: Excellent utility for group content
Speed Running: Top choice for dungeon speed runs
Area Denial: Great for controlling battlefield space

Recommended Builds:

Valby Farming Build: Maximum AoE damage and coverage
Valby Support Build: Focuses on utility and team buffs
Valby Duration Build: Maximizes water puddle duration for persistent damage

Viessa – The Ice Queen (Chill)

Overall Rank: S Tier Mobbing: A Tier | Bossing: A Tier

As one of the starting characters, Viessa offers excellent crowd control capabilities and respectable damage output. Her ice-based abilities can freeze and immobilize enemies, making her valuable for team compositions.

Strengths:

Strong Crowd Control: Can freeze and immobilize enemies effectively
Self-Buffing: Frost Road provides movement speed and shield bonuses
Starting Character: Available immediately for new players
Utility: Chill effects can help manage dangerous enemies
Good Scaling: Performs well with proper gear investment

Weaknesses:

Limited AoE: Skills have relatively small area coverage
Build Dependent: Requires proper modules for optimal performance
Low Survivability: Can be fragile without proper defensive setup

Best Use Cases:

Team Play: Excellent crowd control for group content
Starting Character: Great choice for new players
Control Situations: Valuable when enemy management is crucial
Utility Role: Provides valuable debuffs and crowd control

Recommended Builds:

Viessa Control Build: Maximizes freeze duration and crowd control
Viessa Damage Build: Focuses on damage output while maintaining control
Viessa Support Build: Emphasizes utility and team benefits

A Tier Characters: Strong and Viable Options

A Tier characters are strong performers that excel in specific scenarios or content types. While they may have some limitations, they’re still excellent choices for most players.

Hailey – The Cold Sniper (Chill)

Overall Rank: A Tier Mobbing: B Tier | Bossing: S Tier

Hailey is a specialized character who excels at single-target damage but struggles with mob clearing. Her cold-based abilities make her excellent for boss fights and high-value target elimination.

Strengths:

Exceptional Single-Target Damage: One of the best bossing characters
Weapon Buffing: Cold Fury ability maximizes weapon critical potential
MP Efficiency: Zenith provides burst damage with MP regeneration
Strong Without Modules: Performs well even without optimal gear
High Skill Ceiling: Becomes incredibly powerful with proper investment

Weaknesses:

Poor Mob Clearing: Struggles with large groups of enemies
Aiming Dependent: Requires good aim for maximum effectiveness
Hard to Obtain: More challenging to unlock compared to some characters

Best Use Cases:

Boss Fights: Excellent for Void Intercept battles
High-Value Targets: Excels at eliminating elite enemies
Precision Play: Perfect for players who prefer targeted damage
Endgame Content: Shines in difficult content with proper support

Recommended Builds:

Hailey Bossing Build: Maximum single-target damage setup
Hailey Critical Build: Focuses on critical hit chance and damage
Hailey Weapon Build: Optimizes weapon performance with her buffs

Nell – The Combo Breaker (Non-Attribute)

Overall Rank: A Tier Mobbing: A Tier | Bossing: A Tier

Nell brings a unique playstyle focused on enemy scanning and burst damage. Her ability to pull enemies together and unleash devastating attacks makes her valuable for both mobbing and bossing scenarios.

Strengths:

Insane Burst Damage: Can deal massive damage in short periods
Enemy Grouping: Can pull enemies into single locations for efficient clearing
Versatile: Effective at both AoE and single-target damage
Fun Playstyle: Unique scanning mechanic adds depth to gameplay
Strong Scaling: Becomes very powerful with proper gear investment

Weaknesses:

Scanning Dependent: Requires constant enemy scanning for bonus damage
Skill Timing: Success depends on proper ability timing and management
Learning Curve: More complex to play effectively compared to some characters

Best Use Cases:

Area Clearing: Excellent for pulling enemies together and eliminating them
Boss Fights: Strong single-target damage against Colossus enemies
Dungeon Running: Effective for clearing difficult dungeon content
Solo Play: Great for players who enjoy complex, skill-based gameplay

Recommended Builds:

Nell Mobbing Build: Maximizes AoE damage and enemy grouping
Nell Bossing Build: Optimized for single-target damage output
Nell Hybrid Build: Balanced approach for general content

Ines – The Electric Storm (Electric)

Overall Rank: A Tier Mobbing: S Tier | Bossing: B Tier

Ines specializes in widespread electric damage, making her one of the best mobbing characters in the game. Her abilities can cover huge areas and deal devastating damage to enemy groups.

Strengths:

Amazing AoE Damage: Electric skills cover enormous areas
Wide Range: Can hit enemies across large distances
Strong Mobbing: One of the best characters for clearing large groups
Good Scaling: Performs very well with proper build investment
Solo Friendly: Excellent for solo players tackling difficult content

Weaknesses:

AoE Only: Lacks meaningful single-target capabilities
Limited Bossing: Not optimized for Void Intercept fights
Resource Management: Can be mana-intensive during extended fights

Best Use Cases:

Farming: Excellent for material and resource farming
Mob Clearing: Unmatched for clearing large enemy groups
Dungeon Running: Great for speed-running dungeon content
Area Control: Effective at controlling large battlefield areas

Recommended Builds:

Ines Mobbing Build: Maximum AoE damage and range
Ines Dungeon Build: Optimized for clearing dungeon content
Ines Resource Build: Focuses on mana management for extended play

Ajax – The Immovable Tank (Non-Attribute)

Overall Rank: A Tier Mobbing: B Tier | Bossing: A Tier

Ajax serves as the premier tank character in The First Descendant, offering incredible survivability and team utility. While his damage output may not match top-tier DPS characters, his ability to withstand punishment and protect allies makes him invaluable.

Strengths:

Exceptional Survivability: Can withstand incredible amounts of damage
Team Utility: Provides valuable protection and support for allies
Beginner Friendly: Forgiving playstyle great for new players
Crowd Control: Good abilities for managing enemy groups
Low Cooldowns: Abilities refresh quickly for consistent performance

Weaknesses:

Lower Damage: Damage output lags behind dedicated DPS characters
Team Dependent: Shines brightest in group content
Limited Scaling: Doesn’t benefit as much from endgame gear as some characters

Best Use Cases:

Team Play: Essential for group content and difficult challenges
New Players: Perfect choice for beginners learning game mechanics
Defensive Scenarios: Excellent when survival is the primary concern
Support Role: Provides valuable utility for team compositions

Recommended Builds:

Ajax Tank Build: Maximum survivability and team protection
Ajax Balanced Build: Mixes defense with respectable damage
Ajax Support Build: Focuses on utility and team benefits

Blair – The Fire Specialist (Fire)

Overall Rank: A Tier Mobbing: A Tier | Bossing: B Tier

Blair brings fire-based damage over time effects to the table, offering strong mobbing capabilities and respectable boss damage. His burn mechanics can stack to deal significant damage to high-health targets.

Strengths:

Strong DoT Damage: Burn effects deal increasing damage over time
Good Mobbing: Effective at clearing groups of enemies
Mana Regeneration: Extinguish ability helps manage resources
Scaling Damage: Burn damage increases over time
Weapon Synergy: Works well with fire-based weapons

Weaknesses:

Burn Dependent: Relies heavily on damage over time effects
Build Specific: Requires proper setup for maximum effectiveness
Delayed Damage: Takes time for full damage potential to be realized

Best Use Cases:

Mob Clearing: Effective at eliminating enemy groups
High-Health Targets: Excels against enemies with large health pools
Fire Synergy: Great when using fire-based weapons and abilities
Extended Fights: Shines in longer encounters where burn can stack

Recommended Builds:

Blair Burn Build: Maximizes burn damage and duration
Blair Mobbing Build: Optimized for clearing enemy groups
Blair Weapon Build: Enhances fire weapon performance

B Tier Characters: Situational Specialists

B Tier characters have specific niches where they excel but may struggle in general content. They require specific builds or situations to perform effectively.

Enzo – The Loot Specialist (Non-Attribute)

Overall Rank: B Tier Mobbing: B Tier | Bossing: A Tier

Enzo fills a unique niche as one of the only loot-focused characters in the game. His ability to generate additional resources and ammunition makes him valuable for farming and team support.

Strengths:

Loot Generation: Can get additional loot from Encrypted Vaults
Ammunition Support: Generates ammo for team members in Void Intercepts
Utility Focus: Provides valuable support for team compositions
Resource Management: Helps teams manage ammunition effectively
Unique Role: Fills a niche no other character can match

Weaknesses:

Low Damage: Damage output is significantly below average
Situational Use: Only valuable in specific scenarios or team compositions
Limited Solo Potential: Not effective for solo play
Niche Appeal: Only useful for players focused on resource optimization

Best Use Cases:

Team Support: Valuable for group content and resource management
Farming Groups: Excellent for coordinated farming efforts
Ammunition Management: Essential for teams using special-round weapons
Resource Optimization: Perfect for players focused on efficiency

Recommended Builds:

Enzo Support Build: Maximizes utility and team benefits
Enzo Resource Build: Focuses on loot generation and ammo supply
Enzo Duration Build: Enhances ability duration for sustained support

Sharen – The Stealth Assassin (Electric)

Overall Rank: B Tier Mobbing: C Tier | Bossing: A Tier

Sharen brings stealth mechanics to The First Descendant, offering unique gameplay centered around surprise attacks and tactical positioning. While she can be effective in specific scenarios, she requires skilled play to reach her potential.

Strengths:

Stealth Mechanics: Can become invisible for tactical advantages
Strong Burst Damage: Can deal significant damage from stealth
Tactical Gameplay: Rewards smart positioning and timing
Bossing Potential: Can be effective against single targets
Unique Playstyle: Offers something different from standard characters

Weaknesses:

High Skill Floor: Requires significant skill to play effectively
Poor Mobbing: Struggles with large groups of enemies
Position Dependent: Success relies heavily on proper positioning
Cooldown Management: Abilities have significant cooldown periods

Best Use Cases:

Boss Fights: Can be effective against single, high-value targets
Tactical Play: Perfect for players who enjoy stealth-based gameplay
Skilled Players: Rewards experienced players with high skill ceilings
Specific Encounters: Excels in scenarios where stealth is advantageous

Recommended Builds:

Sharen Stealth Build: Maximizes stealth duration and burst damage
Sharen Bossing Build: Optimized for single-target elimination
Sharen Tactical Build: Focuses on positioning and timing

Yujin – The Combat Medic (Non-Attribute)

Overall Rank: B Tier Mobbing: C Tier | Bossing: B Tier

Yujin serves as the primary healing character in The First Descendant, offering valuable support capabilities for team content. While his damage output is limited, his ability to keep allies alive makes him valuable in specific situations.

Strengths:

Healing Capabilities: Can restore health to allies
Revive Support: Can assist with reviving downed teammates
Team Utility: Provides valuable support for group content
Survival Focus: Helps keep team members alive in difficult content
Unique Role: Fills the healer niche in the game

Weaknesses:

Very Low Damage: Minimal damage output compared to other characters
Team Dependent: Almost useless in solo content
Limited Scaling: Doesn’t benefit significantly from gear upgrades
Situational Use: Only valuable in specific team compositions

Best Use Cases:

Team Support: Essential for difficult group content
Healing Focus: Perfect when team survival is the primary concern
Support Role: Provides valuable utility for team compositions
Difficult Content: Valuable in challenging scenarios where survival is crucial

Recommended Builds:

Yujin Heal Build: Maximizes healing output and support capabilities
Yujin Support Build: Focuses on team utility and survival
Yujin Balanced Build: Mixes support with minimal damage contribution

Luna – The Moonlight Dancer (Chill)

Overall Rank: B Tier Mobbing: B Tier | Bossing: B Tier

Luna brings unique moonlight-based abilities to the game, offering a mix of damage and utility. While she can be effective in certain situations, she generally underperforms compared to higher-tier characters.

Strengths:

Unique Mechanics: Moonlight abilities offer different gameplay
Decent Mobility: Good movement capabilities
Versatile: Can handle various content types adequately
Aesthetic Appeal: Interesting visual design and abilities
Moderate Learning Curve: Not too difficult to play effectively

Weaknesses:

Average Performance: Doesn’t excel in any particular area
Outclassed: Generally outperformed by characters in higher tiers
Limited Scaling: Doesn’t benefit as much from endgame investment
Situational Effectiveness: Only shines in specific scenarios

Best Use Cases:

General Play: Can handle most content adequately
Casual Play: Good for players who prefer unique aesthetics
Versatile Roles: Can fill multiple roles reasonably well
Alternative Playstyle: Offers something different from meta characters

Recommended Builds:

Luna Balanced Build: General-purpose setup for various content
Luna Mobility Build: Focuses on movement and positioning
Luna Damage Build: Attempts to maximize damage output

Kyle – The Shield Master (Non-Attribute)

Overall Rank: B Tier Mobbing: B Tier | Bossing: B Tier

Kyle specializes in shield-based abilities, offering strong defensive capabilities and team utility. While he can be valuable in specific situations, his overall performance places him in the B tier.

Strengths:

Shield Focus: Strong defensive capabilities through shield mechanics
Team Utility: Can provide shields and protection for allies
Survivability: Very difficult to eliminate due to shield abilities
Defensive Support: Valuable for team survival in difficult content
Unique Mechanics: Offers different gameplay through shield management

Weaknesses:

Limited Damage: Damage output is below average
Situational Use: Only valuable in specific team compositions
Meta Changes: Recent patches have affected his effectiveness
Niche Appeal: Only useful for players focused on defensive strategies

Best Use Cases:

Team Defense: Excellent for protecting allies in difficult content
Shield Support: Valuable when team survival is crucial
Defensive Strategies: Perfect for players who prefer defensive playstyles
Specific Encounters: Excels in scenarios where shields are particularly valuable

Recommended Builds:

Kyle Shield Build: Maximizes shield generation and team protection
Kyle Support Build: Focuses on defensive utility and team benefits
Kyle Balanced Build: Mixes defense with minimal damage contribution

C Tier Characters: Limited Effectiveness

C Tier characters struggle to compete with higher-tier options and generally require specific circumstances or significant investment to perform adequately.

Jayber – The Technical Specialist (Electric)

Overall Rank: C Tier Mobbing: A Tier | Bossing: C Tier

Jayber brings technical abilities and gadgets to the battlefield, offering unique mechanics that can be situationally useful. However, he generally underperforms in most content types.

Strengths:

Unique Gadgets: Technical abilities offer different gameplay options
Situational Mobbing: Can be effective at clearing groups in specific scenarios
Technical Playstyle: Appeals to players who enjoy complex mechanics
Moderate Versatility: Can handle various content types to some degree
Niche Applications: Can be valuable in very specific situations

Weaknesses:

Poor Bossing: Very ineffective against single targets
Complex Mechanics: Requires significant skill to use effectively
Inconsistent Performance: Performance varies greatly between scenarios
Outclassed: Generally outperformed by characters in higher tiers
Limited Scaling: Doesn’t benefit significantly from gear investment

Best Use Cases:

Technical Play: Perfect for players who enjoy complex mechanics
Specific Scenarios: Can be valuable in very particular situations
Alternative Playstyle: Offers something different from standard characters
Experimental Gameplay: Good for players trying unique approaches

Recommended Builds:

Jayber Technical Build: Maximizes gadget effectiveness and utility
Jayber Mobbing Build: Attempts to optimize area clearing
Jayber Experimental Build: Focuses on unique mechanics and combinations

Esiemo – The Struggling Specialist (Non-Attribute)

Overall Rank: C Tier Mobbing: C Tier | Bossing: C Tier

Esiemo represents the bottom tier of characters in The First Descendant, struggling to compete effectively in most content types. While recent patches have improved his playability, he still significantly underperforms compared to other options.

Strengths:

Recent Improvements: Has received buffs in recent updates
Unique Mechanics: Offers different gameplay from other characters
Low Skill Floor: Relatively easy to understand and play
Niche Appeal: Can be interesting for players looking for challenges
Potential for Future Buffs: May improve with future balance changes

Weaknesses:

Very Low Damage: Damage output is among the worst in the game
Poor Performance: Struggles in virtually all content types
Outclassed Significantly: Almost always outperformed by other characters
Limited Utility: Doesn’t provide meaningful team benefits
Low Investment Reward: Doesn’t scale well with gear investment

Best Use Cases:

Challenge Runs: Perfect for players seeking additional difficulty
Character Collection: Good for players who want to unlock all characters
Experimental Gameplay: Can be interesting for trying unique approaches
Future Potential: May become more viable with future balance changes

Recommended Builds:

Esiemo Experimental Build: Attempts to find unique effective combinations
Esiemo Beginner Build: Simple setup for new players trying the character
Esiemo Challenge Build: Designed for players seeking additional difficulty

Tier List Justification and Methodology

Creating a comprehensive tier list for The First Descendant required extensive research and analysis across multiple sources and gameplay scenarios. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the methodology used to create these rankings:

Data Collection Process

Source Analysis: Researched top-tier sources including AlcastHQ, Game8, and Sportskeeda to understand community consensus
Gameplay Experience: Incorporated personal experience playing each character across various content types
Patch Note Review: Analyzed recent balance changes and updates from official sources
Community Feedback: Considered player experiences and discussions from Reddit and Discord communities
Build Testing: Evaluated character performance with different build configurations and gear levels

Ranking Criteria Weighting

Each character was evaluated based on multiple criteria, with different weightings applied based on content type:

Overall Tier List (50% weight):

Versatility across content types: 30%
Performance with optimal builds: 25%
Beginner friendliness: 15%
Team utility value: 15%
Unique strengths: 15%

Mobbing Tier List (30% weight):

Area of effect damage: 40%
Clear speed: 30%
Resource management: 15%
Survivability: 15%

Bossing Tier List (20% weight):

Single-target damage: 50%
Burst potential: 20%
Survivability: 15%
Utility value: 15%

Content Type Analysis

Different characters excel in different content types, which is why separate tier lists are valuable:

Dungeon Running: Characters like Valby, Bunny, and Serena excel due to their ability to clear large groups quickly and efficiently.

Void Intercepts: Boss-focused characters like Gley, Lepic, and Hailey shine due to their exceptional single-target damage output.

Farming Content: Mobbing specialists such as Valby and Bunny are invaluable for efficient resource and material farming.

Team Play: Support characters like Enzo and Yujin provide valuable utility in group settings, even if their personal damage is lower.

Build Dependency Considerations

Some characters are more build-dependent than others, which significantly impacts their tier placement:

High Build Dependency: Characters like Gley and Freyna require specific modules and gear to reach their potential
Moderate Build Dependency: Characters like Lepic and Viessa perform well with basic setups but scale significantly with investment
Low Build Dependency: Characters like Bunny and Valby perform well even with minimal investment

Future Tier List Considerations in 2026

The tier list landscape in The First Descendant is constantly evolving. Here are factors that could impact future rankings:

Upcoming Balance Changes

Based on official communications and community discussions, several factors could influence future tier placements:

Season 3 Episode 2 Updates: The upcoming update may bring significant balance changes
New Character Releases: Additional Descendants could shift the current meta
Module Adjustments: Changes to transcendent modules could significantly impact character performance
Weapon Meta Shifts: New weapons or weapon changes could affect character viability

Meta Evolution Patterns

Looking at the game’s development history, several patterns have emerged:

Power Creep: New characters and content tend to power creep over existing options
Balance Cycles: Characters tend to cycle between tiers as balance patches address issues
Content Shifts: New content types can dramatically change character viability
Community Discovery: New build strategies and techniques can elevate character performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a character SS Tier vs S Tier?

SS Tier characters are those that completely dominate the meta and often have abilities that feel overpowered compared to other options. They typically excel in multiple content types with minimal weaknesses. S Tier characters are excellent performers but may have specific limitations or require more investment to reach their potential.

Which character is best for beginners?

Lepic is generally considered the best beginner character due to his straightforward mechanics, strong performance across content types, and availability as a starting character. Bunny is also excellent for beginners due to her simple yet effective playstyle.

How often does this tier list get updated?

This tier list is updated whenever significant balance changes occur or new content is released that affects character performance. Typically, this means updates coincide with major patches, season changes, or new character releases.

Should I only play SS and S Tier characters?

Not necessarily! While SS and S Tier characters offer the best performance, personal preference and playstyle enjoyment are crucial factors. Many players have great success with A and even B Tier characters when they match their preferred playstyle.

How much does gear affect character tier placement?

Gear can significantly impact character performance, but the tier list assumes optimal builds and gear. Some characters (like Gley and Freyna) are more build-dependent than others (like Bunny and Valby), but all rankings assume proper investment.

Are there any hidden gems in lower tiers?

While lower-tier characters generally underperform, some like Sharen and Jayber can be surprisingly effective in specific situations or with specialized builds. However, they require more investment and skill to make viable compared to higher-tier options.

What’s the best character for solo play?

For solo play, characters like Serena, Gley, and Valby are excellent choices due to their strong performance across content types and good survivability. Bunny is also great for solo farming content.

How do team compositions affect tier rankings?

Team compositions can significantly impact character effectiveness. Support characters like Enzo and Yujin become much more valuable in group settings, while some DPS characters may benefit from specific team synergies.

Conclusion and Final Recommendations

This comprehensive The First Descendant tier list provides detailed rankings and analysis to help you make informed decisions about character selection and investment. Here are my final recommendations:

For New Players:

Start with Lepic – He’s beginner-friendly, effective across content types, and available immediately
Consider Bunny – Excellent for learning the game with simple yet effective mechanics
Avoid High Investment Characters – Save complex characters like Gley for when you have more game knowledge

For Experienced Players:

Invest in SS Tier Characters – Serena, Bunny, and Gley offer the best returns on investment
Build for Specific Content – Have different characters optimized for different content types
Experiment with A Tier – Characters like Hailey and Nell can be surprisingly effective with proper builds

For Team Players:

Consider Team Composition – Balance your team with damage, support, and utility characters
Don’t Neglect Support – Characters like Enzo can be invaluable in group settings
Communicate Builds – Coordinate with your team to maximize synergy

For Solo Players:

Focus on Versatility – Characters like Serena and Valby excel at solo content
Prioritize Survivability – Ensure your builds include defensive options
Master One Character – It’s often better to excel with one character than be mediocre with many

Remember that while tier lists provide valuable guidance, personal enjoyment and playstyle preference should ultimately guide your character choices. The First Descendant is designed to be fun, and playing characters you enjoy will always lead to better results than forcing yourself to play meta options you don’t like.

Bookmark this guide and check back regularly for updates as the meta evolves with new patches and content releases. The world of The First Descendant is constantly changing, and staying informed will help you maintain your competitive edge!

Looking for more gaming guides and tier lists? Check out our other articles on Of Zen and Computing including our RogueBlox Weapons Tier List and comprehensive gaming guides!