100 Waves Later Classes Tier List (March 2026) Ultimate Guide

If you are trying to push past wave 50 or survive the chaotic rush of wave 100 in 100 Waves Later, you know that picking the right class is half the battle. I’ve spent hours testing every character, grinding for coins, and analyzing the current meta to bring you the most comprehensive 100 Waves Later Classes Tier List for March 2026.
In this guide, I’ll break down exactly which classes offer the best damage, the best survivability, and the best utility for solo vs. team play. Whether you want to melt bosses with a Mage or tank hits with a heavy hitter, my ranking below will help you decide where to spend your hard-earned gold.
Quick Class Ranking Summary
Before we dive into the deep analysis, here is a quick overview table of where every class currently stands in the 2026 meta.
| Tier | Classes |
|---|---|
| S-Tier (Overpowered) | Demon God, Cyborg, Shinobi |
| A-Tier (Strong) | Elemental, Berserker, Paladin |
| B-Tier (Average) | Mage, Warrior, Archer |
| C-Tier (Situational) | Assassin, Gunner |
| D-Tier (Weak) | Noob, Starter Classes |
Table: Summary of the current class meta in 100 Waves Later as of March 2026.
100 Waves Later Classes Tier List: Criteria & Rankings
To create this tier list, I didn’t just look at raw damage numbers. I evaluated each class based on three critical factors:
- Damage Output (DPS): Can they kill waves quickly enough to prevent overcrowding?
- Survivability: Does the class have evasion, health, or shield to withstand the later waves?
- Ease of Use: Is the class beginner-friendly, or does it require pro-level mechanical skill?
Based on my analysis of top sources including ProGameGuides, Try Hard Guides, and community feedback from the official Discord, here is the detailed breakdown.
S-Tier: The Meta Definers
These are the classes you should be aiming for. If you have the currency or the unlock requirements, these classes perform significantly better than the rest.
1. Demon God
The Demon God is widely considered the king of 100 Waves Later right now.
- Why it’s S-Tier: Incredible Area of Effect (AoE) damage combined with life-steal capabilities. In later waves, enemies swarm in massive numbers, and the Demon God’s abilities allow you to heal while damaging the entire horde.
- Best Playstyle: Jump into the middle of a crowd, unleash your ultimate, and watch your health bar refill as enemies die around you.
- Key Stats to Upgrade: Focus on Ability Cooldown and Damage. You want your ultimate up as often as possible.
2. Cyborg
The Cyborg is a powerhouse for players who prefer ranged combat with high sustainability.
- Why it’s S-Tier: The Cybrid has access to automated turrets and laser beams that target multiple enemies simultaneously. It excels at “AFK” grinding or holding down a choke point.
- Best Playstyle: Place your turrets in a narrow corridor or funnel point. Let the turrets deal with the trash mobs while you focus your fire on elite enemies.
- Key Stats to Upgrade: Prioritize Defense and Tech/Damage. Since turrets draw aggro, you need to be tanky enough to repair them or survive if they break.
3. Shinobi
If you have fast reflexes, the Shinobi is arguably the most fun class to play.
- Why it’s S-Tier: Speed and Critical Hit chance. The Shinobi can dash across the map to revive teammates or escape sticky situations. Their critical hit multiplier scales infinitely, meaning in the late game (waves 80+), a single crit can one-shot most enemies.
- Best Playstyle: Hit-and-run tactics. Do not stand still. Use your dash to reposition behind enemy lines to backstab or target high-value targets.
- Key Stats to Upgrade: Critical Chance and Movement Speed. You are a glass cannon; if you get hit, you die, but if they don’t hit you, they die.
A-Tier: Solid Choices
These classes are excellent and can easily carry you to wave 100, but they might lack the raw power of the S-Tier or require more specific teamwork to shine.
1. Elemental
The Elemental is the master of crowd control.
- Performance: Excellent for slowing down enemies, giving your team time to breathe. While their single-target damage is lower than the Demon God, their ability to freeze and burn large groups is invaluable.
- Verdict: A must-have in any team composition, but slightly slower for solo grinding compared to the S-Tier DPS monsters.
2. Berserker
The Berserker is a melee beast that gets stronger the lower its health is.
- Performance: Massive damage potential but high risk. In later waves, getting to low health on purpose is dangerous, so you rely heavily on a Healer or Paladin to keep you in that “sweet spot” of health without dying.
- Verdict: Fantastic if you have a pocket healer, otherwise, it can be frustrating to play solo in the higher waves.
3. Paladin
The Paladin is the ultimate tank and support hybrid.
- Performance: While not the highest damage dealer, the Paladin provides shields and healing auras to the team. A good Paladin can ensure the team survives the dreaded wave 90 boss rush.
- Verdict: Essential for team survival, pushing it to A-Tier. If you are playing solo, however, the lack of kill speed drops this class to B-Tier.
B-Tier: The Reliable Standards
These are the classes you start with or unlock early. They are balanced but get outclassed as the waves get higher.
- Mage: Great early-game AoE, but mana issues and long cooldowns make it struggle in wave 60+ where enemies have too much health.
- Warrior: The classic “jack of all trades.” Good HP, good damage, but no specialties. It gets outclassed by the Berserker in damage and Paladin in tanking.
- Archer: Good range, but the arrows often travel too slowly to hit fast-moving enemies in later waves. You end up missing a lot of shots.
C-Tier: Situational
- Assassin: High burst damage, but the stealth mechanics are buggy against larger hordes. You often get revealed and instantly melted by elite mobs.
- Gunner: Rapid fire is fun, but the spread is too wide. Without precision damage stats, you are just tickling enemies rather than killing them efficiently.
D-Tier: Avoid
- Noob / Starter Classes: These exist for the tutorial. Do not attempt to grind to wave 100 with these unless you are doing it for a challenge run. They lack the stat scaling necessary to compete.
Best Class for Solo vs. Team Play
Choosing a class isn’t just about raw power; it depends on who you are playing with.
Solo Play Strategy
When playing alone, you cannot rely on anyone to revive you or draw aggro.
- Top Pick: Demon God. The life-steal allows you to sustain yourself indefinitely.
- Runner Up: Shinobi. If you are skilled at dodging, you can kite enemies for days and never get hit.
- Why avoid Team classes? Classes like Paladin or Gunner (support roles) lack the DPS to kill waves fast enough alone. You will get overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies spawning.
Team Play Strategy
In a lobby, you want to fill a role that complements others.
- Top Pick: Paladin. Most players will pick DPS classes like Demon God or Shinobi. A Paladin keeps them alive, making the team run infinitely smoother.
- Top Pick: Elemental. Your crowd control allows the heavy hitters to stack their damage effectively without being swarmed.
- Pro Tip: Before the game starts, check your team’s composition. If you have three DPS, play a Tank/Support. If you have three Tanks, play DPS.
Advanced Tips for Reaching Wave 100
Having a top-tier class is only part of the equation. Here are some pro strategies I’ve learned from the 100 Waves Later community and Reddit forums to help you maximize your class potential.
1. Stat Prioritization is Key
Don’t just dump all your coins into “Damage” immediately.
- Early Game (Waves 1-30): Focus on Damage. Enemies die in one hit anyway, so you want to clear waves as fast as possible.
- Mid Game (Waves 31-70): You need a mix of Health and Ability Cooldown. Enemies start hitting harder, and you need your abilities ready for every wave.
- Late Game (Waves 71-100): Focus on Crit Chance/Defense (depending on class) and Movement Speed. Kiting becomes essential.
2. Map Positioning
Where you stand determines if you live or die.
- The Funnel Method: Never fight in an open field. Always position yourself near a doorway or a narrow bridge. This forces enemies into a single file line, turning a 1v100 fight into a series of 1v1 fights.
- High Ground: As an Archer or Gunner, always take the high ground. It gives your projectiles more travel time and makes it harder for melee enemies to hit you.
3. Managing the Economy
Don’t spend every coin as soon as you get it.
- Save at least 2,000 coins before the Boss Waves (10, 20, 30, etc.). Bosses drop massive amounts of loot, and having that buffer allows you to buy instant revives or crucial upgrades mid-boss fight if you are struggling.
4. Ability Stacking
Some abilities in the game stack.
- For example, if you are playing Cyborg, placing multiple turrets in slightly different angles can create a “kill zone” where lasers cross paths.
- If you are playing Elemental, try to combo your freeze ability with a teammate’s high-damage ultimate (like Demon God) to ensure the enemy doesn’t move out of the damage zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best class in 100 Waves Later right now?
Currently, the Demon God is the best overall class due to its combination of massive AoE damage and self-sustain through life-steal. It is the most efficient class for both solo grinding and team DPS.
How do I unlock the Demon God class?
The Demon God usually requires you to reach a certain wave count (often Wave 50) with a specific previous class (like Warrior or Berserker) or requires a large amount of in-game currency to purchase from the class shop. Check the “Class Shop” NPC in the main lobby for the specific requirements in 2026.
Which class is best for beginners?
If you are new to the game, I recommend starting with the Warrior or Mage. They have straightforward abilities and are forgiving enough to help you learn the game mechanics before you try high-skill classes like the Shinobi.
Is the Gunner class good?
In the current meta, the Gunner is considered a C-Tier class. While it is fun to use, it struggles with accuracy and damage output in the later waves (60+). It is generally outclassed by the Cyborg for ranged combat.
Does this tier list apply to PvP?
No, this tier list is specifically focused on the PvE (Player vs Environment) wave survival mode. In PvP, classes with high burst damage and stun capabilities (like Assassin) typically rank higher.
How often is the meta updated?
The developers of 100 Waves Later are active, but major balance patches usually occur every few months. I will update this article whenever a significant patch drops, so bookmark this page to stay ahead of the curve in 2026.
Conclusion
Reaching Wave 100 is no small feat, but with the right class and the right strategy, it is absolutely achievable. While the Demon God and Cyborg dominate the current meta, the best class for you is ultimately the one that fits your playstyle.
If you prefer fast, aggressive gameplay, grab the Shinobi. If you want to support your friends and be the hero of the team, go Paladin. Experiment with the A-Tier classes, master your positioning, and you’ll be dominating the leaderboards in no time.
Good luck, and I’ll see you in the waves.
