Star Sailors Tier List July 2026: Best Characters Ranked SS to D (PvE Guide)
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This Star Sailors tier list ranks every character from SS to D based on kit design and overall PvE performance across chain amps, team buffs, and damage output. Rankings exclude Signature Memory bonuses, so they reflect raw character strength before any signature investment — use this guide to prioritize rerolls and resource allocation.
Contents
Tier List Overview
How This Tier List Works
Before diving into the rankings, here's how each tier is defined so you can adapt the list to your own account and roster:
| Tier | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SS | Elite characters that fit any lineup — strong against any element, with high damage or utility value regardless of team composition |
| S | Essential picks for specific elemental content, boosting your whole team's performance |
| A | Overall balanced characters with minor flaws but consistently solid performance |
| B | Good filler that can substitute for a higher-tier character |
| C | Decent, but only contributes to one specific part of team performance |
| D | Don't invest resources here |
Keep in mind this Star Sailors tier list is based purely on character kit and PvE performance — it does not factor in Signature Memory bonuses. If you've unlocked a character's signature, their real-world power may sit noticeably higher than their base ranking here.
SS Tier: The Best Star Sailors Characters
SS tier represents the top of the Star Sailors meta — these characters deliver value in virtually any team, making them top priorities for rerolling and long-term investment.
Heidi
Heidi is the best AoE damage dealer in the game right now. She scales extremely hard in Fire teams and grants the whole team a crit rate boost on top of her already massive area damage. She's a near-unanimous pick for the top of any Star Sailors tier list.
Hunter K
Hunter K combines strong chain amps with team-wide crit rate, ATK, and SP support, making her excellent in Earth compositions. Some sources rate her S tier, but her breadth of team buffs alongside her chain amp output pushes her into SS territory on most rankings.
S Tier: Elemental Team Cores
S tier characters are must-haves for specific elemental content, unlocking a significant power spike for the right team comp.
Kaira
A hybrid healer and sub-DPS with strong chain amps and roughly 30% team HP restore. One of the best reroll targets in the game.
Sion
An off-field single-target DPS with huge chain amps and strong Twilight synergy for hybrid crit chain builds.
Nadia
An off-field debuffer with chain amps that apply enemy crit-damage vulnerability, a solid early filler for Water Midnight teams.
Nutty
Fills a similar role to Nadia with chain amps and crit-damage vulnerability, but for Earth Midnight teams. A serviceable stand-in until you pull Gerbil or Hunter K.
Soul
A single-target DPS whose chain amps scale off current HP, making him very strong early but prone to falling off mid-game without continued investment.
A Tier: Well-Rounded Performers
A tier characters have some limitations but remain reliable, high-value additions to most teams.
- Nina — A top single-target burst DPS with self-crit-rate buffs, making her a standout boss killer.
- Iris — A strong off-field single-target DPS with self-crit synergy and SP recovery, and another popular reroll target. (Note: her placement is projected in some early launch lists, as she's marked for a later release window.)
- Ethan — A single-target DPS with a self-shield and self-heal, and a strong early Light attacker for Daylight comps.
- Remi — A starter free shielder who boosts ally crit chance. Solid early game, but not a long-term investment priority.
- Dora — A free early-game healer who boosts MAX HP and ATK, offering solid Water sustain with Twilight synergy.
B Tier: Solid Substitutes
B tier characters are reliable filler picks who can hold down a slot when you're missing something higher on this Star Sailors tier list.
- Erling — A reliable Water defender who shields allies and applies a RES debuff; some lists classify him as a Supporter or Debuffer instead of a pure tank.
- Jerry — An off-field Earth DPS and ATK buffer with chain amps, making him a top support pick for Nina and Hunter K teams. His role is reported as both Attacker and Supporter depending on the source.
- Iron — A single-target tank with self-recovery but little team utility; his rating ranges from B to D across different tier lists.
- Carat — A F2P-friendly attacker with crit buffs and multi-hit bursts; his element is inconsistently listed as either Light or Wind across sources.
- Jen — The consensus best tank in the game, functioning as a defender-healer with AoE healing, team damage reduction, and enemy buff strip. A top reroll target, though some lists classify her as a Supporter.
C Tier: Niche Value Picks
C tier characters are good but only meaningfully contribute to one specific part of your team's overall performance.
- Mui — A Wind buffer and healer, excellent for Carat and Daylight Wind comps.
- Ed — A free early Fire buffer, healer, and debuffer with little value past the very early game.
- Caroline — The guaranteed free tutorial unit, offering chain amps, buff removal, and enemy weakening. Great free value, but she lacks endgame burst.
D Tier: Low Priority
D tier characters aren't worth prioritizing with your resources.
- Rak — An AoE auto-taunt tank with chain amps that convert HP into damage. Good in the early game, but struggles in long fights or heavy AoE encounters.
- Simo — Applies constant DEF down for Wind chain setups, but is really only useful in the very early game.
FAQ
Who should new players pull first in Star Sailors?
Based on this Star Sailors tier list, new players should prioritize the SS-tier Heidi and Hunter K — both deliver full value from their base kit without needing a Signature Memory to perform well.
Does this tier list account for Signature Memory bonuses?
No. This ranking is based purely on base kit and PvE performance, excluding Signature Memory bonuses — which is why characters like Kaira and Jen can perform even better once you unlock their signature upgrades.
Are B and C tier characters still worth building?
Yes, as transitional or niche picks. Jen (B tier) is the game's best tank overall, and Mui (C tier) still has a clear role in Wind teams — they're just lower priority than the tiers above them.
Will this tier list change with future updates?
Almost certainly. Star Sailors regularly adds new characters and rebalances existing kits, so it's worth checking back periodically as the meta shifts.
Conclusion
To summarize this Star Sailors tier list:
- SS tier (Heidi, Hunter K) are universal picks worth prioritizing in any lineup.
- S tier characters (Kaira, Sion, Nadia, Nutty, Soul) are decisive picks for their respective elemental teams.
- A tier characters (Nina, Iris, Remi, Dora, Ethan) offer excellent value and make great long-term investments.
- B tier and below are best treated as transitional picks or niche role-fillers.
We'll keep this Star Sailors tier list updated as new characters release and the meta evolves — bookmark this page to stay current on the latest rankings.