Anime Defenders Tier List (2026) - Best Units Ranked
Complete Anime Defenders tier list for January 2026. S-tier, A-tier, and B-tier units ranked with best team compositions for Story, Raids, and Infinite mode.
Anime Defenders is one of the most popular tower defense games on Roblox, featuring units inspired by your favorite anime characters. With so many units to choose from, knowing which ones to prioritize can make or break your progression. This tier list ranks the best units in the current January 2026 meta.
S-Tier Units (Best in Game)
These units dominate across all game modes with exceptional DPS, range, and AOE capabilities. If you have any of these, prioritize upgrading them immediately.
| Unit | Type | Why S-Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Dragon | Mythic | Top Infinite carry with insane scaling DPS |
| The Cursed Knight | Mythic | Massive AOE and consistent damage output |
| The Rift Sorcerer | Mythic | Huge range and AOE for wave clearing |
| Bear King | Mythic | Versatile DPS that works everywhere |
| Legion Commander | Legendary | Best AOE farming unit in the game |
| Ice Dragon Queen | Mythic | Crowd control with freeze + high damage |
| Flame Dragon God | Mythic | Boss melting single-target burst |
| Dragon Mage | Mythic | Balanced DPS with good range |
| King of Dragons | Mythic | Premium scaling for late Infinite |
| Poseidon (Sea Sovereign) | Mythic | Massive AOE for endless wave clearing |
A-Tier Units (Strong Picks)
A-Tier units offer excellent performance with good synergy potential. They may not match S-Tier in raw power but remain highly viable for most content.
| Unit | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Conjurer | Legendary | Great for raids and boss DPS |
| Fire Demon Ninja | Legendary | High burst damage, fast attacks |
| Gale Archer | Legendary | Excellent range and consistent DPS |
| Water Swordmaster | Legendary | Solid all-around damage dealer |
| Pink Rockstar | Legendary | Good crowd control and damage |
| Cursed Fighter | Legendary | Strong single-target focus |
| Monster Sorcerer | Legendary | AOE specialist for wave clearing |
| Legion Veteran | Epic | Best early-game farming unit |
| Curse King | Mythic | Debuff synergy for team compositions |
| Demon Lord | Mythic | Consistent damage with good scaling |
B-Tier Units (Viable Mid-Game)
B-Tier units work well for mid-game progression but fall off in high Infinite modes and difficult raids. Use them while building your S-Tier roster.
| Unit | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Donut Warrior | Epic | Money generation support |
| Warrior Princess | Epic | Decent early DPS |
| Muscular Sorcerer | Rare | Budget AOE option |
| Elf Hero | Rare | Best starter unit for Story |
| Thunder God | Legendary | Situationally strong |
| Jadefire Knight | Legendary | Needs specific team synergy |
| Chief of Ice | Epic | Freeze support, not main DPS |
| Proficient Sharpshooter | Epic | Range specialist |
| Skull Paladin | Legendary | Tank support role |
| Curse Prince | Epic | Early curse debuff option |
Best Team Compositions
Beginner Team (Low Cost)
Perfect for players just starting out:
| Slot | Unit | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elf Hero | Main DPS |
| 2 | Legion Veteran | AOE farming |
| 3 | Ice Mage / Chief of Ice | Freeze support |
| 4 | Bloomer / Donut Warrior | Money generation |
Upgrade path: Work towards Bear King or Shadow Dragon as your first Mythic.
Mid-Game Team
For tackling harder Story stages and early Raids:
| Slot | Unit | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bear King | Main DPS |
| 2 | Legion Commander | AOE clearing |
| 3 | Shadow Conjurer | Boss damage |
| 4 | Ice Dragon Queen | Crowd control |
End-Game Infinite Team
For pushing deep Infinite waves:
| Slot | Unit | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shadow Dragon | Primary DPS carry |
| 2 | The Rift Sorcerer | AOE support |
| 3 | The Cursed Knight | Secondary DPS |
| 4 | Poseidon | Wave clearing |
Best Units by Game Mode
Story Mode
Focus on high early DPS and low cost:
- ✅ Elf Hero
- ✅ Water Grandmaster
- ✅ Legion Veteran
- ✅ Ice Dragon
Raids
Focus on boss burst damage and single-target DPS:
- ✅ Bear King
- ✅ Flame Dragon God
- ✅ Shadow Conjurer
- ✅ Gale Archer
Infinite Mode
Focus on scaling DPS and huge AOE:
- ✅ Shadow Dragon
- ✅ The Cursed Knight
- ✅ The Rift Sorcerer
- ✅ Poseidon
- ✅ Ice Dragon Queen
What Units Should Beginners Prioritize?
If you’re just starting Anime Defenders, focus on these units in order:
- Elf Hero - Your starting DPS, works through early Story
- Legion Veteran - Best farming unit for currency
- Ice Mage - Crowd control makes everything easier
- Bear King - Your first major Mythic goal
- Shadow Dragon - Ultimate Infinite carry
Gem Spending Tips
- Save gems for Mythic banners featuring S-Tier units
- Don’t waste gems on common unit banners
- Evolution materials are better investments than random pulls
- Check our Anime Defenders codes page for free gems
How to Get Better Units
- Redeem codes - Check our codes page regularly
- Complete Story mode - Earn gems and pull currency
- Use AFK zones - Passive gem farming
- Participate in events - Limited units are often powerful
- Evolve lower-tier units - Legion Assassin evolves into Legion Commander
Conclusion
The January 2026 meta heavily favors units with massive AOE and scaling DPS for Infinite mode progression. Focus on building towards Shadow Dragon, Bear King, and The Cursed Knight as your core carries. For beginners, Elf Hero and Legion Veteran will carry you through early content while you save for better pulls.
Don’t forget to grab all working Anime Defenders codes for free gems and wishes!
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