Several third-party pages publish named combinations and claimed hero abilities, but those claims are not corroborated by the official store descriptions or a public developer stat sheet. They should not be treated as verified balance data.
Fast answer
The answer before the background
For most campaign stages, the best setup is a commander that improves your main damage plan, a dependable area-damage turret, a crowd-control option, and one high single-target damage option for elites or bosses. Rank broad area damage and slowing effects in the top tier for normal waves; rank boss-focused damage in the next tier unless the stage is boss-heavy. Do not treat this as a permanent named-character ranking: the official store pages explain the commander-and-turret system but do not publish enough verified statistics to support a reliable roster-wide ranking. Test each unlocked hero and turret at equal upgrade levels, then keep the options that produce the best results on your current terrain and mode.
Direct answer
The practical tier list
This is a role-based ranking for campaign progression. It is deliberately more cautious than a named list because publicly available official information describes the system broadly—choose a commander and turret for the terrain, place weapons effectively, and upgrade them—but does not provide a complete comparison of every hero or weapon.
S tier: reliable area damage, wide coverage, or repeatable crowd control. These choices help across ordinary waves, where many enemies are the main threat. They are usually the best first investment when you are still learning a map.
A tier: strong single-target damage, flexible general-purpose commanders, and support effects that improve the rest of the defense. These are especially valuable when elite enemies or bosses survive your wave-clear tools.
B tier: narrow specialists, expensive late-scaling options, or tools that depend heavily on a particular map layout. They can be excellent when their condition is met, but they are less dependable as a blind recommendation.
C tier: low-impact options for your current stage, upgrades that consume too many resources before becoming useful, or units whose job is already covered by a stronger option. This is not a judgment that they are unusable; it means they should not receive scarce upgrade materials first.
- Best default core: area damage plus crowd control.
- Best boss adjustment: replace one general wave-clear slot with high single-target damage.
- Best low-resource plan: upgrade fewer core tools instead of spreading currency across the full roster.
- Best map adjustment: favor range, coverage, or control according to the path and terrain.
| Tier | Prioritize | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| S | Area damage and dependable crowd control | May lack finishing power against a durable boss |
| A | Boss damage, flexible commanders, and support | Can be weaker during dense early waves |
| B | Specialists and late-scaling options | Need the right map, upgrade level, or enemy type |
| C | Low-impact or redundant choices | Usually poor value until your core defense is complete |
The official listings verify that the game uses commanders, turrets, weapon upgrades, different terrains, and progressively harder stages. They do not verify a complete named hero or turret tier list, so the rankings above are recommendations based on function rather than claims about hidden statistics.
Build advice
How to choose the best hero for a stage
Start by identifying what is actually ending your run. If ordinary enemies reach the headquarters in groups, choose the commander or hero that best supports area damage, range, or control. If waves are manageable but an elite or boss survives, shift one slot toward focused damage. If the map splits your defense, favor flexible coverage and avoid a specialist that only works in one lane.
The strongest choice is therefore contextual. A hero with impressive damage can underperform if its attack pattern does not cover the route, while a support-oriented commander can be better when it lets your main turrets reach key breakpoints sooner. Compare options only after giving them similar upgrade investment; an older, heavily upgraded unit will otherwise appear stronger simply because it has received more resources.
Use a simple three-run test. First, play with your normal lineup. Second, change only the commander or hero. Third, change only one turret role. Record where the defense fails, how much upgrading was needed, and whether the boss or final wave was the limiting factor. This produces a more useful personal ranking than copying a list made for another progression state.
- Wave failure means you need more coverage, area damage, or control.
- Boss failure means you need focused damage, better placement, or delayed spending.
- Frequent leaks from one lane mean repositioning may matter more than replacing a hero.
- A premium unlock is not automatically the best first upgrade if its role is redundant.
| Problem | Preferred role | What to give up |
|---|---|---|
| Many weak enemies | Area damage or control | Some single-target burst |
| Few durable enemies | Single-target damage | Some broad wave coverage |
| Fast or leaking enemies | Slow, stun, or flexible range | Some raw damage |
| Several lanes | Coverage and mobility | Narrow specialists |
Tower rankings
Best tower roles and their trade-offs
The same principle applies to the best towers. General-purpose area damage is normally the safest early and mid-stage investment because it answers the most common threat: enemy volume. Crowd-control towers are often worth a slot even when their damage is modest, because slowing or disabling enemies gives every other turret more time to fire.
Focused damage belongs near a high-value section of the route, especially where enemies remain in range for longer. Its weakness is poor efficiency against swarms. Defensive or support tools can be difficult to rank from public information because their value depends on exact effects, cooldowns, and upgrade costs that are not listed in the official store descriptions. Treat them as situational until you have tested them.
Do not build every available turret just because the game allows it. A coherent setup with complementary jobs is usually easier to upgrade and evaluate than a collection of partially leveled weapons. Keep one answer for waves, one answer for control, and one answer for durable targets; add a fourth role only when the stage proves that you need it.
- Place wave-clear tools where they receive repeated enemy traffic.
- Place control tools before or beside your main damage zone.
- Place boss damage where the target remains exposed for the longest time.
- Upgrade the turret that solves the current failure before buying a new category.
| Tower role | Best use | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Area damage | Dense waves and repeated traffic | May be inefficient against one target |
| Crowd control | Fast enemies and damage amplification through extra firing time | Often lower direct damage |
| Single-target damage | Elites, bosses, and high-health enemies | Weak against large groups |
| Support or defense | Maps requiring stability or specialized protection | Value depends heavily on exact skill and cost |
Progression plan
A low-risk upgrade order
For a new or rebuilding account, begin with the most reliable wave-clear option you already own. Add control when enemies begin reaching the base despite adequate damage. Then invest in focused damage when elite or boss health becomes the bottleneck. This order protects your early resources while keeping the build adaptable.
Before changing the whole roster, improve placement. The official game instructions emphasize convenient weapon positions, terrain-specific choices, resource collection, and upgrades. A turret in a high-traffic position can outperform a nominally stronger turret placed where it sees very little of the route.
Recheck your ranking after a major update, new mode, or difficulty adjustment. The store history shows that the game has received balance changes, new maps, and additional modes over time, so a strategy that is excellent for ordinary campaign stages may not be best for Battle Royale, Warship Defense, or another separate activity.
- Secure a stable wave-clear core.
- Add control before buying several more damage dealers.
- Reserve one slot or upgrade path for bosses and elites.
- Re-test after balance patches or when entering a new mode.
The official Android and iOS pages show different visible update histories, while third-party trackers report additional builds. Use the version and skill descriptions shown in your own game client as the final authority.
FAQ
Common questions
Is there an official named hero tier list?
No complete official named ranking was found in the public store descriptions or developer-facing material reviewed for this guide. Use the role-based tiers above and verify each hero’s current skill text in-game.
Which hero should I upgrade first?
Upgrade the hero that fixes your most common failure. Choose area damage or control if waves leak; choose focused damage if elites or bosses are the problem. Compare units at similar upgrade levels before deciding.
What are the best towers for general progression?
A balanced core of area damage, crowd control, and single-target damage is the safest recommendation. Exact named weapons are not ranked here because the public official information does not provide a complete stat and cost comparison.
Are hero combinations from third-party guides reliable?
Treat them as experiments, not confirmed facts. Some community pages list named heroes and abilities without an official stat source, and those details may be outdated, incomplete, or confused with another game.
Does the same tier list work in every mode?
No. Campaign stages, boss encounters, and special modes can reward different roles. Reassess range, control, wave clear, and boss damage whenever the objective or map structure changes.
Sources
What we checked
Official listings establish current availability and product facts. Community pages are used for mechanics and build history, then labeled separately.
- OfficialGoogle Play listing from GCenter
- OfficialApple App Store listing from GCenter
- ReferenceSteamDB patch and update record
- CommunityGameplay walkthrough showing early-stage systems