All Star Tower Defense Tier List (2026) — Best Units Ranked

All Star Tower Defense X (formerly All Star Tower Defense) has 7.6 billion+ visits on Roblox and 109 units spread across 5 elements. With that many options, picking the wrong lineup will stall your progress fast. This tier list ranks every unit worth knowing about in the current ASTD X meta as of March 2026.

We evaluated each unit based on raw DPS output, utility value, synergy with team compositions, and performance in both standard and Infinity modes. Update 5 dropped on March 19, 2026, bringing new units and the Traits system that adds another layer of depth. If you need active ASTD codes to stock up on gems before rolling banners, we keep a separate list updated daily.

S Tier — Best Units in ASTD X

These units define the meta. They deliver the highest DPS, the strongest buffs, or both. If you're pushing Infinity mode or clearing endgame content, you want as many S-tier units on your team as possible. They outperform everything else by a wide margin.

Frieren

Frieren holds the top spot in ASTD X right now, and it isn't close. She has the best overall stats in the entire game — her damage output is massive, her range is generous, and she brings genuine utility on top of all that raw power. In Infinity mode, where sustained performance over dozens of waves matters more than burst damage, Frieren pulls ahead of every other unit.

What makes Frieren special is that she doesn't fall off. Most DPS units hit a ceiling where their damage stops scaling with the difficulty. Frieren keeps up. She's the single most versatile unit you can slot into any lineup, and she'll outperform whatever she replaces. If you can only invest in one unit, make it this one.

Michishibo

Michishibo deals the most damage of any unit in ASTD X. Period. Inspired by Kokushibo from Demon Slayer, this Unbound unit chains attacks together for devastating sustained DPS that melts even the tankiest enemies. At nighttime, Michishibo receives additional buffs that push his already absurd damage even higher.

The catch? Michishibo has a 0.01% drop chance from the Y Banner. That makes him one of the rarest units in the game. If you manage to pull him, congratulations — you've got the hardest-hitting unit available. His chaining attack mechanic rewards proper placement, so position him where enemies spend the most time in his range.

Dark Wing

Dark Wing is S+ tier for a reason. This unit dominates every aspect of ASTD X — standard modes, Infinity, you name it. Dark Wing's damage output is consistently among the highest in any game mode, and the unit brings enough versatility that you'll never feel like you wasted a slot by bringing it along.

Dark Wing pairs well with virtually any team composition. Whether you're running a full DPS lineup or mixing in support units, Dark Wing fits. That kind of flexibility is rare at the top of the tier list, where most units excel in one area but have tradeoffs elsewhere.

Etri

Etri sits alongside Dark Wing at the S+ level. The raw DPS numbers here are staggering. Etri shreds through waves of enemies with a speed that most other units can't match, making it an essential pick for players who prioritize clear speed over everything else.

Where Etri really shines is in mid-to-late Infinity runs. When wave difficulty ramps up and weaker units start falling behind, Etri keeps scaling. The damage output stays relevant long past the point where B-tier and C-tier units become useless.

Super God Koku

Super God Koku is a top-5 unit with massive damage output that makes short work of even the toughest boss waves. The raw numbers speak for themselves — Super God Koku consistently ranks among the highest damage dealers in endgame content. If your team needs a reliable heavy hitter, this is the pick.

Jin Sung

Jin Sung rounds out the top 5 with consistent high performance across every game mode. There's no wave type that gives Jin Sung trouble, and the unit's damage stays competitive even as content scales up. Consistency is underrated in tower defense games — a unit that always delivers is worth more than a unit that sometimes spikes.

Xero (Meta Support)

Xero is the best support unit in ASTD X and it's not debatable. Xero provides massive utility buffs and range boosts that amplify every S-tier attacker within reach. Place Xero next to Michishibo, Dark Wing, or Frieren and watch their effective DPS jump by a huge margin.

Think of Xero as a force multiplier. On his own, the damage isn't the point. But the value Xero adds to your team's total output makes him mandatory in any serious lineup. Skipping Xero in Infinity mode is leaving damage on the table. Learn more about building optimal ASTD X teams in our All Star Tower Defense hub page.

Other S-Tier Units

The Strongest One brings the highest raw DPS in the game — pure single-target devastation. Zaruto (Beast Cloak) offers S+ tier specialized buffs that can amplify an entire team's output. Supreme Leader excels at large-scale damage that clears grouped enemies fast. Sky God is a reliable damage dealer that never lets you down. Magma Marine, Slayer Mage, and Crow all sit at S+ tier with their own unique strengths that justify a spot in top-tier lineups.

A Tier — Excellent Units

A-tier units are strong, reliable, and can carry you through most content. They don't quite match S-tier damage or utility, but they're far from deadweight. Several A-tier units fill roles that make S-tier units even more effective.

King Kaoe

King Kaoe is the A-tier unit that plays like an S-tier enabler. His massive damage amplification buff applies to all nearby allies, effectively turning A-tier attackers into S-tier threats. Place King Kaoe in the center of your formation and everything around him hits harder.

King Kaoe doesn't deal impressive damage on his own. That's the only reason he sits in A tier instead of S. But the total team damage he enables is enormous. In many setups, adding King Kaoe to the mix increases your overall DPS more than adding another attacker would. He's a must-have for players who think about team composition rather than just stacking damage dealers.

Freezer (Final Form)

Freezer (Final Form) brings reliable AoE damage combined with a freeze effect that slows and stops enemies in their tracks. The crowd control alone makes Freezer valuable in tougher waves where enemies would otherwise rush past your DPS units before they can finish them off.

The freeze mechanic is what separates Freezer from generic damage dealers. By locking enemies in place, you give your S-tier units more time to unload their full damage. In Infinity mode, where enemies get faster and tankier every wave, that extra time is the difference between clearing and failing.

Buddha Chairman (Serious)

Buddha Chairman (Serious) was added on March 23, 2026, making it one of the newest units in ASTD X. Early testing puts it firmly in A tier with solid damage and good utility. As the community optimizes builds around this unit, it could potentially move up. For now, it's a strong pick that's worth investing in if you pull it.

The A tier also includes various other strong units that perform well in most situations. They won't carry Infinity mode on their own, but they'll get you through standard content comfortably and serve as solid placeholders until you pull S-tier replacements.

B Tier — Early & Mid Game Picks

B-tier units are your workhorses for early and mid-game content. They're the units that carry you through the first half of the game before you've had enough banner rolls to build an S-tier roster. Don't underestimate them — a well-placed B-tier unit outperforms a poorly placed S-tier one every time.

Killer (Serious)

Killer (Serious) is the B-tier unit that punches above its weight. Good damage output and solid range make it a reliable pick from the very first wave through mid-game. You'll eventually replace Killer with an S-tier DPS, but it'll carry you until that happens.

Shirtless Magician

Shirtless Magician is the best early-game unit in ASTD X. When you're starting out and your roster is thin, Shirtless Magician does everything you need: decent damage, good coverage, and low cost. It's the unit that gets new players through those first critical stages where you're building up resources and learning the game.

Borul, Kosuke (TS) & Ramen Grill Master

Borul is a solid early-game option that fills a DPS role until better units come along. Kosuke (TS) offers a reliable stat line that makes it a safe early pick. Ramen Grill Master rounds out the early-game options with serviceable damage at a low investment cost.

The key with B-tier units is knowing when to stop upgrading them. Pour your resources into these units early, but once you start pulling A-tier and S-tier options, shift your investment. A maxed-out B-tier unit will eventually fall behind even a partially upgraded S-tier one.

C Tier — Niche & Situational

C-tier units aren't worth investing in unless you have no other options. These are older units that have been power-crept by newer releases, low-star units without meaningful upgrades, or highly situational picks that only work on specific maps under specific conditions.

With 109 units in ASTD X, a lot of them inevitably fall into this category. The game has gone through enough updates and balance patches that early-release units simply can't keep up with modern S-tier and A-tier options. If you're running C-tier units in your lineup, treat them as temporary placeholders and prioritize rolling for better replacements.

That said, some C-tier units have niche value on specific maps where their element or attack pattern lines up with enemy weaknesses. The Traits system introduced in Update 5 gives a few of these older units a second life in very specific scenarios. But for general use? Stick with B tier and above.

Tier List Summary Table

Unit	Tier	Role	Key Strength
Frieren	S	DPS / Utility	Best overall stats, Infinity mode king
Michishibo	S	DPS	Highest damage, chaining attacks, night buffs
Dark Wing	S+	DPS	Dominates every game mode
Etri	S+	DPS	Top-tier sustained damage
Super God Koku	S	DPS	Massive damage, top 5 unit
Jin Sung	S	DPS	Consistent high performance
Xero	S	Support	Range boosts & utility buffs
The Strongest One	S	DPS	Strongest raw DPS
Zaruto (Beast Cloak)	S+	DPS / Buff	Specialized team buffs
Supreme Leader	S	DPS	Large-scale AoE damage
Sky God	S	DPS	Reliable damage dealer
Magma Marine	S+	DPS	Strong sustained output
Slayer Mage	S+	DPS	High burst and sustained damage
Crow	S+	DPS	Top-tier attacker
King Kaoe	A	Support	Massive damage amplification buff
Freezer (Final Form)	A	DPS / CC	AoE damage + freeze effect
Buddha Chairman (Serious)	A	DPS	New addition (March 23, 2026)
Killer (Serious)	B	DPS	Great early-to-mid game carry
Shirtless Magician	B	DPS	Best early-game unit
Borul	B	DPS	Solid early game pick
Kosuke (TS)	B	DPS	Reliable starter
Ramen Grill Master	B	DPS	Low-cost early option

How We Ranked These Units

This tier list reflects the ASTD X meta as of March 25, 2026, including all changes from Update 5 (March 19, 2026) and the Buddha Chairman (Serious) addition on March 23. Here's what we measured:

DPS output: We tested each unit's damage per second across standard waves, boss waves, and extended Infinity mode runs. Units like Michishibo and The Strongest One topped the raw numbers, while Frieren's combined DPS and utility gave her the overall lead.

Utility and synergy: Damage isn't everything. Xero's range boosts and King Kaoe's damage amplification provide more total team value than most pure DPS units. We factored in how much each unit improves the units around it, not just its own contribution.

Consistency across modes: A unit that's incredible in standard mode but useless in Infinity gets penalized. The best units — Frieren, Dark Wing, Etri — perform at the top regardless of game mode. That versatility pushes them above one-dimensional damage dealers.

Accessibility: Michishibo's 0.01% Y Banner drop rate is acknowledged. Extremely rare units don't get penalized for rarity, but we note it so players can set realistic expectations. You can build a powerful team without the rarest units by focusing on S-tier options with better availability.

The Traits system from Update 5 adds another variable. Some units gain significant power boosts from the right Trait combinations. We'll update this tier list as the community discovers optimal Trait builds over the coming weeks. For now, the rankings assume standard setups.

Frequently Asked Questions