Sword Art Online: MD - Best 5-Star Characters Tier List - Rank SS+


Here's a list of 5-Star Characters that are currently rated under Rank SS+! This section is the summary of all ranks and ratings given to all characters in the game, in terms of Speed Rankings, Floor Clearing capabilities or Tankiness.

   - For beginners with limited number of characters, aim for a high ranked Dagger, Lance, RapierDual, or Sword wielder that can also generate combos, as your 1st character and main DPS unit.

Rank [SS+] Overall 5* Characters

Other Helpful Lists:

   - Character List (Element, Stats and Info)
   - 6* Burst DPS Tier List (Ranking Events)
   - 6* Characters Tier List (Overall)
   - 5* Burst DPS Tier List (Ranking Events)
   - 5* Characters Tier List (Overall)
   - 4* Burst DPS Tier List (Ranking Events)
   - 4* Characters Tier List (Overall)
Sword Art Online: MD - Best 5-Star Characters Tier List - Rank SS


Wide AoE Nukers and/or Combo Generators

   - Note: Units with high Hits/Sec on their SS3s are great combo builders vs mobs. The effectiveness of mob clearing units depends on how the mobs are spaced out.
   - *Ratings are mostly based under "NO Elemental Advantage", so DPS ranks below can go higher when used against their counter element.

Image
Thumb
Character
Name
Elem.
Wep.
Combo
Gen
Ranking
Event DPS
Floor Clear
Event
--- Roles
(Best As)
Hits/sec Burst Mob Clear Boss

Upgrade Character to 5* or 6*
Silica
[Foreign Girl]
Holy
Rod
12 Hits
2.3sec
(5.2)

SS+

S

S+

S
*LS:+10% Atk
(30+ Combos)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
*Healer
Combo Window: Passive Wide AoE Range
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],  [Self Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],  [SS1 Team Heal],  [Auto-aim Caster],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam just time it well.
Combo Partner: [Leafa] - Increases damage attained by 10%.

Nukers and Combo Generators

   - Units with high Hits/Sec on their SS3s. Can be used anytime during battle, but more effective if used from the start to generate fast combos (against single targets like bosses).
   - *Ratings are mostly based under "NO Elemental Advantage", so DPS ranks below can go higher when used against their counter element.

Image
Thumb
Character
Name
Elem.
Wep.
Combo
Gen
Ranking
Event DPS
Floor Clear
Event
--- Roles
(Best As)
Hits/sec Burst Mob Clear Boss

Upgrade Character to 5* or 6*
Kirito
[Masked Swordsman]
Dark
Dual
14 Hits
2.0sec*
(7.0)

SS+

AA

S

S
*LS+10% Atk
(30+ Combos)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
Combo Window: Passive Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],  [Self Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],  [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam, just time it well, best with combinations.
Combo Partner: [Asuna] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
Alice [Proud Sword] Alice
[Proud Sword]
Earth
Sword
11 Hits
1.6sec*
(6.9)

SS+

AA

S

S+
*LS+10% Atk
(30+ Combos)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
*Trap Zone
Combo Window: Passive Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes [MP:120],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],  [Auto-Heal],  [Trap Zone],  [Frame Lock],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam, just time it well, best with combinations.
Combo Partner[Eugeo] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
Suguha [Unrequited Love] Suguha
[Unrequited Love]
Fire
Dagger
11 Hits
1.7sec*
(6.5)

SS+

A

AA

S+
*LS:+10% Atk
(Fire Element)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
*Attack+ Zone
Combo Window: Passive Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Attack+ Zone],  [Auto Heal], [Teleports to nearby target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam (turn off Auto-Approach to increase range), watch out for mid-air targets to avoid misses.
Combo Partner: [Asuna] - Increases damage by 10%.

Upgrade Character to 5* or 6*
Asuna
[Vindictive Blade]
Fire
Rapier
11 Hits
1.8sec
(6.1)

SS+

B

A

S+
*LS:+10% Atk
(30+ Combos)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
Combo Window: Passive Single Target
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],  [Self Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],  [Frame Lock],  [Teleports behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam just time it well.
Combo Partner: [Kirito] - Increases damage by 10%.
Yuuki [Summer Splash]
Upgrade to 6 Stars
Yuuki
[Summer Splash]
Water
Dual
9 Hits
1.5sec*
(6.0)

SS+

A

AA

S
*LS:+10% Atk
(Water Element)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
*Atk+ Buffer
Combo Window: Passive Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Attack+ Team Buff],  [Auto-Heal],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam, just time it well, best with combinations.
Combo Partner: [Asuna] - Increases damage attained by 10%.

Upgrade Character to 5* or 6*
Leafa
[The Spirit]
Wind
Sword
14 Hits
2.6sec
(5.4)

SS+

AA

S

S+
*LS:+10% Atk
(30+ Combos)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
Combo Window: Passive Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],  [Self Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],  [Midair Attack],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam, best with combinations.
Combo Partner: [Silica] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
Sinon [The Death Queen] Sinon
[The Death Queen]
Fire
Lance
12 Hits
2.3sec
(5.2)

SS+

AA

S

S+
*LS:+10% Atk
(Fire Element)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
*Crit Dmg+ Buffer
Combo Window: Passive Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Crit Dmg+ Team Buff],  [Auto Heal],  [Frame Lock],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam just time it well, best with combinations.
Combo Partner: [Sword] - Increases damage by 10%.
Asuna [Unrestrained Emotion]
Upgrade Character to 5* or 6*
Asuna
[Unrestrained Emotion]
Fire
Rapier
9 Hits
1.9sec*
(4.7)

SS+

AA

S

S+
*LS:+10% Atk
(Fire Element)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
*Attack+ Zone
Combo Window: Passive Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Attack+ Zone],  [Auto Heal], [Teleports behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam just time it well.
Combo Partner: [Leafa] - Increases damage by 10%.
Rain [Fluttering Petals]
Upgrade Character to 5* or 6*
Rain
[Fluttering Petals]
Fire
Dual
8 Hits
2.1sec*
(3.8)

SS+

A

AA

S
*LS:+10% Atk
(Fire Element)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
*Attack+ Zone
Combo Window: Passive Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Attack+ Zone],  [Auto Heal],  [Midair Attack],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam just time it well.
Combo Partner: [Lisbeth] - Increases damage by 10%.

Support Nukers

   - Characters with average or low Hits/Sec on their SS3s, or using  long ranged or slow speed weapons. Still strong characters especially against their counter elements, best played with combo generators to deal stronger nukes at higher combo counts.
   - *Ratings are mostly based under "NO Elemental Advantage", so DPS ranks below can go higher when used against their counter element.

Image
Thumb
Character
Name
Elem.
Wep.
Combo
Gen
Ranking
Event DPS
Floor Clear
Event
--- Roles
(Best As)
Hits/sec Burst Mob Clear Boss
Leafa [The Brave War God] Leafa
[The Brave War God]
Fire
Rod
12 Hits
2.2sec
(5.5)

SS+

A

AA

S
*LS:+10% Atk
(Fire Element)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
*Crit Dmg+ Buffer; Healer
Combo Window: Passive Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Crit Dmg+ Team Buff],  [Auto Heal],  [SS1 Team Heal],  [Frame Lock],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam just time it well, best with combinations.
Combo Partner: [Lance] - Increases damage by 10%.
Lisbeth [Hopeful Smile] Lisbeth
[Hopeful Smile]
Fire
Mace
11 Hits
2.1sec*
(5.2)

SS+

AA

S

S+
*LS:+10% Atk
(Fire Element)
*Nuker
*Combo Gen
*Attack+ Zone
Combo Window: Passive Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes [MP:100],  [Attack+ Zone],  [Auto Heal],  [100% Frame Lock],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground Enemies]
- SS3s are easy to spam just time it well.
Combo Partner: [Rain] - Increases damage by 10%.

Support Characters

   - DO NOT limit your team by only using high DPS units, also consider using Support units like Debuffers. Refer here for a list of Support Units.
   - Characters that focuses on inflicting status effects like Stuns are also effective as support/utility units, depending on your current character pool and/or battle situation.

Rankings Are Based On:

Lvl 80 Character Stats (Lvl 100 for Free Characters).
   - Note that Ranking Event limited characters will get higher stat bonuses than Gacha characters when limit breaking.

SS3 Attack Duration (Seconds):
   - SS3 Attack Duration in seconds (on-click until he/she can move again)
   - #.#sec* =  Average Time. Dual Wielders (and some units) will get Max/Min speed depending on combos (10~50) but will only consider their average speed and DPS.
   - (Hits/Sec) determines how fast they can generate combos "per target".

Ranking Event - Burst DPS:
   - Overall Damage Output/Sec (including buffs, defense debuffs, non-elemental damage multipliers, crit damage, and more). Tested on a null enemy (no elemental advantage) with same armor rating, without gears.
   - Combo Generation and "how easy" SS3s can be spammed will affect DPS Ratings.
   - Note: DPS rating may increase if used against their counter element.

Ranking Event - Mob Clearing:
   - Heavily based on their AoE Range (considering all skills) and Speed.

Floor Clearing Event - Mob Clearing
   - Heavily based on their AoE Range (considering all skills) + Survival Capabilities without relying on Healers. Basically, units without any survivability skills, should be paired with Healers to increase/maintain their effectiveness.
   - Based on Floor 60 onwards mob difficulty.
   - Note: Rating may increase if used against their counter element.

Floor Clearing Event - vs Boss
   - Heavily based on their Damage Output (DPS will not be used here), Tankiness and Survival Capabilities. So, units with very high Damage Output with limited durability can still find their way to a decent rank, since we can still defeat Bosses by dodging attacks.
   - Based on Floor 60 onwards Boss difficulty.
   - Note: Rating may increase if used against their counter element. Units without any survivability skills, should be paired with Healers to increase/maintain their effectiveness.

Overall Rankings
   - Heavily based on DPS rating (Ranking Events) and Floor Clearing vs Boss (Damage Output and Survivability). So units without Self Healing or Auto-Heal are in a big disadvantage.
   - We will not consider Mob Clearing as ranking basis for now because it would be unfair for other limited ranged units.
   - NOTE: Support Units that can buff, debuff enemies, or heal your team won't affect their rankings for now, since these characters' effectiveness also depends on their teammates' strengths.

   - Please note that these Tier Lists are for reference only, ranking basis is a work in progress and will never be final. It's not 100% accurate, but we'll do our best to polish the guides.

Other Helpful Notes

Character Rankings: Order List

   - Ordered By: Category > Combo Generation (Hits/Sec) > Faster Weapon Type > Name
   - Characters under same rank are not always treated as on par, because they also have different roles, which will also require different playing styles.

Weapon Type Weaknesses (Floor Clearing Event)

   - To find which characters are effective to a certain floor, refer below.
   - Slash - Swords and Dual Blades
   - Effective against soft-bodied enemies such as Mantises, Slimes and Gerberas (plant monsters).
   - Not effective against tough-skinned enemies such as Lizardmen.
   - Strike - Mace and Guns
   - Effective against hard-bodied enemies such as Elementals and Skeletons.
   - Not effective against soft-bodied enemies such as Mantises, Slimes and Gerberas (plant monsters).
   - Thrust/Pierce - Rapiers, Lances, Daggers, and Bows.
   - Effective against tough-skinned enemies such as Lizardmen.
   - Not effective against hard-bodied enemies such as Elementals and Skeletons.
   - Magic - Rods
   - Deals more damage to a certain element than the usual elemental affinity bonus damage.

Elemental Bonuses and Weaknesses

   - Fire > Wind > Earth > Water > Fire (Holy < > Dark)
   - Note that some selected characters have a Battle Skill or Skill Slot that increases their damages against Neutral element enemies.
   - Element that is in disadvantage can only deal 75% damage, so also consider that unit's current DPS rank to go down.

Recommended Guides To Read


How To Obtain Specific 5* and 4* Characters?

   - Mostly from Gacha Scout (check "characters and rates" option under the featured banners for more info on which characters are available).
   - Medal Scout/Ticket Scout: Limited characters that can be obtained from Ranking Events (gets a different image thumbnail).
   - Limited Events: Free 5* and 4* characters via limited events.

Final Notes: 

   - The list above isn't absolute, if we missed some info regarding their SS3's performance like range or extra effects for example, please notify us below, thanks!
   - For new characters or banners, please check the Changelog and Updates Section.
   - Enjoy! ^^


Related Sword Art Online: MD Tips & Guides:
Sword Art Online: MD - Terminologies and Team Building Guide
Sword Art Online: MD - How to Defeat Ranking Event Bosses (Master+1)
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