Sword Art Online: MD - Best 5* Burst Damagers Tier List (Rank AA)

This tier list will show you how good your 5 star characters are when it comes to burst damages and ranking events.

   - For best results, use vs their counter element and with teams. For beginners with limited number of characters, aim for a high ranked Dagger, Lance, Rapier, Dual, or Sword wielder that can also generate combos.

Rank [AA] 5* Burst DPS Damagers for Ranking Events

Other Useful 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)

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.

Image	Character Name	Elem. Wep.	Combo Gen	DPS Ratings vs Elements			Mob Clear	Roles (Best As)
			(Hits/Sec)	Strong	Others	Weak
	Yui [Seaside Daughter]	Earth Lance	11 Hits 3.8sec (2.9)	S	A	B	S	*LS:+6% Atk *Water Nuker *Combo Gen *Healer *Def+ Buffer
		Combo Window: None			Wide In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],  [Def+ Team Buff],  [Team Heal],  [Midair Attack],  [Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Earth Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Water Element.

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).

Image	Character Name	Elem. Wep.	Combo Gen	DPS Ratings vs Elements			Mob Clear	Roles (Best As)
			(Hits/Sec)	Strong	Others	Weak
	Yuna [Sweet Idol Singer]	NeutralRapier	9 Hits 1.8sec (5.0)	S	A	--	A	*LS:+10% Atk (OS Characters) *Neutral Nuker *Combo Gen *Healer *Crit+ Buffer
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Team Heal], [Crit+ Team Buff]  [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed but must be in-line with target. Best after parry or combinattions. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Yuuki [Zekken]	Dark Sword	11 Hits 2.5sec (4.4)	S	A	--	B	*Holy Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Attack+ Buff],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - A bit hard to spam, so use after parrying, while the enemy is stunned, or rely on her frame locks. - Combo Partner: [Dark Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Holy Element.
	Silica [Flower Peach Baby]	Wind Dagger	11 Hits 3.0sec (3.7)	S	A	B	A	*Earth Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Speed+ Buff],  [Attack+ Buff],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],  [Ends behind target]   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed, just time it well. - Combo Partner: [Wind Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Earth Element.
	Eugeo [Intrepid Detective]	Water Sword	7 Hits 2.4sec (2.9)	S	A	B	A	*Leader Skill: +3% Attack *Fire Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Auto-aim Caster],  [100% Frame Lock],  [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just position your unit and time it well. - Combo Partner: [Kirito] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
	Asuna [Dancing Rose Red]	Neutral Rapier	6 Hits 2.2sec (2.7)	A	A	--	A	*Leader Skill: +3% Attack *Neutral Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [100% Frame Lock],  [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s is pretty straight forward, best used after parry or for combination attacks. - Combo Partner: [Neutral] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Eugeo [Ark Savior]	Water Sword	6 Hits 2.2sec (2.7)	S	A	C	A	*Leader Skill: +3% Attack *Fire Nuker *Combo Gen *Speed+ Buffer
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Speed+ Team Buff], [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed, best with combinations. - Combo Partner: [Alice] - Increases damage attained by 10%.

Support Nukers

   - Characters with average or low Hits/Sec on their SS3s, or using slow speed weapons. Still strong characters especially against their counter elements, best played with combo generators to deal stronger nukes at higher combo counts.

Image	Character Name	Elem. Wep.	Combo Gen	DPS Ratings vs Elements			Mob Clear	Roles (Best As)
			(Hits/Sec)	Strong	Others	Weak
	Lisbeth [Smokey Blacksmith]	NeutralRifle	14 Hits 4.1sec (3.4)	S	A	--	A	*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Neutral Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [Frame Lock],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element. [Assist]: Atk+ Buff.
	Asuna [Captive Princess]	Earth Rod	10 Hits 2.9sec (3.4)	S	A	B	B	*Leader Skill: +3% Attack *Water Nuker *Combo Gen *Healer *Def+ Buffer
		Combo Window: None			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:90],  [Team Heal],  [Defense+ Team Buff],  [Auto-aim Caster],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - Mostly used as a support unit, but a decent auto-aim caster after learning her new SS. - Combo Partner: [Earth Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Water Element.
	Kureha [Seeking Strength]	NeutralRifle	6 Hits 1.8sec (3.3)	S	A	--	B	*Neutral Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Auto Heal],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed but must be in-line with target. - Combo Partner: [Automatic Rifle] - Increases damage by 10%.
	Yui [Cuddling Gremlins]	Water Rod	13 Hits 4.0sec (3.3)	S	A	B	AA	*LS:+6% Atk *Fire Nuker *Combo Gen *Healer
		Combo Window: Passive			Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [SS1 Team Heal],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position];  [Skill: Charging Skill],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Water Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Fire Element. [Assist]: Crit DMG+ Buff
	Yuuki [Genius Creator]	Wind Mace	9 Hits 2.8sec (3.2)	S	A	B	AA	*LS:+3% Atk *Earth Nuker *Combo Gen *Mob Clearer *Crit+ Buffer
		Combo Window: Passive			Wide In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Speed+ Buff],  [Crit+ Team Buff],  [Targets: Ground Enemies] - Use SS3s after parrying or while the enemy is stunned, turning off Auto-Approach will increase range but will only deal 70% damage. - Combo Partner: [Wind Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Earth Element.
	Strea [Melting in the Mouth]	Fire Mace	13 Hits 4.4sec (3.0)	AA	A	B	AA	*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Decent AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Self Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Fire Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Wind Element.
	Argo [Early Spring Dance]	Wind Sword	8 Hits 4.0sec (2.0)	S	A	B	A	*Earth Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Speed+ Buff],  [Ends behind target],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s can now be spammed easily, just time it well. - Combo Partner: [Wind Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Earth Element.
	Sinon [Flowering Valkyrie]	Earth Bow	4 Hits 3.0sec (1.3)	S	A	C	B	*LS:+3% Atk *Water Nuker
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Self Heal],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],  [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Earth Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Water Element.

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 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. Elemental damage multipliers will be calculated according to their overall DPS rating.
   - Combo Generation and "how easy" SS3s can be spammed will affect DPS Ratings.

Ranking Event - Mob Clearing:
   - Heavily based on their AoE Range (considering all skills) and Speed.
   - We will not consider Mob Clearing as ranking basis for now because it would be unfair for other limited ranged units.

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.

Elemental Bonuses and Weaknesses

   - Fire > Wind > Earth > Water > Fire (Holy < > Dark)

   - Characters with an Element that is in a disadvantage (except Holy/Dark) can only deal 75% damage.

   - Note that OS Characters and some selected characters have a Battle Skill or Skill Slot that increases their damages against Neutral element enemies.

Recommended Guides To Read

   - Terminologies and Team Building Guide

   - How Weapon Speed Affects Your Playing Style

   - How to Unlock Skill Slots and Stats Per Lvl

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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