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

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 [SS] 5* Burst DPS Damagers for Ranking Events (Dark Element)

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)

(This Ranking Page (Burst DPS Rank SS) is divided based on Element)

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
	Yuna [Shifting Idol Singer]	Dark Rapier	12 Hits 2.3sec (5.2)	SS+	SS	--	S	*LS:+10% Atk (Dark Element) *Nuker *Mob Clearer *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Wide AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Auto-aim Caster],  [Midair Attack],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just time it well. - Combo Partner: [Swords] - Increases damage attained by 10%. [Assist] MP+ Buff

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
	Kirito [Black Master Swordman]	Dark Sword	12 Hits 2.1sec* (5.7)	SS	SS	--	B	*LS:+10% Atk (30+ Combos) *Nuker *Combo Gen *Trap Zone
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Trap Zone],  [Teleports behind target],  [Midair attack],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just time it well. - Combo Partner: [Asuna] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
	Asuna [Robust Faith]	Dark Rapier	9 Hits 1.9sec (4.7)	SS+	SS	--	A	*Leader Skill: (Dark Element) +10% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Teleports to nearby target],  [Midair Attack],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam,but watch out for quick attack after you land. - Combo Partner: [Swords] - Increases damage attained by 10%. [Assist] MP+ Buff
	Eiji [Ordinal Number 2nd]	Dark Sword	9 Hits 1.9sec (4.7)	SS+	SS	--	A	*Leader Skill: (Dark Element) +10% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Ends behind target],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are pretty easy to spam. - Combo Partner: [Rapier] - Increases damage attained by 10%. [Assist] MP+ Buff
	Kirito [Hero's Blessing]	Dark Sword	16 Hits 3.4sec (4.7)	SS	SS	--	A	*Leader Skill: +10% Attack (Dark Element) *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Speed+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are pretty much on point, best used after parry or combinations. - Combo Partner: [Asuna] - Increases damage attained by 10%. [Assist]: MP+ Buff
	Yuuki [Wish Granter]	Dark Sword	11 Hits 2.6sec (4.2)	SS	S+	--	B	*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Ends behind target],  [Ends at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are somewhat easy to spam, best used with a combo partner to avoid wide spaces. - Combo Partner: [Asuna] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
	Kirito [Offer Blood]	Dark Dual	6 Hits 1.6sec* (3.8)	SS+	SS	--	B	*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Self Heal],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are spammable with frame locks, but best used with a combo partner or after parry. - Combo Partner: [Eugeo] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
	Silica [Witchy Kitty]	Dark Dagger	8 Hits 2.1sec (3.8)	SS	S+	--	B	*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Self Heal],  [Teleports to nearby target],  [Midair Attack],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are somewhat easy to spam, must rely on her frame locks, or use after parry. - Combo Partner: [Sinon] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
	Kirito [Strong Faith]	Dark Sword	9 Hits 2.6sec (3.5)	SS	S+	--	B	*Leader Skill: (Dark Element) +10% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, turn off auto-approach to increase range. - Combo Partner: [Rapier] - Increases damage attained by 10%. [Assist] MP+ Buff
	Leafa [Sweet Monster]	Dark Rapier	8 Hits 2.4sec (3.3)	SS	S+	--	B	*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Self Heal],  [Ends behind target],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam but avoid directly top/bottom of target to avoid misses. - Combo Partner: [Yuuki] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
	Eugeo [Howl at the Moon]	Dark Sword	6 Hits 1.8sec (3.3)	SS	S+	--	B	*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Self Heal],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam and can be used to dodge some enemy attacks. - Combo Partner: [Kirito] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
	Strea [Ingenuous Blessing]	Dark Sword	10 Hits 3.4sec (2.9)	SS	S+	--	A	*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Teleports behind target],  [Speed+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, but watch out for incoming attacks! - Combo Partner: [Dagger] - Increases damage attained by 10%. [Assist] MP Recovery

Support Nukers

   - Characters with average or low Hits/Sec on their SS3s, using 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.

Image	Character Name	Elem. Wep.	Combo Gen	DPS Ratings vs Elements			Mob Clear	Roles (Best As)
			(Hits/Sec)	Strong	Others	Weak
	Lisbeth [Groovy Sound]	Dark Mace	9 Hits 2.6sec (3.5)	SS	SS	--	B	*LS:+10% Atk (30+ Combos) *Nuker *Combo Gen *Atk+ Zone
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Attack+ Zone],  [Self Heal],  [Teleports behind target at mid-ranged position],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just time it well. - Combo Partner: [Silica] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
	Yuuki [Vampire in Love]	Dark Mace	6 Hits 2.3sec (2.6)	SS	S+	--	AA	*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Decent AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Self Heal],  [Teleports behind target],  [Midair Attack],  [100% Frame Lock],  [Ends at mid ranged position],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam and can be used to dodge enemy attacks! - Combo Partner: [Leafa] - Increases damage attained 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. 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)
or

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