Anime Vanguards Tier List (Update 13.5) – Best Units Ranked

Discover the ultimate Anime Vanguards tier list for Update 13.5. We rank the best units for casual and competitive play based on community insights.

Why This Tier List Matters for Update 13.5

The Anima Vanguards meta has shifted dramatically with Update 13.5. New units have entered the roster, older favorites have been nerfed, and the way players approach stages has evolved. If you're looking for an accurate Anime Vanguards tier list to guide your team composition, you've come to the right place.

This ranking focuses on usefulness over raw DPS. As the community has noted, most stages in Anime Vanguards can be cleared with almost any unit. What truly matters is how versatile, efficient, and fun a unit is to use. We've analyzed player experiences, recent balance changes, and the latest YouTube breakdowns to bring you a tier list that reflects the current state of the game.

S-Tier: The Absolute Best Units (As of July 2026)

These units dominate the meta. They offer incredible damage, utility, or both. If you have any of these in your collection, prioritize leveling them up.

Unit Name	Role	Why They're S-Tier	Key Strength
Zukuna	DPS / Support	Highest DPS in the game; incredibly versatile; can transition to support if power-crept.	Raw damage output and flexibility.
World Destroyer	Utility / Shield Break	Instantly deletes overshields, making many hard stages trivial.	Unique shield-breaking mechanic.
Esganor	Solo Carry / AoE	Can solo 95% of stages; recent quality-of-life changes and a familiar make him incredibly efficient.	Ease of use and stage-clearing speed.
Yamamoto	AoE / Summoner	Very cheap to deploy and upgrade; summons are powerful for AFK farming.	Cost-effectiveness and strong AoE.

According to community reports, Zukuna is the undisputed king of DPS. One player described his damage as "not even remotely fun because he just destroys everything." However, his need to transform every use can be a minor annoyance.

World Destroyer has been praised for her utility. A popular YouTuber stated, "World of Char is way too good for deleting overshield instantly." This makes her invaluable for specific challenge stages.

A-Tier: Excellent and Reliable Units

These units are fantastic choices that can handle almost any content. They might not have the raw power of S-tier units, but they offer great value and are often easier to obtain.

Unit Name	Role	Why They're A-Tier	Key Strength
Scissor Girl	DPS	New unit with surprisingly high damage; fits well into the current meta team.	High damage potential (as shown in recent videos).
Newsman	Support	Provides crazy support buffs that fit into many team compositions.	Versatile support for multiple teams.
Ashra	DPS	High damage without needing to build up a passive; good for immediate impact.	Instant high damage output.
Time Goddess	Support / DPS	While her DPS has been nerfed, her support capabilities are still strong.	Good support utility (post-nerf).

Scissor Girl is a rising star. A recent video by XOPD showcased her massive damage, leading many to reconsider her placement. She is now considered a strong contender for the top of A-tier, especially because she works well with the new team composition.

Newsman is a support unit that the community agrees is "more useful in a lot more teams" compared to other supports. His versatility makes him a safe investment.

B-Tier: Solid but Situational

These units are good but have clear weaknesses or are outclassed by higher-tier options. They are excellent for specific roles or for players who haven't yet obtained the top meta units.

Unit Name	Role	Why They're B-Tier	Key Strength
Luffy	DPS	Was once top-tier for DPS, but has been outclassed by newer units.	Still has high damage, but requires more effort.
Naruto & Pain	DPS	Relics of a bygone era; their only strength is DPS, which is now easily replaced.	High DPS (but requires manual play).
Merleona	DPS	Needs time to build up her passive to become truly strong.	High potential if given time to ramp up.

The community sentiment is clear: units like Naruto and Pain are "relics of a bygone era." They were once the kings of DPS, but with the arrival of Zukuna and others, they have fallen from grace. Their requirement for manual play in Ninjutsu also makes them less appealing.

Luffy is in a similar boat. While still powerful, he is no longer the best option. The YouTuber in our source material noted that "there's really not much point in keeping them at the top one spot" because their DPS has been surpassed.

C-Tier & Utility: Niche Uses

These units are not recommended for general play, but they have specific niches that make them worth keeping for certain situations.

Unit Name	Role	Why They're Low Tier	Key Use Case
Bounty Hunter	Utility / Currency	His DPS is no longer relevant; his primary use is for the Rift's 2x currency gain.	Farming currency in Rifts.
King	DPS	Underwhelming performance; considered by some to be "not even that strong."	Likely unused for most content.

Bounty Hunter is a perfect example of a unit that has been power-crept into a utility role. As one player put it, "you will use him more for his utility now rather than anything else." His 2x currency gain in Rifts is his only saving grace.

King has been met with disappointment. The community source stated, "there's an argument for this guy to not even be in this list... he's not really that good." This is likely due to recency bias from his release, but his actual performance doesn't justify a higher placement.

How to Use This Anime Vanguards Tier List

This tier list is designed to help you make informed decisions about which units to invest in. Here are a few actionable tips based on the current meta:

Prioritize Versatility: Focus on units like Esganor and World Destroyer that can handle multiple situations. They offer the best return on investment.
Don't Ignore Support: A good support unit like Newsman can elevate an entire team. Don't just focus on raw DPS.
Consider Cost: Cheap units like Yamamoto are incredibly efficient for clearing early and mid-game stages. You can deploy them quickly without draining your resources.
Watch the Meta: The Anime Vanguards tier list is not static. New updates and units can shake things up. Keep an eye on community discussions and YouTube breakdowns.
Play What You Enjoy: As the source material noted, "you can pretty much use any unit to clear anything." If you love a unit, use it. This tier list is a guide, not a rulebook.

For the most up-to-date game information and patch notes, always check the official Anime Vanguards Trello board or the game's official Roblox page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best unit in Anime Vanguards after Update 13.5?

Based on community reports and current meta analysis, Zukuna is the undisputed best unit. He offers the highest DPS in the game and incredible versatility. However, Esganor is a close second for his ability to solo most stages with ease.

Is the Anime Vanguards tier list the same for casual and competitive play?

No. This tier list is geared more towards casual play, focusing on usefulness and ease of use. A competitive tier list might rank units differently based on specific challenge modes or speed-running. For most players, this list provides the most valuable information for daily gameplay.

Why is World Destroyer ranked higher than some high DPS units?

World Destroyer is ranked highly because of her unique utility. She can instantly delete overshields, which is a mechanic that can stop many other teams in their tracks. This makes her invaluable for specific hard stages, even if her raw DPS isn't top-tier.

How often does the Anime Vanguards tier list change?

The tier list can change with every major update. New units, balance changes, and bug fixes can all shift the meta significantly. It's a good idea to check for updated tier lists after each new patch or update to the game.