Anime Vanguards 13.5 Tier List: Must-Have Units & Monarchs

The Anime Vanguards 13.5 update has completely shaken up the meta, introducing new familiars, balance changes, and game-breaking units that redefine what’s possible in Roblox’s popular tower defense game. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a returning player, knowing which units to prioritize is critical for clearing the hardest content.

This guide breaks down the top six must-have units in the Anime Vanguards 13.5 update, based on extensive testing and community reports. We’ll cover their roles, optimal traits, and why they deserve a spot on your team.

The New Meta: Why Update 13.5 Changes Everything

The Anime Vanguards 13.5 patch didn’t just add new units—it reworked core mechanics. Familiars now allow support units like Newsman to slow bosses, and infinite stacking passives make certain damage dealers scale endlessly. The Monarch trait has also become the gold standard for top-tier units, boosting their damage and utility to absurd levels.

According to player experience from the community, the gap between "good" and "must-have" units has never been wider. If you’re aiming for endgame content like infinite game modes or high-wave challenges, you’ll want to prioritize the following units.

Top 6 Must-Have Units in Anime Vanguards 13.5

Here’s our ranking of the six units you absolutely need to build around in the current meta. Each unit has been tested in sandbox mode to confirm their damage output and synergy.

1. Gojo (Sukuna) – The Absolute King

Gojo (Sukuna) is hands-down the most overpowered unit in Anime Vanguards 13.5. In testing, this unit alone melted a boss with 2.6 billion HP in seconds. His damage output is so high that he trivializes content that was previously considered impossible.

• Why it’s a must-have: Sukuna’s DPS scales aggressively, and with the Monarch trait, he can solo waves that would require a full team of other units.
• Optimal build: Monarch trait + Black Spirit familiar for maximum damage. Avoid using Gojo (the weaker version)—Sukuna is the only version worth investing in.
• Community report: One player noted that Sukuna "treats enemies with 1 billion HP like they’re nothing." This unit is the definition of broken.

2. Esganor – The Auto-Play Demon

Esganor is the ultimate quality-of-life unit. His primary purpose is to be placed alone and autoplay stages, making him invaluable for farming resources.

• Why it’s a must-have: Esganor bypasses shields when paired with Doctor 4 and Moira, making him effective against nearly every enemy type.
• Optimal build: Monarch trait is essential. Without it, his damage falls off significantly in later waves.
• Synergy: Works well with Ice Queen for crowd control, but his true strength lies in solo clearing.

3. Fon – The Map-Wide Nuker

Fon is a limited unit that can deal 150 million damage to all enemies on the map with a single ability activation. His damage scales with the number of buffs applied to him.

• Why it’s a must-have: Fon’s passive gains flame stacks when buffed, and at 12 stacks, he unleashes a devastating map-wide nuke. With the right support (e.g., Armored Mage), he can clear entire waves instantly.
• Optimal build: Monarch trait + Yamamoto memoria (since he lacks a dedicated memoria). Focus on applying as many buffs as possible.
• Note: Fon is a limited unit, so grab him now before he’s gone.

4. Raging Oni (Akuma) – The Crit Machine

Raging Oni is the superior evolution of Akuma, boasting a focus meter that ramps up his crit rate and damage.

• Why it’s a must-have: With the Black Spirit familiar, Raging Oni generates focus rapidly, allowing him to spam X Focus for massive damage. His crit rate buff after consuming focus makes him a reliable single-target killer.
• Optimal build: Monarch trait + Black Spirit familiar. Without Black Spirit, his DPS drops significantly.
• Comparison table:

5. Merleiona – Infinite Scaling DPS

Merleiona’s familiar in Anime Vanguards 13.5 removes the need to toggle her ability, allowing her to stack damage infinitely as long as enemies are in range.

• Why it’s a must-have: In infinite game modes, Merleiona’s damage scales without cap. After a few waves, she can out-damage even some Monarch units.
• Optimal build: Familiar is mandatory. Use Yamamoto memoria as a placeholder until she gets her own.
• Tip: Pair her with a tank to keep enemies in her range.

6. Newsman – The Ultimate Support

Newsman is the only support unit on this list, but his utility is unmatched. His ability to slow enemies by 50% for 30 seconds is invaluable for controlling the battlefield.

• Why it’s a must-have: With his familiar, Newsman can slow bosses and apply a 10% burn. He also applies "Bubbled," which can stack with other damage amps.
• Optimal build: Familiar is required. Traits like Solar work well, but Monarch isn’t necessary.
• Community report: One player described Newsman as "a crazy support unit" that makes difficult stages manageable.

How to Build Your Team Around These Units

To maximize the potential of your Anime Vanguards 13.5 team, follow this table for optimal synergy:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need the Monarch trait on every unit in Anime Vanguards 13.5? A: No. Only the top three units (Sukuna, Esganor, Fon) truly require Monarch to reach their full potential. Newsman and Merleiona work fine with their familiars and a good trait like Solar.

Q: Is Gojo (Sukuna) better than the regular Gojo? A: Yes, absolutely. The regular Gojo is considered weak compared to Sukuna in this update. Stick with Sukuna for endgame content.

Q: How do I get the Black Spirit familiar for Raging Oni? A: The Black Spirit familiar is a common drop from mid-game bosses. It’s relatively easy to obtain, so prioritize farming it if you plan to use Raging Oni.

Q: What’s the best game mode for Merleiona? A: Infinite game modes are ideal for Merleiona, as her damage scales infinitely with enemies in range. She’s less effective in short, burst-focused stages.

Final Thoughts

The Anime Vanguards 13.5 update has raised the bar for what’s possible in Roblox tower defense. By prioritizing the six units above—especially Sukuna, Esganor, and Fon—you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any challenge the game throws at you.

For more detailed stats and community discussions, check out the official Anime Vanguards Trello board for the latest patch notes and unit guides. Happy grinding