- Anime Last Stand tier list: Ranks all available units from S-Tier to C-Tier based on current meta performance
- S-Tier units: Benimaru, Esganor, and Ninetails dominate due to high damage scaling and full AoE coverage
- Trait system rework: Traits now provide multiplicative bonuses instead of placement reductions
- World 2 meta: Emphasizes element-advantaged units and high-placement-cost DPS carries
- Evo priority: Always evolve Shanks and other S-Tier units before investing in lower-tier alternatives
Anime Last Stand Tier List Overview
Building the optimal team in Anime Last Stand requires understanding which units deliver the highest damage output, the best area-of-effect coverage, and the most efficient upgrade paths. This tier list evaluates every major unit based on their performance across Story Mode, Infinite Mode, and challenging World 2 content.
Video Highlights:
- World 2 return brings back classic units like old Garp, old Vegeta, and Shanks
- Benimaru highlighted as a premier fire-element DPS unit with strong scaling
- Trait system completely reworked to multiplicative damage and money bonuses
- Prestige system offers 10 Stardust and 50k Jewels for dedicated players
- Ninetails requires 286 cost to fully max but delivers exceptional damage
The current meta heavily favors units with high base damage, full-map AoE potential, and traits that multiply their effectiveness. With the removal of single-placement mechanics, players now need to invest more resources into fielding multiple copies of the same unit, making cost-efficient DPS units significantly more valuable.
The trait rework fundamentally changed unit evaluations. Traits like Avatar now provide 2x multipliers instead of single-placement mechanics. Always check your unit's trait synergy before committing upgrade resources.
S-Tier Units: The Meta Definers
S-Tier units represent the absolute best characters in Anime Last Stand. These units excel in nearly every game mode, offering unmatched damage output, excellent range, and strong upgrade scaling. If you pull any of these units, prioritize them immediately.
| Unit | Element | Role | Key Strength | Upgrade Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benimaru | Fire | DPS | High single-target burst, strong AoE | Moderate (144 max) |
| Esganor | Grass | Hybrid DPS | Consistent damage across all modes | Moderate |
| Ninetails | Fire | Carry DPS | Massive damage at full upgrade | High (286 max) |
| Shanks (Evo) | Water | DPS | Excellent evolved form, versatile | Moderate |
| Golden Admiral | Light | Support/DPS | Strong buffs plus solid damage | Moderate |
Benimaru
- Fire-element powerhouse
- 33k base damage with Shinigami trait
- Strong in both single-target and AoE
- Moderate upgrade cost at 144 total
- Best paired with money-generating traits
Ninetails
- Highest damage ceiling
- 286 cost to fully max out
- Devastating AoE coverage
- Requires significant farm investment
- Best used as primary carry unit
Esganor
- Grass-element versatility
- Obtainable through quest progression
- Consistent performance in Story Mode
- No evolution required for viability
- Strong against water-element maps
Focus your Stardust and Jewels on evolving Shanks first, as his evolved water-element form provides the most versatile damage output across World 2 content. Benimaru should be your second priority for fire-element maps.
A-Tier and B-Tier Units
A-Tier units are strong performers that may have slight weaknesses in range, cost, or element matching. They serve as excellent primary or secondary damage dealers when S-Tier units are unavailable. B-Tier units are viable but require specific team compositions to shine.
| Tier | Unit | Element | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Jotaro | Dark | DPS | Hard to obtain, solid damage dealer |
| A | Garp | Water | Tank/DPS | Gray variant exists, decent all-rounder |
| A | Young Yosan | Light | DPS | Back in meta with World 2 return |
| A | Shinigami | Dark | Support | Excellent trait transfer target |
| B | Idol | Light | Support | No evolution available yet |
| B | Goku (Evo) | Fire | DPS | Has evolution path, moderate damage |
| B | Nanomy | Dark | DPS | Previously meta, now situational |
Young Yosan has returned to the meta with the World 2 relaunch. While not as dominant as S-Tier units, Yosan provides reliable light-element damage that performs well against dark-element enemies in later stages.
Trait Synergy Rankings
Traits dramatically affect unit placement in the tier list. A B-Tier unit with an excellent trait can outperform an A-Tier unit with a poor one.
| Trait | Effect | Best Used On | Tier Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinigami | Major damage boost | Benimaru, DPS units | S-Tier defining |
| Avatar | 2x multiplier | Any DPS unit | High impact |
| Money Trait | 150% more money | Farm units, support | Economy defining |
| Golden | Balanced bonuses | Hybrid units | Moderate impact |
| Standard | Base stats only | Any unit | No bonus |
How to Build Your Team
Constructing an effective team in Anime Last Stand requires balancing damage types, elements, and economy. Follow this systematic approach to assemble a squad capable of clearing all available content.
Establish Your Economy
Place farm units first with money-boosting traits. The new trait system rewards placing farms before combat units, as the 150% money multiplier compounds rapidly. Prioritize getting at least two farm units down before committing to your first DPS placement.
Select Your Primary Carry
Choose your highest-tier DPS unit as the team anchor. Benimaru, Ninetails, or evolved Shanks work best. Ensure the carry's element matches the stage requirement for maximum damage output. Place two copies since single-placement traits no longer exist.
Add Element Coverage
Fill remaining slots with units covering different elements. World 2 maps often feature enemies with varying weaknesses. Having at least three elements represented ensures you can handle any stage composition.
Roll Traits Strategically
Use your reroll stash on primary DPS units first. There is currently no trait pity system, so manage your rerolls carefully. Focus on getting Shinigami or Avatar on your main carry before investing in support units.
Prestige for Resources
Use the Prestige system to earn 10 Stardust and 50k Jewels per cycle. These resources are critical for evolving S-Tier units and rolling optimal traits. Prestige resets progress but the resource rewards are worth the investment.
A proven World 2 setup: Two Benimaru (fire DPS), one evolved Shanks (water DPS), one Esganor (grass DPS), and two farm units with money traits. This composition covers three elements and provides enough economy to max all combat units.
World 2 Unit Performance
World 2 reintroduces classic Anime Last Stand content with updated mechanics. The return of old models, including original Garp and Vegeta, alongside the trait rework creates a unique meta that differs from the game's previous iterations.
| Factor | Impact on Tier List | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| No single-placement traits | Units need multiple copies | Prioritize moderate-cost DPS |
| 150% money traits | Economy is significantly stronger | Always run money-trait farms |
| No trait pity system | Rerolling is purely RNG-based | Save rerolls for S-Tier units only |
| Prestige system active | Provides Stardust and Jewels | Prestige regularly for resources |
| No new passives | Units rely on base stats and traits | Trait quality matters more than ever |
| High enemy HP pools | Damage scaling is critical | Max upgrades before advancing stages |
World 2 enemies have significantly higher HP pools compared to World 1. A fully maxed Benimaru at 33k damage may still struggle on Act 6 stages. Ensure your units are at least level 100 before attempting later World 2 content.
Element Effectiveness Chart
| Element | Strong Against | Weak Against | Best Maps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | Grass, Ice | Water, Light | Esganor Story Map |
| Water | Fire, Dark | Grass, Light | Coastal Stages |
| Grass | Water, Earth | Fire, Dark | Forest-themed Maps |
| Light | Dark | Fire, Water | Castle/Dungeon Stages |
| Dark | Light, Grass | Fire, Water | Night-themed Maps |
Tier List FAQ and Strategy Tips
Unit Progression Goals:
- Obtain at least one S-Tier unit from the banner
- Evolve Shanks to unlock his water-element form
- Roll Shinigami trait on your primary DPS unit
- Reach Prestige 1 for 10 Stardust and 50k Jewels
- Build a three-element team for World 2 coverage
- Max level at least two DPS units to 100
- Complete Esganor quest line for guaranteed S-Tier unit
The selection banner in World 2 features Bleach-themed units alongside returning favorites. If you lack Benimaru, prioritize summoning on his banner. Avoid spending Jewels on B-Tier units unless you need element coverage.
Q: What is the best unit in the Anime Last Stand tier list?
Benimaru currently holds the top spot due to his fire-element damage output, moderate upgrade cost of 144, and excellent synergy with the Shinigami trait. Ninetails has a higher damage ceiling but requires 286 total cost to fully max, making it less accessible for most players.
Q: How do traits affect the Anime Last Stand tier list rankings?
Traits are now the single most impactful factor in unit performance. The reworked system provides multiplicative bonuses, with Shinigami offering massive damage boosts and Avatar providing a 2x multiplier. A B-Tier unit with a top trait can outperform an S-Tier unit with a standard trait.
Q: Is there a trait pity system in Anime Last Stand?
No, there is currently no trait pity system. Rerolling traits is entirely RNG-based. This makes it critical to save your reroll stash for S-Tier units only. Claim all available rerolls from the index system to build a sufficient supply.
Q: Should I prestige in Anime Last Stand World 2?
Yes, prestiging is highly recommended. Each prestige cycle grants 10 Stardust and 50k Jewels, which are essential for evolving units and rolling traits. The resource rewards far outweigh the temporary setback of resetting your progress.
Q: Can I get Esganor without summoning on the banner?
Yes, Esganor is obtainable through a quest line in World 2. The quest requires beating specific stages and evolving certain units. This makes Esganor one of the most accessible S-Tier units for free-to-play players.