Sword Art Online: MD - Best 4* Burst Damagers Tier List (Rank SS)

This tier list will show you how good your 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] 4* 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.

None at the moment...

Image	Character Name	Elem. Wep.	Combo Gen	DPS Ratings vs Elements			Mob Clear	Roles (Best As)
			(Hits/Sec)	Strong	Others	Weak

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
	Rain [Blossom Shower]	Earth Dual	10 Hits 1.8sec* (5.6)	SS	S+	S	A	*Nuker *Combo Gen *Stunner
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Buff],  [Likely to Stun],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned.
	Asuna [Healing Beauty]	Wind Rapier	8 Hits 1.7sec (4.7)	SS	S+	SS	AA	*Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Decent AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [Self-Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon Switch],  [Auto-Aim Caster],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just position your character and time it well.
	Yuuki [Gemini]	Fire Rapier	7 Hits 1.5sec (4.7)	SS	S+	S+	AA	*Nuker *Combo Gen *Stunner *Crit+ Buffer
		Combo Window: Passive			Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:105],  [Crit+ Team Buff],  [Likely to Stun],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam but can also be easily interrupted by enemy attacks, so time it well. Stun chance triggers after a set number of SS3s (usually 2 or 3).
	Rain [Personal Santa]	Holy Dual Blade	8 Hits 1.8sec* (4.4)	SS	S+	--	A	*Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Likely to Stun],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just position your character and time it well. Stun chance triggers after a set number of SS3s (usually 2 or 3).
	Asuna [Gorgeous Quartermaster]	Water Rapier	8 Hits 1.8sec (4.4)	SS	S+	S	A	*Nuker *Combo Gen *Debuffer *Atk+ Buffer
		Combo Window: While Buffed			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Team Buff],  [Def Down Debuff],  [100% Frame Lock],  [Teleports to nearby target],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just position your unit and time it well.
	Asuna [Lightning Dance]	Holy Sword	12 Hits 3.0sec (4.0)	SS	S+	--	AA	*Nuker *Combo Gen *Debuffer
		Combo Window: Passive			Decent AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Atk&Def Down Debuff],  [100% Frame Lock],  [Auto-Aim Caster],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just position your unit and time it well.
	Yui [True Heart]	NeutralSword	9 Hits 2.3sec (3.9)	SS	S+	--	A	*Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [100% Frame Lock],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are pretty much on point, but still spammable with frame locks and barrier.
	Kirito [Lofty Captain]	Water Dual	8 Hits 2.1sec (3.8)	SS	S+	S	B	*Nuker *Combo Gen *Debuffer *Atk+ Buffer
		Combo Window: While Buffed			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Team Buff],  [Def Down Debuff],  [100% Frame Lock],  [Auto-aim Caster],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just position your unit and time it well.
	Silica [Sunflower Girl]	Holy Dagger	4 Hits 1.7sec (2.4)	SS	S+	--	A	*Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [Self-Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon Switch],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s can spammed, just time it well.

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 [Summer Sunshine]	Fire Mace	10 Hits 2.0sec (5.0)	SS	S+	SS	B	*Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [Self-Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon Switch],  [Auto-aim Caster],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just position your character and time it well, Avoid directly top/bottom of target to avoid misses.
	Philia [Spirited Chocolatier]	Water Bow	11 Hits 2.2sec (5.0)	SS	S+	S	A	*Nuker *Combo Gen *Healer
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Team Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],  [Auto-aim Caster],  [100% Frame Lock],  [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s must be spammed from a ranged position (in-line with target), to sink all hits.
	Sakuya [Indoor Gamer]	Water Bow	9 Hits 1.9sec (4.7)	SS	S+	S+	B	*Nuker *Combo Gen *Mitigator
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Self-Heal],  [Temporary Damage Reduction (15sec)],  [Auto-Aim Caster],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed from a ranged position, but watch out for incoming attacks.
	Sinon [Fiery Morning Glory]	Earth Gun	8 Hits 2.0sec (4.0)	SS	S+	S	A	*Nuker *Combo Gen *Stunner
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Buff],  [Likely to Stun],  [Auto-aim Caster],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed from any location, but watch out for incoming attacks.
	Sinon [Great Sniper on the Lookout]	Water Gun	9 Hits 2.4sec (3.8)	SS	S+	S	B	*Nuker *Combo Gen *Debuffer *Atk+ Buffer
		Combo Window: While Buffed			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Team Buff],  [Def Down Debuff],  [100% Frame Lock],  [Auto-aim Caster],  [Ends at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just position your unit and time it well.
	Sinon [Novice Police]	Neutral Gun	7 Hits 2.2sec (3.2)	SS	S+	--	B	*Nuker *Combo Gen *Debuffer
		Combo Window: While Buffed			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Atk&Def Down Debuff],  [Auto-Aim Caster],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed from a ranged position, but watch out for incoming attacks.
	Sinon [Mischievous Summer Girl]	Water Gun	4 Hits 1.9sec (2.1)	SS	S+	S	A	*Nuker
		Combo Window: Passive			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [Self-Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon Switch],  [Midair Attack],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam and can be used while dodging attacks. Avoid directly top/bottom of target to avoid misses though.

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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