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

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 [A] 4* Burst DPS Damagers for Ranking Events

Other Useful Tier 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.

Image	Character Name	Elem. Wep.	Combo Gen	DPS Ratings vs Elements			Mob Clear	Roles (Best As)
			(Hits/Sec)	Strong	Others	Weak
	Lisbeth [Dark Dancer]	Dark Mace	7 Hits 3.5sec (2.0)	AA	B	--	S	*Holy Nuker *Mob Clearer
		Combo Window: While Buffed			Wide In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Speed+ Buff],  [Critical+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 has a pretty good range, but still best to use after parry or stun for burst damages.
	Lisbeth [Bringer of Spring]	Water Mace	2 Hits 2.6sec (0.8)	AA	B	D	S	*Fire Nuker *Mob Clearer
		Combo Window: Passive			Wide In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:80],  [Speed+ Buff],  [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned.

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 [Concealed Dual Blades]	Neutral Dual	7 Hits 2.5sec* (2.8)	AA	B	--	B	*Neutral Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [SS3 has Invincibility],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, use after parry or while target is stunned.
	Phillia [Pure Hunter Soul]	Water Dagger	8 Hits 3.4sec (2.4)	AA	B	C	B	*Fire Nuker *Combo Gen *Stunner
		Combo Window: While Buffed			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Self Heal],  [Likely to Stun],  [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned. Stun chance triggers after a set number of SS3s (usually 2 or 3).

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
	Silica [Foxy Priestess]	Fire Dagger	6 Hits 3.0sec (2.0)	AA	B	C	B	*Wind Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned.
	Sima [Pole and Line Fishing]	Water Dagger	3 Hits 1.6sec (1.9)	AA	B	D	B	*Fire Nuker
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:80],  [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned.
	Leafa [Swift Fast Heroine]	Wind Rod	4 Hits 2.7sec (1.5)	AA	B	C	B	*Earth Nuker
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Teleports behind target],  [Ends at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - OK to spam, as long that your target doesn't have auto-aim attacks.
	Yuuki [Fledgling Tweeny]	Wind Mace	4 Hits 3.1sec (1.3)	AA	B	C	A	*Earth Nuker
		Combo Window: While Buffed			Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Buff],  [Speed+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - Use SS3s after parrying or while the enemy is stunned.
	Klein [Faithful Swordsman]	Fire Sword	2 Hits 2.3sec (0.9)	AA	B	C	B	*Wind Nuker
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned.
	Sinon [Goddess of Death]	NeutralGun	1 Hit 2.0sec (0.5)	AA	B	--	B	*Neutral Nuker
		Combo Window: Passive			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Buff],  [Midair Attack],  [SS3 Homing Attack],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - Possible to spam at ranged position, but watch out for auto-aim and dashing attacks.
	Sachi [Happy Memories]	Holy Sword	1 Hit 2.5sec (0.4)	AA	B	--	B	*Team Heal *Dark Nuker
		Combo Window: None			Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:80],  [Team Heal],  [Auto-aim Caster],  [Attack+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just position your unit well.

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)
or

<< Back To SAO: MD Guides List