Sword Art Online: MD - Best 5-Star Characters Tier List - Rank AA

Here's a list of 5-Star Characters that are currently rated under Rank AA! This section is the summary of all ranks and ratings given to all characters in the game, in terms of Speed Rankings, Floor Clearing capabilities or Tankiness.

   - For beginners with limited number of characters, aim for a high ranked Dagger, Lance, Rapier, Dual, or Sword wielder that can also generate combos, as your 1st character and main DPS unit.

Rank [AA] Overall 5* Characters

Other Helpful 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.
   - *Ratings are mostly based under "NO Elemental Advantage", so DPS ranks below can go higher when used against their counter element.

Image Thumb	Character Name	Elem. Wep.	Combo Gen	Ranking Event DPS		Floor Clear Event		---	Roles (Best As)
			Hits/sec	Burst	Mob Clear		Boss
	Seven [Santa is Coming]	Holy Lance	7 Hits 1.9sec (3.7)	S+	S	AA	A		*LS:+6% Atk *Nuker *Combo Gen *Mob Clearer *Stunner
		Combo Window: Passive				Wide AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Auto-aim Caster],  [100% Frame Lock], [Likely to Stun],   [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). - Combo Partner: [Rain] - Increases damage by 5% vs Dark Element.

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).
   - *Ratings are mostly based under "NO Elemental Advantage", so DPS ranks below can go higher when used against their counter element.

Image Thumb	Character Name	Elem. Wep.	Combo Gen	Ranking Event DPS		Floor Clear Event		---	Roles (Best As)
			Hits/sec	Burst	Mob Clear		Boss
	Kirito [Tropical Beach Boy]	Dark Dual	16 Hits 2.8sec* (5.7)	S+	A	A	A		*Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],  [Ends behind target],  [Instant SS3 upon Switch],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just position your unit and time it well. - Combo Partner: [Dark Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Holy Element.
	Yuna [Sweet Idol Singer]	NeutralRapier	9 Hits 1.8sec (5.0)	AA	A	AA	AA		*LS:+10% Atk (OS Characters) *Neutral Nuker *Combo Gen *Healer *Crit+ Buffer
		Combo Window: Passive				Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Team Heal], [Crit+ Team Buff]  [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed but must be in-line with target. Best after parry or combinattions. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Asuna [Heart Flash]	NeutralRapier	12 Hits 2.6sec (4.6)	S+	A	B	A		*Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [Attack+ Buff],  [Critical+ Buff],  [Speed+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are a bit hard to spam or use, ideal after parrying or while enemy is stunned. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Alice [A Lone Flower]	Fire Sword	8 Hits 2.2sec (3.6)	S+	A	A	A		*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Teleports behind target at mid-ranged position],  [Frame Lock],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just time it well. - Combo Partner: [Fire Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Wind Element.
	Sorey [Pure-Minded Master]	NeutralSword	8 Hits 2.2sec (3.6)	S	A	A	A		*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, just time well, best with combinations. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Philia [Peach Blossom in Full Glory]	Holy Dagger	13 Hits 3.7sec (3.5)	S	AA	A	A		*LS:+6% Atk *Nuker *Combo Gen *Crit+ Buffer
		Combo Window: Passive				Decent AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Crit+ Team buff],  [Frame Lock],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Holy Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Dark Element.
	Sortiliena [Walking Tactics Manual]	Wind Sword	14 Hits 4.0sec (3.5)	S	A	B	AA		*LS:+6% Atk *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Wind Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Earth Element. [Assist] Atk+ Buff.
	Administrator [Seductress]	Dark Rapier	12 Hits 3.6sec (3.3)	S	AA	S	AA		*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Decent AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [Self Heal],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],  [Frame Lock],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Dark Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Holy Element.
	Lisbeth [Wacky Happy Halloween]	Dark Lance	6 Hits 1.8sec (3.3)	S+	B	B	A		*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Midair Attack],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are possible to spam, but best after parrying. - Combo Partner: [Dagger] - Increases damage by 5% vs Holy Element.

Support Nukers

   - Characters with average or low Hits/Sec on their SS3s, using long ranged or slow speed weapons. Still strong characters especially against their counter elements, best played with combo generators to deal stronger nukes at higher combo counts.
   - *Ratings are mostly based under "NO Elemental Advantage", so DPS ranks below can go higher when used against their counter element.

Image Thumb	Character Name	Elem. Wep.	Combo Gen	Ranking Event DPS		Floor Clear Event		---	Roles (Best As)
			Hits/sec	Burst	Mob Clear		Boss
	Waals [Cool Screw]	NeutralRifle	10 Hits 2.4sec (4.2)	S	B	B	A		*Leader Skill: +3% Attack *Neutral Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are pretty easy to spam, just time it well. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Alice [Queen of Wonderland]	Dark Rifle	7 Hits 1.9sec (3.7)	S	A	AA	A		*Leader Skill: +3% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Limited In-Inline AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Self Heal],  [Midair Attack],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are are easy to spam, best with combinations. - Combo Partner: [Eugeo] - Increases damage attained by 10%.
	LLENN [Santa Surprise]	Holy Rifle	13 Hits 3.6sec (3.6)	S	A	B	A		*LS:+6% Atk *Nuker *Combo Gen *Crit DMG+ Buffer
		Combo Window: None				Limited In-Inline AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Crit DMG+ Team buff],  [Frame Lock],  [Midair Attack],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Holy Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Dark Element.
	Kureha [Seeking Strength]	NeutralRifle	6 Hits 1.8sec (3.3)	AA	B	A	A		*Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Auto Heal],  [100% Frame Lock],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed but must be in-line with target. - Combo Partner: [Automatic Rifle] - Increases damage by 10%.
	Yui [Cuddling Gremlins]	Water Rod	13 Hits 4.0sec (3.3)	AA	AA	S	AA		*LS:+6% Atk *Fire Nuker *Combo Gen *Healer
		Combo Window: Passive				Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [SS1 Team Heal],  [Ends behind target at mid-ranged position];  [Skill: Charging Skill],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Water Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Fire Element. [Assist]: Crit DMG+ Buff
	Silica [My Little Lover]	Dark Mace	8 Hits 2.6sec (3.1)	S+	AA	A	A		*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. - Combo Partner: [Dark Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Holy Element.
	Strea [Melting in the Mouth]	Fire Mace	13 Hits 4.4sec (3.0)	AA	AA	S	S+		*Leader Skill: +6% Attack *Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Decent AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Self Heal],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Fire Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Wind Element.
	Fukaziroh [Little Gunner]	NeutralRifle	6 Hits 2.1sec (2.9)	S+	A	B	AA		*LS:+6% Atk *Nuker *Combo Gen *Crit Dmg+ Buffer
		Combo Window: Passive				Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Crit Dmg+ Team Buff],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],  [Auto-aim Caster],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed, just time it well. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage attained by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Suguha [Sweet Allure	Dark Mace	14 Hits 6.2sec (2.3)	A	AA	S	S		*Leader Skill: +10% Attack (30+ Combos) *Holy Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:110],  [Auto Heal],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] Combo Partner: [Dark Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Holy Element.
	Sinon [Charming Rider]	NeutralRifle	5 Hits 2.2sec (2.3)	S	B	B	A		*Leader Skill: +3% Attack *Neutral Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Auto-aim Caster],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s are pretty easy to spam, but watch out for incoming attacks. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Asuna [Constant Love]	Earth Mace	5 Hits 2.3sec (2.2)	S	A	B	A		*Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: None				Limited In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Midair Attack],  [Ends behind target],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s are easy to spam, juts time it well. - Combo Partner: [Earth Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Water Element.
	Argo [Early Spring Dance]	Wind Sword	8 Hits 4.0sec (2.0)	AA	A	B	AA		*Earth Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Limited AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Speed+ Buff],  [Ends behind target],  [Instant SS3 upon switch],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3s can now be spammed easily, just time it well. - Combo Partner: [Wind Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Earth Element.
	Sinon [Flowering Valkyrie]	Earth Bow	4 Hits 3.0sec (1.3)	AA	B	A	A		*LS:+3% Atk *Water Nuker
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Self Heal],  [Barrier negates 1 strike],  [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - Combo Partner: [Earth Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Water Element.
	Sachi [Happy Memories]	Holy Sword	1 Hit 2.5sec (0.4)	A	B	A	AA		*Healer *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. - Combo Partner: [Holy Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Dark Element.

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.
   - Combo Generation and "how easy" SS3s can be spammed will affect DPS Ratings.
   - Note: DPS rating may increase if used against their counter element.

Ranking Event - Mob Clearing:
   - Heavily based on their AoE Range (considering all skills) and Speed.

Floor Clearing Event - Mob Clearing
   - Heavily based on their AoE Range (considering all skills) + Survival Capabilities without relying on Healers. Basically, units without any survivability skills, should be paired with Healers to increase/maintain their effectiveness.
   - Based on Floor 60 onwards mob difficulty.
   - Note: Rating may increase if used against their counter element.

Floor Clearing Event - vs Boss
   - Heavily based on their Damage Output (DPS will not be used here), Tankiness and Survival Capabilities. So, units with very high Damage Output with limited durability can still find their way to a decent rank, since we can still defeat Bosses by dodging attacks.
   - Based on Floor 60 onwards Boss difficulty.
   - Note: Rating may increase if used against their counter element. Units without any survivability skills, should be paired with Healers to increase/maintain their effectiveness.

Overall Rankings
   - Heavily based on DPS rating (Ranking Events) and Floor Clearing vs Boss (Damage Output and Survivability). So units without Self Healing or Auto-Heal are in a big disadvantage.
   - We will not consider Mob Clearing as ranking basis for now because it would be unfair for other limited ranged units.
   - NOTE: 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.

Weapon Type Weaknesses (Floor Clearing Event)

   - To find which characters are effective to a certain floor, refer below.
   - Slash - Swords and Dual Blades
   - Effective against soft-bodied enemies such as Mantises, Slimes and Gerberas (plant monsters).
   - Not effective against tough-skinned enemies such as Lizardmen.
   - Strike - Mace and Guns
   - Effective against hard-bodied enemies such as Elementals and Skeletons.
   - Not effective against soft-bodied enemies such as Mantises, Slimes and Gerberas (plant monsters).
   - Thrust/Pierce - Rapiers, Lances, Daggers, and Bows.
   - Effective against tough-skinned enemies such as Lizardmen.
   - Not effective against hard-bodied enemies such as Elementals and Skeletons.
   - Magic - Rods
   - Deals more damage to a certain element than the usual elemental affinity bonus damage.

Elemental Bonuses and Weaknesses

   - Fire > Wind > Earth > Water > Fire (Holy < > Dark)
   - Note that some selected characters have a Battle Skill or Skill Slot that increases their damages against Neutral element enemies.
   - Element that is in disadvantage can only deal 75% damage, so also consider that unit's current DPS rank to go down.

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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