Sword Art Online: MD - Best 5-Star Characters Tier List - Rank C and D

Here's a list of 5-Star Characters that are currently rated under Rank C and D! 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 [C and D] 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
	Strea [MHCP-02]	Neutral Sword	2 Hits 3.0sec (0.7)	D	S	A	B		*Neutral Nuker *Mob Clearer
		Combo Window: Passive				Decent In-line AoE
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral 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
	Rain [Multi-Wielder]	Earth Sword	10 Hits 2.5sec (4.0)	C	B	C	B		*Water Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - A bit hard to spam and must be in ranged position, use after parrying or while the enemy is stunned. - Combo Partner: [Earth Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Water Element.
	Asuna [Lightning Flash]	NeutralRapier	8 Hits 3.5sec (2.3)	D	A	C	B		*Neutral Nuker *Combo Gen
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Speed+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral 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
	Seven [Star Scientist]	Holy Rod	8 Hits 4.0sec (2.0)	C	A	B	B		*Dark Nuker *Combo Gen *Healer
		Combo Window: Passive				Decent AoE Range
SS3 Notes	- [MP:120],  [Auto-Aim Caster],  [SS1 Team Heal],   [Targets: Ground and Midair Enemies] - SS3s can be spammed from a ranged position, but watch out for auto-aim and dashing attacks. - Combo Partner: [Holy Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Dark Element.
	Philia [Treasure Hunter]	Neutral Dagger	2 Hits 1.5sec (1.3)	C	B	C	C		*Neutral Nuker *Debuffer
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Defense Down Debuff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is mostly used for a quick defense down debuff from the start of battle. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Klein [Furinkazan]	Neutral Sword	2 Hits 2.0sec (1.0)	C	B	C	B		*Neutral Nuker
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Lisbeth [Mace Master]	Neutral Mace	3 Hits 3.0sec (1.0)	D	B	C	B		*Neutral Nuker
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral Element.
	Agil [Brawney Axeman]	Neutral Mace	2 Hits 3.0sec (0.7)	D	B	C	B		*Neutral Nuker
		Combo Window: Passive				Single Target
SS3 Notes	- [MP:100],  [Attack+ Buff],   [Targets: Ground Enemies] - SS3 is pretty much on point, so use after parry or while target is stunned. - Combo Partner: [Neutral Element] - Increases damage by 5% vs Neutral 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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