Kingshot Hero Tier List: How to Choose the Right Heroes

A Kingshot tier list can help narrow down which heroes deserve attention, but a ranking is only a starting point. The value of a hero depends on its skills, development level, role in the formation, and the activity you want to complete.

This guide uses Pocket Gamer’s published Kingshot tier list as a third-party reference. It does not claim that GameInsider has independently tested every hero, verified every ranking in the current game build, or established a universal competitive meta. Rankings and available heroes can change, so check the linked source and your in-game hero details before committing scarce resources.

Reference tier list

The following snapshot reproduces the tier groupings reported by Pocket Gamer in its September 2026 guide, which identified game version 1.12.10. Treat it as a dated external reference, not a verified ranking for every server or game mode.

Reference tier	Heroes listed by Pocket Gamer
S+	Vivian, Thrud, Sophia, Jabel, Jaeger, Petra, Amadeus, Triton, Yang, Marlin
S	Hilde, Saul
A	Eric, Zoe, Helga
B	Yeonwoo, Amane, Chenko, Gordon
C	Quinn, Howard, Fahd, Diana, Olive, Edwin, Seth, Forrest

Source: Pocket Gamer’s Kingshot tier list.

These tiers reflect the source’s overall assessment, not a guarantee that every listed hero is best for every activity. The source’s publication date and game version matter. If the game has changed since that snapshot, do not assume that the same grouping remains accurate.

What a tier ranking can—and cannot—tell you

A tier label summarises an author’s judgement. It does not tell you everything needed to choose a hero.

Before investing, consider four factors:

Skill function: Check damage, healing, control, defensive effects, and any conditions that must be met for a skill to work well.
Role coverage: Consider whether your formation needs another damage dealer, a more durable frontline, support, or a specific utility effect.
Development cost: A highly ranked hero with low investment may not immediately outperform a well-developed hero already in your roster.
Activity requirements: A hero’s value can change between player-versus-player battles, boss encounters, expedition stages, and defensive situations.

Do not assume that an S+ hero is automatically the best choice for every mode. Likewise, a lower-ranked hero is not necessarily useless if it fills a role your team lacks.

How to evaluate heroes by activity

Arena and player-versus-player battles

Review how a hero performs within your actual battle formation. Consider survivability, damage, crowd control, and whether the hero’s skills support the rest of the team.

A damage-focused lineup may struggle if its frontline cannot survive long enough to let those damage skills work. Compare complete formations rather than judging a hero by rarity or attack statistics alone.

Boss and single-target encounters

For boss activities, read the skill descriptions and the event’s scoring conditions. Determine whether a hero contributes reliable single-target damage, useful team buffs, or other effects that apply to the encounter.

Do not assume that a hero who performs well in general battles will automatically maximise boss rewards. Check the activity rules and compare results under similar conditions.

Expedition and multi-wave encounters

When fighting multiple enemies, area damage, crowd control, defensive support, and sustained performance may all matter. The best choice depends on the enemies, stage conditions, and your current formation.

If you are stuck, change one part of the formation at a time. This makes it easier to identify whether the problem is damage, survivability, or skill synergy.

Defence and garrison

Defensive encounters may reward a different balance of durability, damage, and support from offensive battles. Check which heroes and troop arrangements are eligible for the specific activity before transferring resources or assuming a universal defensive lineup.

The recommendations above are evaluation criteria, not independently tested rankings for each mode.

How free-to-play players should prioritise upgrades

Players with limited resources benefit most from avoiding unnecessary investment changes.

Start with your current roster. Identify the heroes you already own and have developed.
Find the missing role. Decide whether your lineup needs more damage, survivability, control, or support.
Compare the next upgrade cost. Check what resources are needed and what improvement the upgrade is expected to provide.
Avoid spreading resources too thinly. Concentrating investment on a practical core lineup may be more useful than partially upgrading many heroes.
Reassess before a major investment. Check current skills, available materials, and whether a new hero would meaningfully improve your actual formation.

A tier list should help you make a decision—not pressure you into spending premium currency or abandoning a developed hero without a clear reason.

A simple checklist before investing

Before spending rare materials, ask:

Does this hero improve a role my formation actually needs?
Are the relevant skills unlocked or developed enough to be useful?
Will the hero help in the activity I play most?
How much additional investment is required?
Is the recommendation based on the current game version?
Can I compare the result with my existing lineup before committing further?

If you cannot answer these questions yet, wait until you have enough information to make a sensible comparison.

Common tier-list mistakes

Treating every mode as identical: Overall rankings cannot replace mode-specific evaluation.

Ignoring development levels: Comparing heroes at very different investment levels can produce misleading conclusions.

Assuming newer always means better: Release generation alone does not prove that a hero is the right choice for a particular formation.

Copying a ranking without checking its date: A published guide may refer to an earlier game version or a different competitive environment.

Replacing a functional hero too quickly: An upgrade should solve a real weakness, not merely improve the appearance of your roster on a tier list.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best hero in Kingshot?

There is no single answer that applies to every account and activity. Use published rankings as a starting point, then consider hero skills, development, formation needs, and the mode you want to improve.

How often should I check a tier list?

Revisit it when the game introduces new heroes, changes hero balance, or alters relevant activities. Always check the source’s update date and version rather than assuming a page is current because it appears in search results.

Should beginners follow the highest tier?

Beginners can use high-tier rankings to identify possible long-term investments, but availability and upgrade cost matter. A hero you can develop effectively may provide more immediate value than an inaccessible hero that appears higher on a list.

Final takeaway

Use tier lists to narrow your options, not to replace judgement. The most useful hero investment is one that improves your actual formation at a cost your account can sustain.

For further guidance, read our Kingshot best heroes guide, best formation guide, and beginner guide.

For official game information, visit the Kingshot website. Confirm current hero details and activity rules in the game before making expensive upgrade decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Kingshot tier list an official ranking?

No. It uses a published third-party tier list as a reference and explains how to evaluate heroes for your own roster. It is not an official ranking or an independent in-game test.

Should I always upgrade an S-tier hero first?

Not automatically. Consider the hero's role, current investment, skill levels, availability of upgrade materials, and the game mode you want to improve.

Can older heroes still be useful?

Yes. An older hero may remain useful when well developed or when its skills fill a specific role in your formation. Compare actual performance instead of relying on generation alone.