Tier List

Overview

This tier list ranks all confirmed characters in Neverness to Everness based on their overall effectiveness in combat, team utility, and Esper Cycle Passive value. Rankings are compiled from community sources including ntegame.com, prydwen.gg, and beta test impressions from the Containment Test and Co-Ex Test.

Important disclaimer: NTE launches on April 29, 2026. All rankings are based on pre-release data and are subject to change after launch when the full meta develops. Character balancing, new content, and additional characters may shift these rankings significantly.

Tier Definitions

S-Tier Characters

Sakiri (S-Rank, Incantation)

Sakiri is a versatile support and crowd-control specialist who fights alongside her companion Kiroumaru. Her "Impish Trick" passive increases all teammates' ATK by 15% of Sakiri's base ATK for 20 seconds, making her one of the strongest team buffers. Her Esper Cycle Passive "Can I Eat This?" applies random debuffs when Scorch triggers (-15% ATK, -10% Esper Resistance, or +15% Break Effectiveness), adding layers of utility to any Scorch-focused team.

Lacrimosa (S-Rank, Chaos)

Lacrimosa is a sub-DPS and support who manipulates Chaos constructs to deal off-field damage. Her Nightmare debuff stacks Chaos DoT up to 10 times on targets. Her standout feature is the "Tomato Banquet" Esper Cycle Passive, which is the key enabler of Discord teams: each Discord trigger permanently reduces the target's Break capacity by 10% (stacks to 30%), making her irreplaceable in break-focused compositions.

Fadia (S-Rank, Psyche)

Fadia is the game's primary tank and damage redirector. When her HP exceeds 1, she redirects teammate damage to herself. Her skill "Existence" then redirects damage she takes to the targeted enemy, creating a unique offense-through-defense loop. Her passive increases team max HP by 10% and heals the team for 20% of any defeated enemy's max HP. Fadia is essential in Discord and Stain teams as the primary Psyche option.

Nanally (S-Rank, Anima)

Nanally is a melee main DPS with the Fangs and Claws fighting style. Her "Ichi-daime's Authority" buff increases critical damage for 12 seconds, and her ultimate summons the Underboss for powerful single-target follow-up attacks. Nanally excels as the primary damage dealer in Charge teams where her Anima element pairs with Cosmos for Blossom. Her sustained melee output and critical damage scaling make her one of the strongest on-field carries.

Hathor (S-Rank, Lakshana)

Hathor is a hyper-mobile main DPS who uses Blade Wings to stay constantly in motion. She stacks Express Delivery Power to enhance her damage, and her ultimate summons a thorn motorcycle for the Emergency Delivery state with upgraded skills and ATK bonuses. Hathor's "Delay Warning" passive extends Remora's utility, making her valuable in Remora and Charge teams. She is also the primary beneficiary of the Stain debuff's 50% Lakshana damage increase.

Hotori (S-Rank, Cosmos)

Hotori is the game's premier support character, using time manipulation to aid her team. Her Non-Closed Timepiece mechanic restores team HP (3% of Hotori's Max HP per tick), and her skill records teammates' attacks and replays them for additional damage. Hotori provides both healing and Cosmos element application, making her the go-to support for Charge teams.

Baicang (S-Rank, Incantation)

Baicang is a DPS character with a unique Power Words mechanic (Bless, Curse, Objurgate). His ultimate creates a domain where he gains enhanced abilities and can trigger Execution on low-HP enemies. Baicang provides team ATK buffs through his awakening abilities and is a core member of the ETD-4 team, where he activates unique synergies with Skia, Fadia, and Lacrimosa.

A-Tier Characters

FZero and MZero (S-Rank, Cosmos)

The dual protagonists FZero and MZero (both S-Rank, Cosmos) are flexible characters who can trigger instant Esper Cycle meter charges. They provide reliable Cosmos element application for Blossom and Remora reactions. While competent, they are ranked A-Tier because specialized characters like Hotori or Nanally tend to offer more impactful team contributions in specific team archetypes.

Jiuyuan (S-Rank, Anima)

Jiuyuan is an S-Rank Anima character with limited public data from beta tests. Based on available information, Jiuyuan provides Anima element application for Blossom reactions and has a kit that complements the Charge team archetype. Detailed skill analysis is pending official release data.

Chiz (S-Rank, Cosmos)

Chiz is an S-Rank Cosmos character. While confirmed in the roster, detailed skill and kit data is limited from beta tests. Chiz adds another Cosmos option for teams needing Blossom, Remora, or Charge coverage.

Daffodil (S-Rank, Chaos)

Daffodil is an S-Rank Chaos character who provides an alternative to Lacrimosa for Scorch and Discord teams. Detailed kit information is limited, but Daffodil offers Chaos element application for teams that do not have access to Lacrimosa.

Mint (A-Rank, Anima)

Mint is a fast dual-blade melee DPS with wind manipulation. Her standout feature is her Esper Cycle Passive that splits Blossom projectiles into 2 and makes them explode on targets, doubling the effectiveness of both Blossom and the Charge trio reaction. Despite being A-Rank, Mint's passive makes her arguably the single best support unit for Charge teams. She also grants 20% DEF increase and 30% Interruption resistance.

Skia (Lakshana)

Skia uses shadow manipulation with Fang Thrust projectiles that auto-target enemies from off-field. His Shadow Hound Chase creates persistent off-field shadow attacks. Skia's Fang Thrust reduces enemy Lakshana Resistance, synergizing strongly with the Stain debuff. He is also a member of the ETD-4 team alongside Baicang, Fadia, and Lacrimosa.

Adler (A-Rank, Incantation)

Adler provides team shielding through his "Evil's Bane" skill, which summons a Sunya that creates a Blessing shield while dealing Incantation DoT. His passive grants 20% DEF increase and his "Temperance" Esper Cycle Passive transfers Scorch between enemies, making him a strong budget option for Scorch-based teams.

Haniel (A-Rank, Psyche)

Haniel is an A-Rank Psyche character serving as a budget alternative to Fadia for teams that need Psyche element coverage for Nova and Stain reactions. Detailed kit information is limited from beta test data.

Edgar (A-Rank, Cosmos)

Edgar is an A-Rank Cosmos character who provides budget Cosmos element application for Blossom, Remora, and Charge reactions. He is a viable substitute when S-Rank Cosmos characters are unavailable.

Full Tier Summary

Reroll Recommendations

For players starting fresh and looking to reroll for the strongest possible start, the following characters offer the most value across multiple team compositions:

1. Sakiri provides the strongest team-wide ATK buff (15% of her base ATK) and versatile Scorch synergies. She fits in any Incantation team and enables Discord compositions.

2. Lacrimosa is irreplaceable in Discord teams due to her stacking Break cap reduction passive. If you plan to focus on boss content, Lacrimosa is essential.

3. Nanally is the strongest confirmed melee DPS with high sustained output and critical damage scaling. She anchors Charge teams as the primary carry.

4. Hathor is the most mobile DPS in the roster and benefits enormously from Stain's vulnerability bonus. She is the centerpiece of Stain Burst teams.

5. Hotori is the best healer/support and provides essential Cosmos element coverage. She slots into Charge teams naturally.

Characters by Element

Meta Outlook

The pre-launch meta centers on two main strategies: Charge teams (Cosmos + Anima + Lakshana) for sustained fights with high ultimate uptime, and Discord teams (Incantation + Chaos + Psyche) for boss encounters where break meter depletion is critical. Stain teams offer a simpler but effective burst-damage alternative.

As new characters are released after launch, the meta will evolve. Elements with fewer options (Chaos currently has no A-Rank characters, Psyche has only one S-Rank) may see significant tier shifts as new additions fill those gaps. This tier list will be updated regularly as the game's meta develops post-launch.