The units that shine in Universal Tower Defense are categorized into five essential roles: Hybrid, Hill, Ground, Support, and Farm. This guide will walk you through the best units for each category, plus insights on specific game modes, traits, and relics. Ready for the ultimate Universal Tower Defense tier list and guide?
Universal Tower Defense Unit Tier List
This tier list is just a taste! Below, we’ll break down each unit, explaining their rankings while highlighting the most suitable game modes and traits. For now, let’s keep it simple: every unit can shine with proper upgrades and the right relics equipped, but I’ll focus on optimal choices for Nightmare, Infinite, Challenges, and the Virtual Realm.
Stat & Evo Assumptions: I’m assuming you’re feeding and upgrading units with good stat rolls from the Traits NPC. If a unit has an EVO variation, let’s consider that for ranking. Non-EVO versions are generally a tier lower.
Best Relics: I’ll provide the best relics for each unit following the tier list.
Meta/S-Tier Hybrid
| S-Tier Hybrid | Rankings Explained |
|---|---|
 Berserker (Enraged)Mythic |
• Top 3 DPS unit in the game, ideal for flexible game modes • Best Challenge carry with quick ramp-up • Solid in Infinite but not the star • Excellent in VR after Kriatu EVO • Best Trait: Ruler |
 Jinoo (Monarch)Banner Secret |
• Massive DPS with shadows benefiting from scaling buffs • Primarily shines in Infinite, decent in VR • Takes time to hit peak performance in fast modes • Works well with Eternal and Sacred traits |
 Dragon Guy (Silverite)Challenges Secret |
• Similar to Jinoo but thrives in slower modes like VR and Infinite • Not the go-to for Challenges, but can perform • Great with Eternal, Sacred, or Ruler traits |
 Scarlet Maid (World)From Virtual Shop |
• One of the premier Support units • Stuns enemies and deals solid DPS with Time Gauge stacks • A must for Infinite but decent in Challenges • Works well with Eternal and Sacred traits |
 Admiral (Magma)Legendary EVO |
• Best budget unit—easy to obtain and excels late-game • Impressive DOT damage and effective in support with Confusion • Confusion stalls enemies, aiding your main DPS • Get Fission or Wizard traits ASAP |
A-Tier Hybrid
| A-Tier Hybrid | Rankings Explained |
|---|---|
 Mob (100%)Mythic |
• A solid unit with reliable hybrid capabilities • Good for VR and Infinite as a backup option |
Meta/S-Tier Ground
| S-Tier Ground | Rankings Explained |
|---|---|
 Kriatu (Cheater)Mythic |
• Best ground unit currently available • Outstanding in VR and Challenges • Gains more damage through crits—aim for the Duelist trait • Can only enhance crit from Traits |
 Ronin Obito/Rogue OniExclusiveDay 7 Daily Reward |
• Among the top Ground units • Strong in Challenges, okay for VR • Would benefit greatly from an EVO like Rule • Works well with Eternal and Sacred traits |
 Sasku (Chakra)Mythic |
• No standout mode but performs decently in all • Offers Full AOE DPS with some utility • Excellent for grinding Story due to easy potential • Great with Eternal and Sacred traits |
 Rule (ROOM)ExclusiveBattlePass Reward Level 50 |
• Incredible Ground DPS, a game-changer in Story mode if rushed • Top 2 Challenge unit behind Berserker • Works well with Ruler, Eternal, and Sacred traits |
A & B-Tier Ground
| A-Tier Ground | Rankings Explained |
|---|---|
 Footballer (Ego)ExclusiveBattlePass Reward Level 25 |
• Solid DPS but lacks synergies and utility • Good for Story due to fast availability via BattlePass |
 Shakumira EVOLegendary EVO |
• Low DPS, but offers some support capabilities • Not the best EVO choice but acceptable |
 GenLegendary |
• Adequate for Story and other modes, especially for beginners • Solid but gets outperformed by Legendaries with EVO and Mythics |
Meta/S-Tier Air/Hill
| S-Tier Air | Rankings Explained |
|---|---|
 Spade (Donut)Mythic |
• Top 2 Air/Hill DPS unit next to Cyborg • Great for progressing through story stages quickly • Useful in any mode needing a solid Air unit |
 LuluQuest Secret |
• Fantastic Air/Hill support unit with decent DPS • Effective at stalling enemies so your DPS can shine • Versatile across all game modes |
 Cyborg (Fearless)Mythic |
• Similar to Spade with slight variations in stats and attack types |
A & B-Tier Air/Hill
| A-Tier Air | Rankings Explained |
|---|---|
 ZoraLegendary |
• A solid beginner Air/Hill unit with stun potential |
 PebbleLegendary |
• A great starter Hill unit with decent DPS |
   Great Early Game Air/Hill Units |
• Your beginner package for picking Hill units |
Meta/S-Tier Support
| S-Tier Support | Rankings Explained |
|---|---|
| LuluQuest Secret |
• Our Lulu/Lelouch Quest Guide has all the unlock details • An incredible support unit, offering a mix of stalling and decent DPS • Versatile across every game mode |
| Admiral (Magma)Legendary EVO |
• The ultimate budget unit, easy to acquire and strong late-game • Deals impressive DOT damage and acts as a capable supporter • Get Fission or Wizard traits on him ASAP |
 Miku (Super Star)Mythic |
• Buffs adjacent units with increased damage or range • Essential to Etherealize her to maximize buffs • The best buffer in the game and ideal for Infinite |
 Shunks (Conqueror)Mythic |
• Combines damage output and stun potential • A top choice for support DPS across all modes |
| Scarlet Maid (World)From Virtual Shop |
• Stellar Support unit, a must-have for Infinite • Good in Challenges but not the best for VR |
Farm
| Farm | Rankings Explained |
|---|---|
 FastcartEpic |
• The sole Farm unit • Equip the Fortunate trait for maximum benefit • Versatile in all modes |
Best Relics in Universal Tower Defense
Here’s a handy list of relics along with their respective bonuses and the units that can benefit the most.
| Set & Bonus Head | Set & Bonus Body/Legs | Best Units |
|---|---|---|
| Junior NinjaHead• Buffs received increase by 10% | Junior NinjaBody/Legs• +5% Damage• +10% Wind Damage | Wind units paired with Miku (Super Star) |
| Master NinjaHead• Every 5 attacks, deal 20% extra DOT for 10 seconds | Master NinjaBody/Legs• +5% Damage• +10% Dark/Rose/Fire Damage | Dark, Rose, or Fire units, particularly those with DoT like Admiral (Magma) |
| Sun GodHead• Every 6 attacks grants a damage buff equal to their range for 7 seconds | Sun GodBody/Legs• +5% Damage• +10% Light/Water/Ice Damage | Light, Water, or Ice units with fast attack speeds like Kriatu |
| Laughing CaptainHead• -10% Active Ability Cooldown | Laughing CaptainBody/Legs• +5% Damage• -5% Cooldown• +5% Range | Ideal for any DPS unit with an active ability |
| Berserk ShinigamiHead• Every 5th hit gives the next attack a 20% True Damage buff | Berserk ShinigamiBody/Legs• +5% Damage• +15% Armor Damage | Great on armor shredders like Berserker and enhances main DPS units |
| Ex Captain UraharoHead• Refunds 5% of Yen spent on upgrades | Ex Captain UraharoBody/Legs• +10% Critical Rate• +25% Critical Damage | Effective on Mythics and Secrets with the Duelist Trait |
That wraps up my Universal Tower Defense tier list and guide! Want to grab some free goodies? Check out our Universal Tower Defense codes for awesome rewards!