How We Rank Styles
Our tier list evaluates every Style across five criteria: combo potential (damage output and extension routes), neutral game (spacing tools and poke pressure), survivability (defensive options and HP efficiency), awakening strength (transform value and domain impact), and consistency in real public and Duels PvP.
Tier placement reflects the V1.76 Black Death meta as of mid-2026. Balance patches shift rankings — Ten Shadows and Restless Gambler remain dominant, while Black Death climbs after the Kurourushi release. Base Only Styles without awakenings are capped at B-tier until updated.
S-Tier — Meta Dominators
S-tier Styles win neutral, convert openings into full combos, and threaten game-winning awakening sequences. Honored One, Vessel, Ten Shadows, Blood Manipulator, Restless Gambler, Puppet Master, Disaster Plants, Lucky Coward, Mahoraga, and Monkey Kid occupy this tier with varying skill floors.
Restless Gambler requires an Early Access gamepass but rewards jackpot sequences with massive healing. Mahoraga and Monkey Kid are Overpowered mode exclusives with adaptation and raw damage respectively.
A-Tier — Strong & Viable
A-tier Styles compete evenly against S-tier with proper execution. Cursed Partners rose after the V1.76 rework with True Love Beam and Copy Wheel. Black Death joins A-tier with parasite meter burst and three awakening variants. True Cannon, Crow Charmer, Head of Hei, and Aspiring Mangaka round out the tier.
A-tier picks often counter specific S-tier matchups — True Cannon beam clashes punish Blood Manipulator zoning, while Head of Hei's speed challenges Honored One spacing.
B-Tier & C-Tier
B-tier Styles include Perfection, Defense Attorney, Salaryman, and Star Rage (Base Only, awaiting awakening). They have clear strengths — Perfection's unblockable pressure, Salaryman's Ratio consistency — but lose to top-tier neutral tools or lack full awakening kits.
C-tier Styles like Switcher and Locust Guy offer niche playstyles or meme value. Switcher's Boogie Woogie creates unpredictable swaps for creative players but lacks the damage ceiling of S-tier picks. Locust Guy is intentionally limited.
Tier List Navigation
Browse S-tier, A-tier, B-tier, and C-tier subpages for detailed Style breakdowns within each rank. Each Style page includes movesets, combo routes, and matchup notes. Remember: player skill outweighs tier placement — a main Perfection player beats a new Ten Shadows player consistently.