The best NIKKE characters right now are the SSS-tier picks Scarlet, Liter, Crown and Rapi: Red Hood, with the Naga and Tia pairing dominating PvE. This tier list ranks the current roster for PvE content — Story, campaign and raid bosses — as of September 2026. NIKKE’s meta shifts as new units release, so this is the current snapshot.
In NIKKE, a strong team blends a hard-hitting DPS, a Burst-generating support and a powerful buffer. Here’s the full tier list and the standout picks.
The NIKKE tier list
The current roster ranked for PvE. SSS are the meta-defining picks; SS are excellent; S remain very strong.
| Tier | NIKKEs |
|---|---|
| SSS | Scarlet, Liter, Crown, Rapi: Red Hood, Naga, Tia |
| SS | Modernia, Alice, Asuka Shikinami, Cinderella, Red Hood, Grave |
| S | Scarlet: Black Shadow, Blanc, Noir, Privaty, Maiden |
How the meta works
NIKKE teams of five are built around the Burst system: you chain a Burst-I generator, a Burst-II buffer and a Burst-III damage nuke each cycle. The best DPS units — Scarlet, Alice and Modernia — provide the damage, while buffers like Liter and Crown supercharge them. The Naga and Tia pairing is one of the strongest PvE cores, with Tia enabling an alternative Burst rotation and Naga adding offensive buffs and Core-Hit damage. New SSS units release regularly, so the meta moves — check the current tier list before pulling.
The best NIKKEs explained
Four units that define the current PvE meta.
#1 DPS
Best enabler
Best buffer
Best pair
Like ranked rosters? See our Marvel Rivals tier list, and if you play HoYoverse gachas, our best Genshin Impact characters guide covers another big one.
Best by role
The go-to NIKKE for each team slot.
| Role | Top picks |
|---|---|
| Main DPS | Scarlet, Alice, Modernia |
| Burst-I generator | Liter, Tia |
| Buffer / support | Crown, Naga, Blanc & Noir |
