How to read this
Rankings are community opinion, not game data, and they change as new generations arrive. A hero is rated separately for each role because each uses different mechanics. As a Bear Hunt joiner, only the first Expedition skill of the hero leading your march counts, so only heroes whose first skill directly raises rally damage rate well; "—" means the guide rates the hero not useful in that role. Joiner ratings assume skill level 5, which needs 4 stars (475 shards).
Rankings by role
Best picks by generation
| Generation | Rally lead | Garrison | Bear Hunt joiner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amadeus | Jabel | Amadeus |
| 2 | Marlin | Zoe, Hilde | Hilde |
| 3 | Petra | Eric, Jaeger | Keep earlier joiners |
| 4 | Rosa | Alcar, Margot | Margot |
| 5 | Thrud, Vivian | Vivian, Long Fei | Vivian |
| 6 | Yang, Sophia | Triton | Keep earlier joiners |
| 7 | Ava | Charles, Wee & Woo | Ava, Wee & Woo |
| 8 | Luna | Liz, Diego | Luna |
Where guides disagree
- Generation 8 is new, and BuffHub calls its comparison provisional, with no blanket S grade. Diego is the free option (Hero Roulette), rated B for rallies here but a top priority for free players elsewhere.
- BuffHub ranks by spending priority rather than strength, so it favours heroes from Hero Roulette for free players: Zoe, Petra, Rosa, Long Fei, Sophia and Wee & Woo.
- For Bear Hunt, both guides agree Chenko, Yeonwoo and Amane are the best budget joiners, and Amadeus once he is developed.
- Rosa is singled out as the strongest Arena hero.