NTE Character Tier List May 2026: Complete SS to B Rankings and Best Teams

NTE Version 1.0 has launched with 41 characters, each with unique abilities. Who is the strongest in the current meta? Which characters should you prioritize building? This Tier List is based on Game8's authoritative ratings, community testing, and character mechanics analysis.

Ranking Criteria: Raw strength, kit completeness, team flexibility, acquisition difficulty, long-term viability.

Nanally | DPS | Anima | Plasma Weapon

The strongest limited S-Rank DPS at launch, unmatched numbers.

Nanally is the undisputed strongest DPS in the current meta:

• Extremely high damage multipliers with excellent uptime
• Powerful follow-up mechanics that continue dealing damage after switching out
• Performs exceptionally in all combat scenarios

How to Obtain: Limited Banner

Best Team: Nanally + Jiuyuan + Hotori/Zero

Jiuyuan | Support | Anima | Solid Weapon

Best standard S-Rank selector pick, massive AoE grouping + off-healing.

Jiuyuan is the strongest support in the current version and the undisputed choice for your standard banner selector:

• Massive AoE enemy grouping, dramatically boosting team AoE efficiency
• At awakening 1, can off-heal as a secondary role
• Top-tier versatility — fits into nearly every team

How to Obtain: Standard Banner Selector (unlocked at 50 pulls)

Best Team: Pairs with any main DPS, especially Nanally

Esper Zero (Protagonist) | DPS | Cosmos | Solid Weapon

The protagonist is a team cornerstone with irreplaceable instant Ring Fusion.

Zero features the unique instant Ring Fusion mechanic, serving as the team's core enabler:

• Instant Ring Fusion adapts to any team composition
• Zero cost (free from story)
• Male/Female variants share the same attributes

How to Obtain: Story (Free)

Baicang | Defense | Incantation | Synthesis Weapon

Top-tier damage output, but team-locked to Daffodil.

Baicang is an offensive defender with the best of both worlds:

• Damage output rivals dedicated DPS characters
• Provides strong defensive capabilities
• Caveat: Must be paired with Daffodil for maximum value

How to Obtain: Limited/Standard Banner

Required Pairing: Baicang + Daffodil (mandatory)

Hotori | DPS | Cosmos | Gas Weapon

The only S-Rank support, grouping + ATK buff, awakening 1 is a game-changer.

Hotori is the only S-Rank support character in the current roster:

• Enemy grouping ability doubles AoE DPS efficiency
• Provides ATK buffs to the team
• At awakening 1, buff power doubles — a massive power spike

How to Obtain: Limited Banner

Xiaozhi | DPS | Anima | Gas Weapon

Free 6+5 max investment from City Tycoon, outperforms all DPS at full build.

Xiaozhi is the king of value:

• Completely free through the City Tycoon system
• Can reach max awakening (6+5) for free — at full build, DPS surpasses all limited banner DPS
• The only S-Rank character obtainable without gacha

How to Obtain: City Tycoon System (Free, requires grinding)

Sakiri | Support | Incantation | Gas Weapon

Core buff support that pairs well with any DPS. Sakiri's buffs have wide coverage, making her one of the most versatile support characters available.

How to Obtain: Standard/Limited Banner

Daffodil | DPS | Chaos | Liquid Weapon

High-frequency parry boss specialist with massive damage to white bars (shield bars). Required partner for Baicang teams — if you have Baicang, Daffodil is a must-build.

How to Obtain: Standard/Limited Banner

Chiz | DPS | Cosmos | Gas Weapon

Wide hammer attack range, effective in both AoE and boss fights. Lowest barrier to entry among S-Rank characters.

How to Obtain: City Tycoon/Gacha

Haniel | Support | Psyche | Solid Weapon

A-Rank powerhouse with top-tier ATK buffs and 12% crit DMG at max awakening. Incredible value for an A-Rank character.

Adler | DPS | Incantation | Synthesis Weapon

Best survival slot in 1.0 — shield + ATK reduction + elemental resist. Extremely useful in challenging content.

Other A Tier Characters

Fadia | DPS | Psyche | Synthesis Weapon

Damage sharing prevents burst deaths but lacks healing/shields. Unique mechanic but underwhelming in practice.

Mint | Support | Anima | Liquid Weapon

Starter character, Jiuyuan budget replacement. Good for early-game transition, replaceable once you get Jiuyuan.

Hathor | DPS | Lakshana | Plasma Weapon

Excellent for open-world mob clearing, but long E skill is interruptible. Underperforms in stationary DPS scenarios.

Skia | DPS | Lakshana | Gas Weapon

Underwhelming numbers and kit. Primarily used as a reaction trigger in Xiaozhi teams.

Aurelia | Support | Psyche | Solid Weapon

A-Rank support that needs more exploration. Currently underperforming.

Edgar | Support | Cosmos | Liquid Weapon

Pure healer with no additional utility. Viable for players who struggle with dodging, but lacks competitiveness in hard content.

Team 1: Nanally Nuke Comp

Best for: All PVE content

Team 2: Baicang Dual Core

Best for: Boss fights, high-difficulty Anomaly Zones

Team 3: Xiaozhi F2P Warlord

Best for: F2P players clearing all content

Team 4: Zero Universal Flex

Best for: Universal team template

Must-Build (Top 3)

1. 1Zero (Protagonist) — Free, always in your team
2. 2Jiuyuan — First standard banner selector pick
3. 3Xiaozhi — Free from City Tycoon, prioritize maxing

Gacha Priority

1. 1Nanally (Current limited banner) — Strongest DPS
2. 2Hotori (Future banner) — Best support
3. 3Baicang (Standard) — But requires Daffodil simultaneously

A-Rank Priority

1. 1Haniel — ATK buffer, A-Rank powerhouse
2. 2Adler — Survival slot, essential for hard content
3. 3Mint — Transition support before Jiuyuan

Key Takeaways:

• First thing for beginners: Select Jiuyuan from the standard banner selector
• Xiaozhi with free max build is the strongest F2P character
• Nanally is the strongest DPS in the current meta — pull if available
• Zero (protagonist) is irreplaceable and free to max

Note: This Tier List is based on early Version 1.0 data. Rankings may change with future updates. We will continue to update.

Data sources: Game8 Tier List (May 2026), nteguide.com community testing, character mechanics analysis