Neverness to Everness Tier List
This tier list ranks all playable characters in Neverness to Everness based on their performance in endgame content, including Beyond the Rail challenges and high-difficulty Anomalies. Each placement includes specific reasoning based on damage testing, team synergy analysis, and investment efficiency evaluation. Last updated for Version 1.2 preview (June 2026). Shinku and Iroi tier placements are based on pre-release data and will be finalized after official release.
Version 1.2 "999 Nights" — Coming July 2, 2026
Two new S-Rank characters are joining the roster: Shinku (Cosmos DPS, Phase 1 — July 2) and Iroi (Anima Support, Phase 2 — July 23). Both are currently placed in S Tier based on pre-release data. Tier placements will be updated after official release. Read the 1.2 Preview →
Characters that define the meta. Best-in-slot for most endgame content.
Free S-Rank with the highest sustained Cosmos DPS ceiling in the game. Grain mechanic provides exceptional burst windows, and her Ultimate uptime enables near-permanent enhanced state. Charged reaction synergy makes her the centerpiece of the strongest meta teams.
Unmatched Anima DPS with Ichi-daime's Authority providing massive CRIT DMG scaling. Self-sufficient kit with built-in CRIT Rate from passives. Dominates Beyond the Rail stages where single-target damage is prioritized.
Top-tier picks with excellent performance and strong team options.
Incantation DPS with consistent damage output. Reliable performance across all content types. Lower ceiling than SS-tier but very forgiving rotation and low investment requirement.
V1.1 Phase 2 Lakshana DPS with the unique Crime Charge system and Warrant debuff. Provides team-wide damage amplification through Warrant (15-20% damage increase to marked targets). Strong open-world utility via Fog Hound teleport anchor. Competitive burst damage with excellent team utility makes him a versatile S-tier pick.
Premier Cosmos Sub-DPS and reaction enabler. Provides consistent off-field Cosmos application while dealing significant personal damage. Core unit in most Charged-reaction teams, making her irreplaceable in the current meta.
Cosmos DPS with strong AoE capabilities and excellent energy generation. Slightly lower ceiling than Chiz in single-target but excels in multi-wave content. Flexible team requirements make her accessible.
Iroi is an S-Rank Anima Support in Version 1.2 Phase 2. Her three sheep (Morpheus, Icelos, Phantasos) provide healing and buffs, while her signature Regression mechanic prevents any character from dying — instead entering an invincible state where the sheep fight in their place.
V1.1 Chaos DPS with unique mechanics. Strong personal damage and team utility through Chaos application. Early testing shows competitive damage with SS-tier characters in specific content.
Shinku is an S-Rank Cosmos DPS in Version 1.2. She utilizes a dual-state system — building Defiant Spirit in Normal State, then entering Surging Crimson form to unleash devastating melee combos and dragon breath attacks.
Strong characters that perform well with proper investment and team support.
Psyche DPS with high burst potential. Excels in short damage windows but falls behind in sustained fights. Strong in speedrun content and specific Anomaly stages.
Chaos DPS with strong AoE and DoT mechanics. Excellent in multi-target scenarios and Anomaly content. Requires specific team support to reach full potential.
Psyche Survival with team-wide healing and cleanse. Reliable sustain but lacks offensive contribution. Necessary in content with heavy debuffs.
Psyche Buffer with healing utility. Provides ATK% buffs and consistent healing. Lower buff ceiling than Sakiri but offers more survivability.
Lakshana DPS doubling as a survival anchor. Provides shields and self-healing while maintaining competitive damage. Ideal for players who need both damage and survivability.
Anima DPS with team-wide energy support. Lower personal damage than dedicated carries but enables faster team rotations. Valuable in teams that need Ultimate uptime.
Anima DPS with accessible kit and low investment needs. Solid performance for early-game players but damage ceiling is limited compared to higher-tier options.
The strongest buffer in the current meta. ATK% and CRIT DMG buffs scale multiplicatively with top DPS characters. Essential in any optimized team composition.
Lakshana DPS with niche applications. Strong in specific elemental matchups but lacks versatility. Requires significant investment to compete with A-tier alternatives.
Solid options that are functional but generally outperformed by higher tiers.
Incantation Survival unit with decent off-field damage. Provides consistent shields and interruption resistance. Outclassed by Hathor in most scenarios but viable as a secondary option.
Cosmos Survival specialist with strong crowd control. Useful in specific Anomaly stages requiring interruption. Limited team synergy reduces overall value.
Elyms is a prominent NPC and anticipated future playable character in NTE. Lieutenant of ETD-6, she received a major visual redesign in Version 1.2. Release date and kit TBD.
Tier List Methodology
Evaluation Criteria
DPS Ceiling: Maximum damage output in optimal team compositions with best-in-slot equipment. Tested in Beyond the Rail Floor 12 and Anomaly Level 6.
Team Flexibility: Number of viable team compositions and synergy with different elements and roles. Characters that work in multiple teams rank higher.
Investment Efficiency: Performance relative to resources invested. Characters that perform well at low investment (A0, 4-star Arcs) receive a bonus.
Endgame Viability: Consistency across different endgame content types, including single-target, AoE, and time-limited challenges.
Tier Definitions
SS Tier: Meta-defining characters that set the damage ceiling. These units are the primary reason to build specific team archetypes. Recommended for all players to invest in.
S Tier: Excellent characters with top-tier performance. Slightly below SS in ceiling but still among the best options. Often core units in meta teams.
A Tier: Strong characters that are competitive with proper investment. May excel in specific content or fill important team roles. Good secondary investments.
B Tier: Solid characters that are functional for all content but generally outperformed. Still viable — especially at high Awakening levels — but not priority investments.
Role-Specific Rankings
Characters ranked within their specific role. Click any character to view their full build guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best DPS character in NTE?
Chiz and Nanally are the two best DPS characters in NTE as of Version 1.1. Chiz excels in Cosmos/Charged teams with the highest sustained damage ceiling, while Nanally dominates in Anima teams with superior burst damage. Both are SS-tier and recommended as primary investment targets. The V1.1 additions Lacrimosa (Chaos) and Chaos (Lakshana) are both strong S-tier options.
Is Chiz worth building as a free character?
Yes, Chiz is absolutely worth building — she is the best free character in NTE and competes with premium S-Rank units. Her Grain mechanic provides exceptional burst damage, and she benefits from Charged reactions that are easy to trigger. With proper Arcs (Contemplative Cat) and Console sets (Lost Radiance), she competes with and often surpasses premium S-Rank characters.
What team should I build first?
Build the Chiz Charged team first: Chiz + Esper Zero + Sakiri + a Survival unit. This is the most accessible strong team in NTE. It leverages Charged reactions for massive damage while Sakiri provides ATK% and CRIT DMG buffs. For a fully free option, Chiz + Mint + Hathor + Haniel works well through all story content. See our Team Building Guide for detailed compositions.
How often is this tier list updated?
This tier list is updated within 1 week of each new character release and after every balance patch. Major version updates (like V1.1) may cause significant shifts as new content changes the meta. Check the Change Log below for the latest adjustments.
Should I pull for Lacrimosa in V1.1?
Yes, Lacrimosa is recommended if you need a Chaos element DPS — she is S-tier with strong personal damage. She is especially valuable if you want to diversify your roster beyond Cosmos teams. However, if you already have well-built Chiz and Nanally teams, she is not a must-pull. See our Lacrimosa Build Guide for detailed analysis.
Is Chaos worth pulling in V1.1 Phase 2?
Yes, Chaos is worth pulling — he is an S-tier Lakshana DPS with unique team-wide damage amplification. His Warrant debuff provides 15-20% damage amplification on marked targets, making him valuable as both a carry and a team buffer. He is especially recommended if you lack a strong Lakshana carry. His Fog Hound teleport mechanic also provides excellent open-world exploration utility. Best for players who want versatility over raw personal damage.
Should I pull Shinku in Version 1.2?
Yes, Shinku is highly recommended for players who need a strong Cosmos Main DPS. Based on pre-release data, she features a unique Fury/Frenzy dual-state system that delivers explosive burst damage, and her passive energy generation provides excellent team utility. She is the primary DPS of the C.S.U. Division 2 team core alongside Iroi and Mint. See our Shinku Build Guide for details.
Is Iroi a good healer in Version 1.2?
Yes, Iroi is expected to be one of the strongest support units in the game. Her HP-scaling healing via sheep summons is reliable and easy to build, and she simultaneously provides ATK and CRIT DMG buffs to the entire team. Premium supports like Iroi tend to remain relevant across multiple patches, making her an excellent long-term investment. See our Iroi Build Guide for details.
Tier List Change Log
Related Resources
Character Database
Full stats, skills, and builds for all characters
Team Building Guide
Best team compositions for every content type
Arc Database
All weapons ranked with best character matches
Console Sets
Cartridge set bonuses and farming locations
Reroll Guide
Best characters to aim for when rerolling
Beginner Guide
Getting started efficiently in NTE