Let’s be honest: Once you’ve stacked up enough S-rank pilots, most A-ranks won’t see the frontline in your main squad. But don’t sleep on them—A-rank pilots play a huge role in endgame content like boss stages, Titan fights, and roguelike modes where multiple strong teams are required.
This guide is here to help you prioritize who’s actually worth investing your rare green upgrade materials on.
🔝 Top Tier A-Rank Pilots – High Priority Investments
1. Mary (Support DPS / AP Battery)
- Role: Raider Support / Buffer
- Why She’s Meta: Mary’s talent stacks up to 3 times, and her buffs can be transferred via linked attacks. On top of that, she can grant +2 AP to your main DPS (e.g., Freda) on turn 1.
- Requires: Upgrade her Gamma 2 slot to unlock her talent-enhancing abilities and bonus link attacks.
- Use In: Raider teams, boss-killer setups, Titan fights.
- Verdict: #1 must-build A-rank. Supports your strongest units and remains useful into late game.
2. Winstone (Sniper / Fixed Damage Debuffer)
- Role: DPS + Debuffer
- What He Brings:
- Fixed damage when enemies act (passive).
- Defense down debuff that works on most bosses (they usually don’t resist it).
- Synergy: Ideal for sniper or raider teams. Consistent chip damage + debuff uptime.
- Verdict: Top-tier sniper for endgame boss stages. Easy to use and works well across team comps.
3. Emily (Tanky Raider / Team Aura Buffer)
- Role: Raider / Teamwide Support
- Why She’s Special:
- Heavy tank that won’t die easily.
- Talent gives an AoE aura that boosts the whole team’s damage if they’re nearby.
- Same skill set as Allison, but bulkier and more versatile.
- Requires: Gamma 2 upgrade to extend buff range and improve her passive.
- Use In: Any boss content requiring sustain and buffs.
- Verdict: Great long-term investment. Slightly expensive, but very worth it.
📈 Strong Options – Specialized But Effective
Lucia (Burn Terrain / Boss Killer)
- Role: DoT / Control
- Strength:
- Applies burning terrain that stacks tons of fixed damage.
- Great for bosses that take multiple actions per turn.
- Drawback: Not ideal for static content. Needs predictable boss AI to maximize her burn uptime.
- Verdict: Niche but powerful when used correctly. Strong in specific stages.
Allison (Link Damage Amplifier)
- Role: Support / Link Buffer
- Notable Skills:
- Boosts link attack damage for the whole team.
- Increases enemy damage taken based on link count.
- Limitations: Not a DPS. Doesn’t deal big numbers herself.
- Verdict: Best used in Freda-based comps to amplify damage. Great second-team support.
Cicero (Budget AoE / Fixed Damage Support)
- Role: Tactician / Support DPS
- Key Features:
- Reloads ammo.
- Restores IP (action points) if he hits 3+ enemies.
- Applies fixed damage via talent.
- Tips: Works well in early boss stages or as a second-team budget Allen replacement.
- Verdict: Solid pick before you unlock premium tacticians.
⚔️ Situational & Niche Picks
Rebecca (Pure DPS / Shotgun Queen)
- Role: High-damage frontliner
- Pros:
- Guaranteed hit rate on bullets with enough investment.
- Gets free AP and disables counterattacks when fully upgraded.
- Cons: Pure DPS—no buffs, no debuffs. Can fall off compared to hybrid units.
- Verdict: Best A-rank raw DPS, but not essential for long-term utility.
Gareth (AP Support / Group Healer)
- Role: Healer / Support
- Pros:
- Supports your team with AP gain and AoE heals.
- Weakness:
- Weak heals, especially for high-damage boss stages.
- Verdict: Hold off for now. May be useful in future support-oriented PvE.
Penri (Melee Debuffer / Slow Support)
- Role: Melee Control
- Utility:
- Strong slowdown debuff (works on most bosses).
- Can help prevent bosses from escaping or repositioning.
- Drawback: No real damage or support otherwise.
- Verdict: Keep around for mobility-control bosses.
Anna (Tank)
- F2P solid tank option. Pair her with ranged teams or healers.
- Nothing game-breaking, but does her job.
Bella (Sniper Buffer)
- Buffs for sniper teams. More viable when Light Sniper units like Sylvia are added.
Harvey (DPS Only – Skip)
- Pure damage, but no buffs, debuffs, or utility. Lower priority than Rebecca.
💤 Low Priority / Skip Tier
These pilots currently don’t shine in endgame content and are rarely seen in guides:
- Raven
- Poke
- Arnold
Hold off on investing unless they’re reworked or buffed.
🔬 Bonus: One B-Rank Pilot Worth Watching
Chloe (Healer with Buff Scaling)
- Strong passives that buff the team just by healing.
- Will shine in mechanics-heavy bosses that require:
- 5+ buffs on the team
- Heavy debuff cleansing
- Verdict: Not needed now, but essential in specific stages later. Don’t fodder her.
Final Recommendation – Top 3 A-Ranks to Build:
- Mary – Top-tier utility and buff support.
- Winstone – Consistent fixed damage and reliable debuffs.
- Emily – Tanky teamwide buffer, great for survival and synergy.
Pro Tips for Upgrading A-Ranks:
- Use your green upgrade materials (gamma parts, oils, etc.) wisely. Only spend them on units with long-term PvE utility.
- Prioritize AP manipulation and damage amplification over pure damage.
- Keep your second and third teams strong for roguelike modes and multi-team content.
