Rhodes Field Guide / Rankings
Arknights Defender Tier List
GlobalRanked by Power Index for general play. How we rank ↗
Best Defenders at a glance
Shu leads among reviewed Defenders with a Power Index of 92/100. Shu and Saria combine blocking with team healing. Cuora is an accessible physical tank when the lane needs someone to absorb hits.
Use the filters to find a role you need, then select operators to compare their scores and first skills.
Operator rankings
5 matching operators
| Rank | Operator | Tier / Score | Power Index | Train first | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shu Strong role compression with unusual movement control. S3 depends on tile layout and the enemy’s route. | S92/100 | 92 | S3Samsara | |
| 2 |  SariaAFK-friendly Compresses tanking and healing into one slot and offers an Arts support window when the squad can exploit it. | S90/100 | 90 | S1First Aid | |
| 3 |  Cuora Reliable physical holding power. Arts pressure and waves demanding more damage reduce her coverage. | B76/100 | 76 | S2Shell Defense | |
| 3 |  GummyAFK-friendly Useful low-cost role compression with reliable routine healing. Dedicated Defenders withstand stronger physical pressure. | B76/100 | 76 | S1Provisions | |
| 5 |  Spot Combines inexpensive blocking with a temporary heal window. A long gap between skills limits sustained healing. | B70/100 | 70 | S1Secondary Healing Mode |
What do the Arknights tiers mean?
Tier placement uses our 100-point Power Index for general Global play. Upgrade cost and acquisition priority are evaluated separately. Unrated operators are still awaiting a full review.
- EX Game Changers
- 95–100 plus a written case for exceptional impact.
- S+ Elite general picks
- 93 and up, including scores of 95+ that do not meet the EX criteria.
- S Standout picks
- 90–92 Power Index.
- A Strong general picks
- 80–89 Power Index.
- B Strong in the right setup
- 70–79 Power Index.
- C Narrow use cases
- 0–69 Power Index.
EX write-ups explain what each pick lets your squad do differently. Read the full scoring rubric ↗
What does AFK-friendly mean?
These recommended skills run automatically or stay active once set up. A laneholder holds an enemy route with little help. A DP printer generates deployment points so the rest of your squad can get onto the map sooner. A helidrop does its main job soon after deployment.