Whether you’re blasting through dungeons solo or running late-night speedruns with your squad, one thing’s for sure, not all classes are created equal in Crystal of Atlan. Some burst down bosses before they get a chance to breathe. Others… well, they’re mostly here for emotional support and pretty animations. In this guide, I’m ranking every class for PvE content, from the S-tier nukers to the B-tier “I swear I’m useful if you give me time” types. This list is based on clear speed, damage consistency, ease of use, and yes, a little bit of my own trauma from carrying undergeared Magicians. Let’s break it down.
Best PvE Tier List
In PvE, it all comes down to efficiency. Classes that excel in burst damage, AoE clearing, and mechanical skip potential naturally shine in speedruns and hard content. DPS reigns supreme here, and the faster you clear, the fewer boss mechanics you have to deal with.
While every class can technically clear any content (yes, even you, Berserker mains), some are just way more efficient. Also, whales are the real S-tier, but assuming you’re not dropping your paycheck on opals, here’s how the classes stack up in the real world.
Let’s clear something up: every class can work in PvE. But not every class makes it easy (or fast). This list ranks classes based on:
- Damage Output (because faster = better)
- Survivability (can you live through that AoE or not?)
- Utility & Team Contribution (shields, buffs, heals, etc.)
- Ease of Use (bonus points for being fun and forgiving)
- Cool Factor (I’m not apologizing. If a class is fun, it gets a boost.)
Now, let’s break it down.
S-Tier – Absolute PvE Powerhouses
These classes dominate in both solo and group PvE, combining strong DPS, survivability, and ease of use.
- Gunner: She’s a turret with legs. High burst damage and massive AoE. Boring to some, but undeniably effective. You don’t need big brain plays, just click and boom.
- Scytheguard: Support in PvE that doesn’t feel like a support. She keeps the team alive, boosts defense, and still hits hard. If you’ve got a good Scytheguard, the whole dungeon feels easier.
- Cloudstrider: Button masher heaven. High mobility and surprisingly strong damage. Personally, this is my go-to just because I love the speed and flow. Bonus points for looking cool while doing it.
- Warlock: Your top dog. He jumps into fights like he owns the dungeon and leaves behind chaos. Huge damage, good self-sustain, and can solo entire rooms. If you’re wondering who clears fastest, it’s usually Warlock.
- Starbreaker: PvP queen but still shreds bosses. Single-target DPS is clean and consistent. Doesn’t require much effort to deal solid damage, which is honestly a blessing.
A Tier – Reliable, But Situational
Still strong, just not always top of the charts. Great in teams, decent solo.
- Berserker – Yes, you can be unkillable. But PvE is about speed, and Berserker’s raw survivability doesn’t help much when you’re trying to skip mechanics. Still, with the right build, it’s a solid A-tier bruiser with satisfying AoE swings.
- Honestly, I think it’s wild how many content creators and English sites are out here hyping up Berserker as Tier 0 or S-tier. Like, really? He’s decent in Mine Wars and Ancient content, sure, but when it comes to Raids and most other PvE stuff… yeah, not it. He starts feeling more like a punching bag than a carry.
- Elementalist – Big AoEs, long range, and consistent output. If you’re into casting spells and staying safe from a distance, this is your go-to. Amazing burst, but long cooldowns make her feel clunky at times. Still, black hole + meteor = happy damage numbers. Feels best when the boss isn’t running around like a lunatic.
- Bounty Hunter – A mobile glass cannon. Dual pistols and bullet hell-style skills make her excellent at boss melts and quick dungeon clears. Speedy, fun, and mobile. Think of her as the PvE ninja, high uptime, always zipping around and pumping bullets. She works great in most situations and is probably underrated.
- Magiblade – If played well, this class pumps 50% more damage than Berserker on equal gear. Great range and style, but high skill ceiling. Definitely not a “mash buttons and win” type.
B Tier – It Works… But You’ll Work Harder
These classes aren’t bad, just slower, harder to master, or outclassed by others in pure PvE efficiency.
- Blademaiden – She has all the tools: damage zones, control, and a Marionette that slashes through mobs. But people rank her lower because she takes a bit to ramp up and requires planning. Still, underrated.
- Magician – Honestly? Magician is better than people say. Huge potential. When played well, it can out-damage everyone but Warlock. But most Magicians fail hard because the class is insanely hard to master. 10/10 style, 6/10 practicality.
Personal Notes: Magician Mains, I See You
Magician has some of the flashiest plays and can absolutely dominate the charts… if you can master its kit. Most players, though, just flounder around with illusions and die early. I’ve literally watched a Warlock and Magician clear a dungeon faster than everyone else in a same-CP test, Warlock finished first, Magician second. That says a lot.
So if you’re gonna main Magician, please don’t be bad at it.
Wrap-Up: Play What You Like (But Don’t Be Slow)
At the end of the day, all classes can work. But if you’re looking to optimize PvE performance, go for speed, damage, and consistency. Mages, Warlocks, and gunners dominate in this space for a reason.
Want to top the DPS charts? Pick one of the S-tier monsters. Want a challenge and a higher skill cap? Magiblade or Magician’s your jam. Just… don’t expect sympathy if you’re playing Berserker and wondering why the Warlock melted the boss 10 seconds faster.
Up next, if you’re curious about which classes actually slap back in PvP, I’ve got you covered. Check out our PvP Tier List in Crystal of Atlan too, it’s a whole different battlefield, and some classes that dominate in PvE don’t stand a chance when players start dodging and countering for real.
