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How to read this Arcana Tactics tier list
Pocket Gamer divides heroes into five tiers: S is its top group, A contains strong alternatives, B is described as a beginner-oriented middle group, C as weak in mid-game, and D as its weakest group. These labels are the guide’s judgments; the sources reviewed do not establish official in-game tiers or a shared, objective ranking.
The list’s date needs a qualification. Pocket Gamer’s opened article says it was updated September 15, 2026, for version 5.4.0, while its search preview says October 6, 2026. Those dates conflict, so the October date is not verified. Apple’s version history lists version 5.4.0 on June 2, 2025; it does not independently confirm a 2026 version. See Pocket Gamer’s tier list and the Apple App Store listing.
All heroes by tier
The names below reproduce Pocket Gamer’s published groups. In B, the source lists “Piligrim” and “Pilgrim,” as well as “Rune Master” and “RuneMaster,” separately; these spellings have not been normalized.
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- MAGICAL ADVENTURE: Immerse yourself in the mystical world of Res Arcana, where mages harness the power of Life, Death, Elan, Calm, and Gold to achieve victory.
- STRATEGIC MAGE DUELS: Compete as a mage against rivals, using your personal deck of 8 unique artifacts to claim monuments and places of power.
- INNOVATIVE GAMEPLAY: Experience innovative resource growth and transformation mechanics that offer endless strategies and replayability.
- ARTISTIC WONDER: Enjoy the captivating beauty of Res Arcana with rich and enchanting artwork by Julien Delval.
- FROM ACCLAIMED DESIGNER: Designed by acclaimed board game designer Tom Lehmann, known for classics like Race for the Galaxy.
Tier S
Avalon, Anat, Venom Queen, Mage Fist, Lunar Blade, Baron, Marionette, Mother, War Lord, Minerva, Union Sentinel, Desperado, Nix, Indra, Erebos, Dryad, Inheritor, Demolisher, Warlord, Vulcanus, Liberator, Black Valkyrie, Divine Blade, Demigod, Sylphid, Elime, Ifrit, Monoceros, Storm Spear, Soul Lancer, Holy Princess, Durendal, Cavalier, Dream Painter, Godhand, Hellbringer, Aegis, Archangel, Dark Lord, Beast Lord, Vampire, Sage, Star Gate, Lord Mage, Demon Shadow, Dervish, Asura, Bounty Hunter, Falcon, Dark Wanderer, Soul Bow, Thanatos, Ouros, Ielo, Swordmaster, Dragoon, Black Vampire, and Scarlet Luna.
Tier A
Garnet, Valkyrie, Minotaur, Death Knight, Royal Guard, Amethys, Saint, Blade Singer, Lunatic, Tamer, Wind Walker, Arcane Archer, Raven, Corsair, Ancient Bow, Trickster, Chromi, High Assassin, Dragon Slayer, Shadow Dancer, Osiris, Archmage, Eldritch, Soul Eater, Mystic, Generic, Sibyl, Templar, Oracle, Dark Priest, Bishop, Windcure, Destroyer, Champion, WarShaper, Swashbuckler, Savage, Fortress, Lightning Lord, Vanguard, Ruler, Operator, Exorcist, Salamander, Undine, Sylph, Shade, Viking, Alchemist, Dragon Shaman, Duelist, Pirate, Snatcher, Crusher, Mio, and Stopper.
Rank #2
- Experience The Shipwreck Arcana board game, a cooperative deduction and logic game where players work together to predict hidden fates before doom reaches its limi
- Draw 2 secret fate tokens each turn and play 1 according to an Arcana card while your teammates analyze your actions, placement, and available information to deduce the hidden fate
- Create increasingly challenging deduction puzzles with 20 oversized Arcana cards, changing card abilities, and 35 wooden number line tokens that help track information between rounds
- Manage the evolving doom track as incorrect predictions and fading Arcana cards can bring the group closer to defeat while changing the available abilities and tactical possibilities
- Play with 2–5 players and work collectively to reach 7 points before doom reaches 7, with 21 wooden fate tokens, 1 The Hours card, an embroidered token bag, and 15 expansion cards included
Tier B
Rune Knight, Highlander, Defender, Crusader, Scout, Ranger, Hunter, Stinger, Avenger, Piligrim, Slayer, Samurai, Wonderer, Invoker, Warlock, Necromancer, Esper, Warden, Minstrel, Rune Master, Priest, Pilgrim, Berserker, Gladiator, Striker, RuneMaster, Rider, Rampager, Maestro, Vagabond, Servant, High Spirit, Whitesmith, and Nymph.
Tier C
Spell Sword, Paladin, Sniper, Chaser, Assassin, Ninja, Sorcerer, Shaman, Druid, Bard, Barbarian, Monk, Guardian, Fencer, Enchanter, and Blacksmith.
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- REFINED 2 PLAYER ABSTRACT: Share a small set of open movement cards and outmaneuver your rival in a duel of positioning, planning, and perfect information on a compact 5 x 5 battlefield.
- PREMIUM TABLE PRESENCE: Includes a sturdy 5 x 5 board and distinct master and student pawns that make each move easy to read, keeping the focus on meaningful tactical choices instead of rules overhead.
- SHARED CARD SYSTEM: On each turn choose one of your two open movement cards, move any pawn with its pattern, then trade that card for the fifth card, reshaping what you and your opponent can do next.
- DUAL PATHS TO VICTORY: Win by capturing your opponent's master pawn or by guiding your own master into their temple arch, encouraging creative tactics, feints, and long term positional planning.
- ELEGANT AND REPLAYABLE: Quick setup, intuitive rules, and ever changing card combinations deliver fast duels that feel like a distilled, travel friendly alternative for fans of thoughtful chess like strategy.
Tier D
Swordsman, Archer, Rogue, Wizard, Cleric, Lancer, Warrior, and Spirit.
Why a tier alone does not settle a lineup
Arcana Tactics is described by its official App Store listing as a tactical random-defense RPG built around hero fusions. The listing says players can create over 160 heroes, use 70 Arcana cards, and play real-time PvP. Those systems make a hero’s value dependent on the options and combinations available in a particular run; the tier list is not a recommendation to simply place your highest-ranked unlocked heroes into every battle. See the official App Store description.
Rank #4
- EXCLUSIVELY DESIGNED FOR TWO PLAYERS: Res Arcana Duo offers a tailored gameplay experience specifically for two players, making it an intense and competitive duel of magical mastery.
- QUICK AND STRATEGIC PLAY: Enjoy fast-paced gameplay lasting only about 20 minutes, perfect for players looking for a strategy game that’s both deep and accessible within a short period.
- EXPANDABLE GAME SYSTEM: Use Res Arcana Duo as a standalone game or expand your gameplay with additional sets from the Res Arcana series for even more depth and strategy.
- RICH FANTASY THEME: Dive into a beautifully illustrated world of ancient relics and mystical creatures with artwork by Julien Delval, and engage in a battle of wits and magic.
- HIGH REPLAYABILITY: Comes with a variety of mages, artifacts, monuments, and places of power, ensuring that no two games are the same and offering a unique challenge every time.
When choosing what to prioritize, weigh the context that the tier labels do not capture:
- Mode or stage: A ranking is not a mode-by-mode rating. Consider the challenge you are actually facing rather than assuming one tier applies equally everywhere.
- Lineup fit: A hero’s role and skills need to complement the heroes you can field and the combinations you can build.
- Fusion and Arcana: Account for the fusion paths and Arcana available to you; they are part of the game’s team-building system.
- Guide and version: Check the guide’s stated revision and game version, especially when comparing lists published at different times.
How this list compares with another guide
BlueStacks publishes a separate Arcana Tactics hero and Arcana guide. It names Soul Bow, Vampire, Bounty Hunter, Cavalier, and Dream Painter in its top group; Pocket Gamer also places all five in S, but its S group is much broader. That overlap does not make the rankings interchangeable: the guides use different tier structures and criteria, and BlueStacks also discusses Arcana. The sources reviewed do not provide a shared, mode-by-mode dataset or win-rate figures that would establish one ranking as objectively correct.
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- STRATEGIC DECKBUILDING GAME: Ascension Tactics combines the best of tactical miniatures games with the acclaimed Ascension deckbuilding system!
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