Choose Scytheguard if you want a sturdier Puppeteer branch with area damage and team utility. Choose Blademaiden if you prefer agile combat, positioning your Marionette, and focusing damage on bosses. You can try both before settling: the Epic Games Store beginner guide says advanced classes open at level 15 and switching remains available until level 42.
How the two Puppeteer branches play
Scytheguard and Blademaiden are advanced branches of the Puppeteer, not separate starting classes. Their practical difference is the kind of combat you want to manage: Scytheguard is described as more durable and self-sufficient, while Blademaiden centers on agility and directing the Marionette.
| Decision factor | Scytheguard | Blademaiden |
|---|---|---|
| Combat feel | More tanky and relatively self-sufficient, according to Pocket Gamer’s class guide. | Agile attacks led by the puppet, according to Pocket Gamer’s class guide. |
| Emphasis | Area damage, healing, and damage mitigation are highlighted by Selphie1999Gaming’s Puppeteer guide. | Positioning the Marionette and focusing an enemy are emphasized by Selphie1999Gaming’s guide, which recommends the branch for boss fights. |
| Best fit | Players who value durability, group utility, and less dependence on teammates. | Players who enjoy managing positioning and prioritizing focused boss damage. |
These are qualitative descriptions, not results from a controlled test with matched gear, builds, skills, and game modes. They do not establish that either branch always performs better in PvE or PvP.
Can you try both before committing?
Yes, according to the Epic Games Store beginner guide: advanced-class selection begins at level 15, and you can demo the branches before settling. The guide says switching between branches remains possible until level 42.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
A separate Selphie1999Gaming guide describes experimenting before completing the Awakening quest, then says the specialization becomes permanent unless a premium Soul Shard resets the class and skills. Because the sources frame the commitment point differently, rely on the level-42 switching window as described by Epic’s guide and check the current in-game client before counting on a particular reset item or cost.
What the current tier list says—and what it doesn’t
Pocket Gamer’s class tier list, updated October 6, 2026 for version 2.0, places Scytheguard in S tier and Blademaiden in B tier. That is a dated editorial ranking from an end-game perspective, not a measured, mode-by-mode comparison or a guarantee that Scytheguard is the right choice for every player. The list itself encourages readers to account for what they enjoy.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
A May 21, 2026 anniversary update notice reproduced by 1vX.gg lists changes to Scytheguard’s Superior Technique at level 9. After Mistmoon Calling, the class gains 35% Crit Damage for 60 seconds, up from 18%, and grants teammates an 8% Mistmoon Technique Damage bonus for 30 seconds. With the Moon Blade passive, casting Mistmoon Calling grants a 25% Mistmoon Technique Damage bonus for 30 seconds, up from 20%. Those are patch-note values for Scytheguard in that update; they are not a comparison with Blademaiden and may not reflect a later balance state.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
Rank #4
- XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER + USB-C CABLE — Includes the XBOX Wireless Controller in Carbon Black and a 9' USB-C cable. Play wirelessly or plug in for a wired gaming experience, right out of the box.*
- WIRED OR WIRELESS, YOUR CALL — Connect the included 9' USB-C cable for zero-setup wired play on console and PC. Go wireless when you want the freedom to play from the couch, the desk, or anywhere in between.
- PC READY. NO EXTRAS NEEDED — Plug the USB-C cable into your Windows PC and you're playing instantly. No adapters, no Bluetooth pairing, no additional purchases required. Works across the XBOX app, Steam, and more.*
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience sculpted surfaces and refined geometry designed around how you actually hold a controller. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of wireless battery life on standard AA batteries. When the batteries run low, plug in the included cable and keep playing without missing a beat.*
Rank #3
- Versatile compatibility: supports Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S consoles and PC Win10 and above (including the game platform Steam).
- Precise control: features Hall joysticks and Hall triggers for a comfortable feeling, long service life and improved game accuracy.
- Plug and Play Convenience: Wired USB connection (removable) for easy setup and instant play without the need for additional drivers.
- Customizable experience: Includes 2 custom backbuttons that allow users to eliminate false triggers and improve their gaming experience.
- Impressive gameplay: Provides a pulsating vibration trigger and an asymmetric vibration grip motor for intense tactile feedback.
Make the choice based on your preferred fights
- Pick Scytheguard if you want a more forgiving, durable feel, area damage, and tools that can support teammates.
- Pick Blademaiden if you enjoy agile attacks, actively positioning the Marionette, and concentrating on a priority target such as a boss.
- If you are undecided, use the available branch-switching period to try both rather than treating a tier list as a universal answer.
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