Anime Last Stand Unit Tier List 2026: Best Units for Every Mode
Raw DPS isn't the only stat that matters. A unit with half the DPS but double the range can outperform on certain maps. This tier list ranks units by what they actually do in each game mode — not just their damage number.
Anime Last Stand features units across multiple anime franchises. The right team composition matters more than individual unit power.
1. How Unit Ranking Works: The 5-Factor System
We rate every unit on 5 factors, weighted by game mode. A unit that scores 10/10 for Story might score 4/10 for Raids — context matters.
| Factor | Weight (Story) | Weight (Endless) | Weight (Raid) | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPS | 30% | 25% | 40% | Raw damage output per second at max upgrade |
| Range | 25% | 20% | 15% | Coverage area — more range = more track covered |
| Cost Efficiency | 20% | 30% | 10% | How much total investment to reach peak performance |
| Ability / Special | 15% | 15% | 25% | Active ability impact — nukes, buffs, or CC |
| Placement Flexibility | 10% | 10% | 10% | How many maps/positions the unit works well on |
2. S-Tier Units (Must-Have)
| Unit | Type | Best Mode | Story Rating | Endless Rating | Raid Rating | Evo Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goku (MUI) | DPS | All Modes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Must evolve — base form is A-tier |
| Gojo | DPS / CC | Endless | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | High — Infinity passive unlocks |
| Vegeta (UE) | DPS | Story / Raid | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Must evolve — Final Explosion is a raid-winner |
| Ichigo (Mugetsu) | Hybrid | All Modes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Required — base form is C-tier |
Why these four dominate: Goku MUI has the highest raw DPS in the game when evolved, making him the default pick for any team. Gojo's Infinity passive makes him nearly unkillable in wave 30+ Endless runs where other DPS units get one-shot. Vegeta UE's Final Explosion ability deletes the last 30% of any raid boss HP bar, which is where most teams wipe. Ichigo Mugetsu has the biggest power spike from base to evolved form — going from unusable to top-tier in a single evolution.
If you only evolve one unit, make it Goku. If you are struggling with Endless Mode specifically, prioritize Gojo. For Raid carries, Vegeta UE is the answer.
3. Best Farm Units (Economy Tier List)
Photo: Unsplash — Farm units are the unsung heroes of any team. Without income, your best DPS unit stays at Level 1.
| Unit | Farm Rate (Max) | Cost to Max | ROI Time | Best Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedwagon | 850/min | ~2,800 total | 3.3 min | All modes — best farmer in the game |
| Bulma | 650/min | ~1,800 total | 2.8 min | Story — cheaper to max, faster ROI |
| Gen (Dr. Stone) | 550/min | ~2,200 total | 4.0 min | Endless — buffs nearby units too |
| Farm Unit (basic) | 400/min | ~1,200 total | 3.0 min | Early game placeholder |
Farm strategy matters more than unit picks: In story mode, place 2-3 farm units before wave 5. Upgrade each to Level 3 before dropping your first DPS. The income compounds — an extra wave of farming early means you can afford a fully upgraded DPS two waves earlier. In Endless Mode, farm units lose value after wave 15 when you should transition to full DPS + support. Never keep more than 2 farm units past wave 20.
Gen is the best farmer because he also buffs adjacent units — place him between your two main DPS units for a double benefit. Speedwagon generates the most raw income but offers zero combat utility, so use him only if you have strong DPS coverage from other units.
4. Best Budget / F2P Units
| Unit | Rarity | How to Get | Rating | Replaces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanjiro (Sun) | Epic | Story Mode Chapter 3 drop | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Budget Goku — solid DPS with burn damage |
| Jotaro | Epic | Banner pull (common) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Budget Gojo — time stop is budget Infinity |
| Kirito | Rare | Tutorial reward | ⭐⭐⭐ | Early game DPS — replace by Chapter 4 |
| Bulma | Rare | Shop (cheap) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Best F2P farmer — keep until you get Speedwagon |
| Guts | Epic | Raid drop (Chapter 2) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Tanky DPS — survives longer than most F2P units |
F2P team that can clear all story content: Tanjiro (DPS) + Jotaro (CC) + Bulma (Farm) + Guts (Tank). This lineup costs zero premium currency and handles Story Mode Chapters 1-4 comfortably. Replace Kirito as soon as you get Tanjiro — the DPS difference is dramatic. Guts is undervalued by most tier lists: his high HP pool means he survives wave 19 boss mechanics that one-shot glass cannon units, buying you time for your main DPS to finish the job.
5. Mode-Specific Rankings
Story Mode (Waves 1-20)
Goal: Clear all waves with 3 stars. Speed > raw power. Units with fast attack speed and good range dominate.
Top 3: Goku (MUI) > Vegeta (UE) > Ichigo (Mugetsu)
Endless Mode (Waves 20+)
Goal: Survive as long as possible. Scaling damage and crowd control become essential. Pure DPS falls off after wave 30.
Top 3: Gojo > Goku (MUI) > Gen (Support)
Raid Boss
Goal: Maximum single-target damage in minimum time. Ignore range — the boss is right there.
Top 3: Vegeta (UE) > Goku (MUI) > Ichigo (Mugetsu)
6. Evolution Priority: Which Units to Evolve First
| Priority | Unit | Materials | Power Spike |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Goku → MUI | 6 God Essence + 3 Ultra Instinct Shards | Massive. DPS triples. New ability: Universal Spirit Bomb |
| #2 | Ichigo → Mugetsu | 4 Hollow Essence + 2 Final Getsuga | Transforms from C-tier to S-tier. Biggest single-evo jump in the game |
| #3 | Gojo → Awakened | 5 Infinity Shards + 1 Six Eyes | Unlocks Infinity passive. Essential for Endless Mode |
| #4 | Vegeta → UE | 6 Pride Essence + 3 Destruction Shards | Final Explosion ability — best raid finisher in the game |
Evolution material farming route: God Essence drops from Raid Boss (Chapter 3+), 15% drop rate on Hard difficulty. Hollow Essence is guaranteed from Story Mode Chapter 4 completion but only once per account — you get exactly 4 free, enough for one Ichigo evolution. Infinity Shards are the hardest to farm (5% from Endless wave 25+), which is why Gojo should be your third evolution unless you main Endless Mode.
Do not evolve units in any order other than this list. Evolving Vegeta before Goku means you have a great raid unit but struggle to clear the story stages needed to unlock those very raids. Goku first opens all content. Everything else builds on that foundation.