Damage output is the single most important stat in Roll to Defend because DPS directly determines how quickly you clear waves, how much income you generate, and how far your defense can progress. This DPS tier list ranks every unit purely by damage output, DPS scaling with merges, and wave-clearing efficiency for players who want to build maximum-damage defenses.
While our general Unit Tier List considers multiple factors including utility and survivability, this DPS-focused list isolates damage output as the primary ranking criterion. If your strategy revolves around killing zombies as fast as possible, this is the tier list for you.
DPS Tier Rankings — S to C
The DPS tier list focuses exclusively on raw damage output and how effectively each unit converts that damage into wave-clearing performance. Units with utility or tanking abilities are ranked lower here even if they rank higher in the general tier list.
S DPS Tier — Legendary Damage Dealers (1/1B+)
S DPS tier units are the highest damage dealers in Roll to Defend. Their DPS output is so far above other units that they can single-handedly carry a defense through endgame waves when properly supported.
| Unit | Roll Odds | Base DPS | Merge 2 DPS | Wave Clear Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legendary DPS | 1/1B+ | 1000+ | 1700+ | Instant |
| Legendary AOE | 1/1B+ | 800+ (AOE) | 1360+ (AOE) | Instant multi-target |
The AOE variant deserves special mention — while its single-target DPS is lower than the pure DPS variant, its ability to damage multiple zombies simultaneously makes it more effective for clearing dense waves. For wave-specific recommendations, see our Best Units for Each Wave.
A DPS Tier — High-Rarity Carries (1/1M)
A DPS tier units are powerful damage dealers that carry most late-game defenses. Their base DPS is high enough to handle waves 40-70, and their merge scaling makes them even stronger with investment.
| Unit | Roll Odds | Base DPS | Merge 2 DPS | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-Rare DPS | 1/1M | 500+ | 850+ | Excellent |
| High-Rare Burst | 1/1M | 450+ (burst) | 765+ (burst) | Very Good |
The burst variant excels at killing high-HP zombies quickly but has slightly lower sustained DPS. Choose burst for boss waves and sustained DPS for regular clearing. For rolling strategies to target A DPS tier units, see our Gacha Guide.
B DPS Tier — Mid-Game Workhorses (1/100K)
B DPS tier units are the practical carries for most mid-game players. When merged to Merge 2-3, they deliver enough damage to clear through Wave 50, making them the most cost-effective DPS investment in the game.
| Unit | Roll Odds | Base DPS | Merge 2 DPS | Merge 3 DPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-Rare DPS | 1/100K | 250+ | 425+ | 550+ |
| Mid-Rare Multi | 1/100K | 200+ (multi) | 340+ (multi) | 440+ (multi) |
The multi-hit variant is excellent for waves with many low-HP zombies, while the pure DPS variant is better for waves with fewer high-HP zombies. For merge strategies, see our Merging Guide.
DPS Scaling with Merge Levels
Merging has a dramatic impact on DPS output. This table shows how DPS scales at each merge level for different rarity tiers:
| Rarity | Base DPS | Merge 1 | Merge 2 | Merge 3 | Merge 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common (1/10K) | 50 | 65 | 85 | 110 | 140 |
| Uncommon (1/50K) | 120 | 156 | 204 | 264 | 336 |
| Rare (1/100K) | 250 | 325 | 425 | 550 | 700 |
| High Rare (1/1M) | 500 | 650 | 850 | 1100 | 1400 |
| Legendary (1/1B+) | 1000 | 1300 | 1700 | 2200 | 2800 |
The scaling shows that merge levels are proportionally more impactful for higher-rarity units because they multiply a larger base DPS. However, the practical value of merging depends on how many duplicates you can realistically obtain. For the merge cost-benefit analysis, see our Merge vs Roll Analysis.
DPS vs Defense Composition — Finding the Balance
Building a maximum-DPS defense is tempting, but you need tanks and support units to keep your DPS alive. This section helps you find the right balance between damage output and survivability.
| Composition | DPS Slots | Tank Slots | Support Slots | Wave Range | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass Cannon | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1-20 | High |
| DPS Heavy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 20-50 | Medium |
| Balanced | 2 | 2 | 1 | 50-75 | Low |
| Tank Heavy | 1 | 3 | 1 | 75+ | Very Low |
For the complete defense composition guide, see our Zombie Waves Guide.
Advanced Tier List Analysis and Unit Strategy
Beyond the basic tier rankings, experienced players understand how unit value changes based on game stage, available resources, and synergistic combinations. This section covers the advanced analysis that helps you make optimal unit deployment decisions.
Tier Value Shifts Based on Merge Level
The tier list changes dramatically when merge levels are considered. A merged mid-tier unit can outperform an un-upgraded high-tier unit, making merge potential a critical factor in unit evaluation:
| Base Tier | Unmerged Rating | Merge 1 Rating | Merge 2 Rating | Merge 3 Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S (1/1B+) | 10/10 | 11/10 (S+) | 11.5/10 (S+) | 12/10 (S+) |
| A (1/1M) | 8/10 | 9/10 (A+) | 9.5/10 (A+) | 10/10 (S-) |
| B (1/100K) | 6.5/10 | 7.5/10 (B+) | 8.5/10 (A-) | 9/10 (A-) |
| C (1/10K) | 3/10 | 4.5/10 (B-) | 5.5/10 (B) | 6.5/10 (B+) |
B tier units at Merge 2 reach A- rating, making them viable late-game units. This is why experienced players often prefer a merged B tier carry over chasing A tier pulls — the guaranteed power is more reliable than the uncertain pull odds.
Role-Based Tier Adjustments
Tier rankings also shift based on the role a unit fills in your defense. A unit that is C tier for DPS might be B tier for support:
| Role | S Tier Criteria | A Tier Criteria | B Tier Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main DPS | Wave-clearing AoE damage | Strong single-target DPS | Adequate damage output |
| Tank | Survives 5+ waves solo | Survives 3-4 waves | Temporary frontline |
| Support | Team-wide buffs | Moderate buffs | Minor utility |
| Control | AoE slow/stun | Single-target CC | Minimal CC effect |
The best defense balances all four roles. A team of four S tier DPS units with no tank will fail at higher waves because zombies break through too quickly. Always include at least one tank and one support unit regardless of tier ranking.
Unit Synergy Combinations
Certain unit combinations create synergistic effects that make the whole team stronger than the sum of its parts:
| Combination | Synergy | Effective Tier Boost |
|---|---|---|
| High DPS + Tank | DPS has time to deal damage | DPS acts 1 tier higher |
| Control + AoE DPS | Zombies grouped for AoE | AoE acts 1 tier higher |
| Support + Carry | Buffed carry deals more | Carry acts 1-2 tiers higher |
| Multiple CC units | Stacked slows/stuns | All CC acts 1 tier higher |
The most powerful synergy is Support + Carry — a buffed carry unit with support bonuses can perform at a tier level 1-2 positions above its base rating. This is why merging and upgrading a carry unit while adding one support unit often outperforms rolling for a higher-tier carry.
When to Replace Units vs Merge Existing Ones
A common strategic dilemma: should you replace a lower-tier unit with a newly pulled higher-tier unit, or keep the lower-tier unit and merge it?
| Scenario | Recommendation | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Pull A tier, have C tier M0 | Replace immediately | Large tier gap |
| Pull A tier, have B tier M2 | Keep B tier M2 | M2 B ≈ A tier performance |
| Pull B tier, have B tier M0 | Merge (same tier) | Merge boost > replacement |
| Pull S tier, have anything | Replace always | S tier dominates all |
| Pull duplicate of carry | Merge | +30% guaranteed boost |
The decision hinges on the effective tier comparison after merge bonuses. Never replace a merged unit with an un-merged unit of similar effective tier — the merge bonuses make the existing unit stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which unit has the highest DPS in Roll to Defend? The legendary DPS unit at 1/1B+ odds has the highest single-target DPS in the game. When merged, it delivers damage output that no other unit can match. For practical purposes, the A tier DPS unit at 1/1M is the highest realistically achievable DPS carry.
Is DPS more important than tank units? DPS is generally more important because damage output determines wave-clear speed, which directly affects your income generation. However, you need at least one tank unit to protect your carry in mid-to-late game waves. For defense balance, see our Zombie Waves Guide.
How much does merging improve DPS? Merge 1 provides +30% DPS, Merge 2 provides +70% total, and Merge 3 provides +120% total. The first two merges are extremely efficient and should always be pursued on your primary DPS unit. For merge strategies, see our Merge Duplicates Guide.
For official information about Roll to Defend, visit the Roblox game page.