Choosing the right units to deploy is the most important decision in Roll to Defend. This unit tier list ranks every unit from S tier (legendary game-changers) to C tier (starter filler) based on their DPS output, rarity, wave-clearing performance, and overall effectiveness across the full progression curve. Whether you just rolled your first common unit or you are chasing a legendary pull, this tier list helps you understand which units to prioritize and how to build your defense around them.
Unit value in Roll to Defend depends on more than just raw stats — rarity, merge potential, and role all factor into a unit's overall tier placement. A common unit that merges efficiently can provide more practical value than a rare unit with no duplicates for merging. This tier list considers all these factors to give you a comprehensive ranking.
S Tier — Ultra-Rare Legendary Units (1/1B+ Odds)
S tier units in Roll to Defend are the ultra-rare pulls with odds of 1 in 1 billion or higher. These units have devastating DPS and special abilities that make them the foundation of any late-game defense. If you pull an S tier unit, build your entire defense around it.
| Unit Type | Roll Odds | Role | DPS Rating | Wave Bracket Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legendary DPS | 1/1B+ | Main Carry | 10/10 | All brackets |
| Legendary Control | 1/1B+ | Crowd Control | 9.5/10 | Wave 30+ |
| Legendary Support | 1/5B+ | Support | 9/10 | All brackets |
S tier units are rare but game-changing. They deal more damage than multiple A tier units combined and have unique abilities that no other units can match. The practical value of an S tier unit is immense — it can single-handedly carry your defense through wave brackets that would require an entire team of lower-tier units.
How to increase your odds of pulling S tier units:
- Stack all available luck sources (D:/Drive group, friends, gamepasses)
- Complete multiple rebirth cycles for permanent luck multipliers
- Roll during dedicated sessions with the Double Roll gamepass
- Be patient — S tier pulls are always RNG-dependent regardless of luck
For luck stacking strategies, see our Luck Boost Guide.
A Tier — High-Rarity Strong Units (1/1M Odds)
A tier units are high-rarity pulls at 1/1M odds. They are excellent damage dealers and support units that form the backbone of most mid-to-late game defenses. A tier units are realistic goals for dedicated players who consistently stack luck bonuses.
| Unit Type | Roll Odds | Role | DPS Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-Rare DPS | 1/1M | Carry | 8/10 | Primary damage dealer |
| High-Rare Support | 1/1M | Support | 7.5/10 | Healing and buffs |
| High-Rare Tank | 1/1M | Tank | 7/10 | Frontline protection |
A tier units are the standard for late-game defenses. They provide enough DPS and utility to clear waves 40-70 when properly supported. When merged to Merge 2 or higher, A tier units become incredibly powerful and can push into endgame wave brackets.
For rolling strategies to target A tier units, see our Gacha Guide.
B Tier — Mid-Rarity Solid Units (1/100K Odds)
B tier units at 1/100K odds are the workhorses of mid-game defenses. When merged and upgraded, they can punch well above their weight class and compete with un-upgraded A tier units. B tier units are the most practical carry units for players who have not yet pulled anything rarer.
| Unit Type | Roll Odds | Role | DPS Rating | Merge Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-Rare DPS | 1/100K | Carry | 6.5/10 | Excellent at Merge 2+ |
| Mid-Rare Tank | 1/100K | Tank | 6/10 | Very Good at Merge 1+ |
| Mid-Rare Control | 1/100K | Control | 6/10 | Good at Merge 1+ |
B tier units become extremely powerful when merged. A B tier DPS unit at Merge 2 achieves approximately 85% of an un-upgraded A tier unit's damage output, making it an incredibly efficient mid-game investment. For merging strategies, see our Merging Guide.
C Tier — Common Starter Units (1/10K Odds)
C tier units are common pulls at 1/10K odds. They serve as early-game filler and should be replaced or merged as soon as possible. While C tier units are useful for your first few waves, they become liabilities in later brackets due to their low base stats and limited scaling potential.
| Unit Type | Roll Odds | Role | DPS Rating | Long-Term Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Starter | 1/10K | Starter | 3/10 | Low — replace quickly |
| Common Filler | 1/10K | Filler | 2.5/10 | Very Low — merge once max |
C tier units are useful for your first few waves but become liabilities in later brackets. Replace them with higher-tier rolls when possible. For unit upgrade strategies, see our Upgrades Guide.
Tier List by Game Stage
The value of each tier changes depending on your progression stage. Here is how tiers rank at each stage of the game:
| Game Stage | Best Tier | Runner-Up | Strategy Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early (Wave 1-20) | B tier (1/100K) | C tier (1/10K) | Roll aggressively, use what you get |
| Mid (Wave 20-50) | A tier (1/1M) | B tier merged | Merge B tier, chase A tier |
| Late (Wave 50+) | S tier (1/1B+) | A tier merged | Stack luck for S tier, merge A tier |
| Post-Rebirth | A tier+ | B tier merged | High luck makes A tier realistic |
For wave-specific unit recommendations, see our Best Units for Each Wave.
Merged Unit Tier Shifts
Merging changes the tier ranking significantly. A merged B tier unit can compete with un-upgraded A tier units, and a merged A tier unit approaches S tier performance. This section shows how merge levels shift the effective tier of each unit.
| Base Tier | Merge 0 | Merge 1 | Merge 2 | Merge 3 | Merge 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S (1/1B+) | S | S+ | S+ | S+ | S+ |
| A (1/1M) | A | A+ | A+ | S- | S- |
| B (1/100K) | B | B+ | A- | A- | A |
| C (1/10K) | C | B- | B | B+ | B- |
The tier shift from merging is most dramatic for B tier units, which jump a full tier level with just one merge. This makes merging B tier units one of the most efficient investments in the game. For the complete merge analysis, see our Merge Duplicates 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
What is the best unit in Roll to Defend? The best units are S tier ultra-rare rolls at 1/1B+ odds. They have the highest DPS and special abilities that no other units can match. However, they are extremely rare and most players will build their defense around A tier or merged B tier units instead.
Can a merged B tier unit beat an A tier unit? Yes — a fully merged B tier unit can outperform an un-upgraded A tier unit. Merge 2 gives a B tier unit approximately 85% of an A tier unit's effectiveness, and Merge 3+ can match or exceed A tier performance.
How do I get S tier units? Stack luck bonuses from the D:/Drive group, friends, gamepasses, and rebirth. Higher luck directly improves your odds of pulling rare units. See our Luck Boost Guide for the complete stacking strategy.
Should I use C tier units? Only in the early game for your first few waves. Once you have B tier or higher units, replace C tier units immediately. Investing upgrades or merges into C tier units is generally not efficient.
For official information about Roll to Defend, visit the Roblox game page.