Vampire Survivors has taken the gaming world by storm with its addictive gameplay and diverse character roster. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned player, understanding which characters excel in different situations can dramatically improve your gameplay experience. Our comprehensive tier list ranks all characters based on their overall effectiveness, weapon synergy, damage output, and survivability across various stages and difficulty levels. This analysis combines data from top players, community feedback, and extensive gameplay testing to give you the most accurate rankings available.
Before diving into the tier list, it’s important to understand the criteria we’ve used to evaluate each character:
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gennaro | S | +1 Amount | +1 Amount |
| Queen Sigma | S | +1 Reroll, +10% Luck | +1 Reroll, +10% Luck |
| Divano | S | +5% Cooldown | +5% Cooldown |
| Leda | S | +10% MoveSpeed | +10% MoveSpeed |
| Smith IV | S | +10% Max Health | +10% Max Health |
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antonio | A | +10% Max Health | +10% Max Health |
| Arca | A | +5% Cooldown | +5% Cooldown |
| Imelda | A | +1 Amount | +1 Amount |
| Pasqualina | A | +10% Luck | +10% Luck |
| Gains | A | +10% Might | +10% Might |
| Lama | A | +20% MoveSpeed | +20% MoveSpeed |
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambrojoe | B | +10% Duration | +10% Duration |
| Babi | B | +5% Might | +5% Might |
| Christine | B | +10% Cooldown | +10% Cooldown |
| Gyorunton | B | +20% Max Health | +20% Max Health |
| Kai | B | +5% MoveSpeed | +5% MoveSpeed |
| Poppea | B | +5% Duration | +5% Duration |
| Pugnala | B | +10% MoveSpeed | +10% MoveSpeed |
| Syuuto | B | +5% Max Health | +5% Max Health |
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavallo | C | +10% Armor | +10% Armor |
| Concetta | C | +20% Luck | +20% Luck |
| Exdash | C | -50% Max Health, +50% Might | -50% Max Health, +50% Might |
| Gallo | C | +10% Max Health | +10% Max Health |
| Iguana | C | +10% Duration | +10% Duration |
| Mortaccio | C | +10% Armor | +10% Armor |
| O’Sole | C | +10% Cooldown | +10% Cooldown |
| Ramba | C | +10% Might | +10% Might |
| Yatta | C | +10% Armor | +10% Armor |
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Trouser | D | +10% Duration | +10% Duration |
| Giovanna | D | +10% Luck | +10% Luck |
| Mask of the Red Death | D | +20% Might | +20% Might |
| Menya | D | +10% MoveSpeed | +10% MoveSpeed |
| Zi’Assunta | D | +10% Max Health | +10% Max Health |
Gennaro stands at the top of our tier list for one simple reason: his +1 Amount bonus is arguably the most powerful starting stat in the game. This bonus allows him to fire additional projectiles with nearly every weapon, dramatically increasing his damage output from the very beginning. When combined with weapons that naturally have high projectile counts like the Magic Wand or Runetracer, Gennaro can clear screens of enemies with ease. His effectiveness only grows as you collect Amount upgrades throughout your run, making him scale incredibly well into late-game scenarios. While he doesn’t have any defensive bonuses, his offensive capabilities more than compensate by eliminating threats before they can reach you.
Queen Sigma is the newest addition to the Vampire Survivors roster and immediately claimed her spot in S-tier. Her unique combination of +1 Reroll and +10% Luck provides both immediate and long-term advantages. The extra Reroll allows for more strategic level-up choices, ensuring you can build your character more effectively throughout each run. The Luck bonus increases your chances of finding better items, getting more gold from enemies, and triggering special weapon effects. Queen Sigma’s versatility makes her excel in nearly any situation, whether you’re focusing on weapon combinations or maximizing your treasure collection. Her balanced stat distribution means she can adapt to various playstyles without significant weaknesses.
Divano’s +5% Cooldown reduction might seem modest at first glance, but in a game where weapon firing speed determines survival, this bonus is invaluable. Faster cooldowns mean more frequent attacks, which translates to better crowd control and damage output. This advantage compounds as you collect additional Cooldown upgrades throughout your run, eventually allowing Divano to create near-constant walls of projectiles. He particularly shines with weapons that have slower base cooldowns like the Cross or Garlic, as his bonus helps mitigate their primary weakness. Divano’s effectiveness is consistent across all stages and difficulty levels, making him a reliable choice for both beginners and experienced players.
Leda’s +10% MoveSpeed bonus places her firmly in S-tier due to the critical importance of mobility in Vampire Survivors. The ability to navigate through hordes of enemies, collect experience gems efficiently, and dodge incoming attacks cannot be overstated. Leda excels at kiting enemies around the map, allowing you to control the flow of battle and create breathing room when overwhelmed. Her speed advantage becomes particularly pronounced in later stages when enemy density increases dramatically. Additionally, her mobility makes it easier to position yourself optimally for weapon effects and to reach valuable items before they disappear. While she lacks offensive or defensive bonuses, her maneuverability provides a tactical advantage that often outweighs raw stats.
Smith IV’s +10% Max Health bonus gives him a significant survivability advantage, especially in the early game when every hit point counts. This extra health buffer allows for more aggressive playstyles and provides forgiveness for positioning mistakes. Smith IV particularly shines in stages with environmental hazards or enemies that deal high burst damage. His health advantage compounds with additional Max Health upgrades, eventually allowing him to withstand situations that would instantly defeat other characters. While he doesn’t offer offensive bonuses, his increased survivability means you can focus more on dealing damage rather than dodging, making him an excellent choice for players who prefer a more straightforward approach to combat.
Antonio is a solid A-tier character thanks to his +10% Max Health bonus, which provides excellent survivability throughout your runs. While Smith IV offers the same bonus, Antonio’s availability from the start of the game makes him a more accessible option for newer players. His extra health allows for more aggressive positioning and provides a crucial buffer during the early game when you’re most vulnerable. Antonio particularly excels in stages with tight corridors or limited mobility options, where dodging becomes more challenging. His straightforward gameplay style makes him an excellent choice for players who want to focus on weapon combinations rather than complex positioning strategies.
Arca’s +5% Cooldown reduction places her firmly in A-tier, just below Divano who offers the same bonus. This cooldown advantage allows for more frequent attacks and better crowd control, which is essential for survival in later stages. Arca particularly shines with weapons that have synergy with faster firing rates, such as the Lightning Ring or Santa Water. While her bonus is slightly less than Divano’s, it still provides a significant advantage that compounds throughout your run. Arca is an excellent choice for players who enjoy weapon combinations that benefit from rapid fire, allowing you to create overwhelming fields of projectiles that keep enemies at bay.
Imelda’s +1 Amount bonus makes her a powerful offensive character, though she falls slightly short of Gennaro who offers the same advantage. This bonus allows her to fire additional projectiles with most weapons, significantly increasing her damage output from the beginning. Imelda particularly excels with weapons that have multiple projectiles like the King Bible or the Peachone, as her bonus amplifies their effectiveness. While she doesn’t have any defensive bonuses, her offensive capabilities allow her to eliminate threats before they become dangerous. Imelda is an excellent choice for players who enjoy overwhelming enemies with sheer projectile volume rather than tactical positioning.
Pasqualina’s +10% Luck bonus makes her a valuable character for players who want to maximize their treasure collection and special weapon effects. Luck affects various aspects of the game, including the quality of items found, gold drops from enemies, and the frequency of critical hits. Pasqualina particularly shines in longer runs where the cumulative effect of her Luck bonus becomes more pronounced. While she doesn’t offer direct combat advantages, her increased item quality can lead to more powerful builds over time. Pasqualina is an excellent choice for players who enjoy the strategic element of building their character through careful item selection.
Gains’ +10% Might bonus provides a straightforward damage increase that makes him a solid A-tier character. This bonus amplifies the damage output of all weapons, making him particularly effective with high-damage single-target options like the Whip or the Axe. Gains excels in situations where you need to eliminate high-health enemies quickly, such as boss encounters. His straightforward gameplay style makes him an excellent choice for players who prefer a direct approach to combat without worrying about complex mechanics. While he doesn’t offer tactical advantages like mobility or cooldown reduction, his raw damage output ensures that enemies fall quickly when they enter his range.
Lama’s impressive +20% MoveSpeed bonus makes her one of the most mobile characters in Vampire Survivors, placing her firmly in A-tier. This incredible speed advantage allows for unparalleled maneuverability, making it easy to navigate through dense enemy formations and collect experience gems efficiently. Lama particularly shines in stages with complex layouts or environmental hazards, where her mobility allows her to avoid danger while maintaining offensive pressure. Her speed advantage also makes it easier to position yourself optimally for weapon effects and to reach valuable items before they disappear. While she lacks offensive or defensive bonuses, her tactical mobility provides a significant advantage that often outweighs raw stats.
Ambrojoe’s +10% Duration bonus makes him a solid B-tier character, particularly effective with weapons that benefit from longer effect durations. This bonus extends the active time of temporary effects like those from the Lightning Ring, Santa Water, or Song of Mana, allowing for more consistent area control. Ambrojoe excels in builds focused on creating persistent fields of damage that wear down enemies over time. While his bonus is situational compared to more universally useful stats like Cooldown or Amount, it can be incredibly powerful in the right weapon combinations. Ambrojoe is an excellent choice for players who enjoy strategic weapon placements and controlling the battlefield through persistent effects.
Babi’s +5% Might bonus provides a modest damage increase that places her in B-tier. While this bonus is less impactful than Gains’ +10% Might, it still offers a straightforward offensive advantage that compounds with additional Might upgrades. Babi particularly shines with weapons that have high base damage or benefit significantly from damage scaling, such as the Cross or the Axe. Her straightforward gameplay style makes her an accessible choice for newer players who want to focus on dealing damage without worrying about complex mechanics. While she doesn’t offer tactical advantages, her consistent damage output ensures reliable performance across various situations.
Christine’s +10% Cooldown reduction makes her a solid B-tier character, similar to Arca and Divano but with slightly less effectiveness. This cooldown advantage allows for more frequent attacks and better crowd control, which is essential for survival in later stages. Christine particularly shines with weapons that have synergy with faster firing rates, such as the Magic Wand or the Knife. While her bonus is less than what other characters offer, it still provides a significant advantage that compounds throughout your run. Christine is an excellent choice for players who enjoy rapid-fire weapon combinations and want to maintain constant offensive pressure.
Gyorunton’s impressive +20% Max Health bonus makes him one of the tankiest characters in Vampire Survivors, placing him firmly in B-tier. This substantial health increase provides excellent survivability, especially in the early game when every hit point counts. Gyorunton can withstand situations that would defeat other characters, allowing for more aggressive playstyles and providing forgiveness for positioning mistakes. He particularly excels in stages with environmental hazards or enemies that deal high burst damage. While he doesn’t offer offensive advantages, his increased survivability means you can focus more on dealing damage rather than dodging, making him an excellent choice for players who prefer a more straightforward approach to combat.
Kai’s +5% MoveSpeed bonus provides a modest mobility advantage that places him in B-tier. While this bonus is less impactful than what characters like Leda or Lama offer, it still provides a tactical edge in navigating through enemy formations and collecting experience gems. Kai particularly shines in stages where precise positioning is crucial or where you need to dodge specific attack patterns. His mobility advantage, while modest, compounds with additional MoveSpeed upgrades throughout your run. Kai is an excellent choice for players who value tactical positioning but don’t want to sacrifice offensive or defensive potential for maximum mobility.
Poppea’s +5% Duration bonus makes her a situational B-tier character, similar to Ambrojoe but with slightly less effectiveness. This bonus extends the active time of temporary effects, which can be valuable with weapons that benefit from longer effect durations. Poppea excels in builds focused on creating persistent fields of damage or maintaining defensive barriers. While her bonus is less impactful than more universally useful stats, it can be incredibly powerful in the right weapon combinations. Poppea is an excellent choice for players who enjoy strategic weapon placements and controlling the battlefield through persistent effects.
Pugnala’s +10% MoveSpeed bonus provides a solid mobility advantage that places her in B-tier. This speed increase allows for better maneuverability through enemy formations and more efficient collection of experience gems. Pugnala particularly shines in stages where positioning is crucial or where you need to dodge specific attack patterns. Her mobility advantage makes it easier to position yourself optimally for weapon effects and to reach valuable items before they disappear. While she doesn’t offer offensive or defensive bonuses, her tactical mobility provides a significant advantage in many situations, making her a versatile choice for various playstyles.
Syuuto’s +5% Max Health bonus provides a modest survivability advantage that places him in B-tier. While this bonus is less impactful than what characters like Antonio or Smith IV offer, it still provides a crucial buffer during the early game when you’re most vulnerable. Syuuto can withstand slightly more damage than characters without health bonuses, allowing for more aggressive positioning. His survivability advantage compounds with additional Max Health upgrades throughout your run. Syuuto is an excellent choice for players who want a slight defensive edge without sacrificing offensive potential, making him a balanced option for various situations.
Cavallo’s +10% Armor bonus provides a defensive advantage that places him in C-tier. Armor reduces the damage taken from each hit, which can be valuable in situations where you’re frequently taking small amounts of damage. Cavallo particularly shines against enemies with rapid, low-damage attacks where his armor can significantly reduce incoming damage. However, Armor is generally less valuable than Max Health in most situations, as it doesn’t protect against burst damage and becomes less effective as enemy damage scales up. Cavallo is a situational choice for players who want to mitigate chip damage but may struggle against high-damage enemies or boss encounters.
Concetta’s impressive +20% Luck bonus makes her an interesting C-tier character focused on maximizing treasure collection and special weapon effects. This substantial Luck increase affects various aspects of the game, including the quality of items found, gold drops from enemies, and the frequency of critical hits. Concetta particularly shines in longer runs where the cumulative effect of her Luck bonus becomes more pronounced. However, her lack of direct combat advantages makes her less effective in the early game when survival is most challenging. Concetta is a niche choice for players who enjoy the strategic element of building their character through careful item selection and are willing to survive a more difficult early game for potentially greater rewards later.
Exdash is a unique C-tier character with a trade-off of -50% Max Health and +50% Might. This extreme stat distribution makes him a high-risk, high-reward choice that can be incredibly powerful in the right hands but extremely challenging for most players. The massive damage increase allows Exdash to eliminate enemies quickly, but his reduced health makes him incredibly fragile and prone to instant death from mistakes. Exdash requires precise positioning and excellent game knowledge to be effective, as even a single mistake can end your run. He’s a niche choice for experienced players who want to test their skills and can consistently avoid taking damage.
Gallo’s +10% Max Health bonus provides a survivability advantage that places him in C-tier. While this bonus is identical to what Antonio offers, Gallo’s unlock requirements make him less accessible for newer players. His extra health allows for more aggressive positioning and provides a crucial buffer during the early game when you’re most vulnerable. Gallo particularly excels in stages with tight corridors or limited mobility options, where dodging becomes more challenging. His straightforward gameplay style makes him an accessible choice for players who want to focus on weapon combinations rather than complex positioning strategies, though his later availability reduces his overall value compared to similar characters.
Iguana’s +10% Duration bonus makes her a situational C-tier character focused on extending the effect duration of weapons and temporary abilities. This bonus can be valuable with weapons that benefit from longer effect durations, such as the Lightning Ring or Santa Water. Iguana excels in builds focused on creating persistent fields of damage or maintaining defensive barriers. However, her bonus is highly situational compared to more universally useful stats like Cooldown or Amount, making her less effective in general situations. Iguana is a niche choice for players who enjoy strategic weapon placements and controlling the battlefield through persistent effects.
Mortaccio’s +10% Armor bonus provides a defensive advantage that places him in C-tier, similar to Cavallo. Armor reduces the damage taken from each hit, which can be valuable in situations where you’re frequently taking small amounts of damage. Mortaccio particularly shines against enemies with rapid, low-damage attacks where his armor can significantly reduce incoming damage. However, Armor is generally less valuable than Max Health in most situations, as it doesn’t protect against burst damage and becomes less effective as enemy damage scales up. Mortaccio is a situational choice for players who want to mitigate chip damage but may struggle against high-damage enemies or boss encounters.
O’Sole’s +10% Cooldown reduction makes him a situational C-tier character focused on increasing attack speed. This cooldown advantage allows for more frequent attacks and better crowd control, which is essential for survival in later stages. O’Sole particularly shines with weapons that have synergy with faster firing rates, such as the Magic Wand or the Knife. However, his bonus is less effective than what characters like Divano or Arca offer, making him less optimal for cooldown-focused builds. O’Sole is a decent choice for players who enjoy rapid-fire weapon combinations but may struggle to compete with characters that offer more significant cooldown advantages.
Ramba’s +10% Might bonus provides a straightforward damage increase that makes her a situational C-tier character. This bonus amplifies the damage output of all weapons, making her particularly effective with high-damage single-target options like the Whip or the Axe. Ramba excels in situations where you need to eliminate high-health enemies quickly, such as boss encounters. However, her bonus is less effective than what characters like Gains offer, making her less optimal for damage-focused builds. Ramba is a decent choice for players who prefer a direct approach to combat without worrying about complex mechanics but may struggle to compete with characters that offer more significant damage advantages.
Yatta’s +10% Armor bonus provides a defensive advantage that places him in C-tier, similar to Cavallo and Mortaccio. Armor reduces the damage taken from each hit, which can be valuable in situations where you’re frequently taking small amounts of damage. Yatta particularly shines against enemies with rapid, low-damage attacks where his armor can significantly reduce incoming damage. However, Armor is generally less valuable than Max Health in most situations, as it doesn’t protect against burst damage and becomes less effective as enemy damage scales up. Yatta is a situational choice for players who want to mitigate chip damage but may struggle against high-damage enemies or boss encounters.
Big Trouser’s +10% Duration bonus makes him a situational D-tier character focused on extending the effect duration of weapons and temporary abilities. This bonus can be valuable with weapons that benefit from longer effect durations, but it’s highly situational compared to more universally useful stats. Big Trouser excels in builds focused on creating persistent fields of damage or maintaining defensive barriers, but his lack of direct combat advantages makes him less effective in most situations. His bonus is also less effective than what characters like Ambrojoe or Poppea offer, making him a suboptimal choice even for duration-focused builds. Big Trouser is a niche choice for players who specifically want to maximize effect duration but will likely struggle in general gameplay.
Giovanna’s +10% Luck bonus makes her a situational D-tier character focused on maximizing treasure collection and special weapon effects. This Luck increase affects various aspects of the game, including the quality of items found, gold drops from enemies, and the frequency of critical hits. Giovanna particularly shines in longer runs where the cumulative effect of her Luck bonus becomes more pronounced. However, her lack of direct combat advantages makes her less effective in the early game when survival is most challenging. Her bonus is also less effective than what characters like Pasqualina or Concetta offer, making her a suboptimal choice even for luck-focused builds. Giovanna is a niche choice for players who enjoy the strategic element of building their character through careful item selection but will likely struggle in most situations.
Mask of the Red Death’s +20% Might bonus provides a substantial damage increase that makes him a situational D-tier character. This bonus amplifies the damage output of all weapons, making him particularly effective with high-damage single-target options. Mask of the Red Death excels in situations where you need to eliminate high-health enemies quickly, such as boss encounters. However, his lack of defensive or tactical advantages makes him vulnerable in most situations, especially in the early game when survival is most challenging. His bonus is also less effective than what characters like Gains or Babi offer when considering overall character effectiveness. Mask of the Red Death is a niche choice for players who want to maximize damage output but will likely struggle with survivability.
Menya’s +10% MoveSpeed bonus provides a mobility advantage that places her in D-tier. While speed is a valuable stat, Menya’s bonus is less effective than what characters like Leda or Lama offer, making her a suboptimal choice for mobility-focused builds. Her speed advantage allows for better maneuverability through enemy formations and more efficient collection of experience gems, but her lack of offensive or defensive advantages makes her vulnerable in most situations. Menya is a decent choice for players who value tactical positioning but will likely struggle to compete with characters that offer more significant mobility advantages or better overall stat distributions.
Zi’Assunta’s +10% Max Health bonus provides a survivability advantage that places her in D-tier. While health is a valuable stat, Zi’Assunta’s bonus is less effective than what characters like Antonio or Smith IV offer when considering overall character effectiveness. Her extra health allows for more aggressive positioning and provides a crucial buffer during the early game, but her lack of offensive or tactical advantages makes her less effective in most situations. Zi’Assunta is a decent choice for players who want a defensive edge but will likely struggle to compete with characters that offer better health bonuses or more balanced stat distributions.
For beginners, I recommend starting with Antonio or Gyorunton due to their Max Health bonuses, which provide extra survivability while you’re learning the game mechanics. These characters give you more room for mistakes and allow you to focus on understanding weapon combinations and enemy patterns without constantly worrying about dying.
Characters in Vampire Survivors are unlocked through various methods, including reaching specific levels with certain characters, defeating particular enemies, finding hidden items in stages, or meeting specific gameplay conditions. Each character has unique unlock requirements that add to the game’s replayability and exploration elements.
The most powerful weapon combinations often involve pairing weapons that complement each other’s weaknesses. For example, combining the Magic Wand (which automatically targets enemies) with the Garlic (which provides defensive area damage) creates a balanced offensive and defensive setup. The best combination often depends on your chosen character and the specific stage you’re playing.
Weapon evolutions are extremely important in Vampire Survivors as they dramatically increase your power and often provide new mechanics that can completely change your playstyle. Most successful runs rely on evolving at least 2-3 weapons to handle the increasingly difficult enemy waves in later stages.
While character choice is most impactful in the early game, it still matters in late-game runs. Characters with offensive bonuses like Gennaro or Queen Sigma will generally have an easier time dealing with the massive enemy hordes in later stages. However, with the right weapon evolutions and upgrades, any character can be viable for late-game content.
The best strategy for the first 10 minutes is to focus on survival and efficient experience collection. Prioritize weapons that provide good crowd control, collect experience gems quickly to level up, and avoid getting cornered by enemy hordes. Characters with health bonuses or mobility advantages excel in this early phase.
Luck affects multiple aspects of gameplay, including the quality of items found in level-up selections, the frequency of critical hits, the amount of gold dropped by enemies, and the chances of triggering special weapon effects. Higher luck can lead to more powerful builds over time but doesn’t provide immediate combat advantages.
Characters with high damage output like Gains or Exdash excel at boss fights due to their ability to quickly eliminate high-health targets. Additionally, characters with cooldown reduction like Divano or Arca can maintain constant pressure on bosses with rapid-fire weapons.
Exdash is widely considered the most challenging character due to his -50% Max Health penalty combined with a +50% Might bonus. This extreme trade-off requires perfect positioning and game knowledge to be effective, as even a single mistake can end your run.
Tier lists for Vampire Survivors are typically updated after major game patches that introduce new characters, weapons, or balance changes. The meta can also shift as the community discovers new strategies or weapon combinations, so it’s worth checking updated tier lists every few months.
For more detailed guides on Vampire Survivors strategies, weapon combinations, and character builds, be sure to check out our other comprehensive articles on Boundbyflame.com.
