This 9 Kings tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Builds Rankings
| Tier | Build | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Knight commander | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Warlock summoner | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Wizard artillery | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Imp swarm | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Mercenary buyer | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Knight commander (A-Tier)
Knight commander is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Knights. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Warlock summoner (A-Tier)
Warlock summoner is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Wizards. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Wizard artillery (A-Tier)
Wizard artillery is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Warlocks. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Imp swarm (A-Tier)
Imp swarm is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Bombers. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Mercenary buyer (A-Tier)
Mercenary buyer is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Mercenaries. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Knights | Early waves and any formation that needs a durable anchor. | Sturdy front line troops that hold a lane long enough for ranged units behind them to work. |
| Wizards | Killing dense waves quickly when you have screening troops to spare. | Glass cannon casters with heavy output and almost no survivability, so they need a line in front of them. |
| Warlocks | Attrition builds that win by never running out of defenders. | Summoners that generate additional bodies over time rather than dealing damage directly. |
| Bombers | Waves that arrive in tight clusters rather than spread across lanes. | Area damage specialists that clear grouped enemies far more efficiently than single target units. |
| Mercenaries | Emergency reinforcement when a wave outscales your placed troops. | Bought with stockpiled gold rather than drafted, turning a healthy economy into immediate defenders. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Knights: Sturdy front line troops that hold a lane long enough for ranged units behind them to work.
Wizards: Glass cannon casters with heavy output and almost no survivability, so they need a line in front of them.
Warlocks: Summoners that generate additional bodies over time rather than dealing damage directly.
Bombers: Area damage specialists that clear grouped enemies far more efficiently than single target units.
Mercenaries: Bought with stockpiled gold rather than drafted, turning a healthy economy into immediate defenders.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in 9 Kings centers on Card based building placement and Rival king decks. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Knight commander with Knights is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Gold economy builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Wizard artillery remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Warlock summoner is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Warlocks offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Mercenary buyer builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Knight commander | Knights | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Warlock summoner | Wizards | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Wizard artillery | Warlocks | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Imp swarm | Bombers | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Mercenary buyer | Mercenaries | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More 9 Kings Guides
- 9 Kings 9 Kings Overview
- 9 Kings Best Builds
- 9 Kings Walkthrough
- 9 Kings Beginner's Guide
- 9 Kings Tips & Tricks
- 9 Kings Weapons Guide
- 9 Kings Combat Guide
- 9 Kings Boss Guide
- 9 Kings Maps & Locations
- 9 Kings Crafting Guide
- 9 Kings Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy 9 Kings, check out these related guides:
- Risk of Rain 2 Tier List: roguelike game with similar mechanics
- Hades Tier List: roguelike game with similar mechanics
- Darkest Dungeon Tier List: roguelike game with similar mechanics
