This Eternal Return 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 | Jackie | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Aya | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Hyunwoo | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Fiora | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Yuki | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Jackie (A-Tier)
Jackie is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Two-handed Sword. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Aya (A-Tier)
Aya is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Rapier. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Hyunwoo (A-Tier)
Hyunwoo is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Dagger. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Fiora (A-Tier)
Fiora is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Glove. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Yuki (A-Tier)
Yuki is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Pistol. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two-handed Sword | Melee characters who want the biggest single connect rather than sustained attack speed. | A short range melee line with heavy per hit damage, shared by several characters including Jackie, Fiora and Yuki. |
| Rapier | Fiora and any duelist plan that wants to control spacing inside melee range. | A short range fencing weapon built around repeated quick connects rather than one heavy swing, which pairs with characters whose damage scales on consecutive hits. |
| Dagger | Jackie and any route that plans to hunt solo farmers during days one and two. | The classic assassin line, low range and high burst, rewarding you for opening a fight on your terms against an isolated target. |
| Glove | Front line characters starting fights at choke points. | An unarmed melee line suited to bruisers who need to survive the first exchange rather than end it, and one of Hyunwoo's two mastery options alongside Tonfa. |
| Pistol | Aya and ranged plans that expect to fight beside a front liner. | A ranged line offering safe damage output, and one of Aya's two masteries alongside Assault Rifle. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Two-handed Sword: A short range melee line with heavy per hit damage, shared by several characters including Jackie, Fiora and Yuki. Its weapon skill lands at Weapon Mastery 5 and ranks up at 10 and 15 like every other type.
Rapier: A short range fencing weapon built around repeated quick connects rather than one heavy swing, which pairs with characters whose damage scales on consecutive hits.
Dagger: The classic assassin line, low range and high burst, rewarding you for opening a fight on your terms against an isolated target.
Glove: An unarmed melee line suited to bruisers who need to survive the first exchange rather than end it, and one of Hyunwoo's two mastery options alongside Tonfa.
Pistol: A ranged line offering safe damage output, and one of Aya's two masteries alongside Assault Rifle. Range is the defence, so positioning matters more than any item you build.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Eternal Return centers on Crafting from gathered materials and Weapon Mastery breakpoints. 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:
- Jackie with Two-handed Sword is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Restricted areas builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Hyunwoo remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Aya is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Dagger offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Yuki builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Jackie | Two-handed Sword | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Aya | Rapier | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Hyunwoo | Dagger | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Fiora | Glove | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Yuki | Pistol | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More Eternal Return Guides
- Eternal Return Eternal Return Overview
- Eternal Return Best Builds
- Eternal Return Walkthrough
- Eternal Return Beginner's Guide
- Eternal Return Tips & Tricks
- Eternal Return Weapons Guide
- Eternal Return Combat Guide
- Eternal Return Boss Guide
- Eternal Return Maps & Locations
- Eternal Return Crafting Guide
- Eternal Return Classes & Characters
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