This Kenshi 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 | Hiver | 8.5/10 | Hit-and-run combat using speed advantage. Hivers fight best with fast weapons (katanas, sabres) that benefit from their high dexterity. |
| S | Shek | 9.5/10 | Charge into combat with heavy weapons, tank damage with high Toughness, and overwhelm enemies through brute strength. |
| A | Greenlander | 8.5/10 | Flexible — Greenlanders fill any role competently. Use them for Holy Nation diplomacy and as all-rounders in your squad. |
| S | Skeleton | 9.5/10 | Skeletons are your best long-term combat investment. They never need food, have extreme stat ceilings, and can be repaired from near-death. Build a Skeleton squad for your elite fighting force. |
| B | Scorchlander | 7.5/10 | Use Scorchlanders as scouts, thieves, and crossbow support. Their stealth bonuses make them ideal for infiltration missions and assassination training. |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Hiver (A-Tier)
Hivers are insectoid humanoids with weak limbs but fast movement. Hiver Workers are excellent at labor (mining, farming) with high dexterity. Hiver Soldiers have slightly better combat stats. Their main advantage is speed — a Hiver squad outruns most threats.
Best with: Katana (speed weapons match Hiver dexterity), light armor, thief gear Stat focus: Dexterity (natural bonus), Athletics, Toughness
Shek (S-Tier)
Shek are a warrior race with the highest combat stats. They start with bonus Strength and Toughness and take less damage from combat. Their weakness is slower skill training for non-combat tasks. A squad of trained Shek warriors is the strongest fighting force you can build.
Best with: Heavy weapons (Falling Sun, Fragment Axe), heavy armor, backpacks Stat focus: Strength (natural bonus), Melee Attack, Toughness
Greenlander (A-Tier)
Humans with balanced stats suitable for any role. Greenlanders have no penalties but no racial bonuses either. They're accepted by the Holy Nation (which hates other races), making them the safest choice for early-game trading in HN territory.
Best with: Any weapon type, medium armor, versatile equipment Stat focus: Whatever role you need filled — combat, crafting, or stealth
Skeleton (S-Tier)
Mechanical beings that don't need food (saving massive resources), don't bleed, and can be repaired with Skeleton Repair Kits. They're hated by the Holy Nation but loved by the Tech Hunters. Skeletons have the highest potential stats at max level. Their only weakness is they can't swim and rust in acid rain.
Best with: Heavy weapons, skeleton-specific repair kits, heavy armor Stat focus: Strength, Toughness (trains from damage like other races), Robotics skill for self-repair
Scorchlander (B-Tier)
Dark-skinned humans with slightly better dexterity and stealth but lower strength. They excel as thieves, assassins, and crossbow users. Not discriminated against by any faction. Good secondary combat units and the best choice for stealth operations.
Best with: Crossbow, stealth gear, light armor, lockpicks Stat focus: Dexterity, Stealth, Assassination, Thievery
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meitou Weapons | Shek | The highest quality weapon tier, held by faction leaders and elite NPCs. |
| Falling Sun | Shek | An enormous heavy weapon (blunt type) that deals devastating damage per hit. |
| Fragment Axe | Shek | A heavy cutting weapon with excellent damage against armored targets. |
| Plank | All races (training) | A blunt weapon that's literally a piece of wood. |
| Topper | Greenlander | A hacking weapon (hybrid between cutting and blunt) with balanced stats. |
Equipment Analysis
Meitou Weapons: The highest quality weapon tier, held by faction leaders and elite NPCs. Meitou weapons deal significantly more damage than Masterwork equivalents. Obtaining one requires killing or stealing from powerful NPCs. Each weapon type has one Meitou version somewhere in the world.
Falling Sun: An enormous heavy weapon (blunt type) that deals devastating damage per hit. Slow swing speed but massive impact that launches enemies. Requires high Strength to wield effectively. Falling Sun is best on Shek warriors with strength above 60.
Fragment Axe: A heavy cutting weapon with excellent damage against armored targets. The Fragment Axe has the highest raw damage of cutting weapons. Pairs well with Strength-focused builds and heavy armor sets.
Plank: A blunt weapon that's literally a piece of wood. Despite its humble appearance, the Plank is an excellent training weapon because it does less lethal damage, allowing more combat training before enemies die. Many players use Planks specifically for safe combat training.
Topper: A hacking weapon (hybrid between cutting and blunt) with balanced stats. The Topper is versatile against both armored and unarmored opponents. A good all-purpose weapon for mid-game squads before acquiring Meitou tier.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Kenshi centers on squad management and base building. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one.
What's strong right now:
- Hiver with Meitou Weapons is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- skill training builds are gaining ground as players find new synergies.
- Greenlander remains essential for learning hard content.
What's underrated:
- Shek is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Fragment Axe offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Scorchlander builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Hiver | Meitou Weapons | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Shek | Falling Sun | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Greenlander | Fragment Axe | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Skeleton | Plank | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Scorchlander | Topper | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
For full build guides, see Kenshi builds. For progression help, check the walkthrough.
