NARAKA: Bladepoint is a 60-player battle royale focused on melee combat with martial arts-inspired movement and a rock-paper-scissors counter system. What sets it apart from other BRs is the grappling hook that lets every player Spider-Man across the map and the deep melee system where timing parries and focus strikes matters more than gear. Each hero has unique abilities that change team fight dynamics, and the Soul Jade system adds RPG-style buffs found throughout the match. Regular seasonal updates add new heroes, weapons, and maps.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness — factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame.
Quick Rankings
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoto Hime | S | Engage at mid-range with Spirit Slash poke, build ultimate through skirmishes, then deploy the spectral blade in team fights to deal AoE damage from safety. | Longsword or Katana, offensive Soul Jades (damage on hit, critical strike), purple/gold armor |
| Matari | S | Use teleport dash to close gaps or escape, go invisible with ultimate to reposition behind enemies, and burst them down with fast weapon combos before they can react. | Dagger or Katana for fast attacks, mobility Soul Jades, stealth-enhancing jades |
| Tarka Ji | A | Rush into melee range, use dashing punch to close distance, activate fire form ultimate when outnumbered to tank damage and trade aggressively. | Great Sword or Longsword, defensive Soul Jades, health restoration jades |
| Viper Ning | A | Stay near teammates, use Bind to stun priority targets for easy focus-fire, and deploy ultimate during chaotic team fights to reveal and slow all enemies. | Spear or Longsword, CC-enhancing Soul Jades, team support jades |
| Temulch | B | Position near teammates, deploy wind barriers to block incoming fire, and use wind storm ultimate to break enemy formations and create space. | Great Sword or Spear, defensive Soul Jades, armor-repairing jades |
S-Tier: Yoto Hime
Yoto Hime's ultimate summons a giant spectral blade that fires long-range slashes dealing massive damage. Her skill (Spirit Slash) sends a wave projectile that zones enemies out of positions. She excels at mid-range combat and team fight initiation where her ultimate can hit multiple opponents.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Longsword | The most balanced melee weapon with good range, speed, and damage. |
| Core Gear | Longsword or Katana, offensive Soul Jades (damage on hit, critical strike), purple/gold armor | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Attack power jades, ultimate cooldown reduction, health restoration on elimination | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | grappling hook mobility | Every player has a grappling hook on a short cooldown that attaches to any surface, building, or tree. |
How to Play Yoto Hime
Engage at mid-range with Spirit Slash poke, build ultimate through skirmishes, then deploy the spectral blade in team fights to deal AoE damage from safety.
Yoto Hime's ultimate summons a giant spectral blade that fires long-range slashes dealing massive damage. Her skill (Spirit Slash) sends a wave projectile that zones enemies out of positions. She excels at mid-range combat and team fight initiation where her ultimate can hit multiple opponents.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Longsword and grappling hook mobility creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Longsword or Katana, offensive Soul Jades (damage on hit, critical strike), purple/gold armor amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Attack power jades, ultimate cooldown reduction, health restoration on elimination) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
S-Tier: Matari
Matari is the premier stealth hero with invisibility on her ultimate and a teleport dash on her skill. She can reposition instantly, escape bad fights, and ambush unsuspecting enemies. Her stealth ultimate makes her nearly impossible to track in 1v1 situations.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Katana | A fast weapon with quick combo strings and excellent mobility during attacks. |
| Core Gear | Dagger or Katana for fast attacks, mobility Soul Jades, stealth-enhancing jades | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Cooldown reduction, movement speed jades, attack speed | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | melee combos | Each weapon has light attacks, heavy attacks, and unique combo strings. |
How to Play Matari
Use teleport dash to close gaps or escape, go invisible with ultimate to reposition behind enemies, and burst them down with fast weapon combos before they can react.
Matari is the premier stealth hero with invisibility on her ultimate and a teleport dash on her skill. She can reposition instantly, escape bad fights, and ambush unsuspecting enemies. Her stealth ultimate makes her nearly impossible to track in 1v1 situations.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Katana and melee combos creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Dagger or Katana for fast attacks, mobility Soul Jades, stealth-enhancing jades amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Cooldown reduction, movement speed jades, attack speed) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Tarka Ji
Tarka Ji is a brawler with a fire-empowered ultimate that blocks incoming damage and boosts his melee attacks. His skill is a dashing punch that knocks enemies back. He excels in close-quarters fights where his fire form makes him nearly unkillable for the duration.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Great Sword | The highest damage per hit but slowest attack speed. |
| Core Gear | Great Sword or Longsword, defensive Soul Jades, health restoration jades | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Health, attack power, ultimate duration jades | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | focus strikes | Focus strikes are charged attacks (glowing blue) that counter normal attacks but lose to blocks/parries. |
How to Play Tarka Ji
Rush into melee range, use dashing punch to close distance, activate fire form ultimate when outnumbered to tank damage and trade aggressively.
Tarka Ji is a brawler with a fire-empowered ultimate that blocks incoming damage and boosts his melee attacks. His skill is a dashing punch that knocks enemies back. He excels in close-quarters fights where his fire form makes him nearly unkillable for the duration.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Great Sword and focus strikes creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Great Sword or Longsword, defensive Soul Jades, health restoration jades amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Health, attack power, ultimate duration jades) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Viper Ning
Viper Ning has a stun ability that locks enemies in place and an ultimate that marks and slows all nearby enemies. She is the best crowd-control hero for team modes. Her stun creates guaranteed follow-up windows for teammates to land charged attacks.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Spear | The longest melee reach weapon with poke-focused gameplay. |
| Core Gear | Spear or Longsword, CC-enhancing Soul Jades, team support jades | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Cooldown reduction, ability range, team healing jades | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | soul jade system | Soul Jades are collectible buffs found in chests, drops, and from eliminated players. |
How to Play Viper Ning
Stay near teammates, use Bind to stun priority targets for easy focus-fire, and deploy ultimate during chaotic team fights to reveal and slow all enemies.
Viper Ning has a stun ability that locks enemies in place and an ultimate that marks and slows all nearby enemies. She is the best crowd-control hero for team modes. Her stun creates guaranteed follow-up windows for teammates to land charged attacks.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Spear and soul jade system creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Spear or Longsword, CC-enhancing Soul Jades, team support jades amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Cooldown reduction, ability range, team healing jades) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
B-Tier: Temulch
Temulch summons wind barriers that block ranged attacks and creates a wind storm ultimate that disrupts enemy movement. He is primarily a defensive hero that protects teammates from ranged poke. Less effective in pure melee duels where his barriers have limited value.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Dagger | The fastest weapon with rapid combo strings and built-in dodge mechanics. |
| Core Gear | Great Sword or Spear, defensive Soul Jades, armor-repairing jades | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Defense, health, barrier duration jades | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | hero ultimates | Each hero has a unique ultimate ability that charges through combat. |
How to Play Temulch
Position near teammates, deploy wind barriers to block incoming fire, and use wind storm ultimate to break enemy formations and create space.
Temulch summons wind barriers that block ranged attacks and creates a wind storm ultimate that disrupts enemy movement. He is primarily a defensive hero that protects teammates from ranged poke. Less effective in pure melee duels where his barriers have limited value.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Dagger and hero ultimates creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Great Sword or Spear, defensive Soul Jades, armor-repairing jades amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Defense, health, barrier duration jades) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Matari — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Yoto Hime once you understand core mechanics and have access to Longsword
- Keep a Tarka Ji setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Temulch for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary weapon first — it gives the biggest power spike
- The RPS system (Focus beats Attack, Attack beats Parry, Parry beats Focus) is muscle memory you must develop — watch your opponent's blue glow (focus) or white shimmer (parry) and react with the correct counter.
- Always repair your armor mid-fight using armor repair pickups. A common mistake is ignoring broken armor — purple armor absorbs roughly 40% of incoming damage, so fighting without it is a massive disadvantage.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
