Paladins is Hi-Rez Studios' free-to-play team hero shooter, out of beta since May 2018, and it is no longer being developed. Hi-Rez halted active work on Paladins and the original SMITE on 6 February 2025 during a restructuring that cut a large share of its staff, and the game has been in maintenance mode since. Servers are still up: Steam concurrents in August 2026 average roughly 900 over a rolling 30 days with 24-hour peaks near 1,500, against an all-time high of 60,712. Balance is frozen, so any tier list from 2025 onward is still accurate.
Choosing the right role shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Best Weapons | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damage: hitscan poke | A | Balanced | Cassie's Crossbow | Yes |
| Damage: projectile burst | A | Balanced | Viktor's Assault Rifle | Yes |
| Flank: dive assassin | A | Balanced | Maeve's Daggers | Yes |
| Front Line: shield anchor | A | Balanced | Barik's Blunderbuss | Yes |
| Support: main healer | A | Balanced | Grover's Throwing Axe | Yes |
New player? Start with Damage: projectile burst. See our beginner's guide for why.
Damage: hitscan poke
Damage: hitscan poke is a strong option in Paladins.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Cassie's Crossbow |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Five-card loadouts capped at 15 points |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Cassie's Crossbow
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Frog Isle to learn Damage: hitscan poke-specific mechanics
- Focus on Five-card loadouts capped at 15 points. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Cassie's Crossbow as your first major upgrade
- See our full Damage: hitscan poke build guide for the optimal gear progression
Damage: projectile burst
Damage: projectile burst is a strong option in Paladins.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Viktor's Assault Rifle |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Talents chosen before the match starts |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Viktor's Assault Rifle
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Frog Isle to learn Damage: projectile burst-specific mechanics
- Focus on Talents chosen before the match starts. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Viktor's Assault Rifle as your first major upgrade
- See our full Damage: projectile burst build guide for the optimal gear progression
Flank: dive assassin
Flank: dive assassin is a strong option in Paladins.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Maeve's Daggers |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | The in-match credit shop |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Maeve's Daggers
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Frog Isle to learn Flank: dive assassin-specific mechanics
- Focus on The in-match credit shop. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Maeve's Daggers as your first major upgrade
- See our full Flank: dive assassin build guide for the optimal gear progression
Front Line: shield anchor
Front Line: shield anchor is a strong option in Paladins.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Barik's Blunderbuss |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Four champion classes |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Barik's Blunderbuss
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Frog Isle to learn Front Line: shield anchor-specific mechanics
- Focus on Four champion classes. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Barik's Blunderbuss as your first major upgrade
- See our full Front Line: shield anchor build guide for the optimal gear progression
Support: main healer
Support: main healer is a strong option in Paladins.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Grover's Throwing Axe |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Siege point-and-payload rounds |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Grover's Throwing Axe
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Frog Isle to learn Support: main healer-specific mechanics
- Focus on Siege point-and-payload rounds. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Grover's Throwing Axe as your first major upgrade
- See our full Support: main healer build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Role Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Damage: projectile burst is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Damage: hitscan poke is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Cassie's Crossbow for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Support: main healer offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another role.
For Group Play
Front Line: shield anchor shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Paladins Guides
- Paladins Paladins Overview
- Paladins Best Builds
- Paladins Tier List
- Paladins Walkthrough
- Paladins Beginner's Guide
- Paladins Tips & Tricks
- Paladins Weapons Guide
- Paladins Combat Guide
- Paladins Boss Guide
- Paladins Maps & Locations
- Paladins Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Paladins, check out these related guides:
- Counter-Strike 2 Classes Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
- Apex Legends Classes Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
- Rainbow Six Siege Classes Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
