This Predecessor 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 | Offlane | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Midlane | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Jungle | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Carry | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Support | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Offlane (A-Tier)
Offlane is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Warrior Crest. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Midlane (A-Tier)
Midlane is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Magician Crest. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Jungle (A-Tier)
Jungle is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Marksman Crest. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Carry (A-Tier)
Carry is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Tainted Blade. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Support (A-Tier)
Support is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Sky Splitter. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Warrior Crest | Offlane tanks and bruisers who need to survive being ganked repeatedly | The frontline starter, upgrading into Warden Crest and then Judgement. |
| Magician Crest | Midlane mages and magic damage supports | The magical damage starter, becoming Warlock Crest and then Epoch. |
| Marksman Crest | Carry heroes in the duo lane who scale with basic attacks | The ranged carry starter, upgrading into Sharpshooter Crest and then Iceskorn Talons. |
| Tainted Blade | Junglers and Offlaners fighting sustain heavy enemy frontlines | A tier 3 physical item with 40 physical power, 250 health and 15 ability haste, and its Blighted Strikes passive cuts enemy healing by 40 percent for 3 seconds on physical damage. |
| Sky Splitter | Carries and attack speed junglers who need to break down high health frontliners | A tier 3 attack speed item giving 35 physical power and 30 percent attack speed. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Warrior Crest: The frontline starter, upgrading into Warden Crest and then Judgement. Its quest completes through lane trading and minion damage, which fits an Offlane hero who is farming under tower more than fighting.
Magician Crest: The magical damage starter, becoming Warlock Crest and then Epoch. It is usually paired later with Megacosm, Flux and Noxia in midlane and magical support builds.
Marksman Crest: The ranged carry starter, upgrading into Sharpshooter Crest and then Iceskorn Talons. Taking it on anything that is not an attack speed hero wastes the entire item path, since the stats it grants are attack speed and physical power.
Tainted Blade: A tier 3 physical item with 40 physical power, 250 health and 15 ability haste, and its Blighted Strikes passive cuts enemy healing by 40 percent for 3 seconds on physical damage. That healing cut is the reason it appears in almost every bruiser build.
Sky Splitter: A tier 3 attack speed item giving 35 physical power and 30 percent attack speed. Rend adds 2.5 percent of the target's current health as bonus physical damage, and Carve makes every fourth basic attack deal 5 percent of maximum health.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Predecessor centers on Crest starter items and upgrades and Fangtooth and Orb Prime timers. 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:
- Offlane with Warrior Crest is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Jungle buff camps builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Jungle remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Midlane is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Marksman Crest offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Support builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Offlane | Warrior Crest | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Midlane | Magician Crest | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Jungle | Marksman Crest | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Carry | Tainted Blade | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Support | Sky Splitter | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More Predecessor Guides
- Predecessor Predecessor Overview
- Predecessor Best Builds
- Predecessor Walkthrough
- Predecessor Beginner's Guide
- Predecessor Tips & Tricks
- Predecessor Weapons Guide
- Predecessor Combat Guide
- Predecessor Boss Guide
- Predecessor Maps & Locations
- Predecessor Crafting Guide
- Predecessor Classes & Characters
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