This Starship Troopers: Extermination 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.
Characters Rankings
| Tier | Role | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Hunter | 9.5/10 | Rush to bug holes while team provides cover, plant charges, seal holes to reduce wave intensity. |
| A | Bastion | 8.5/10 | Set up at chokepoints, deploy shields during heavy waves, use Siege Mode during extraction defense. |
| A | Operator | 8.5/10 | Stay near the team, deploy supplies proactively at defense positions, prioritize repairing walls during waves. |
| A | Demolisher | 8.5/10 | Save explosives for Tiger and Tanker spawns, use grenades to clear dense Warrior packs at chokepoints. |
| B | Sniper | 7.5/10 | Maintain distance, prioritize Gunner bugs threatening the team, switch to backup weapon during extraction. |
Detailed Characters Analysis
Hunter (S-Tier)
The most important class for mission success because only Hunters can permanently close bug holes, stopping reinforcements. Their scan ability reveals bug hole locations through terrain. Teams without a Hunter face endless spawns.
Best with: Morita Mk1 Rifle, Bug Hole Charges, Scanner Stat focus: Mobility, Ammo Capacity, Scan Range
Bastion (A-Tier)
The defensive anchor deploying portable shields and heavy weapon emplacements. The Bastion's shield dome protects the team during extraction and creates safe zones for reviving. Siege Mode locks them in place but doubles damage output.
Best with: Morita Mk3 SAW, Deployable Shield, Siege Mode Kit Stat focus: Armor, Shield Duration, Ammo Capacity
Operator (A-Tier)
The support class keeping the team supplied with ammo crates and health stations. Operators are the difference between running dry during extraction and having enough ammo to survive. Their repair tool fixes damaged walls faster than any other class.
Best with: Morita Mk1 Rifle, Ammo Crate, Health Station, Repair Tool Stat focus: Cooldown Reduction, Supply Capacity, Repair Speed
Demolisher (A-Tier)
Anti-heavy specialist with explosives that deal massive damage to Tigers and Tankers. The grenade launcher strips Tanker armor in 2-3 hits. Without Demolishers, heavy bugs overwhelm defenses by soaking up too much ammo.
Best with: Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher, C4 Charges, Rocket Launcher Stat focus: Explosive Damage, Ammo Capacity, Reload Speed
Sniper (B-Tier)
Long-range specialist effective against Gunner bugs and priority targets but less useful during close-range extraction defense. The TW-102s one-shots Warriors and two-shots Gunners. Less impactful than other classes in tight quarters.
Best with: TW-102s Sniper Rifle, Morita Hawkeye (backup), Rangefinder Stat focus: Damage, Range, Reload Speed
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morita Mk1 Rifle | Hunter, Operator | The standard assault rifle with balanced accuracy, fire rate, and damage. |
| Morita Mk3 SAW | Bastion | Belt-fed light machine gun with 200 rounds and sustained fire capability. |
| TW-102s Sniper | Sniper | Bolt-action sniper rifle dealing the highest per-shot damage. |
| Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher | Demolisher | Six-round grenade launcher that deals heavy AoE explosive damage. |
| Morita Hawkeye | Sniper (backup), general use | Designated marksman rifle bridging the gap between assault rifle and sniper. |
Weapons Analysis
Morita Mk1 Rifle: The standard assault rifle with balanced accuracy, fire rate, and damage. Reliable in all situations and the default weapon for most classes. 30-round magazine with manageable recoil.
Morita Mk3 SAW: Belt-fed light machine gun with 200 rounds and sustained fire capability. Accuracy decreases during sustained fire but the volume of bullets compensates against dense swarms. Best deployed in Siege Mode for maximum effectiveness.
TW-102s Sniper: Bolt-action sniper rifle dealing the highest per-shot damage. One-shots Warriors at any range and two-shots Gunners. Slow fire rate makes it poor against swarms but essential for picking off ranged threats.
Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher: Six-round grenade launcher that deals heavy AoE explosive damage. Strips Tanker armor plating and staggers Tigers mid-charge. Limited ammo means you must save it for heavy targets rather than wasting on Warriors.
Morita Hawkeye: Designated marksman rifle bridging the gap between assault rifle and sniper. Semi-automatic with a 2x scope, effective at medium range against Gunners without sacrificing close-range capability. Good backup weapon for Snipers.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Starship Troopers: Extermination centers on base building and horde defense. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one.
What's strong right now:
- Hunter with Morita Mk1 Rifle is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- class roles builds are gaining ground as players find new synergies.
- Operator remains essential for learning hard content.
What's underrated:
- Bastion is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- TW-102s Sniper offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Sniper builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Role | Best Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Hunter | Morita Mk1 Rifle | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Bastion | Morita Mk3 SAW | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Operator | TW-102s Sniper | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Demolisher | Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Sniper | Morita Hawkeye | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
For full build guides, see Starship Troopers: Extermination builds. For progression help, check the walkthrough.
