NTE Tier List

Character rankings for Neverness to Everness based on damage output, team flexibility, ease of use, and account value. Rankings reflect Version 1.0 meta — expect changes as new characters and patches arrive.

Important Note

NTE is a new game and the meta is still being explored. These rankings reflect early community consensus based on kit analysis, testing, and community feedback as of May 2026. Character value can change significantly with new teammates, Arc options, and balance patches. Hotori in particular was released on May 13, 2026 — full testing is still ongoing.

Tier Rankings

All NTE characters ranked

Rankings are based on overall account value — not just damage numbers. A character that is easy to use and works in many teams can rank higher than a harder-to-play unit with a slightly higher ceiling.

S-Tier — Essential / Top Meta · Highest damage ceiling or irreplaceable utility

Burst Sub DPS

⌚ Hotori Highest damage ceiling in the game. Time Stop compresses the entire team's burst into one window. Requires good team and rotation investment. Blossom Team synergy is uncontested.

Main DPS

🌸 Nanally Top Anima Esper DPS. Triggers Blossom Cycle with Hotori. Vita Buds keep firing during Hotori's Time Stop — massive AOE damage in the Blossom Team lineup.

Support

⚡ Zero (Chaos) Charges team energy at unmatched speed. Hotori recording Zero's skill creates an energy feedback loop that cycles World's Tide faster than any other team setup.

A-Tier — Strong / Highly Recommended · Excellent in most team setups

Sub DPS

🌊 Jiuyuan High AOE Anima Esper. Enables Blossom reactions with Hotori. Off-field deployables keep dealing damage during Time Stop. Key member of the top Blossom and Zero team lineups.

DPS / Support

🎮 MC (Main Character) Free unit with unique Esper Cycle synergy with Hotori. Recording MC's skill adds an extra Esper Cycle rotation — one of the best free teammates for Hotori teams.

DPS

🗡️ Edgar Strong DPS option. Works well in team setups that need a reliable on-field damage dealer between Hotori burst windows. Good coverage for teams without Nanally.

Support

🌿 Mint Backline support whose buffs continue off-field. Skill and burst keep contributing even when off the field during Hotori's rotation — solid addition to most teams.

B-Tier — Viable / Situation Dependent · Good in specific contexts or with investment

Support

✨ Haniel A-rank from Hotori's banner. Accessible support with decent utility. Works well in beginner Hotori teams as a comfort pick before premium supports are available.

Support

🦋 Aurelia A-rank from Hotori's banner. Another beginner-friendly option. Provides support value without requiring heavy investment. Good F2P starting point.

Utility

🎯 Skia A-rank from Hotori's banner. Utility support. Works in teams that need flexibility or a specific niche role. Not a top-tier pick but functional in early game.

C-Tier — Functional / Limited Usage · Works in casual content, outclassed in meta teams

DPS

⚔️ Chiz Launch character. Functional in early game content. Lacks the team synergy and Blossom/reaction support that make top-tier characters stand out in endgame lineups.

Tier List FAQ

Common tier list questions

Is Hotori worth pulling in NTE?

Yes. Hotori has the highest damage ceiling of any current character in NTE. Her Time Stop compresses the entire team's burst into a single window. She requires a good team and rotation practice, but is extremely strong in the Blossom Team and Zero Team setups. See the Is Hotori Worth It? page for a full breakdown.

Who is the best free character in NTE?

MC (Main Character) is one of the best free options, especially in Hotori teams. Recording MC's skill via Present Replay gives an extra Esper Cycle rotation — significant DPS increase at no cost. Chiz is another free option available at launch but is outclassed in late game.

What is the best team in NTE 1.0?

The Blossom Team (Hotori + Nanally + Jiuyuan + MC) is the current top lineup. The Chaos Zero team (Hotori + Zero + Jiuyuan + Nanally) is also top-tier. Both rely on Hotori as the burst centerpiece. Rankings may shift when new characters are released in Version 1.1.

How often does the tier list update?

This tier list reflects the NTE Version 1.0 meta as of May 2026. Rankings will be updated after major patches, new banner characters, balance changes, and endgame content discoveries. The game is still early so expect significant meta shifts through Version 1.1 and beyond.