The Ultimate Anime Vanguards Tier List: Dominating The December 2025 Meta (Update 9.5)

Welcome, Vanguard! As of December 15, 2025, the meta in the popular Roblox game *Anime Vanguards* has been dramatically reshaped by the recent Update 9.5, introducing new units and crucial balance changes that dictate the top-tier strategies for both endless and tournament modes. Understanding the current unit rankings is not just about knowing who hits hardest; it's about mastering the synergy, utility, and cost-effectiveness of your entire team composition to ensure victory against the toughest waves and opponents. This in-depth tier list breaks down the absolute best units—the S+ and S-Tier powerhouses—that are essential for any player looking to climb the ranks and dominate the current *Anime Vanguards* landscape. We will cover the core DPS monsters, the indispensable support units, and the game-changing traits that define the meta following the latest major patches.

The Current S+ Tier: Unstoppable Units Defining the Meta

The S+ Tier represents the elite few units whose combination of raw Damage Per Second (DPS), exceptional utility, and strategic placement value makes them mandatory inclusions for high-level play, particularly in challenging game modes and competitive tournaments. These are the units that provide a significant advantage over all others and are often the core of a winning strategy.

The Reigning S+ Tier Powerhouses (December 2025)

The latest updates, including the pivotal Update 9.5, have solidified a handful of Mythic and Secret quality units at the very top, primarily due to their unique abilities to manipulate enemy positioning, apply devastating debuffs, or simply output astronomical damage.

• Isdead (Romatic): Holding a firm grip on the S+ Tier, Isdead remains an unparalleled DPS unit. His immense damage output, often enhanced by the Monarch trait, makes him the go-to choice for melting bosses and high-HP enemies in all modes.
• Choy Jong En (Guild Leader): A crucial component of the current meta, Choy Jong En offers incredible utility and burst damage. His ability to support other units while also contributing significant damage solidifies his S+ placement, making him a flexible and invaluable asset.
• Cu Chulainn (Child of Light): Cu Chulainn is an example of a unit whose utility perfectly complements his high DPS. His kit allows for strategic control over the battlefield, a necessity in the increasingly complex later waves.
• Rom and Ran (Fanatic): This duo offers a unique blend of area control and sustained damage. Their strategic value in clearing large groups of enemies and managing crowds is unmatched, making them essential for endless mode runs.
• Jailer: The introduction of Jailer in Update 9.5 immediately shifted the meta. This unit is a new force to be reckoned with, boasting abilities and damage numbers that place him firmly in the top-tier discussion, often cited as a game-changer for team compositions.

The key to maximizing these S+ units lies in proper trait assignment, with the Monarch Trait being the current best-in-slot for most DPS carries, offering a mythical rarity boost that is highly sought after.

S-Tier and A-Tier: Essential Utility and Reliable Damage

While the S+ units are the game-breakers, the S and A tiers contain the workhorses of any successful *Anime Vanguards* team. These units provide the necessary support, reliable early-game clear, and consistent mid-to-late-game damage that allows the S+ units to reach their full potential. Ignoring these units is a common mistake for new players.

Strategic S-Tier Units (Near-Meta Dominance)

The S-Tier units are often just a step below the S+ in terms of raw power or universal utility, but they are still capable of carrying a team and are often easier to acquire or upgrade.

• Song Jinwu: A consistent high performer, Song Jinwu remains a staple S-Tier unit, known for his reliable damage and scalability.
• Goju: Highly versatile and a strong presence on the field, Goju provides a balance of damage and utility that makes him a fantastic unit to invest in.
• Norutu (Sage) and Norutu (Six): Both versions of Norutu offer excellent utility and damage, serving as powerful anchors for many team builds, especially when specific debuffs or crowd control are needed.
• Obita: Obita’s strategic value in certain setups pushes him into the S-Tier, demonstrating that not all top-tier units are purely about DPS.

The Backbone: A-Tier Units for Flexibility and Early Game

The A-Tier provides a deep bench of units that are excellent for filling out a roster, providing elemental coverage, or serving as a strong foundation before you acquire the rarer Mythic and Secret units.

• Bean: An excellent and accessible A-Tier unit, Bean provides solid damage for its cost, making it a great pick for the early and mid-game.
• Renguko: Known for his consistent output, Renguko is a reliable choice for players who need a steady damage source without relying on the ultra-rare pulls.
• Tengon and Igros: These units are often grouped together as reliable damage-dealers who shine in specific scenarios, offering a good balance of power and cost.

Understanding the Meta: Traits, Upgrades, and Synergy

Simply owning a powerful unit is not enough to dominate the *Anime Vanguards* meta. The true secret to high-rank success lies in understanding the game's deeper mechanics, which are heavily influenced by the latest updates like Update 9.0 and 9.5.

The Critical Role of Traits

Traits are arguably the most game-changing element in modern *Anime Vanguards*. A mediocre unit with a perfect trait can sometimes outperform a top-tier unit with a poor trait. * Monarch Trait: The undisputed best trait in the game, the Monarch trait is a Mythical rarity roll (0.1% chance) that provides a massive, game-breaking boost to DPS units. Securing this trait on your main carry, like Isdead or Jailer, is the ultimate goal for any serious player. * Other High-Value Traits: While Monarch is the king, other traits that boost damage, range, or speed are also highly desirable, especially on support units to maximize their efficiency.

The Importance of Upgrades and Evolutions

Many of the most powerful units, particularly those of Mythic and Secret quality, only unlock their true potential after being upgraded or evolved. * Base Unit Power: While the base forms of units like Choy Jong En or Cu Chulainn are strong, their evolved forms provide exponential increases in DPS and utility, which is essential for tackling the high-HP enemies in late-game content. * Investment Strategy: Focus your limited resources (gems and upgrade materials) on a few S+ or S-Tier units, ensuring they reach their maximum potential before spreading resources thin. This focused investment strategy is key to clearing high-level content.

Tournament and Gamemode Specific Tiering

It is vital to recognize that the "best unit" often depends on the game mode. * Tournament Mode: In competitive tournaments, the focus shifts heavily towards raw DPS and reliable crowd control. Units that can eliminate threats quickly and efficiently, like Isdead and Jailer, are prioritized. * Endless Mode: For endless runs, utility and crowd control become more important. Units like Rom and Ran, who can manage large waves, and strong support units that boost the entire team, are invaluable for pushing past wave 100. The *Anime Vanguards* meta is a constantly shifting landscape, but by focusing on the core S+ powerhouses—Isdead, Choy Jong En, Cu Chulainn, Rom and Ran, and the new meta-shaker Jailer—and pairing them with the game-breaking Monarch trait, you will be well-equipped to dominate the game's most challenging content in December 2025. Always keep an eye on new updates for potential unit reworks and balancing patches that could introduce the next S+ contender.