Choosing the right characters in Destiny Rising can make or break both your PvE progression and PvP matches. With constant balance changes and the arrival of new heroes like Estela and Umeko, the meta is always shifting. This Destiny Rising tier list highlights the strongest characters across both modes, explaining why they stand out, where they shine, and how to build effective teams around them.
Tier List Ranking Explained
S-Tier - Meta Defining
S-tier Lightbearers are the core of the destiny rising tier list characters. They don’t just perform well, they set the standard for both PvE and PvP. Choosing one of them means you’re investing in a character that warps fights around their presence. If you want the safest long-term picks, this is where you look.
A-Tier - Reliable and Flexible
A-tier heroes are strong and consistent, even if they don’t always redefine the meta. They often need the right build or team to shine, but when placed correctly, they can rival S-tier picks. Wolf’s mix of bruiser damage and tanking shows why these characters matter, flexible enough for multiple roles, strong enough to clear content without feeling like a downgrade.
B-Tier - Situational but Playable
B-tier doesn’t mean “bad.” These Lightbearers can still pull their weight, but they rely on niche scenarios or skilled piloting to feel impactful. Ikora is the perfect example: she has burst potential, but in chaotic fights her kit feels clunky. Players who know their quirks can make them shine, but they aren’t always the best investment for everyone.
C-Tier
C-tier Lightbearers can be fun to play, but they struggle in serious PvE or PvP. They often lack reliable scaling or utility, making them risky investments if your goal is progression.
Destiny Rising PvP Tier List
In PvP, mobility, burst damage, and survivability are what separate casual picks from competitive meta. Here’s how the destiny rising tier list PvP looks right now:
| Tier | Characters | Explained |
|---|---|---|
| S | Gwynn, Jolder, Ning Fei | Gwynn’s shotgun burst and sustain keep her in nearly every match. Jolder anchors teams with overshields and zone control. Ning Fei punishes healers with anti-sustain abilities. |
| A | Tan-2, Estela, Wolf, Umeko | Tan-2 is deadly with a sniper, especially in skilled hands. Estela uses summons for pressure and distraction. Wolf is versatile but needs good positioning. Umeko is situational but shines with precision rifles. |
| B | Attal, Finnala, Ikora | Serviceable but niche. Strong in the right player’s hands, but less impactful overall. |
| C | Kabr, Xuan Wei | Fun for casuals, but weak compared to higher-tier picks. |
PvP takeaway: Expect to see Gwynn + Jolder in nearly every high-level match. If you’re accurate with snipers, Tan-2 or Umeko can carry.
Destiny Rising PvE Tier List
PvE prioritizes sustained DPS, crowd control, and utility. The destiny rising tier list PvE reflects who carries raids and dungeons most efficiently:
| Tier | Characters | Explained |
|---|---|---|
| S | Estela, Jolder, Tan-2, Umeko, Gwynn | Estela dominates with summons that redirect aggro. Jolder is the best tank for bosses. Tan-2 snipes priority targets and buffs allies. Umeko debuffs enemies so the whole team deals more damage. Gwynn adds reliable single-target DPS. |
| A | Wolf, Attal, Ning Fei, Kabr | Wolf has AoE potential but lacks scaling. Attal provides flexible support. Ning Fei struggles to keep up with S-tier DPS. Kabr has tank tools but limited utility. |
| B | Finnala, Ikora, Xuan Wei | Can work with the right team, but they lag behind in consistency. |
PvE takeaway: Estela + Jolder are nearly mandatory for tough raids. Pair them with Tan-2 or Gwynn for damage, and Umeko to boost overall output.
Best Meta Characters in Destiny Rising
The destiny rising best characters right now define how both PvP and PvE are played. These Lightbearers offer the most value for investment.
Gwynn: The queen of PvP. Her shotgun burst paired with high sustain and mobility makes her one of the hardest duelists to counter. In PvE, she offers solid single-target DPS, but her true strength lies in dominating close-range engagements in competitive play.
Jolder: The safest tank and arguably the most valuable overall character in the game. With overshields, damage resistance, and zone-control Supers, she secures objectives in PvP and absorbs raid mechanics in PvE. If you only build one defensive character, Jolder should be the pick.
Estela: The PvE powerhouse. Her illusion summons act as extra units that redirect aggro, making her indispensable in raids and dungeons. Estela’s scaling damage via her Corruption system also means she gets stronger as battles drag on, giving her unmatched consistency.
Tan-2: Long-range precision incarnate. He’s a sniper god, deleting bosses in PvE and punishing careless players in PvP. His Blessing of Dusk Super buffs allies, giving him team utility on top of massive personal damage. He rewards accuracy but pays it back tenfold.
Umeko: The debuff support every team wants. Her ability to make enemies take increased damage is one of the strongest multipliers in the game. She provides healing as well, though not as much as pure supports, but her debuffs ensure that every DPS in the party hits harder.
Wolf: A flexible DPS/tank hybrid. His sustained AoE damage and stacking mechanics make him deadly in PvE, while his defensive toolkit lets him pivot into semi-tank roles. Map and scenario matter for Wolf, but in the right conditions he is a game-changer.
Together, these six characters form the core of the destiny rising meta characters.
Weapons & Team Synergy
Weapons are what transform strong characters into broken ones, and the destiny rising tier list weapons clearly show that some gear elevates Lightbearers far beyond their baseline power.
- Snipers (Tan-2, Umeko): Precision rifles dominate across modes. A skilled Tan-2 player can delete raid bosses, while Umeko’s sniper synergy lets her apply debuffs from range and follow up with high-value crits.
- Shotguns (Gwynn): No surprise here, Gwynn’s kit and shotgun synergy are the reason she’s considered the best PvP duelist. At close range, she can delete opponents before they react, while still sustaining herself in extended brawls.
- AoE Launchers (Estela, Wolf): Estela’s summons keep enemies distracted while her launchers shred entire groups, and Wolf’s grenades provide both damage and control. These weapons ensure raid trash and dungeon waves never overwhelm your party.
- Utility Rifles (Jolder, Attal): Rifles keep stability in any comp. Jolder pairs her rifles with her tank role to maintain constant pressure, while Attal uses them to heal and deal chip damage simultaneously. Rifles don’t burst like shotguns or snipers, but they guarantee consistency.
Final Thought
Gwynn, Jolder, Estela, Tan-2, Umeko, and Wolf form the backbone of most successful teams because they combine raw strength with roles every squad needs: damage, defense, and utility.
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FAQ
Who are the best PvP characters in Destiny Rising?
The strongest PvP picks are Gwynn, Jolder, and Ning Fei, with Umeko and Tan-2 rising to S-tier if you land consistent sniper shots. Gwynn excels in close-quarters, Jolder controls objectives, and Ning Fei uses mobility and anti-heal effects to frustrate opponents.
Destiny Rising best characters for PvE?
The best PvE roster includes Estela, Jolder, Tan-2, Gwynn, and Umeko. Estela’s summons tank mobs, Jolder anchors the frontline, Tan-2 snipes bosses, Gwynn handles DPS checks, and Umeko amplifies everyone’s damage through debuffs.