You’ve spent hours grinding gems. Your fingers are literally cramping from clicking the summon gate. Then, you finally see that gold glow, and... it’s a unit you’ve never heard of. Is it a meta-breaker or just expensive fodder? Honestly, in All Star Tower Defense X (ASTDX), the difference between a "cool-looking" unit and one that actually survives Wave 70 in Infinite is massive.
The game has changed a lot since the early 2024 launch. Back then, you could basically slap down any 5-star and call it a day. Now? If you aren't accounting for shield penetration, elemental weaknesses, and DoT (Damage over Time) scaling, you're toast.
The S-Tier Heavy Hitters You Actually Need
Most people look at raw DPS and stop there. That's a mistake. In the current ASTD X tier list, the real kings are the units that provide utility alongside their damage.
Michishibo is arguably the most oppressive unit in the game right now. It isn't just about the base damage; it's the Bleed effect. Bleed scales. It melts high-health bosses while your other towers focus on the trash mobs. If you don't have Michishibo, you're playing on hard mode.
Then there is Spider Boss (Chrollo). He’s expensive. Like, "ruin your economy if you place him too early" expensive. But the Poison DoT and crowd control he provides are unmatched. He’s a tactical nuke for waves that would otherwise leak.
Why Support Units are Secretly S-Tier
- Xero: You basically can't run a top-tier deck without him. He buffs range. He buffs damage. He makes your S-tier attackers actually reach the enemies before they exit the corner.
- Ramen Grill-Master: Look, he’s not going to kill anything. But he generates cash. If you’re playing Infinite or high-level Story Mode, you need him to fund your expensive upgrades. He’s the backbone of every "pro" strategy.
Breaking Down the A-Tier: Great but Flawed
Units in the A-tier are fantastic. They’ll get you through 90% of the game's content. However, they usually have one glaring weakness—usually a long SPA (Seconds Per Attack) or a niche placement requirement.
Slayer Mage is the perfect example. The range is legendary. It’s a global threat. But that SPA? It’s slow. If you don't have a stunner or a freezer like Freezer (Final Form) to hold enemies in place, Slayer Mage will miss half the wave.
Ikki (Hollow) is another weird one. Massive DPS, infinite range, but it's a line AoE. If the map doesn't have a long straightaway, his value drops significantly. You've gotta be smart about where you put him, or you're just wasting a slot.
The B-Tier Trap
Don’t get me wrong, units like Vegu (Mind) or Zaruto (Sage) are nostalgic. They’re the reason many of us started playing. But in the current meta, they’re just... okay.
They suffer from "power creep."
A B-tier unit usually does one thing well but gets outclassed by a newer 5-star or an Unbound unit. For example, Whitestache has great full AoE, but his damage doesn't scale well enough to handle the shielded enemies in the later updates. He’s a "comfort pick," not a meta pick.
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Traits: The Real Game Changer
A unit is only as good as its trait. You could have a Michishibo, but if it has a "Durable" trait, it’s going to perform worse than an A-tier unit with All Star.
The All Star trait is the holy grail. 300% damage increase. It’s rare, it’s frustrating to roll for, but it changes the math of the entire game. If you can't get that, aim for Genesis or Tempest. Genesis is particularly nasty because it ignores elemental rules for half of your damage. In a game where the wrong element can reduce your damage to a tickle, Genesis is a literal lifesaver.
Traits to Keep or Burn
- S-Tier: All Star, Genesis, Tempest, Bloodlust.
- A-Tier: Companion, Sharpshooter, Zenkai III.
- C-Tier and Below: Anything with "Poverty" or "Slow." Just reroll them. They aren't worth the gems.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
The biggest blunder I see is people ignoring Skill Orbs. You can have the best units from this ASTD X tier list, but if you haven't invested in their Hidden Potential tree, you're leaving 40% of their power on the table.
Focus on one tree. Don't try to balance Damage, Range, and Speed. If it's a DPS unit, go all-in on Damage. If it's a support like Xero, go Range. Specializing is always better than being mediocre at everything.
Also, watch your economy. Beginners often spam low-level units. It’s better to have one max-upgraded Magma Marine than ten base-level Kokus. The scaling on the final upgrades is where the real power lives.
What to Do Now
If you're looking to climb the ranks or finally beat that one Story level that's been haunting you, start by auditing your team. Replace your D-tier starters like Anti Magician or Ice Queen immediately. Even a B-tier unit with a decent trait will perform better.
Check the Daily Rewards for Trait Burners. Don't waste them on 4-star units. Save them for your S-tier carries. Once you have a solid DPS unit with a decent trait, jump into Challenge Mode to farm Skill Orbs. That's the real loop for late-game success.
Stay flexible. The meta shifts every time a new update drops, so don't get too attached to one single unit. Keep an eye on the banner, keep your gems saved, and only pull when a "Must Have" unit is in rotation.