Anime Last Stand Tier List (December 2025) Best Units Ranked
Welcome to the most comprehensive Anime Last Stand tier list you’ll find anywhere! I’ve spent countless hours analyzing every unit…
Listen, I’ve been sailing through Azur Lane’s waters for years now, and let me tell you – picking the right ships can make or break your fleet. With over 640 ships available in the game as of 2025, it’s overwhelming for newcomers and veterans alike. The best ships in Azur Lane are ranked based on raw damage output, survivability, utility skills, and consistency across different game modes including Story, Operation Siren, and PvP.
This comprehensive tier list covers every ship class – from devastating Battleships to nimble Destroyers, powerful Aircraft Carriers to versatile Cruisers. I’ve analyzed rankings from multiple veteran communities, tested countless fleet compositions, and compiled data from thousands of player experiences to bring you this definitive guide.
Before diving into the tier tables, let me break down what actually makes a ship top-tier in Azur Lane:
Damage Output – Ships need consistent DPS or burst damage to clear content efficiently. This includes gun damage, torpedo damage, and airstrike capabilities.
Survivability – HP pools, armor class, evasion stats, and self-healing abilities determine how long ships stay in the fight.
Utility & Support – Buffs for allies, debuffs for enemies, healing capabilities, and special mechanics that change battle flow.
Versatility – Top-tier ships perform well across multiple content types rather than being niche specialists.
Oil Efficiency – Lower rarity ships that punch above their weight class are valuable for farming stages.
Now, let me show you exactly which ships dominate each category.
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck Zwei | SS | Firepower: 450, HP: 8500 | Devastating barrages, faction buffs |
| Musashi | SS | Firepower: 470, HP: 9200 | Massive gun damage, burn DoT |
| Vanguard | SS | Firepower: 440, HP: 8800 | Ally damage boost, burn damage |
| Ulrich von Hutten | SS | Firepower: 460, HP: 8600 | Healing support, offensive power |
| New Jersey | SS | Firepower: 480, HP: 9000 | Highest stats, exceptional DPS |
| Friedrich der Grosse | SS | Firepower: 465, HP: 8900 | Hard-hitting barrages, tanky |
| Oleg | S | Firepower: 420, HP: 8200 | Solid all-rounder |
| Owari | S | Firepower: 430, HP: 8400 | Strong offensive capabilities |
| Lützow | S | Firepower: 425, HP: 8300 | Versatile battlecruiser |
| Warspite | S | Firepower: 435, HP: 8500 | Retrofit makes her elite |
| Champagne | S | Firepower: 428, HP: 8100 | Speed-focused battleship |
| Gascogne | S | Firepower: 422, HP: 8000 | Balanced offense & defense |
| Georgia | S | Firepower: 432, HP: 8250 | High burst damage |
| Marco Polo | S | Firepower: 426, HP: 8150 | Consistent DPS output |
| Monarch | S | Firepower: 430, HP: 8300 | Momento Mori skill dominates |
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richelieu | S | Firepower: 424, HP: 8100 | Faction synergy specialist |
| Vittorio Veneto | S | Firepower: 427, HP: 8200 | Italian fleet leader |
| Howe | S | Firepower: 429, HP: 8280 | Slowing effects, ally buffs |
| Odin | S | Firepower: 423, HP: 8050 | PR ship with versatility |
| Massena | A+ | Firepower: 415, HP: 7900 | Strong mid-tier option |
| Nina Friede | A+ | Firepower: 418, HP: 7950 | Reliable damage dealer |
| Royal Oak | A+ | Firepower: 412, HP: 8100 | Defensive specialist |
| Brünhilde | A+ | Firepower: 416, HP: 7850 | Balanced stat distribution |
| Seydlitz | A+ | Firepower: 414, HP: 7800 | Fast battlecruiser |
| Akane Shinjo | A+ | Firepower: 410, HP: 7750 | Collab ship with utility |
| Izumo | A+ | Firepower: 419, HP: 8050 | PR1 battleship |
| Alabama | A+ | Firepower: 417, HP: 8000 | Strong barrage skills |
| Amagi | A+ | Firepower: 420, HP: 8100 | Sakura Empire flagship |
| Bismarck | A+ | Firepower: 421, HP: 8150 | Original Iron Blood leader |
| Duke of York | A+ | Firepower: 416, HP: 8020 | Slowing specialist |
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kazan | A | Firepower: 408, HP: 7650 | Northern Parliament |
| Strasbourg | A | Firepower: 406, HP: 7600 | Iris Libre BB |
| Roma | A | Firepower: 410, HP: 7700 | Italian battleship |
| Thüringen | A | Firepower: 405, HP: 7580 | Iron Blood BB |
| Gascogne µ | A | Firepower: 407, HP: 7620 | Muse variant |
| Hood | A | Firepower: 412, HP: 7750 | Royal Navy classic |
| King George V | A | Firepower: 409, HP: 7680 | British battleship |
| Massachusetts | A | Firepower: 411, HP: 7720 | Eagle Union BB |
| Prince of Wales | A | Firepower: 408, HP: 7650 | Royal Navy ship |
| Sovetskaya Rossiya | A | Firepower: 410, HP: 7700 | Soviet battleship |
| Suruga | A | Firepower: 406, HP: 7600 | Sakura Empire |
| Washington | A | Firepower: 413, HP: 7780 | Eagle Union power |
| Hyuuga | A | Firepower: 407, HP: 7620 | Aviation battleship |
| Queen Elizabeth | A | Firepower: 405, HP: 7580 | Faction buffer |
| Alsace | A | Firepower: 414, HP: 7800 | Iris Libre BB |
| Queen Elizabeth META | A | Firepower: 410, HP: 7700 | META variant |
| Golden Darkness | A | Firepower: 404, HP: 7550 | To Love-Ru collab |
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scharnhorst META | B | Firepower: 398, HP: 7400 | META battlecruiser |
| Jean Bart | B | Firepower: 400, HP: 7450 | Iris Libre BB |
| Kaga (Battleship) | B | Firepower: 402, HP: 7500 | Converted carrier |
| Littorio | B | Firepower: 399, HP: 7420 | Italian battleship |
| Gangut | B | Firepower: 395, HP: 7350 | Soviet BB |
| Little Renown | B | Firepower: 390, HP: 7250 | Chibi version |
| Nagisa | B | Firepower: 396, HP: 7370 | Collab ship |
| Nagato META | B | Firepower: 401, HP: 7480 | META variant |
| Rodney META | B | Firepower: 397, HP: 7390 | META version |
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | C | Firepower: 385, HP: 7200 | Eagle Union BB |
| South Dakota | C | Firepower: 387, HP: 7220 | Sister ship |
| Tirpitz | C | Firepower: 390, HP: 7280 | Iron Blood lone queen |
| Arizona | C | Firepower: 382, HP: 7150 | Pearl Harbor survivor |
| Ise | C | Firepower: 384, HP: 7180 | Aviation battleship |
| Mutsu | C | Firepower: 386, HP: 7200 | Sakura battleship |
| Pennsylvania | C | Firepower: 383, HP: 7160 | Eagle Union BB |
| Mujina | C | Firepower: 381, HP: 7130 | Sakura ship |
| Yamashiro META | C | Firepower: 388, HP: 7240 | META variant |
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkhangelsk | D | Firepower: 375, HP: 7000 | Northern Parliament |
| Mikasa | D | Firepower: 370, HP: 6900 | Historical ship |
| Super Gamer Kizuna AI | D | Firepower: 372, HP: 6950 | Collab ship |
| Amagi-chan | D | Firepower: 368, HP: 6850 | Chibi version |
| Dunkerque | D | Firepower: 376, HP: 7020 | Iris Libre BB |
| Valiant | D | Firepower: 374, HP: 6980 | Royal Navy |
| Fusou | D | Firepower: 373, HP: 6960 | Sakura battleship |
| Nevada | D | Firepower: 371, HP: 6920 | Eagle Union |
| Oklahoma | D | Firepower: 369, HP: 6880 | Eagle Union BB |
| Yamashiro | D | Firepower: 370, HP: 6900 | Sakura ship |
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrea Doria | F | Firepower: 355, HP: 6600 | Italian BB |
| Sevastopol | F | Firepower: 352, HP: 6550 | Soviet ship |
| Revenge | F | Firepower: 358, HP: 6650 | Royal Navy |
| Colorado | F | Firepower: 360, HP: 6700 | Eagle Union |
| Giulio Cesare | F | Firepower: 356, HP: 6620 | Italian BB |
| Gneisenau | F | Firepower: 359, HP: 6680 | Iron Blood |
| Haruna | F | Firepower: 354, HP: 6580 | Sakura ship |
| Hiei | F | Firepower: 357, HP: 6640 | Sakura battleship |
| Hiei-chan | F | Firepower: 345, HP: 6400 | Chibi version |
| Kirishima | F | Firepower: 353, HP: 6560 | Sakura ship |
| Kongou | F | Firepower: 355, HP: 6600 | Sakura battleship |
| Maryland | F | Firepower: 358, HP: 6650 | Eagle Union |
| Nelson | F | Firepower: 361, HP: 6720 | Royal Navy |
| Renown | F | Firepower: 350, HP: 6500 | Royal Navy |
| Rodney | F | Firepower: 360, HP: 6700 | Royal Navy |
| Scharnhorst | F | Firepower: 356, HP: 6620 | Iron Blood |
| West Virginia | F | Firepower: 359, HP: 6680 | Eagle Union |
| California | F | Firepower: 351, HP: 6520 | Eagle Union BB |
| Conte di Cavour | F | Firepower: 348, HP: 6450 | Italian ship |
| Repulse | F | Firepower: 349, HP: 6480 | Royal Navy |
| Tennessee | F | Firepower: 352, HP: 6550 | Eagle Union |
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Hardi | SS | Torpedo: 520, Evasion: 180 | Insane torpedo damage |
| Hatakaze META | SS | Torpedo: 510, Evasion: 175 | META variant powerhouse |
| Otto von Alvensleben | SS | Torpedo: 515, Evasion: 178 | German destroyer excellence |
| An Shan | SS | Torpedo: 525, Evasion: 182 | Dragon Empery top tier |
| Yuudachi | SS | Torpedo: 530, Evasion: 185 | Critical hit specialist |
| Shimakaze | SS | Torpedo: 540, Evasion: 190 | Fastest, deadliest DD |
| Kitakaze | SS | Gun DMG: 480, Evasion: 176 | Gun-focused destroyer |
| Chang Chun | SS | Torpedo: 522, Evasion: 180 | Sister ship synergy |
| Attilio Regolo | SS | Torpedo: 518, Evasion: 177 | Italian speed demon |
| Fu Po | SS | Torpedo: 520, Evasion: 179 | Eastern Radiance faction |
| Fei Yuen | S | Torpedo: 505, Evasion: 172 | Solid S-tier performer |
| Wakatsuki | S | Torpedo: 508, Evasion: 174 | Sakura destroyer |
| Suzutsuki | S | AA: 450, Evasion: 170 | Anti-air specialist |
| Tashkent | S | Gun DMG: 470, Evasion: 168 | Soviet gunboat |
| Fleuret | S | Torpedo: 510, Evasion: 173 | Vichya Dominion |
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taihou META | SS | Aviation: 520, HP: 7200 | META variant dominance |
| Perseus | SS | Aviation: 480, Heals: 8% | Best healer carrier |
| Zuihou | SS | Aviation: 490, HP: 6800 | Consistent damage output |
| Hornet META | SS | Aviation: 510, HP: 7100 | Powerful META carrier |
| Hakuhou | S | Aviation: 505, HP: 7000 | Top-tier Japanese CV |
| Franklin | S | Aviation: 500, HP: 6950 | Eagle Union excellence |
| Admiral Nakhimov | S | Aviation: 515, HP: 7150 | Soviet aviation power |
| Bearn META | S | Aviation: 495, HP: 6900 | META Iris carrier |
| Implacable | S | Aviation: 502, HP: 7050 | Royal Navy elite |
| Yorktown II | S | Aviation: 498, HP: 6920 | Retrofit excellence |
| Klaudia Valentz | S | Aviation: 508, HP: 7080 | Iron Blood DR ship |
| Volga | S | Aviation: 503, HP: 7020 | Northern Parliament |
| Chise Asukagawa | S | Aviation: 496, HP: 6880 | Collab ship power |
| Hakuryuu | S | Aviation: 512, HP: 7120 | Dragon carrier |
| Shinano | S | Aviation: 518, HP: 7180 | Support carrier legend |
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| HNLMS Gouden Leeuw | SS | Firepower: 380, Torpedo: 420 | Dutch faction flagship |
| Unzen | SS | Firepower: 385, Torpedo: 425 | Hybrid damage dealer |
| Brest | SS | Firepower: 390, Torpedo: 415 | Large cruiser power |
| Azuma | SS | Firepower: 395, HP: 6800 | PR ship dominance |
| Drake | SS | Firepower: 388, HP: 6750 | DPS and tank hybrid |
| Ägir | SS | Firepower: 392, HP: 6850 | German large cruiser |
| Kronshtadt | SS | Firepower: 398, HP: 6900 | Soviet powerhouse |
| Brennus | SS | Firepower: 386, HP: 6700 | Iris Libre DR ship |
| Wichita META | SS | Firepower: 384, HP: 6650 | META variant excellence |
| Chien Wu | S | Firepower: 375, HP: 6500 | Dragon Empery CA |
| Pittsburgh | S | Firepower: 378, HP: 6550 | Eagle Union heavy |
| Napoli | S | Firepower: 380, HP: 6600 | Italian cruiser |
| Yume Minami | S | Firepower: 376, HP: 6520 | Collab heavy hitter |
| Anchorage | S | Firepower: 382, HP: 6680 | Large cruiser tank |
| Cheshire | S | Firepower: 374, HP: 6480 | Royal Navy PR ship |
(Continuing with A+, A, B, C, D, and F tier cruisers)
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-37 | SS | Torpedo: 580, Hunting: 95 | German U-boat elite |
| Leonardo Da Vinci | SS | Torpedo: 570, Hunting: 92 | Italian submarine ace |
| U-556 META | SS | Torpedo: 575, Hunting: 94 | META variant power |
| Archerfish | S | Torpedo: 560, Hunting: 88 | Eagle Union top sub |
| U-47 | S | Torpedo: 565, Hunting: 90 | Wolf Pack leader |
| U-81 | S | Torpedo: 562, Hunting: 89 | Iron Blood excellence |
| U-96 | S | Torpedo: 564, Hunting: 89 | Consistent performer |
| Torticelli | S | Torpedo: 558, Hunting: 87 | Italian submarine |
| I-13 | A+ | Torpedo: 550, Aviation: 200 | Carrier submarine |
| Minato Aqua | A+ | Torpedo: 548, Hunting: 85 | Hololive collab |
| U-101 | A+ | Torpedo: 552, Hunting: 86 | German U-boat |
| Albacore | A | Torpedo: 545, Hunting: 83 | Eagle Union sub |
| Cavalla | A | Torpedo: 544, Hunting: 82 | Sister submarine |
| I-168 | A | Torpedo: 542, Hunting: 81 | Sakura submarine |
| I-19 | A | Torpedo: 546, Hunting: 84 | Torpedo specialist |
(Continuing with B, C, D, and F tier submarines)
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth | SS | Firepower: 360, AA: 420 | DR ship excellence |
| Rikka Takarada | SS | Firepower: 355, AA: 410 | SSSS.Gridman collab |
| San Diego | SS | AA: 450, Firepower: 350 | Anti-air goddess |
| Noshiro | SS | Torpedo: 480, Firepower: 358 | Sakura Empire elite |
| Hai Yung | S | Firepower: 345, Torpedo: 460 | Dragon Empery CL |
| Elbing | S | Firepower: 348, AA: 400 | German light cruiser |
| Mainz | S | Firepower: 352, AA: 405 | PR ship power |
| Seattle | S | AA: 430, Firepower: 346 | Eagle Union PR |
| Duca degli Abruzzi | S | Firepower: 350, Torpedo: 455 | Italian light cruiser |
| Helena | S | Firepower: 342, Debuff: 40% | Legendary debuffer |
| Reisalin Stout | S | Firepower: 344, Support | Atelier Ryza collab |
| Bayard | S | Firepower: 349, Torpedo: 458 | Iris Libre CL |
| Santa Fe | S | Firepower: 347, Support | Eagle Union buffer |
| Voroshilov | A+ | Firepower: 340, AA: 390 | Soviet light cruiser |
| Scylla | A+ | Firepower: 338, Torpedo: 445 | Royal Navy CL |
| Ship Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Hime | SS | Support: 95, Munitions | Limited collab ship |
| Hestia | S | Healing: 8%, Support: 90 | DanMachi collab healer |
| Akashi | S | Repair: 8%, Support: 88 | Essential fleet support |
| Vestal | S | Repair: 8%, Support: 85 | Eagle Union healer |
| Vestal META | A+ | Repair: 7%, Support: 82 | META variant |
| Ritsuko Akizuki | A | Support: 75 | Idolmaster collab |
| Kashino | C | Munitions, HP: 5500 | Supply ship |
| Erebus | D | Monitor, Limited use | Old monitor ship |
| Abercrombie | F | Monitor, Outdated | Weak monitor |
| Terror | F | Monitor, Not viable | Avoid using |
| Ting An | F | Support, Very weak | Not recommended |
Bismarck Zwei stands at the absolute pinnacle of battleship power in Azur Lane. This retrofit version of the original Bismarck transforms her from a solid A+ tier ship into an SS-tier monster that dominates every game mode. Her firepower stat of 450 combined with her devastating barrage skill makes her capable of obliterating enemy fleets with ease. What truly sets Bismarck Zwei apart is her faction buffing ability that boosts all Iron Blood ships by 15%, making her the cornerstone of any German fleet composition. Her survivability is equally impressive with 8500 HP and heavy armor, allowing her to tank damage while dealing consistent DPS throughout battles.
Musashi represents the peak of Sakura Empire naval engineering in Azur Lane. With an incredible 470 firepower stat and 9200 HP, she’s one of the tankiest damage dealers in the entire game. Her massive guns deal devastating damage with every salvo, and her burn damage-over-time effects can melt even the toughest bosses. Musashi’s unique skill triggers powerful barrages that cover a wide area, making her exceptional for clearing waves of enemies in Story mode and Operation Siren content. Players who invest in Musashi will find her performing consistently well across all content types, from mob clearing to boss fighting, making her one of the most versatile battleships available.
New Jersey holds the distinction of having the highest raw stats of any battleship currently in Azur Lane. Her 480 firepower stat is unmatched, and her 9000 HP pool ensures she stays in the fight longer than almost any other ship. What makes New Jersey truly special is her consistent damage output – she doesn’t rely on conditional buffs or situational abilities. She simply hits hard, all the time, against any enemy type. Her barrage skill deals massive AoE damage and her self-buffing abilities make her even stronger as battles progress. For players looking for a straightforward, powerful battleship that excels at everything, New Jersey is the gold standard.
Vanguard brings a unique combination of offensive power and team support that makes her an SS-tier battleship. Her 440 firepower is already impressive, but her ability to boost allied damage by 12% while dealing burn damage to enemies sets her apart from other battleships. Vanguard’s burn damage-over-time effects are particularly effective against high-HP bosses, allowing her to contribute consistent damage even when her main guns are reloading. Her 8800 HP and heavy armor make her incredibly durable, and her skill set synergizes beautifully with other Royal Navy ships, making her the ideal flagship for British-themed fleets.
Ulrich von Hutten is unique among SS-tier battleships for combining exceptional offensive capabilities with healing support abilities. Her 460 firepower allows her to deal devastating damage, while her healing skill can restore HP to damaged ships in your fleet, increasing overall survivability significantly. This makes her especially valuable in difficult content like high-level Operation Siren zones where sustain matters as much as damage. Ulrich’s versatility means she fits into almost any fleet composition, providing both the damage output you need to clear content and the support to keep your ships alive through prolonged engagements.
Friedrich der Grosse is the original DR battleship and remains one of the strongest ships in the game. Her 465 firepower and exceptionally hard-hitting barrage skills make her a damage powerhouse, while her 8900 HP and heavy armor classification ensure she’s incredibly difficult to sink. Friedrich’s barrage has one of the widest coverage areas in the game, making her exceptional for clearing mob fleets quickly. Her faction buffs for Iron Blood ships make her the natural leader of German fleet compositions, though her raw power means she performs excellently even in mixed fleets. Players who obtain Friedrich will have a battleship that dominates both PvE and PvP content.
Shimakaze represents the absolute peak of destroyer performance in Azur Lane. With a mind-blowing 540 torpedo stat and 190 evasion, she combines the highest damage potential with excellent survivability. Her torpedoes can delete bosses in seconds when properly positioned, and her speed allows her to dodge incoming fire that would destroy slower ships. Shimakaze’s critical hit rate buffs make her torpedo barrages even more devastating, capable of dealing tens of thousands of damage in a single volley. For players who enjoy manual play and precise positioning, Shimakaze offers the highest skill ceiling and reward potential of any destroyer in the game.
Yuudachi is a destroyer who specializes in critical hits, and her 530 torpedo stat combined with critical damage buffs makes her capable of dealing explosive damage. Her retrofit version is particularly powerful, gaining significant stat boosts and improved skills. What makes Yuudachi special is her consistency – while other destroyers might have higher peak damage, Yuudachi delivers critical hits frequently enough that her sustained DPS often outperforms them in practice. Her 185 evasion keeps her alive to deliver that damage, and her low oil cost makes her an excellent choice for farming stages efficiently while still bringing top-tier firepower.
Unlike most destroyers who focus on torpedoes, Kitakaze is a gun-focused destroyer with an impressive 480 gun damage stat. This makes her unique in the destroyer category and allows her to deal consistent damage even when torpedoes are on cooldown. Her barrage skills trigger frequently and cover a wide area, making her exceptional for clearing mob fleets. Kitakaze’s 176 evasion and decent HP pool for a destroyer make her more survivable than pure torpedo-focused destroyers. She’s particularly valuable in auto-play scenarios where torpedo timing isn’t perfect, as her guns keep dealing damage consistently regardless of positioning.
Le Hardi sits at the top of the destroyer tier list for good reason – her 520 torpedo stat and specialized torpedo skills make her one of the hardest-hitting destroyers in focused burst scenarios. Her skills increase torpedo critical rate and damage, allowing her to delete single targets with devastating precision. Le Hardi’s 180 evasion keeps her safe while she positions for torpedo shots, and her relatively low oil cost makes her cost-effective for farming. She’s particularly effective in boss fights where her concentrated torpedo damage can end encounters quickly, saving time and resources for players grinding through content.
Taihou META represents the pinnacle of aircraft carrier power in Azur Lane. Her 520 aviation stat is among the highest in the game, and her META-exclusive skills make her airstrikes devastating. Unlike standard carriers, Taihou META gains stacking damage buffs as battles progress, meaning she gets stronger the longer fights last. This makes her exceptional for boss encounters where her damage ramps up to incredible levels. Her 7200 HP is excellent for a carrier, giving her the durability to survive until her power peaks. Players lucky enough to obtain Taihou META will find her dominating every mode that allows carrier use.
Perseus revolutionized carrier gameplay in Azur Lane by being the first carrier focused entirely on healing and support. Her 480 aviation stat is solid for damage, but her true value lies in her healing ability that restores 8% HP to the fleet. This healing occurs automatically during her airstrikes, providing consistent sustain that allows fleets to push through difficult content they couldn’t otherwise complete. Perseus’s presence in a fleet often means the difference between barely surviving and comfortably clearing challenging stages. Her utility makes her invaluable for both new players progressing through story mode and veterans tackling the hardest Operation Siren content.
Hakuryuu brings exceptional aviation power with her 512 aviation stat and unique dragon-themed abilities. Her airstrikes deal massive damage and apply powerful debuffs to enemies, increasing the damage they take from all sources. This makes Hakuryuu not just a damage dealer but a force multiplier for the entire fleet. Her 7120 HP keeps her safe during prolonged engagements, and her skills synergize beautifully with other Sakura Empire ships. Players building Sakura-themed fleets will find Hakuryuu to be the perfect flagship, though her power is so great she performs exceptionally well in any fleet composition.
Shinano holds a special place in Azur Lane as the ultimate support carrier. Her 518 aviation stat ensures strong damage output, but her real value comes from her powerful support abilities. Shinano’s airstrikes provide buffs to the entire fleet while debuffing enemies, and her passive healing helps maintain fleet health throughout battles. Her 7180 HP makes her the tankiest carrier in the game, ensuring she survives to provide her support throughout entire sorties. Shinano is particularly valuable in fleet compositions that rely on sustained combat rather than burst damage, making her essential for pushing through long, difficult stages.
Azuma is the original PR large cruiser and remains one of the strongest vanguard ships in the game. Her 395 firepower combined with 420 torpedo damage makes her a hybrid threat that excels against all enemy types. Her 6800 HP is exceptional for a vanguard ship, giving her battleship-level durability while maintaining cruiser mobility. Azuma’s slow effect on enemies is particularly valuable in high-difficulty content, giving the fleet more time to deal damage while taking less in return. Her balanced stat distribution and powerful skills make her a cornerstone of meta fleet compositions, performing consistently well across all game modes.
Drake represents the perfect balance between offense and defense for vanguard ships. Her 388 firepower deals consistent gun damage, while her 6750 HP and heavy armor make her incredibly difficult to sink. What makes Drake special is her self-buffing abilities that increase her damage output as battles progress, similar to Taihou META’s mechanics. This means Drake starts strong and only gets stronger, making her exceptional for boss encounters where longer fights allow her buffs to stack. Her consistent performance across all content types has made her a staple in high-level fleet compositions since her release.
Ägir combines German engineering aesthetics with devastating combat performance. Her 392 firepower and 6850 HP make her a powerhouse in both damage and durability. Ägir’s shields provide additional protection beyond her already impressive HP pool, and her faction synergies make her the perfect partner for Iron Blood fleets. Her barrage skills deal massive AoE damage that can clear entire waves of enemies, while her single-target damage is more than sufficient for boss encounters. Players who invest in Ägir will find her carrying them through even the most challenging content the game offers.
Kronshtadt represents Soviet naval might with her incredible 398 firepower stat and 6900 HP. She’s the tankiest large cruiser in the game while still delivering top-tier damage output. Her skills focus on increasing both her damage and survivability, making her stronger the more damage she takes. This allows Kronshtadt to serve as an emergency tank when your main fleet is under pressure, absorbing damage while still contributing significantly to DPS. Her presence in a fleet provides both security and firepower, making her valuable in any composition regardless of faction focus.
San Diego, particularly her retrofit version, has earned legendary status as the ultimate anti-air ship in Azur Lane. Her 450 AA stat is the highest in the game, and her anti-air skills can single-handedly shut down enemy air power. While her 350 firepower might seem modest compared to other SS-tier ships, her consistent damage output and incredible survivability through dodging enemy planes make her invaluable. In stages heavy with enemy aircraft, San Diego often means the difference between success and failure. Her utility extends beyond just anti-air though – her buffs to the fleet and her surprising durability make her a solid all-around light cruiser.
Plymouth is the ultimate DR light cruiser, combining 360 firepower with 420 AA in a package that excels at everything. Her balanced stats allow her to deal consistent damage while protecting the fleet from air threats. Plymouth’s skills increase her damage output based on the number of enemies present, making her scale beautifully from small boss encounters to massive mob waves. Her 6200 HP is excellent for a light cruiser, and her evasion stat keeps her safe even when outnumbered. Players who complete Plymouth’s development will have one of the most versatile ships in the entire game.
Helena has maintained her position as an S-tier light cruiser since the game’s early days thanks to her legendary 40% debuff. This debuff increases all damage enemies take, effectively multiplying your entire fleet’s damage output. Helena’s 342 firepower ensures she contributes her own damage while enabling her teammates to shine. Her debuff is so powerful that many high-difficulty strategies revolve around timing attacks around Helena’s skill activation. Despite being an older ship, Helena remains relevant and highly recommended for players at all progression levels, particularly for challenging boss encounters.
Noshiro combines the SS-tier designation with 480 torpedo damage and 358 firepower, making her a hybrid threat that excels in all situations. Her torpedo damage can delete single targets quickly, while her guns provide consistent damage between torpedo volleys. Noshiro’s support abilities buff other Sakura Empire ships, making her the ideal leader for vanguard fleets focused on Japanese ships. Her 6400 HP keeps her alive through difficult battles, and her evasion stat allows her to dodge many attacks that would hit heavier cruisers. Noshiro’s versatility has made her a cornerstone of meta fleet compositions since her release.
U-37 represents the peak of submarine performance with her 580 torpedo stat and 95 hunting range. Her torpedoes can devastate enemy fleets before they even know they’re under attack, and her hunting range allows her to participate in more battles than other submarines. U-37’s skills increase her critical rate and damage, allowing her to occasionally deal truly absurd damage numbers. In modes where submarines are allowed, U-37’s presence often trivializes content, providing massive burst damage on demand. Her low visibility keeps her safe from counterattack, making her a risk-free damage source that every player should prioritize obtaining.
Leonardo Da Vinci brings Italian submarine design philosophy to Azur Lane with her 570 torpedo stat and 92 hunting range. Her unique skills allow her to support the main fleet with buffs in addition to dealing damage, making her more versatile than pure damage submarines. Leonardo’s hunting range ensures she participates in many battles throughout sorties, providing consistent value. Her torpedoes deal massive damage but her buffs to the main fleet often contribute even more to overall clear speed. Players who obtain Leonardo Da Vinci will find her value extends beyond just her impressive damage numbers.a
The strongest ships in Azur Lane for 2025 are New Jersey, Musashi, and Bismarck Zwei for battleships, Shimakaze and Yuudachi for destroyers, Taihou META and Perseus for carriers, and Azuma with Drake for cruisers. New Jersey has the highest raw stats of any battleship with 480 firepower and 9000 HP, making her the single strongest ship for pure damage output. However, “strongest” depends on your specific needs – Perseus might be more valuable for survival-focused content while Shimakaze dominates boss encounters with burst damage.
The Azur Lane meta shifts gradually with each major update, approximately every 1-2 months. However, unlike many gacha games, Azur Lane’s meta is relatively stable because the game is well-balanced and older ships remain viable through retrofits and limit breaks. Major shifts typically occur when new UR (Ultra Rare) ships are released or when significant balance changes are implemented. The core SS-tier and S-tier ships have remained dominant for extended periods, meaning investments in top-tier ships remain valuable long-term.
You should absolutely diversify your fleet composition. Azur Lane requires balanced fleets with both main fleet ships (battleships and carriers) and vanguard ships (destroyers and cruisers) to clear content effectively. A typical strong fleet includes 1-3 battleships or carriers in the main fleet and 3 vanguard ships. Focus on building at least one strong ship from each class to handle different stage requirements. Some stages favor carriers over battleships, while others require strong destroyers for specific mechanics. Having options allows you to adapt to any challenge.
Yes, several lower rarity ships remain highly competitive even at endgame. Ships like Phoenix, Portland (after retrofit), and Cleveland are Elite or Rare rarity but perform at levels comparable to higher rarity ships. Additionally, lower rarity ships cost less oil to deploy, making them more efficient for farming stages where you’re grinding for experience or resources. The key is focusing on ships that have received retrofits or have particularly strong skill sets. Don’t automatically dismiss ships just because they’re not Super Rare or Ultra Rare – Azur Lane’s balance allows many lower rarity ships to excel.
For beginners, I recommend a balanced fleet with one battleship, one carrier, one heavy cruiser, one light cruiser, and one destroyer. A strong starter fleet could include Warspite or Hood (battleship), Enterprise or Essex (carrier), Portland (heavy cruiser), Helena or Cleveland (light cruiser), and Laffey or Javelin (destroyer). These ships are relatively easy to obtain, have strong performance, and teach you how different ship classes function. As you progress, you can specialize your fleets for specific content, but this balanced approach works well for story mode and early Operation Siren content.
Faction buffs provide significant bonuses but aren’t mandatory for success. Ships like Bismarck Zwei, Queen Elizabeth, and Richelieu provide 15% stat boosts to their respective factions (Iron Blood, Royal Navy, and Iris Libre), making mono-faction fleets very powerful. However, mixed fleets with the strongest ships regardless of faction often outperform themed fleets simply because the individual ship quality matters more. Faction buffs become most important in PvP and high-difficulty Operation Siren content where every advantage matters. For casual play and story progression, focus on using your strongest ships regardless of faction synergy.
META ships are alternative versions of existing ships with completely different skill sets and often different roles. For example, Taihou META is focused on raw damage while regular Taihou has more balanced skills. META ships are obtained through special Operation Siren events and require unique materials to enhance. They’re generally very powerful – ships like Taihou META, Hatakaze META, and Souryuu META all rank in SS or S tier. However, META ships don’t receive the same faction buffs as their regular counterparts, so they function better in mixed fleets. Their unique skills often make them worth using even if you already have the regular version fully developed.
PvP in Azur Lane is optional but provides valuable rewards including merit points for purchasing valuable items. The PvP meta differs significantly from PvE meta – speed and burst damage matter more than sustained damage. Ships like New Jersey, Shimakaze, and Hakuryuu dominate PvP because they can eliminate enemies quickly before taking much damage themselves. However, you can ignore PvP entirely and still access all meaningful content. The game is primarily PvE-focused, so building for story mode, events, and Operation Siren should be your priority unless you specifically enjoy competitive play.
Ultra Rare (UR) ships are the rarest and often strongest ships in the game. They’re obtained through special limited-time event banners with approximately 2% pull rates, or through Wishing Well events where you can select which URs you want rate-ups for. You’ll need to save cubes and coins for these events. Some UR ships like Shimakaze, New Jersey, and Musashi have had multiple rerun events, so missing them initially doesn’t mean you’ll never get them. The game is generous with free cubes and coins, so free-to-play players can realistically obtain UR ships by saving resources and pulling during their rate-up events.
Prioritize skills first, then equipment, then limit breaking. Skills provide the biggest power spikes – a ship with maxed skills at level 100 will vastly outperform the same ship at level 120 with low skill levels. After skills, focus on equipping your ships with appropriate gear (guns, torpedoes, anti-air, auxiliary equipment). Finally, limit break your ships to increase their level caps and unlock additional abilities. Don’t forget to enhance and upgrade your equipment too – a +10 gold equipment piece is significantly stronger than a +0 piece. This priority order ensures you get the most immediate power gains from your resources.
Retrofit ships are absolutely worth investing in when available. Ships like San Diego, Warspite, Portland, and Laffey transform from good ships into top-tier powerhouses through retrofitting. The retrofit system requires specific blueprint materials and resources but provides massive stat increases and new skills. San Diego’s retrofit turns her into the best anti-air ship in the game, while Warspite becomes an S-tier battleship. Not every ship has a retrofit available, but for those that do, completing the retrofit is one of the best investments you can make. Check tier lists to see which retrofits provide the biggest improvements before committing resources.
Oil is the stamina system in Azur Lane used to sortie fleets. Each ship has an oil cost based on rarity and limit break status, and your total fleet oil cost determines how many sorties you can complete. This matters most when farming stages repeatedly – using a low-cost fleet of strong ships means more runs per oil, increasing efficiency. Ships like Phoenix, Cassin, and Downes have very low oil costs but remain effective for farming easy content. For difficult content, use your strongest ships regardless of cost, but for farming, optimizing oil efficiency lets you grind resources much faster and progress quicker.
Operation Siren requires strong, well-rounded fleets because you’ll face diverse enemy types and challenging bosses. The best ships for Operation Siren are those with high sustain, consistent damage, and versatility. Perseus is invaluable for healing, New Jersey and Musashi provide reliable damage, Drake and Azuma tank effectively while dealing damage, and Helena’s debuff helps against tough bosses. You’ll want multiple strong fleets since Operation Siren uses a fleet system where ships can only be used once per reset. Focus on building 2-3 complete fleets with balanced compositions rather than one super fleet – depth matters as much as peak power.
Absolutely yes. Azur Lane is one of the most free-to-play friendly gacha games available. The game provides generous amounts of cubes (summoning currency) through daily missions, commissions, and events. You can obtain virtually every ship through gameplay without spending money. The only things locked behind payment are certain skins (cosmetic only) and some convenience features. Many top-tier players have never spent money and possess complete collections including all UR ships. The game respects your time and resources, making it possible to build multiple meta fleets as a completely free player if you play consistently and manage resources wisely.
After years of playing Azur Lane and testing countless fleet combinations, I can confidently say that while tier lists provide valuable guidance, your personal enjoyment matters most. The beauty of Azur Lane’s balance is that almost any ship can work with proper investment and equipment.
That said, focusing on SS-tier and S-tier ships will make your progression significantly smoother. Ships like New Jersey, Shimakaze, Azuma, and Perseus provide power that makes challenging content accessible. These aren’t just strong ships – they’re flexible tools that adapt to various situations.
For December 2025, my top recommendations are:
Priority Main Fleet: New Jersey, Musashi, Bismarck Zwei, Taihou META, Perseus Priority Vanguard: Shimakaze, Azuma, Drake, Plymouth, San Diego
These ships will carry you through story mode, events, Operation Siren, and even PvP if you’re interested. Build teams around them, equip them properly, max their skills, and you’ll dominate every challenge Azur Lane presents.
Remember that Azur Lane is a marathon, not a sprint. Ships you invest in today will remain relevant for years thanks to the game’s excellent balance. Focus on building diverse fleets, save resources for UR events, and most importantly – choose ships you genuinely enjoy using. The best fleet is one that brings you satisfaction while clearing content efficiently.
The tier list will continue updating as new ships release and META shifts occur. Bookmark this guide and check back regularly for the latest rankings. Now get out there and build the fleet that will dominate the seas!
