Character choice

Introduction

This page serves as a quick reference guide to help players pick a character. Use the Table of Contents above to jump to specific sections.

Characters By Archetype

All-Rounder

Ciel

Noel

Roa

Aoko

The Count of Monte Cristo

Rushdown

Shiki

• Boasts fast normals and powerful advancing special attacks in addition to an unique chip damage mechanic and an enabling install Arc Drive.

Arcueid

• Has flexible neutral, strong tools for mobility and some of the best corner carry potential in the game.

Miyako

• Can fling herself across the screen at ridiculous speeds with her bajiquan moves and pressure the opponent up close with her tiny but fast normals. She even gets entire combos from her throws alone.

Saber

• Fate's flagship character can rushdown opponents with her long attacks and swift mobility. When under Heat, her Excalibur becomes even more powerful, presenting the threat of chip damage.

Mash

• Lunging moves allow her to cover great distances and clash through opponent projectiles.

Ushiwakamaru

• A glass cannon that can bring the hurt if the opponent is unprepared to face her blinding speed and tricky feints.

Setplay

Akiha

Hisui

Kohaku

Dead Apostle Noel (or DAN)

Area Control

Red Arcueid (or Warc)

Vlov

Brawler

Kouma

• Though possessing armor, sturdy defenses and terrifying command grabs, Kouma Kishima is much more than a mere grappler: he can gain on the opponent rather quickly and unleash a surprisingly elaborate combo game in spite of his limited options in the air

Powered Ciel

• Can armor though attempts to zone her and punish opponents with her oppressively large normals and huge damage.

Assists/Summons

Mario

Neco-Arc

MBAACC "Picking a Character" for TL Mockup

The real answer is "Play who you like!" but if you're reading this you're probably looking for something more specific to get you started.

• Who's a good beginner character?

• Monte Cristo (A true jack of all trades.)
• Noel (Balanced pressure character.)
• Saber (Rushdown rekka character.)
• Shiki Tohno (Rushdown who excels in the midrange.)
• Vlov Arkhangel (Dominates neutral from anywhere on the screen.)

Some of the above characters may have difficult optimals, or have a lot to learn if you intend to master them. But on the whole, these characters have a low upfront execution requirement and are easy to understand/learn.

Neco-Arc is not recommended for beginners, but if she seems fun, then go for it!

• Tier List?

The game's meta is constantly evolving, with strong setups for each character being discovered all the time, and the game has consistently gotten major patches every ~4-6 months since launch. Simply put, there is no reason to worry about tiers, the game's systems are balanced enough that every character in the game, including Neco-Arc, can win.

• Who should I play if I-

-want a shoto, or at least, a "Melty Shoto"? A.K.A. "fundamental" character with various-occasion tools.

• Ciel, Mash Kyrielight, Michael Roa Valdamjong, Monte Cristo, Noel, Shiki Tohno.

-want to aggressively mix people up?

• Akiha Tohno, Aoko Aozaki, Hisui, Hisui & Kohaku, Saber.

-want to stick to my opponent like glue and stay there with ambiguous blockstrings?

• Arcueid Brunestud, Ciel, Michael Roa Valdamjong, Miyako Arima, Neco-Arc, Noel, Shiki Tohno, Ushiwakamaru.

-want to suffocate my opponent with powerful screen control?

• Aoko Aozaki, Dead Apostle Noel, Mario Gallo Bestino, Michael Roa Valdamjong, Powered Ciel, Red Arcueid, Vlov Arkhangel.

-want to put the fear of god into my opponent with colossal damage?

• Arcueid Brunestud, Ciel, Kouma Kishima, Michael Roa Valdamjong, Monte Cristo, Powered Ciel, Saber.

-want powerful Okizeme off of any hit?

• Akiha Tohno, Aoko Aozaki, Dead Apostle Noel, Hisui, Hisui & Kohaku, Kohaku, Kouma Kishima, Mario Gallo Bestino.

-want to try something unorthodox?

• Hisui & Kohaku, Mario Gallo Bestino, Neco-Arc.