FragPunk Rankings: Top Lancers

FragPunk stands out as a fast-paced 5v5 tactical hero shooter, showcasing a cast of 13 intriguing characters named Lancers. Each Lancer comes with their own set of supernatural Abilities. Whether you’re riffing on an electric guitar that doubles as a shotgun, teleporting your entire squad to tactically reposition, or patching up your teammates after a heated exchange of fire, there’s a Lancer here that fits your style perfectly.

At present, FragPunk’s roster feels mostly balanced, allowing every Lancer an opportunity to excel, especially when players know how to capitalize on their strengths and manage their weaknesses. Yet, not all Lancers are on equal footing. While some may shine depending on whether you’re on attack or defense or synergize well with distinct team setups and Shard Cards, a few Lancers regularly deliver more consistent results, making them indispensable regardless of the scenario.

Understanding which characters dominate the current meta in FragPunk is crucial, especially because many Lancers are available only by spending Gold, FragPunk Coins, or Lancer Trophies. Before you invest your hard-earned Gold in potentially the least effective character, this FragPunk tier list offers a detailed assessment of every Lancer, ranking them from S to B tier based on ease of use, versatility, and consistent value:

FragPunk Tier List

S-Tier Characters: Nitro, Hollowpoint, Pathojen, Spider, Kismet

A-Tier Characters: Serket, Broker, Zephyr, Sonar, Corona

B-Tier Characters: Jaguar, Axon, Chum

S-Tier: Nitro

Nitro is a Lancer limited only by your imagination, though her mobility options are somewhat lacking. Her Chug Chug deploys a remote-controlled combat drone capable of dishing out 20 damage per hit and is perfect for gathering intel while staying safe. Her The Wall ability allows for creative sightlines, climbing, blocking damage, and even forcing enemy exposure.

Her Mr. Pewpew sentry turrets are fantastic for watching doorways and entry points, doubling as surprising offensive tools by forcing enemies into a tough choice: take damage or risk exposure. Nitro is a strong pick for defense, but she’s versatile enough to be valuable on attack teams, too.

S-Tier: Hollowpoint

Hollowpoint is a sniper extraordinaire, armed with a railgun that can one-shot enemies at medium range or pick them off from afar with headshots. The Meteora railgun doubles as a recon tool, picking up enemies within its sight—even those that are invisible. This makes it invaluable, as it also skirts the Shard Clash rule, acting as a second primary weapon. Check out our list of the best FragPunk weapons you can utilize.

Her Smoke Screen offers excellent vision control, moving forward through walls and pinging all enemies it touches. Paparazzi, a trapping tool, provides invaluable intel by attaching to and revealing enemy movements. Precision aiming can make Hollowpoint a disrupting force on both offense and defense.

S-Tier: Pathojen

Pathojen is top tier largely due to her AOE healing field, the only healing ability available in FragPunk. While Shard Cards offer some healing, her Emotional Rescue ability guarantees your team’s health regardless of RNG, making her invaluable. Her Shroom Wall serves defensive purposes by offering cover and creating blockages. Meanwhile, her Killer Queen provides strategic traps that either slow enemy advances or protect objectives.

Pathojen’s value is so high, it’s often strategic to copy an enemy’s Pathojen for sustained support in matches, particularly with her immunity to poison damage.

S-Tier: Spider

Spider’s inclusion in S-Tier might be debatable, given his reliance on team synchronization. His Teleporter ability enables creative strategies with easy escape routes or full team rotation potential. His Spirited Away skill is particularly punishing, ensuring enemies can be easily eliminated if trapped right. Strategically placed Spider Traps can hinder enemy pursuit tremendously.

While Spider might not shine for solo players, in a communicative group, he becomes an essential component, greatly enhancing attack strategies.

S-Tier: Kismet

Kismet excels offensively, largely due to her Walk on the Wild Side ability, rendering her invisible and invulnerable for short periods. This ability lets you sneak through open spaces undetected, although you can’t see foes during its effect. Use it to reposition or when caught in a tight spot with low health.

Her Hello, Goodbye scan gives you a glimpse beyond walls, and familiarity with maps will increase its effectiveness. Her Misery Angel ability can damage enemies even through obstacles, causing substantial damage with a wide blast range.

A-Tier: Serket

Serket is a balanced offensive Lancer who offers both reconnaissance and control abilities. Her Station to Station allows teleportation to a controlled beacon, providing sight of enemies as sandstorms. Although the beacon’s frailty can limit its use at higher levels, even glimpsing a single foe can be strategically significant. Her Gold Dust Woman provides forward-moving smoke control and delays, while her Dilemma projectile can pull enemies from cover, although it requires skillful deployment.

Serket is close to gaining the top tier, needing only minor buffs to fully unleash her potential.

A-Tier: Broker

Broker flirts with S-Tier status due to his area denial and reliable abilities. His Goddard’s Vengeance, a rocket launcher, deals massive damage, and even without direct hits, the damage side effects are strategic assets. His Smokestack Lightning provides diverse smoke coverage, throwing lines of cover along a path, while the Cherry Bomb ability aids in controlling space with added reconnaissance.

Broker’s abilities ensure his standing as a formidable choice, particularly in matches demanding space control.

A-Tier: Zephyr

Zephyr could easily be S-Tier if traps and recon abilities weren’t prevalent. Her Midnight Rambler cloaks her temporarily, with her Fade Away zone allowing sustained invisibility within its confines. These can devastate under fire, though traps remain a persistent threat. Her Get Back teleport beacon offers an escape path following close engagements.

Zephyr’s slippery nature and strategic setup can overwhelm adversaries, especially with coordinated approaches.

A-Tier: Sonar

Sonar, built for information gathering, ranks in A-Tier due to mobility constraints and team reliance. Her Echolocation provides scans of moving enemies, although experienced foes may work around its intervals. Her Sonic Surge is a potent recon wave exposing enemies through walls, and Sound of Silence dampens steps, proving its worth in coordinated assaults. Her setup strength builds from her ensemble supporting the team’s strategy.

Sonar’s kit thrives with unit cohesion but may falter alone.

A-Tier: Corona

Bordering harmonious design, Corona uses his abilities together effectively. The Fast Lane dash aids swift positioning, often preluded by the blinding Hothead flash. Subsequent dashes disorient enemies for strategic advantage. His Ashes to Ashes can damage enemies while amplifying his capabilities when engaged.

Though reliant on teamwork, Corona’s formidable 1v1 prowess remains unmatched in clutch scenarios.

B-Tier: Jaguar

Despite improvements, Jaguar remains B-tier, outmatched by other Lancers. His Live Wire offers damage but not enough for kills, requiring the detection power of I Can See for Miles. Electric Avenue ensnares enemies by proximity, controlled only by deployed Live Wire, limiting tactical use.

Jaguar offers moments of utility but lacks the necessary impact to climb tiers.

B-Tier: Axon

Aggressive like Zephyr but reliant on distraction, Axon’s Electric Guitar requires close quarters for impact, while Sticky Fingers are useful for targeted damage. Super Freak prevents flash effects, enabling aggression, though its constraints often leave Axon vulnerable to snipers like Hollowpoint.

Axon’s agility finds favor with tight maps, but struggle is evident elsewhere.

B-Tier: Chum

Chum is viable but restricted by Chomper’s frailty. Chomper’s diverse modes involve risk, like Smoke Mode’s vulnerability. Smoke Bait provides cover but depends on team defense while operating. Mobility issues complicate Chum’s positioning, demanding caution and teamwork for success.

Chum fits specific setups, while others easily overshadow his capabilities.

Explore our FragPunk guides for deeper insights, ranked mode details, and ultimate tips on getting the edge, like sliding effectively in FragPunk!