Choosing the right characters in Transformers: Eternal War can make a huge difference to how your team performs. Some Transformers become incredibly powerful once you invest in their upgrades, while others offer useful abilities but struggle to compete with the strongest characters. That is why I would not recommend spending all your upgrade resources on every character you unlock.
In this guide, I have ranked the available characters into S, A, B, C, and D tiers based on their overall performance, abilities, usefulness, and potential after getting additional duplicates. I have also considered which characters appear frequently in stronger teams and which ones have not impressed me as much during gameplay.
One thing worth remembering is that this is an experience-based ranking, not a permanent list of the best characters. Some characters need more stars to show their full potential, and future content such as Alliance Wars could make certain defensive and utility-focused Transformers much more valuable. I will update the rankings as the roster and the game’s meta develop.
Transformers Eternal War Character Tier List – Best Hero
Here is a quick look at the character placements before we get into the individual explanations.
| Tier | Characters |
|---|---|
| S Tier | Grimlock, Jetfire, Optimus Prime, Snarl, Ratchet, Soundwave, Wheeljack, First Aid, Thundercracker |
| A Tier | Dead End, Hound, Prowl, Wildrider, Ironhide |
| B Tier | Breakdown, Bluestreak, Motormaster, Dragstrip, Trailbreaker, Cliffjumper, Bonecrusher, Hook, Long Haul, Mixmaster, Sunstreaker, Jazz |
| C Tier | Skywarp, Bumblebee |
| D Tier | Sludge |
| Unconfirmed Placement | Shrapnel |
Upcoming or not fully tested: Starscream, Mirage, and Arcee are discussed separately because their availability and the available gameplay experience are limited. They are promising characters, but their S-tier placements should be treated as preliminary.
Hound also deserves a small clarification: his placement was initially considered S tier, but the final assessment leans toward A tier because he has not been personally tested.
How I Rank Characters in Transformers Eternal War
I do not think rarity alone should decide whether a Transformer deserves a place on your main team. A character might look impressive on paper, but that does not necessarily mean you will get enough value from using them.
For this ranking, I consider a few important things:
- Damage output: How much damage can the character contribute during a fight?
- Survivability: Can the character stay alive long enough to use their abilities?
- Team utility: Does the character provide healing, protection, control, or useful effects?
- Duplicate investment: How much stronger does the character become after collecting additional copies?
- Team compatibility: Does the character fit into different team compositions, or do they need a specific setup?
- Future usefulness: Could their abilities become more valuable when additional game modes arrive?
One particularly important factor is duplicates. Several characters in this list are much stronger after investing in additional stars. If you have only one copy of a character, your experience may be very different from someone who has upgraded that character several times.
S Tier Characters: Best Transformers to Build
S tier is reserved for characters that I consider extremely valuable. These Transformers offer strong damage, excellent abilities, or enough utility to make a noticeable difference to your team.
If you are deciding where to invest your resources first, these are the characters I would pay the most attention to.
1. Grimlock
Tier: S
Grimlock is one of the strongest characters in my ranking. His overall performance makes him an excellent choice, particularly when you start investing in additional duplicates.
I would put Grimlock among the best characters because his stats and abilities already look impressive, and his potential becomes even more interesting after additional upgrades.
The main disadvantage is the investment required. Most players will not have enough duplicates to unlock his full potential immediately. Getting multiple copies can take time, so do not expect every Grimlock to perform at the same level.
However, if you manage to build him properly, he is absolutely worth keeping on your main team.
My verdict: A top-tier investment with excellent long-term potential, especially after collecting more duplicates.
2. Jetfire
Tier: S
Jetfire is another character I would comfortably place in S tier. His overall strength and abilities make him one of the most impressive options available.
Just like Grimlock, Jetfire becomes considerably more attractive when you start adding duplicates. His stats and abilities give him plenty of potential, although reaching that level of investment will take time for most players.
I would not judge Jetfire only by how he performs with a single copy. If you have the opportunity to upgrade him, he is one of the characters I would seriously consider building around.
My verdict: One of the strongest characters in the roster, with excellent potential after additional upgrades.
3. Optimus Prime
Tier: S
Optimus Prime is an easy S-tier choice. His abilities make him an extremely powerful character, and some of the gameplay clips I have seen show just how much damage and disruption he can bring to a fight.
His ultimate is particularly impressive because it can knock multiple enemies into the air. This gives him a noticeable advantage over other frontline options.
I have also invested heavily in Optimus Prime, collecting five additional copies. With that much investment, his abilities become particularly useful, and he has been one of my preferred choices for the frontline.
If you are looking for a powerful character who can lead your team, Optimus Prime is an excellent option.
My verdict: One of the best frontline characters. I would prioritize him if you have the opportunity to upgrade him.
4. Snarl
Tier: S
Snarl is one of those characters that can make an opponent’s team look completely helpless.
His laser-beam attack is extremely dangerous and can deal devastating damage to enemies. Whenever I encounter Snarl in different content, he is one of the characters I find particularly difficult to deal with.
His damage output is the main reason I place him in S tier. He can be incredibly frustrating to fight against, and his attack makes him stand out from several other damage-focused characters.
I would not underestimate him just because another character has a higher rarity or looks stronger on paper.
My verdict: An outstanding damage dealer and one of the most dangerous characters to face.
5. Ratchet
Tier: S
Ratchet is one of the strongest support characters in the game, and I would argue that he is among the best support options available.
The important thing to understand about Ratchet is that he needs investment. His full potential becomes much more noticeable when you collect additional duplicates and improve his stars.
With enough upgrades, his support abilities become extremely valuable. He can make a major difference to how your team performs, especially when you need reliable support during difficult fights.
If you already have Ratchet, I would recommend investing in him rather than ignoring him for another damage dealer.
My verdict: One of the best support characters. A high-priority investment if you can upgrade him.
6. Soundwave
Tier: S
Soundwave is another character I frequently notice in stronger team compositions.
I have used him, although I do not personally include him in every team I play. That does not mean he is weak. In fact, his abilities provide enough value to make him one of the strongest characters in this ranking.
His interactions with Ravage and Laserbeak are particularly interesting. Ravage provides a bleed-related ability, while Laserbeak adds another useful effect to Soundwave’s overall kit.
When you combine these abilities, Soundwave becomes a very attractive option for players who want more than just straightforward damage.
My verdict: A strong character with useful companion abilities. Definitely worth considering for a main team.
7. Wheeljack
Tier: S
Wheeljack is one of my favorite utility-focused characters in the roster.
What makes him interesting is the number of useful things he can bring to a team. He is not necessarily stronger than Ratchet, but his utility makes him valuable in many different situations.
I would especially recommend considering Wheeljack if you have invested in him and want a character who can provide more than just damage.
For players who do not have a heavily upgraded Ratchet or First Aid, Wheeljack can be a particularly useful option. His abilities give him enough flexibility to fit into different team compositions.
My verdict: Excellent utility and a strong addition to teams that need more flexibility.
8. First Aid
Tier: S
First Aid is one of the characters I would recommend getting onto your team as early as possible.
The best part is that you can obtain him for free, so you do not need to depend entirely on getting lucky with summons. However, simply unlocking First Aid is not enough. You should also invest in his duplicates and improve his stars.
I currently have him at six stars, and his performance has been excellent. He is one of the characters I would not want to leave out of my team.
If you are missing a strong support option, First Aid is an easy recommendation.
My verdict: A fantastic free character. Get him, upgrade him, and make use of his support abilities.
9. Thundercracker
Tier: S
Thundercracker is another character I really enjoy using.
He has been part of my team, and his overall performance has been impressive. I would describe him as one of those characters who can become a serious problem for the opposing team.
I do not have a complicated explanation for this placement: I simply find him extremely effective during gameplay, and he has earned his S-tier position through his performance.
If you already have Thundercracker, I would recommend giving him a proper chance rather than immediately replacing him with another character.
My verdict: A very strong character and one of my preferred choices for a main team.
A Tier Characters: Strong Picks Worth Building
A tier contains characters that are genuinely useful but do not quite reach the same overall level as my S-tier selections.
Some of these characters have excellent abilities, while others are held back by team composition, investment requirements, or competition from stronger alternatives.
1. Dead End
Tier: A
Dead End is a character I genuinely like using. His most interesting ability is his seal effect, which can prevent enemies from using their ultimates.
This is a useful ability because stopping an enemy ultimate can completely change how a fight develops.
There is another reason I like Dead End. When an enemy is sealed and Dead End uses his ultimate, he receives a 200% damage boost. This makes the combination particularly interesting.
I also like using him as a frontline character. However, I do not think he is quite as strong as Optimus Prime.
Optimus Prime has a more impressive ultimate, especially when it comes to knocking multiple enemies into the air. That is why I would keep Dead End in A tier rather than moving him into S.
My verdict: A strong frontline option with excellent ultimate disruption, but Optimus Prime is still my preferred choice.
2. Hound
Tier: A (Tentative)
Hound is one of the few characters I have not been able to obtain, so I cannot give him the same hands-on evaluation as the other Transformers.
However, I have noticed him appearing in several strong team compositions. That makes me believe he has considerable potential.
His abilities also look promising when you examine what he can do. Based on the teams using him, I would not be surprised if he eventually deserves an S-tier placement.
For now, I would keep him in A tier because I do not want to rank a character at the very top without properly testing him.
My verdict: A promising character with possible S-tier potential. His placement could change after more gameplay testing.
3. Prowl
Tier: A
Prowl is a good character, but I do not think every team needs him.
The main reason is his support role. If you already have a strong support character, running another support may not always be the best use of your team slots.
There are situations where Prowl can still be useful, particularly if you need additional support for a specific activity. However, I generally prefer First Aid because of the value he provides to my team.
I would not call Prowl a bad character. He simply faces strong competition from other support options.
My verdict: A useful support character, but I would prioritize First Aid or Ratchet if you already have access to them.
4. Wildrider
Tier: A
Wildrider is one of my personal favorites, but I am keeping him in A tier rather than allowing personal preference to influence the ranking.
One of the biggest reasons to consider Wildrider is his anti-heal ability. At the time of this ranking, he is the only character I have identified with this effect.
Anti-heal can be extremely useful, particularly when facing opponents who rely on healing to survive.
There is one important requirement, though. You need Wildrider at Rank 2, Level 4 in terms of stars to unlock the anti-heal ability.
Once you reach that point, he becomes a much more interesting character to build around.
My verdict: A strong character with a unique anti-heal effect. His value increases significantly once you unlock that ability.
5. Ironhide
Tier: A
Ironhide is a character I have noticed in several strong team compositions.
His glue-like ability appears to be one of the reasons players include him in their teams. I have not used him enough to confidently place him in S tier, but his performance so far has been promising.
My main reason for keeping him in A tier is personal team preference. I currently like using Optimus Prime and Dead End as my frontline characters.
However, Ironhide could be worth testing if you are looking for another frontline option. Considering how frequently he appears in strong teams, I would not ignore him.
My verdict: A strong frontline candidate with potential to move into S tier after more testing.
B Tier Characters: Average but Still Useful
B tier is not a list of useless characters. These Transformers can contribute to your team, and some of them become much better after collecting additional duplicates.
The main issue is that they do not consistently provide the same value as the higher-ranked options.
I would use these characters when they fit your current roster, but I would generally prioritize S and A-tier upgrades first.
1. Breakdown
Tier: B
Breakdown was one of the characters I originally used on my team, but I did not see enough from him to justify a higher placement.
I had him at around two stars, so it is possible that he needs more investment before his potential becomes noticeable.
However, based on my experience, he did not make a particularly strong impression.
If you already have a well-developed Breakdown, there is no reason to immediately remove him. But if you are deciding which character deserves your next upgrades, I would look at some of the stronger options first.
My verdict: A usable character, but I have not seen enough performance to recommend prioritizing him.
2. Bluestreak
Tier: B
Bluestreak is another character I would place in B tier.
I do not think he is particularly strong compared with some of the other damage options available. Characters such as Snarl and Jetfire make it difficult for him to stand out.
I have also not spent enough time using Bluestreak to give him a completely final evaluation.
He may perform better with additional upgrades, but based on what I have experienced, there are better characters to invest in.
My verdict: An average option with stronger alternatives available.
3. Motormaster
Tier: B
I actually like Motormaster, but I think he requires a lot of investment before you can get the most out of him.
You will likely need several duplicates and additional stars to unlock his full potential.
The good news is that the recent event provides an opportunity to collect around 40 Motormaster shards. This can make it easier to upgrade him and improve his overall performance.
If you already have a developed Motormaster, I would not dismiss him. However, I would keep him in B tier until his performance becomes more convincing.
My verdict: Has potential with enough stars, but requires significant investment.
4. Dragstrip
Tier: B
Dragstrip is another character I like, and I have invested quite a few duplicates into him.
Despite that investment, I have not seen the level of performance I expected.
His stats and abilities look appealing when you read through them, but the actual results during gameplay have not been particularly impressive for me.
That is why I am keeping him in B tier.
Sometimes a character looks excellent on paper but does not deliver the same value when you put them into your team. Dragstrip is an example of that experience for me.
My verdict: Interesting abilities, but his practical performance has not justified a higher ranking.
5. Trailbreaker
Tier: B
I have not spent much time using Trailbreaker, so this placement is based on limited experience.
He is a Vanguard character, which gives him a frontline role. However, I find it difficult to recommend him when Optimus Prime is already such a strong option for that position.
Most players who have Optimus Prime will probably prefer using him as their main Vanguard.
Trailbreaker may have some useful abilities, but I have not seen enough to place him above B tier.
My verdict: A reasonable frontline option, but he competes with stronger Vanguard characters.
6. Cliffjumper
Tier: B
Cliffjumper has some interesting potential, especially after collecting additional duplicates.
One ability worth mentioning is his glass-gas effect, which works as a damaging debuff.
I think this gives him something different compared with some of the other characters in B tier. However, I do not believe it is enough to push him into A tier at the moment.
If you have several copies of Cliffjumper, he may be worth experimenting with. I would just avoid investing in him before your strongest characters are properly upgraded.
My verdict: An interesting debuff-focused character with room to improve through additional stars.
7. Bonecrusher
Tier: B
Bonecrusher is a fairly average character in my experience.
He has some useful abilities, but I do not think he currently offers enough to compete with the strongest options in the game.
I would keep him in B tier rather than placing him lower because he is not necessarily a bad character. He simply does not stand out enough to become a priority investment.
My verdict: A decent character, but not one I would prioritize over stronger alternatives.
8. Hook
Tier: B
Hook also belongs in B tier for me.
He has some interesting abilities, but I think you need to invest heavily in him before you can see his full potential.
Additional duplicates and stars are particularly important if you want to get more value from his kit.
Without that investment, I do not think he provides enough impact to justify a higher ranking.
My verdict: Has useful abilities, but needs more investment to become a stronger option.
9. Long Haul
Tier: B
Long Haul is one of the characters associated with assembling Devastator.
I would put him in B tier alongside the other characters I have evaluated from this group.
He has some interesting abilities, but I do not think they have enough impact to make him a standout character.
The fact that several of these characters are Epic rarity also makes it harder for them to compete with more heavily invested higher-tier options.
My verdict: A middle-of-the-pack character with some useful abilities, but limited overall impact in my experience.
10. Mixmaster
Tier: B
Among the Devastator-related characters I have used, Mixmaster is the one I like the most.
I think he has some interesting abilities and is worth considering if you are experimenting with this group of Transformers.
However, I still would not place him above the stronger characters in the roster. The overall performance of this group has not been impressive enough for me to recommend building your entire team around them.
My verdict: My preferred character from the Devastator group, but still a B-tier option.
11. Sunstreaker
Tier: B
I have not used Sunstreaker enough to give him a completely fair evaluation.
Based on my experience so far, there is nothing that makes me immediately think he is a must-have character.
He is not necessarily bad, but I have not found a particularly strong reason to prioritize him over other available options.
For now, I would leave him in B tier and reconsider his placement after spending more time with him.
My verdict: An average character without a standout advantage in my current experience.
12. Jazz
Tier: B
Jazz is another character I would place in the middle of the tier list.
I do not think he is terrible, but I also do not see enough value to recommend him as a priority investment.
This is similar to how I view several other Epic characters. With enough duplicates and stars, they may become considerably stronger and could potentially move into A or even S tier.
However, most players will get more immediate value from investing in stronger characters first.
My verdict: A decent backup character, but not a priority for long-term upgrades.
C Tier Characters: Lower Priority Picks
C tier contains characters that I have struggled to get enough value from during gameplay.
These characters may have some potential, especially with additional upgrades or new game modes, but I would not prioritize them over the options above.
1. Skywarp
Tier: C
Skywarp is a character I have not been particularly impressed with.
My main concern is his damage output. I do not think he currently deals enough damage to compete with the stronger characters in A and S tier.
It is possible that I have not used him correctly or that additional duplicates would help unlock his potential. I would be happy to reconsider his position after more testing.
However, based on my current experience, I do not see enough reason to rank him higher.
My verdict: Needs more investment or a better team setup to compete with stronger damage dealers.
2. Bumblebee
Tier: C
Bumblebee might be a controversial placement, especially considering how recognizable and popular the character is.
However, I have not seen enough from him during actual gameplay to justify a higher tier.
I have invested quite a bit in Bumblebee, including several duplicates, but I still find that he gets eliminated very quickly.
Even when I position him in the backline, he often seems to be one of the first characters targeted and defeated.
I am not sure whether this is intentional or related to how his targeting works, but it has made it difficult for me to get consistent value from him.
My verdict: I expected more from Bumblebee, but his survivability has been disappointing in my experience.
D Tier Characters: Lowest Priority
Sludge
Tier: D
Sludge is currently the lowest-ranked character in my tier list.
The main problem is that I do not see enough practical value from his abilities in the content currently available.
His kit focuses on defense and providing defensive stat boosts. That could become useful in a mode where protecting your team is particularly important.
However, at the moment, I do not think defensive bonuses provide enough value to justify using Sludge over stronger characters.
I would not completely write him off, though. Alliance Wars could change things, depending on how the mode handles defensive teams and character abilities.
If that happens, Sludge could become more useful than he is right now.
My verdict: Low priority for current content, but his defensive abilities may become more relevant in future modes.
Shrapnel: Is He Worth Building?
Placement: Not confirmed
Shrapnel is another character whose usefulness depends heavily on the content you are playing.
His shock ability is the main reason I think he could become interesting. Crowd control and disruption can be extremely useful in PvP because stopping an opponent from using their abilities can create opportunities for your team.
The problem is that the current content does not give this kind of utility enough opportunities to shine.
I see some similarities between Shrapnel and Sludge in this regard. Both have abilities that could become more valuable when the game introduces additional competitive content.
I would not give Shrapnel a definitive tier placement without a confirmed position, but I would keep an eye on him.
My verdict: His shock ability could become useful in PvP or Alliance Wars. Reevaluate him when those modes are available.
Upcoming Characters: Starscream, Mirage and Arcee
There are three additional characters worth discussing, even though they were not fully tested during this ranking.
I would be careful about treating their placements as final. Their potential looks impressive, but availability and hands-on experience are limited.
Starscream
Preliminary tier: S
Starscream looks like a very strong character based on his abilities and the gameplay I have seen.
His Null Rays and stun effects are particularly interesting. Being able to interrupt or disable enemies can make a significant difference during difficult fights.
I have not had enough opportunity to use him myself, but based on what I have seen, I believe he has the potential to compete with the strongest characters.
There have also been reports of Starscream being obtainable on some servers.
My verdict: A promising character with strong control potential. His S-tier placement is preliminary until he can be properly tested.
Mirage
Preliminary tier: S
Mirage is another character I have not been able to properly evaluate.
Based on the available information, he is associated with the Level 90 crystals, meaning players may need to reach player level 90 before obtaining him through that route.
I have not seen enough direct gameplay to explain exactly how he performs, but the community’s impressions have been positive.
For now, I would keep him among the characters to watch rather than treating his ranking as confirmed.
My verdict: Potentially very strong, but needs more gameplay testing.
Arcee (RC)
Preliminary tier: S
Arcee is the character I am particularly interested in seeing more of.
The impressions surrounding her abilities have been extremely positive, and she appears to be a dangerous character when facing her in battle.
However, I have not had enough hands-on experience to give a detailed breakdown of her kit or explain exactly how she should be used.
For now, I would place her in the preliminary S-tier group based on the available impressions, with the understanding that this could change once she becomes more widely accessible.
My verdict: One of the most promising upcoming characters, but her final ranking needs proper testing.
Best Characters to Prioritize in Transformers Eternal War
If you are not sure which characters deserve your upgrade materials, I would start with the strongest options from the list.
Here is how I would prioritize them based on their roles and the value described above.
| Priority | Character | Why I would invest |
|---|---|---|
| Very High | Optimus Prime | Powerful frontline abilities and an impressive ultimate |
| Very High | Grimlock | Strong overall performance and excellent duplicate potential |
| Very High | Jetfire | One of the strongest characters after additional investment |
| Very High | Ratchet | Excellent support value |
| Very High | First Aid | Free support character with strong potential after upgrades |
| High | Soundwave | Useful abilities involving Ravage and Laserbeak |
| High | Snarl | Extremely dangerous damage output |
| High | Wheeljack | Excellent utility across different types of content |
| High | Thundercracker | Strong performance and a reliable personal favorite |
| Medium | Dead End | Useful seal effect and frontline damage potential |
| Medium | Wildrider | Unique anti-heal ability after reaching the required upgrade |
| Medium | Ironhide | Promising frontline option |
| Medium | Prowl | Useful support, depending on team composition |
This is not a strict upgrade order for every account. If you already have a heavily upgraded character, it can make more sense to continue investing in that character instead of starting from zero with another option.