With the latest competitive meta evolving, we now have a clearer picture of how each character stacks up. There are no “bad” characters, but some clearly outshine the rest in terms of mobility, kill confirms, and overall pressure. Based on high-level tournament results, this tier list reflects the current top-tier picks and the more situationally strong fighters.
This Rivals of Aether 2 Tier List ranks all characters based on tournament performance, viability, and player feedback.
Rivals of Aether 2 Tier List 2025 – Best Characters
S Tier
Clairen – The best character in the game. Insane range, stunning tippers, fast pressure, and deadly auto-combos. If you play swordfighters in any game, Clairen is for you.
Maple – Extreme speed and trapping potential. Once you’re marked, you’re just waiting for your death. A nightmare for slower characters.
Ranno – The Sheik of Rivals 2. Lightning-fast tech chases, ridiculous frame data, and some of the best confirms in the game.
Fleet – A hybrid of Fox, Pit, and Peach. Float, arrows, amazing edgeguarding, and top-tier movement make Fleet a constant threat.
A Tier
Orcane – Slippery, fast, and high reward for mastery. The bubble teleport makes him one of the hardest characters to hit.
Zetterburn – Solid rushdown with shine cancels, explosive kill power, and quick confirms. A very well-rounded pick.
Raster – Best mobility in the game. Strong aerials and edgeguards, but can be fragile in neutral.
Craig – Big body with a wall-based playstyle. Can tank hits well but struggles against faster characters.
B Tier
Bosor – High skill ceiling, stealth-based playstyle. Mastery of smoke and explosions is necessary for success.
Olympia (New!) – Heavyweight brawler with super armor and massive damage output. Slow movement and recovery are her biggest weaknesses.
C Tier
Loxodon – Tanky but slow. Magma buffs helped, but his movement is still a big issue.
Vog – Has the worst speed options in the game. His heavy hits are strong, but he gets overwhelmed easily.
With Olympia now in the mix, the meta is still adjusting. Clairen, Maple, Ranno, and Fleet are shaping up to be the best picks, while characters like Zetterburn and Orcane hold their own.