Season 3 has taken Merge Tactics in a completely new direction. With several cards removed from the pool, traits reworked, and Spirit Empress becoming the ruler of long, drawn-out battles, the entire game now rewards units that scale, survive, and keep delivering value deeper into the round. Instead of rushing for early wins, players are now forced into slower, methodical fights where only the strongest troops hold up.
After going through dozens of real matches, testing multiple builds, and studying which units actually perform in high-pressure lobbies, this Merge Tactics Season 3 Tier List reflects what’s truly dominating the ladder right now. No theorycraft. No guesses. Just a full ranking of every troop, based entirely on real results and how well they fit into the strongest builds and Season 3 traits.
If you want a Tier List that matches the real meta — not outdated opinions — you’re in the right place. Also check out Merge Tactics Build Season 3 – Meta Builds & Comp Guide
Merge Tactics Season 3 Tier List – Best Traits, Rulers, Units
S-Tier
Executioner
Executioner becomes the core of Season 3 because two of his traits are meta-defining:
- Blaster: Gives him bonus range + extra damage the further the target is.
- Ace (when active): Turns him into the best late-game carry by adding hit speed + damage + sustain from Captain bonus.
He fits perfectly into all three of your builds, and every one of your match screenshots shows Executioner dominating lobbies that tried tanks, assassins, or goblin spam. Long Spirit Empress rounds give him time to snowball damage.
This is why he is the most reliable unit this season.
Royal Giant
Royal Giant thrives because of the Giant trait:
- Giant Trait: Reduces incoming damage dramatically (-40% at base).
This lets him outscale other ranged units as fights drag on.
He also benefits indirectly from:
- Ranger (in some builds): Faster attack stacking when paired with AQ or Dart Goblin.
Royal Giant appears in nearly all your 1st place builds because he survives long enough to guarantee value every round.
Archer Queen
Archer Queen becomes lethal because of the Ranger trait:
- Gains stacking Hit Speed per shot (up to 25 stacks).
The longer the fight, the deadlier she becomes — exactly why she pairs so well with Spirit Empress meta, where rounds last longer than any other ruler. AQ was a star performer in your Build 2 and Build 3.
She destroys tanks once she reaches high stacks.
Dart Goblin
Even though you aren’t actively using him, nearly all your opponents who placed high had him.
Traits that make him incredible:
- Ranger: Stacking hit-speed
- Goblin: Free goblin generation for economy
He outdamages almost any DPS unit if allowed to sit in the backline.
Skeleton King
Skeleton King dominates Season 3 with Undead trait changes:
- Curses multiple enemies, reducing max HP
- When a cursed enemy dies, Undead troops gain a burst of damage
He melts Giant tanks, punishes Clan heal resets, and forces fights to end faster — which is why he’s a dominant meta presence even though you don’t run him.
A-Tier Units
Monk
Monk is one of the strongest frontline duelists. He becomes truly dangerous because of Ace synergy:
- Monk as Ace Captain gets bonus hit speed, damage, and HP conversion of dealt damage.
This makes him a perfect anchor for your Build 1 & Build 3.
He buys time for your Executioner and Archer Queen to scale.
Musketeer
Musketeer benefits from the Ranger trait, giving her consistent attack speed ramps.
More importantly, Musketeer offers reliable midgame damage from range — which rounds out your Build 1 by ensuring both early and late-game presence.
She doesn’t carry, but she stabilizes your backline beautifully.
Golden Knight
Golden Knight benefits primarily from:
- Noble trait: Frontline Nobles take less damage while backline Nobles gain bonus damage.
He’s a flexible fighter who provides burst damage and self-peel.
You didn’t rely on him often, but he carried many opponents’ midgame fights.
Mini PEKKA
Mini PEKKA shines because:
- PEKKA Trait: Bonus damage + heals when defeating a troop.
He’s a tank shredder.
You didn’t use him in your builds, but he consistently deletes tanks like Electro Giant, Monk, and Valkyrie when played correctly.
Goblin Machine (new “Brutalist” variant)
Goblin Machine benefits from the revised Brutalist trait:
- Increased hit speed
- Applies marks, detonating for %HP damage after 4 stacks
In long fights, Brutalist becomes extremely powerful.
This is why your opponents who used him placed higher than expected.
Valkyrie
Valkyrie is your Build 2 queen because she activates 4-Clan:
- Clan: Heals 35–70% HP at 50% health
- Gains bonus hit speed after the heal
Valkyrie’s spin hitting multiple targets makes the trait even stronger.
This is why your Build 2 consistently dominated tank-heavy lobbies.
Mega Knight
Mega Knight benefits from:
- Ace (sometimes)
- Blaster splash synergy
- Massive AOE on deploy
He isn’t a reliable carry, but he gives instant impact that swings momentum. This fits perfectly with your Build 2, where Executioner and AQ clean up.
B-Tier Units
Wizard
Wizard has:
- Blaster Trait = increased range scaling
- Clan synergy = extra hit speed + healing
In your Build 2 and Build 3, he helps control small troops and supports Executioner with wide AoE.
He’s good — just not as oppressive as Executioner.
Witch
Witch is entirely tied to Undead trait:
- Curses highest HP enemies
- When cursed enemies die, Undead gain damage
She helps break tank comps but is very slow to get rolling.
In your Build 1, she creates great backline pressure but isn’t a hard carry.
Barbarians
Barbarians rely on:
- Brutalist trait
- Clan synergy
They need a Clan build to shine — which you used in Build 2.
Alone, they don’t hold value, but inside Clan, they become durable cleanup units.
Electro Giant
Electro Giant has only one job:
- Soak damage
- Reflect chip
- Stall rounds
He fits your builds because he gives Executioner and Archer Queen TIME.
He never wins a fight — but he helps your carries win.
Prince
Prince is OK only when:
- Noble trait activates
- Backline Nobles are doing real damage
He hits tanks hard but struggles if the enemy has CC or Blaster pressure (which you constantly used against him).
Skeleton Dragons
They have:
- Ranger trait
- Good spread DPS
But they die instantly to Executioner, Wizard, or Mega Knight.
Your match screenshots show this repeatedly.
Princess
Princess benefits from Blaster, but:
- Low HP
- Slow draw
- Outscaled by AQ and Executioner
She’s playable, but outclassed.
C-Tier Units Explained
Goblins / Spear Goblins
Their only value is:
- Goblin Trait = free goblin next round
Great for economy, weak for fighting.
In your lobbies, they consistently lost to sturdier builds.
Royal Ghost
Royal Ghost suffers because Assassin trait is weak:
- Jumps backline
- Dies immediately
- Cannot break tanks
He’s easily countered by Executioner, Valkyrie, or Monk — all of which you run.
Bandit
Same issue as Royal Ghost:
- Assassin is too slow
- Too fragile
- Cannot kill tank lines before getting deleted
Your match screenshots show Bandit losing almost every fight.
PEKKA
PEKKA has brute force but:
- Too single-target
- No synergy with Blaster or Ranger
- Dies before reaching value
Not reliable without dedicated traits.
D-Tier Units Explained
These units simply don’t function in Season 3 Spirit Empress meta.
Prince
Outclassed by Monk + Valkyrie.
Royal Ghost
Assassins are weak.
Bandit
Doesn’t reach backline safely.