In this post, we’ll dive into the update’s highlights, rank every major unit from god-tier S to bench-warmer D, and share pro tips for building unstoppable teams. Let’s summon some power and get into it!
What’s New in Update 8.5? Key Changes and Additions
Update 8.5 brings a spooky occult vibe with its new event, while beefing up your roster with fresh summons and evolutions. Here’s the rundown based on the official patch notes:
New Units and Evolutions
- 5 New Units Added: The banner’s buzzing with occult-inspired pulls. Standouts include:
- Brolzi Super (S-Tier meta beast—more on that below).
- Rogita (Versatile support with high damage potential).
- Wolf Resurrection (A resurrection mechanic that revives fallen allies for clutch plays).
- Lord Friezo (A-Tier addition, great for crowd control in early waves).
- (The fifth is a surprise pull—rumors point to a hidden Dragon Ball crossover like Gogeta evo, but confirm in-game!)
- Evolutions Unlocked:
- Divalo → Requiem (Boosted AoE damage).
- Saiko → Spirit Medium (Enhanced summoning synergy).
- Pweeny → Boxer (Melee powerhouse).
- Okorun → Turbo (Speed demon for fast clears).
- Mimi → Psychic (Mind-control utility for bosses).
These evos aren’t just cosmetic—they amp up damage, range, and cooldowns, making old favorites feel reborn.
Occult Event: Dive into the Dungeon
- Occult Dungeon: A new mode with Talismans (collectibles for buffs) and Spirit Wisps (summonable allies). Modifiers shake things up:
- Starting Mods: No Trait No Problem (ignores weaknesses), Warding off Evil (anti-undead), Fisticuffs (melee boost), Money Surge (extra cash), King’s Burden (heavier enemies for bigger rewards).
- Additive Mods: Champions (elite spawns), Strong/Speed/Dodge/Damage/CD/Range/Slayer boosts (up to V levels).
- Unique Mods: Press It (button-mash mini-game), Precise Attack (sniper mode), Planning Ahead (pre-wave prep), Harvest (resource farming), Common/Uncommon Loot (gear drops).
- Occult Shop and Banner: Spend event currency on exclusives. Pull rates are F2P-friendly, with pity systems kicking in after 50 summons.
Skins System: Style Meets Substance
- Customize your units with 10+ new skins from the Occult Banner (e.g., Igros as Infernal Paladin, Haruka Rin as Miku). Some grant event damage boosts or cosmetic flair for your avatar. Access via the units menu—perfect for showing off in Infinite lobbies.
Pro Tip: Farm the Occult Dungeon early for Talismans; they stack with evos for insane synergy.
The Ultimate Anime Vanguards Tier List Update 8.5
Tier lists are subjective (meta shifts with modes like Infinite vs. Story), but this one’s compiled from community consensus and expert breakdowns post-patch. We’re focusing on overall PvE viability—damage output, utility, cost-efficiency, and wave-clearing prowess. S-Tier units dominate endgame; D-Tier are fodder for newbies.
I’ve ranked based on the latest data, prioritizing units that shine in Update 8.5’s occult modifiers. Explanations include why they rank where they do, plus quick build tips.
| Tier | Units | Why They’re Here | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Tier (Meta Kings: Must-haves for Infinite clears) | Ackers, Ali, Alocard, Ariun, Brolzi Super (New!), Byeken, Dawntay, Diavalo, Diogo, Eizan, Emmie, GG, Giant Queen, Gilgamesh, Gujo, Igros, Iscanur, Julias, Karem, Koguro, Leo, Lfelt, Luce, Medusa, Mimi, Mohato, Monkey King, Okorun, Quetzacoatl, Reimu, Renguko, Rogita (New!), Smith John, Song Jinwu, Sukono, The Falcon, The King, The Smith, The Struggler, The Witch, Tuji, Ultimate Rohan, Valentine, Wolf Resurrection (New!), Yehowach, Zak, Zion | These units output absurd DPS, have low cooldowns, and synergize with occult buffs. Newbies like Brolzi Super (insane AoE nukes) and Wolf Resurrection (revive chains) are F2P accessible and meta-defining. Rogita edges out for support heals in boss fights. | Core team for stages 100+. Pair with money farmers like Mohato for endless scaling. |
| A-Tier (Strong Picks: Reliable for mid-to-late game) | Agony, Akazo, Archer, Bean, Cha-In, Chaso, Cu Chulainn, Dodara, Foboko, Gazelle, Giro, Goblin Killer, Haruka Rin, Hei, Ishtar, Itaduri, Jag-O, Johnni, Julias, Legendary Super Brolzi, Lord Friezo (New!), Medea, Newsman, Nobaba, Noruto (Sage), Obita, Priestess, Pweeny (Boxer Evo), Rom And Ran, Saber, Saiko (Spirit Medium Evo), Sosora, Sosuke (Hebi), Sprintwagon, Takaroda, Tengon, Todu, Valentine, Vogita Super | Excellent all-rounders with strategic depth. Lord Friezo shines in occult crowds with freeze chains; evos like Pweeny Boxer punch through modifiers. They’re not S-level consistent but clutch in mixed teams. | Filler for budget runs or anti-boss setups. Evo Saiko for summon spam in Dungeon events. |
| B-Tier (Solid Fillers: Good for progression, not carries) | Alligator, Genas, Genitsu, Goi, Inamuki, Inosake, Itochi, Kinaru, Koskahi, Nazuka, Shinzo | Decent damage or utility at low cost, but they falter in high-mod Infinite. Goi’s suit skin boosts speed slightly in 8.5, but they’re outscaled by evos. | Early-game bridges or elemental coverage. Use Inosake for fire-weak stages. |
| C-Tier (Niche or Weak: Upgrade ASAP) | Gaari, Grim Wow, Kinnua, Pickleo, Roku (Dark) | Low DPS and poor scaling. Grim Wow’s cocoa skin is cute, but it can’t handle occult heavies. Only viable until you pull A/S units. | Fodder for trait farming. Skip in serious pushes. |
| D-Tier (Bench Them: Starter trash) | Ichiga, Joe, Jon, Luffo, Noruto, Roku, Rukio, Sanjo, Sosuke, Vogita | Basic stats with no post-patch buffs. They clog inventory—sell or ignore. | Absolute beginners only. Replace with quest rewards like the new F2P Dragon Ball vanguard. |
Notes on the List:
- New Unit Spotlights:
- Brolzi Super (S-Tier): Evolved from base Brolzi, this Dragon Ball-inspired unit has hyper AoE and bleed DoT. Pull it first—it’s the update’s MVP for wave 50+.
- Rogita (S-Tier): Hybrid DPS/support; her resurrection passive pairs perfectly with Wolf for immortal teams.
- Wolf Resurrection (S-Tier): Revives up to 3 units per wave. Game-breaking in Occult with “Warding off Evil” mod.
- Lord Friezo (A-Tier): Freezes groups, synergizes with cold traits. Great for F2P Dungeon farms.
- Tiers can shift with elements (e.g., fire vs. water enemies), so adapt per stage.
- Community rankings on TierMaker align closely, with Brolzi topping 80% of lists.
Pro Tips for Building Your Update 8.5 Dream Team
- F2P Focus: Prioritize the new Quest Vanguard (Dragon Ball tease)—it’s free and evos into S-Tier. Grind Occult Dungeon for 200+ Talismans daily.
- Team Synergy: Stack revives (Wolf + Rogita) with DPS (Brolzi + Yehowach). Add a farmer like Mohato for eco-boosts.
- Evo Grind: Use event banners for Saiko/Pweeny evos—they’re 30% more efficient post-patch.
- Infinite Strategy: Start with A-Tier cheapies (like Lord Friezo) for setup, then drop S-Tier bombs. Watch for “King’s Burden” mod—beefy enemies mean big rewards.
- Common Pitfalls: Don’t sleep on skins; some give +20% event DPS. And always check modifiers—speed mods make Turbo Okorun godlike.
- Codes for Boosts: Redeem these fresh ones: LateUpdate, AngryMan, InnocentAnger (gems and summons—grab ’em quick!).
Wrapping Up: Summon Your Victory in 8.5
Update 8.5 elevates Anime Vanguards with occult flair and meta-shifting units like Brolzi Super, making it one of the best F2P patches yet. Stick to S/A-Tier for pain-free progression, and experiment in the Dungeon to master the new mechanics. What’s your go-to team now? Drop it in the comments—I read ’em all!
If this tier list helped your grind, like/share/subscribe for more Anime Vanguards guides. Happy summoning, and may your pulls be ever in your favor! 🚀
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