Neo Artifacts Tier List: Best Artifacters for the Current Version (June 2026)
A current Neo Artifacts tier list ranking the best Pristine Artifacters by role and element. S, A, and B tiers for PvE story, raids, and early PvP, with each unit's role and where community sources agree and disagree.
This tier list pulls from community rankings published in May and June 2026 for the global version of Neo Artifacts. The roster is still young, so the gap between the top row and everything else is large. Invest heavily in S-tier units first and do not spread materials thin.
A note on names before we start: Neo Artifacts characters are personified artworks and relics, so localization can spell them slightly differently from one site to the next. I have used the spellings that two or more sources agreed on.
How the tiers work
Rankings weigh damage output, team synergy, ease of use, and how well a unit holds up into mid-game. The focus is overall PvE strength across story, the Distortions raid mode, and events, with early PvP factored in. Every S and A unit listed here is Pristine rarity unless noted. For how roles and elements work, read the beginner guide.
S Tier (build these first)
| Artifacter | Role | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Starry Night | Sniper (ranged DPS) | n/a |
| Sunflower | Strategist | Ignis |
| Li Bronze Vessel | Strategist (support) | Lux |
| Sword of Goujian | Striker | Ignis |
| Duke Mao Tripod | Guardian | Ventus |
| Galloping Horse | Guardian | Terra |
| Water Lily Nympheas | Caster | n/a |
| Three Hares | Sniper | n/a |
Starry Night is the cleanest carry for new players, a long-range burst dealer that two separate lists rank at or near the top. Sunflower and Li Bronze Vessel are the backbone supports: extra turns, buffs, and control that make the rest of your team hit harder. Sword of Goujian gives you a hard-hitting melee Striker with chain damage. The Guardians, Duke Mao Tripod and Galloping Horse, anchor your grid front line.
A Tier (strong, very usable)
| Artifacter | Role | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Marquis Yi Chime Bells | Guardian | Silva |
| Rabbit Clay Ocarina | Striker | Terra |
| Rose Quartz Censer | Caster | Ignis |
| Lotus Pond | Strategist | Ventus |
| Jiahu Flute | Caster | Umbra |
| Bronze Table | Striker | n/a |
| Giant Shrine | Sniper | n/a |
These are perfectly viable cores for the early and mid game. If you did not land an S-tier carry, an A-tier Striker or Sniper plus a good support will clear the story without trouble.
B Tier (filler and niche picks)
| Artifacter | Role | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Spear of Fuchai | Guardian | Exquisite |
| Salt Production Brick | Striker | Exquisite |
| Gilded Silver Ewer | Striker | Exquisite |
| Flintlock No.2 | Sniper | n/a |
B-tier is where the Exquisite (4-star) units sit. They fill gaps while you build your Pristines, and a couple punch above their rarity early. Do not over-invest, since they fall off as your roster grows.
Reading the meta sensibly
Two things to keep in mind. First, sources disagree at the edges. Roonby’s list runs deeper tiers down to D, while BlueStacks keeps a tighter S/A/B shape, and the exact placement of mid-tier units shifts between them. The top row, Starry Night, Sunflower, Li Bronze Vessel, Sword of Goujian, is where everyone agrees. ⚠️ Treat lower placements as a guideline, not gospel.
Second, this is a fresh game. New banners will reshuffle this list, so check the live banner and a current ranking before you commit pulls.
What to do with this
Lock in one S-tier carry, one support, and one Guardian, then fill with whatever you pulled. The best beginner team lays out a concrete starter lineup, the reroll guide covers how to land a top unit early, and the beginner guide explains the systems behind all of it.
Rankings reflect the global version in June 2026. Gacha balance changes with every patch, so confirm the current meta before spending currency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best character in Neo Artifacts right now?
Starry Night, a Sniper-role ranged DPS, and Sunflower, a Strategist, top the lists across multiple community sources in mid 2026. Li Bronze Vessel is the best support Strategist. All three are Pristine rarity and form the core of most strong teams.
Is this Neo Artifacts tier list for PvE or PvP?
It is built mainly around PvE: story, Distortions raids, and events, which is where most players spend their time. The same top damage dealers and supports carry into early PvP, since the roster is still small and the gap between top and lower tiers is wide.
Are the best Neo Artifacts units limited or standard?
Most top-tier Pristine Artifacters appear on rotating Rate-Up banners. Public guides do not always flag limited versus standard cleanly, so confirm the live banner before pulling. The 70-pull pity and Mileage shop apply either way.