Struggling to push past a tough chapter in EVO Defense: Merge TD? You're not alone. The game's unique merge mechanics and evolving enemy threats mean that a hero who carried you early on might suddenly fall off. Building a powerful team isn't just about levels; it's about understanding which units provide unmatched value in control, damage, or utility.
This tier list cuts through the noise, ranking heroes based on their overall power, versatility, and impact on your progression. The heroes listed here are the most reliable foundations for any successful strategy.
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Contents
EVO Defense: Merge TD Tier List
This list evaluates heroes based on their performance in the core game modes: main story progression, Gold Mine, and Arena. A top-tier (S-Tier) hero excels in most situations and often defines the meta, while lower-tier units are more situational or get outclassed as you advance.
S-Tier: Annie / Sea King / Ice Mage
A-Tier: Cannon / Bomb Mage / Poison Archer / Thunder Mage
B-Tier: Knight / Athena
C-Tier: Basic Archer / Other Early Game Specialists
S-Tier Units
These are the heroes that can single-handedly change your game. Investing in them is always a safe bet.
Annie: The quintessential summoner. Annie's insane strength lies in her ability to constantly flood the board with units that taunt, block, and distract enemies. This creates immense space and time for your damage dealers to work. She is a cornerstone of the famous "Double Summoner" strategy that allows players to break through brutal progression walls, especially from Chapter 50 onward.
Sea King: Annie's perfect partner in crime. While Annie provides quantity, Sea King provides quality with his bulkier, ground-holding summons. Together, they create an impenetrable cycle of pressure that keeps enemies perpetually stuck away from your fort. His synergy with Annie is so strong that it justifies breaking standard class-bond rules.
Ice Mage: Although not detailed in late-game builds, consensus from early-game guides solidifies the Ice Mage as an S-Tier unit for control. Its slowing and freezing effect is irreplaceable for managing enemy movement, making it a mandatory pick for surviving early and mid-game waves.
A-Tier Units
These heroes are powerful and versatile, often serving as the primary damage core or vital support for S-Tier strategies.
Cannon / Bomb Mage: The king of Area-of-Effect (AOE) damage. This unit excels at clearing grouped-up enemies that get held in place by your summoners or Ice Mage. It's the essential damage component in many control-focused teams.
Poison Archer: A master of consistent damage over time. The Poison Archer applies deadly toxins that chew through high-health enemies and bosses, making it invaluable when raw burst damage isn't enough. It's a more reliable damage source than basic archers at any merge level.
Thunder Mage: A dominant force in the early to mid-game. Thunder offers strong chain damage and a chance to paralyze, which can control entire waves. However, he falls to A-Tier because some late-game bosses are completely immune to his paralysis effects, reducing his utility in specific tough chapters.
B-Tier Units
Useful heroes that require the right team composition or stage conditions to truly excel.
Knight: A classic "trap" unit for beginners. The Knight has very short range and often doesn't contribute meaningfully until enemies are already at your walls—which is when you're already losing. He can be useful in very specific, condensed lanes later on but is generally avoided in early-game strategies.
Athena: A pure support unit. Athena boosts attack speed, which can amplify your main DPS. However, her buff is short and she feels underwhelming unless you already have high-damage units on the field. She's not a priority for new players.
C-Tier Units
These heroes are generally outclassed or have highly niche uses. They might work in the first few chapters but are quickly replaced.
Basic Archer: Simply inferior to the Poison Archer. Once you unlock the poison variant, there is little reason to use the basic version, as it lacks any additional utility or damage-over-time effect.
Other Early Game Specialists: Many units you start with serve only to fill your board before you merge them into better, random units. They should not be considered for long-term investment.
Conclusion
The meta of EVO Defense: Merge TD revolves around control and creating time for your damage to tick. As such, summoners like Annie and Sea King currently sit at the top. They redefine the game's rules, proving that sometimes, the best strategy is to stop enemies from moving at all rather than just trying to kill them faster. Use this list as a guide for your overall investment, but don't be afraid to adapt your team composition to the specific challenge in front of you.
FAQ
Q1: What is the most important beginner tip in EVO Defense: Merge TD?
A: The most crucial tip is to always check the stage and boss information before starting. Tapping the boss icon on the home screen reveals enemy types, stage buffs, and rewards. This allows you to counter specific immunities and build the optimal team, saving you from unnecessary failures.
Q2: What should I do if I can't 3-star a stage (keep my Fort at 100% HP)?
A: Replay it. Fully clearing a stage (3-starring) unlocks all reward chests, which contain crucial diamonds and other resources. If you're stuck, try adjusting your team composition (e.g., adding more control with Ice Mage or switching to the Double Summoner build) based on the specific stage's enemy types.
Q3: Who are the best (S-Tier) heroes to invest in for the long term?
A: Currently, the most impactful heroes are:
- Annie & Sea King: For the dominant Double Summoner strategy.
- Ice Mage: For indispensable crowd control (slow/freeze).
- Cannon/Bomb Mage & Poison Archer: For reliable, high Area-of-Effect and sustained damage.
Prioritize upgrading these heroes with your Recruitment Points and resources.
