One of the first big decisions you’ll make in DragonSword: Awakening is deciding where to spend your Fate Invitations. The game doesn’t really show you what each character plays like before you unlock them, so it’s easy to waste an invitation on someone who doesn’t match your style.
The good news is that there really isn’t a “bad” character. Every hero can clear the game’s content if you invest time into learning them. The difference is how they play. Some excel at flashy aerial combos, others focus on ranged attacks, while a few specialize in summoning allies or supporting the team.
If you’re wondering which character deserves your first Fate Invitation, or you’re simply trying to find someone that fits the way you enjoy action RPGs, this guide breaks down every unlockable character, their strengths, and who they’re best suited for.
DragonSword Awakening Tier List – Best Characters & Classes
Before talking about individual heroes, there are a few combat mechanics that make every character much stronger.
Many new players completely overlook them.
Character Swapping Isn’t Just for Changing Heroes
DragonSword’s tag system is much deeper than simply switching characters.
If a character begins a long skill animation, you don’t have to sit there watching it finish.
Instead:
- Activate the skill.
- Immediately switch characters.
- The first character continues performing their attack.
- Your new character joins the fight immediately.
For a few seconds, you’ll effectively have two characters attacking at once.
Learning this dramatically increases your overall damage output.
Use Large Bosses to Your Advantage
Some larger enemies allow characters to climb onto them.
Once attached, they’ll continue attacking automatically.
Here’s the fun part:
Instead of staying attached yourself, switch to another character.
The first hero keeps attacking from the boss’s body while your second character fights from the ground.
It’s one of the easiest ways to maintain constant pressure during boss fights.
Air Juggles Win Fights
One mechanic you’ll quickly notice is the Airborne Status.
Whenever an enemy’s stagger gauge breaks, attacks that inflict Airborne launch them into the air.
While airborne:
- Enemies can’t fight back.
- Longer combos become possible.
- Your team deals huge amounts of uninterrupted damage.
Characters capable of consistently launching enemies are incredibly valuable throughout the game.
How Fate Invitations Work
You’ll receive your first Fate Invitation early in the game.
Additional invitations are earned naturally through story progression.
Since the game doesn’t preview characters before you unlock them, it’s worth knowing what each hero specializes in before spending one.
High Tier Characters
These are excellent first unlocks for most players.
They’re powerful, beginner-friendly, and remain useful well into the game.
Charlotte
Playstyle: Fast Assassin
Main Status Effects
- Poison
- Airborne
- Knockdown
Charlotte is one of the strongest early-game investments.
She’s incredibly agile, constantly moving around enemies while stacking multiple status effects.
Her clone ability creates a decoy that distracts enemies, giving you room to reposition or continue attacking safely.
Meanwhile, Poison Dagger launches her into the air where she rains down poison projectiles.
Because she applies several different status effects, she also fills your tag combo gauge very quickly.
Best for
- Fast-paced combat
- Stylish combos
- Assassin fans
- Aggressive players
Roxy
Playstyle: Mobile Archer
Main Status Effect
- Bleed
If you usually avoid melee characters, Roxy is an excellent alternative.
Unlike many ranged characters who stand still while attacking, Roxy constantly moves around the battlefield.
Her abilities include:
- Crimson Spiral
- Bloody Shower
Crimson Spiral lets her dash through enemies while applying Bleed, while Bloody Shower rapidly fires arrows into nearby targets.
She feels quick, responsive, and surprisingly aggressive for a ranged character.
Best for
- Archer players
- Mobile combat
- Hit-and-run gameplay
Theresia
Playstyle: Flail Fighter
Main Status Effects
- Bleed
- Stun
Theresia quickly became one of the standout melee characters.
Her chained flails have enormous range, allowing her to hit multiple enemies with almost every swing.
Consecration temporarily upgrades her normal attacks after activation, while Celestial Verdict creates a powerful area stun.
She’s especially strong against groups without sacrificing single-target damage.
Best for
- Crowd control
- Fast melee combat
- Wide attack range
Donna
Playstyle: Summoner
Main Status Effect
- Frost
Donna is easily the most unique character among the early unlocks.
Instead of fighting alone, she summons an Ice Golem named Choco.
Choco attacks enemies independently, draws their attention, and can even transform into a protective shield.
While your summon fights, Donna remains free to cast additional attacks herself.
Even players who normally dislike summoner classes may find Donna surprisingly enjoyable.
Best for
- Summoner fans
- Safer gameplay
- Strategic positioning
Mid Tier Characters
These heroes are still excellent but appeal more to specific playstyles rather than everyone.
Alex
Playstyle: Sword and Shield
Main Status Effect
- Knockdown
Alex focuses on defense rather than flashy combos.
His shield naturally blocks attacks during several animations, allowing experienced players to counter enemies without constantly dodging.
Guard Stance lets him defend while launching counterattacks, making him one of the safest melee characters.
Best for
- Defensive players
- Traditional sword-and-shield combat
- Counterattacks
Eileen
Playstyle: Halberd Fighter
Main Status Effect
- Airborne
Eileen uses a long-reaching halberd to keep enemies at a distance.
Her Banner ability boosts nearby allies, while Barging Spear launches enemies into the air.
She doesn’t rely heavily on status effects, but her reach makes combat feel very comfortable.
Best for
- Supportive melee
- Long weapon users
- Air juggle setups
Kalin
Playstyle: Fire Mage
Main Status Effect
- Burn
If your idea of fun is covering the battlefield in explosions, Kalin delivers exactly that.
She summons fiery fox spirits that rush enemies before exploding.
Her abilities are easy to understand, making her one of the simplest magic users to learn.
Best for
- Mage players
- Fire magic
- Easy-to-learn gameplay
Raina
Playstyle: Air Combo Specialist
Main Status Effect
- Airborne
Raina excels at launching enemies into the sky.
Both of her starting skills naturally trigger Airborne, making her one of the best juggle starters in the game.
Her moveset is straightforward, making her beginner-friendly despite her strong combo potential.
Best for
- Air combos
- Sword combat
- Beginner-friendly melee
Low Tier Characters
These characters aren’t weak.
They simply require more effort or have playstyles that won’t appeal to everyone.
Scion
Playstyle: Relic Caster
Main Status Effects
- Shock
- Knockdown
Scion fights using a floating relic that deals area damage while providing buffs.
His abilities allow you to increase either offense or defense depending on the situation.
The biggest drawback is his slower basic attacks, which can make combat feel less fluid than other characters.
Best for
- Support builds
- Area control
- Team buffs
Tart
Playstyle: Lightning Mage
Main Status Effect
- Shock
Tart specializes in electric magic.
Her abilities revolve around charging lightning attacks and creating damaging electric fields.
She performs well enough but doesn’t stand out compared to some of the stronger elemental casters.
Best for
- Lightning magic
- Stationary casting
- Simple ranged combat
Astria
Playstyle: Crossbow Sniper
Unlike most characters, Astria doesn’t naturally inflict status effects with her starting abilities.
Instead, she focuses on ranged damage.
Her abilities include:
- Siege Assault
- Wide Shot
Siege Assault transforms her into a stationary turret, while Wide Shot fires a spread of bolts.
The downside is that she frequently stops moving to reload, leaving her vulnerable to aggressive enemies.
She works much better if you quickly swap to another character after firing.
Best for
- Long-range players
- Sniper gameplay
- Tactical switching
Which Character Should You Unlock First?
If you’re still undecided, here’s a simple recommendation based on playstyle.
| Playstyle | Best Character |
|---|---|
| Fast Assassin | Charlotte |
| Mobile Archer | Roxy |
| Crowd Control | Theresia |
| Summoner | Donna |
| Tank | Alex |
| Polearm Fighter | Eileen |
| Fire Mage | Kalin |
| Air Combo Specialist | Raina |
| Support Caster | Scion |
| Lightning Mage | Tart |
| Sniper | Astria |
Best First Unlocks for New Players
If your goal is simply making the early game easier, I’d prioritize these characters:
- Charlotte – Fantastic damage, mobility, and multiple status effects.
- Theresia – Incredible crowd control with excellent melee reach.
- Roxy – Great ranged option that stays mobile.
- Donna – Powerful summon-based gameplay that’s beginner friendly.
- Raina – One of the best characters for air combo setups.
These heroes offer strong performance without requiring overly complex mechanics, making them ideal choices for your first few Fate Invitations.
One of DragonSword: Awakening’s biggest strengths is that every character feels genuinely different. Rather than simply dealing different elemental damage, each hero has their own rhythm, movement style, and combat identity. Switching from Charlotte’s lightning-fast assassin gameplay to Donna’s summon-focused strategy almost feels like playing a completely different game.
If you’re new, don’t get too caught up chasing the “best” character. Pick someone whose playstyle sounds exciting to you. You’ll spend dozens of hours mastering their combos, experimenting with team synergies, and learning boss mechanics, so enjoying the way they fight matters far more than following a tier list.
That said, if you want the smoothest possible start, Charlotte, Theresia, Roxy, Donna, and Raina are excellent first investments that remain strong throughout your adventure.