Updated NTE tier list — May 17, 2026
The NTE tier list below reflects post-launch rankings updated for May 2026, including new character Hotori (added May 13, limited banner until June 3). It covers reroll value, story progression, boss performance, and beginner-friendly team planning. This is a fan editorial guide and not affiliated with Hotta Studio.
Hotori's addition has shifted the top of the ranking. Her Ultimate stops time and replays recorded ally skills, effectively doubling team damage in burst windows. She is the strongest limited character released since launch and the top reroll target right now. For standard characters, Nanally, Chiz, Sakiri, and Jiuyuan remain the best options.
| Tier | Characters | Meaning |
|---|
| S+ | Hotori, Nanally | Meta-defining. Hotori is the current limited banner pick; Nanally is the best standard DPS with highest raw damage output. |
| S | Chiz, Sakiri, Jiuyuan | Exceptional. Chiz is a free S-rank from story progression; Sakiri is the best support; Jiuyuan is the strongest standard DPS after Nanally. |
| A | Daffodill, Adler, Baicang, Zero, Haniel | Strong picks. Daffodill excels at Break damage; Adler provides shields and DoT; Baicang and Zero are solid damage dealers. |
| B | Hathor, Fadia, Mint | Playable but need more investment or specific team support to shine. |
| C | Skia, Edgar | Lower priority for most accounts. Fine if you enjoy them, but build stronger options first. |
The fastest way to use this NTE tier list: if Hotori's banner is active, she is the top pull priority. Otherwise, target Nanally via the limited banner or use your standard selector for Sakiri or Jiuyuan. Chiz is free at Tycoon Level 18 — every player gets her automatically.
May 2026 updates
The May 13 patch added Hotori to the roster. She is a Cosmos sub-DPS who records ally skills during her Redirect phase, then replays them all at once during her Ultimate's 10-second time stop. This burst of recorded damage makes her the highest-priority pull on the current banner (runs until June 3, 2026).
NTE guides and resources
Use the cards below to jump to specific sections. Each page covers one topic in depth — from the full tier list and character builds to active codes and beginner priorities.
RankingsFull Tier List
All 16+ characters ranked S+ through C, including Hotori, for all account types.
DatabaseCharacters
Browse every character with role, element, rarity, and quick notes.
ProgressionBuilds
Best Arcs, Cartridges, stat priorities, and team setups for each character.
SynergyTeams
Best team compositions for endgame, beginners, F2P, and Hotori teams.
StartReroll Guide
Current reroll target: Hotori (banner ends June 3). Fastest method included.
RewardsActive Codes
8 working NTE codes right now — free Annulith, Fons, and Beetle Coins.
GuideBeginner Guide
Early progression, free characters, resource tips, and first team advice.
WikiCartridges Wiki
How Cartridges, Modules, Arcs, and Console systems work in NTE.
Best characters for early accounts — May 2026
The top names in this NTE tier list cover different roles: Hotori is the current limited banner pick and best sub-DPS, Nanally is the best main damage dealer, Sakiri is the must-have support, and Chiz is completely free through story progression. Building one character from each role gives most accounts a strong foundation.
Hotori — S+ tier (Limited, ends June 3)
Hotori records ally skills during her Redirect phase and replays them all during a 10-second time stop. She effectively doubles team damage in burst windows and works in almost every team. Currently the top pull priority while her banner is active.
Nanally — S+ tier
Nanally is the best main DPS at launch. Her kit summons an Underboss that triggers follow-up attacks automatically, creating a damage multiplication effect on every hit. She excels in both single-target boss fights and AoE mob clearing.
Sakiri — S tier
Sakiri is the strongest support in NTE. Her Ultimate provides a team-wide ATK buff equal to 30% of her base attack for 20 seconds, and her Skill clusters enemies together for easier AoE. She fits every team and scales better as DPS gear improves.
Chiz — S tier (Free)
Chiz is given completely free with all awakening copies by reaching Tycoon Level 18 through story progression. She is a strong DPS with a unique Grain Market mechanic that rewards precise timing. Every player gets her — no pulls needed.
NTE reroll guide — current target: Hotori
Hotori's limited banner is live until June 3, 2026. She is the #1 reroll target right now — her time-stop Ultimate works in all game modes including time-limited content, and she slots into virtually every team composition. If you are starting a new account, Hotori is the safest investment of your early pulls.
For standard banner rerolling, Jiuyuan is the strongest standard DPS, and Sakiri is the best support. You also receive a free standard selector at 50 pulls — use it on Sakiri or Jiuyuan if you already pulled Hotori or Nanally from the limited banner. Chiz is guaranteed free at Tycoon Level 18, so you do not need to pull for her.
Rerolling takes about 20 minutes per attempt. The game lets you delete your account directly from the Settings menu without needing multiple email addresses. Get over 120 free pulls at launch from pre-registration rewards, login bonuses, and the tutorial. See the full NTE reroll guide for step-by-step instructions.
Fan-site note: rankings are editorial and may change after testing, banners, or balance patches. NTE Tier List is not affiliated with Hotta Studio, Perfect World Games, or any official Neverness to Everness publisher.
How we rank characters
This NTE tier list uses five main factors: damage potential, team flexibility, beginner comfort, resource efficiency, and long-term account value. Damage potential helps clear fights. Team flexibility matters because early rosters are incomplete. Beginner comfort matters because a character that is powerful but awkward can feel weak in real play. Resource efficiency matters because upgrade materials are limited. Long-term value matters because players want investments that stay useful.
S tier is for characters that score well across several of those factors. A tier is for strong characters with a few limitations. B tier is for playable characters that need more help or specific planning. C tier is for lower-priority choices. This structure keeps the NTE tier list readable while still leaving space for future updates.
Beginner advice before following rankings
A ranking is useful, but your account still matters. Before you follow the NTE tier list, look at your own roster and decide what you need first. Some players need a main carry. Some need better team balance. Some need a reroll target. Some simply want to build a favorite character and enjoy the game.
New players should avoid spreading resources too widely. Build one team first, focus your upgrades, and only expand once your core is stable. The NTE tier list can show priority, but the best next step depends on what you already have.
NTE tier list FAQ
Who is the best character in NTE right now?
As of May 17, 2026, the best character overall is Hotori (current limited banner, ends June 3). She is a Cosmos sub-DPS whose Ultimate stops time and replays ally skills for massive burst damage. Among always-available characters, Nanally is the best main DPS and Sakiri is the best support.
Who should I reroll for in NTE?
Reroll for Hotori while her limited banner is active (until June 3, 2026). If you miss her banner, target Nanally on the next limited run, or use your free standard selector on Jiuyuan or Sakiri. Chiz is free through story progression and does not require rerolling.
How often is this NTE tier list updated?
This page is updated after new character banners, balance patches, and major community testing. Hotori was added May 13, 2026. Check back after each patch or banner to see any ranking changes.
Should I only use S-tier characters?
No. A-tier characters like Daffodill (best Break damage for boss stagger), Adler (shields + DoT), and Baicang are strong in the right team. Chiz is a free S-rank given to every player. Build what works for your roster and playstyle.
Final thoughts
The NTE tier list is most useful as a decision tool, not a rulebook. Use it to prioritize which characters deserve your pulls, which to build first, and when a reroll is worth the effort. The current recommendation is simple: pull Hotori before her banner ends on June 3, pair her with Nanally and Sakiri for the strongest team, and use your free standard selector on Jiuyuan if you need a second DPS. Chiz covers your free DPS slot automatically by Tycoon Level 18. See the individual guides for builds, codes, and beginner progression tips.