Last updated: September 30, 2026
There is no single “best class” — but there is a best class for your situation. This tier list ranks the 7 starter classes by how much they contribute to a typical squad run, with notes for solo play.
⚠️ Opinion, not gospel: This is a community opinion ranking based on the current class roles. Balance patches can move classes between tiers — the reasoning below matters more than the letter.
Tier list
S — Meta picks
- Medic — healing and revives are the difference between a wipe and a recovery. Every serious squad wants one.
- Lumberjack — the wood economy runs the whole base. Fast chopping compounds into faster campfire and bench upgrades.
A — Strong and flexible
- Scavenger — supply running keeps the loop moving; weaker in combat-heavy squads.
- Cook — food pressure is real on long runs; less useful in short sessions.
B — Situational
- Ranger — shines in exploration and rescue phases, mediocre in pure defense nights.
- Assassin — fun and strong in skilled hands, but glassy for new players.
C — Learning tool
- Camper — perfectly fine to start, but outclassed once you know the loop.
Best picks by situation
| Situation | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New player | Camper | Free, balanced, no traps |
| Small squad (2–3) | Lumberjack + Medic | Wood engine + sustain |
| Full squad (4+) | Lumberjack + 2×Medic + Scavenger | Economy + healing |
| Hard mode (Forest Rage) | Medic + Assassin | Survival and burst damage |
| Solo | Scavenger | Self-sufficient looting |
| Speedrun / rescue focus | Ranger | Map coverage |
The one rule
Your squad should never have zero Medics. Healing decides night outcomes more than any other single factor.