- retro tower defense endless tier list: Yorick leads sustained damage in long Endless runs.
- Top support: Dusekkar combines enemy slowing with a useful damage boost.
- Reliable picks: 1x1x1x1 and Noely offer strong damage, range, or flexible coverage.
- Lower priority: Guest 6 provides air coverage, but its observed Endless damage was weaker.
- Best core: Build around Yorick, Dusekkar, 1x1x1x1, and Noely when available.
retro tower defense endless tier list: Core Rankings
The strongest Endless heroes are those that continue contributing as waves become longer, denser, and more difficult to control. This retro tower defense endless tier list uses observed Endless performance, utility, range, and target coverage rather than treating every hero as a simple damage dealer.
A late-run example reached wave 139 and showed a clear gap between the leading choices. Yorick produced the highest reported damage, while Dusekkar remained valuable because slowing enemies and increasing damage can improve the entire defense. 1x1x1x1 and Noely also stood out as dependable choices for extended runs.
Video Highlights:
- Yorick recorded the highest observed damage during the Endless run.
- Dusekkar contributed through enemy slow and damage amplification.
- 1x1x1x1 and Noely were identified as reliable top-four options.
- Ground coverage was emphasized because ground enemies commonly decide the final loss.
- Guest 6 offered air attacks but showed weaker overall damage in the comparison.
These rankings reflect an observed wave 139 Endless comparison, so placement can change with upgrades, map pathing, hero levels, and team composition.
| Tier | Hero | Main value | Endless role |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Yorick | Highest observed damage | Primary carry |
| S | Dusekkar | Slow and damage boost | Support amplifier |
| A | 1x1x1x1 | Strong damage and air targeting | Flexible damage |
| A | Noely | Large radius and range | Coverage specialist |
| B | Guest 6 | Air attack and minion-based damage | Situational coverage |
Yorick is the clearest first choice for players who want a dedicated damage carry. In the comparison, a later-placed Yorick had already reached approximately 4.5 million damage by wave 139, while an earlier Yorick reached approximately 11.5 million. The exact total depends on placement timing, but the difference demonstrates how strongly the hero can scale when given time on the field.
Dusekkar belongs beside Yorick rather than behind it. Its value is not limited to the damage meter. Slowing enemies gives towers more time to attack, while the damage boost improves the output of nearby damage dealers. In a long run, that utility can matter more than choosing another hero that only adds personal damage.
Why the Top Heroes Work in Endless Mode
Endless mode rewards consistency rather than a single impressive opening wave. Your loadout needs enough damage to handle ordinary enemies, enough control to delay dangerous pushes, and enough coverage to prevent air units from bypassing the main defense.
Yorick
- Primary damage carry
- Excellent long-run output
- Best early priority for scaling
Dusekkar
- Enemy slow
- Damage amplification
- Improves nearby heroes and towers
1x1x1x1
- Flexible damage
- Can attack air units
- Useful in mixed enemy waves
Noely
- Large range
- Broad map coverage
- Strong general-purpose choice
Do not judge every hero by personal damage alone. A slow effect, damage boost, or wide attack radius can increase the value of your entire formation.
Yorick: the primary carry
Yorick should usually receive your earliest serious investment when the goal is to push deep into Endless. Its observed damage totals were significantly higher than the other compared heroes, making it the most natural centerpiece for a damage-focused formation.
Use Yorick where it can attack for as much of the route as possible. Avoid placing it in a location that only reaches the opening section unless the map forces that choice. The ideal position provides repeated attack opportunities while leaving room for support effects and additional coverage.
Dusekkar: control with team value
Dusekkar is a support-oriented choice with two important effects: enemy slowing and damage boosting. The slow helps stabilize crowded waves, while the boost makes nearby damage sources more efficient.
Place Dusekkar where its support range can reach your most important damage dealers. A support hero that affects only one low-priority tower may contribute less than one positioned in the center of the main formation.
1x1x1x1: flexible damage and air access
1x1x1x1 ranks highly because it combines strong damage with the ability to attack air units. That flexibility matters when a loadout needs to cover more than one enemy type without sacrificing too much pressure against ground targets.
It works particularly well as a second damage option after Yorick. If your map has awkward air lanes, place it where its targeting can cover the approach rather than concentrating every attack source on the primary ground route.
Noely: range and coverage
Noely is a reliable option because of its large radius and range. Wide coverage can help connect multiple sections of a path, reach enemies before they enter the final bend, or protect a lane that is difficult to cover with short-range choices.
Noely is especially useful when map geometry creates gaps between defensive positions. It may not replace Yorick as the primary damage carry, but its reach gives the team more consistent coverage.
| Hero | Damage focus | Utility | Air coverage | Best placement idea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yorick | Very high | Low | Not emphasized | Longest repeated attack lane |
| Dusekkar | Moderate | Slow, damage boost | Not emphasized | Center of the main formation |
| 1x1x1x1 | High | Flexible targeting | Yes | Mixed ground and air approach |
| Noely | High | Large range | Not specified | Central or multi-lane coverage |
| Guest 6 | Lower observed output | Minion-based damage | Yes | Air lane support when needed |
Endless Loadout Setup and Placement Steps
A strong hero list still needs a disciplined setup. Start with the threats that normally end your run, then assign each hero a clear purpose. The aim is to avoid spending your entire formation on one enemy type while leaving the final waves without control or air coverage.
Choose the carry
Select Yorick as the primary damage anchor when it is available and sufficiently upgraded. Give it a position with repeated access to the route, because its value increases when it can attack across many waves.
Add team support
Place Dusekkar so its slow and damage boost affect the highest-value damage sources. Prioritize the center of your formation instead of an isolated edge position.
Cover mixed waves
Add 1x1x1x1 or another reliable air-capable option. This prevents air enemies from becoming a blind spot while preserving strong ground damage.
Expand range
Use Noely to connect weak sections of the map or cover a long path segment. Its range is most useful when it reaches several important attack points.
Review the loss condition
After each difficult wave, identify whether ground enemies, air enemies, insufficient damage, or poor control caused the problem. Adjust the next placement around that weakness.
Air attack is valuable, but the observed Endless comparison suggests that ground enemies commonly determine the final loss. Keep enough ground damage and control to handle the late push.
| Setup stage | Priority | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Yorick or strongest available carry | Can it attack the route repeatedly? |
| Formation | Dusekkar support placement | Does the boost reach key damage dealers? |
| Coverage | 1x1x1x1 or another air-capable hero | Are air enemies covered without weakening ground defense? |
| Range | Noely positioning | Does its radius close a map gap? |
| Late game | Damage and control review | Which enemy type is reaching the exit? |
Practical placement rules
- Put your main carry where path access lasts as long as possible.
- Keep support effects overlapping your best damage sources.
- Avoid placing every hero at the first corner if later path segments are more dangerous.
- Reserve at least one option for air coverage when the map permits air enemies.
- Treat the damage meter as one signal, not the only measure of value.
- If the run fails to ground enemies, strengthen damage or slowing before adding more air specialization.
The strongest four-hero core from the available comparison is Yorick, Dusekkar, 1x1x1x1, and Noely. This setup covers the most important roles: a main carry, a support amplifier, flexible damage with air access, and broad range coverage.
Upgrade Priorities and Progression Checklist
Endless progression becomes more efficient when upgrades support a planned role. A common mistake is spreading resources evenly across every option. Instead, improve the hero that solves the current bottleneck, then expand the formation after the main carry can handle its assignment.
Prioritize one dependable damage carry first, then add support and coverage. A focused formation is easier to evaluate than several partially upgraded heroes.
Suggested upgrade order
| Priority | Upgrade target | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yorick | Establishes the strongest observed damage foundation |
| 2 | Dusekkar | Improves control and nearby damage output |
| 3 | 1x1x1x1 | Adds flexible damage and air targeting |
| 4 | Noely | Extends coverage through range and radius |
| 5 | Guest 6 | Consider only when its air role fills a specific gap |
Guest 6 should not be dismissed entirely. Its air attack can be useful when a map or wave pattern demands additional aerial coverage. However, the observed comparison showed approximately 2.4 million damage, lower than the reported totals for Yorick, Noely, and 1x1x1x1. Its minion-based damage contribution also makes the damage meter harder to interpret directly.
Use Guest 6 as a problem-solving pick rather than an automatic member of the core team. If air enemies are consistently escaping, it may provide the missing coverage. If ground units are ending the run, a stronger ground carry or better support placement should come first.
Endless Preparation Checklist:
- Choose Yorick as the primary damage carry when available
- Position Dusekkar where its slow and boost affect key attackers
- Add air coverage through 1x1x1x1 or another suitable option
- Use Noely to cover long lanes and map gaps
- Review whether ground or air enemies caused the failed run
How to evaluate a failed run
Record the wave where the defense began losing control. Then ask three questions:
- Did enemies survive because total damage was too low?
- Did a slow or damage boost fail to reach the main attack zone?
- Did air enemies bypass a formation focused only on ground targets?
This review prevents random swapping. If the answer is damage, upgrade Yorick or 1x1x1x1. If the answer is control, improve Dusekkar’s position or investment. If the answer is air coverage, test 1x1x1x1 or Guest 6 without removing the core ground defense.
For a quick reference to the listed hero categories, consult the Retro Tower Defense Wiki TierList page.
Endless Tier List FAQ
The best hero depends on the map, upgrade level, and enemies that reach the exit. Still, the observed performance pattern provides a practical starting point for building an Endless team.
Use the tier list as a starting framework, then adjust one hero at a time. This makes it easier to identify whether damage, range, control, or air coverage is limiting the run.
Q: Who is the best hero in the retro tower defense endless tier list?
Yorick is the strongest overall pick based on the observed Endless comparison. It produced the highest reported damage and works well as the main carry for long runs.
Q: Why is Dusekkar ranked so highly if its damage is not the highest?
Dusekkar provides enemy slowing and a damage boost. Those effects can improve the performance of nearby heroes and towers, giving it strong team-wide value.
Q: Should I use Guest 6 in every Endless loadout?
No. Guest 6 can attack air units, but its observed damage was lower than the leading options. Use it when air coverage is a specific weakness rather than as an automatic core pick.
Q: What is the recommended four-hero Endless core?
Start with Yorick, Dusekkar, 1x1x1x1, and Noely. This combination covers primary damage, support, flexible targeting, air access, and wide-range defense.