Characters
Character tier list, resonance simulator, and shard table — everything you need to plan your character progression.
Character CatalogHero abilities, star-breakthrough effects, and skin effects at a glance.
Character Tier ListRecommendedRecommended character tiers for PvP and PvE modes.
Character ResonanceRecommended character resonance compositions for PvP and PvE.
Shard RequirementsView shard requirements per star level for Rare, Epic and Legendary characters.
About Characters in Archero 2
Characters are at the heart of progression in Archero 2. Each character brings unique passives and stats, and investing in star upgrades and resonance significantly changes combat performance. Use the tier list to decide which characters to prioritize so your diamonds go as far as possible.
Unlocking or upgrading a character requires shards. Check the shard table to see how many shards each character needs and where to farm them, then use the character shard calculator to plan exactly how far you are from your next upgrade.
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Resonance is the system that lets you bring other characters into the fight once your main reaches a certain star tier. At 3★ on the main, the first resonance slot opens; at 6★, a second slot opens — letting you run up to two additional characters alongside your main. Use the resonance recommendation page to see which combinations work best with the characters you currently own.
Characters start at 0★ when first unlocked and can be raised step by step up to 8★ by collecting more shards. Each star adds stat increases and unlocks new effects, and 3★ and 6★ in particular open additional resonance slots — turning them into pivot points where your build options expand significantly.
A typical workflow on this site is: tier list to set priorities → shard table to confirm required quantities → character shard calculator to estimate the schedule → finalize the resonance combo just before you hit 3★ or 6★. All of these tools are accessible from the sidebar in one click, so jump to the right page at each decision point.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhich character should I invest in first?
Start with characters whose shards you can collect reliably as a F2P player. Look for S-tier or higher on the tier list that are farmable through chapter rewards, guild merchant, or other free sources.
QHow important is the resonance bonus?
It becomes more significant in the late game. If two characters are similarly strong, choosing a pair that activates resonance is better in the long run. Early on, it's usually more efficient to focus one character at a time.
QWhat's the difference between artifact shards and character shards?
Character shards are used to unlock and star up characters, while artifact shards are used in a separate summoning system to obtain artifacts. The two pools don't overlap. Each dedicated page for quantities needed.
QHow high can I push a character?
Characters start at 0★ when first unlocked and can be raised up to 8★. The first resonance slot opens at 3★ and the second at 6★, and as you approach 8★ the stat increases and unlocked effects pile up, broadening how the main can be played. Later stars require dramatically more shards, so most players end up balancing pushing the main to 8★ against bringing a new character to 3★/6★.
QWhich character is the strongest?
There is no single answer — it depends on the content and your build. Use the tier list to compare PvP and PvE evaluations and pick the character whose synergy matches the runes and gear you actually own. Generally Thor is the most reliable long-term main, with Cleo and Wukong recommended as solid stepping stones before that.