PokéBonk Survivors · Starters & companions

Pokebonk tier list

Mossheart and Tideward are our first picks for learning Classic. Compare eight starters and 68 companions, see their awakened forms, and build a team around recovery, protection and your preferred attacks.

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Updated 2026-10-20

Best starters at a glance

SForgiving first picks

MossheartLearning and recovery
TidewardA forgiving defensive start

AStrong with a clear plan

LumenloopStaying mobile
MistwhorlExperience and crowd control
SunspoolA growing companion team

BReward a specific playstyle

CinderfangAggressive burn damage
BrassburPatient positioning
VeilwingDeliberate dash attacks

This list ranks the eight playable starters in PokéBonk Survivors for a first Classic clear on Wander, with few lab upgrades. Tiers are editorial recommendations based on their kits, not measured win rates. Creatures within a tier are not ordered.

Why each starter lands here

Mossheart

Best for: Learning and recovery

Passive regeneration, slowing Spore Darts and Bloomwell healing give you several ways to recover while learning the arena. Crownmoss adds a slowing root wave and healing on hits.

Base health: 130
Move speed: 6.8

Unlock: Available from the start

Watch out for: Sustained contact can overwhelm the healing. Keep moving rather than treating regeneration as armor.

Try this build: Thorn Orbit + Sap Lance: get both to level 2 for the slowing, piercing Briar link.

Awakening at level 6Crownmoss

Root Chorus — Every fourth primary volley releases a slowing root wave. Hitting a foe restores health to you and nearby partners.

Tideward

Best for: A forgiving defensive start

High starting health, damage reduction, armor and retaliation make single mistakes less punishing. Bulwark gives a defensive window; Leviglass adds a piercing tidal fan.

Base health: 158
Move speed: 6.35

Unlock: Available from the start

Watch out for: Lower movement speed makes leaving a warning late more dangerous. Dash early and avoid getting surrounded.

Try this build: Frost Bloom for control, then Cinder Comet; at level 2 each, comets can trigger Glassfire on chilled targets.

Awakening at level 6Leviglass

Reef Breaker — Every third primary volley adds a wide, piercing tidal fan.

Lumenloop

Best for: Staying mobile

Fast movement, a shorter dash cooldown and guiding shots let you focus on finding gaps. Halocrest turns dashes into homing attacks, so movement also helps your offense.

Base health: 110
Move speed: 7.8

Unlock: Available from the start

Watch out for: There is no passive healing. Spend the mobility on escaping danger, not dashing deeper into it.

Try this build: Arc Spray + Seeker Motes at level 2 adds homing relay bolts to a moving playstyle.

Awakening at level 6Halocrest

Lantern Chase — Dashing launches three homing lights. Use movement to attack.

Mistwhorl

Best for: Experience and crowd control

Extra experience gain, wider pickup reach and piercing chill shots help turn safe movement into levels. Tempestwhorl releases a freezing ring after enough mote pickups.

Base health: 104
Move speed: 7.1

Unlock: Available from the start

Watch out for: Its smaller health pool makes a failed route costly. A pile of experience inside a crowd is not a safe pickup.

Try this build: Frost Bloom + Cinder Comet at level 2 adds Glassfire while keeping a control-focused plan.

Awakening at level 6Tempestwhorl

Frost Harvest — Collect six experience motes to release a freezing ring, with a 2-second cooldown.

Sunspool

Best for: A growing companion team

Twin piercing shots, faster crest charge and a healing crest make a flexible kit. Dayweaver can revive fainted partners and add extra team attacks during the crest.

Base health: 116
Move speed: 6.7

Unlock: Bind 4 different elite species

Watch out for: Its team-focused awakening gives less value before you recruit companions. The crest heals in bursts, not continuously.

Try this build: Use Thorn Orbit for nearby pressure and Sap Lance for lines of enemies; recruit partners before relying on the awakening.

Awakening at level 6Dayweaver

Sunthread Chorus — Your crest wakes fainted partners and lets them fire extra sunthreads for six seconds.

Cinderfang

Best for: Aggressive burn damage

Quick attacks and burn are a direct offensive plan. Ashmaw adds blasts when primary hits find burning enemies, giving you a reason to keep pressure on a target.

Base health: 92
Move speed: 7.5

Unlock: Available from the start

Watch out for: The lowest base health in this roster leaves less room for contact mistakes. Damage does not replace a clear escape path.

Try this build: Add Frost Bloom to create space, then Cinder Comet for the level-two Glassfire link.

Awakening at level 6Ashmaw

Kiln Chain — Primary hits on burning foes trigger a nearby blast, with a short cooldown.

Brassbur

Best for: Patient positioning

High health, three starting armor and a protective crest suit controlled routes. Bastionbur fires a heavier piercing spread after standing still briefly.

Base health: 142
Move speed: 6.2

Unlock: Available from the start

Watch out for: Its slower movement and stationary signature can tempt you to linger in danger. Reposition first; stop only when the ground is clear.

Try this build: Thorn Orbit + Sap Lance helps cover nearby space while you look for a safe moment to fire.

Awakening at level 6Bastionbur

Seed Bastion — Find a safe gap and stand still for 0.9 seconds to fire a heavier piercing spread. Move again before danger closes in.

Veilwing

Best for: Deliberate dash attacks

Piercing shots, a post-dash primary damage bonus and Nightsail echoes reward a confident dash rhythm. Nightfold adds control and a brief protective window.

Base health: 100
Move speed: 7.6

Unlock: Complete challenges in 2 different woods

Watch out for: A small health pool and no passive regeneration make careless dashes expensive. Saving a dash to dodge a boss can be better than using it for damage.

Try this build: Arc Spray + Seeker Motes adds homing follow-up damage while you keep moving.

Awakening at level 6Nightsail

Night Echo — Dashing leaves an echo that repeats up to three primary attacks for 2.4 seconds.

Companion tier list: all 68 families

Dewbell offers simple, steady healing. Regional picks such as Thimbleaf, Saplark and Frostnook bring recovery or protection, while Cresskit and Frostwhorl help control crowds. Choose from the partners you encounter; a specific recruit is not guaranteed.

These are recommendations for a first Classic clear on Wander with few lab upgrades, not measured win rates. Each family is ranked across its base and awakened kit; names within a tier are unordered. The 60 regional families awaken at hero level 8, including immediately when recruited later. The eight founding companions have one form. Start with two companion slots; Third Knot adds a third.

Showing 68 of 68 companions

S Recovery, protection and dependable control

Thimbleaf

Greenmere

Team role: Mender

Healing skills help recover from mistakes, but need their activation conditions; this is not continuous healing.

Skills and traits

Piercing shots — Shots pierce several enemies.

Canopy Stitch — When the party is hurt and an enemy is within 8 m, heals the hero for 3 HP and conscious partners for 5% health. Only enemies in the 2.4 m circle around the hero take damage; a nearby enemy can also trigger it at full health.

Area: around the hero · radius 2.4 m
Cooldown: 9s
Hit effect: slow for 1s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also grants 1.5s of protection.

Silkwhisper

Moonveil

Team role: Mender

Healing skills help recover from mistakes, but need their activation conditions; this is not continuous healing.

Skills and traits

Chilling shots — Hits slow enemies.

Silk Cradle — When the party is hurt and an enemy is within 8 m, heals the hero for 3 HP and conscious partners for 5% health. Only enemies in the 2.5 m circle around the hero take damage; a nearby enemy can also trigger it at full health.

Area: around the hero · radius 2.5 m
Cooldown: 9s
Hit effect: slow for 1.2s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also pulls enemies toward the impact.

Rimebud

Rimefield

Team role: Mender

Healing skills help recover from mistakes, but need their activation conditions; this is not continuous healing.

Skills and traits

Piercing shots — Shots pierce several enemies.

Rime Bloom — When the party is hurt and an enemy is within 8 m, heals the hero for 3 HP and conscious partners for 5% health. Only enemies in the 2.8 m circle around the hero take damage; a nearby enemy can also trigger it at full health.

Area: around the hero · radius 2.8 m
Cooldown: 9s
Hit effect: slow for 1.2s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Freezes enemies at the target for 0.65s (bosses: 0.15s).

Saplark

Greenmere

Team role: Channeler

The healing trait restores hero health continuously while this partner is conscious, leaving more room to focus on dodging.

Skills and traits

Healing presence — Restores a little hero health continuously while conscious.

Amber Call — Chains through up to four enemies, jumping within 3.3 m.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 0.4s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also heals the hero for 2 HP and conscious partners for 4% health.

Mothmere

Moonveil

Team role: Controller

The healing trait restores hero health continuously while this partner is conscious, leaving more room to focus on dodging.

Skills and traits

Healing presence — Restores a little hero health continuously while conscious.

Velvet Sweep — Sweeps a fan toward its target.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 4.2 m
Cooldown: 6.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.6s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Freezes enemies at the target for 0.65s (bosses: 0.15s).

Sleetspike

Rimefield

Team role: Striker

The healing trait restores hero health continuously while this partner is conscious, leaving more room to focus on dodging.

Skills and traits

Healing presence — Restores a little hero health continuously while conscious.

Glacier Pike — Fires a projectile that can pierce five enemies.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 10 m
Cooldown: 6.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a chain to up to two nearby enemies.

Sootsnail

Ashmere

Team role: Controller

The healing trait restores hero health continuously while this partner is conscious, leaving more room to focus on dodging.

Skills and traits

Healing presence — Restores a little hero health continuously while conscious.

Soot Well — Draws nearby enemies toward the impact.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 7.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.4s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Burns enemies at the target for 2.5s.

Flakehorn

Rimefield

Team role: Channeler

The healing trait restores hero health continuously while this partner is conscious, leaving more room to focus on dodging.

Skills and traits

Healing presence — Restores a little hero health continuously while conscious.

Crownfall — Blasts a 2.6 m area around its target.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 7.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.2s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a chain to up to two nearby enemies.

Bloomble

Greenmere

Team role: Mender

The protective trait grants brief damage reduction every fifth successful volley. Stay mobile between those windows.

Skills and traits

Protective volleys — Every fifth successful volley grants 35% damage protection.

Bloom Sanctuary — Creates a 2.7 m field that strikes three times over 1.3s.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 8s
Hit effect: slow for 1s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also heals the hero for 2 HP and conscious partners for 4% health.

Charspout

Ashmere

Team role: Striker

The protective trait grants brief damage reduction every fifth successful volley. Stay mobile between those windows.

Skills and traits

Protective volleys — Every fifth successful volley grants 35% damage protection.

Copper Jet — Fires a projectile that can pierce five enemies.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 10 m
Cooldown: 6.5s
Hit effect: burn for 1.4s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds extra branching strikes.

Cresskit

Greenmere

Team role: Controller

Pull and slow help manage ordinary crowds; awakening adds freezing. Bosses cannot be pulled.

Skills and traits

Rapid attacker — Fires ordinary attacks more frequently.

Cress Tether — Draws nearby enemies toward the impact.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 1.3s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Freezes enemies at the target for 0.65s (bosses: 0.15s).

Frostwhorl

Rimefield

**Blizzardwhorl**Awakened · hero level 8

Team role: Controller

Pull and slow help manage ordinary crowds; awakening adds freezing. Bosses cannot be pulled.

Skills and traits

Homing shots — Shots steer toward nearby enemies.

Blizzard Eye — Draws nearby enemies toward the impact.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 1.7s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Freezes enemies at the target for 0.65s (bosses: 0.15s).

Frostnook

Rimefield

Team role: Guardian

A defensive signature helps absorb pressure. Protection reduces damage; it does not make the hero invulnerable.

Skills and traits

Chilling shots — Hits slow enemies.

Glacier Shelter — Grants 1.5s of protection and hits a 3 m area around the hero.

Area: around the hero · radius 3 m
Cooldown: 8.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.1s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Freezes enemies at the target for 0.65s (bosses: 0.15s).

Dewbell

Founding companions

Steady healing while conscious makes Dewbell a forgiving first-clear recruit. It has no awakened form.

Skills and traits

Restores 0.6 player vigor per second while awake; also fires light shots.

A Useful support with a clear team plan

Acornook

Greenmere

Team role: Guardian

A defensive signature helps absorb pressure. Protection reduces damage; it does not make the hero invulnerable.

Skills and traits

Three-shot fan — Fires three lighter shots in a spread.

Acorn Bastion — Grants 1.5s of protection and hits a 2.8 m area around the hero.

Area: around the hero · radius 2.8 m
Cooldown: 8s
Hit effect: slow for 0.8s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds extra branching strikes.

Oreling

Ashmere

Team role: Guardian

A defensive signature helps absorb pressure. Protection reduces damage; it does not make the hero invulnerable.

Skills and traits

Three-shot fan — Fires three lighter shots in a spread.

Anvil Guard — Grants 1.5s of protection and hits a 3 m area around the hero.

Area: around the hero · radius 3 m
Cooldown: 9s
Hit effect: slow for 0.7s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a second impact after 0.5s.

Duskskein

Moonveil

**Nighttapestry**Awakened · hero level 8

Team role: Guardian

A defensive signature helps absorb pressure. Protection reduces damage; it does not make the hero invulnerable.

Skills and traits

Piercing shots — Shots pierce several enemies.

Night Tapestry — Grants 1.5s of protection and hits a 3 m area around the hero.

Area: around the hero · radius 3 m
Cooldown: 8.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also attacks behind the partner.

Fernfable

Greenmere

Team role: Controller

Control creates space to move, though targets and cooldowns limit how much of the crowd it can cover.

Skills and traits

Chilling shots — Hits slow enemies.

Frond Script — Strikes enemies along a narrow line.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 6.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also attacks behind the partner.

Rootle

Greenmere

Team role: Guardian

Control creates space to move, though targets and cooldowns limit how much of the crowd it can cover.

Skills and traits

Chilling shots — Hits slow enemies.

Burrow Furrow — Strikes three points along the attack path.

Target: enemy closest to the hero · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 1.1s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also grants 1.5s of protection.

Vinecap

Greenmere

Team role: Controller

Control creates space to move, though targets and cooldowns limit how much of the crowd it can cover.

Skills and traits

Homing shots — Shots steer toward nearby enemies.

Bower Cross — Cuts two intersecting lanes through the crowd.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 8s
Hit effect: slow for 1.4s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a second impact after 0.5s.

Lullabit

Moonveil

Team role: Controller

Control creates space to move, though targets and cooldowns limit how much of the crowd it can cover.

Skills and traits

Burning shots — Hits burn enemies over time.

Dream Hush — Blasts a 2.8 m area around its target.

Target: enemy closest to the hero · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 2s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Freezes enemies at the target for 0.65s (bosses: 0.15s).

Whispfin

Moonveil

Team role: Controller

Control creates space to move, though targets and cooldowns limit how much of the crowd it can cover.

Skills and traits

Homing shots — Shots steer toward nearby enemies.

Wisp Current — Draws nearby enemies toward the impact.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 1.4s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also attacks behind the partner.

Iceskein

Rimefield

Team role: Controller

Control creates space to move, though targets and cooldowns limit how much of the crowd it can cover.

Skills and traits

Rapid attacker — Fires ordinary attacks more frequently.

Crystal Lattice — Cuts two intersecting lanes through the crowd.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 7.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.6s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also pulls enemies toward the impact.

Snowettle

Rimefield

Team role: Guardian

Control creates space to move, though targets and cooldowns limit how much of the crowd it can cover.

Skills and traits

Three-shot fan — Fires three lighter shots in a spread.

Citadel Ring — Hits enemies in a ring around its center.

Area: around the partner · radius 3.5 m
Cooldown: 8s
Hit effect: slow for 1.4s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Freezes enemies at the target for 0.65s (bosses: 0.15s).

Petalisk

Greenmere

Team role: Striker

The protective trait grants brief damage reduction every fifth successful volley. Stay mobile between those windows.

Skills and traits

Protective volleys — Every fifth successful volley grants 35% damage protection.

Petal Shear — Sweeps a fan toward its target.

Target: nearest enemy · detection 4.2 m
Cooldown: 6s
Hit effect: slow for 0.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds extra branching strikes.

Shimmeroot

Moonveil

Team role: Controller

The protective trait grants brief damage reduction every fifth successful volley. Stay mobile between those windows.

Skills and traits

Protective volleys — Every fifth successful volley grants 35% damage protection.

Star Root — Cuts two intersecting lanes through the crowd.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 7.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a chain to up to two nearby enemies.

Moonquill

Moonveil

Team role: Hunter

The protective trait grants brief damage reduction every fifth successful volley. Stay mobile between those windows.

Skills and traits

Protective volleys — Every fifth successful volley grants 35% damage protection.

Lunar Quills — Fires aimed shots at up to five enemies.

Target: nearest enemy · detection 10 m
Cooldown: 6s
Hit effect: slow for 0.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a finishing hit if the target is below 50% health.

Flurrel

Rimefield

Team role: Controller

The protective trait grants brief damage reduction every fifth successful volley. Stay mobile between those windows.

Skills and traits

Protective volleys — Every fifth successful volley grants 35% damage protection.

Snowmantle Sweep — Sweeps a fan toward its target.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 4.1 m
Cooldown: 6.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.7s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also attacks behind the partner.

Reedroo

Greenmere

Team role: Hunter

Intercepting threats adds a short protective window. It works best while you keep an escape route open.

Skills and traits

Burning shots — Hits burn enemies over time.

Rush Vault — Strikes and pushes the threat away, granting the hero 1s of protection.

Target: enemy closest to the hero · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 5.5s
Hit effect: slow for 0.8s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also attacks behind the partner.

Pumicepup

Ashmere

**Obsidianhound**Awakened · hero level 8

Team role: Hunter

Intercepting threats adds a short protective window. It works best while you keep an escape route open.

Skills and traits

Chilling shots — Hits slow enemies.

Obsidian Pounce — Strikes and pushes the threat away, granting the hero 1s of protection.

Target: enemy closest to the hero · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 5.5s
Hit effect: slow for 0.6s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a finishing hit if the target is below 50% health.

Hailhop

Rimefield

Team role: Hunter

Intercepting threats adds a short protective window. It works best while you keep an escape route open.

Skills and traits

Burning shots — Hits burn enemies over time.

Hail Leap — Strikes and pushes the threat away, granting the hero 1s of protection.

Target: enemy closest to the hero · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 5.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.3s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds extra branching strikes.

Mulchkin

Greenmere

Team role: Mender

Healing skills help recover from mistakes, but need their activation conditions; this is not continuous healing.

Skills and traits

Piercing shots — Shots pierce several enemies.

Loam Harvest — Hits its target; a successful hit heals the hero for 2 HP.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 0.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds extra branching strikes.

Kettlekin

Ashmere

Team role: Mender

Healing skills help recover from mistakes, but need their activation conditions; this is not continuous healing.

Skills and traits

Homing shots — Shots steer toward nearby enemies.

Crucible Draw — Hits its target; a successful hit heals the hero for 2 HP.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 8s
Hit effect: burn for 1s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also heals the hero for 2 HP and conscious partners for 4% health.

Nebulamb

Moonveil

Team role: Mender

Healing skills help recover from mistakes, but need their activation conditions; this is not continuous healing.

Skills and traits

Chilling shots — Hits slow enemies.

Cloud Remedy — Hits its target; a successful hit heals the hero for 2 HP.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 7.5s
Hit effect: slow for 0.6s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also heals the hero for 2 HP and conscious partners for 4% health.

Pollenip

Greenmere

Team role: Channeler

Awakening adds healing to an offensive kit. Survive to hero level 8 before relying on that recovery.

Skills and traits

Rapid attacker — Fires ordinary attacks more frequently.

Pollen Lantern — Hits a 3 m area around the hero.

Area: around the hero · radius 3 m
Cooldown: 6.5s
Hit effect: slow for 0.8s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also heals the hero for 2 HP and conscious partners for 4% health.

Chimelet

Moonveil

Team role: Channeler

Awakening adds healing to an offensive kit. Survive to hero level 8 before relying on that recovery.

Skills and traits

Piercing shots — Shots pierce several enemies.

Hush Peal — Hits enemies in a ring around its center.

Area: around the partner · radius 3.4 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 1.3s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also heals the hero for 2 HP and conscious partners for 4% health.

Driftbell

Rimefield

Team role: Mender

Awakening adds healing to an offensive kit. Survive to hero level 8 before relying on that recovery.

Skills and traits

Piercing shots — Shots pierce several enemies.

Aurora Shelter — Creates a 2.8 m field that strikes three times over 1.3s.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 8.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also heals the hero for 2 HP and conscious partners for 4% health.

Coalwick

Ashmere

Team role: Channeler

A stationary damage field works best when enemies remain in its area; moving fights can waste part of the effect.

Skills and traits

Piercing shots — Shots pierce several enemies.

Wick Flare — Creates a 2.6 m field that strikes three times over 1.3s.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 8s
Hit effect: burn for 1.8s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds extra branching strikes.

Inkglow

Moonveil

Team role: Controller

A stationary damage field works best when enemies remain in its area; moving fights can waste part of the effect.

Skills and traits

Healing presence — Restores a little hero health continuously while conscious.

Ink Pool — Creates a 2.6 m field that strikes three times over 1.3s.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 8s
Hit effect: slow for 1.3s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds extra branching strikes.

Ashpip

Ashmere

Team role: Controller

Close-range coverage rewards careful positioning. Avoid moving into a crowd just to line up the skill.

Skills and traits

Healing presence — Restores a little hero health continuously while conscious.

Soot Wing — Sweeps a fan toward its target.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 4.3 m
Cooldown: 6.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1.6s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Burns enemies at the target for 2.5s.

Brassmidge

Ashmere

Team role: Channeler

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Chilling shots — Hits slow enemies.

Bellows Swarm — Fires aimed shots at up to five enemies.

Target: nearest enemy · detection 10 m
Cooldown: 6s
Hit effect: burn for 1.1s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a chain to up to two nearby enemies.

Slaglet

Ashmere

Team role: Guardian

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Burning shots — Hits burn enemies over time.

Basalt Break — Blasts a 2.7 m area around its target.

Target: enemy closest to the hero · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 8s
Hit effect: slow for 0.9s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also grants 1.5s of protection.

Flintail

Ashmere

Team role: Striker

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Rapid attacker — Fires ordinary attacks more frequently.

Flint Fork — Hits the target and up to two nearby enemies within 3 m.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 6s
Hit effect: burn for 1.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a second impact after 0.5s.

Velourbead

Moonveil

Team role: Channeler

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Rapid attacker — Fires ordinary attacks more frequently.

Astral Relay — Chains through up to four enemies, jumping within 3.4 m.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 0.8s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also grants 1.5s of protection.

Tundrump

Rimefield

Team role: Guardian

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Homing shots — Shots steer toward nearby enemies.

Tundra Drum — Hits a 3.2 m area around the hero.

Area: around the hero · radius 3.2 m
Cooldown: 8s
Hit effect: slow for 1s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also grants 1.5s of protection.

Glintling

Moonveil

Team role: Channeler

Piercing attacks gain value against lined-up enemies; reposition rather than chasing the perfect shot.

Skills and traits

Homing shots — Shots steer toward nearby enemies.

Prism Ray — Fires a projectile that can pierce five enemies.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 10 m
Cooldown: 6.5s
Hit effect: slow for 0.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds extra branching strikes.

Glazeling

Rimefield

Team role: Guardian

Piercing attacks gain value against lined-up enemies; reposition rather than chasing the perfect shot.

Skills and traits

Rapid attacker — Fires ordinary attacks more frequently.

Glass Reprisal — Strikes enemies along a narrow line.

Target: strongest enemy · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 1.2s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also grants 1.5s of protection.

Brambleback

Founding companions

Piercing, slowing shots are useful early; pair with Voltwhisk for Briar Circuit.

Skills and traits

Shots pierce two targets and slow for 0.4s.

Briar Circuit · Brambleback + Voltwhisk
Brambleback + Voltwhisk: nearby lightning damages and slows a group. 6-second cooldown.

Voltwhisk

Founding companions

Fast homing fire needs little aiming; pair with Brambleback for Briar Circuit.

Skills and traits

Fast homing shots seek nearby foes.

Briar Circuit · Brambleback + Voltwhisk
Brambleback + Voltwhisk: nearby lightning damages and slows a group. 6-second cooldown.

Gloomslug

Founding companions

Burn adds steady pressure; pair with Shardwing for Mistflare.

Skills and traits

Shots apply a 1.4s burn.

Mistflare · Gloomslug + Shardwing
Gloomslug + Shardwing: a blast burns and briefly freezes targets. 7-second cooldown.

Shardwing

Founding companions

Fast straight shots add damage; pair with Gloomslug for Mistflare.

Skills and traits

Quick, straight glass shots.

Mistflare · Gloomslug + Shardwing
Gloomslug + Shardwing: a blast burns and briefly freezes targets. 7-second cooldown.

Gleamcap

Founding companions

Slowing shots create space; pair with Ironroot for Lantern Ward.

Skills and traits

Lantern shots slow for 0.9s.

Lantern Ward · Gleamcap + Ironroot
Gleamcap + Ironroot: gain a short damage-reduction shield and heal active partners. 9-second cooldown.

Ironroot

Founding companions

Heavy piercing shots handle lines of enemies; pair with Gleamcap for Lantern Ward.

Skills and traits

Heavy shots pierce three targets.

Lantern Ward · Gleamcap + Ironroot
Gleamcap + Ironroot: gain a short damage-reduction shield and heal active partners. 9-second cooldown.

B More dependent on positioning or team fit

Dapplepod

Greenmere

Team role: Striker

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Homing shots — Shots steer toward nearby enemies.

Dapple Volley — Fires aimed shots at up to five enemies.

Target: nearest enemy · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 6.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a second impact after 0.5s.

Twiggle

Greenmere

Team role: Hunter

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Three-shot fan — Fires three lighter shots in a spread.

Branch Fork — Hits the target and up to two nearby enemies within 3.1 m.

Target: lowest-health-percentage enemy · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 5.5s
Hit effect: slow for 0.6s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a finishing hit if the target is below 50% health.

Bristlefern

Greenmere

Team role: Guardian

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Burning shots — Hits burn enemies over time.

Thicket Wheel — Hits enemies in a ring around its center.

Area: around the partner · radius 3.5 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 1.2s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also pulls enemies toward the impact.

Copperkit

Ashmere

Team role: Striker

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Burning shots — Hits burn enemies over time.

Copper Rake — Sweeps a fan toward its target.

Target: nearest enemy · detection 3.8 m
Cooldown: 5.5s
Hit effect: burn for 0.8s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a finishing hit if the target is below 50% health.

Cindercoil

Ashmere

Team role: Controller

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Homing shots — Shots steer toward nearby enemies.

Furnace Spiral — Hits enemies in a ring around its center.

Area: around the partner · radius 3.8 m
Cooldown: 7.5s
Hit effect: slow for 0.5s · burn for 1.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also pulls enemies toward the impact.

Embermole

Ashmere

Team role: Hunter

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Piercing shots — Shots pierce several enemies.

Kiln Furrow — Strikes three points along the attack path.

Target: enemy closest to the hero · detection 8 m
Cooldown: 6s
Hit effect: burn for 1.2s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also attacks behind the partner.

Crescentip

Moonveil

Team role: Hunter

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Three-shot fan — Fires three lighter shots in a spread.

Crescent Cut — Hits enemies in a ring around its center.

Area: around the partner · radius 3.7 m
Cooldown: 6s
Hit effect: slow for 0.8s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also attacks behind the partner.

Astercoil

Moonveil

Team role: Channeler

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Three-shot fan — Fires three lighter shots in a spread.

Astral Circuit — Hits a 3.5 m area around the hero.

Area: around the hero · radius 3.5 m
Cooldown: 7s
Hit effect: slow for 0.8s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a chain to up to two nearby enemies.

Icicub

Rimefield

Team role: Striker

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Chilling shots — Hits slow enemies.

Ice Paw — Sweeps a fan toward its target.

Target: nearest enemy · detection 3.5 m
Cooldown: 5.5s
Hit effect: slow for 1s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a second impact after 0.5s.

Shiverfin

Rimefield

Team role: Hunter

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Protective volleys — Every fifth successful volley grants 35% damage protection.

Polar Furrow — Strikes three points along the attack path.

Target: enemy closest to the hero · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 6s
Hit effect: slow for 1.3s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Also attacks behind the partner.

Chilltuft

Rimefield

Team role: Striker

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Burning shots — Hits burn enemies over time.

Boreal Volley — Fires aimed shots at up to five enemies.

Target: nearest enemy · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 6s
Hit effect: slow for 0.8s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds extra branching strikes.

Duskfin

Founding companions

Three-shot fans reward positioning. Without healing or a founding bond, this is a damage-focused choice.

Skills and traits

Each volley fires three shards in a fan.

Scorrel

Ashmere

Team role: Hunter

Focused attacks help against priority enemies, but do not replace broad crowd control or recovery.

Skills and traits

Rapid attacker — Fires ordinary attacks more frequently.

Cinder Pursuit — Deals 80% more signature damage when the target is below 40% health.

Target: lowest-health-percentage enemy · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 6s
Hit effect: burn for 1.3s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a chain to up to two nearby enemies.

Velvetuft

Moonveil

Team role: Hunter

Focused attacks help against priority enemies, but do not replace broad crowd control or recovery.

Skills and traits

Burning shots — Hits burn enemies over time.

Velvet Hunt — Deals 80% more signature damage when the target is below 40% health.

Target: lowest-health-percentage enemy · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 5.5s
Hit effect: slow for 0.5s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds a second impact after 0.5s.

Cinderloom

Ashmere

Team role: Channeler

An offensive pick for a team that already has enough recovery. Its value depends on catching enemies in the attack pattern.

Skills and traits

Three-shot fan — Fires three lighter shots in a spread.

Furnace Weave — Cuts two intersecting lanes through the crowd.

Target: cluster of enemies · detection 9 m
Cooldown: 8s
Hit effect: burn for 1.4s

Awakened · hero level 8 — Adds extra branching strikes.

Regional team combinations

Regional team skills require two different, conscious families with the listed skill roles and regions. Roles and ordinary-attack traits are separate: a mender role does not automatically grant passive healing. Founding pairs use their own bonds; regional families do not inherit them.

Grove Shelter

Greenmere · Guardian + Mender

When the party is hurt, or a nearby threat calls for fresh protection, grants 2s of protection, heals the hero for 3 HP and conscious partners for 6% health. Keeps its cooldown ready when it cannot help. Cooldown: 10s

Thorn Pursuit

Greenmere · Striker + Hunter

Strikes a line toward the nearest threat and slows hit enemies for 1.5s. Cooldown: 8s

Kiln Chorus

Ashmere · Striker + Channeler

Blasts a 3 m area and burns enemies for 2.5s. Cooldown: 9s

Moon Snare

Moonveil · Controller + Hunter

Strikes a 3 m area, pulls enemies inward and briefly freezes them. Bosses resist freezing and cannot be pulled. Cooldown: 9s

Rime Rampart

Rimefield · Guardian + Controller

When an enemy reaches the 3.2 m ring around the hero, grants 2s of protection and strikes the ring, slowing hit enemies for 2s. Cooldown: 10s

Resonant Chorus

Mender + Channeler

Chains through up to three enemies, heals the hero for 2 HP and adds 4 crest charge. Cooldown: 10s

Game guide

How to use this tier list

Survival comes first: recovery, damage reduction and escape tools help a new player recover from mistakes. Health alone does not make a character safe inside a swarm.
Reliable attacks matter more here than a perfect damage combo. We favor kits that leave attention free for movement, experience and boss warnings.
The full run matters: level-six signatures and companion support count, but an awakening does not remove the need to survive the opening. Unlock difficulty is shown separately and does not lower a tier.

When your best pick changes

Learning the game

Choose Mossheart for healing or Tideward for damage mitigation. Move around the outside of crowds and keep an escape route; neither is a reason to stand still.

Confident dodging

Lumenloop rewards frequent movement. Cinderfang and Veilwing become more appealing when you can trade some safety for aggressive attacks and well-timed dashes.

Endless and Daily

Endless depends on your upgrades and team across repeated bosses, so this first-clear order is not an Endless leaderboard. Daily assigns a free starter and disables lab bonuses; adapt to that kit instead of trying to select a higher tier.

Pokebonk tier list FAQ

What is the best starter for a beginner?

Mossheart is our default recommendation: passive regeneration, slowing shots and a healing crest make mistakes easier to recover from. Tideward is another forgiving choice when you prefer mitigation and a defensive crest.

Does B tier mean a character is weak?

No. B tier means its strengths ask more of a new player in this particular Classic setting. Cinderfang needs safer positioning, Brassbur needs timing, and Veilwing rewards deliberate dashes. Your preferred controls and build can change the choice.

How do I unlock Sunspool and Veilwing?

Bind four different elite species to unlock Sunspool. Complete challenges in two different stages to unlock Veilwing. The other six starters are available immediately.

Are companions included in this ranking?

Yes. The companion section ranks all 60 regional families and eight founding companions separately from the eight starters. It shows both regional forms, their abilities and team roles; founding companions have one form.

Best starters at a glance

Why each starter lands here

Companion tier list: all 68 families

S Recovery, protection and dependable control

A Useful support with a clear team plan

B More dependent on positioning or team fit

Grove Shelter

Thorn Pursuit

Kiln Chorus

Moon Snare

Rime Rampart

Resonant Chorus

Game guide

How to use this tier list

When your best pick changes

Learning the game

Confident dodging

Endless and Daily

Pokebonk tier list FAQ

Build your next run