Monster Hunter Outlanders Adventurers Tier List: All 13 Characters Ranked
Monster Hunter Outlanders gives you 13 recruitable adventurers at launch, and each one comes with a fixed weapon, an element and a class. Picking the right ones decides how smooth your hunts feel, so this tier list ranks every character and tells you who to recruit first.
The ranking reflects the launch build. If you are just starting out, read our Monster Hunter Outlanders beginner’s guide first.
Key facts
- Adventurers at launch: 13 recruitable characters, plus your own Fated Adventurer
- Three classes: Assault (damage), Disruptor (control and debuffs) and Support (heals, shields and buffs)
- Free picks: Raya and Ouyang Varen come through story progress and launch rewards
- How to recruit: Standard and Featured Contracts, plus the Insight Exchange
- List version: launch build, November
In this guide
Monster Hunter Outlanders adventurers tier list at a glance
| Tier | Adventurer | Class | Weapon | Element |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Madelyn | Support | Bow | Water |
| S | Arkaya | Support | Lance | Dragon |
| A | Pyro | Assault | Great Sword | Dragon |
| A | Luka | Assault | Bow | Thunder |
| A | Keres | Disruptor | Dual Blades | Dragon |
| A | Ouyang Varen | Assault | Lance | Water |
| A | Haze | Support | Dual Blades | Thunder |
| A | Rhodes | Assault | Hammer | Ice |
| B | Midori | Assault | Long Sword | Fire |
| B | Raya | Disruptor | Dual Blades | Fire |
| B | Pepper | Disruptor | Heavy Bowgun | Water |
| B | Luxheart | Disruptor | Great Sword | Thunder |
| B | Ryunosuke | Support | Long Sword | Fire |
How we ranked the adventurers
We judged each adventurer on four things: how much they help the whole party, how easy they are to play well, how safe they keep you against aggressive monsters, and how useful they stay as you push into harder hunts. We also compared the early tier lists shared by players and guide writers in launch week. Most of them agree on the top picks, and the main debates are in the middle of the list.
One thing matters more than raw damage here: the class cycle. Disruptors weaken and lock down the monster, Supports keep everyone alive and buffed, and Assault adventurers cash in on those openings. Characters who make the whole cycle stronger rank higher than characters who only shine on their own.
S tier
Madelyn (Support, Bow, Water)
Madelyn is the best value in the game right now. She fires Spore shots that detonate for solid damage while buffing herself and her allies, so she never feels like a pure healer. She also keeps your team’s ultimates rolling, which makes every other pick better. She is SR rarity, so she is easier to get than most top picks.
Arkaya (Support, Lance, Dragon)
Arkaya builds a Resolve gauge as he attacks, then spends it on a heavy blow that also wraps the party in a big shield. That shield is a lifesaver against monsters that hit hard and often. He also fits well next to other Dragon adventurers like Pyro and Keres.
A tier
Pyro (Assault, Great Sword, Dragon)
Pyro soaks up hits to power his attacks, then unloads huge burst damage. He is one of the hardest-hitting characters in the game, but he wants a Support like Madelyn or Arkaya behind him to stay in the fight.
Luka (Assault, Bow, Thunder)
Luka stays mobile and uses Thunder Coating to fire piercing arrows. He is great against big monsters with many breakable parts, and his range keeps him out of trouble. He is a strong first damage dealer if you prefer to play at a distance.
Keres (Disruptor, Dual Blades, Dragon)
Keres keeps constant pressure on the monster with fast combos that limit what it can do. She works well solo and is an excellent opener for the class cycle, setting up openings for your Assault teammate.
Ouyang Varen (Assault, Lance, Water)
Ouyang Varen uses his shield to stay right next to the monster without needing perfect dodges. He is free through story progress, which makes him one of the best early-game picks. Players coming from the classic Lance will feel at home.
Haze (Support, Dual Blades, Thunder)
Haze is an unusual Support. Instead of standing back, he uses an Archdemon Mode to parry attacks and follow up with combos while he heals and buffs. He is strong but asks for more skill than Madelyn or Arkaya, so we place him in A tier for now.
Rhodes (Assault, Hammer, Ice)
Rhodes turns charged Hammer attacks into explosive damage, and he is the only Ice adventurer at launch. That gives him a clear job against monsters weak to Ice. Like every Hammer user, he shines in a coordinated team that keeps the monster in place for head shots.
B tier
Midori (Assault, Long Sword, Fire)
Midori builds her Spirit Gauge quickly through evasion and rewards clean play and part breaks. Her damage can be excellent, but it depends on precise timing, so she sits just below the top damage dealers.
Raya (Disruptor, Dual Blades, Fire)
Raya is evasive and easy to use, and you get her for free. She carries you through the early and mid game without trouble. Later on, Keres does the same job a little better.
Pepper (Disruptor, Heavy Bowgun, Water)
Pepper fires from the air with rapid shots, which gives you safe ranged control. She is good, but her impact is more situational than the Disruptors and Supports above her.
Luxheart (Disruptor, Great Sword, Thunder)
Luxheart builds heat to switch stances and fuel powerful releases. He brings Thunder pressure and control, but his kit takes time to learn, and other Disruptors deliver more for less effort right now.
Ryunosuke (Support, Long Sword, Fire)
Ryunosuke uses food energy to power Spirit Blade attacks while supporting the team. He fits Fire teams nicely, but Madelyn, Arkaya and Haze simply give the party more.
Best team setups
A good team covers all three classes, so your ultimates chain from Disruptor to Support to Assault. Matching elements adds a small bonus, and matching the monster’s weakness matters even more.
| Team | Disruptor | Support | Assault |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Keres | Madelyn | Pyro |
| Dragon team | Keres | Arkaya | Pyro |
| Thunder team | Luxheart | Haze | Luka |
| Fire team | Raya | Ryunosuke | Midori |
| Free-to-play start | Raya | Madelyn | Ouyang Varen |
Who to recruit first
- Start with your free adventurers. Raya and Ouyang Varen cover a Disruptor and an Assault slot at no cost.
- Get a strong Support next. Madelyn or Arkaya will make every hunt safer and faster.
- Add one main damage dealer. Pyro if you like melee, Luka if you prefer range.
- Save for Featured Contracts. Don’t spend everything on the Standard pool if a top pick is on a featured banner.
- Check the weapon first. Recruited adventurers can’t switch weapons, so test the weapon on your Fated Adventurer. Our weapon tier list can help.
➜ Get Monster Hunter Outlanders on Google Play
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best adventurer in Monster Hunter Outlanders?
Madelyn. She damages, buffs and keeps your ultimates rolling, and she is easier to get than most top picks. Arkaya is a close second.
How many adventurers are there?
There are 13 recruitable adventurers at launch. Freya, a Great Sword adventurer shown in the pre-launch trailers, is expected on a future banner.
Which adventurers are free?
Raya and Ouyang Varen come through story progress and launch rewards. Events and login rewards can add more over time.
Can I play well without the S tier characters?
Yes. Every adventurer can clear the main content. A balanced team with a Disruptor, a Support and an Assault matters more than tier placement.
Will this tier list change?
Yes. New adventurers, balance patches and new monsters can move characters up or down, and we will update this list when that happens.
Final thoughts
If you only take one thing from this list, make it this: get a good Support. Madelyn and Arkaya make every other adventurer better. Add Pyro or Luka for damage, use your free Raya and Ouyang Varen to fill the gaps, and you will have a team ready for anything Aesoland throws at you.
