Temtem: Swarm takes the creature-collecting formula from the base Temtem MMORPG and drops it into a Vampire Survivors-style roguelike. Every run, your choice of starting Temtem shapes what builds are even possible. Pick wrong and you're fighting uphill from wave one. Pick right and the whole thing clicks together fast.
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The tier list rankings below are based on community consensus from TemTeam's competitive tier list (last updated December 2025 for patch 1.8.1) and user rankings compiled on TierMaker. Individual run outcomes can vary based on upgrades and luck, so treat these as strong starting points, not absolutes.
What makes a Temtem strong in Swarm mode?
Unlike the turn-based MMORPG, Temtem: Swarm rewards Temtem that either output consistent area damage, survive long enough to scale, or enable powerful synergies with the upgrade pool. A Temtem that looks weak in isolation can be broken when paired with the right perks, but the best picks tend to be strong regardless of what the upgrade shop offers.
Three things matter most:
- Damage output across multiple enemies simultaneously
- Survivability to reach later waves where scaling matters
- Upgrade compatibility, meaning how well their kit interacts with common perk options
Temtem Swarm starting selection
Temtem Swarm tier list rankings
The table below organizes Temtem by tier. S-tier picks are the safest bets for clearing high-difficulty content. D-tier picks are playable if you enjoy them, but you'll be working harder for the same results.
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According to the TemTeam tier list, the rankings reflect competitive viability as of patch 1.8.1. Check the TemTeam Temtem tier list directly for the most up-to-date placement changes after new patches drop.warning
D-tier Temtem like Vulffy, Nidrasil, Volarend, and Gharunder are flagged by Dexerto's community tier list as ones to avoid unless you have a personal attachment to them. They're not unplayable, but there's no mechanical reason to choose them over higher-tier alternatives.
S-tier Temtem ability stats
What does each tier actually mean?
S tier Temtem are the ones experienced players default to when they want consistent clears. Their kits work well with a wide range of upgrades, and they don't require a perfect run to feel effective.
A tier Temtem are genuinely strong. The gap between A and S is usually small enough that personal preference is a reasonable tiebreaker. If you enjoy an A-tier pick, you're not handicapping yourself.
B tier covers Temtem that need more from the upgrade pool to shine. They're not dead weight, but you'll notice the difference in early waves where scaling hasn't kicked in yet.
C and D tier Temtem tend to have kits that either deal low damage, cover a narrow area, or rely on upgrade combinations that don't appear reliably enough to build around. The Dexerto community tier list specifically calls out D-tier picks as ones to skip unless you're drawn to them for other reasons.
Perk selection between waves
How do tier lists change between patches?
The TemTeam list was last updated in December 2025 for patch 1.8.1. Temtem: Swarm is still receiving updates, which means balance changes can shift rankings. A Temtem that sits at B tier today could move up or down with a single damage adjustment.
The safest approach is to cross-reference two sources: the Dexerto Temtem tier list for broad community sentiment and the TemTeam list for competitive-focused rankings. When both agree on a placement, you can trust it. When they diverge, the more recent update is usually the better reference.
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Temtem: Swarm is a separate game from the base Temtem MMORPG. Tier list rankings from the MMORPG's competitive scene do not carry over to Swarm mode. The two games have entirely different mechanics.Which Temtem should beginners start with?
If you're new to Temtem: Swarm, the answer is straightforward: pick from S or A tier and learn the upgrade system before experimenting with lower-ranked options. The roguelike structure means a bad starting pick compounds over the course of a run. Higher-tier Temtem give you more room to make suboptimal upgrade choices while still finishing waves.
Once you understand how perks interact with your Temtem's kit, lower-tier picks become a legitimate challenge run rather than an accidental difficulty spike.
Early wave enemy density
Building around your chosen Temtem
Picking the right Temtem is only half the equation. The upgrade path you take determines whether a strong pick reaches its ceiling or plateaus early. A few principles hold across most Temtem:
- Prioritize upgrades that extend your damage range or increase the number of targets hit
- Survivability upgrades matter more in early waves; damage upgrades scale better in later waves
- Avoid spreading upgrades too thin across unrelated perks
For deeper build theory and comparisons across the full roster, browse more guides on GAMES.GG to find complementary strategy content.
Based on available information from the TemTeam and Dexerto tier lists, the core takeaway is consistent: start with proven S and A-tier picks, learn the upgrade pool, and only experiment with lower-tier Temtem once you know what a strong run feels like. The tier list is a starting point, not a ceiling.