Azur Lane Tier List 2025: Ultimate Fleet Rankings & Ship Guide for Commanders

I. Introduction & Game Overview

Hey Commander! If you’ve spent any time in the waters of Azur Lane lately, you already know how deep the ship roster has become. With hundreds of warship girls — from destroyers zipping around with torpedoes to gargantuan battleships pounding enemies — knowing who actually performs well in 2025 is KEY to building a killer fleet.

This Azur Lane Tier List 2025 is for players like you and me — folks who want clarity on which ships are worth sinking resources into, and which ones can sit in the dock gathering dust.

A. What is Azur Lane

Azur Lane is a side-scrolling naval warfare RPG where you collect anthropomorphized warships and organize them into fleets to battle against enemy forces. Each ship has a class — DD (Destroyer), CL/CA (Cruiser), BB (Battleship), CV (Aircraft Carrier), and more — that dictates its battlefield role. Players progress through PvE campaigns, take on Event content, and compete in Arena/PvP modes.

B. Game Type & Gameplay

This game blends strategy with collection and progression systems. Battles are mostly automatic, but how you compose your fleet, choose equipment, and level up characters does affect outcomes. You’ll juggle ship skills, retrofits, gear loadouts, and faction synergies to optimize performance.

C. Why Tier List Matters for Azur Lane

With over 600 ships in the game, deciding who’s worth using can be overwhelming — especially when new ships drop with powerful skills and game-changing potential. A tier list helps you:

• Prioritize which ships to upgrade first

• Understand which roles are crucial in current meta

• Save oil and resources by investing smarter

• Build fleets that actually win in late-game modes

This isn’t just theory — it’s based on how real shipgirls are performing in 2025 content, from campaigns to Siren challenges.

D. Guide Purpose & Update Frequency

This guide gives you an updated snapshot of ship rankings as of 2025, with breakdowns for every major class. Because Azur Lane regularly gets new ships and balance changes, this tier list will get periodic updates to reflect the current meta — bookmark it and revisit when new major patches drop!

II. Tier List Explanation & Methodology

Alright, before we start slapping names into SS and F, let’s agree on how this tier system works.

A. Understanding the Tier System (SS, S, A+, A, B, C, D, F)

• SS Tier – Absolute best that dominate multiple game modes

• S Tier – Very strong, viable for almost all fleets

• A+ & A Tiers – Solid choices, shine in specific roles

• B Tier – Niche or viable with proper setup

• C Tier – Underwhelming for most content

• D Tier – Doesn’t pull its weight

• F Tier – Generally not recommended to invest in

This goes beyond rarity — some 6★ ships are mid-tier, while certain 5★ can punch above their weight due to their skills or utility.

B. How Ships Are Ranked

Rankings are based on:

• Combat performance (damage, utility, survivability)

• Versatility in PvE & PvP

• Synergy with other meta ships

• Ease of investment relative to power gain

• Utility in major endgame content (Operation Siren, Hard Modes, etc.)

So yes — even if a ship is rare, it needs to perform to be high tier.

C. Important Tier List Notes

• A ship’s performance can vary between game modes — we’ll touch on these in later sections.

• Retrofit upgrades often boost a ship’s tier significantly.

• New flagship or research ships (PR ships) can alter the meta rapidly after events.

III. Battleship & Battlecruiser Tier List

Battleships are the heavy hitters — slow, tanky, but with massive firepower. Battlecruisers share similar traits but often with speed or hybrid builds.

A. BB/BC/BBV Ship Classifications

These ships form the backbone of vanguard and main fleets, soaking damage and dishing out heavy barrages. They’re especially crucial in boss fights and Operation Siren fleet compositions.

B. SS Tier Battleships

These are your crème de la crème battleships in 2025:

• Bismarck Zwei

• Musashi

• Vanguard

• New Jersey

• Ulrich von Hutten

• Friedrich der Große

These ships pack huge damage, excellent survivability, and utility that pushes them well above most competitors. Whether you’re grinding PvE or climbing PvP ranks, these are hitters that you’ll want in your front lines first.

C. S Tier Battleships

Strong performers that are slightly more niche than SS, but still core to many fleets:

• Oleg

• Owari

• Lützow

• Warspite

• Champagne

• Gascogne

• Georgia

• Marco Polo

• Monarch

• Odin

• Howe

• Richelieu

• Vittorio Veneto

These ships maintain very strong stats and skills that offer reliable results across maps, with some specializing in sustained fire or utility buffs.

D. A+ & A Tier Battleships

Still solid investments and often staples for early-mid game or secondary fleets:

• Masséna

• Nina Friede

• Royal Oak

• Brünhilde

• Izumo

• Alabama

• Amagi

• Duke of York

• Honoka

• Nagato

• Sovetskaya Belorussiya

• Patricia Abelheim

• Tosa

They may not outshine top tier in damage ceilings but are dependable options.

E. Lower Tiers (B, C, D, F) Battleships

Lower tiers like B, C, D, and F include older or underperforming battleships and creatives that struggle to keep up with top meta picks even with investment.

Examples include:

• Arizona, North Carolina, South Dakota (C tier)

• Mikasa, Fusou, Nevada (D tier)

• Andrea Doria, Sevastopol, Colorado (F tier)

Treat these as retro or novelty investments unless you love their design and want them for collection.

IV. Destroyer Tier List (DD/DDG)

Destroyers are fast, evasive, torpedo-loving little bruisers. They’re essential for mob clears and fighter coverage in many fleets.

A. DD Ship Classification

Destroyers excel at:

• Torpedo strikes

• Evasion and agility

• Support buffs

• Tackling submarines

They’re especially great in Operation missions where evasion and hit-and-run damage matter.

B. SS Tier Destroyers

These are the real MVP destroyers — fast, deadly, and meta staples:

• Z52

• Shimakaze

• Otto von Alvensleben

• An Shan

• Yuudachi

• Chang Chun

• Kitakaze

• Le Hardi

These destroyers bring insane torpedo barrages or strong gun play that can swing battles early.

C. S Tier Destroyers

Great destroyers that are reliable and often used in dedicated DD fleets:

• Fu Po

• Fein Yuen

• Suzutsuki

• Wakatsuki

• Tashkent

• Fleuret

• L’Audacieux

They offer excellent performance with fewer resource demands.

D. A+ & A Tier Destroyers

Solid secondary picks:

• Bristol

• Ingraham

• Javelin

• Marie Rose

• Allen M. Sumner

• Ayanami

• Z23

• Naganami

These are great for filling roles and for earlier stages.

E. Lower Tier Destroyers

Lower tiers (B, C, D, F) consist of many older or less impactful ships that have been power-crept. You can use them in early game, but they’ll struggle once you hit mid-to-late content.

V. Aircraft Carrier Tier List (CV/CVL)

Carriers bring planes and aerial firepower — indispensable in many advanced fleet comps.

A. CV/CVL Ship Classification

Carriers are classified by their aviation capabilities:

• CV — Full carriers with heavy air wings

• CVL — Light carriers with specialized roles

Their plane attacks add massive damage and versatility.

B. SS Tier Aircraft Carriers

• Implacable

• Enterprise

• Unicorn

• Yorktown II

• Perseus

These carriers combine strong plane output with skills that buff other fleet members.

C. S Tier Aircraft Carriers

• Admiral Nakhimov

• Shinano

• Aquila

• Volga

Solid performers with unique buffs that make them versatile in tough stages.

D. A+ & A Tier Carriers

Good carriers that still see play:

• Ryuuhou

• Essex

• Ticonderoga

• Ark Royal

These are great for mixed fleets or when you need plane support without maxed Metas.

E. Lower Tier Carriers

Some older carriers fall behind due to lackluster skill sets or outdated plane loadouts — they’re fine for early game, but not ideal once you hit Siren content.

VI. Cruiser Tier List (CA/CB/CL)

Cruisers are versatile, acting as both damage dealers and support units.

A. Heavy Cruisers (CA/CB) Classification

These ships provide mid-range firepower and often have utility buffs.

B. SS Tier Heavy Cruisers

• Agir

• Azuma

• Helena

• Kronshtadt

• San Diego

• Plymouth

• Unzen

These ships combine raw damage with utility or buffs that elevate fleets.

C. S Tier Heavy Cruisers

• Brest

• Guam

• Gouden Leeuw

Excellent all-around cruisers that play well in many compositions.

D. A+ & A Tier Heavy Cruisers

Solid picks that perform consistently:

• Anchorage

• Cheshire

• Aurora

• Bayard

• Noshiro

• Roon

They offer balanced firepower and survivability.

E. Light Cruiser Tier List

Light cruisers excel at anti-air and support. SS picks like San Diego and Plymouth are excellent, while many others offer niche utility or filler roles.

VII. Submarine Tier List

Submarines are specialty units that excel in stealth torpedo strikes and countering certain fleet comps.

A. SS/SSV Classification

• SS — Standard submarines

• SSV — Sailing vessel submarines

B. SS Tier Submarines

• U-37

• Leonardo da Vinci

• U-556 META

These SS subs offer high burst damage and can swing battles against tougher fleets by disrupting enemy backlines.

C. S Tier Submarines

• Archerfish

• U-47

• U-81

• U-96

• Torticelli

Great tactical options with strong torpedo damage.

D. Lower Tier Subs

Lower submarines are either outpaced by better options or serve niche roles. They’re fine for early game, but rarely shine in late content without investment.

VIII. Other Ships Tier List

Some ships defy neat classification or belong to special banners or events. They’ll often have unique mechanics and have to be evaluated case-by-case — especially event exclusives or PR research ships.

IX. Ship Class Comparison & Roles

Let’s break down why each class matters and how they function in your fleet.

A. Battleship Role & Positioning

Battleships sit in the main fleet, dishing heavy damage and soaking hits. They shine against big bosses and tanky enemies.

B. Destroyer Role & Positioning

Destroyers are your vanguard screen — high evasion, torpedoes, and quick engagements. Perfect for early waves and boss blowups.

C. Carrier Role & Positioning

Carriers stay in the back row, launching aircraft strikes to pressure enemy formations and soften them for the rest of your fleet.

D. Cruiser Role & Positioning

Cruisers fill in damage support and utility — often buffing fleet stats or suppressing enemies that dodge main fleet firepower.

E. Submarine Role & Positioning

Submarines pick off high-value targets or bust backlines. They’re tricky but extremely rewarding when used right.

X. Fleet Building & Team Composition

Alright, Commander — theorycraft time.

A. Fleet Structure Overview

A balanced fleet often looks like:

• 1 Battleship or Battlecruiser

• 1 Carrier

• 2 Cruisers

• 1 Destroyer screen

This balances firepower, mobility, and air support.

B. Balanced Team Setup

Try something like:

• Main: Musashi + San Diego

• Escort: Z52 + Agir

This covers raw damage, crowd control, and torpedo threat.

C. Faction Synergy

Some factions give buffs when ships of the same faction team up — exploit that for bonus stats.

D. Element & Type Synergy

Mixing battleships and carriers that complement each other’s strengths (e.g., strong AA + bombers) improves outcomes in Siren battles.

E. Early Game Teams

In early game, focus on S/A tier ships you’ve pulled — they’ll carry you to midgame content fine.

XI. Equipment & Build Guide

A. Equipment System Overview

Planes, guns, and torpedoes each offer stats that amplify firepower, evasion, or anti-air.

B. Equipment Rarity & Selection

Always prioritize higher rarity gear, especially for ships like carriers and BBs.

C. Stat Priority Guide

• Battleships: Firepower & survivability

• Destroyers: Torpedo & evasion

• Carriers: Aviation power & anti-air

D. Retrofit & Augment System

Retrofit upgrades often boost a ship’s performance dramatically — so prioritize these for your favorites.

XII. Game Modes & Content Breakdown

A. Campaign Content

This is where most of your leveling and core progression happens.

B. Event Content

These often introduce prideful units or mechanics that can shift the meta.

C. PvP Arena

In PvP, evasion and skill utility often matter more than raw damage.

D. PvE Farming Content

For farming, efficiency and oil cost matter — ships that clear quickly help the most.

XIII. Beginner Guide & New Player Progression

A. Getting Started

Grab your starter ships, complete the tutorial, and focus on leveling your core squad.

B. Starter Ship Selection

Good early picks include strong DDs and versatile cruisers.

C. Early Game Strategy

Don’t sweat reroll — just pull legendary ships when banners you like appear.

D. Progression Milestones

Unlock retrofit and augment early to boost effectiveness.

XIV. Meta & Competitive Analysis

A. Current Meta Overview

As of 2025, battleships like Bismarck Zwei and destroyers like Z52 are meta pillars.

B. META Battle Content

Operation Siren and Hard modes require careful balance between DPS and survivability.

C. Competitive Rankings

Rankings fluctuate based on new ships and retrofits, so keep an eye on patch notes.

D. Future Meta Predictions

With new ships releasing periodically, expect carriers and hybrid ships to gain spotlight.

XV. Gacha & Ship Acquisition

A. Summoning System Overview

Ships are obtained via limited and standard banners — save your cubes for priority units.

B. Ship Types & Rarity

Higher rarity ships generally perform better, but some 5★ can rival 6★ with skill investment.

C. Free-to-Play vs P2W

F2P can succeed with smart investment — you don’t need to pay to win.

D. PR Ships & Research

PR ships unlocked through research offer power spikes but require time investment.

XVI. Character & Ship Details

A. Popular & Featured Ships

Ships like Musashi, New Jersey, Shimakaze, and San Diego are community favorites for top tier performance.

B. Skin System & Customization

Skins don’t affect performance, but they enhance your fleet’s personality.

C. Affection & Oathing System

Boost stats and bonuses by increasing ships’ affinity through oathing.

XVII. Frequently Asked Questions

A. Tier List Questions

Q: Should I build every SS ship?
A: Prioritize based on playstyle and available resources.

B. Fleet Building Questions

Q: How many carriers should I run?
A: Usually one strong carrier per fleet is ideal.

C. Progression & Strategy Questions

Q: When should I retrofit?
A: As soon as possible for ships you use often.

D. Monetization Questions

Q: Is spending worth it?
A: Only if you want to chase specific units — F2P can still thrive.

XVIII. Conclusion & Final Recommendations

A. Summary of Best Ships by Class

• Battleships: Bismarck Zwei, Musashi

• Destroyers: Z52, Shimakaze

• Carriers: Implacable, Enterprise

• Cruisers: Agir, San Diego

• Submarines: U-37, Leonardo da Vinci

These are your main go-tos in 2025.

B. Top Investment Priorities

Start with ships that appear across multiple modes and bring buffs or utility.

C. Fleet Building Strategy Summary

Balance your fleet with at least one strong BB or CV, supported by cruisers and DD screens.

D. When This Tier List Was Updated

This list reflects 2025 meta performance.

E. Commitment to Regular Updates

Since Azur Lane evolves, expect this list to be revisited with new content.

F. Final Tips for New Players

• Don’t reroll too obsessively — strong ships come with time.

• Retrofit core ships early.

• Build fleets around synergy, not just rarity.

G. Call to Action (Bookmark for Updates)

Bookmark this guide and check back whenever new ships drop — that’s how you stay ahead in 2025!

Let me know if you want build guides for specific ships, event-optimized fleet comps, or a printable cheat sheet for your dock!