Faction Tier List
Comprehensive rankings for all six Olden Era factions based on competitive viability, hero pool quality, unit roster depth, and overall power level. Updated for the Early Access build.
Quick FAQ
How often is the tier list updated?
The tier list is reviewed after every major patch and balance update. Since Olden Era is in Early Access, expect frequent adjustments as the meta evolves. Check back after each patch for changes.
Can a B-tier faction beat an S-tier faction?
Tier lists measure overall consistency and power ceiling, not guaranteed outcomes. Player skill, hero choice, map layout, and early RNG all matter. A skilled Hive player can absolutely beat an inexperienced Necropolis player.
Why is Necropolis S-tier?
Necromancy creates a snowball effect unmatched by any other faction mechanic. Every battle won grows your skeleton army, and skeletons cost zero gold. Combined with strong debuffs and life-drain, Necropolis out-scales every other faction in the late game.
The single strongest faction. Overwhelming late-game power, consistent performance across all map types, and a hero pool full of top-tier picks.
Very strong factions that can win any match. Each has a clear identity and powerful tools, with only minor weaknesses that can be played around.
Solid factions with defined strengths but noticeable gaps. Viable in most situations but require more careful play and favorable matchups to excel.
Situational picks. Can succeed in the right hands or specific scenarios, but their weaknesses are harder to overcome than higher-tier factions.
Detailed Rankings
| Rank | Faction | Tier | Playstyle | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 💀 Necropolis | S-Tier | Undead armies that resurrect after battles. Heavy focus on debuffs, curses, and life-drain mechanics. Necropolis grinds opponents down through sustained attrition. | Necromancy provides unmatched snowball potential. Undead armies grow with every battle, making Necropolis the strongest late-game faction. |
| #2 | 🛕 Temple | A-Tier | Well-rounded with strong unit empowerment through buffs. Temple armies become increasingly powerful as buffs stack, making them deceptively strong in prolonged engagements. | Best buff synergy in the game. Balanced roster with no hard counters. Lord Edgar is arguably the best Might hero. |
| #3 | 🌳 Grove | A-Tier | Spellcaster-focused faction with unique elemental creatures. Grove heroes are among the best spellcasters, and their units have powerful activated abilities. | Superior spellcasting and unique elemental creatures. Halon with Chain Lightning can solo-carry battles. |
| #4 | 🕳️ Dungeon | A-Tier | Versatile dark elves with dual-attack mechanics. Dungeon units can switch between damage types, making them highly adaptable to different enemy compositions. | Dual attack types provide unmatched versatility. Black Dragons are the strongest tier 7 unit. Malakar is S-tier hero. |
| #5 | 🐝 Hive | B-Tier | Aggressive melee-focused faction with high initiative and speed. Hive uses "hivemind" synergy — units gain bonuses when fighting alongside same-type units. | Excellent early game rush but falls off late. Limited ranged options and fragile units hold them back. |
| #6 | ⛓️ Schism | B-Tier | Control-focused faction that specializes in denying enemy spells and abilities. Schism summons increasingly powerful eldritch monsters to overwhelm opponents. | Highest skill ceiling. Devastating in the right hands but too slow for competitive play. Vori Sage is S-tier. |
In-Depth Faction Analysis
💀 Necropolis
S-TierRuled by Necromancers and Vampires, Shadowspire's undead rise after each battle and often sap strength from their foes with every strike. Necropolis excels at attrition warfare.
Strengths
- Necromancy — raise fallen enemies as skeletons
- Powerful debuffs and curses
- Life-drain on multiple units
- Excellent late-game with large skeleton stacks
Weaknesses
- Undead units cannot benefit from morale boosts
- Vulnerable to Light/Holy magic
- Slow movement on most units
- Expensive building requirements for top-tier units
🛕 Temple
A-TierThe Church of the Sun strives to forge the best version of oneself. Temple units gain extra benefits from buffs, making them a balanced faction that excels when properly supported by spells and abilities.
Strengths
- Best buff synergy in the game — units gain extra benefits from all positive effects
- Balanced unit roster with no major gaps
- Excellent healing and support magic
- Strong mid-to-late game scaling
Weaknesses
- Relatively slow early game expansion
- Relies on buffs — vulnerable to dispel effects
- Expensive tier 6-7 units
- Predictable strategy can be countered by experienced players
🌳 Grove
A-TierEach of the Murmurwoods' elemental spirits is a unique powerhouse, supported by equally strong — and expensive — rangers and druids. Grove combines magical supremacy with powerful creature abilities.
Strengths
- Best spellcasting heroes in the game
- Unique elemental creatures with powerful abilities
- Excellent ranged damage from Rangers and Druids
- Strong map control with nature-based spells
Weaknesses
- Most expensive faction — high gold and resource costs
- Fragile units — low HP on most creatures
- Weak against magic-resistant enemies
- Slow to recover from early losses
🕳️ Dungeon
A-TierFormerly underground, currently backstage rulers of Jadame, the faction whose capital is Alvar focuses on subterfuge and versatility. Each unit has two types of attack.
Strengths
- Dual attack types on every unit — adapt to any enemy
- Excellent magic penetration
- Powerful dragons as tier 7 units
- Strong scouting and map control
Weaknesses
- Expensive unit costs across the board
- Vulnerable to Light/Holy damage
- Relies on mana for optimal performance
- Complex micro-management in combat
🐝 Hive
B-TierBent on conquering Jadame, Beelzebub's Order of the Fly is driven by swift and aggressive tactics. Their strength lies in exploiting enemy diversity to strike with precision and speed.
Strengths
- Highest initiative and speed in the game
- Hivemind synergy — stacking bonuses for same-type units
- Excellent early game rush potential
- Strong against mixed enemy armies
Weaknesses
- Limited ranged options
- Weak against area-of-effect spells
- Fragile individual units
- Struggles in prolonged siege battles
⛓️ Schism
B-TierA splinter faction of Alvar that delved into the Depths of Water using ancient Vori rites. They deny opponents' abilities and magic while summoning ever-growing hordes of monstrous creatures.
Strengths
- Unique spell and ability denial mechanics
- Powerful summoned creatures that scale with battle length
- Excellent battlefield control
- Hard counters magic-heavy opponents
Weaknesses
- Slow early game — summons need time to build up
- Weak against fast rushes
- Complex to play effectively
- Limited direct damage options
Tier List Methodology
Our tier list evaluates each faction across four weighted categories:
Quality and depth of available heroes. Factions with multiple S/A-tier heroes score higher.
Overall unit quality, synergy between tiers, and upgrade paths.
How powerful and consistent the unique faction ability is across different game phases.
Current competitive standing, matchup spread, and performance in tournament play.
Important: Olden Era is in Early Access. Balance patches will shift the tier list over time. This ranking reflects the current meta and the consensus of experienced players. Your mileage may vary based on playstyle and map-specific factors. All six factions are viable for most content — play what you enjoy.