Azur Lane Tier List 2025 | Hey Commanders!
Struggling to assemble the ultimate fleet in Azur Lane? Iβve been in your shoesβand after spending months experimenting, testing, and studying every ship in this ever-evolving meta, Iβve compiled the most detailed and updated tier list.
With over 630+ ships available, choosing the best ones for PvP, campaign missions, Operation Siren, or boss fights can be overwhelming. Thatβs where this mega guide comes in. Iβve sorted ships by type and rated their real-world impactβso whether you’re optimizing for damage, tanking, support, or flexibility, youβll find exactly what you need.
Azur Lane Tier List 2025
This guide ranks ships by their class:
- Destroyers (DD)
- Cruisers (CA/CL/CB)
- Battleships & Battlecruisers (BB/BC/BBV)
- Aircraft Carriers (CV/CVL)
- Submarines (SS/SSV)
- Support Ships (AR/AE)
Each tier considers their performance across all major content types: story, PvP, Operation Siren, and high-level bosses.
π’ Best Battleships in Azur Lane (July 2025)
Letβs kick things off with the heavy hitters of the seasβthe Battleships and Battlecruisers.
SS-Tier Battleships
- Musashi β A powerhouse in every way. Her screen-wide special barrage can delete anything in sight. High oil cost, but unmatched firepower.
- New Jersey β Offers insane accuracy and armor shredding. One of the most reliable boss killers in the game.
- Ulrich von Hutten β Unique time-freezing barrage makes her a top-tier asset in Ironblood lineups.
- Friedrich der Grosse β More than just a damage dealerβshe elevates your entire fleet with her crit and attack buffs.
- Vanguard β Royal Navy’s UR pride. A versatile BB that fits almost any fleet.
- Bismarck Zwei β The refined version of Bismarck. Buffs Ironblood fleets and can tank or DPS effectively.
- Constellation & Sovetsky Soyuz β Great for hybrid or national-theme fleets with unique support and frontline capabilities.
βοΈ Top Destroyers for 2025
Destroyers are vital for evasion, torpedo strikes, and frontline flexibility.
SS-Tier Destroyers
- Otto von Alvensleben β Possibly the best DD right now. Excellent torpedo synergy and a killer barrage.
- Shimakaze β The queen of burst torpedo damage. Her TRP efficiency makes her deadly in short fights.
- Kitakaze β Shines in mobbing scenarios. Donβt underestimate her gunfire and self-buffs.
- An Shan & Chang Chun β Chinese fleet cornerstones. They bring utility and damage.
- Laffey II, Yuudachi, and Tashkent β All bring devastating TRP or unique support abilities, depending on your setup.
π« Best Carriers and CVLs (2025 Meta)
Carriers are crucial for both healing and long-range support. Hereβs whoβs dominating the skies:
SS-Tier Carriers
- Admiral Nakhimov β The new UR meta queen. Her airstrikes ignore many enemy defenses.
- Shinano β Ultimate fleet support. Buffs the entire team while staying relevant in DPS.
- Enterprise β Her 70% proc chance feels like 100%. She still deletes bosses with ease.
- Perseus β Game-changer in mob fleets. Preload healing makes aggressive strategies viable.
- Yorktown II & Hakuryuu β Strong offensive and utility-focused carriers.
π‘οΈ Cruiser Tier List (CA/CL/CB)
Cruisers form the backbone of the vanguard. Theyβre either bulky, evasive, or pure DPS machines.
SS-Tier Cruisers
- Agir β The ultimate tank cruiser. She refuses to die and deals solid damage.
- Unzen β First UR CA, and she delivers. She scales beautifully in long battles.
- Plymouth β A game-changer in AA-heavy maps. Also offers consistent DPS and support.
- Drake, Brest, Kronshtadt, Azuma β Each brings unique flavorβbe it shields, damage stacking, or defensive utility.
Destroyer (DD) Tier List
| Ship Name | Tier | Type | Notable Stats | Special Abilities | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otto von Alvensleben | SS | DD | High EVA/TRP | Barrage + Torp buff | Meta-defining in all content |
| Shimakaze | SS | DD | 170% TRP Eff | Triple torpedo mounts | Torpedo nuke specialist |
| Kitakaze | SS | DD | High FP/RLD | Main gun +1, barrage | Gun-focused DD powerhouse |
| An Shan | SS | DD | Balanced stats | Fleet buff + barrage | Excellent support DD |
| Chang Chun | SS | DD | High FP | Main gun buff | Chinese fleet core |
| Yuudachi | SS | DD | Extreme TRP | Torpedo self-buff | Boss killer extraordinaire |
| Laffey II | SS | DD | High RLD | Barrage + reload buff | UR retrofit worth it |
| Attilio Regolo | S | DD | High SPD | Speed buff + barrage | Italian fleet enabler |
| Suzutsuki | S | DD | AA specialist | AA mode + barrage | W13-14 MVP |
| Tashkent | S | DD | Tanky DD | Shield + gun focus | Northern Parliament star |
| Wakatsuki | S | DD | Balanced | Sakura buff | Solid all-rounder |
| Halford | S | DD | Unique plane | Plane + torpedo | Hybrid specialist |
| Allen M. Sumner | A | DD | US gunboat | AA + barrage | Eagle Union staple |
| Ayanami | A | DD | TRP demon | Demon Dance skill | Starter ship excellence |
| Bristol | A | DD | Support focus | Fleet buffs | Great for new players |
| Javelin | A | DD | High EVA | Evasion buff | Dodge tank starter |
| Z23 | A | DD | High FP | Shield skill | Ironblood gunboat |
| Z46 | A | DD | Balanced | Barrage + buff | Premium Z-destroyer |
| Le Terrible | A | DD | Speed demon | Speed + reload | French fleet core |
| Yukikaze | A | DD | Lucky ship | Damage reduction | Survival specialist |
| Kawakaze | A | DD | TRP focus | Torpedo buff | IJN torpedo support |
| Marie Rose | A | DD | Collab unit | Unique skills | Limited but strong |
| Eldridge | B | DD | Rainbow skill | Invincibility frames | PvP meme queen |
| Kasumi | B | DD | Retrofit available | Decent stats | Budget option |
| Le Malin | B | DD | French DD | Okay stats | Collection priority |
| Z1 | B | DD | Z-buff | Z-destroyer buffer | Niche fleet builder |
| Shirakami Fubuki | B | DD | Hololive collab | Unique barrage | Fox friend |
| Nicholas | C | DD | US DD | Basic skills | Early game viable |
| Eskimo | C | DD | Royal Navy | Mediocre stats | Waifu > meta |
| Stephen Potter | C | DD | Event ship | Average performance | Skip if resources tight |
| Cooper | D | DD | Low stats | Basic skills | Retire candidate |
| Hammann II | D | DD | Tsundere cat | Mediocre remake | Original was better |
| Fortune | E | DD | Common rarity | Retrofit available | New player trap |
| Universal Bulin | E | DD | Limit break mat | Don’t use as ship | Please just don’t |
Battleship/Battlecruiser (BB/BC/BBV) Tier List
| Ship Name | Tier | Type | Notable Stats | Special Abilities | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musashi | SS | BB | Massive FP | Special barrage | Absolute unit, get her |
| New Jersey | SS | BB | High accuracy | Armor break | Best USS BB |
| Ulrich von Hutten | SS | BB | Tank + damage | Time stop barrage | IB fleet core |
| Friedrich der Grosse | SS | BB | Fleet buffer | Crit + damage buff | Enables IB fleets |
| Vanguard | SS | BB | UR Royal Navy | Special barrage | Worth the UR bulins |
| Bismarck Zwei | SS | BB | IB buffer | Fleet-wide buffs | Bismarck perfected |
| Kearsarge | SS | BBV | Planes + guns | Hybrid specialist | Unique playstyle |
| Sovetsky Soyuz | SS | BB | NP flagship | Armor + damage | Northern powerhouse |
| Flandre | SS | BB | Barrage queen | Screen clear | Bullet hell master |
| Constellation | SS | BB | Support BB | Healing + damage | Utility supreme |
| Alsace | S | BB | French power | Preload + barrage | Iris backbone |
| Clemenceau | S | BB | FFNF buffer | Fleet support | French fleet enabler |
| Howe | S | BB | Slow support | Time manipulation | KGV-class star |
| Marco Polo | S | BB | SAP shells | Unique ammo type | Italian innovation |
| Vittorio Veneto | S | BB | Italian pride | Empire buff | Sardegna core |
| Richelieu | S | BB | Quad guns | Preload salvo | French firepower |
| Odin | S | BC | Tanky BC | Secondary focus | PR grind worth it |
| Georgia | S | BB | Speed + guns | Accurate salvos | USS favorite |
| Champagne | S | BB | HE specialist | Burn damage | PR ship excellence |
| Monarch | S | BB | Barrage focus | AP barrage | HMS powerhouse |
| Alabama | A | BB | Lucky A | Protective skill | Solid all-rounder |
| Duke of York | A | BB | Debuffer | Slow + damage amp | Support BB |
| Warspite | A | BB | Retrofit god | Divine Marksman | Sniper BB |
| Hood | A | BC | Barrage classic | Glory of Royal | BC that matters |
| Prince of Wales | A | BB | USS buffer | Fleet support | Niche but strong |
| Washington | A | BB | Night fighter | South Dakota synergy | Historical duo |
| Nagato | A | BB | IJN buffer | Big Seven | Sakura enabler |
| Amagi | A | BC | Balanced | Kaga synergy | Fox mines support |
| Massachusetts | B | BB | Secondary focus | Close range | Big Mamie |
| Jean Bart | B | BB | Preload | Single salvo | One-shot potential |
| King George V | B | BB | Barrage | Quad guns | Decent HMS option |
| Queen Elizabeth | B | BB | HMS buffer | Retrofit available | Budget HMS support |
| Arizona | C | BB | Healer BB | Healing salvo | New player helper |
| North Carolina | C | BB | AA support | Washington sister | Outclassed |
| Pennsylvania | C | BB | Common BB | Basic skills | Early game only |
| Nevada | D | BB | Weak stats | Basic skills | Retire tier |
| Oklahoma | D | BB | Sister ship | Even weaker | Why use this? |
| Repulse | E | BC | Paper armor | Retrofit when? | Historical accuracy |
| Renown | E | BC | Hood’s friend | Powercrept hard | Collection only |
Aircraft Carrier (CV/CVL) Tier List
| Ship Name | Tier | Type | Notable Stats | Special Abilities | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admiral Nakhimov | SS | CV | UR power | Special planes | Meta queen 2025 |
| Shinano | SS | CV | Support god | Fleet buffs + damage | Must-have UR |
| Hakuryuu | SS | CV | Plane swarm | Overwhelming strikes | DR investment worth |
| Enterprise | SS | CV | Lucky E | 70% proc rate | OG carrier goddess |
| Perseus | SS | CVL | Healer CV | Preload + heal | W12+ enabler |
| Yorktown II | SS | CV | Modern design | Time stop + damage | Eagle Union pride |
| Implacable | SS | CV | Royal Navy | Consistent damage | HMS carrier core |
| Volga | SS | CV | NP support | Unique mechanics | Enables new strats |
| Aquila | SS | CV | SAP planes | Sardegna carrier | Italian first CV |
| Unicorn | S | CVL | Healer classic | Reload + heal | Supports everything |
| Centaur | S | CVL | Torpedo focus | Swordfish memes | Still relevant |
| Essex | S | CV | Consistent | Union buff | Reliable damage |
| Independence | S | CVL | Retrofit strong | Cleveland synergy | Worth the grind |
| August von Parseval | S | CV | Slow planes | Unique pattern | IB carrier option |
| Ark Royal | S | CV | Slow support | Swordfish spam | Destroyer lover |
| Formidable | S | CV | Time stop | Support + damage | Enables combos |
| Chise Asukagawa | S | CV | Collab unit | Special mechanics | Get if possible |
| Illustrious | A | CV | Shield support | Armored carrier | Defensive option |
| Saratoga | A | CV | Retrofit good | Dive bomber focus | F2P friendly |
| Taihou | A | CV | Offensive | Hidden mechanic | RNG dependent |
| Graf Zeppelin | A | CV | IB carrier | Secondary guns | Hybrid approach |
| Shoukaku | A | CV | Crane sister | Zuikaku synergy | Pair them up |
| Zuikaku | A | CV | Lucky crane | Shoukaku pair | Better together |
| Kaga | B | CV | First carrier | Akagi synergy | Fox mines outdated |
| Akagi | B | CV | Quick launch | Kaga pair | Collection pair |
| Bataan | B | CVL | Support CVL | Decent skills | Budget option |
| Eagle | C | CV | HMS common | Basic carrier | Starter carrier |
| Hornet | C | CV | Doolittle | Historical | Outclassed sister |
| Lexington | D | CV | Large HP | Basic skills | Tank but why? |
| Ranger | D | CV | Retrofit exists | Still weak | Skip honestly |
| Long Island | E | CVL | Ghost | First CVL | Retrofit helps little |
| Bogue | E | CVL | Weakest CV | Please no | Retirement home |
Cruiser (CA/CB/CL) Tier List
| Ship Name | Tier | Type | Notable Stats | Special Abilities | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agir | SS | CB | Tank god | Shields + damage | PR4 masterpiece |
| Unzen | SS | CA | UR CA | Insane DPS | Get immediately |
| Brest | SS | CB | French CB | Unique mechanics | Worth PR grind |
| Drake | SS | CA | Royal Navy | Multi-hit focus | PR3 investment |
| Kronshtadt | SS | CB | Soviet CB | Armor break | PR4 priority |
| Azuma | SS | CB | Tank + spank | Defensive offense | PR2 still good |
| Plymouth | SS | CL | Vanguard god | AA + damage | PR5 must-have |
| San Diego | SS | CL | AA goddess | Retrofit OP | Sandy numbah wan |
| Helena | SS | CL | Debuff queen | Radar scan | Enables everything |
| Noshiro | S | CL | Agile tank | Torpedo buff | IJN vanguard core |
| Anchorage | S | CA | Tank supreme | Damage reduction | PR4 tank option |
| Cheshire | S | CA | AA tank | Defensive skills | PR3 worthwhile |
| Baltimore | S | CA | Damage dealer | APsolute Cooldown | USS heavy hitter |
| Roon Β΅ | S | CA | Muse version | Shield + damage | Limited but strong |
| Montpelier | S | CL | Cleveland-class | Cruiser buff | Fleet support |
| Mainz | S | CL | Gun focused | HE spam | PR3 dakka |
| Seattle | S | CL | AA monster | Plane deletion | W12-13 star |
| Chapayev | S | CL | Gun CL | Steady damage | Underrated |
| San Francisco | S | CA | Tanky CA | Damage reduction | New addition |
| Mogami | A | CA | Retrofit good | Mode change | Flexible option |
| Portland | A | CA | Retrofit tank | Indianapolis love | Budget tank |
| Roon | A | CA | PR1 CA | Shield tank | Still viable |
| Saint Louis | A | CL | PR1 CL | Speed tank | French elegance |
| Neptune | A | CL | PR1 CL | AP focused | HMS option |
| Swiftsure | A | CL | Support CL | Destroyer buff | Niche enabler |
| London | A | CA | Retrofit strong | Gun CA | F2P heavy |
| Minneapolis | A | CA | Self-heal | Zombie cruiser | Survives forever |
| Birmingham | A | CL | Cleveland sister | Solid stats | Decent option |
| Belfast | B | CL | Smoke screen | Utility focus | Fallen from grace |
| Cleveland | B | CL | AA CL | Anti-air | Common but okay |
| Edinburgh | B | CL | AP focused | Tanky CL | Needs modernization |
| Prinz Eugen | B | CA | Shield tank | Collection | Waifu > meta |
| Takao | B | CA | Balanced CA | Atago sister | Decent starter |
| Sheffield | C | CL | Basic CL | Shiny | Outclassed maid |
| Phoenix | C | CL | Zombie CL | Self-heal | Budget zombie |
| Chicago | C | CA | Common CA | Basic skills | Early game only |
| Pensacola | D | CA | Glass cannon | Dies fast | Not worth it |
| Suffolk | D | CA | Retrofit exists | Still weak | Skip please |
| Aoba | E | CA | Why use? | Bad stats | Retirement |
| Furutaka | E | CA | Aoba sister | Even worse | Double retirement |
Submarine (SS/SSV) Tier List
| Ship Name | Tier | Type | Notable Stats | Special Abilities | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-37 | SS | SS | Wolfpack god | Damage buff | Best SS period |
| Leonardo da Vinci | SS | SS | UR power | Special barrage | Sub fleet core |
| U-556 META | SS | SS | META power | Enhanced stats | If you got her |
| Archerfish | S | SS | Shinano killer | High damage | Historical meme |
| U-47 | S | SS | Wolfpack | U-boat synergy | IB sub core |
| U-81 | S | SS | Ark Royal bane | Reliable damage | Another IB star |
| U-96 | S | SS | Wolfpack | More U-boats | Complete the set |
| I-13 | A | SSV | Seiran carrier | Unique mechanic | IJN sub option |
| Albacore | A | SS | USS sub | Solid stats | Eagle Union pick |
| Cavalla | A | SS | Reliable | Good damage | Another US option |
| I-19 | A | SS | IJN torp | High damage | Oxygen torpedo |
| U-101 | A | SS | Decent U-boat | Pack filler | Budget wolfpack |
| I-168 | A | SS | Yorktown killer | Historical | Decent IJN sub |
| Surcouf | B | SS | Gun submarine | Unique design | Meme potential |
| I-58 | B | SS | Average | Basic skills | Filler submarine |
| U-110 | B | SS | Weak U-boat | Pack member | Numbers game |
| U-73 | C | SS | Below average | Weak skills | Only if needed |
Support Ships Tier List
| Ship Name | Tier | Type | Notable Stats | Special Abilities | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akashi | S | AR | Repair god | 3x emergency repair | Must-have support |
| Vestal | A | AR | Repair ship | Enterprise lover | Good alternative |
| Kashino | B | AE | Munition ship | Unique support | Niche uses |
| Perseus | SS | CVL | Heal carrier | Preload heal | Already listed above |
π Top Submarines Ranked
Submarines arenβt always visibleβbut their damage certainly is.
SS-Tier Subs
- U-37 β Supreme wolfpack synergy. Shines in both boss fights and general content.
- Leonardo da Vinci β Unique and highly effective with her special barrages.
- U-556 META β META-tier sub that destroys enemies faster than most fleets.
- U-47, Archerfish, U-81 β Each adds major value to submarine formations.
π οΈ Best Support Ships
Support ships are underratedβbut they can be the reason you survive a tough stage.
- Akashi β Triple emergency repairs. Enough said. Sheβs essential in long battles.
- Vestal β A reliable repair alternative. Especially useful for flagship-focused strats.
- Kashino β Limited-use ammo ship, but great for advanced strategies.
π§ How to Build the Perfect Fleet
Boss Fleet Sample
- Flagship: Musashi or New Jersey
- Secondary BB: FdG, Vanguard
- Off-flag: Carrier (Shinano, Admiral Nakhimov)
- Tank: Agir, Anchorage
- DPS: Drake, Plymouth
- Support: Helena (debuff), Noshiro (buff)
Mob Fleet Sample
- Flagship: Perseus (CVL)
- Main Damage: Monarch, Georgia
- Clearer: Enterprise, Flandre
- Vanguard: Phoenix, Minneapolis, or San Diego
Submarine Setup
- Prioritize U-37 or Leonardo da Vinci
- Build wolfpack synergy with U-47, U-81, U-96
- Mix torpedo types for versatility
π¬ Frequently Asked Questions
Whoβs the best starter?
Go for Z23. Sheβs flexible, her retrofit is amazing, and her damage scales well. Laffey and Javelin are also solid, but Z23 wins for balance.
Should I pull every UR ship?
If you aim for endgame PvE and PvP, then yes. UR ships arenβt just slightly betterβthey define metas. Use cubes wisely and save for UR banners.
Are retrofits worth it?
Absolutely. Ships like San Diego, Warspite, Portland, Yuudachi, and Independence become top-tier after their retrofits.
What’s the best META fleet for 2025?
Hereβs the top boss comp:
- Musashi (Flagship)
- New Jersey + Vanguard (BB support)
- Agir (Tank)
- Drake + Plymouth (Cruiser DPS)
π Final Words
This Azur Lane tier list is built from hands-on testing, real-time meta analysis, and thousands of hours of grind. Whether youβre new or a seasoned Admiral, itβs your blueprint to fleet dominance in 2025.