This is the tier list of the strongest support units for Buffers, Debuffers, and Healers in the global version of Octopath Traveler: COTC.Â
Every unit on the list is assumed to be max level, Awaken 1 (except for Arena units).
Brave Fan is considered for Dancers.
Buffs and Debuffs have their individual categories because of how they stack.Â
Learn more by reading the ultimate guide to buffs and debuffs. Â
Ranking criteria:
- Damage is not considered whatsoever on this list
- AOE Buffs/Debuffs are generally superior to single Buffs/Debuffs
- Unique Buffs/Debuffs are rated higher
Active Buffers Tier List #
This list only considers buffs from skills and ultimates, hence “Active”.
Rank | Unit | Sprite | Class | Explanation (All buffs affect front row) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Primrose EX | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/EX_Primrose_Sprite.png | Apothecary | Skill gives front row 15% SPD and Ultimate Technique Gauge, regen; 15% PATK/EATK to front row while cleansing status ailments; can buff front row 15% PDEF/EDEF; can buff Axe/Lightning/Ult Gauge of a single ally; and FINALLY her ultimate gives front row regen, 20% PATK/EATK, and Ult Gauge. |
1 | Rinyuu | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Rinyuu_Sprite.png | Cleric | Known for the two greatest “permanent” active skills of all time. 1: Give all units regen and 15% PDEF/EDEF and immunity to paralysis/sleep. 2: Give all units 15% PATK/EATK and 10% all DMG up and immunity to silence/terror. |
2 | Lynette | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Lynette2.png | Dancer | Ult gives 20% PATK/EATK/SPD buff; skill gives 20% PATK/EATK; give her Brave Fan or Hasumi’s Accessory. Switch row to get even more buffs. She is the best, most universal buffer, fits in any team comp. |
3 | Millard EX | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MIllard_EX_Sprite.png | Merchant | The ultimate defensive unit in the game. HP Barrier, +15% All DMG Up, 15% PATK/EATK, Gives ally +1/4 BP if they have barriers.., and 30% PDEF/EDEF + 50% Dmg Reduction for one unit. |
4 | Tithi | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Titi_Sprite.png | Dancer | 1 skill gives 20% PATK/EATK/CRIT (can stack with itself to cap the buff at 30%) and 1 BP to front row. Ultimate gives 1 BP to front row. |
5 | Alfyn | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Alfyn.png | Apothecary | Pomegranate Panacea (BP to front row) allows for SO many boss cheese strats. He’s BFF with Therion, A2, 2B… any of the hardest DPS units. Also grants 20% Fire/Ice Res with regen. |
6 | Primrose | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Primrose-Sprite.png | Dancer | Skill gives 20% PATK/EATK/SPD buff; 20% PATK/20% PDEF; and extends duration of buff casted by her by 1 turn. Brave Fan does not stack with her passive. |
7 | Glossom | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Glossom-Sprite.png | Dancer | Skill gives 20% PATK/PDEF buff; stacks additively in potency and turn duration with his 15% PATK/PDEF buff. Give Brave Fan if not using Lynette. |
8 | Lianna | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Lianna-Sprite.png | Cleric | Skill gives 15% EATK/EDEF and heals; can also give single ally 15% PATK/EATK and dodge. |
9 | Ophilia | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ophilia.png | Cleric | Skill gives 15% PDEF/EDEF and heals. |
Passive Buffers Tier List #
This list only considers unit passives.
Rank | Unit | Sprite | Class | Explanation |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Richard | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Richard_Sprite.png | Warrior | Best universal physical attack buffing unit. Raise Front Row PATK, Sword and Spear damage by 15%. |
2 | Frederica | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Frederica_Sprite.png | Scholar | Best universal elemental attack buffing unit. Front row 15% Elemental DMG up and EATK up when a combusted enemy is present. |
2 | Eltrix | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eltrix_Sprite.png | Warrior | When in front row and at full HP: 15% PATK/EATK of Entire Front Row and lower SP consumption by 20%. |
2 | Sarisa | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Sarisa_Sprite.png | Thief | When in back row, give front row SP recovery (5) and +15% PATK up. |
3 | Wingate | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Wingate2.png | Thief | Best universal backpack: paired ally gets 20% DMG bonus to broken enemy. Do note his use goes down as we get more and more A4 and teamwide support passives. |
3 | Eliza | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Eliza-Sprite.png | Warrior | Best backpack for your elemental DPS. Paired ally gets 20% EATK buff. |
4 | Falco | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Falco_Sprite.png | Thief | Best supporter for Dagger DPS team. 15% dagger DMG to front row. Therion and A2 says hi. |
4 | Hayes | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hayes_Sprite.png | Apothecary | Best supporter for Axe DPS team. 15% axe DMG to front row. A2/2B/Gertrude can benefit. |
4 | Dorothea | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Dorothea_Sprite.png | Merchant | Best supporter for Spear DPS team. 15% spear DMG to front row. |
5 | Barrad | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Barrad2.png | Merchant | Often used as backpack in cheese strats. Gives paired ally 15% PATK for 3 turns. |
6 | Nicola | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Nicola-Sprite.png | Thief | Front Row 5% PATK…. LOL hey it’s useful. |
Active Debuffers Tier List #
This list only considers debuffs from skills and ultimates, hence “Active”.
This list is longer than usual, because some units excel at debuffing a particular damage type.
Rank | Unit | Sprite | Class | Explanation |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Viola | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Viola2.png | Thief | Has the strongest single-target debuff at 25% PDEF/EDEF Down; 20% PATK/EATK Down; 10% PDEF Down to all foes; all debuffs last an extra turn. |
2 | Tithi | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Titi_Sprite.png | Dancer | 1 skill inflicts 15% PATK/EATK/PDEF/EDEF Down for 2 turns; can lower Fan and Lightning Res. |
3 | Sarisa | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Sarisa_Sprite.png | Thief | 1 skill inflicts 15% Sword, Dagger, Fire Res Down to 1 foe; can reduce 20% PATK/EATK; can reduce 15% SPD. |
3 | Falco | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Falco_Sprite.png | Thief | Has 20% PDEF/EDEF down to single foe; 20% PATK down to single foe. |
3 | Zenia | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Zegna_Sprite.png | Apothecary | 20% EDEF Down to all foes; act first and deal 4-hit randomly with 10% EDEF down; ult grants 10% EDEF down. |
4 | Lianna | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Lianna-Sprite.png | Cleric | 15% PATK/EATK Down to all foes and single foe; 15% Speed Down to all foes; 15% Ice Res Down to single foe. |
5 | Therion | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Therion.png | Thief | 15% PATK/PDEF Down to single foe, can be used twice at max boost |
6 | Billy | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Billy2.png | Thief | Ultimate: All foes 20% PDEF/SPD Down |
7 | Nicola | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Nicola-Sprite.png | Thief | 15% PDEF Down to all foe; 15% EDEF down to all foes; 15% SPD down to single foe |
7 | Kurtz | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Kurtz2.png | Thief | 15% PATK/EATK Down to single foe; 15% Speed Down to all foes |
Sword | Richard | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Richard_Sprite.png | Warrior | Chance to inflict 15% Sword Res Down to random foes per hit, 4 hits |
Spear | Roland | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Roland_Sprite.png | Merchant | Can actively reduce Spear Res/PDEF by 20% and 10%. |
Dagger | Sarisa | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Sarisa_Sprite.png | Thief | 1 skill inflicts 15% Sword, Dagger, Fire Res Down to 1 foe. |
Axe | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Bow | Kersjes | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kersjes_Sprite.png | Hunter | 15% Bow Res Down to single foe and 10% Bow Res Down to all foes; 20% EATK Down to single foe |
Staff | Yan Long | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yan_Long_Sprite.png | Cleric | 20% Staff Res Down to all foes; 10% Staff Res Down to single foe. |
Tome | Auguste | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Auguste_Sprite.png | Thief | 10% Tome Res Down to single foe. |
Fan | Tithi | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Titi_Sprite.png | Dancer | 10% Fan Res Down to single foe at max boost. |
Fire | Lynette | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Lynette2.png | Dancer | Lower Fire Res of All Foes by 20%; 15% Fire Res Down to random foes; EDEF Down |
Ice | Aslyte | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Asylte2.png | Thief | Lower 20% Ice Res to All Foes for 2 turns; ultimate lowers Ice Res to random foes by 10% |
Lgtning | Olberic | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Olberic_Sprite.png | Warrior | 15% Lgtning Res Down, moderate chance to inflict paralysis for 2 turns; 10% Lgtning Res Down to all foes |
Wind | Harley | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Harley-Sprite.png | Dancer | 15% PATK Down to all foes; 20% Wind Res Down to all foes |
Light | Varkyn | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Varkyn-Sprite.png | Scholar | 20% Light Res Down to all foes; 15% Light Res Down to random foes |
Dark | Primrose | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Primrose-Sprite.png | Dancer | 15% Dark Res Down to random foes, 15% PDEF/EDEF Down to all foes |
Passive Debuffers Tier List #
There is no particular ranking assigned to this table. Passive debuffers are too rare and all useful based on the situation.
Rank | Unit | Sprite | Class | Explanation |
---|---|---|---|---|
EDEF | Laura | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Laura2.png | Scholar | Start of battle: Inflict 15% Elem. Down to All Foes for 3 turns; very useful for one-shotting enemies for material farm. |
PDEF | Hayes | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hayes_Sprite.png | Apothecary | When breaking an enemy, reduce their Phys. Def by 20% for 2 turns. |
Sword | Sigrid | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sigrid2.png | Warrior | Start of battle: 15% Sword Res Down to All Foes for 3 turns; amazing for Auguste nuts farm. |
Wind | Menno | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Menno2.png | Cleric | Start of battle: 15% Wind Res Down to All Foes for 3 turns; amazing for Auguste nuts farm. |
Ice | Aslyte | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Asylte2.png | Thief | Lower 15% Ice Res to foes you Break by 2 turns; requires Aslyte to be the one breaking. |
Lgtning | Bertrand | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bertrand2.png | Hunter | Start of battle: Lower Lgtning Res by 15% to All Foes for 3 turns; useful for one-shotting normal enemies with lgtning AOE. |
PATK | Helga | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Helga2.png | Merchant | Start of battle: 15% Phys. Atk Down to All Foes for 3 turns; might be useful to tank through certain early boss nukes. |
Healer Tier List #
It’s no surprise that HP Regen > Burst healing in 99% of situations. The ranking criteria for Healer is:
- HP Regen + Turn Duration
- Burst Healing
- Revive
- Status Ailment Cure
- Others
Rank | Unit | Sprite | Class | Regen Duration +1 | Regen + Burst Heal | Burst Heal | Can Revive | Cure Status Ailment | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rinyuu | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Rinyuu_Sprite.png | Cleric | No but doesn’t need it | Yes – All 8 Allies | Yes – Front Row | Yes | Yes – Grants Immunity to certain ailments and ultimate cures them | The GOAT healer. Can heal indefinitely. Can give 15% PDEF/EDEF to all 8 allies. |
2 | Ophilia | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ophilia.png | Cleric | Yes | Yes – Front Row | Yes – Front Row | Yes – all allies and self | No | 15% PDEF/EDEF to Front Row; stats recovery |
3 | Molrusso | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Molrusso_Sprite.png | Cleric | Yes | Yes – Front Row | Yes – Single Ally | No | No | 15% PDEF/EDEF to Single Ally |
4 | Soleil | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Soleil_Sprite.png | Apothecary | Yes | Yes – Front Row | Yes – Front Row | No | Yes – Front Row, also raise Front Row status ailment res by 50% | 20% EATK to Single Ally; Ultimate raises 10% Light DMG of Front Row |
5 | Agnes | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Agnes-Sprite.png | Cleric | No | Yes – Front Row | Yes – Front Row | Yes | No | 15% PDEF to Front Row; 15% SPD to Front Row |
6 | Alfyn | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Alfyn.png | Apothecary | Yes | Yes – Front Row | No | Yes | Yes – Front Row at max boost | Grant BP to Front Row! |
7 | Theo | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Theo2.png | Apothecary | No | Yes – Front Row | Yes – Single Ally | No | Yes – Front Row and Single Ally | Raise Status Ailment Res of Ally by 50% |
8 | Hayes | https://meowdb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hayes_Sprite.png | Apothecary | No | Yes – Front Row | Yes – Single Ally | No | Yes – Single Ally | 15% Axe DMG to Front Row; 20% PDEF Down on break |
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