If you’ve just jumped into Umamusume: Pretty Derby or are thinking about rerolling to start strong, you’ll want to know which characters are worth your time. Every Umamusume may have her own charm, but when it comes to performance, certain girls rise above the rest. This guide will break down the best ones based on overall performance, stats, race aptitudes, and strategic value. Whether you’re here for rerolling tips or to build your dream team, this tier list will point you in the right direction.
Understanding Stats and Why They Matter
Before diving into the tier list, it’s important to understand the five main stats each character has:
- Speed: Affects max running speed
- Stamina: Determines how long they can maintain top speed
- Power: Influences acceleration and cornering
- Guts: Helps when stamina runs out
- Wit: Impacts skill usage and race intelligence
These stats are complemented by bonuses and aptitudes (such as track type and race length), which play a crucial role in performance during Career and PvP races.
How to Get Characters in Umamusume
The game offers multiple banners:
- Standard Banner: General character pool
- Spotlight Banner: Focused on new or featured characters with higher pull rates
Every pull gives you Exchange Points, and at 200, you can exchange them for the banner’s featured unit. Be strategic and time your pulls with powerful spotlight events.
Tier List Umamusume: Pretty Derby
S-Tier Characters (Top Picks for All Players)
These Umamusume stand out in nearly every way, especially in versatility and race success:
- Oguri Cap – Strong for medium races, solid on both dirt and turf, excellent Speed and Power
- Taiki Shuttle – Balanced stats, excels in turf/dirt sprint and mile races
- Symboli Rudolf – Great for long and medium turf races, ideal for players who want consistency
- Rice Shower – Unmatched stamina and Guts, dominating long-distance turf tracks
A-Tier Characters (Reliable Choices with Specific Strengths)
These characters shine in particular setups or races but may need support in certain areas:
- Silence Suzuka – Great for fast-paced front strategies in medium turf races
- Maruzensky – High early game speed, performs well in sprint and mile distances
- El Condor Pasa – Versatile and reliable on both dirt and turf, a balanced pick
- Mejiro McQueen – Ideal for long-distance turf races, powerful stamina and guts
- Special Week, TM Opera O, Mayano Top Gun – Strong options for long and medium races with good strategic coverage
B-Tier Characters (Good Picks, But Need Optimization)
These Umamusume can perform well with the right support cards and training:
- Tokai Teio, Daiwa Scarlet, Air Groove – Solid turf racers, best in medium races
- Grass Wonder, Gold Ship, Vodka – Good power stats, ideal for players who like mid-late strategy builds
C-Tier Characters (Niche Picks for Experienced Trainers)
These picks are harder to optimize and better used in specific race setups:
- Nice Nature, Sakura Bakushin O, Matikanefukukitaru, King Halo, Super Creek – Can be competitive, but have strict conditions to shine
D-Tier Characters (Challenging to Win With)
Use these characters for fun or roleplaying, but don’t expect easy wins:
- Haru Urara, Mejiro Ryan, Winning Ticket, Agnes Tachyon – Mostly lacking in stats or track versatility, not recommended for competitive play
Best Characters for Rerolling (SSR Picks)
If you’re rerolling your account, aim to grab one of these top-tier SSR Umamusume:
Top Picks (S-Tier for Reroll):
- Oguri Cap
- Taiki Shuttle
- Symboli Rudolf
Strong Alternatives (A-Tier for Reroll):
- Rice Shower
- Silence Suzuka
- Maruzensky
- Special Week
You’ll start with enough free Carats for several scout pulls. If you don’t get a top-tier SSR, you can reset your data from the main menu and try again.
How to Upgrade Characters in Umamusume
You can strengthen your Umamusume through:
- Potential Level – Increased through Career training and using materials. Unlocks new skills.
- Star Unlocks – Boosts base stats and unique skill levels. Requires duplicate characters or Star Pieces from the shop.
Even low-rarity characters can become competitive with enough upgrades and training.
While every Umamusume has potential, starting with the right character can make your journey much smoother. Focus on pulling strong SSRs early, invest in training them up, and pay attention to track conditions and race types. The game rewards both planning and adaptation, and with the help of this tier list, you’ll be one step ahead of the competition. Looking to start scouting now? Don’t forget to check for active Umamusume: Pretty Derby codes for bonus rewards!