100 Waves Later Classes Tier List – Best Picks and Classes to Use!

Choosing the right class in 100 Waves Later can decide how far you survive once the zombie waves start stacking up. With more than ten classes available and each one costing a serious amount of Scrap, picking the wrong option can slow your progress badly. Some classes shine in almost every run, while others only work in very specific situations or simply are not worth the price. This tier list breaks down every class based on real performance during raids, helping you spend your Scrap wisely and avoid regret later on.

100 Waves Later Class Tier List Overview

Classes are ranked from S Tier (best and most reliable) to C Tier (safe to skip). This ranking focuses on survivability, damage output, scaling, and overall usefulness across different playstyles.

S Tier – Best Classes in 100 Waves Later

These are the strongest and most flexible classes in the game. If you can unlock only a few, prioritize these first.

Wastelander

Wastelander is one of the most powerful all-rounder classes available.

Key Strengths

• Extra hotbar slot allows you to carry more weapons
• All weapons gain bonus ammo, reducing reload pressure
• Chance to upgrade two skills at once at higher levels

This class excels in long runs where ammo management and flexibility matter most. Being able to equip multiple weapons gives you better answers to different enemy types.

Pathfinder

Pathfinder focuses on skill scaling and build acceleration.

Key Strengths

• Higher chance to roll Super Skills early
• Boss waves guarantee multiple Super Skill options
• Excellent synergy with luck-based upgrades

Pathfinder can feel extremely strong once the build comes together, though it relies more on RNG compared to other S-tier options.

Engineer

Engineer is the most beginner-friendly class in the game.

Key Strengths

• Starts with a free auto-turret
• Turret can be upgraded multiple times
• Extremely useful for solo players
• Free unlock after seven consecutive login days

The turret acts like a permanent teammate, dealing damage without taking Scrap or box drops, making Engineer very reliable early and mid game.

A Tier – Very Strong Classes

These classes are powerful but slightly more limited or situational compared to S Tier.

Boxer

Boxer is the top melee-focused class.

Key Strengths

• High fist damage and attack speed
• Chance to heal on every melee hit
• Super Punch deals massive burst damage

The lack of starting hotbar slots makes Boxer harder to play for beginners, but experienced melee players can dominate with it.

Juggernaut

Juggernaut is built for survival.

Key Strengths

• Massive health pool
• Strong resistance to fire, explosions, and radiation
• Excellent tank for risky situations

The movement speed penalty can feel rough early on, but it becomes manageable with upgrades.

Pyro

Pyro focuses on fire-based area damage.

Key Strengths

• Starts with a reusable Fire Bomb
• Fire immunity at higher levels
• Bullets can ignite enemies

Despite strong utility, Pyro’s damage output is currently on the lower side, making it feel weaker than it should be.

Soldier

Soldier is a solid gun-focused class.

Key Strengths

• Increased gun damage and reload speed
• Movement speed boost when low on health
• Very affordable compared to other classes

This is a good stepping-stone class while saving Scrap for top-tier options.

B Tier – Situational Classes

These classes work well in specific builds or team setups but struggle outside their niche.

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter is pistol-exclusive.

Key Strengths

• Huge pistol damage and ammo boost
• Chance to land critical hits

The problem is pistols themselves are not top-tier weapons, limiting the class overall.

Medic

Medic is the only dedicated support class.

Key Strengths

• Starts with healing tools
• Faster revives
• Strong in coordinated team runs

Solo play can be difficult due to slower early movement and limited damage.

Boomer

Boomer revolves around explosive damage.

Key Strengths

• Strong area damage
• Explosion immunity
• Bullets can trigger explosions

The heavy Scrap cost and limited build flexibility make this class less appealing than higher-tier alternatives.

C Tier – Can Be Skipped

These classes offer minimal value compared to their cost.

Warrior

Warrior focuses purely on melee bonuses.

Why It Falls Short

• Only benefits melee builds
• No flexibility for other playstyles
• Outclassed by Boxer in most situations

Scientist

Scientist uses zombie lures for crowd control.

Why It Falls Short

• Recent nerfs reduced effectiveness
• Very expensive to unlock
• Limited combat impact

Scavenger

Scavenger is centered around resource farming.

Why It Falls Short

• Improves Scrap and box drops
• Offers no combat or survival bonuses

It can help early farming but becomes useless in serious runs.

Scrap is one of the most valuable resources in 100 Waves Later, and wasting it on weak classes can slow your progress significantly. If you are aiming for consistent high-wave clears, S-tier classes like Wastelander, Pathfinder, and Engineer should be your top priority.

A-tier classes are still strong and fun, especially if they match your preferred playstyle, while B-tier and C-tier options should only be unlocked if you know exactly what you are doing. With the right class choice, surviving deeper into the zombie waves becomes far more manageable and rewarding.