The launch version of Neverness to Everness isn’t the same game many players tested before. With balance changes, buffs to A-rank characters, and adjustments to several S-rank units, the early meta has shifted more than expected. If you’re planning to spend your pulls on day one, knowing who is actually worth it now can save a lot of resources. Instead of blindly following old tier lists, this guide focuses on updated launch data and what actually works right now, especially for free-to-play and low spenders.
- Also check out our Neverness to Everness Codes for more rewards!
What Changed at Launch?
The biggest shift comes from two things:
- A-rank characters received noticeable buffs
- Some S-rank characters were toned down or changed
This means team building is more flexible, and you don’t need to rely only on rare units to progress. In fact, some free and standard characters are now among the best early-game options.
Best Characters to Pull (Top Priority)
Natalie (Limited Banner)
Natalie remains one of the strongest DPS characters at launch. She deals very high single-target damage and performs well in both bosses and dungeons. Even with the balance changes, she is still a safe investment if you want a powerful carry early.
Sakiri (Top Utility Pick)
Sakiri is one of the most flexible characters right now. She provides:
- Enemy grouping
- Crowd control
- Strong team synergy
She fits into almost any team and becomes even stronger with duplicates. If you get her early, she’s worth building immediately.
Jiyuan (Strong Support Option)
Jiyuan received indirect buffs at launch, making her much more valuable. She now offers:
- Healing through awakenings
- Better team utility overall
She’s one of the safest picks from the standard selector.
Strong Free-to-Play Characters
You don’t need to rely only on gacha pulls to build a solid team.
Chiz (Free DPS Carry)
Chiz is one of the biggest winners at launch. You can:
- Unlock her through City Tycoon
- Fully awaken her for free
- Get her signature weapon
At max level, she performs like a top-tier DPS, especially for free-to-play players. She may fall off slightly in very late game, but she’s more than enough for most content.
Haniel (Free Buffer)
Haniel is now a very strong support thanks to launch changes. She provides:
- Attack buffs
- Crit damage scaling
- Team-wide utility
Since she’s free, she’s one of the best early investments.
Characters You Should Skip
Not every S-rank is worth your resources anymore. Some dropped hard after launch.
Hathor (Biggest Drop)
Hathor is one of the most disappointing changes at launch.
Problems include:
- Skills getting interrupted easily
- Difficult damage setup
- Poor consistency in real fights
She might still work in open-world content, but for serious progression, she’s not worth pulling right now.
Baechang (Future Powercreep Risk)
Baechang is still strong, but there’s a big catch.
- Requires specific team setups to work
- A direct replacement is already coming in version 1.1
Because of this, investing heavily in Baechang now is risky. You’ll likely replace him soon.
Mint (Easy Skip)
Mint is currently one of the weakest characters at launch.
- Low overall value
- Outperformed by other supports
- Worse compared to updated characters like Jiyuan
Unless you really like the character, it’s better to skip completely.
Best Free-to-Play Team (Early Meta)
A strong early team based on current launch data looks like this:
- Chiz (Main DPS)
- Jiyuan (Support / Healing)
- Haniel (Buffer)
- Main Character (Flexible slot)
This setup works well for early to mid-game and doesn’t require heavy spending.
The launch version of Neverness to Everness is much more forgiving than expected. With strong free characters and better balance across rarities, you don’t need perfect pulls to progress.
If you want the best start, going for Natalie is still a strong choice. But even without her, building around Chiz and other free units can carry you through most of the game.
The key is to avoid outdated assumptions. Some characters that looked strong before launch are no longer worth it, while others have quietly become top-tier. Taking advantage of these changes will give you a much smoother experience moving forward.