Fairy Tail tier list

All 141 Fairy Tail characters ranked S to D. Each tier was researched from canon feats, official databooks and power-scaling sources, not popularity, and only compares characters within Fairy Tail. Within a tier, characters are listed by popularity.

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Who is the strongest in Fairy Tail?

The strongest Fairy Tail characters in this tier list are Natsu Dragneel, Zeref, Acnologia, Igneel, Irene Belserion, Ignia and 3 more, the S tier. Tiers are ranked within Fairy Tail only, from canon feats, official databooks and power-scaling sources rather than popularity.

The 10 strongest Fairy Tail characters, and why

Best tier first. Within a tier they're listed by popularity, not as a ranking inside the tier. See the strongest characters in every anime.

Fairy Tail tier list

S
A
B
C
D

* Fans argue about this one's tier: Natsu Dragneel, Igneel, Gray Fullbuster, Jellal Fernandes, Mavis Vermillion, Gildarts Clive, Dimaria Yesta, Mard Geer Tartaros, Brandish μ and Jura Neekis.

Why each character got their tier

The reasoning behind every placement: the feats, wins and losses that decided it, and the rankings and databooks it was checked against. "Disputed" means fans and sources split on it, so we picked a side and say why. "VSB" is the VS Battles wiki's power tier, and "#3 Looper" means third in that site's ranking. More on how we rank characters.

S tier

Natsu Dragneel S · disputed
Peak as E.N.D., Zeref's strongest Etherious, made to destroy him. Zeref called him the only one who could. The rematch went back and forth and the wiki records Natsu's win. Disputed: Mavis stopped the last blow, so he never finished Zeref, and his final blow on Acnologia came from a rainbow flame sent by everyone, which earns no tier credit. #3 on [5], #6 on [6]
Zeref S
Called the strongest, most evil Mage of all time. Immortal through Ankhseram's curse, creator of every Etherious including E.N.D., emperor of Alvarez. Killed Hades, Zancrow, Mard Geer and Larcade with ease, and no one killed him: Mavis's plan ended him. Ultear's logged win came when his own magic ran wild. #2 on [5, 6], Low 2-C
Acnologia S
The Dragon King. Beat all of Team Tenrou, killed Igneel and killed God Serena with one bare hand, and his magic took dragons' souls. Only seven Dragon Slayers plus a sealing Fairy Sphere ended him. #1 on [5, 6], Low 2-C on VS Battles
Igneel S · disputed
Fire Dragon King. Fought Acnologia on par and tore off his arm though far below his prime after losing his soul, then died from the wounds. Disputed: he did lose, and lists put him #7 on [5] and #8 on [6], but VS Battles has him Low 2-C with Acnologia and Zeref
Irene Belserion S
Strongest woman of the Spriggan 12 and creator of Dragon Slayer Magic. Fought Acnologia, drew praise from him, and warped him away with Universe One, which remade all of Fiore. Erza and Wendy survived only because she chose not to kill Erza. #5 on [5, 6], 5-A in Dragon Form
Ignia S
Fire Dragon God, major top-tier antagonist of 100 Years Quest.
Selene S
Moon Dragon God, among highest draconic threats.
August S
Wizard King, strongest man and leader of the Spriggan 12. Copies and nullifies any Caster Magic he meets, and Ars Magia can erase a country the size of Fiore. Crushed Crime Sorcière and held off Gildarts, then ended his own spell by choice to spare his mother. Never beaten. #4 on [5], #3 on [6]
Mercphobia S
Water Dragon God, vastly beyond ordinary B-tier mages.

A tier

Erza Scarlet A
S-Class Mage and 7th Guild Master, stats 5/5/5/4. Beat Ajeel of the Spriggan 12, Kyôka, Minerva, Azuma and Ikaruga, and survived Irene until she gave up. #11 on [6], High 6-A
Gray Fullbuster A · disputed
Ice Devil Slayer. Beat Invel of the Spriggan 12 and Demon Gate Silver alone, and took down Mard Geer with Natsu. Disputed on order: #8 on [5], #14 on [6]. High 6-A, far higher with his evolved mark
Mirajane Strauss A
S-Class Mage, stats 5/5/5/4. Beat Jacob of the Spriggan 12, Demon Gate Seilah, Heine and Juliet together and Eclipse Pisces, and Take Over absorbs what she faces. #15 on [6], High 6-A
Jellal Fernandes A · disputed
Held a Wizard Saint seat as Siegrain, master of Heavenly Body Magic. Helped Erza and Kagura beat Neinhart. Lost to Natsu, to Midnight while memoryless, to Jura while disguised and using staves, and August crushed him. Disputed: no solo result near the top, but VS Battles has him 5-B with Orion
Laxus Dreyar A
S-Class Mage and Lightning Dragon Slayer, stats 6/6/6/3. Beat Jura and Orga in one match, all of Raven Tail alone, Tempester and Wall Eehto of the Spriggan 12. Natsu and Gajeel needed to team up to beat him. #10 on [6], High 6-A
Mavis Vermillion A · disputed
First Master, the Fairy Tactician, immortal through Ankhseram's curse. Her Fairy Sphere stopped Acnologia's roar and saved the whole guild, and her plan ended Zeref. Disputed: no duel record, and VS Battles has her High 6-A, Low 2-C only with Fairy Heart. Rated on strategy and spells, with no strength of her own
Gildarts Clive A · disputed
Fairy Tail's ace, called its strongest. Beat Bluenote, shattered every spell of God Serena's Historia, and traded blows with August until August chose to stop. Lost an arm and a leg to Acnologia and lived. Disputed on order: #4 on [6], #10 on [5]. 5-A on VS Battles
Makarov Dreyar A
Wizard Saint and 3rd, 6th and 8th Guild Master, with Fairy Law and Giant. Beat Jose with ease. Lost to Hades, who was free of old age through the Devil's Heart. Wrestled Acnologia in Giant form and lost the upper hand. #9 on [6], High 6-A
Dimaria Yesta A · disputed
Spriggan 12 and vessel of the time god Chronos. Stops time at will and matched Kagura's unsheathed sword. Disputed: Wendy and Sherria beat her, but [5] calls that outside interference and rates her #9. High 6-A, higher with Chronos
Larcade Dragneel A
Third strongest Spriggan, called Zeref's secret weapon by [5] at #6. Beat Kagura and nearly killed Yukino. Sting beat him through a light eating match-up and a boost, which is why Sting isn't ranked over him. High 6-A
Mard Geer Tartaros A · disputed
Underworld King, head of Tartaros, built Memento Mori to destroy Zeref. Tartaros card 9800, far above the 2800 of Demon Gate Silver. Held off Natsu, Sting and Rogue together. Natsu and Gray beat him, and Zeref burned his book. VS Battles rates him lower than the late cast, so A is disputed
Celestial Spirit King A
Ruler of all Celestial Spirits, called the strongest of them. Lucy's summon let him tear the floating island Cube apart with one swing of his sword, destroying Tartaros's base. #7 on [6]
Hades (Precht Gaebolg) A
As Hades, 2nd Guild Master and master of Grimoire Heart. Beat Makarov, and needed six Fairy Tail Mages working together to bring down. Laxus called him a monster. Zeref then killed him
Warrod Sequen A
4th Wizard Saint, one of the Four Gods of Ishgar and a founder of Fairy Tail, living over a century. Green Magic greens deserts. Lost alongside three peers to God Serena. Rank sets A, with few solo feats. High 6-A
Suzaku A
High-level Dragon Slayer demonstrated fighting among elite antagonists.
God Serena A
1st Wizard Saint, called the strongest Mage of Ishgar, with eight Dragon Lacrima. Beat Hyberion, Wolfheim, Warrod and Jura together. Acnologia then killed him in one blow, so he can't stand in S. #13 on [6], 5-B on VS Battles

B tier

Lucy Heartfilia B
Celestial Spirit Mage, stats 2/2/3/5. Beat Angel, and her Spirit King summon destroyed Tartaros's base. Her Fairy Sphere sealed Acnologia. Flare and Mary Hughes both stopped her, so this rests on support
Juvia Lockser B
Former S-Class Mage of Phantom Lord's Element 4, stats 3/5/4/3. Beat Meredy and Demon Gate Keyes
Gajeel Redfox B
Iron Dragon Slayer, stats 4/5/5/2. Beat Rogue and Demon Gate Torafuzar, and Natsu beat him. His win over Bloodman was a last-ditch sacrifice, so it doesn't lift him to A
Wendy Marvell B
Sky Dragon Slayer, top healer, with Dragon Force. Boosted the seven Slayers against Acnologia. Beat Dimaria only with Sherria and outside help, so this rests on support feats
Sting Eucliffe B
White Dragon Slayer and Sabertooth's master, stats 5/4/5/4. Lost to Natsu and Gajeel. Beat Larcade by eating his magic and with a boost, so that win isn't counted
Ultear Milkovich B
Leader of the Seven Kin with Arc of Time. Gray beat her. Last Ages rewound one minute at the cost of her own time. Her logged win over Zeref came when his magic ran wild
Loke B
Leo, leader of the Zodiac Spirits. Beat Caprico. Top of the spirits
Rogue Cheney B
Shadow Dragon Slayer, stats 5/4/6/5. Lost to Gajeel. Beat Bloodman's Historia
Mystogan B
S-Class Mage with no magic of his own, using staves. Fought Laxus, who took no real harm, then left before the end
Brandish μ B · disputed
Spriggan 12. Command T resizes any matter, and Erza praised its level. Disputed: the power could end almost any fight, but she has no result near the top, and her fight with Lucy was stopped. #12 on [6]
Kagura Mikazuchi B
Strongest Mage of Mermaid Heel, stats 5/4/5/5. Beat Yukino, and Larcade beat her
Freed Justine B
Leads the Thunder God Tribe. Jutsu Shiki sets rules no one can break, and Dark Écriture kept up with Satan Soul Mirajane for a time. Beat Cana and Alzack
Cobra B
Poison Dragon Slayer who fought Erza evenly until she beat him, and one of the seven against Acnologia, surviving a kick that hurt his organs
Panther Lily B
Former commander in Edolas. Fought Gajeel evenly in full form, beat Samuel twice and Neppa
Minerva Orland B
Strongest Mage of Sabertooth, blocked a powerful Natsu attack. Beat Wall Eehto's Historia. Erza beat her
Lyon Vastia B
Ace of Lamia Scale, stats 4/4/4/3, with moving ice creations. Beat Gray once, then lost the rematch
Sherria Blendy B
Sky God Slayer, stats 3/3/2/4. Drew with Wendy, and helped beat Dimaria. God Slayer power sets B
Elfman Strauss B
Take Over user, stats 5/3/1/2. Beat Bacchus by outlasting him and, with Lisanna, Ajeel. Evergreen's early win was a trick
Ur B
Sealed the demon Deliora with Iced Shell at the cost of her body. Jellal said she would have become a Wizard Saint
Midnight B
Oración Seis member with Reflector. Beat a memoryless Jellal, Gajeel and Ren. Erza and Natsu beat him
Erza Knightwalker B
Edolas army captain with the Ten Commandments spear. Erza Scarlet beat her, but only just
Seilah B
Demon Gate with Macro, which controls bodies, and it enslaved Elfman. Mirajane beat her
Silver B
Ice Devil Slayer and Demon Gate. Froze the whole Sun Village and Atlas Flame alone. Card 2800. Gray beat him
Bacchus B
S-Class Mage of Quatro Cerberus with a drunken palm style. Dodged Elfman's beast forms for most of their fight, and Elfman only outlasted him
Zancrow B
Flame God Slayer of the Seven Kin. Outclassed Natsu until Natsu ate his flames. Zeref killed him
Capricorn B
Zodiac Spirit, fast and strong enough to land an elbow on Hades. Lost to Loke when possessed by Zoldeo
Rufus Lore B
Sabertooth's Memory-Make user, stats 5/5/5/5, beat Eve. Gray beat him
Grandeeney B
Sky Dragon. Rated as a Dragon soul far below her prime, since Acnologia took her soul, with no real fight shown
Kiria B
Fifth Generation Slayer of Diabolos who cut the Water Dragon God Mercphobia apart, which puts her at his tier. 100 Years Quest only
Azuma B
Seven Kin member with Great Tree Arc. Beat Lily, Wendy and Mest together. Erza beat him
Jackal B
Demon Gate who wiped out the Magic Council alone. Natsu, Lucy and Wendy beat him. Lowest Demon Gate card shown here at 1300
Kyoka B
Demon Gate with the Enhancement curse, which boosts or tortures a body, cards 2500 to 3000. Erza beat her
Jura Neekis B · disputed
5th Wizard Saint, stats 6/6/6/6, beat Brain. Disputed: rank argues for A, but Laxus beat him at the Games and God Serena beat him with three Gods at his side
Orga Nanagear B
Lightning God Slayer, one of Sabertooth's five strongest, stats 6/5/4/2. Laxus beat him
Atlas Flame B
Dragon, close friend of Igneel. Took Makarov's Giant punch unhurt, and later Silver froze him as the Sun Village's Eternal Flame
Invel Yura B
Spriggan 12, the Winter General, whose ice froze Natsu's advance. Gray beat him one on one
Metalicana B
Iron Dragon, who smashed Face bombs unhurt. The wiki says he lost most of his power with his soul
Ajeel Ramal B
Spriggan 12 and master of Sand Magic. Erza beat him, and Elfman and Lisanna beat him as well

C tier

Levy McGarden C
Solid Script Mage and leader of Shadow Gear. Rated on brains and support
Cana Alberona C
Card Magic, and Mavis lent her Fairy Glitter. Lost to Fried, and fought beside Gildarts against August in support only
Virgo C
Zodiac Spirit, fast digger who cut through guards in the Tower of Heaven
Aquarius C
Zodiac Spirit, floods the field. Fought on after a heavy hit from Jackal
Lisanna Strauss C
Animal Take Over, and helped beat Kain and Rustyrose in team fights
Yukino Agria C
Spirit Mage with a 13th key. Kagura beat her easily
Meredy C
Mashima planned her as the weakest of the Seven Kin. Maguilty Sense links people's pain. Juvia beat her
Flare Corona C
Raven Tail elite, beat Lucy only by cheating with a hostage
Angel C
Sorano of the Oración Seis, spirit Mage then Angel Magic. Lost to Lucy, and to Gray with Dan's help
Aries C
Zodiac Spirit, wool defence and some kicking skill
Bisca Connell C
Guns Magic and fast aim, she even caught Erza off guard
Bickslow C
Thunder God Tribe, beat Gray once
Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki C
Ace of Blue Pegasus, stats 2/2/1/1. Perfume Magic support, and he helped beat Bacchus and Rocker with Nichiya
Evergreen C
Thunder God Tribe, stone eyes. Beat Elfman early, lost to Erza
Millianna C
Mermaid Heel binding Mage, drew with Lyon's team alongside Kagura
Jenny Realight C
Take Over Mage of Blue Pegasus, Mirajane beat her
Yuri Dreyar C
Founder of Fairy Tail, fought Blue Skull with Mavis's team. Too few feats to rate higher
Alzack Connell C
Guns Magic. Lost to Fried
Taurus C
Zodiac Spirit, strong axe user, but Kain knocked him out in one blow
Hibiki Lates C
Archive Magic Mage, stats 3/3/4/6. Gave Lucy Urano Metria
Mest Gryder C
Teleporter and memory Mage who spied on the Council. Saved Wendy, and with Katja fought Racer
Scorpio C
Zodiac Spirit, Sand Buster knocked out a squad of soldiers
Sherry Blendy C
Doll Attack Mage, lost to Lucy
Laki Olietta C
Wood-Make Mage. Bickslow beat her
Gemini C
Gemini, one spirit with Mini. Copies a person's looks, memories and magic
Romeo Conbolt C
Rainbow Fire user who grew up in the guild during the time skip
Simon C
Team Jellal fighter, knocked Juvia aside, and died shielding Erza
Ikaruga C
Trinity Raven leader, never lost a fight until Erza beat her
Sagittarius C
Zodiac Spirit, shot a bullet out of the air
Anna Heartfilia C
Opened the Eclipse Gate as a Celestial Spirit Mage and taught the Slayers. Rated on that one great act
Cancer C
Zodiac Spirit, quick with scissors
Ren Akatsuki C
Air Magic Mage of the Trimens, stats 5/4/3/3. Midnight beat him
Cosmos C
Garou Knight with plant spells. Wendy beat her
Libra C
Zodiac Spirit, Gravity Change
Jet C
High Speed Mage of Shadow Gear
Macao Conbolt C
Beat 19 Vulcans alone before one took him over. 4th Guild Master during the gap
Hoteye C
Richard of the Oración Seis. Nirvana turned him good during his fight with Jura
Mary Hughes C
Filler arc Legion member. Command Magic beat Lucy and briefly stole Satan Soul
Pisces C
Pisces, a paired Zodiac Spirit, huge fish in battle
Heine Lunasea C
Sword enchanted into a soldier by Irene. Mirajane beat her with Juliet
Juliet Sun C
Sword enchanted into a soldier by Irene. Mirajane beat her with Heine
Lahar C
Head Captain of Custody Enforcement, not rated on fights

D tier

Happy D
Exceed support flyer. Rated on Aera, not fights
Frosch D
Exceed, no fights
Plue D
Silver Key spirit with no combat ability, kept as a pet
Carla D
Exceed support flyer with precognition
Lucy Ashley D
Edolas guild fighter, minor
Juvia (Edolas) D
Edolas fighter, beat soldiers bare-handed
Zera D
Child who died in X679, later an illusion made by Mavis
Layla Heartfilia D
Non-fighter on screen. Spirit Mage of the long Heartfilia line
Hisui E. Fiore D
Non-fighter. Mastermind of the Eclipse Project and later queen
Lector D
Exceed, no fights
Asuka Connell D
Child of the guild
Natsu Dragion D
Edolas driver with no magic of his own
Wendy (Edolas) D
Edolas guild member, minor
Kinana D
Guild worker, formerly Erik's snake Cubellios
Coco D
Edolas officer, no real fight
Michelle Lobster D
Non-fighter, found unconscious in a Zentopia hospital
Porlyusica D
Non-fighter. Fairy Tail's Medicinal Advisor and Edolas counterpart of Grandeeney
Toka D
100 Years Quest only. Exceed of Elentear, host to Faris, so the power isn't hers
Mato D
Non-fighter. King Toma in disguise as the Games mascot and referee
Lyra D
Silver Key spirit, performer
Gray Surge D
Edolas guild member, minor
Horologium D
Silver Key spirit, protective casing only
Daphne D
Filler arc scientist behind the Dragonoid. Natsu beat her
Shagotte D
Exceed queen, non-fighter
Marl D
Exceed, non-fighter
Kana (Edolas) D
Edolas guild member, minor
Coco (Earth Land) D
Filler arc Legion member, gave up against Wendy and Lily
Toby Horhorta D
Lamia Scale, stats 3/2/2/1. Natsu beat him easily
Nichiya D
Exceed guard captain, helped Ichiya in a team fight
Lucky D
Exceed, non-fighter
Droy D
Plant Magic Mage of Shadow Gear, rarely effective
Bob D
Guild Master of Blue Pegasus, no fight shown
Karen Lilica D
Dead before the story starts. Famed spirit Mage killed by Angel
Katja D
Filler arc spirit Mage, with Mest against Racer
Beth Vanderwod D
Mermaid Heel, Vegetable Magic, stats 3/3/5/2
Lamy D
Mass-produced Etherious, card 600. Works the regeneration tanks

Best at each trait

Every rating

Each trait is rated 1 to 5 within Fairy Tail. These ratings set the prices in Build a Character, so a $5 Speed pick really is one of the fastest.

CharacterTierStrSpdIntDurSkillCha
Natsu DragneelS552545
ZerefS445555
AcnologiaS553555
IgneelS543545
Irene BelserionS445455
IgniaS553544
SeleneS445544
AugustS445554
MercphobiaS433533
Erza ScarletA444455
Gray FullbusterA443455
Mirajane StraussA443455
Jellal FernandesA354354
Laxus DreyarA553544
Mavis VermillionA125545
Gildarts CliveA543554
Makarov DreyarA434455
Dimaria YestaA454354
Larcade DragneelA443444
Mard Geer TartarosA444554
Celestial Spirit KingA534555
Hades (Precht Gaebolg)A445454
Warrod SequenA235454
SuzakuA453453
God SerenaA543544
Lucy HeartfiliaB233345
Juvia LockserB343443
Gajeel RedfoxB442544
Wendy MarvellB233344
Sting EucliffeB443445
Ultear MilkovichB345354
LokeB343444
Rogue CheneyB443443
MystoganB344353
Brandish μB334454
Kagura MikazuchiB453353
Freed JustineB334353
CobraB443443
Panther LilyB433443
Minerva OrlandB344443
Lyon VastiaB333344
Sherria BlendyB223333
Elfman StraussB422433
UrB334455
MidnightB334443
Erza KnightwalkerB343343
SeilahB335343
SilverB443454
BacchusB442454
ZancrowB432343
CapricornB344343
Rufus LoreB335343
GrandeeneyB343434
KiriaB342343
AzumaB433443
JackalB343343
KyokaB354444
Jura NeekisB434554
Orga NanagearB432433
Atlas FlameB433433
Invel YuraB345444
MetalicanaB432533
Ajeel RamalB442443
Levy McGardenC125244
Cana AlberonaC223344
VirgoC243333
AquariusC333444
Lisanna StraussC233234
Yukino AgriaC233233
MeredyC233333
Flare CoronaC232333
AngelC233333
AriesC222333
Bisca ConnellC233243
BickslowC232343
Ichiya Vandalay KotobukiC222334
EvergreenC233233
MilliannaC232233
Jenny RealightC222234
Yuri DreyarC333334
Alzack ConnellC233243
TaurusC421333
Hibiki LatesC125233
Mest GryderC244243
ScorpioC332333
Sherry BlendyC223233
Laki OliettaC223233
GeminiC233243
Romeo ConboltC222234
SimonC323334
IkarugaC243253
SagittariusC232243
Anna HeartfiliaC124244
CancerC232333
Ren AkatsukiC232233
CosmosC233333
LibraC223343
JetC242233
Macao ConboltC223334
HoteyeC323433
Mary HughesC233233
PiscesC332333
Heine LunaseaC333332
Juliet SunC332332
LaharC224233
HappyD132225
FroschD121115
PlueD121115
CarlaD133124
Lucy AshleyD222223
Juvia (Edolas)D222222
ZeraD112113
Layla HeartfiliaD114134
Hisui E. FioreD114114
LectorD122113
Asuka ConnellD122124
Natsu DragionD132133
Wendy (Edolas)D122113
KinanaD122223
CocoD132123
Michelle LobsterD112112
PorlyusicaD115243
TokaD122213
MatoD123215
LyraD112123
Gray SurgeD122113
HorologiumD112423
DaphneD124233
ShagotteD123125
MarlD112113
Kana (Edolas)D112113
Coco (Earth Land)D232222
Toby HorhortaD221323
NichiyaD221212
LuckyD112113
DroyD212223
BobD223235
Karen LilicaD123133
KatjaD122232
Beth VanderwodD222223
LamyD112212

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