What this board compares
Each row is a trait, judged from its published chance, pity, and stat line. Monarch and Ethereal are both top of that list for different placement caps. Unit damage tiers from before Update 15.0 are not reprinted here, because the anniversary changed modes, damage numbers, and the roster.
S tier
Player decision Best damage trait for a unit that already places only once. Skip it as a default when the unit wants three or more copies on the field.
Player decision Preferred damage trait when you place the unit several times. Cost, passives, and ability cooldowns can still make Monarch better on a single copy.
A tier
Player decision Take it on a unit that already crits. It is the wrong pity target if the unit has no crit scaling.
Player decision Best general stop if you cannot afford Ethereal or Monarch pity and the unit needs range.
Player decision Keep it on a unit whose value is attack speed when you are not ready to roll past it toward Ethereal.
B tier
Player decision Use it on the unit you place for money. Replace it on a damage unit once you can hold Solar or better.
Player decision A hold for a unit that cannot reach the lane. Solar is the upgrade when you can afford its pity, because Solar also adds damage and attack speed.
C tier
Player decision Useful while a unit is still leveling in Exp Rush. Replace it after the level you need is done.
D tier
Player decision A temporary damage roll. Do not stop a pity chase on Vigor III.
Player decision Keep tier III only if you have no Blitz or Ethereal yet. Blitz is a flat 20% SPA cut.
Player decision A stopgap until Marksman or Solar. Tier III is half of Marksman's range bonus.