- Summon selection determines your success in both story and infinite modes
- Eren (A-Tier) is a top budget pick for spawning devastating Colossal Titans
- Bulma is essential for economy, generating extra cash every wave
- Pain and Whitebeard dominate S-Tier for high AoE and tsunami damage
- Team composition matters more than individual star ratings
Understanding the Summon Tier List
Choosing the right units in All Star Tower Defense can make or break your run. The summon system relies on a star-based gacha mechanic, where higher-star units generally offer better stats, abilities, and area-of-effect damage. However, raw star ratings do not tell the whole story. Some lower-tier units provide unique utility that makes them indispensable for challenging modes.
Video Highlights:
- How Eren's Colossal Titan spawn can solo final waves
- Why Bulma is the best economy unit in the game
- Infinite mode strategy using 11 maxed-out Bulma units
- Whitebeard's tsunami AoE damage clearing entire paths
- Beating All For One using only 5-star summons
The community generally ranks units from S-Tier down to F-Tier based on their overall damage output, utility, and placement cost. S-Tier units like Pain, Whitebeard, and Wiper sit at the top of the meta. A-Tier units like Eren offer incredible value for their cost, especially when maxed out. Understanding where each unit sits in the tier list helps you make informed summon selections.
Save your gems for banner rotations that feature S-Tier units. If you are building a budget team, focus on A-Tier units like Eren, who can carry you through story mode and boss fights without requiring massive resource investment.
Top Summon Recommendations by Rank
When building your roster, you need to know which units deliver the most value. Below is a breakdown of the best summons currently dominating the ASTD meta, categorized by their tier placement and primary function.
| Rank | Unit Name | Primary Role | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Pain | Hybrid DPS | Massive AoE burst damage |
| S | Whitebeard | AoE DPS | Tsunami attack clears paths |
| S | Wiper | Single Target | High burst on bosses |
| A | Eren | Summoner | Spawns Colossal Titans |
| A | Bulma | Economy | Generates extra cash per wave |
| B | Toga | Hybrid | Decent damage, fast cooldown |
Pain (S-Tier)
- Massive AoE damage
- Excellent for infinite mode
- High upgrade scaling
- Best used in late-game waves
Eren (A-Tier)
- Spawns Colossal Titans
- 429 base damage at max level
- Titans walk the path destroying mobs
- Incredible value for 5-star unit
Bulma (A-Tier)
- Economy engine
- Generates bonus cash every wave
- Stack multiple for insane income
- Enables fast unit upgrades
If you can only invest in one unit, Eren offers the best return on investment. At level 80, his Colossal Titan spawn deals devastating damage across the entire map, effectively acting as a second wave of defense.
Economy vs Damage: Building Your Team
A common mistake players make is filling their team with pure damage dealers and neglecting economy. In All Star Tower Defense, cash flow determines how quickly you can upgrade and place units. Without proper economy management, even the strongest units will fall behind in later waves.
| Strategy | Units Needed | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Economy | 3-4 Bulma | Massive income, fast upgrades | Low early damage |
| Balanced | 1-2 Bulma + 2-3 DPS | Steady income and damage | Requires good positioning |
| Full Damage | 4-5 DPS units | High burst potential | Cash starved in later waves |
| Summoner Focus | Eren + Bulma | Titans carry waves | Slow start, needs teamwork |
The most effective strategy combines economy units like Bulma with high-damage summoners like Eren. Place Bulma units early to start generating income, then invest in Eren and upgrade him to max level. Once Eren starts spawning Colossal Titans, the Titans will walk along the path and crush everything in their way.
Always place your economy units in the back of the map where they are safe. Position damage dealers and summoners near the front or at choke points where enemies are forced to cluster together.
Step-by-Step Summon Setup Guide
Setting up your team correctly from wave one is critical for surviving both story mode and infinite mode. Follow these steps to optimize your summon selection and placement.
Roll for Core Units
Use your gems on banners featuring Pain, Whitebeard, or Eren. Prioritize getting at least one S-Tier or A-Tier damage dealer before investing in support units.
Secure Economy Units
Roll for Bulma. She may be difficult to obtain since her value is not immediately obvious from stats, but she is arguably the most important unit for long runs and infinite mode.
Place Economy First
On wave one, place Bulma immediately. This starts your income generation early. Every wave she survives generates extra cash that compounds over time.
Upgrade and Position DPS
Once you have stable income, place your primary damage dealer (Eren or Pain) at a choke point. Focus all upgrade resources on maxing this unit before placing additional attackers.
Activate Summon Abilities
For units like Eren, wait until waves get dense before relying on Colossal Titan spawns. Time your upgrades so that max-level abilities activate during the toughest waves.
For infinite mode, stack multiple Bulma units to generate over 48,000 cash. Use this income to max out Pain or Eren units. A team of maxed Bulma plus maxed Eren can sustain infinite runs indefinitely.
Summon Comparison and Stat Breakdown
Understanding the raw numbers behind each summon helps you make precise decisions about which units to invest in. Below is a detailed stat comparison of the top recommended units.
| Unit | Max Level | Base Damage | Special Ability | Upgrade Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain | 80 | High | AoE devastation | Expensive |
| Whitebeard | 80 | High | Tsunami path clear | Moderate |
| Eren | 80 | 429 | Colossal Titan spawn | Moderate |
| Bulma | 80 | N/A | Cash generation | Low |
| Wiper | 80 | Very High | Single-target burst | Moderate |
Eren's 429 damage at max level may seem low compared to pure DPS units, but his Colossal Titan acts as an independent entity that deals separate damage along the entire path. This effectively multiplies his damage output significantly.
Summon Roster Goals:
- Obtain at least one S-Tier damage dealer (Pain or Whitebeard)
- Roll Bulma for economy support
- Max out Eren to unlock Colossal Titan spawns
- Build a balanced team for both story and infinite modes
- Experiment with different unit placements on each map
Advanced Tips and FAQ
Mastering All Star Tower Defense summon selection goes beyond simply picking high-tier units. Map awareness, wave timing, and team coordination all play crucial roles in maximizing your effectiveness.
In co-op modes, communicate with your teammates about unit roles. If one player focuses on economy with Bulma, the other should focus on raw damage. This division of labor produces better results than both players running identical builds.
Key advanced strategies to keep in mind:
- Sell and reposition: Do not be afraid to sell early-game units to make room for stronger late-game placements
- Stack economy: Multiple Bulma units compound your income generation exponentially
- Time your summons: Save Colossal Titan spawns for boss waves or dense enemy clusters
- Use choke points: Maps like Leaf Village have natural choke points where AoE units excel
- Monitor upgrade paths: Some units gain dramatic power spikes at specific upgrade levels
Q: What is the best summon in All Star Tower Defense?
Pain and Whitebeard are widely considered the best S-Tier summons. Pain offers massive AoE burst damage ideal for infinite mode, while Whitebeard's tsunami ability clears entire paths. For budget players, Eren is an outstanding A-Tier alternative that provides incredible value through his Colossal Titan spawns.
Q: How do I get Bulma in All Star Tower Defense?
Bulma is obtained through the standard summon system using gems. She can be difficult to roll since her value is not immediately apparent from combat stats. Keep rolling on banners that include her and prioritize obtaining at least one copy for economy support in longer game modes.
Q: Is Eren worth investing in for summon selection?
Absolutely. Eren is one of the best value picks in the game. At level 80, he deals 429 base damage and spawns Colossal Titans every 120 seconds. These Titans walk the entire path and deal devastating damage, making Eren effective for both story mode boss fights and infinite mode runs.
Q: What is the best team composition for infinite mode?
The most effective infinite mode team combines multiple Bulma units for economy with maxed-out damage dealers like Pain or Eren. A proven strategy uses 3-4 Bulma units generating cash while 1-2 maxed Eren units spawn Colossal Titans continuously. This composition can sustain waves indefinitely.