Picking the right heroes in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) can make all the difference in ranking up quickly. In this article, we present the April/ May 2025 tier list of the best MLBB heroes, broken down by role. These are the power picks dominating the current meta. Let’s jump into the tier list and start winning more matches!

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S-Tier Assassins (Carry Junglers)

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Assassins thrive on picking off squishy targets, and this month’s top assassins can snowball hard if played well. According to Pocket Tactics’ latest tier rankings, the best Assassins in April and May 2025 include Hayabusa, Joy, and Julian​. These three stand out for their high burst damage and mobility:

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• Hayabusa: Still a king of the jungle, Hayabusa’s quad-shadow ultimate deletes fragile heroes in one combo. He remains one of the most banned and highest win-rate assassins this patch​, simply because a fed Hayabusa is a nightmare to deal with. If you’re comfortable with him, he’s a free ticket to Mythic. Just farm up, split push, and assassinate enemy marksmen on cooldown.
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• Joy: A newer assassin with electrifying moves (literally). Joy combines high burst with annoying immunity frames during her skill casts. In the latest April meta, she climbed to S-tier by outplaying enemy CC and dancing around teamfights. Joy’s mobility and damage make her a great pick for skilled players who enjoy outmanoeuvring opponents.
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• Julian: An assassin/fighter hybrid who, after some buffs, is terrorising games. Julian’s versatile enhanced skills allow him to dash, knock up, and nuke enemies. He’s S-tier both in mid and jungle​. The key is mastering his combo timing (remember he can enhance every 3rd skill cast). Julian brings assassin damage with fighter durability; a scary combo if you ask me.
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Other honorable mentions in Assassin role: Hanzo (still dangerous with his remote ultimate), Ling (if you can manage his wall-climbing energy), and Fanny (always high skill cap but deadly) are rated A-tier​. If the S-tiers are banned, these are fine choices.

Assassin Tip: In solo queue, assassins can hard carry but require map awareness. S-tier assassins like Hayabusa excel at split-pushing, so take advantage when enemies group elsewhere. And always target the enemy backline (MM/mage) in fights; one clean kill can turn the tide.
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S-Tier Mages (Mid Lane Carries)

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Mid lane mages dish out magic damage and crowd control. The top mid heroes this month are packing serious power. Sportskeeda’s analysis places Harith, Xavier, Alice, and Cecilion at S-tier among mages​. Let’s focus on a couple key ones:

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• Harith: The “Chrono Dash” mage is back in meta! Harith deals insane sustained DPS for a mage, especially after getting some buffs. He’s described as “one of the best performers in mid-lane” with high versatility. Harith’s ability to spam shields and damage makes him feel like a magic marksman. Pick Harith if your team needs a mid that can also carry late-game fights (just watch your positioning; he’s short range).
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• Xavier: The light magician with global ult. Xavier returned to S-tier thanks to meta changes​. He provides enormous AoE damage and crowd control with his scaling ultimate that can hit the entire map. Xavier is amazing in coordinated play, so time his ult to finish off runners or soften the whole enemy team before an objective fight. His only weakness is early-game mana dependence and mobility, but if protected, he will dish out massive damage.
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• Alice: A tanky battle-mage who life-steals like crazy. Alice in S-tier means her late-game is terrifying; she can blink into 5 enemies, pop her ult, and sustain while killing squishies​. She’s great in extended teamfights and has become a top mid pick especially if your team needs a beefy AP threat.
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• Cecilion: The spammy poke mage with infinite scaling mana. Cecilion’s long-range bats hurt a ton as the game goes late. He and Xavier fill similar roles of arcing long-range damage; Cecilion got S-tier nod for his high win rate in coordinated teams (though some list him A-tier). If you can manage his mana stacking mechanic, he’s a beast in defense and siege.
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Other strong mages: Valentina (A-tier; her ult steal is always impactful), Yve (A-tier zone control), and Zhuxin; interestingly, one source put Zhuxin as the sole S-tier mage, but others like Sportskeeda place her at A-tier​. Either way, Zhuxin is a new mage with big burst and is worth mentioning; she’s climbing up due to her high-impact ult.
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Mage Tip: Coordinate your ultimates with team CC. For example, Xavier’s ult after Atlas or Tigreal engages = wombo combo. And don’t forget to secure blue buff if you’re mana-hungry (ping your team politely). A fed mage can carry teamfights, so protect yourself and deal that damage.
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S-Tier Marksmen (Gold Lane Hypercarries)
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In the gold lane, marksmen are your late-game damage dealers. The best marksmen of April/ May 2025 include Granger, Karrie, and Melissa in S-tier, with Granger and Karrie being particularly notable:
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• Granger: This marksman has remained top-tier thanks to his bursty kit and kite potential. Granger’s ultimate can chunk enemies from distance, and his critical burst makes him feel like a physical mage in some ways. Right now, Granger and Melissa are two of the most banned marksmen because of their carry potential. Granger is great for players who like a more active early-game marksman; he can secure kills at level 4 easily.
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• Karrie: True damage shredding is Karrie’s game. Tanks are prevalent in the meta, and Karrie chews through them with her passive. If the enemy drafts Johnson, Hylos, or any beefy frontliner, picking Karrie is a direct counter. Just farm safely, and once you have Golden Staff + DHS (her core items), melt everyone.
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• Melissa: A newer marksman known for her doll that zones out enemies. Melissa is strong in this meta because she counters dive comps; her ultimate creates a field that melee enemies can’t pass, protecting herself. Her ban rate is high since she’s a lane bully and scales well. If open, Melissa provides both safety and damage; perfect for solo queue where you can’t always trust teammates to peel for you.
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Other picks: Brody, Moskov, Beatrix sit in A-tier​: all solid if you prefer them. Brody’s burst, Moskov’s penetration and late-game, Beatrix’s versatility are never bad. But if you really want to win, try to get your hands on one of the S-tiers above.
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Marksman Tip: Farm is your #1 priority. Take advantage of the gold lane shield turret early for extra gold. Ping for help if enemies pressure you; a dead marksman deals zero DPS. Come late-game, stick with your tank and let them initiate, then free-hit whoever is in range. With an S-tier MM like Karrie or Melissa, if you survive, you will out-DPS everyone.
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S-Tier Fighters (Exp Lane Bruisers)
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Fighters are the versatile melee heroes that typically hold the Exp lane. This patch, fighters that can either initiate or ones that scale into split-push monsters are doing great. Lukas, Phoveus, and Badang are listed as S-tier fighters by many sources​:
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• Lukas: (If you haven’t heard, Lukas is a newer fighter, possibly a gladiator-style hero.) He’s made an immediate impact with strong engagement and outplay potential. He has a gap-closer stun and high damage, making him a threat in sidelanes and teamfights alike. If you unlock him, definitely give him a shot.
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• Phoveus: The anti-dash hero. Phoveus is S-tier because a lot of meta heroes (assassins, some supports) rely on dashes, and his ult punishes that hard. Whenever Joy, Fanny, Ling, or any dashy hero is in the enemy team, Phoveus becomes an insta-pick. He just scales into a beast that can spam dunk (ult) repeatedly in fights as enemies try to escape or engage. He’s relatively easy to play too; a great pick for climbing if you see a counter opportunity.
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• Badang: Old but gold, Badang cracks the S-tier due to his capability to one-shot squishies and even take down turrets swiftly. He was buffed, and now his combo of wall plus fist crack can basically delete a marksman if landed properly. Badang also split-pushes very fast with his empowered punches. Just be mindful of counters (he struggles against heroes who can get out of his wall). In the right hands, Badang snowballs the sidelane and carries teamfights.
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Other notable fighters: Chou (the classic playmaker, A-tier but always viable for high skill players), Yu Zhong (great teamfight presence with his dragon form, A-tier), Dyrroth and Jawhead (A-tier bully fighters)​. All can work, but the S-tiers have that extra oomph right now.
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Fighter Tip: Understand your role – some fighters split push (e.g. Badang), others teamfight (Phoveus), others peel/catch (Chou). Play accordingly. In Exp lane, focus on clearing wave and trading efficiently. Teleport to join turtle or teamfights at the right time. A fed fighter can often dive the enemy backline alongside an assassin, so coordinate dives on enemy carries.
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S-Tier Tanks (Roam Initiators)
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Tanks set the tone for engagements. In April/ May 2025, tanks with reliable CC and durability are top picks. Hylos, Gatotkaca, and “Chip” are rated S-tier among tanks​:

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• Hylos: This towering centaur remains S-tier due to his simple but effective kit​. He has tons of HP (especially with his skill that converts mana to HP), a point-click stun, and a slowing trail ultimate. Hylos just won’t die and provides constant slows/stuns in a fight. He’s great for covering your marksman and locking down divers.
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• Gatotkaca: Another beefy boy climbing back to S-tier. Gatot’s taunt and big AoE ult are fantastic initiation tools. The meta seems to favor these old-school tanks again, and a well-timed Gatot ult wins teamfights. He also counters physical damage dealers thanks to his passive. If your team needs an initiator, you can’t go wrong with the Thunder Lord.
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• Chip: Listed as S-tier in Sportskeeda’s tank list​, Chip appears to be a tank with teleportation shenanigans. His ability to teleport is one that always keeps the enemy guessing.
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Other tanks: Tigreal, Khufra, Lolita are A-tier​; all excellent if played well. Tigreal’s simple initiation is evergreen. Khufra remains a strong counter to dash comps (if Phoveus isn’t picked). Lolita is great against heavy projectile teams (e.g. vs Beatrix or Cecilion).
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Tank Tip: Vision and initiation; that’s your job. S-tier tanks like Hylos and Gatot are forgiving (tanky as heck), so use that to check bushes and face-check safely. Communicate (ping) when you’re about to engage. One good engage from you can let your assassins and mages do their work. Also, don’t hesitate to sacrifice yourself to save a carry or secure a kill; that’s what tanks do. Dying is okay if your team cleanup and objective after.
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S-Tier Supports (Roam/Support)
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Supports protect and enable the team. This patch’s best supports are a mix of healers and setup supports. Mathilda, Floryn, Kalea, Carmilla are mentioned as S-tier supports​:
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• Mathilda: A support-assassin hybrid, Mathilda offers guiding wind (jump for allies) and decent burst. Mathilda being S-tier means her utility and damage are valued; she can initiate with circling eagle ult and also save allies with her Guiding Wind. She’s very versatile: peel for your carry or dive with your assassin. If you’re a playmaker support, Mathilda is extremely fun and impactful.
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• Floryn: The team healer. Floryn’s global heal and scaling flower power make her S-tier in coordinated teams​. She provides sustain throughout fights and doesn’t need to go back to base much. In the current meta, sustain can outlast burst if executed well, and Floryn ensures your team stays healthy. Plus, she doesn’t consume farm since she shares items; the perfect support design.
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• Kalea: This MLBB hero sports a great roaming/support option due to her strong crowd control, healing, and ability to disrupt enemy formations. She excels at opening fights with her skill 2 knock-up and disrupting enemy dives with her ultimate. Her passive provides sustained healing, making her a durable roamer and support.
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• Carmilla: A menace support who steals defense and links enemies to share damage. Carmilla’s link ultimate is fantastic in teamfights, effectively amplifying AoE damage. She’s durable and annoying, thus climbing to S-tier. If the enemy clumps at all, a well-placed Carmilla ult can win the fight by itself. Pair her with heroes like Cecilion or Phoveus to maximize the shared damage carnage.
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Other strong supports: Diggie (A-tier – especially to counter heavy CC teams; his ult “Time Journey” negates crowd control, super useful), Angela (A-tier; great for diving comps, attach to your fighter or assassin to make them unkillable). Lolita can be considered a tank-support hybrid with her shield (she’s listed under tanks mostly).
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Support Tip: Map awareness and babysitting are your life. Supports should ward bushes, and stick to your marksman like glue early game if you’re a healer like Floryn. In teamfights, identify if your role is to protect (e.g. Floryn stays back healing, while Mathilda peels) or engage. And always communicate – as support, you often have the best view of what’s happening on the map, so make those crucial calls.
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Tips for Ranking Up Fast with These Heroes
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Picking meta heroes gives you an edge, but how you play them matters for climbing ranks:
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• Master 2-3 Heroes Per Role: Don’t try to learn all 10 S-tier heroes at once. Pick a couple you enjoy and spam them. For example, if you like jungle, master Hayabusa and maybe a backup like Ling for when Hayabusa is banned. Familiarity beats novelty when climbing.
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• Adjust Picks to Team Comp: If your team already has 4 squishy heroes, maybe don’t add another squishy, even if they’re S-tier. For instance, if your team has no tank, you picking a tank (say Gatot or Hylos) could dramatically improve your win chance, even if you wanted to play an assassin. Climbing is about winning, so sometimes play the role your team needs.
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• Abuse Overpowered Combos: Some of these S-tier heroes combo insanely well. Example: Phoveus + Joy on same team; Joy’s dashing around might even trigger Phoveus' ult (since any dash triggers him). Or Mathilda + any diver: Mathilda gives a free ticket in, then you all collapse. If you see synergy, take advantage.
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• Make use of bonus items: Having the right emblems, skins, and even diamonds for a quick hero swap can help. If you need some Diamonds to buy a newly released S-tier hero or that sweet skin that gives a small stat bonus, consider topping up safely. African players can use the Carry1st Shop for MLBB Diamonds, which offers instant direct top-ups. A little boost in resources can equip you with better emblems (via magic dust) or that crucial hero unlock. It’s not pay-to-win, but it can save you time grinding for battle points to buy heroes.
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Final Thoughts
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April 2025’s MLBB meta favours aggressive play and strong wombo combos. The heroes we highlighted, from assassins like Hayabusa to supports like Mathilda, are top picks that can snowball leads and secure victories when used right. Don’t be afraid to adjust and practice; even if some of these heroes have a learning curve, the payoff is huge once mastered. 
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If you’re newer, you can also stick to a slightly easier hero in the same tier (for instance, instead of Joy, you could pick Natalia for stealth assassin).
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(P.S. Don’t forget; if you need a quick boost of Diamonds for that new hero or to unlock an Emblem Matrix, top up on the Carry1st Shop today and get 5% off all purchases. After all, a geared-up player is a dangerous player.)

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