Best Starter Units in Anime Squadron for Early Progress

# Best Starter Units in Anime Squadron for Early Progress

Choosing your first team in **Anime Squadron** matters more than many new players expect. Early progress is not only about grabbing the flashiest character or chasing the rarest pull. A good starter unit helps you clear stages safely, farm upgrades faster, and avoid wasting resources on characters that feel exciting for one fight but slow you down across a full session.

This guide focuses on one search intent: **how to choose the best starter units in Anime Squadron for early progress**. It does not try to be a full endgame tier list. Instead, it explains the unit types that usually give beginners the smoothest start, what to upgrade first, and how to build a practical early team before you move into deeper team building.

For broader basics, you can also check the [Anime Squadron beginner guide](/guides/anime-squadron-beginner-guide/) or jump straight into the game from the [play page](/play/).

What Makes a Starter Unit Good?

A strong starter unit is not always the one with the highest possible late-game ceiling. In early Anime Squadron progress, the best starter characters usually share a few traits:

• **Reliable damage** against common enemies
• **Low upgrade cost** compared with their performance
• **Useful range or area coverage**
• **Simple placement and timing**
• **Good value before rare upgrades become available**
• **Compatibility with other basic units**

The early game rewards consistency. A unit that clears regular waves without perfect setup is usually better for beginners than a specialized character that only shines when you already have a complete build around them.

Best Starter Unit Roles to Prioritize

Since early accounts may not have the same pulls, the smartest way to choose starter units is by role. Build around these categories first, then replace individual characters as your roster improves.

1. Main Damage Starter

Your first priority should be a dependable main damage unit. This is the character you expect to carry most early stages, handle standard enemies, and receive your first meaningful upgrades.

A good main damage starter should feel strong even before heavy investment. Look for a character that attacks consistently, does not require unusual positioning, and scales well with basic upgrades. If a unit only feels good after several expensive upgrades, it may be better later but weaker as a true starter choice.

What to look for

• Solid single-target or mixed damage
• Affordable first and second upgrades
• Good attack speed or dependable burst damage
• Usable range for common stage layouts
• No complicated condition before dealing damage

Practical early use

Place your main damage unit where it can hit enemies for as long as possible. Corners, bends, and long lanes usually give better value than placing it near the end of a path. If you are unsure where to place your first unit, choose a spot where enemies stay in range for several seconds rather than a spot that only catches one short section.

For most beginners, this should be the first unit you upgrade. One well-upgraded carry is often stronger than four underpowered units spread across the map.

2. Area Damage Starter

After you have a main damage option, you need a unit that handles groups. Early stages often punish players who can defeat one enemy at a time but fall behind when multiple waves stack together. That is where area damage becomes valuable.

Area damage starters are especially useful when enemies appear in clusters or when your main damage unit attacks too slowly to handle crowds. Even moderate area damage can prevent leaks and make farming stages feel much smoother.

What to look for

• Splash, cone, circular, or line-based attacks
• Consistent wave clear rather than rare burst only
• Good placement value on bends or intersections
• Upgrade paths that improve range, damage, or attack size

Practical early use

Do not place your area damage unit too late on the route. It should soften groups before they reach your final defense. If the unit has a circular area, bends are usually strong. If it attacks in a line or cone, place it where enemies travel through that attack path for longer.

A balanced early team often uses one main damage unit and one area damage unit as the core. This simple combination is enough to carry many beginner stages when upgraded properly.

3. Cheap Early Defender

A cheap starter unit can be extremely useful, even if it is not your strongest character. These units help you survive the opening waves while you save resources for better placements and upgrades.

Many beginners lose because they wait too long to place anything or spend everything on a single expensive unit before the stage is stable. A cheap defender solves that problem. It gives you breathing room while your carry unit ramps up.

What to look for

• Low placement cost
• Quick early impact
• Decent damage without immediate upgrades
• Useful enough to sell, replace, or keep later

Practical early use

Use cheap units to cover the first waves, then decide whether they are worth upgrading. If a cheap unit falls off quickly, do not keep feeding resources into it out of habit. Let it do its job, then shift your upgrades into your main damage and area damage starters.

This is one of the biggest early progress lessons in Anime Squadron: a unit can be good because it solves a timing problem, not because it remains powerful forever.

4. Support or Utility Starter

Support units are often overlooked by beginners because their value is less obvious than raw damage. However, a simple support unit can make your early team much stronger if it improves damage uptime, slows enemies, buffs allies, or creates better control over waves.

That said, support units are not always the first thing you should build. A support character is only valuable when you already have enough damage for the support effect to matter.

What to look for

• Slows, stuns, buffs, or enemy control
• Effects that work without heavy upgrades
• Good synergy with your main damage unit
• Low enough cost that it does not delay your carry

Practical early use

Place support units where they help your strongest attackers hit longer. For example, a slow effect is much better near your main damage cluster than at a random point on the map. Buffing units should usually be positioned to affect your highest-value damage dealers, not your cheapest filler units.

If your team is failing because enemies are surviving with high health, upgrade damage first. If your team is failing because enemies are moving through too quickly or arriving in dense packs, utility may be the missing piece.

5. Boss Damage Starter

Some starter teams clear waves easily but struggle against tanky enemies or early bosses. If that happens, you need a unit with stronger single-target performance.

Boss damage starters do not need to be your first unit on the field, but they are useful once stages begin introducing tougher enemies. A good boss damage unit keeps your run from collapsing when one durable target slips past your area damage.

What to look for

• Strong single-target damage
• Reliable targeting against high-health enemies
• Upgrade value that improves damage meaningfully
• Good range or attack speed for longer boss coverage

Practical early use

Place boss damage units where they can stay locked onto tough enemies for a long time. Avoid putting them in spots where they constantly swap targets unless their attack pattern benefits from that. If targeting choices are available, prioritize the setting that best handles the enemy type giving you trouble.

Best Early Team Structure

A strong beginner lineup does not need to be complicated. Use this starter structure as a simple template:

1. **Main damage unit** for consistent clearing 2. **Area damage unit** for grouped enemies 3. **Cheap early unit** for opening wave stability 4. **Support or utility unit** for control or buffs 5. **Boss damage unit** for tanky targets

This structure gives you answers to the most common early problems. You can adjust it depending on your pulls, but try not to fill every slot with the same type of character. Five damage units may look powerful, yet a team without area coverage or control can still lose quickly.

For more complete lineup planning after the early game, read the [Anime Squadron team builds guide](/guides/anime-squadron-team-builds/).

Starter Unit Upgrade Priority

The best starter units become much better when you upgrade them in the right order. Early resources are limited, so avoid spreading upgrades too thin.

A practical upgrade order is:

1. **Upgrade your main damage unit first.** This gives you the biggest overall improvement. 2. **Add or upgrade area damage when groups become dangerous.** Do this before waves overwhelm you. 3. **Invest in boss damage when tanky enemies start leaking.** Do not overbuild it before you need it. 4. **Upgrade support only after your damage units are worth supporting.** Buffing weak units is rarely efficient. 5. **Stop upgrading cheap filler once it has done its job.** Save for stronger units or key upgrades.

The goal is not to upgrade every starter character equally. The goal is to spend just enough to stay stable, then push resources into the unit that gives the best return.

For a deeper breakdown of spending decisions, use the [Anime Squadron upgrade priority guide](/guides/anime-squadron-upgrade-priority/).

How to Test Whether a Starter Unit Is Worth Keeping

Because early rosters vary, you may need to test your own units. Use this simple checklist after a few stages.

Keep investing if the unit:

• Clears regular enemies without needing too much support
• Makes stages easier immediately after an upgrade
• Works on several map layouts
• Solves a real problem in your team
• Still feels useful after stronger enemies appear

Replace or bench if the unit:

• Needs too many upgrades before feeling useful
• Only performs well in one narrow situation
• Has poor range for common maps
• Does not help against waves, bosses, or survival pressure
• Consumes resources that would be better spent on your carry

Do not judge a starter unit from one stage only. A character may struggle on one map because of placement or enemy type but perform well elsewhere. Test it across a few early stages before making a final decision.

Common Starter Unit Mistakes

New players often slow their early progress by making avoidable roster mistakes. Here are the big ones to watch for.

Chasing rarity over usefulness

A rare unit is exciting, but rarity alone does not guarantee smooth early progress. Some higher-rarity characters may need expensive upgrades or specific support before they become strong. If a lower-rarity unit clears early waves more reliably, it can be the better starter choice for now.

Ignoring area damage

Single-target damage can look impressive until grouped enemies arrive. If you keep losing to large waves, do not just add more single-target attackers. Add area coverage or improve the area unit you already have.

Upgrading every unit evenly

Equal upgrades feel tidy, but they are rarely efficient. Your strongest early unit should usually receive the most attention. A focused carry with support is often better than a full team of lightly upgraded units.

Replacing units too quickly

It is good to improve your team, but swapping constantly can waste resources and make progress feel inconsistent. Build a stable early core first. Then replace one slot at a time as you understand what your team lacks.

Forgetting placement

A strong starter unit placed badly can look weak. Before benching a character, try different positions. Long-range units often want central coverage, area units love bends, and boss damage units need long contact time with durable enemies.

For map-specific help, the [Anime Squadron stage strategy guide](/guides/anime-squadron-stage-strategy/) can help you think through placements and wave pressure.

Should You Reroll for Better Starter Units?

Rerolling can be tempting, but it is not always necessary for early Anime Squadron progress. If your current roster has a reliable damage unit, an area option, and at least one cheap early placement, you can usually start progressing without chasing a perfect opening.

Consider rerolling only if your starting roster feels extremely limited and you cannot build a basic team structure. Even then, remember that early progress also depends on upgrades, placement, and farming efficiency.

A good rule is simple: if you can clear early stages consistently and earn resources at a steady pace, keep going. Progress creates more opportunities. Endless rerolling can delay the upgrades and practice that actually make your account stronger.

For players who want a more detailed decision process, see the [Anime Squadron reroll guide](/guides/anime-squadron-reroll-guide/).

Farming With Starter Units

The best starter units are also the ones that help you farm comfortably. Farming is not only about clearing the hardest possible stage. It is about repeating stages quickly and safely so your account keeps improving.

When choosing a farming team, prioritize:

• Fast wave clear
• Low chance of leaks
• Simple placement patterns
• Affordable upgrade routes
• Consistent performance without perfect timing

If a unit helps you clear a stage once but makes repeat runs stressful, it may not be your best farming starter. A slightly less powerful but more consistent unit can be better for long sessions.

For more on building steady resources, check the [Anime Squadron farming guide](/guides/anime-squadron-farming-guide/) and the [Anime Squadron leveling guide](/guides/anime-squadron-leveling-guide/).

Early Progress Plan for New Players

Use this step-by-step plan when starting Anime Squadron:

1. **Pick one main damage unit.** Choose the character that clears regular enemies most reliably. 2. **Add one area damage unit.** Make sure your team can handle grouped waves. 3. **Use a cheap unit for early stability.** Do not overspend on it unless it continues to perform well. 4. **Add support only when your damage core is ready.** Utility works best when it improves an already solid setup. 5. **Test against bosses or tanky enemies.** Add single-target power if durable enemies are your main problem. 6. **Upgrade with purpose.** Focus on the units that solve your current stage issue. 7. **Replace slowly.** Swap one weak slot at a time instead of rebuilding your whole team after every pull.

This plan keeps your progress focused. It also prevents the common beginner trap of constantly changing teams without learning why a stage was won or lost.

Final Recommendation

The best starter units in Anime Squadron are the ones that help you make early progress consistently: a dependable main damage unit, a useful area damage unit, a cheap early defender, a support option, and a boss damage answer. You do not need a perfect endgame roster to start clearing stages. You need a balanced early team that handles normal waves, grouped enemies, and tougher targets without wasting resources.

Start with reliable damage, add area coverage, upgrade carefully, and only chase replacements when they clearly solve a problem. Once your early team is stable, you can move into deeper strategies, stronger builds, and broader progression through the full [Anime Squadron guide collection](/guides/).