Welcome to the most comprehensive Universal Tower Defense Relics Tier List available! I’ve spent countless hours researching, testing, and analyzing every relic set in the game to bring you this definitive guide. Whether you’re a beginner looking to understand relics or a veteran player seeking to optimize your builds, this tier list will help you make informed decisions about which relic sets to prioritize farming and equipping.
In Universal Tower Defense, relics are game-changing items that can dramatically boost your units’ performance. With six different relic sets available, each inspired by famous anime stages, choosing the right ones can mean the difference between victory and defeat in challenging game modes like Nightmare, Infinite, and Virtual Realm.
Relic Sets at a Glance
| Tier | Relic Sets | Key Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| S Tier | Laughing Captain, Ex-Captain Uraharo | Universal utility, Critical damage | Most characters, Critical builds |
| A Tier | Sun God, Berserk Shingam I | Range scaling, Armor penetration | High-range units, Armored enemies |
| B Tier | Master Ninja | DoT enhancement | Damage-over-time characters |
| C Tier | Junior Ninja | Buff amplification | Team compositions with buffers |
How to Obtain Relics in Universal Tower Defense?
Before diving into the tier list, it’s essential to understand how to acquire these powerful items. The relic system in Universal Tower Defense is designed to reward consistent play across different game modes:
Story Mode Rewards
- Body and Leg Relics: Obtained by completing Story Acts
- Progressive unlocking: Each stage offers specific relic pieces
- Guaranteed drops: Complete story missions to earn basic relic components
Virtual Realm Rewards
- Head Relics: Earned from Virtual Realm matches
- Higher difficulty = better rewards: Challenging VR content yields premium relic pieces
- Endless farming potential: Virtual Realm can be farmed repeatedly for desired relics
Complete Set Bonuses
The real power of relics comes from equipping complete sets. When a unit wears all three pieces (Head, Body, and Leg) from the same set, they gain powerful additional bonuses that often surpass even the best trait buffs. This makes completing sets a top priority for serious players.
S Tier – Best Relic Sets
These relic sets represent the pinnacle of power in Universal Tower Defense. They offer exceptional versatility and performance across virtually all game modes and unit types. If you’re lucky enough to obtain these relics, prioritize completing their sets immediately.
Laughing Captain
Set Bonuses:
- Head: -10% Active Ability Cooldown
- Body/Leg: +5 Base Damage, -5% Attack Cooldown, +5% Range
Why S Tier: Laughing Captain is arguably the most versatile relic set in the entire game. I’ve found it works exceptionally well on virtually any character without requiring specific conditions or team compositions. The cooldown reductions are particularly valuable, allowing your units to use abilities more frequently while also attacking faster. This translates directly to increased DPS and better ability uptime.
The range bonus might seem modest at first glance, but I’ve discovered it significantly improves unit positioning and safety. In crowded tower defense scenarios, that extra range can mean the difference between life and death for your units, especially in challenging game modes like Infinite and Virtual Realm.
Best Units For:
- Support units with active abilities (Lulu, Admiral)
- DPS units that benefit from attack speed increases
- Any unit where positioning flexibility is valuable
Pro Tip: I recommend prioritizing Laughing Captain for your support units first. The reduced cooldown on their abilities can dramatically impact your team’s overall performance.
Ex-Captain Uraharo
Set Bonuses:
- Head: Refund 5% Yen spent on upgrades
- Body/Leg: +10 Critical Rate, +25% Critical Damage
Why S Tier: Ex-Captain Uraharo is the premier choice for critical-focused builds. During my testing, I’ve found that the +10 critical rate combined with +25% critical damage creates explosive damage potential that can obliterate even the toughest enemies. While the 5% yen refund might seem insignificant, every bit helps in longer game modes where resource management becomes crucial.
What makes this set truly exceptional is its scaling potential. As you upgrade your units and invest more resources, the critical bonuses become increasingly valuable. I’ve seen units equipped with this set deal 2-3 times more damage compared to other relic combinations, especially when paired with critical-boosting traits.
Best Units For:
- High-damage DPS units (Kriatu, Berserker, Jinoo)
- Units with innate critical synergy
- Late-game builds where investment is high
Pro Tip: Combine this set with the “Ruler” trait for maximum effectiveness. The +200% damage from Ruler stacks multiplicatively with the critical bonuses, creating devastating damage output.
A Tier – Very Good Relic Sets
These relic sets are excellent choices that can carry you through most content effectively. While they may not have the universal appeal of S-tier sets, they excel in specific situations and can be game-changers when used correctly.
Sun God
Set Bonuses:
- Head: After every 6 attacks, gain damage buff equal to unit’s Range for 7 seconds
- Body/Leg: +5 Base Damage, +10% Light/Water/Ice Damage
Why A Tier: Sun God is a high-potential set that rewards strategic building and unit selection. Through extensive testing, I’ve found that this set becomes incredibly powerful on high-range units where the damage buff can reach substantial values. The elemental damage bonus also makes it particularly effective for Light, Water, and Ice characters.
The conditional nature of the head bonus prevents it from reaching S-tier status, but when properly utilized, Sun God can outperform even some S-tier options in specific scenarios. I’ve seen units with exceptionally high range achieve damage buffs that make them virtually unstoppable.
Best Units For:
- High-range units (Spade, Cyborg)
- Light, Water, and Ice elemental characters
- Units that can be positioned for maximum range effectiveness
Pro Tip: Invest in range-increasing traits and upgrades to maximize this set’s potential. The damage buff scales directly with range, so every point of range counts.
Berserk Shingam I
Set Bonuses:
- Head: Every 6th attack deals 20% bonus True Damage, ignoring all Resistance
- Body/Leg: +5 Base Damage, +15% Armor Damage
Why A Tier: Berserk Shingam I is the ultimate answer to armored enemies and boss encounters. In my experience, the True Damage component is invaluable against heavily armored targets that would normally shrug off regular attacks. The armor damage bonus further enhances its effectiveness against these specific threats.
While less useful against regular enemies without armor, this set becomes indispensable in Challenge modes and boss fights where armored enemies are common. I’ve found that having at least one unit equipped with this set can dramatically speed up boss clears and armored wave clears.
Best Units For:
- Units targeting bosses and armored enemies
- Challenge mode specialists
- Teams lacking armor penetration
Pro Tip: Save this set for specific levels or game modes where armored enemies are prevalent. It’s not the best choice for general use but becomes essential in the right situations.
B Tier – Good Relic Set
Master Ninja
Set Bonuses:
- Head: Every 5 attacks, DoT damage increases by 20% for 10 seconds
- Body/Leg: +5 Base Damage, +10% Dark/Rose/Fire Damage
Why B Tier: Master Ninja occupies a interesting niche in the relic ecosystem. From my research and testing, this set excels specifically with damage-over-time focused characters. The 20% DoT increase is substantial and can lead to impressive damage accumulation over time.
However, its effectiveness is entirely dependent on your units having DoT abilities. Characters without DoT effects receive virtually no benefit from the head bonus, severely limiting this set’s versatility. When used correctly, though, it can enable powerful DoT stacking strategies that clear waves efficiently.
Best Units For:
- DoT-focused characters (Admiral, certain Fire units)
- Dark, Rose, and Fire elemental characters
- Teams built around damage-over-time strategies
Pro Tip: Pair this set with units that apply multiple DoT effects. The stacking potential can lead to exponential damage growth over extended encounters.
C Tier – Situational Relic Set
Junior Ninja
Set Bonuses:
- Head: All buffs increased by 1.1x
- Body/Leg: +5% Base Damage, +10% Wind Damage
Why C Tier: Junior Ninja represents the bottom of the relic hierarchy, and for good reason. Through extensive testing, I’ve found that this set has extremely limited use cases. The 1.1x buff multiplier requires team synergy to be effective, meaning you need units that provide buffs to begin with.
Without buff support, the head bonus provides no value whatsoever. Even when buff support is present, the 1.1x multiplier is relatively modest compared to the bonuses offered by other sets. The body and leg bonuses are also the weakest among all relic sets, making this difficult to recommend in most situations.
Best Units For:
- Teams with multiple buffer units (Miku, Scarlet Maid)
- Wind elemental characters
- Specific team compositions built around buff stacking
Pro Tip: Only consider this set if you have a dedicated buff-focused team composition. Even then, test thoroughly to ensure it’s providing more value than other available options.
Relic Main Stats and Sub-Stats Explained
Beyond set bonuses, individual relic pieces provide additional stat bonuses that can significantly impact unit performance. Understanding these stats is crucial for maximizing your relic effectiveness.
Main Stats
Each relic piece has one Main Stat that provides the most significant bonus:
- Body Relics: Damage, Crit Damage, Hyper Armor Damage, DoT
- Leg Relics: Damage, Second Per Attack (SPA), Range, Crit Rate
- Head Relics: Buff Potency, Elemental Damage
Sub-Stats
Sub-stats provide smaller but stackable bonuses:
- Available across all relic types: Damage, SPA, Range, Crit Rate, Crit Damage, DoT, Buff Potency, Effect Resistance
- Multiple sub-stats can appear on high-rarity relics
- New sub-stats can be unlocked through upgrades
Upgrade System
Relics can be upgraded using Power Ups:
- Every three Power Ups provides a chance to unlock a new random sub-stat
- Upgrades can fail, requiring some luck for optimal results
- Focus on relics with good main stats first, then work on sub-stats
Advanced Relic Strategies
Game Mode Optimization
Story Mode:
- Focus on versatile sets like Laughing Captain
- Prioritize survivability and consistent DPS
- Don’t worry too much about perfect optimization
Challenge Mode:
- Berserk Shingam I excels against armored enemies
- Laughing Captain for ability cooldown management
- Consider specific elemental sets based on enemy types
Infinite Mode:
- Ex-Captain Uraharo for scaling critical damage
- Sun God for range-based scaling potential
- Master Ninja for sustained DoT damage
Virtual Realm:
- Laughing Captain for universal utility
- Ex-Captain Uraharo for high-investment units
- Adapt based on specific VR challenges
Unit-Specific Recommendations
Support Units (Lulu, Admiral, Miku):
- Laughing Captain for reduced ability cooldowns
- Focus on Buff Potency and SPA sub-stats
DPS Units (Kriatu, Berserker, Jinoo):
- Ex-Captain Uraharo for critical builds
- Sun God for high-range variants
- Prioritize Damage, Crit Rate, and Crit Damage
Hybrid Units (Scarlet Maid, Dragon Guy):
- Laughing Captain for versatility
- Adapt based on primary role (support vs. DPS)
Farm Units (Fastcart):
- Junior Ninja if using buff strategies
- Otherwise, prioritize basic damage stats
Common Relic Mistakes to Avoid
1. Ignoring Set Completion
Many players make the mistake of equipping individual high-stat relics without considering set bonuses. In my experience, a complete lower-tier set often outperforms mixed high-stat pieces due to the powerful set bonuses.
2. Overlooking Unit Synergy
Not all relics work equally well on every unit. I’ve seen players waste valuable Ex-Captain Uraharo sets on units with low critical potential, when they would be better served with Laughing Captain or Sun God.
3. Neglecting Upgrade Priority
With limited Power Up resources, it’s crucial to prioritize which relics to upgrade first. I recommend focusing on complete S-tier sets before investing in other options.
4. Misunderstanding Conditional Bonuses
Sets like Sun God and Master Ninja have conditional bonuses that require specific conditions to be effective. Make sure you understand these conditions before committing to these sets.
Farming and Resource Management
Efficient Farming Strategies
Story Mode Farming:
- Target specific stages for desired Body/Leg relics
- Complete all acts to unlock all basic relic options
- Farm efficiently by focusing on stages with quick completion times
Virtual Realm Optimization:
- Start with lower difficulty VR to build Head relic collection
- Gradually increase difficulty as your relic collection improves
- Focus on VR stages that drop Head relics for sets you’re completing
Resource Allocation:
- Save Power Ups for complete S-tier sets first
- Consider the long-term potential of each relic before upgrading
- Don’t hesitate to dismantle useless relics for resources
Trading and Economy
While relics themselves aren’t tradable, the resources used to upgrade them (Power Ups, upgrade materials) can sometimes be obtained through trading or events. Keep an eye on community events and updates that might provide these valuable resources.
Future-Proofing Your Relic Collection
Meta Considerations
The Universal Tower Defense meta evolves with updates and balance changes. Based on current trends and developer communications, I recommend:
Investment Priority:
- Complete Laughing Captain sets (universal utility)
- Complete Ex-Captain Uraharo sets (critical meta strength)
- Build situational sets for specific challenges
Flexible Strategies:
- Maintain diverse relic options for different game modes
- Keep extra pieces of valuable sets for future unit additions
- Stay informed about balance changes that might affect relic effectiveness
FAQ
What are the best relics for beginners?
For beginners, I recommend focusing on Laughing Captain sets first. They’re versatile, work on most units, and provide immediate benefits that help in all game modes. The cooldown reductions and attack speed increases are particularly valuable for learning the game’s mechanics.
How do I get specific relic pieces?
Body and Leg relics come from Story Mode completion, while Head relics are earned in Virtual Realm. To get specific sets, you’ll need to complete the corresponding story acts and farm the appropriate Virtual Realm stages.
Are relics more important than traits?
In most cases, complete relic sets provide more significant bonuses than individual traits. However, the best approach is to combine both – use good traits and complete relic sets together for maximum effectiveness.
Can I change relics on units?
Yes, relics can be freely equipped and unequipped from units. This allows you to experiment with different combinations and adapt your strategy for different game modes and challenges.
Do relics work on all units equally?
No, different relics work better on different units based on their abilities, attack types, and roles. Always consider a unit’s specific strengths when choosing which relic set to equip.
How many Power Ups should I use on a relic?
This depends on the relic’s quality and your resource availability. As a general rule, I suggest investing more in S-tier complete sets and being more conservative with lower-tier options until you have excess resources.
What’s the fastest way to farm relics?
The most efficient farming method is to clear Story Mode for Body/Leg relics, then farm Virtual Realm stages that drop Head relics for sets you’re trying to complete. Focus on stages you can clear quickly and efficiently.
Can I get duplicate relics?
Yes, you can obtain duplicate relic pieces. These can be useful for upgrading existing relics or potentially dismantling for resources, depending on the game’s current systems.
Conclusion
Mastering the relic system in Universal Tower Defense is essential for reaching the highest levels of play. Through this comprehensive tier list and guide, I’ve provided you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about which relics to prioritize, how to obtain them, and how to use them effectively.
Remember that while this tier list provides general guidelines, the best relic choices ultimately depend on your specific units, playstyle, and the challenges you’re facing. Don’t be afraid to experiment and adapt these recommendations to your unique situation.
As the game continues to evolve with updates and balance changes, stay flexible and keep learning. The relic system offers tremendous depth and strategic potential – mastering it will give you a significant edge in Universal Tower Defense.
Ready to dominate Universal Tower Defense with the perfect relic setup? Start farming those S-tier sets and watch your units reach new heights of power!
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