The Dawntrail raid tier has sparked a lot of debate—some players love it, others question parts of it—but one thing is undeniable: the AAC Savage encounters deliver some of the most intense, creative, and demanding battle content we’ve seen in years. From brutal DPS checks to high-speed mechanics and unforgettable music, this tier pushes players to their limits. Xenosys posted a savage encounter tier list video on his YouTube channel. In his tier list, everything comes down to four core elements - fun factor, fight design, music, progression experience (prog value/difficulty balance).
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Black Cat –B Tier
Black Cat was fun overall. Xeno gave the fun factor an A, while the design and music sit around a B. The music wasn’t especially memorable, and while nothing about the fight was bad, it didn’t push boundaries either. It’s slightly better than average—but not extraordinary. So, it’s a comfortable B tier.
Honey B. Lovely – S Tier
Honey B. Lovely lands in S tier, and here’s why:
- The music is a 10/10. Absolutely top-tier.
- The English voice performance, especially the Southern belle accent, gives the fight real personality.
- While parts of the design were weaker, the high-speed “pedal to the metal” section, where everything fires at you, and you just commit fully, is incredibly fun.
The fight isn’t perfect mechanically, but the energy, music, and personality elevate it to S tier.
Brute Bomber – A Tier
Brute Bomber is strong but not quite S-tier.
- Good design
- Solid music
- Fun progression
- Memorable personality moments (the announcer interaction is hilarious)
Compared to other third turns, it is better than Elidibus and M7, and not better than Phoenix. It lands at A tier—very good, just shy of greatness.
Wicked Thunder – B to A Tier (Leaning A)
The music is absolutely S-tier. That’s the standout feature. However, Phase 2 feels slightly underwhelming. When compared to other fourth turns (Shiva, Gaia, etc.), it doesn’t clearly surpass them. It’s better than Athena and likely stronger than Hesperos, but it doesn’t redefine the role of a fourth turn. Xeno placed it at a low A, maybe high B, depending on perspective.
Dancing Green – S Tier
Visually vibrant and stylish.
- Great music
- Strong aesthetic presentation
- Dancers in the background add flair
Mechanically, it’s not groundbreaking—you’re dodging AoEs and rhythm-based mechanics—but the total package is extremely fun. That combination pushes it into the S tier.
Sugar Riot – S Tier (Possibly Triple S)
Sugar Riot stands out because of:
- Insane mechanical design
- Creative presentation (paint mechanics, background visuals)
- Extremely fun progression
- Strong community impact
- The unforgettable Yan add phase
Without the add phase, it’s more average—but with it, the fight becomes something special. Among second turns, it rivals P10 and A6. This is easily S-tier, arguably Triple S for its role in the tier.
Brute Abombinator – S Tier (Borderline Triple S)
Brute Abombinator is one of the most memorable fights in the entire tier. First, the music absolutely slaps. Second, the platform transitions are incredibly cool. The moment he starts jumping across platforms and the arena shifts beneath you feels cinematic and dynamic. The fight’s pacing is strong, especially during progression. While some players argue that certain sections can feel repetitive outside of the major mechanics, that criticism can be applied to many fights in the game. What sets Brute Abombinator apart is how exciting those transitions feel the first time you experience them. Some may not place it in Triple S due to repetition concerns, but for overall impact, music, and arena design, it easily earns S Tier in this raid series.
Howling Blade – S Tier (Both Phases for Different Reasons)
Phase 1
- Extremely fun, especially on melee
- Music is weak, which prevents Triple S
Phase 2
- Excellent music
- High-speed mechanic barrage
- Constant movement and teleportation between platforms
Difficulty does not need to be extreme to be good. The pacing and engagement carry it. Overall: S-tier fight design.
Vamp Fatale – A Tier
Some players find it overshadowed by the rest of the tier, but that’s not necessarily the fight’s fault.
Strengths:
- Cool bulldozer mechanic
- Strong add phase
- Solid overall design
It’s the best of the early turns in its grouping and deserves an A tier.
“The Xtremes” – S Tier
Even if the music is divisive, the fight delivers:
- Fun optimization
- Creative cleave mechanics
- Strong progression flow
- Memorable voice lines and personality
A very well-rounded encounter. S tier.
Tyrant – Triple S Tier
This is one of the best third turns ever made. Here’s why:
1. The DPS Check:
This is the hardest third-turn DPS check since Living Liquid (A3). You can execute mechanics perfectly, have no deaths, avoid damage downs, and still wipe due to DPS. That hasn’t happened in a long time.
2. The Fight Never Gets “Free.”
Many third turns get easier after 60–70%. Tyrant does not. After platforms, you can still wipe. It demands consistency all the way through.
3. Minor Weakness
The weapons phase repeats slightly too long. It would be stronger if adjusted.
Even so, the DPS pressure and sustained difficulty make it a Triple S tier.
Lindwurm – A to S Tier (Cruel Coil Carries It)
Lindwurm is shorter and easier, but:
- Cruel Coil is one of the coolest mechanics in recent memory. It’s a well-designed looper mechanic.
- Music is excellent.
Compared to other door bosses:
- Better than Hesperos
- Not better than Eden’s Promise or Kefka
- Comparable to strong encounters like P8
- Cruel Coil pushes it upward. Depending on perspective, it’s high A or low S.
Final Thoughts: Dawntrail’s Raid Tier Is Exceptional
This might be one of the best raid series they’ve ever released. From a battle content perspective, Dawntrail is delivering some of the strongest fights in the game’s history. You can dislike Dawntrail’s story and still acknowledge that its raid design is exceptional. Both perspectives can coexist.
