Best Loadouts Tier List

This is not a traditional StarCraft II faction tier list. ZeroSpace uses a modular loadout system where every player fields three layers: a main faction (Protectorate, Grell, Xol, or Legion), a mercenary group from the seven contractors on the Mercenaries page, and a hero from the roster on Heroes. Tier placements here rank complete triple combinations —for example "Grell / Valkaru / Weaver" —because swapping only the mercenary slot can move a loadout an entire tier.

Early Access launches July 20, 2026 on Steam. Rankings reflect Season Zero data from Galactic War (July 20–August 2, 2026), Skirmish ladders, and community testing during the preview window. Expect shifts as patches adjust fusion recipes, mercenary sustain, and tower income. Always cross-check mode-specific lists on PvP Meta and Galactic War Picks.

Before copying a tier placement, use the Loadout Builder to read synergy notes and weakness warnings for your skill level. A high-tier Xol fusion loadout underperforms if you cannot execute combos. A mid-tier Protectorate loadout overperforms for players who master control tower timings.

• S Tier: Strong across multiple maps and modes with forgiving execution
• A Tier: Excellent in targeted contexts —map, alliance role, or skill match
• B Tier: Viable with practice; often countered by meta mercenary picks
• C Tier: Niche or high-variance; avoid for first Season Zero week

S Tier —Grell / Valkaru / Weaver: The default aggressive Season Zero recommendation. Weaver accelerates biomass and creep while Valkaru shock troops break early tower garrisons. Dominates wide Galactic War maps with expansion room. Countered by coordinated harassment before biomass spikes and narrow choke maps favoring Legion defense.

S Tier —Protectorate / Marran / Grace: The beginner-friendly competitive default. Grace boosts infantry while Marran tanks stabilize tower fights. Loses to sustained economic harassment if you skip scouting, but executes reliably in Skirmish, Co-op, and defensive Galactic War roles. Pair with fundamentals from How to Play.

A Tier —Legion / Marran / Hel: Objective anchor for alliances holding central Galactic War nodes. Slow early game demands partner cover —do not solo queue this on open maps without alliance communication. See Galactic War beginner guide for role assignment.

A Tier —Xol / Koru / Mirror: Skill-rewarding fusion sustain with superior scouting for tower contests. Rises to S Tier in experienced hands; average execution drops to B. Practice fusion paths on Main Faction Units before ranked.

A Tier —Protectorate / Valkaru / Grace: Aggressive Protectorate variant covering early weakness. Strong PvP pick when opponents expect passive Protectorate macro. Falls off if Valkaru troops trade inefficiently into Legion armor.

A Tier —Grell / Void Mages / Weaver: Team fight control for three-way tower contests. Void Mage area spells compress Grell swarms into lethal clumps while denying enemy clumping. Weak in duel scenarios without alliance support.

B Tier —Xol / Aztec Cultists / Mirror: High-variance ritual all-ins when fusion and summon timings align. Devastating wins or empty losses —tournament spice, not ladder stability. B Tier —Legion / Koru / Grinder: Late-game marathon loadout needing early partner protection. B Tier —Protectorate / Endari / Mirror: Flank-heavy information warfare rewarding scouting over brute force.

C Tier —Legion / Dread Raiders / Grinder: Double harassment identity without early sustain —too many holes against Valkaru openers. C Tier —Xol / Dread Raiders / any hero: Conflicting priorities between fusion setup and raider harassment. Niche map exceptions exist but avoid for Season Zero's first week.

Map adjustments override static tiers. Open expansion layouts boost Grell loadouts; choke-heavy layouts boost Legion/Marran anchors. PvP map bans matter —review Skirmish Maps. Campaign ignores tier chasing entirely; narrative choices on Campaign missions reward thematic loadouts over meta. Read Campaign Prologue for story-optimal picks.

This page updates with each major Early Access patch. Submit feedback through community channels linked on What is ZeroSpace. For mechanical depth beyond tiers, study all four faction guides, the full Mercenaries overview, and QoL and Controls to reduce execution errors that mimic "bad tiers."