Tier Lists

These tier lists for MIO: Memories in Orbit are community-informed (guides, wikis, and post-launch play). They are not official. Names and slot costs match our All 42 Modifiers list (aligned with mio.wiki.gg). Patch 1.2 / Patch 2 changed some balance—see Updates.

Rankings emphasize full-game value (bosses, platforming, exploration) on a normal playthrough without extreme sequence breaks.

Modifier Tier List

S Tier — Exceptional

  • Protective Overlay (20) — Extra protection layer. Near-mandatory for tough bosses and first clear.
  • Energy Leecher (20) — Huge energy return on hit; enables long aerial chains and safer platforming.
  • Sharpened Hairpin (40) — Core Hairpin damage tool for boss DPS. Slot-heavy; Patch 2 adjusted the “perfect” variant—retest after updating.
  • Enhanced Dodge (20) — More forgiving dodge timing; high value for bosses and The Crucible.

A Tier — Great

  • Kinetic Thrust (20) — Stronger finisher on combos; pairs well with Sharpened Hairpin.
  • The Hand's Greed (20) — Damage scales as you lose protection layers; Patch 1.2 also ties in decayed health / tremor. High risk, high reward.
  • Wild Cat (20) — Heavy strike after Hairpin; excellent burst windows.
  • Gratitude (40) — Ground-based shield restore; standout for Crucible / platform gauntlets (pair with Ground Healing).
  • Splintering Dodge (30) — Dodge creates Energy Shards; strong evasion-counter style.
  • Perfect State (20) — Big damage while fully shielded; rewards clean play.

B Tier — Situationally Strong

  • Analyser (5) — Enemy health bars; cheap QoL for learning bosses.
  • High-Voltage Discharge (20) — Delayed stun on next attack; good crowd / opener tool.
  • Makeshift Recovery / Extra-Coating Processor — Sustain tools when you can farm kills safely.
  • Black Widow / Bird of Prey (20) — Damage while using Striders or Sail; strong if you live in those movement modes.
  • Alexander's Fate (30) — Keep Nacre on death; great for exploration / farming.
  • Asma's Will (30) — Non-boss enemies ignore you until you attack (exploration Pacifist-like).

C Tier — Niche / Challenge

  • Negative slot mods (Thinner Frame, Oath to Ember, Defective Core, etc.) — Useful for Modifier Overload / glass cannon capacity, but punish mistakes.
  • Economy QoL (Portable Crystalliser, Effective Dismantlement, Maintenance Hack) — Comfort picks when slots allow.
  • Sunsail / Afterimage / Firefly — Strong flavor or niche routes; often swapped for combat cores mid-boss.

Core Ability Tier List

Abilities are ranked by how much they gate progression and late-game content—not by flashiness alone.

S Tier — Essential

  • Hairpin Grapple — Core traversal and combat interaction across The Vessel.
  • Aerial hit → jump reset — Mastering air combat chains separates smooth clears from constant falls.

A Tier — Unlock ASAP

  • Striders (wall climb) — Opens large vertical routes (Metropolis, hideouts, many secrets).
  • Sail (glide) — Gap crossing, safer falls, Sail-based modifiers.
  • Dodge — Boss survival and platforming.
  • Flowing Steps — Optional story-wise, required for the normal True Ending path via The Crucible.

B Tier — Strong but Style-Dependent

  • Orb projectiles — Safe ranged options; secondary to movement tools.
  • Decoy / clone tools — Excellent in specific fights, not universal.

Related Guides

Turn rankings into loadouts:

Builds & LoadoutsAll 42 ModifiersBoss Guides100% Checklist