It can be overwhelming to build a team from Cookie Run: Kingdom's massive and still-growing cast of characters. With so many game modes that require different skill sets and only a limited amount of EXP Star Jellies to work with, the combinations are nearly endless. But if you want to progress through tough PvE and PvP content, here are some of the best and worst Cookies to prioritize building.
Epic, Super Epic, Ancient, Special, & Legendary Cookies Tier List in Cookie Run: Kingdom
Below are tiered rankings for all Epic, Super Epic, Special, Legendary, and Ancient Cookies in CRK. These encompass their useability across both PvP and PvE game modes. A Cookie at a lower rank isn't necessarily bad—but they may need specific team comps, a lot of investment, or are less versatile than Cookies ranked higher.
| Tier | Cookie |
|---|---|
| S | Captain Caviar Cookie, Schwarzwalder Cookie, Milky Way Cookie, Sherbet Cookie, Black Pearl Cookie, Eclair Cookie, Dark Cacao Cookie, Caramel Arrow Cookie, Moonlight Cookie, Stardust Cookie, Pure Vanilla Cookie, Cotton Cookie, Hollyberry Cookie, Frost Queen Cookie |
| A | Sea Fairy Cookie, Parfait Cookie, Wildberry Cookie, Clotted Cream Cookie, Crunchy Chip Cookie, Oyster Cookie, Vampire Cookie, Cream Puff Cookie, Financier Cookie, Carol Cookie, Space Doughnut, Blueberry Pie Cookie, Cream Unicorn Cookie, Squid Ink Cookie, Herb Cookie, Pinecone Cookie, Werewolf Cookie |
| B | Macaron Cookie, Pumpkin Pie Cookie, Mango Cookie, Affogato Cookie, Purple Yam Cookie, Licorice Cookie, Milk Cookie, Pomegranate Cookie, Rye Cookie, Sorbet Shark Cookie, Espresso Cookie |
| C | Cocoa Cookie, Sparkling Cookie, Kumiho Cookie, Black Raisin Cookie, Dark Choco Cookie, Tiger Lily Cookie, Latte Cookie, Almond Cookie, Prophet Cookie, Strawberry Crepe Cookie, Tea Knight Cookie, Twizzly Gummy Cookie, Cherry Blossom Cookie |
| D | Candy Diver Cookie, Red Velvet Cookie, Lilac Cookie, Poison Mushroom Cookie, Mala Sauce Cookie, Raspberry Cookie, Pastry Cookie, Snow Sugar Cookie, Moon Rabbit Cookie, Ninja Cookie, Beet Cookie, Madeleine Cookie, Mint Choco |
| F | Chili Pepper Cookie, Fig Cookie, Sonic Cookie, Tails Cookie |
Related: How to get & use Sugar Crystals in Cookie Run Kingdom
Best Cookies in CRK, ranked
Cookie Run: Kingdom's meta is always changing, but here are some constants under each rank that have, so far, performed consistently across updates. These are by no means the best Cookies in the game—but they're easy picks if you can't decide who to build.
S Tier
Pure Vanilla Cookie
While the Arena is usually partial to versatile healers with packed kits, some team comps can benefit from a powerful healer like Pure Vanilla. He's also incredibly useful against bosses and other difficult PvE content, with his ability to cast a DMG-absorbing shield that will improve the team's survivability.
Hollyberry Cookie
If you can't choose a tank, choose Hollyberry, whose straightforward and reliable kit can defend the frontlines in any game mode. Whether you're against Cookies or Cake Hounds and more, Hollyberry will always hold the fort.
Moonlight Cookie
Moonlight is an incredibly powerful DPS unit that has dominated the meta since her release. She's able to cast unique Sleep and Drowsiness debuffs, which can weaken even the most resilient Arena teams. She's best used in the Arena but can also carry PvE-focused game modes, such as World Exploration.
A Tier
Financier Cookie
Financier is a staple in Arena tank comps, with a particular affinity to being paired with Clotted Cream. She's a reliable unit with the capability to cast a lot of buffs, which are mainly useful in the Arena and tough PvE battles.
Cream Unicorn Cookie
Healers are few and far between in Cookie Run: Kingdom, so Cream Unicorn is an always-useful character across all game modes. They can heal the team, cast the Silence debuff, and buff the team's DMG and Crit Resist. Their all-around versatile kit allows you to slot more DPS units into the party.
Squid Ink Cookie
Squid Ink has a unique DEF reduction debuff, which makes them ideal against Cookies and tough bosses, especially in higher World Exploration stages and Guild and Alliance battles. Use their Magic Candy to get even better results.
Related: What is a Magic Candy & how to use it in Cookie Run Kingdom
B Tier
Espresso Cookie
Despite being one of the first Cookies in the game, Espresso has maintained his relevance throughout the quickly-evolving meta. He has a straightforward DPS kit that's useful in any game mode. Make sure to equip his Magic Candy for the best results.
Pumpkin Pie Cookie
Pumpkin Pie likes to stay in the middle position, but her summon, Giant Pompon, acts as a pseudo-tank that supports the team's frontliners. The summon decreases the healing that enemies receive, making Pumpkin Pie a useful unit against difficult bosses and Arena teams with strong healers.
Pomegranate Cookie
Pomegranate Cookie can heal allies over time and provide a useful ATK buff. Her straightforward kit is useful in any situation, making her a great alternative to higher-ranked healers.
C Tier
Cherry Blossom Cookie
While Cherry Blossom can light up any room with her adorable personality, her overall DMG output can be a little underwhelming compared to other DPS units. She shines in PvE and generally isn't recommended for PvP Arena battles.
Dark Choco Cookie
Don't let the low rank fool you. Dark Choco Cookie's simple kit can prove to be useful against boss battles, where his DPS prowess shines the most. Like Cherry Blossom, he isn't particularly useful in the Arena.
Twizzly Gummy Cookie
Twizzly Gummy has a flashy kit and can be incredibly fun to play, especially against tough bosses. However, she's often overshadowed by more powerful Cookies with a better burst DMG output.
D & F Tiers
D and F Tier Cookies aren't the most useful picks, especially for free-to-players with a limited supply of EXP Star Jellies. We don't recommend prioritizing building any of these characters as you'll likely drop them after getting a better unit with the same role.
To help your progression, check out our guide on How to use the Hall of Ancient Heroes in Cookie Run Kingdom and our Cookie Run Kingdom Might of the Ancients guide here on Pro Game Guides.
Nicki is a freelance writer with 5 years of writing experience. She's a fan of anything from HoYoverse, from Genshin Impact to Tears of Themis and Honkai: Star Rail. She also loves rhythm games like BanG Dream! and D4DJ.