Guts & Blackpowder ships seven classes at launch �?each with unique weapons, utilities, and team roles. No class is locked behind paywalls, but some require badges (Chaplain) or team coordination (Surgeon, Sapper) to shine. This tier list ranks every class from S to D, then recommends mains for PvE Objective campaigns, PvP Siege battles, and Endless Francs farming. Pair picks with weapons from our weapon tier list and return to the tier list hub for ranking methodology.
Overall Class Tier Rankings
| Tier | Classes | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| S | Infantry, Seaman | Best horde DPS and beginner-friendly kits. Carry public lobbies. |
| A | Sapper, Surgeon, Chaplain, Officer | Strong specialists �?fortify, heal, cure infection, or speed-push. |
| B | Officer (solo), Chaplain (non-infection) | Excellent in skilled hands or specific modifiers, weaker otherwise. |
| C | Musician | Team buffs without personal DPS. Needs coordinated squads. |
| D | �?/td> | No class is truly D-tier; Musician approaches D in solo pub play only. |
Class-by-Class Breakdown
Infantry �?S-Tier
The default recommendation for new players. Musket plus sabre covers mid and close range, bayonet charge closes gaps, and shop access to Carbine, Heavy Sabre, Lance, and rifles makes Infantry scale into late game. Slow reload is the main weakness �?offset with positioning and Heavy Sabre swap from the weapon tier list. Read the Infantry build guide for Francs priorities.
Seaman �?S-Tier
Blunderbuss and Navy Pistol shred Shamblers in cone damage �?best raw horde clear in Endless. Weak at long range and reload management punishes missed shots. Pair with Boarding Axe melee and stay near Sapper barricades on Objective maps. Top pick for Francs farming in our Francs guide.
Sapper �?A-Tier (S-Tier on hard Objectives)
Barricades, spikes, and fortifications win holdouts on Leipzig, London alleys, and Berezina. Solo DPS is low, but no serious squad skips Sapper on hard maps. See Sapper build recommendations and team protection guide.
Surgeon �?A-Tier
Bandage healing keeps teams alive through long retreats and wave fifteen-plus Endless. Healing channel vulnerability and supply dependency drop Surgeon to B-tier in uncoordinated pubs. Essential when running dedicated farming stacks. Learn role basics in the Surgeon guide.
Chaplain �?A-Tier (Infection) / B-Tier (Standard PvE)
Infection immunity, Blessings, Mercy, and Crucifix crowd control make Chaplain irreplaceable when blight modifiers active. Low personal DPS otherwise. Unlock via Soldier's Grace badge �?full steps in Chaplain unlock guide. Synergy with infection survival guide.
Officer �?A-Tier (PvP) / B-Tier (PvE pub)
Fastest movement, War Cry team buffs, pistol plus sabre aggression. Dominates PvP Siege flanks and speed-run strats. Fragile in careless pub Objective pushes where teams need ranged DPS over melee tempo. Double Barrel Pistol upgrades boost burst from the shop.
Musician �?C-Tier
Instrument buffs to reload, swing speed, and damage help organized groups. Cannot replace a DPS slot in random matchmaking. Climbs to B-tier in six-stacks that rotate buffs around holdouts. Practice controls for secondary defense if forced to solo queue.
Best Class by Game Mode
PvE Objective Recommendations
| Priority | Class | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Infantry | Reliable ranged and melee for mixed zombie types on campaign maps. |
| 2 | Sapper | Mandatory barricades on choke-heavy walkthrough maps. |
| 3 | Seaman | Burst clear for bomber packs and courtyard swarms. |
| 4 | Surgeon | Heals during multi-stage retreats like San Sebastian boat escape. |
| 5 | Chaplain | When infection modifiers threaten team wipes. |
PvP Siege Recommendations
| Priority | Class | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Officer | Speed and War Cry buffs for human-vs-human pushes. |
| 2 | Infantry | Carbine or rifle mid-range picks with Heavy Sabre finishers. |
| 3 | Seaman | Close burst against clustered defenders. |
| 4 | Sapper | Defensive structures on siege maps. |
| 5 | Surgeon | Situational �?strong in organized clan wars only. |
Endless Mode Recommendations
| Priority | Class | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seaman | Fastest wave clear for Francs-per-hour farming. |
| 2 | Infantry | Consistent DPS with scalable shop upgrades. |
| 3 | Surgeon | Extends run length past wave 20 for multiplied payouts. |
| 4 | Sapper | Controls spawn funnel on compact Endless maps. |
| 5 | Officer | Speed kiting for solo skill players. |
Stack loadouts using S-tier weapons �?Musket, Blunderbuss, Heavy Sabre �?detailed on the weapon tier list. Use Endless build guide for perk and utility sync.
Beginner vs Veteran Picks
Beginners: Infantry only until Francs stockpile and controls feel natural on your platform (PC, mobile, console). Veterans: rotate Seaman for Endless records, Sapper for achievement clears, Chaplain for infection week events. Try the class picker for personalized suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beginner class?
Infantry �?S-tier, balanced kit, widest weapon access. Start with our how to play guide.
Is Seaman better than Infantry?
Seaman wins Endless horde clear; Infantry wins versatility. Many players main both. Compare weapons on the weapon tier list.
When should I play Chaplain?
Infection modifiers or teams struggling with blight. Unlock via Soldier's Grace badge.
Is Musician useless?
Not in coordinated groups, but C-tier for solo pub queues due to low personal damage.
Do I need Sapper in every lobby?
On hard Objectives, yes. Barricades prevent wipes on maps covered in our Leipzig guide.
Where are weapon rankings?
Full S-D weapon tables live on the weapon tier list page, cross-linked from the tier list hub.