Finding the right setup in this game is brutal, so I've put together a Roblox Decaying Winter perk tier list to help you figure out which classes actually keep you alive past night five and which ones just get you killed faster. If you've played even ten minutes of this game, you know it doesn't hold your hand. One wrong move or one bad perk choice, and your whole run is basically over before the scav war even starts.
Decaying Winter is all about managing resources, staying mobile, and knowing your role. Some perks turn you into a literal god of the frontline, while others are so niche they feel like a handicap unless you're a veteran player. Let's break down where everything stands in the current meta.
The S-Tier: The Absolute Powerhouses
These are the perks that carry runs. If you have one of these on your team—or if you're playing one yourself—your chances of survival skyrocket. They offer the best utility, damage, or survivability in the game without needing a perfect set of circumstances to work.
Arbiter
Arbiter is arguably the king of versatility. It's got a great mix of melee and ranged capabilities, but the real star of the show is the Longshot. If you can time that explosion right, you can clear entire groups of scavengers before they even touch you. It takes some practice to get the rhythm down, but once you do, you're a one-man army. Plus, the extra health and resistance make it very forgiving for players who like to be in the middle of the scrap.
Sovereign
If you hate fighting alone, Sovereign is your best friend. This perk turns enemies into "thralls" that fight for you. In a game where numbers usually win, having a small army of ghosts distracting the AI is invaluable. It's a massive crowd-control powerhouse. When the waves get thick and the scavs start pouring in, a good Sovereign can keep the pressure off the rest of the team just by existing.
Hivemind
Hivemind is almost "boring" because of how effective it is. You literally just deploy your bees and watch the enemies stop in their tracks. It's the ultimate area-denial perk. Whether you're using the "Divide" mode to stun everything or "Direct" to melt a single target, Hivemind makes the harder nights feel like a walk in the park. It's a bit of a "lazy" perk, but you can't argue with results.
The A-Tier: Strong and Reliable
These perks are fantastic but usually require a bit more skill or specific equipment to really shine. They aren't quite as "broken" as the S-tier picks, but they are still top-tier choices for any serious run.
Vagabond
Vagabond is the definition of high-risk, high-reward. It's all about speed and collecting "Dogtags" from kills. The more tags you have, the faster and deadlier you become. However, if you take damage, you lose those tags. A skilled Vagabond can dance around a boss and never get touched, but a clumsy one will find themselves useless very quickly. It's one of the most fun perks to play if you have the mechanical skill for it.
Executioner
Similar to Vagabond, Executioner relies on building up momentum. You use your goggles to identify targets, and every kill adds to your damage stacks. If you can keep your stacks high, you'll be one-shotting almost everything with a decent melee weapon. The downside? You have zero vision while using the goggles, and if you lose your stacks, you have to start the grind all over again.
Zealot
Sometimes you just need a brick wall, and that's Zealot. With the deployable shield and massive defense buffs, you're the guy who stands in the doorway so the rest of the team doesn't die. It's not flashy, and you won't be getting the most kills, but a Zealot makes the base much safer. It's the ultimate "team player" perk.
The B-Tier: Good in the Right Hands
These are solid picks, but they often have a specific niche or a drawback that keeps them from being "must-haves." They are fun to play and definitely viable, but they don't carry the team quite like the higher tiers.
Berserker
If you love the "unga bunga" playstyle, Berserker is for you. It's all about getting in close, popping your ability, and shredding through enemies with lifesteal. The problem is that in the later nights, getting into melee range is incredibly dangerous. One bad parry or an unlucky hit from a shotgun scav can end your rampage instantly. It's great for early and mid-game, but it falls off slightly when the gun-toting enemies show up.
Artillerist
Artillerist is the "designated marksman" of the group. You get huge buffs to firearm handling and a powerful special shot that recharges. In a game where ammo is scarce, being efficient with your shots is a big deal. However, if you can't find a good gun or run out of bullets, you're basically just a guy with a slightly better-than-average aim. It's very dependent on the loot you find during the scavenging phases.
Riskrunner
This perk is all about that massive minigun. It's incredibly satisfying to mow down a wave of enemies with a hail of lead. The issue is the "overheat" mechanic and the fact that you move like a snail while firing. You're a sitting duck for snipers and any enemy with a ranged weapon. It's a blast to use, but it requires a team to protect you while you're doing your thing.
The C-Tier: Niche and Underwhelming
These perks aren't necessarily "bad," but there's usually a better version of them in a higher tier. You really have to love the specific gimmick of these perks to justify picking them over something like Arbiter or Sovereign.
Lazarus
Lazarus is supposed to be the medic, providing a "Death Prevention" buff to teammates. While that sounds amazing on paper, the buff doesn't last long, and it doesn't actually heal that much. Most of the time, it's better to just kill the enemies faster (like with a Hivemind) so your team doesn't take damage in the first place. It's okay for beginner teams, but experienced players usually don't need the safety net.
Prophet
Prophet is the "looter" perk. You can see items through walls and mark enemies. It's helpful for the first few nights to get the base set up, but once you have your gear, Prophet doesn't offer much in terms of combat power. Since the hardest part of the game is the actual combat, Prophet feels a bit underwhelming when things get heated.
Blitzer
Oh, the Blitzer. This perk allows you to throw sticky bombs. It's great for clearing groups, but it has one massive, glaring problem: friendly fire. A bad Blitzer is more dangerous to their own team than the enemies are. Unless you are playing with a very coordinated group that knows to stay away from your explosives, you're probably going to cause more headaches than help.
The D-Tier: The Challenge Mode
Damned
There's only one perk that belongs here, and that's Damned. It's literally designed to be a handicap. You have lower health, worse stats, and your screen is constantly gray. There is no reason to pick this unless you've mastered the game and want to flex on everyone else. It's the "Hard Mode" button of Decaying Winter.
Tips for Choosing Your Perk
When looking at this Roblox Decaying Winter perk tier list, remember that team synergy is actually more important than individual tiers. A team of four Arbiters might be strong, but a team with a Zealot to tank, a Sovereign to distract, and an Arbiter to deal damage will almost always perform better.
Also, don't forget about your Traits. Even a B-tier perk can feel like an S-tier one if you pair it with the right traits. If you're playing a melee-heavy perk, make sure you're taking traits that boost your swing speed or defense. If you're a ranged perk, focus on recoil reduction and reload speed.
Wrapping Up
Decaying Winter is a game that rewards knowledge and punishes mistakes. While this tier list gives you an idea of what's currently strong, the "best" perk is often the one you feel most comfortable using. If you can parry like a pro, you'll do better with a Vagabond than someone who struggles with timing.
Experiment with different classes, find a group of friends who won't blow you up (looking at you, Blitzers), and keep practicing those longshots. The winter is harsh, but with the right perk, you might just make it to the end. Good luck out there, you're going to need it.