You are here to learn which familiars are worth your time — and which ones waste resources. This list ranks every familiar currently in our database by what actually moves your sanctum forward: bench unlocks first, crafting speed second, then starters and niche picks. Pick the right familiar early and you save hours of pain later. For the bond step and Spirit Charmer, see How to Form Bonds & Get Familiars; for incense and rarity farming, see our Familiar Hunting guide.
Overview
Current rankings cover early-game familiars only — the devs just dropped a big patch, so the meta is still settling. This page will expand as more database entries are verified.
Four tiers, in priority order:
- Bench-unlock — required to activate a specific crafting bench or station slot
- Crafting speed — no hard gate, but meaningful work-speed on a station you use daily
- Starters — the four character-creation picks; fine generalists, not long-term investments
- Situational — useful for a biome, element, or novelty — not core progression
Bench-unlock familiars are non-negotiable. Crafting-speed familiars only shine once the station exists and is staffed.
Tier List
Every familiar below exists in our database — tap a name for spawn location, element, and crafting role.
Bench-unlock
S-Tier
Starters
B-Tier
Situational
C-Tier
Starting familiar — what to grab first
All four starters sit in B-Tier (Starters) — balanced generalists, not trap picks:
Primary pick: Bril (Crystal) — Safest learning curve and readable kit.
Secondary pick: Fien — Also B-Tier, but annoying to recatch later if you skip it at creation.
Bottom line: no huge power gap between starters. You will replace your active follower once you land a bench-unlock or speed familiar anyway. If a look speaks to you, pick it.
How to catch them
Ranked familiars spawn in specific biomes — detail pages list exact routes. Reliable loop: weaken below ~30% HP, then use a high-grade binding spell.
Priority hunts for new players:
- Shardling — Shard Caverns under Timberline Basin; gates a Timberline bench
- Treetop — Mira Isles near the Second Root; Forester's Hut
- Lamloof / Granloof — Mira Isles plains; Spinner and Windmill respectively
Base capture rates can sit around 8% on tough targets — stack supplies and read our Familiar Hunting guide for incense and spirit-retention gear.
FAQ
Is this tier list up to date?
For the current Early Access patch and our verified familiar database, yes. Expect shifts with balance tweaks or new familiars. We update when spawn data and station roles are confirmed.
Why are bench-unlock familiars ranked highest?
Without Shardling, Lamloof, Granloof, or Treetop, entire crafting lines stay locked — no amount of combat DPS fixes a missing bench. Speed familiars in A-Tier only help after the station exists.
Should I reroll my B-Tier starter?
No — unless you hate the aesthetic. Locto, Bril, Quol, and Fien are placeholders until you catch a bench-unlock or A-Tier speed familiar. Spend that time hunting Lety or Chirili instead of restarting.
Do crafting-speed familiars matter in the first few hours?
Not before the bench is built. Detrox, Bompus, and Chirili are excellent second-wave assignments once Miner's Cabin, Furnace, or Stove stations are online. Prioritize access first, speed second.
What are situational familiars good for?
C-Tier picks like Pheomina (night-only outside the tower), Loija (Mira Isles fiery north), Taileaf, and Specra fill element gaps or third roster slots — not core progression. Catch them when a recipe or biome demands it, not before your bench-unlock checklist is done.
Can I use a starter on a crafting station?
Yes — any roster familiar can staff a station. Starters just do not unlock benches or bring standout speed bonuses. Swap them off once you catch an A-Tier specialist for that building.
Wrapping up
Treat this tier list as a planning shortcut, not a permanent verdict. Early Access patches can reshuffle the meta overnight — we update when verified changes land. Hunt bench-unlock familiars before you optimize combat followers, staff A-Tier speed boosts on stations you already run, and treat starters and situational catches as flexible filler. Browse spawn data and crafting roles in the Familiars database.