Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Class Tier List

Class tier placements in Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 are context-sensitive. A class that dominates Horde may underperform in the campaign. The ratings below reflect each class’s performance in specific contexts.

Tier S — Exceptional

Marauder (Campaign / Horde) Marauder is the most consistently impactful class in the game. Explosive crowd control is valuable in every context. The OCAP-91 Volcan one-shots most campaign enemies; Titan Rockets are mandatory for deep Horde Praetorian waves. No meaningful weaknesses at any difficulty. The class performs well with both coordinated squads and random groups.

Duelist (Campaign / Horde) The dual-primary system gives Duelist unmatched flexibility. In campaign, you can adapt your loadout mid-mission to handle any enemy composition. In Horde, Stay on Target creates sustained damage that matches the Marauder’s burst at longer fight durations. The skill ceiling is high, but the class rewards mastery with consistent top-tier performance.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 - Launch Trailer

Tier A — Strong

Machinist (Horde) Cross-Platform Synergy makes Machinist the best support class for coordinated Horde squads. A Machinist with a Shredder Bodyguard and Gas Turret provides both damage and the ally damage resistance aura that extends squad survival windows. In random pub squads the synergy is less reliable, which drops the practical impact. In campaign, Machinist is solid but not exceptional.

Medic (Horde / Campaign) Bedside Manner and Surgeon’s Hands make Medic the only reliable revive source at high difficulty. In coordinated Horde, a skilled Medic extends the squad’s ceiling dramatically. In random groups, the impact is reduced because teammates may not respond optimally to healing cues. Campaign performance is consistent regardless of squad coordination.

Tier B — Viable

Specialist (Horde / Campaign) Specialist is a buildbench — its effectiveness depends entirely on your ability to construct a coherent hybrid build. A well-built Specialist with Shredder Bodyguard and Bedside Manner minor fragments is genuinely strong. A poorly specced Specialist with conflicting fragment choices underperforms a base class. The ceiling is high; the floor is low.

Hunter (Campaign) Precision damage amplification is valuable in campaign boss fights and against priority targets. In Horde, Hunter struggles against pure drone density where sustained damage classes outperform. The class is mechanically demanding — it requires accurate weak-point shots to reach its potential.

Tier C — Situational

Hunter (Horde Solo) In a coordinated Horde squad with a Medic sustaining you, Hunter can shine. In a random squad or solo with AI marines, the class lacks the sustained damage output and self-sufficiency to justify its slot.

Summary table

Class	Campaign	Horde (Coord)	Horde (Pub)	Solo
Marauder	S	S	S	A
Duelist	S	A	A	A
Machinist	B	A	B	C
Medic	A	A	B	C
Specialist	B	A	B	B
Hunter	B	C	C	C

Frequently asked questions

Is Hunter really that weak? Hunter is not weak — it is situationally dependent. In the right squad with communication, Hunter’s weak-point amplification makes priority target elimination significantly faster. In random pub squads, the lack of consistent follow-up makes the class feel underpowered.

Why is Specialist Tier B? Specialist’s rating reflects its build dependency. A min-maxed Specialist build is genuinely S-tier in Horde. A generic hybrid without coherent fragment synergy is worse than a specialised base class. The rating assumes an average build quality.

Will balance patches change tier placements? Yes. Cold Iron Studios has indicated they monitor class performance and will issue balance adjustments. Tier list will be updated following any meaningful changes.