Type Soul Shikai and Bankai Tier List (August 2025): Dominate the Soul Society

Welcome, fellow Soul Reapers and Arrancars! Gaming News is here to provide the definitive, most comprehensive Type Soul Shikai and Bankai tier list for August 2025. We’ve meticulously analyzed the recent re-release buffs, nerfs, and balance changes, taking into account build synergies, combo potential, and overall effectiveness in the current meta. Forget the fluff; we’re delivering the hard data and strategic insights you need to climb the ranks and dominate the Soul Society. Prepare to ascend!

Table of Contents

Type Soul Shikai Tier List

Our Shikai tier list focuses on the raw power and oppressive capabilities of each Shikai when utilized to its fullest potential. We’ll consider how each Shikai performs with build integrations, such as Hakuda, Speed, and Kendo, and highlight the true combo potential. We’re also heavily weighing the latest balance adjustments, so be aware that the meta has shifted. Let’s dive in.

S-Tier Shikai: The Apex Predators

These Shikai are the undisputed champions of the current meta. They offer unparalleled versatility, damage output, and combo potential.

Benihime (Mythic)

The rework of Benihime has catapulted it to the top tier. It boasts incredible true combo potential, synergistic with Speed and Kendo builds. The “X” attack delivers devastating damage while the “C” attack provides excellent defensive capabilities. The flexibility of Benihime, with its mix of damage, defense, and combos, makes it a formidable choice for any player.

Ink (Legendary)

Ink’s greatest strength lies in its unique passive ability. The Ink passive reduces enemy damage and slows their movements, discouraging opponents from attempting true combos. Use the “C” attack to apply the Ink passive effectively. The “X” attack is a double strike that disables a significant portion of the enemy’s move-set. Ink provides exceptional control over your opponent, and you can become quite tanky if opponents choose to engage while inked.

Theatre (Legendary)

Theatre remains a dominant force, especially for players skilled in the art of “noobstomping”. New and mid-experience players often struggle to counter the “Z” and “X” attacks, which are difficult to parry or block (requiring a side dodge). “C” is a great counter move that flows into Rising Swallow, Floating Strike, and many other moves. Theatre is a very strong choice for all builds.

Flower (Legendary)

The Flower is exceedingly powerful, as each successful hit triggers an aura that deals great damage. The “Z” move is an excellent combo starter because of its stun effect, while the “X” move delivers substantial damage and guard breaks. “C” is ideal for repositioning and combo extensions. The damage effects are further enhanced with maximum expansion.

Shinso (Rare)

Shinso is a highly versatile Shikai, especially when paired with Shikai Stasis. It’s competitive because of its combo potential. The “Z” move is suitable for poking and move cancelling. “X” is a great counter that sets up other moves with a true combo such as “X” into “C.” “C” also delivers high guardbreak potential and is a strong mixup option.

Creation (Uncommon)

This is a high-skill-cap Shikai that requires dedication and practice to master its potential combos. For instance, “ZM1” provides hyperarmor from frame one and causes a mini-stun, enabling players to interrupt or initiate combos such as Floating Strikes/Fast Fang. “ZM2” is a true combo starter. “X” can also be chained into many moves, such as Fast Fang, to prolong combos. “C” initiates combos, breaks guard, baits parries, and keeps the opposition uncertain. Creation is a Shikai of incredible depth, rewarding players who invest time in practice.

Weight (Uncommon)

Weight is a competitive pick due to recent buffs to damage and cooldowns, and the passive application. The passive makes it easy to obtain a free true combo. Many moves now have hyperarmor. Weight offers a powerful Shikai option.

A-Tier Shikai: Elite Options

These Shikai are strong contenders but may have limitations or require specific builds to reach their full potential.

Duality (Mythic)

The most significant nerf for Duality is the shared cooldowns between stances. However, it remains a strong choice due to its three “ZXC” guardbreaks on Black. White moves remain useful, especially since the “Z” attack is unpunishable.

Ice (Legendary)

The “Z” attack is effective at mid-range. The “C” attack is one of the best Shikai counters in Type Soul. The “X” attack keeps Ice from being S-Tier.

Blood (Legendary)

Blood offers a range of mix-ups and combos. The “Z” attack is a reliable starter. The “C” attack is a fast and dependable move. Blood deals damage to you if you miss but doesn’t occur if you’re blocked, dodged, or parried.

Judgement (Rare)

Judgement’s main tool is its powerful “Z” attack, allowing players to chain another move immediately afterward for increased pressure. Judgement deals more damage if you use the “X” counter with the “Z” attack. The “C” attack delivers guardbreaks if you hit with the “X” counter.

Berserk (Rare)

Berserk functions as a noob-stomper. The “Z” attack is difficult to block/parry and gains hyperarmor below 50% HP. The “X” attack is easy to parry. The “C” attack delivers guardbreaks.

Water (Rare)

Water performs well with Rei adjustments, stealing Rei on hit. It combines well with Speed or Kendo builds to apply pressure. Its “X” and “C” attacks combo into Speed/Kendo moves. It needs more setup and combo practice.

B-Tier Shikai: Solid Choices

These Shikai are viable but might lack the power or consistency of higher-tier options.

Snow (Mythic)

Snow has been weakened by nerfs, including the removal of hyperarmor. Veterans with a Hakuda/Kido build can still make it competitive. It does not apply as much pressure as it did before.

Kyoka Suigetsu (Mythic)

Kyoka Suigetsu’s main drawback is its reliance on the clone. If the clone doesn’t act optimally, it can be annoying. If the clone cooperates, it’s possible to create amazing builds with Yamato.

Zangetsu (Rare)

Zangetsu deals great damage, but its moves are somewhat predictable, making them easy to parry. It’s a decent noob-stomper.

Assimilation (Legendary)

Absorption stacks only go to 50, which nerfs the damage of “ZM1” and “ZM2”. Absorption is still useful for making “X” really powerful. The stun potential of both “X” and “C” has also been nerfed.

Suzumebachi (Legendary)

The “Z” and “C” attacks can do good damage but are easily parried/dodged. “X” is very powerful when landed and is a good combo extension.

Fire (Rare)

Fire combines well with Hakuda or Speed. Its “Z” attack knocks enemies into other moves. Fire requires other skill trees to be competitive.

Lightning (Uncommon)

“Z” no longer has true stun combos. It is still great for mobility and guardbreaking with “X” and “C”. Lightning is easily punished if you miss.

C-Tier Shikai: Niche Applications

These Shikai have limited utility, situational strengths, or are outclassed by other options.

Ash (Rare)

Ash is decent with a Hakuda build, but it’s not the most powerful in terms of damage and true combos. The “X” into the “C” move is a good basic combo.

Wind (Uncommon)

“C” is the MVP move here, dealing damage over a long range. It does not offer synergy.

Poison (Uncommon)

Poison delivers damage over time. It can still be viable with build combos. You can usually charge up another move due to the effects.

D-Tier Shikai: Avoid at All Costs

These Shikai are significantly underpowered and offer little value in the current meta.

Confusion (Rare)

Confusion clones are too easy to identify. The “Z” attack is horrible, a free punish if mistimed. It is countered by many things.

Shadow (Uncommon)

Shadow does not synergize and combo into many moves. Shadow is the worst Shikai in Type Soul.

Type Soul Bankai Tier List

Bankai fundamentally alters the capabilities of your chosen Shikai. The most powerful Bankai either boost your Shikai’s base moveset or introduce entirely new mechanics. We’ve analyzed how each Bankai interacts with its corresponding Shikai to provide the most accurate assessment.

S-Tier Bankai: God-Tier Powerhouses

These Bankai represent the pinnacle of power in Type Soul, capable of dominating the battlefield.

Kyoka Suigetsu

The Bankai makes players less dependent on the clone. The “T” move is OP, dealing true damage and disabling actions. The “G” move swaps health, allowing players to bait damage and then use the “T” move to almost one-shot enemies. This is one of the best 1v1 builds.

Duality

The Duality Bankai has new moves, such as the hit-stun critical for chaining into other skills. The “T” move makes the player immune to everything. The “G” move is also a great combo starter. The “C” attack deals straight damage.

Benihime

The “T” move now traps people. The old “G” heal is now a passive that heals from time to time, freeing up the “G” slot for an auto-track chain that stuns for a long time. The “T” move enhances the “X” and “C” attacks. Benihime’s easy S-Tier.

Flower

This Bankai is about the “T” move that traps enemies. The “T” move boosts the “X” and “C” attacks, covering the entire area. The “G” stuns the enemy. The Shikai is S-tier, and the Bankai is another easy S.

Ink

The M1 and critical passive summons a hand that ragdolls on M1s/Crits, allowing for combo starts. The “T” move cuts off Reiatsu regeneration. The “G” move boosts damage. Ink offers lots of damage and Reiatsu debuffs.

Shinso

Shinso has some of the most hyperarmor, true combos, and mobility. The passive is applied with “T” and auto-executes at 15% HP. “T” is a hyperarmor move that can stunlock. “G” auto-executes at 15% HP. The “Z” and “C” moves are also empowered.

Zangetsu

The Bankai turns players into a massive damage machine with hyperarmor and guard break moves. Every Shikai move gets boosted. The “T” move is an amazing combo starter. “G” is for poking and zoning.

Water

Water continues to steal Reiatsu. The “T” move is great for movestacking, pulling enemies. The “G” is a great damage and control tool. The “ZXC” moves are boosted.

Berserk

The “T” move is good for closing distance. All moves apply the Cripple effect. The “G” auto-teleports the player. Berserk has become a powerhouse with Unsealed Rage.

A-Tier Bankai: Highly Competitive

These Bankai are strong and versatile but may not be as consistently dominant as S-Tier options.

Creation

The Bankai adds more combo potential. The mark passive is applied on all abilities, making the “ZM1” instantly teleport and do damage. The “T” move lasts for a while and applies pressure. The “G” has three parts for combos.

Snow

All skills are automatically empowered. The “G” is a long-range AOE damage ragdoll. The “T” move ragdolls everyone around.

Assimilation

The absorption cap goes from 50 to 180. The “Z” deals massive damage. The “G” instantly charges to 100, increases the cap to 300, and explodes on death. The “T” deals massive damage.

Weight

Weight builds on the already amazing Shikai. “T” and “G” are great AOE damage moves. Spam “T” and “G” only after applying the Shikai passive stun.

Suzumebachi

Every move gets empowered. “Z” and “X” apply a massive slow. “C” is an amazing mobility move. “T” is a massive damage grab. “G” is good ranged poke.

Ice

Strong Bankai since it gets auto-executes on low HP targets. Ice sets up a stun and burst damage.

Blood

Great M1s with “T” active and parry passive. “G” is also a great combo starter.

B-Tier Bankai: Situational Strength

These Bankai have their uses but may be less effective in certain matchups or require specific playstyles.

Theatre

The “T” and “G” attacks deal great damage. However, the Bankai doesn’t really improve the base kit.

Confusion

Confusion is a great defensive Bankai. The passive places down a mark on the ground every 15 seconds to restore HP, Rei, and position. The only damage option is “G”, which has iFrames.

Judgement

Judgement gives new moves and ways to apply slowing and damage reduction debuffs. The “T” is a reliable targeted burst damage tool, while “G” is a multi-hit barrage.

Fire

Fire gives you more ways to apply burn with M1s and “T”. The “C”, “Z” or “T” moves turn people into Kyoka-like zombies. The Bankai has an improved flashstep.

Wind

Wind gains new combo potential moves and a variant move with “G+C” dealing massive AOE damage. The “T” move drops down a stunning tornado.

C-Tier Bankai: Limited Utility

These Bankai have significant drawbacks and are generally outclassed by higher-tier options.

Lightning

The Bankai steals mobility. “G” auto-tracks and guard breaks. The “T” is less reliable.

Shadow

The blind effects don’t really work that well. The “G” domain saves HP on entry.

D-Tier Bankai: Deserving of a Reroll

These Bankai are underwhelming and offer little value.

Ash

The Shikai is underwhelming. The “T” is a melee mini stun pillar.

Poison

The moves are too telegraphed, easy to dodge, and easy to punish.

Conclusion

This Tier List provides a comprehensive overview of the current Type Soul Shikai and Bankai meta. We hope that this comprehensive breakdown empowers you to make informed choices, optimize your builds, and dominate the battlefield. Stay tuned to Gaming News for more in-depth guides, updates, and strategies to help you master Type Soul. Good luck, Soul Reapers!

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