Monster train 2 features ten playable clans, mixing returning factions from the first game with powerful new ones and over 180 possible primary and secondary combinations. Not all clans are equal though. Some offer absurd scaling and easy wins, while others demand precise play or feel underpowered in the current meta.
This tier list focuses on overall strength, consistency, and synergy for regular runs and higher covenant levels in early 2025.
Tier Overview
| Tier | Clans (early 2025 meta) |
|---|---|
| S | Lazarus League, Melting Remnant |
| A | Underlegion, Luna Coven |
| B | Banished, Pyreborne, Hellhorned |
| C | Umbra, Stygian Guard |
| D | Awoken |
S tier clans
Lazarus league – chaos under control
Lazarus league is widely considered the strongest clan thanks to its potions, reanimate, and unstable mechanics. These tools let you kill enemies efficiently, then bring back buffed units for massive value. Cards built around plague doctor or test subject alpha can snowball out of control, turning each turn into a chain reaction of damage and revives.
Strengths
Reanimate returns units with their buffs intact.
Unstable effects trigger lethal chain explosions when set up correctly.
Pairs well with most clans, especially those that provide bodies or rage.
Best partners
Hellhorned for rage scaling.
Banished for valor buffs.
Melting remnant for sacrifice and reform synergies.
Melting remnant – die, reform, repeat
Melting remnant returns from the first game as a top tier choice, powered by burnout and reform mechanics. You intentionally let units die, then bring them back stronger each time, creating brutal looping boards that scale heavily into the late game.
Strengths
Extremely high ceiling with death and reform loops.
Excellent at grinding through long, difficult waves.
Scales well with clans that generate gold or sacrifice value.
Best partners
Pyreborne for extra gold and pyregel damage.
Lazarus league for sacrifice tools and unstable synergies.
A tier clans
Underlegion – funguy swarm
Underlegion often sits between S and A tier depending on the source, but it is undeniably one of the strongest clans when played well. Its propagate mechanic floods floors with funguy units that start weak but scale extremely hard with the right buffs and positioning.
Strengths
Can completely fill floors with buffed funguys.
Champions like bolete the guillotine scale rapidly and become absurdly strong.
Excellent at overwhelming bosses and long waves.
Best partners
Hellhorned for frontline and rage.
Lazarus league for unstable effects and buffs.
Banished for valor based stat scaling.
Luna coven – spell nukes and control
Luna coven is a spell focused clan built around magic damage, debuffs, and board control. It fills a similar role to stygian guard from the original game, but generally offers more explosive and flexible tools in monster train 2.
Strengths
High burst damage from spells.
Strong synergy with clans that provide durable frontliners.
Scales well into higher covenant levels with proper ember and draw management.
Best partners
Awoken for defensive units.
Stygian guard for double spell setups when they work.
Hellhorned for protecting fragile casters.
B tier clans
Banished – valor fueled assault
Banished is one of the first new clans players unlock and is very beginner friendly. Its core mechanic, valor, increases attack and armor, often triggered by movement or taking hits.
Strengths
Simple and intuitive gameplan built around valor stacking.
Units like firebrand and death’s dancer scale well with repositioning.
Consistent performance without complex setups.
Limitations
Lower ceiling compared to top meta clans like lazarus league and melting remnant.
Best partners
Lazarus league for equipment and unstable synergies.
Pyreborne for offensive spells and pyregel damage.
Pyreborne – pyregel and dragon hoards
Pyreborne revolves around pyregel damage amplification and dragon hoard rewards. It blends spell damage with economy focused mechanics that reward long term planning.
Strengths
Excellent spell support and backline damage.
Strong gold generation in certain builds.
Limitations
Relies heavily on partner clans for solid frontlines.
Best partners
Melting remnant for gold abuse and reform loops.
Banished for durable valor based units.
Hellhorned – classic rage and frontline
Hellhorned returns as a reliable frontline and rage focused clan. While it no longer dominates the meta, it remains one of the most consistent partners for fragile or spell heavy builds.
Strengths
Strong melee units and rage scaling.
Excellent protection for backline focused clans.
Best partners
Underlegion to protect scaling funguys.
Lazarus league to support unstable builds.
Luna coven for bodyguard style frontline support.
C tier clans
Umbra – risky feast mechanics
Umbra returns with its familiar feast style mechanics but feels clunkier compared to newer clans. It can still perform well, but only with very specific setups and support.
Strengths
High potential with the right combinations.
Limitations
Inconsistent and outclassed in the current meta.
Requires strong partners to cover weaknesses.
Stygian guard – frostbite fallen behind
Stygian guard was a dominant spell clan in the original game, but in monster train 2 it struggles to keep up. Frostbite no longer scales as effectively as newer mechanics like decay or unstable.
Strengths
Still offers useful spells and control tools.
Limitations
Outperformed by luna coven and lazarus league.
Needs careful support to avoid being overwhelmed.
D tier clan
Awoken – slow and setup heavy
Awoken, once a defensive powerhouse, is often considered the weakest clan in early monster train 2 tier lists. While it provides strong frontliners and healing, its slow setup struggles at higher covenant levels.
Strengths
Good at stalling and sustaining damage.
Limitations
Scales too slowly compared to other clans.
Requires very specific relics and partners to shine.
Best clan combinations to try in 2025
Here are some strong and reliable combinations based on the current meta.
Lazarus league plus hellhorned for unstable effects combined with rage scaling.
Underlegion plus hellhorned for protected funguy swarms.
Melting remnant plus pyreborne for reform loops and pyregel damage.
Lazarus league plus banished for valor stacked units boosted by unstable synergies.
These combinations balance frontline durability with scaling damage, which is crucial for consistent wins at higher difficulty levels.
