Iron Marines+ Early Hero Tier List: Best Starting Commanders

To stabilize early campaign progression in Iron Marines+, select Taggins as your primary frontline defender or Fate as your objective-clearing infiltrator. Taggins prevents squad wipes by absorbing high-density enemy fire, while Fate bypasses fortifications to eliminate structures and mini-bosses.

Early Hero Tier Rankings

Early campaign missions test your ability to protect Ether collectors, survive alien swarms, and dismantle fortified enemy positions. A hero's effectiveness depends on raw survivability, defensive utility, and how well they perform without high skill point investment.

S-Tier Commanders: Taggins and Fate

Taggins (Frontline Anchor)

Taggins is the most dependable starting commander for standard defense and lane-holding scenarios. His core strength is an active invulnerability shield that completely negates incoming damage for its duration. In stages filled with explosive bio-constructs and acid spitters, his shield lets you physically block choke points without taking hull damage.

Additionally, his combat drone acts as an autonomous secondary turret to help clear light swarms and cover split paths. Keeping Taggins alive removes the risk of long hero respawn timers during critical enemy pushes.

Fate (Infiltration and Objective Removal)

Fate approaches missions through precision targeting rather than direct defense. Her stealth ability allows her to slip past fortified defensive lines without drawing enemy fire, letting her scout terrain safely.

Her explosive charges deal extreme damage to alien hives, structures, and armored targets. She requires active control; if she is caught outside of stealth by a dense enemy group, her small health pool depletes rapidly.

Specialist and Situational Heroes

Kara (A-Tier: Area Defense)

Kara provides long-range rocket fire and a stationary defense turret, making her an exceptional choice for static hold-out missions where enemy approach angles are fixed. Her rockets soften swarms before they reach friendly lines. However, her slow repositioning speed leaves her vulnerable if fast-moving units flank her position.

Mark (B-Tier: Mobile Firepower)

Mark relies on high mobility. His jetpack allows him to leap over obstacles and reposition between defending points quickly, while his landmines disrupt advancing columns. Despite his steady minigun damage, Mark lacks an invulnerability skill or stealth mechanic, making him susceptible to long-range snipers and concentrated alien fire.

Paragon (C-Tier: Melee Limitations)

Paragon features dash attacks and high cleave damage, but melee positioning is punishing in early missions. Melee combat forces Paragon into range of death-effect explosions, acid puddles, and overlapping ranged attacks. Without constant micro-management, he takes heavy attrition and dies quickly compared to ranged heroes.

Hero Upgrade and Squad Priorities

When allocating early skill points, prioritize the abilities that keep commanders alive or speed up objective destruction:

• Upgrade focus: Maximize Taggins' shield uptime before weapon passives, and upgrade Fate's explosive charges so she can eliminate bio-structures in a single run.
• Taggins squad pairings: Pair him with Snipers or Flamethrowers. Taggins pins swarms in place while squishy ranged units fire safely from behind him.
• Kara squad pairings: Support Kara with frontline Brawlers or Guardians to block incoming rushers and protect her slow-firing artillery.
• Mark squad pairings: Station Mark near repair units or defensive towers to counteract his lack of personal damage mitigation.
• Fate deployment: Use Fate as a separate roaming unit to eliminate high-threat targets while your main army holds choke points.