Clean the Library Classes Tier List

This tier list ranks the playable classes in the game Clean the Library from best to worst for general use, based on their effectiveness in clearing rooms, surviving enemy waves, and supporting teammates. You enter the class name and your play style, and the list below gives you a clear ranking from S-tier (top) to D-tier (bottom), with reasoning for each placement. The rankings are based on the game’s current balance patch and community consensus, not on personal preference.

Background: How Classes Work in Clean the Library

Clean the Library is a cooperative survival game where players take on the role of library staff defending a vast, ever-changing library from waves of ink-based monsters. Each class has a unique set of abilities, a primary weapon, and a passive perk that defines its role. The game currently has 10 playable classes, each with its own skill tree and unlockable upgrades. The tier list below is a snapshot of the current meta, which shifts with each balance update, so check the patch notes before making a final decision.

How the Tier List Works

Tier lists are a way to compare the relative strength of classes in a game. This list is based on three criteria: clear speed (how fast a class can defeat enemies), survivability (how well it can avoid or absorb damage), and team utility (how much it helps allies). Each class is placed into one of five tiers:

• S-tier: Overpowered, always a good pick, and can carry a team alone.
• A-tier: Strong, versatile, and useful in most situations.
• B-tier: Solid, but with clear weaknesses that need to be worked around.
• C-tier: Situational, only shines in specific team compositions or maps.
• D-tier: Underpowered, often outclassed by other options.

Full Tier List (Current Meta)

Here is the complete ranking, from best to worst, with a brief explanation for each class:

• S-tier: Archivist – The Archivist has the best area-of-effect (AoE) damage in the game, with an ability that can clear an entire room of low-tier enemies. Its passive, “Memory Recall,â€� gives a 20% chance to instantly reload the primary weapon, which keeps its DPS consistently high. It is the top pick for solo runs and high-difficulty missions.
• A-tier: Librarian – The Librarian is the most balanced class, with a solid mix of single-target and multi-target damage. Its “Book Smashâ€� ability stuns enemies, making it a great support for melee teammates. The passive “Overdue Finesâ€� increases damage against enemies that have been recently hit by an ally, rewarding teamwork.
• A-tier: Mender – The Mender is the only dedicated healer. Its “Restore Pageâ€� ability heals a single ally for a large amount, and its passive “Papercutâ€� makes all attacks apply a small damage-over-time effect. It is essential in high-difficulty content, but its low damage output keeps it out of S-tier.
• B-tier: Sentinel – The Sentinel is a tank with high health and a taunt ability. It can protect allies, but its damage is low and its mobility is poor. It is a good pick for new players, but experienced teams often prefer more damage.
• B-tier: Indexer – The Indexer is a summoner that places turrets that auto-attack enemies. It has good area denial, but the turrets are fragile and need constant repositioning. It is strong on defensive maps, but weak on mobile ones.
• B-tier: Catalyst – The Catalyst is a debuffer that can slow enemies and increase the damage they take. It is a great force multiplier, but it relies on teammates to deal the actual damage. In a solo run, it is underwhelming.
• C-tier: Page – The Page is a fast, melee-focused class with high single-target damage. It is fun to play, but it is very fragile and requires precise positioning. It can be strong in the hands of a skilled player, but it is outclassed by the Archivist in most situations.
• C-tier: Scout – The Scout has the best mobility, with a dash ability that leaves a damaging trail. It is excellent for kiting enemies, but its damage is low and it has no team utility. It is a niche pick for speedruns.
• D-tier: Shelf – The Shelf is a melee tank that can block projectiles with a large shield. However, its damage is abysmal, and its shield only blocks from one direction, making it useless against swarms. It is widely considered the weakest class.
• D-tier: Warden – The Warden is a support that can place a stationary healing zone. However, the zone is small, and the Warden has no other abilities that help in combat. It is outclassed by the Mender in every way.

How to Choose the Right Class for You

Your choice of class should depend on your play style and the composition of your team. Here are some guidelines:

• If you are a beginner: Start with the Librarian or Sentinel. They are forgiving and teach the basics of the game.
• If you prefer dealing damage: Go with the Archivist or Page. The Archivist is easier to master, while the Page has a higher skill ceiling.
• If you like supporting others: Choose the Mender or Catalyst. The Mender is more straightforward, while the Catalyst requires coordination.
• If you are playing solo: The Archivist is the best choice, followed by the Librarian. Avoid the Mender, Catalyst, and Warden, as they rely on teammates.
• If you are playing with a full team of four: A balanced composition is one tank (Sentinel), one healer (Mender), and two damage dealers (Archivist and Librarian).

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

One common mistake is thinking the Warden is a good healer. While its healing zone is useful, it is stationary and has a long cooldown. The Mender’s single-target heal is far more reliable. Another misconception is that the Page is a good starter class. Its low health and melee range make it a poor choice for beginners, who often die before they can learn its combos. Finally, many players underestimate the Indexer’s turrets, but they require constant attention; placing them in the wrong spot can waste their cooldown.

Costs and Unlock Progression

All classes are available from the start, but each has a skill tree with upgrades that cost in-game currency called “Dust.� You earn Dust by completing missions and finding hidden pages. The cost to fully upgrade a class is roughly the same for all classes, so there is no financial barrier to playing the best class. However, the time investment is significant; it takes about 20 hours of play to fully upgrade one class. If you are a new player, focus on upgrading the Librarian first, as it is the most flexible.

Comparison with Other Similar Games

If you have played Deep Rock Galactic or Vermintide 2, you will notice some similarities. The Archivist is similar to the Driller in Deep Rock Galactic (high AoE, but weak vs. single targets). The Mender is like the Zealot in Vermintide 2 (a support that can also deal damage). However, Clean the Library has a unique mechanic: the library layout changes every time you play, so classes that rely on fixed positions (like the Indexer) are weaker than in other games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Archivist always the best class?

In the current patch, yes, the Archivist is the strongest class overall. Its AoE damage and passive reload make it the top damage dealer. However, in a team that already has two damage dealers, you might be better off picking a Mender to support them.

What is the best class for a beginner?

The Librarian is the best class for a beginner. Its abilities are straightforward, and its passive encourages team play, which helps you learn the game’s mechanics. The Sentinel is also a good choice if you prefer a more defensive play style.

Why is the Shelf so bad?

The Shelf has a very niche ability: blocking projectiles with a shield. However, most enemies in the game are melee or use area attacks, so the shield is rarely useful. Its damage is also the lowest in the game, making it a liability in most missions.

Can I play the Warden as a main healer?

No, the Warden is not a main healer. Its healing zone is small and stationary, and it has no other healing abilities. The Mender is the only class that can reliably keep a team alive.

Does the tier list change with the game’s difficulty?

Yes, the tier list shifts at higher difficulties. For example, the Mender becomes more valuable because enemies deal more damage, and the Page becomes less viable because it cannot survive long enough to deal its damage. The Archivist remains the best class at all difficulties.

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sel tier | Select a class | Librarian=1, Archivist=2, Page=3, Shelf=4, Indexer=5, Mender=6, Scout=7, Sentinel=8, Catalyst=9, Warden=10
out rank | Tier rank | - | tier | 0