tierist

Tierist is a term used to describe a person who creates, endorses, or participates in tiered classifications—systems that group items, characters, or concepts into tiers such as S, A, B, and so on. The word blends tier with the agent noun suffix -ist and is common in online communities, particularly in gaming culture.

In gaming, tierists are most visible when they publish tier lists that rank playable characters, weapons, builds, or strategies. These rankings may draw on data such as win rates, tournament results, and matchup knowledge, but often also reflect subjective judgments about balance and playstyle. Tier lists can influence player decisions, guide discussions during balance patches, and become focal points for community debate.

Critics warn that tier lists can be biased or outdated, especially in rapidly changing metas. Methodology varies, with some tierists prioritizing objective data, others emphasizing experiential evidence, and still others mixing both. The term itself is descriptive rather than pejorative, though it can be used disparagingly when someone is accused of overvaluing popularity over performance.

Related concepts include tier lists and tiering practices in competitive contexts, as well as meta-game analysis and balance discussions in gaming communities.