Don’t Starve Together Tier List for Solo Play [2025 Update]

It seems absurd to want to play a game titled “Don’t Starve Together” alone… but we’ve all been there and done that (and some are still doing it).

With so many new characters and changes added over the years, including the relatively new skill trees, I decided to take a new look at the game and share with you an updated Don’t Starve Together tier list for solo play.

While these rankings are mostly valid for the multiplayer part of the game, I considered DST solo play only when creating this tier list – so let’s check it out below!!

S-Tier: Solo Survival Superstars

Character	Stats
Maxwell	Health: 75 Hunger: 150 Sanity: 200
Wickerbottom	Health: 125 Hunger: 150 Sanity: 250
Wanda	Health: 60 (Time) Hunger: 175 Sanity: 200

There’s more to this than just the base stats, though – so read on for a few thoughts I have about each of these characters and why I consider them to be the best.

Maxwell

The shadow puppet master now reigns supreme in solo play, in my opinion. With his enhanced Duelists and shadow minions, Maxwell excels in resource gathering and boss battles alike, despite his laughable health.

His recent rework has propelled him to the top, making him a versatile powerhouse in both combat and base management, though.

Spend time unlocking his puppet-related skills; they make a world of difference. Also, always keep healing items around to offset his low health.

If you used to stay away from him – just give him a chance during your solo runs: you will see he’s really good actually!

Wickerbottom

The librarian’s rework and the addition of her bookcase have made her a great choice for solo players.

Her ability to control the environment, grow resources instantly, and summon allies places her high on this list for her utility and strategic depth in solo play.

And I don’t even want to get into her amazing Sanity ratings – that alone makes her almost unbeatable! Just invest in skills that lower book penalties to keep your sanity in check and mind your inventory as carrying multiple books can weigh you down.

Wanda

Time truly is on Wanda’s side – she can bend it, break it, and use it to hammer bosses into oblivion.

She comes equipped with a unique watch-based toolkit that deals massive damage (especially early on), and once you invest in her skill tree, she’s capable of outmaneuvering almost any threat the Constant throws at her.

Her low base health is the biggest challenge, but if you manage her watches correctly, Wanda can shrug off what would normally be deadly hits for other characters. In a solo run, that kind of flexibility is priceless.

Also read: Best Classic PC Games You Should Play

A-Tier Characters

Character	Stats
Wortox	Health: 200 Hunger: 175 Sanity: 150
Wigfrid	Health: 200 Hunger: 120 Sanity: 120
Wolfgang	Health: 200 Hunger: 200 Sanity: 200
Wurt	Health: 150 Hunger: 200 Sanity: 150
Wendy	Health: 150 Hunger: 150 Sanity: 200
WX-78	Health: 125 Hunger: 125 Sanity: 150

I will go a bit faster through these ones, highlighting their main strengths and weaknesses.

Wortox

The soulful imp’s teleportation and healing abilities provide clever survival mechanics that can drastically help in a solo adventure. Collecting souls from monsters you defeat (or random creatures) keeps you healed and mobile.

Pros:

• Teleportation opens up the map for quick resource runs.
• Easy healing with souls.

Cons:

• Burns through food quicker because of soul mechanics.
• Requires juggling the soul inventory to stay efficient.

Wigfrid

The valkyrie’s combat prowess and ability to craft unique weapons and armor grant her a solid standing.

Her battle hymns and passive health and sanity regeneration from fights ensure she remains a formidable force against the wilderness’s challenges.

Pros:

• Top-notch fighter for bosses.
• Battle songs provide buffs without needing fancy items.

Cons:

• Limited diet (only eats meat).
• Requires constant action to maintain her edge.

Wolfgang

The strongman’s mightiness makes him a force to be reckoned with in boss fights.

His ability to deal and absorb more damage as his hunger increases ensures his place as a top-tier choice for those focusing on combat efficiency.

Pros:

• Incredible damage output.
• Doesn’t fall over easily in fights.

Cons:

• Needs a lot of food to stay in top form.
• Can be tough to maintain mightiness if resources are scarce.

Wurt

With the right setup, her ability to command Merm armies and resources places her as a strong solo contender.

Pros:

• Merm guards can help with resource gathering and defense.
• Vegetarian diet can be easy once you set up farms.

Cons:

• Gears heavily toward a Merm-based playstyle, which might feel limiting.
• Not ideal if you want a more nomadic approach.

Wendy

Accompanied by her spectral sister Abigail, Wendy excels in crowd control and resource farming, though her reliance on Abigail in combat places her in the balanced tier for solo play.

Pros:

• Abigail can handle multiple enemies without Wendy taking direct hits.
• Excellent for collecting monster drops or clearing mass threats.

Cons:

• If Abigail falls, Wendy is left weaker until she revives her.
• Boss fights can be trickier if you rely too heavily on Abigail alone.

WX-78

Despite rework concerns, his speed boost and utility perks keep him as a viable solo option, but not much more.

Pros:

• Can become quite strong if upgraded correctly.
• Speed advantage is handy for dodging threats.

Cons:

• Needs to watch out for rain damage.
• Upgrades require time and resources.

Also read: Best Relaxing Games for PC

B-Tier

Character	Stats
Wilson	Health: 150 Hunger: 150 Sanity: 200
Wormwood	Health: 150 Hunger: 150 Sanity: 200
Webber	Health: 175 Hunger: 175 Sanity: 100
Warly	Health: 150 Hunger: 250 Sanity: 200
Willow	Health: 150 Hunger: 150 Sanity: 120
Winona	Health: 150 Hunger: 150 Sanity: 200
Woody	Health: 150 Hunger: 150 Sanity: 200

Now let’s get a bit more in-depth and see what makes these characters special. Or, better said – mediocre.

Wilson

The gentleman scientist’s balanced attributes and beard insulation make him a steady and reliable choice for solo players, providing a well-rounded survival experience.

Wormwood

While his farming abilities are unparalleled, they offer limited direct benefits in solo survival scenarios.

Webber

The spider boy’s ability to befriend spiders and create spider armies offers unique strategies for resource gathering and base defense, making him a fascinating pick for those looking to exploit the game’s mob mechanics.

Warly

The chef’s culinary skills provide significant buffs, but the preparation time and specific ingredient requirements make him a more niche choice for solo players.

Willow

She seems like a great character with her lighter and protective Teddy bear… but the truth is that it’s not easy to play as her, especially when it comes to keeping her sanity in check.

Winona

The industrious inventor’s fast crafting and unique structures like catapults offer defensive strategies, but her reliance on extensive setup and resource investment for her gadgets limits her versatility in solo play.

Woody

Underwhelming in solo scenarios, lacking in late-game perks and versatility, although is axe is by far a favorite of many players (myself included).

C-Tier

Character	Stats
Wes	Health: 75 Hunger: 75 Sanity: 75
Walter	Health: 130 Hunger: 110 Sanity: 200

Here’s why I think that these characters are the worst for solo play in DST!

Wes

The silent mime remains in the game’s hard mode, offering a significant challenge to solo players with his lower stats and lack of vocal warnings. Probably the most difficult character to play in the entire DST universe.

Walter

Despite having unique mechanics with his slingshot and Woby, his downsides make solo play significantly more challenging.

Let’s Talk about Skill Trees and Their Effect on Rankings

Skill trees introduced a brand-new layer of depth to DST. While I won’t write a novel on them, since this isn’t the point of this article, I want to mention that characters with skill trees automatically get a boost compared to other “regulars”.

This way, each of the characters with a skill tree can further specialize in ways that boost their strengths or patch up their weak points, making them more valuable for solo play.

Here’s what you should know about the current ones:

• Maxwell’s Tricks: He can develop new shadow puppets or make existing ones stronger, which helps with resource gathering and boss fights.
• Wickerbottom’s Library: She can improve certain books, reduce penalty costs, or even summon mightier effects for better solo control.
• WX-78’s Upgrades: He gains extra abilities that fine-tune his speed, health, or even how he interacts with lightning.
• Wanda’s Time Magic: She has branches that let her dish out even more damage with time-based items or keep her age in check.

These skill tree perks definitely matter when you’re on your own.

Wrapping up

Now you have a better (and more up-to-date) ranking of the best characters in Don’t Starve Together for solo play. If you have a different favorite, or if you like to shake things up, I’d love to hear about it – drop a comment below!

If all looks good, make sure to check out the list of the best games like Cult of the Lamb – you’ll get some nice Don’t Starve Together-like games there too!