Update 1 dropped six Dragon Ball Z-themed units into Anime Expeditions, and not all of them are worth your Gems, Trait Crystals, or upgrade materials right away. One new Secret slots straight into the top of the meta, another is quietly broken by a bug, and a couple are support pieces rather than carries. Here is how the fresh roster stacks up and what to build first.
Quick answer: Gohan (Prodigy Rage), the new Secret, is the only Update 1 unit that earns top-priority investment thanks to its high physical damage scaling. Skip heavy upgrades on Cell (Bioinsect) until a bug that can zero out its damage is patched.
Update 1 DBZ units ranked
The six additions span three rarities. Gohan is the standout Secret, four DBZ characters arrive as Mythics, and Cubert is a Limited Exclusive that is still being tested. Placements below reflect current damage output, utility, and synergy after Update 1.
| Unit (DBZ theme) | Official name | Rarity | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gohan | Prodigy (Rage) | Secret | S |
| Vegeta | Vegetable (Prince) | Mythic | A (main DPS) |
| Trunks | The Drink (Juicebox) | Mythic | A |
| Goku | Carrot (Unleashed) | Mythic | A (support) |
| Cell | Bioinsect (Final Form) | Mythic | A (bug-limited) |
| Cubert | Cubert | Limited Exclusive | Beginner Team |
Why Gohan tops the new units
Gohan is the new Secret unit and the only Update 1 addition that reaches the S tier, landing around the third slot behind the established chart-toppers. Its appeal is straightforward high physical damage, with scaling that can push up to a 100% damage increase as a fight goes on.
The one caveat is team fit. Gohan is a physical carry, so it does not benefit from magical synergy pieces like Crow Shinobi. Pair it with physical damage boosters instead of magical support, and it delivers.
Cell’s zero-damage bug drags it down
On paper, Cell should sit higher. Right now it holds an A tier placement because of a bug that can cause the unit to deal zero damage when upgraded. Until that is fixed, treat Cell as a hold rather than a project, and avoid pouring materials into it.
Note: If the bug is patched, Cell’s ranking is likely to move. Verify its damage in a run before committing upgrades.
Vegeta, Goku, and Trunks: DPS and support split
The DBZ Mythics divide neatly into damage and support roles. Vegeta is the better main DPS of the trio, leaning on the Unbound trait for its output. Goku is a solid support piece but has lower DPS, and it relies on the Forsaken trait rather than Unbound, which keeps it in a helper role instead of a carry slot.
Trunks sits above Goku within the A tier. It works as a follow-up unit and buffs physical damage, which makes it a natural partner for physical carries like Gohan and Vegeta.
| Unit | Role | Preferred trait |
|---|---|---|
| Vegeta | Main DPS | Unbound |
| Trunks | Follow-up / physical buff | — |
| Goku | Support | Forsaken |
Cubert sits in the Beginner Team tier for now
Cubert, the Limited Exclusive, lands in the Beginner Team tier because its abilities are still being confirmed. That placement is temporary and reflects testing rather than a ceiling. Hold off on investment until its kit is fully understood.
How the new units fit the wider meta
The DBZ units do not dethrone the existing meta core. Dark Mage (Judas) remains the best overall unit for tournaments and chain damage, and the Meta S tier still leans on established carries. Toy Maker and Elf Mage, meanwhile, drop from their previous spots after this shake-up.
| Tier | Standout units |
|---|---|
| Meta S | Dark Mage (Judas), Gowther, Shadow, Crow Shinobi, Gohan |
| A | Vegeta, Trunks, Goku, Cell (bug-limited) |
| Demoted | Toy Maker, Elf Mage |
| Beginner Team | Cubert |
Rankings weigh current damage output, utility, trait fit, and team synergy rather than rarity alone, and they reflect the Update 1 meta as of August 2026. Because a live bug is holding Cell back and Cubert is still under testing, expect the middle of this list to shift once balance changes land. If you are spending resources today, put them into Gohan first, keep Dark Mage as your reliable carry, and wait on Cell.
