Kerbal Space Program Tier List — Current Rankings

Q: How do I get to orbit in KSP?

Build a rocket with at least 3,400 m/s of delta-v and a launch TWR of 1.3+. Launch straight up until 10km, then gradually tilt east (90 degree heading) to about 45 degrees by 20km. Continue tilting until horizontal by 40km. Coast to apoapsis, then burn prograde to raise periapsis above 70km.

Q: What is delta-v and how much do I need?

Delta-v is change in velocity — the total speed change your rocket can produce. Kerbin orbit needs about 3,400 m/s, Mun landing and return needs about 6,500 m/s total, Duna round trip needs about 5,500 m/s from LKO. Install Kerbal Engineer Redux to see delta-v readouts in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Q: Should I play Career or Sandbox mode?

Start with Science mode — it gives you the tech tree progression without the budget management of Career. Science mode teaches you to plan missions around experiment collection, which naturally builds skills. Switch to Career for contract challenges, or Sandbox for unlimited creative builds.

Q: How do I dock two ships?

Get both ships in similar orbits, set one as target, burn toward it until within 200m, then switch to docking mode. Use RCS (H/N for forward/back, I/J/K/L for translation) to align docking ports. Approach at under 1 m/s, keep ports aligned using the navball target indicator.

Kerbal Space Program tier list ranking every build and equipment option. Updated rankings with detailed reasoning.

This Kerbal Space Program tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.

Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.

Builds Rankings

Tier	Build	Rating	Playstyle
S	Pilot	9.5/10	Sits in the command pod providing stability assist during all maneuvers.
A	Engineer	8.5/10	Manages surface base operations, repairs equipment, and operates mining rigs.
A	Scientist	8.5/10	Runs EVA experiments across biomes and processes data in orbital labs.
C	Tourist	7.0/10	Sits passively while you fly them to their destination and back safely.
B	Rescue Target	7.5/10	Fly to the stranded Kerbal, EVA them to your ship or dock, and return to Kerbin.

Detailed Builds Analysis

Pilot (S-Tier)

Pilots provide SAS hold capabilities at various levels — Level 1 holds prograde/retrograde, Level 3 unlocks maneuver node hold, and Level 5 gives target hold. Without a pilot or probe core with SAS, you can't lock heading during burns. Essential for every crewed mission.

Best with: Command Pod, SAS Module, Reaction Wheels — see our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Experience Level (gained from reaching new celestial bodies)

Engineer (A-Tier)

Engineers repack parachutes, repair wheels and landing legs, and boost ISRU drill and converter efficiency. A Level 3 Engineer makes mining operations viable by increasing ore extraction rates. Essential for self-sustaining bases on other planets.

Best with: ISRU Converter, Drill, Landing Legs, Parachutes — see our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Experience Level for ISRU efficiency bonuses

Scientist (A-Tier)

Scientists can reset experiment modules (like Mystery Goo and Science Jr.) for reuse without returning to Kerbin. They also boost lab processing speed in the Mobile Processing Lab. A Level 5 Scientist can reset every experiment, making multi-biome missions far more efficient.

Best with: Mobile Processing Lab, Science experiments, EVA equipment — see our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Experience Level for experiment reset capability

Tourist (C-Tier)

Tourists are contract-generated passengers who can't perform any actions — they just need to visit specified destinations. Tourist contracts pay well but add dead weight to your craft. Useful only for income in Career mode.

Best with: Extra seats in command pods, passenger cabins — see our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: None — tourists have no skills

Rescue Target (B-Tier)

Rescue contracts place stranded Kerbals in orbit or on surfaces that you must retrieve. Successfully rescued Kerbals join your roster permanently. These missions teach rendezvous and docking skills, and rescued Kerbals often come with experience.

Best with: Extra command seat or docking port, rendezvous-capable craft — see our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Pilot skill for rendezvous maneuvers

Equipment Rankings

Equipment	Best With	Notes
SRB Booster	First-stage boosters on all early career rockets	Solid Rocket Boosters provide massive thrust at low cost but cannot be throttled or shut down once ignited.
Mainsail Engine	Main stage engine for medium-to-heavy launch vehicles	The RE-M3 Mainsail is KSP's workhorse heavy lifter engine with 1,500 kN thrust and 310s vacuum Isp.
Nuclear Engine	Interplanetary transfer stages for Duna, Jool, and beyond	The LV-N Nerv nuclear engine has only 60 kN of thrust but an exceptional 800s vacuum Isp, making it the most fuel-efficient engine for interplanetary transfers.
Ion Engine	Lightweight deep-space probes and satellite repositioning	The IX-6315 Dawn ion engine provides incredible 4,200s Isp but only 2 kN of thrust, requiring enormous electricity reserves (xenon gas + solar panels or RTGs).
SAS Module	All crewed and uncrewed vessels for attitude control	The Advanced Inline Stabilizer provides torque to rotate your craft without using RCS fuel.

Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.

Equipment Analysis

SRB Booster: Solid Rocket Boosters provide massive thrust at low cost but cannot be throttled or shut down once ignited. The Kickback SRB delivers 2,300 kN of thrust, making it ideal for first-stage boosters. Pair 2-4 SRBs with a liquid-fuel core stage for cheap, powerful launchers.

Mainsail Engine: The RE-M3 Mainsail is KSP's workhorse heavy lifter engine with 1,500 kN thrust and 310s vacuum Isp. It's the go-to engine for large rockets' first and second stages. While heavy at 6 tons, its thrust-to-weight ratio makes it essential for getting heavy payloads to orbit.

Nuclear Engine: The LV-N Nerv nuclear engine has only 60 kN of thrust but an exceptional 800s vacuum Isp, making it the most fuel-efficient engine for interplanetary transfers. It's heavy (3 tons) and weak in atmosphere, so use it only on upper stages. Multiple Nervs in parallel solve the low-thrust problem.

Ion Engine: The IX-6315 Dawn ion engine provides incredible 4,200s Isp but only 2 kN of thrust, requiring enormous electricity reserves (xenon gas + solar panels or RTGs). Ion drives are for lightweight probes on deep-space missions where burn time doesn't matter.

SAS Module: The Advanced Inline Stabilizer provides torque to rotate your craft without using RCS fuel. Larger craft need multiple SAS modules or reaction wheels to maintain stability during burns. SAS works with pilot skill levels to enable heading holds.

Meta Analysis

The current meta in Kerbal Space Program centers on orbital mechanics and staging. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.

What's strong right now:

Pilot with SRB Booster is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
delta-v budgets builds are gaining ground as players find new synergies.
Scientist remains essential for learning hard content — see the boss guide.

What's underrated:

Engineer is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
Nuclear Engine offers excellent performance for its investment level.

What's overhyped:

Pure Rescue Target builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.

Quick Picks by Situation

Situation	Best Build	Best Gear	Why
Overall best	Pilot	SRB Booster	Highest consistent performance
New player	Engineer	Mainsail Engine	Most forgiving, teaches mechanics
Hard content	Scientist	Nuclear Engine	Survivability when you need it
Group play	Tourist	Ion Engine	Utility and team support
Experienced player	Rescue Target	SAS Module	Unique challenge and high ceiling

More Kerbal Space Program Guides

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