Tier list
A tier list is a ranked layout that sorts items into horizontal bands (commonly labelled S, A, B, C, D, and sometimes F or similar), usually from strongest or most preferred at the top to weakest or least preferred at the bottom. Unlike an iceberg chart, a classic tier list does not use a waterline metaphor; both formats, however, belong to internet ranking culture.
Origins in competitive games[edit]
Tier lists were popularised in fighting-game and other competitive communities as shorthand for character or strategy viability. Community tier lists are editorial opinions informed by tournament results, patch notes, and local meta—not official balance tables unless a publisher says so.
Broader meme use[edit]
Outside esports, tier lists became a general meme and discussion tool for ranking albums, foods, movies, coworkers' mugs, and nearly anything else. Web tools such as TierMaker lowered the barrier to publishing shareable tier images.
Comparison with icebergs[edit]
| Feature | Tier list | Iceberg chart |
|---|---|---|
| Visual metaphor | Graded bands (S–F, etc.) | Iceberg + waterline |
| Typical axis | Quality / preference / viability | Familiarity → obscurity (sometimes "cursedness") |
| Common homes | Competitive Discords, Twitter/X, TierMaker | Reddit, imageboards, YouTube explainers |
Some creators blend the two (e.g. "iceberg tier list" as a synonym for iceberg chart).
See also[edit]
Sources[edit]
- Community usage in fighting-game and broader meme culture (general reference).
- TierMaker product as a widely used publishing tool for fan tier lists.