The Tier System

On Bleach Story, character power is summarized by tier. Ranging from 4 to 0, a character’s tier determines many things about their capabilities and who they can fight on equal grounds. With the exception of zero tier, each tier class is subdivided into five tiers. Zero tier is subdivided into three tiers.

[TIER 4 / NOVICE RANK]

4-5 ~ You can start seeing, and interacting with the world of spirits. Freshly made spiritual beings and newly awakened humans start here. For the most part you won't have any powers beyond that of a normal human. Think like the Kurosaki girls.

4-4 ~ Your powers have just started manifesting, and you can feel the flow of your reiryoku and start manipulating it. You might even have started to exhibit slightly enhanced physical traits. Don Kanonji would fall here "BOHAHAHAHA"

4-3 ~ You can do basic things at this point. If you’re a Hollow, you were recently born into this world and may not have even made your first kill. If you’re a Shinigami, they may even be letting you swing a sword.

4-2 ~ Your unique attributes are about to manifest, so don’t give up! If you’re a Hollow, you may even have your first kill, congrats!

4-1 ~ Your unique attributes would start manifesting here, most hollows would progress here after just a few days, when figuring out what it is they can do. Acid wire and Shrieker are here, as well as Ichigo when borrowing Rukia's powers.

[TIER 3 / APPRENTICE RANK]

3-5 ~ There is a thin line, that they have now crossed. A young hollow, that has made a few kills, or a low-seated shinigami, who is no longer a brat, but a warrior in his own right, could fit here. There might be a noticeable change from the Tier 4, but even if they didn't like it, they are still taking baby steps with their power.

3-4 ~ They're so close to understanding their power, so close to harnessing it to their will, but not quite there. A quincy struggling to manifest her bow, a bount trying to uncover the secrets of summoning a doll, or a shinigami attempting to hear the whispers of his zanpakuto, either way, they know how close they are to real power.

3-3 ~ They are now capable of tapping to first power, be it a spirit bow, a hollow ability, their first zanpakuto release or a doll, that they have successfully summoned; their control and skill of their newly harnessed power is still limited, but they are definitely stronger now. Mid-ranked seated officers would fall here.

3-2 ~ At this point, tapping to their power doesn't feel as alien as it did before. They are beginning to flesh out things about their abilities, but are nowhere near knowledgeable about them. They begin to realize, that they already have a long road behind them, and that they are actually getting powerful.

3-1 ~ A weaker arrancar, or a higher-seated shinigami - they are proficient in tapping to their powers, and while there is still much space for personal development, they have pretty much learnt everything they can from their mentors. Though still outmatched by a lot of people, they are now a formidable warrior.

[TIER 2 / ADEPT RANK]

2-5 ~ They are very close to mastering their current power, but lack much of the experience that is essential for finally bringing themselves to a whole new level of power. Nonetheless skilled and trusted combatants, or another entity matching the power level.

2-4 ~ Finally, the day of mastering their current power has arrived. The idea of becoming even stronger and reaching their full potential walks in hand to hand with this level of power, even though they have no idea of how or when they would be able to do so. They are strong, yet only halfway done with their evolution.

2-3 ~ As they grow more powerful, reaching their potential comes closer, day by day. These are the vice-captains, who have been there for a while, but are not quite there to match the skills and experience of more seasoned colleagues. However, they will take note of how harsh the training for more power has become.

2-2 ~ Their vigorous training to become stronger has yet to reward them with the completed potential of their own powers, but they can feel that they are close. They are very skilled, versatile combatants, though not masterful. Senior and seasoned vice-captains, as well as more older warriors would be categorized here.

2-1 ~ They have finally reached their full potential, only to realize, that they have no idea how to control it or exploit it to the fullest.

[TIER 1 / EXPERT RANK]

1-5 ~ You've almost mastered your Bankai/equivalent, you're just a few steps away from a position of leadership, and are powerful enough to keep up with the weaker Captains. (Keep up does not mean beat.)

1-4 ~ The peak of a Secondary man, one who has mastered their Bankai/Equivalent, and is now waiting in the wings, training, and becoming powerful. Barely a step below a leadership position, but a step nonetheless.

1-3 ~ At this point, you have enough control of your true potential, for you to be qualified into a leadership position, like that of a new captain. Your control over your power is limited, when compared to your colleagues, but if you take a glance over your shoulder, you'll see those seated officers you could easily overpower.

1-2 ~ It's only a matter of time before you are up there with the best on the site. This tier is generally for Captain level characters with a bit more experience than a newer Captain, but not quite as much seasoning as a true veteran

1-1 ~ It's only a matter of time, when you master the full potential of your powers; you're already a legend - when you enter the battlefield, all heads turn at you, and when you leave, the only thing left is destruction. These people are senior captains, but not yet among the elite, who have a terrifying amount of brute power.

[TIER 0 / MASTER RANK]

0-5 ~ This tier is for the strong of the strong, these are the men of myth. At this level anyone would be fearful of you. Prodigious raw power and energy, as well as unfathomable battle experience is what best defines this tier.

0-4 ~ This tier is for people whom as rogues would be best left avoided, and when in organizations would be considered for the position of leader if such an opportunity ever arose. They are marked not only by their quantity of power, not only by their quality of battle experience, but by the terror they can bestow upon any battlefield they grace.

0-3 ~ This tier is for those whom in a pinch could fill the role of organization leader, and are considered to be as strong as one can get without actually being the leader of an organization. This is a tier that will be very selectively handed out, and despite the large jump from 0-3 to 0-2, they can still keep up making them a rare and powerful foe.

0-2 ~ This tier is exclusively reserved to the leaders of organizations, as well as to a few staff-controlled NPCs. If an organization leader leaves their position, they will be demoted.

0-1 ~ God tier. Maybe one NPC gets this if that. Don't even ask.

Release Restrictions

Release stages are bound to a character’s tier. If a character is below the required tier threshold for a release, that release can’t be used. Consult the table below to see when a release can be used.