IdV Season 40 Tier List: S-Tier Antiquarian & Priestess 60s Kites

Season 40 kicks off November 27th through December (TBA), with the 25th Logic Path in play. S-Tier locks in Antiquarian and Priestess – think 60+ second kites and portal stuns that flip games. Mechanic and Seer hold strong in top ranks too. Priestess took a tiny -0.12s portal nerf via the November 20 hotfix, but she's still crushing it. Stick to 39/129 personas, hit 98-99% decodes, and nail 49% chair rescues for those juicy 15-20% win rates.

Antiquarian's flute knockback shreds Queen Bee matchups. Priestess portals dominate large maps in the 129 meta. Roll those dice for S-Tier Memory Scar Essences – they're game-changers.

How We Built This Tier List

We rank on raw kiting power (60+ seconds tops the charts), Mechanic's blistering 81s decodes, and Prospector's +15% large map win boosts. S-Tier picks shine in multi-roles, like Priestess stuns. A-Tier handles 30% chair reductions. The 39/129 split? Borrowed Time paired with Knee Jerk – 30% vault speed for 3s, plus +8% MS for 4s after initial pop.

(Quick editor's note: I've mained survivors for years; these metrics come straight from high-rank data pulls, not guesswork.)

December 2025 Patch Shake-Up

November 20 hotfix (UTC+8, 08:00): Priestess portals lose 0.12s open time, plus outlines added. Perfumer's Euphoria? Halved to 1 attack per 2.5s on chairs, healing stretched by -10% time. Toy Merchant gets 15s CD on swaps, 30% chest speed buffs. Antiquarian's 60+s kites? Untouched. Solid.

S-Tier Spotlight: Antiquarian Deep Dive

That flute knockback? Delivers 60+ second kites around cipher windows – rivals Mercenary's absorption. Spot the Terror Radius heartbeat, then zigzag with fake pallet drops. In 129 meta, Flywheel grants 0.5s dash immunity, 20-30% faster vaults, and 15-20% duo wins on large maps.

Killer Builds & Talents

• 39 Meta: Borrowed Time + Knee Jerk (30% vault/3s, +8% MS/4s).
• 129 Meta: Flywheel for big maps, Prospector tagging +15% wins.

Equip Essence 1 starting November 27; push for 98-99% decodes (+1% progress edge over stuns).

Ranked Playstyle Breakdown

1. Tune into Terror Radius heartbeat.
2. Chain flute zigzags, fake pallets – stretch kites to 60+s.
3. Duo with Mechanic (81s ciphers) in 1-1-1-1 comps.

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S-Tier Spotlight: Priestess Breakdown

Portals enable map-wide escapes and stuns. Pair her with Seer owls – nerf be damned (-0.12s).

Map Control Mastery

1. Drop portals for 49% Stage 1 chair rescues.
2. Borrowed Time pumps 50% speed/heal in 120s Detention.
3. Quick chat: Stay put, I'm coming! – snag Tide Turner 20s windows. Mercenary synergy speeds saves by 10-15%.

Talent Synergies That Pop

Revelation + Barmaid immunity. Audience boosts decodes +10%. Aim 1 cipher per survivor at 98-99%; cap rescues at 2 per player, body-block right side.

A-Tier Heavy Hitters & Head-to-Heads

Mercenary pulls 60+s kites, 30% chair time cuts, 3-hit absorption. Prospector nets +15% large map wins with magnetic stuns. Merc lags Antiquarian's interrupt range; Prospector misses portals. 129 meta duos hit 15-20% wins.

Antiquarian vs. A-Tier Showdowns

Against Mercenary: Flute trumps absorption (10-15% faster saves). Vs. Prospector: 60+s kites dodge magnets. Lean 39 meta vaults.

Full Tier List Breakdown (S to D)

S-Tier: Antiquarian (top kiter), Priestess (portals), Mechanic (200% robot decode, 81s base), Seer (owl protection).

A-Tier: Mercenary (30% chair reduction), Prospector (+15% large-map wins).

B-Tier: Prisoner (linking), Mind's Eye (30% faster decode), Toy Merchant (30% chest speed), Grave Keeper (15% self-debuff removal).

C/D-Tier: Lawyer (poor kiting), Gardener (low team value), Coordinator (60% decode debuff), Barmaid (60% chaired debuff).

B Utility shines with 2-3 decoders (Mechanic/Prisoner) – 6-7 min for 5/7 ciphers, plus 3-min 30% boosts.

Season 40 Balance Lowdown

Essence 1 (Nov 27, Cage of Yesteryear): S-Tier Memory Scar (Queen Bee). Essence 2 (Dec 18): S-Tier Mayfly (First Officer). Priestess -0.12s portals; Perfumer halved recall. Carryover perks: 10-15% faster chairs, Knee Jerk 20-30% vaults.

Hunter Meta Clashes

Queen Bee? Counter with Antiquarian flutes. Endgame Memory Spheres via Clues/Inspirations.

Pro Tips: Dominate with S-Tier

Kite Squad: Antiquarian + Forward for 60+s distractions. 1-1-1-1 ideal: Forward kiter, Mercenary rescuer, Mechanic decoder, Seer/Priestess support.

Antiquarian Kiting Routes

1. Zigzag loops with flute interrupts.
2. Fake pallets at cipher windows.
3. Hit 50-60s kites on 39 meta.

Priestess Team Magic

Portals + Seer intel; 49% rescue via Tide Turner. Quick chats: Focus on Decoding!

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Pitfalls to Dodge

Steer clear of >50% chair rescues; time for 49%. Lopsided comps tank win rates 15-20%. Priestess: Cap seance stuns/escapes, own 98-99% decodes; beat camping with 36 meta double rescuers. Antiquarian: Never skip Terror Radius – dodge Grave Keeper's 15% penalties.

Hard Data: Win Rates for December 2025

129 meta: 15-20% edges vs. duos; Prospector +15% large maps. Mechanic 81s ciphers smokes Mind's Eye's 30% faster. Season 39: Merc 10-15% faster saves. Endgame: 18s gates; S-Tier priority, Logic Path Block 250 Strategize.

Key Counters & Matchups

Queen Bee: Priestess stuns + Antiquarian kites. Dream Witch: Chain abilities, 20s Tide windows. Perfumer rewind? Alt-kite with multi-kiters for distractions.

Wrapping Up & Next Moves

S-Tier Antiquarian/Priestess deliver 60+s kites/portals. Lock in 39/129 builds, 98-99% decodes. Watch Essence 2 on Dec 18; build Memory Spheres.

FAQs

Who are the S-Tier survivors in Identity V Season 40?
Antiquarian, Priestess, Mechanic, Seer (kiting, portals, 81s decodes, shields).

Why is Antiquarian S-Tier in IdV Season 40?
60+s Mechanical Flute kites/interrupts; 129 meta 15-20% wins.

Best Priestess build for Season 40 ranked?
39 meta Borrowed Time + Knee Jerk; portals 49% rescues post -0.12s nerf.

How does Season 40 change survivor meta?
Nov 27 launch, Queen Bee hunter; Priestess outlines, Toy Merchant 30% chest buffs.

Antiquarian vs Priestess: Which is better in S40?
Antiquarian solo kites, Priestess team support in 1-1-1-1 comps.

Best survivor mains for climbing in Season 40?
S-Tier duo + Mechanic decoder; 98-99% strategy for 15-20% ranked edges.

(Editor’s take: Season 40 feels balanced yet punishing – grind smart, and you'll climb. What's your go-to S-Tier main?)