Fate Grand Order

Fate Grand Order Best Free 5 Star: Current meta

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If you’re staring at that free 5★ ticket in Fate/Grand Order and wondering which pick will best serve you in the current meta, you’re in the right place. Even “free” 5★ options can be pivotal for mid-to-late game content, especially if they synergize well with support servants you might get later. Below is a breakdown of the top considerations and current meta standout picks to help you make an informed choice for your Chaldea.

Why your free 5★ pick still matters

Even though your free 5★ servant will start at NP1, their utility lies not just in raw damage but in how well they mesh with your support lineup. Many veteran players recommend getting Waver (Zhuge Liang / El-Melloi II) if you don’t already have a reliable support, because a 50% NP charge, team buffs, and utility ensure he remains useful throughout your playtime.

As the meta evolves around looping, NP stacking, or “buff stacking” teams, having a servant who enhances consistency, rather than just raw burst, is often more sustainable.

Top meta positions for a free 5★ in 2025

Here are the greatest free-ticket contenders in terms of meta viability as of now:

Waver (Zhuge Liang / El-Melloi II)

Waver remains the default “safe pick” for players who lack a strong support unit. His battery and wide applicability across team comps keep him relevant.

Artoria Pendragon (Saber)

Artoria is often praised for her balance of offense and utility. She’s a strong Buster looper with a 20% NP charge built in and good overall sustainability. Many community discussions highlight Artoria as a solid all-round pick.

Ozymandias (Rider)

If you need a Rider performance pick, Ozymandias is often brought up due to his strong single target NP and versatile utility.

Jeanne d’Arc (Ruler)

While not strictly meta as a damage dealer, Jeanne is a valuable option for challenge quests (CQ) or content focused on survival. Her kit offers defensive synergy and utility when execution and durability matter more than straight offense.

How to choose based on your roster and strategy

Look at your support pool

If you already have a powerful support (e.g. Castoria, Koyanskaya, Merlin, Skadi), you can lean toward a damage-oriented pick like Artoria or Ozymandias. If not, Waver is the safer investment.

Consider class gaps

If you lack a strong 5★ in a certain class (for example, no Rider or no Saber), choosing a servant in that class helps round out your roster.

Think long term, not just for early game

Some servants age better than others. Waver is durable, Artoria gets strengthenings over time, and Ozymandias is class-versatile. Prioritize options that are likely to scale well into future content.

Final recommendation for 2025 meta

If you don’t already have a high-tier support 5★, Waver is still the default best free pick thanks to his utility and universal applicability. If you do have strong support, Artoria Pendragon is probably the most balanced damage/support hybrid pick for longevity. Ozymandias is a solid alternative for Rider coverage, and Jeanne (Ruler) offers durable utility for challenge content.

At the end of the day, metagame picks matter, but enjoyment and roster synergy matter just as much. Choose a servant you’ll want to use and who fits your team.

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Jake Skudder

Jake is an SEO-minded Football, Combat Sports, Gaming and Pro Wrestling writer and successful Editor in Chief. Most importantly, he is a Gacha players who specialises in Genshin Impact. On top of that, Jake has more than ten years of experience covering mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, football and gaming across a number of publications, starting at SEScoops in 2012 under the name Jake Jeremy. His work has also been featured on Sportskeeda, Pro Sports Extra, Wrestling Headlines, NoobFeed, Wrestlingnewsco and Keen Gamer, again under the name Jake Jeremy. Previously, he worked as the Editor in Chief of 24Wrestling, building the site profile with a view to selling the domain, which was accomplished in 2019. Jake was previously the Editor in Chief for Fight Fans, a combat sports and pro wrestling site that was launched in January 2021 and broke into millions of pageviews within the first two years. He previously worked for Snack Media and their GiveMeSport site, creating Evergreen and Trending content that would deliver pageviews via Google as the UFC and MMA SEO Lead. Jake managed to take an area of GiveMeSport that had zero traction on Organic and push it to audiences across the globe. Jake also has a record of long-term video and written interview content with the likes of the Professional Fighters League, ONE and Cage Warriors, working directly with the brands to promote bouts, fighters and special events. Jake also previously worked for the biggest independent wrestling company in the UK, PROGRESS Wrestling, as PR Head and Head of Media across the social channels of the company.

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