Season 39 hit us on September 17, 2025, and let's be honest—it completely flipped the script. We’re seeing chair save animations speeding up by 10-15% and healing efficiency tanking from a generous 250% down to a harsh 165%. November’s ranked play is all about S-Tier powerhouses like Dream Witch and Antiquarian, alongside the fresh mechanics of the Lanternist. If you're watching the IJL Fall Tournament, you know it's all about those specific Persona builds (36/39/129).
Introduction: The State of the Meta in November 2025
Here is the reality of the post-Season 39 update: the endurance meta is dead. With healing efficiency dropped to 165%, you can't afford to take hits and reset. Teams are being forced to abandon sustain strategies for aggressive Cipher Rush tactics.
The scoring system has also raised the stakes—awarding +9 points for 3+ escapes and a punishing -8 for losses. This prioritizes the 36 Meta, where rescuers are sweating bullets to engage right at the 49% chair progress mark. Professional teams prepping for the upcoming IJL Fall Tournament (November 15-16) are drafting entirely around characters that exploit the new 35-point ranking system, focusing heavily on camp resistance and map control.
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Identity V Survivor Tier List (Ranked)
S-Tier: The Unbannables
Mechanic remains the undisputed queen of decoding. Her robot’s 200% speed allows her to hit the critical 81-second cipher benchmark that teams rely on. Priestess is currently banned in about 80% of Legendary matches simply because her global portals break map pressure. Meanwhile, Seer's Owl is essential for extending kites by 20+ seconds against burst hunters. Finally, Antiquarian serves as the top container, literally disarming hunters in tight spaces to create rescue windows.
A-Tier: Strong Specialists
Mercenary is your safety net, guaranteeing rescues with a massive 30% chair time extension and the ability to tank 3 hits. On smaller maps like Red Church, Forward dominates with high-impact Rugby stuns. Prospector is excellent for controlling spacing against mobile hunters, while Coordinator offers that guaranteed Flare Gun stun—though be warned, she suffers a painful 60% decoding debuff when teammates are chaired.
B-Tier and C-Tier Considerations
Female Dancer offers some situational buffs but really struggles against ranged attacks. And a word of advice? Avoid C-Tier picks like Doctor and The Mind's Eye. Doctor's value has diminished significantly with the Season 39 healing nerfs, and Mind's Eye just lacks the self-protection needed to survive this aggressive meta.
Best Survivors by Role and Strategy
Decoding and Kiting Optimization
The Cipher Rush strategy isn't just a buzzword; it demands completing 5 ciphers in under 7 minutes using a strict 1-1-1-1 team structure. Mechanic is mandatory for safe, remote decoding. On the flip side, kiters like Antiquarian are utilizing the 129 Meta (Flywheel + Knee Jerk Reflex) to chain vaults, aiming for that 60-second kite standard.
Resource Management for Competitive Play
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Rescue and Support Dynamics
With chair countdowns ticking 10-15% faster, rescuers have to be precise. You must utilize the 36 Meta (Borrowed Time + Tide Turner) and body-block specifically from the right side to maximize that 20-second invincibility window. Supports like Seer should shadow the kiter, providing remote assistance without halting the all-important decoding progress.
Identity V Hunter Tier List (Ranked)
S-Tier: Map Control & Chase Monsters
Dream Witch is the final boss of ranked play, holding a 75% professional pick/ban rate due to her ability to pressure multiple ciphers at once. The Breaking Wheel is terrifying with an 80% speed boost to traverse maps instantly, while Sculptor's global Hieroglyphic Graveyard disrupts decoding from anywhere. The Shadow excels at oppressive area denial, currently scoring a perfect 35/35 on the comprehensive ranking system.
A-Tier: Consistent Tie/Win Makers
The Disciple is the answer to item-reliant kiters, disabling abilities with her cats. Geisha (Score 33/35) has become viable on all maps thanks to recent buffs allowing mid-air butterfly casts. The Opera Singer offers overwhelming chase speed but remains susceptible to stun-heavy compositions (watch out for Forwards).
Strategic Insights: Builds & Bans
Essential Persona Builds
The 36 Meta (Rescue): Combines Borrowed Time with Tide Turner's 20s invincibility. This is non-negotiable for securing those +9 rank points.
The 39 Meta (Kiting): Leverages the Season 39 buff to Knee Jerk Reflex for a 20-30% vault speed increase.
The 129 Meta (Aggressive): Used by confident kiters, this incorporates the Flywheel Effect for a 0.5s immunity dash, boosting win rates by 15-20% against Duo Hunters.
Map Synergy and Counter-Picking
Map knowledge wins games. On large maps like Lakeside Village, prioritize Priestess for portals and Dream Witch for map covera
ge. Small maps like Red Church favor Forward's stuns and hunters like Sculptor or Bonbon, who can turn tight loops into absolute death traps with area-of-effect damage.
Ban & Pick Guide
In Legendary Rank, hunters essentially must ban Seer to prevent damage immunity or Priestess to stop global rotations. Survivors, on the other hand, should ban Dream Witch to prevent map-wide pressure or The Opera Singer to avoid dealing with her overwhelming chase speed.
FAQ: Identity V Ranking & Meta
Q: When was the new character Lanternist released? A: The Lanternist (Amanda Gaddis) dropped on October 10, 2025, featuring Living Image mechanics and a nice 10% interaction speed bu
ff.
Q: What are the key changes in Season 39? A: Launched September 17, 2025, Season 39 introduced 10-15% faster chair save animations and reduced healing efficiency to 165%.
Q: Which survivor is best for solo ranking in November 2025? A: Go with Mercenary (survivability) or Seer (global support). Avoid team-dependent decoders like Mechanic in solo queue—it's too risky.
Q: How do I counter Dream Witch in the current meta? A: Communication is key. Survivors must group up to remove leeches immediately and use Seer's owls to block hits from unexpected followers.
Q: What is the 129 Meta build? A: It combines Flywheel Effect (0.5s immunity dash) with Knee Jerk Reflex and Borrowed Time. It's designed specifically for high-skill kiters on large maps.
Q: When is the next major tournament affecting the meta? A: The 2025 IJL Fall Tournament runs November 15-16, 2025. Expect this event to define the ranked meta for the remainder of the season.