The 1.1.5 patch rebalanced the Birds of War roster in ways that shifted the tier list significantly from the launch 1.0 state. Where 1.1.0 was dominated by the Seagull's Chip Frenzy burst, the 1.1.5 patch knocked the Seagull down to B-tier and elevated the Shoebill, Pigeon, and Eagle as the S/A-tier trio. Solo queue players climbing the ranked ladder now face a healthier meta with two S-tier, three A-tier, and two B-tier birds rather than the Seagull-dominated 1.1.0 state.
This Birds of War tier list breaks down all seven launch birds by role, comp play, and solo queue strength. Every ranking is calibrated for the current 1.1.5 patch state — older tier lists from 1.1.0 are not reliable after the Seagull nerf and Eagle Talon Dive buff.
Birds of War Tier List — Patch 1.1.5
| Bird | Role | Solo Queue Tier | Comp Tier | Patch 1.1.5 Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoebill | Tank / Anchor | S | S | Indirect buff from Seagull nerf |
| Pigeon | Support / UAV | A | S | Comp meta anchor |
| Eagle | Diver | A | S | Talon Dive buff = major upgrade |
| Crow | Saboteur | A | A | Stable; unaffected by 1.1.5 |
| Hummingbird | Speed Demon | B | A | Indirect buff from Seagull nerf |
| Owl | Ambusher | B | A | High-skill niche |
| Seagull | Disruptor | B | B | 1.1.5 Chip Frenzy nerf dropped it |
Why This Tier List Looks Different From 1.1.0
The 1.1.0 patch established the Seagull as the dominant S-tier pick because Chip Frenzy stacks shredded defender cooldowns. The 1.1.5 patch directly nerfed Chip Frenzy, indirectly buffed the Shoebill by removing the chip-shred counter, and buffed the Eagle's Talon Dive, creating a three-way S/A-tier shift. The Crow and Owl stayed steady as mid-tier Saboteur and Ambusher respectively.
The Hummingbird rose from B-tier to confident A-tier in comp play because the loss of the Seagull chip-shred counter opened up the Speed Demon routes that 1.1.0 had closed.
S-Tier Breakdown
Shoebill (Tank / Anchor)
The Shoebill holds S-tier in both solo queue and comp play because the Guardian Wings bubble gives the Tank/Anchor role a team-fight presence that no other bird can replicate. The 1.1.5 patch left Guardian Wings untouched, which meant the Shoebill gained value passively as the Seagull nerf weakened the disruption counter.
For solo queue, the Shoebill's positioning demands are forgiving — the bird can be played off-role as a passive anchor. For comp play, the Shoebill anchors every serious ranked trio build.
Pigeon (Support / UAV)
The Pigeon is A-tier in solo queue and S-tier in comp play because the Support/UAV role scales with coordination. In solo queue, the Wing Clap rotation can be played offensively, and the UAV Ping calls still provide scout value even when teammates do not respond.
In comp play, the Pigeon is non-negotiable. Every Sky Control build (Shoebill + Pigeon + Eagle) and every Sneak Raid build (Shoebill + Crow + Pigeon) requires the Pigeon's Coop Boost and UAV Ping coverage. The Pigeon anchors the comp meta.
Eagle (Diver)
The Eagle is A-tier in solo queue and S-tier in comp play because the Talon Dive buff opened up carrier-lock windows that 1.1.0 Eagles could not access. Solo queue Eagles need to track enemy cooldowns carefully to dive efficiently, which limits the bird's floor. Comp play Eagles can rely on teammates to set up dive confirms, which pushes the bird to S-tier.
A-Tier Breakdown
Crow (Saboteur)
The Crow sits at A-tier in both solo queue and comp play because the Saboteur kit is stable across patches. Shadow Flap, Egg Lift, and Caw Distraction are all unchanged in 1.1.5, which means the Crow's value comes from player skill rather than patch state. Skilled Crow players can steal eggs from any comp; new Crow players will struggle to find Shadow Flap windows.
The Crow is the recommended second bird for new players after the Shoebill or Pigeon. The kit has a moderate learning curve and rewards map-aware play.
Hummingbird (Speed Demon)
The Hummingbird rose to A-tier in comp play because the Speed Demon rotation now has cleaner dive windows after the Seagull nerf. In solo queue, the Hummingbird stays at B-tier because the dive-timing precision demands a high skill floor. Players who invest 5-10 hours in the practice range will see the Hummingbird climb into A-tier personal performance.
Owl (Ambusher)
The Owl is B-tier in solo queue and A-tier in comp play. The Ambusher role is the highest-skill niche in the roster — the roost camouflage fails on the first attack, so the Owl must time ambush windows perfectly. In coordinated trios, the Owl ambush sets up carrier commits that win entire matches. In solo queue, the Owl is too inconsistent to climb reliably.
B-Tier Breakdown
Seagull (Disruptor)
The Seagull dropped to B-tier in both solo queue and comp play after the 1.1.5 Chip Frenzy nerf. The Disruptor role is still playable — the bird has reliable area denial — but the nerf reduced the Seagull's ability to solo-carry fights. A skilled Seagull main can still hit A-tier personal performance, but the bird is no longer a recommended pick for new players climbing ranked.
The Seagull is the highest-variance B-tier bird: it can carry games when Chip Frenzy chains pop off, but it falls flat in extended fights without the chip stacks.
Tier List by Map
Different maps favor different birds:
| Map | Best Bird | Strongest Comp |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Hummingbird | Chaos Rush (Hummingbird + Owl + Eagle) |
| Highrise | Eagle | Sky Control (Shoebill + Pigeon + Eagle) |
| Arctic | Pigeon | Sneak Raid (Shoebill + Crow + Pigeon) |
| Coliseum | Shoebill | Sky Control or Carrier Rush |
| Vietnam | Owl | Ambush Rush (Owl + Owl + Pigeon) |
The Forest map favors the Hummingbird because the open sightlines reward the Speed Demon dive routes. The Highrise map favors the Eagle because the post-1.0.5 perimeter ledges favor Talon Dive commits. The Coliseum favors the Shoebill because the central arena forces extended fights that reward Guardian Wings timing.
How to Use This Tier List
A tier list is a starting point, not a rule. Players should pick a bird based on three factors:
- Skill floor: New players should start with the Shoebill or Pigeon. The Crow is the recommended second pick.
- Comp role: Trio stack players should pick one of S-tier birds and one Support to anchor comp play.
- Map state: Forest and Highrise favor aggressive dive comps; Arctic and Vietnam favor sneak raid comps.
The 1.1.5 patch is well-balanced — there is no single dominant bird, which means players can climb ranked with any of the seven launch birds as long as they master the kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tier list final, or will it change in 1.1.6?
Tier lists change with every patch. The 1.1.5 tier list is current as of July 24, 2026. The next major patch (1.1.6 or 1.2.0) will likely adjust the Seagull or the Eagle based on ladder data. Watch the patch notes for confirmation.
What is the best bird for solo queue in 1.1.5?
The Shoebill is the best solo queue bird because the Tank/Anchor role is forgiving and the Guardian Wings bubble scales with team play. The Pigeon is the second-best, and the Eagle is the third.
What is the best bird for trio stack ranked in 1.1.5?
The Shoebill, Pigeon, and Eagle are the trio stack meta. Sky Control (Shoebill + Pigeon + Eagle) is the highest-pickrate comp on the estimated ladder snapshot.
Did the Seagull nerf change the tier list dramatically?
Yes. The 1.1.0 tier list had the Seagull at S-tier and the Shoebill at A-tier. The 1.1.5 tier list flipped that — Seagull is B-tier and Shoebill is S-tier. The patch was the most disruptive single change since launch.
Should I trust tier lists from 1.0.x patches?
No. Tier lists before 1.1.5 ranked the Seagull at S-tier and the Eagle at B-tier, which is the opposite of the 1.1.5 ranking. Always check the patch version when reading a tier list.
For more bird-specific analysis, read the Seagull post-nerf breakdown, the Eagle 1.1.5 buff analysis, and the best birds for beginners guide. The official tier discussions happen on the HexNest Discord.
Tier List Confidence and Patch Sensitivity
The 1.1.5 tier list is a snapshot, not a permanent ranking. Every balance patch shifts tier positions, and the 1.1.5 list may be outdated by patch 1.1.6 or 1.2.0. Players should treat tier lists as a starting point, not a final authority.
| Bird | Tier (1.1.5) | Patch 1.1.6 risk | Patch 1.2.0 risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoebill | S | Low (stable) | Low |
| Pigeon | S (comp) / A (solo) | Low | Low |
| Eagle | A (solo) / S (comp) | Medium (nerf candidate) | Medium |
| Crow | A | Low | Low |
| Hummingbird | B (solo) / A (comp) | Medium (buff candidate) | Medium |
| Owl | B (solo) / A (comp) | Low | Low |
| Seagull | B | High (buff candidate) | Medium |
The Eagle's "Medium" 1.1.6 risk is the most-likely imminent change; the Seagull's "High" 1.1.6 buff likelihood reflects HexNest's stated intent to nudge the Disruptor if win rates stay below 48%. Players who plan to invest 20+ hours into a single bird should monitor the HexNest Discord for 1.1.6 preview posts before committing.
Tier List Cheat Sheet
Reference numbers for the post-1.1.5 Birds of War tier list across solo queue and comp play.
- S-tier solo queue: Shoebill holds the only S-tier slot at the estimated 58-62% solo win rate bracket.
- S-tier comp play: Shoebill, Pigeon, and Eagle form the Sky Control trio.
- A-tier solo queue: Pigeon and Eagle sit at A-tier with estimated 52-56% win rates.
- A-tier comp play: Crow, Hummingbird, and Owl join the S-tier trio at A-tier.
- B-tier solo queue: Hummingbird, Owl, and Seagull together form the B-tier bracket.
- B-tier comp play: Seagull is the only B-tier comp pick after the 1.1.5 nerf.
- Map-best picks: Forest = Hummingbird, Highrise = Eagle, Arctic = Pigeon, Coliseum = Shoebill, Vietnam = Owl.
- Skill floor ranking: Shoebill lowest, Pigeon second, Crow third, Eagle fourth, Seagull fifth, Hummingbird sixth, Owl highest.
- Patch 1.1.0 vs 1.1.5 ranking: Seagull dropped from S-tier to B-tier; Eagle rose from B-tier to A-tier.
- Rising comp picks: Hummingbird + Owl + Eagle Chaos Rush is climbing pick rate estimated +3% weekly.
- Falling comp picks: Seagull-led comps are losing pick rate after the Chip Frenzy nerf.
- Counter-meta bird: Pigeon Coop Boost amplifies Eagle dive damage by 15%.
- Skill ceiling ceiling: Eagle dive execution carries the highest mid-skill ceiling in 1.1.5.
- Tutorial tier: Shoebill + Pigeon is the standard recommendation for new ranked climbers.
- Patch-watch rule: trust only tier lists dated after the most recent balance patch.