The Nine Titans in Attack on Titan are some of the most powerful forces in anime, each with its own unique ability and terrifying presence. They are ancient powers that shaped the entire world. However, no two Titan-shifters are equal, even if they inherit the same power. Some can flatten cities with a single step, while others rely on speed or strategy to survive. From fast-footed scouts to walking weapons of mass destruction, these shifters left huge marks on the world and each other.
The strength of the titans isn’t just about size or muscle, but about how well the shifters, like Annie and Bertholdt, understand their power and whether they’re willing to make hard decisions. The same Titan can look entirely different in two different hands, and some shifters have a much bigger impact than others. But no matter how dangerous a Titan looks, it’s the shifter inside that decides how powerful the titan really becomes. The person’s skill, personality and choices make all the difference. A Titan is only as strong as the person controlling it.
13 Falco’s Jaw Titan Introduced Wings to the Battlefield
He Could've Been Better With More Time
Falco Grice was one of the last Titan-shifters introduced in the anime, and his situation was unusual from the start. Originally just a young Eldian soldier-in-training, he inherited the Jaw Titan after Porco Galliard’s death. But unlike most Jaw Titans, Falco’s version had one massive surprise: wings. That in itself would have made him an elite-level shifter. Unfortunately, Falco transformed into the Jaw Titan during the latter part of the series, so he didn’t have much time to learn how to control it.
His inexperience as a shifter meant he never fully used the Jaw Titan’s sharp claws or powerful bite like his predecessors. His Titan form was also smaller and less threatening than others. Still, Falco’s flying ability hinted that his Titan might’ve become one of the strongest in time. Unfortunately, there just wasn’t enough time left in the story for him to get there.
12 Marcel’s Jaw Titan Was Skilled but Short-Lived
He Had the Experience and Talent, but Fate Had Other Plans
Marcel Galliard was the original inheritor of the Jaw Titan among the warriors sent to the infamous Paradis Island, but fans barely got to know him before he was gone. Unlike his younger brother Porco, Marcel never got to show what his Jaw Titan could do in combat. He was devoured by Ymir on the mission to Paradis Island, cutting his time as a shifter tragically short.
Marcel was calm, smart and extremely loyal. He was chosen as a warrior candidate not just for his strength, but for his level-headedness. Marcel’s Jaw Titan likely had the same quick speed and sharp claws seen later with Ymir, Porco and Falco, but he didn’t get a chance to show it off. Nevertheless, Marcel stands out for his tactical mind and the emotional weight his absence left behind.
11 Grisha’s Attack Titan Was Strictly a Means to an End
He Passed the Titan On Before the Real Fight Began
Grisha Yeager’s time as a Titan-shifter was relatively uneventful compared to most, but no less significant. He took over the Attack Titan from Eren Kruger and utilized the titan for a long-term mission: to sneak into Paradis Island, transfer the power to his son, and start off the chain of events that would change the world. Grisha was never shown using his Titan during full-on battle, but he is perhaps the most important shifter in terms of legacy.
Grisha kept his Titan hidden for years while living as a doctor inside the Walls and raising a family. However, when the time came, he used the Attack Titan to storm the Reiss Chapel and slaughter the royal family, securing the Founding Titan in the process. This was a horrific act, but one that ensured the Titan powers wouldn’t be locked away any longer.
10 Pieck’s Cart Titan Was Very Useful
She Wasn't a Powerhouse, but No One Else Could Do What She Did
Pieck Finger’s Cart Titan is one of the strangest of the Nine Titans. It’s fast and built more like a vehicle than a warrior. Unlike most shifters, Pieck can stay transformed for long periods, making her perfect for support and recon missions. She often carries heavy weapons or troops on her back and serves as backup during battles. Pieck herself is incredibly smart and loyal to her comrades.
However, no matter how clever she is, the Cart Titan just isn’t meant for direct combat. In one-on-one fights, the Titan doesn’t stand much of a chance. The Cart Titan lacks powerful offensive abilities and is easy to injure or kill if caught off guard. Pieck survives through speed, not strength. Her usefulness is undeniable, but in a fight against any of the stronger Titans, she’d need serious backup.
9 Ymir’s Jaw Titan Was Agile but Ultimately Doomed
Her Fate Was Sealed by Circumstance
Before Porco and Falco, the Jaw Titan belonged to Ymir, a character whose brief appearance in the story had a profoundly impactful effect. Ymir’s Titan was noticeably smaller than the others, with long limbs and sharp claws. She used it to climb walls and save her comrades during desperate moments. But despite the power she held, Ymir’s strength was limited not by her Titan, but by her situation.
Ymir was a street orphan who was brainwashed by a cult and eventually turned into a Pure Titan as punishment. After spending years mindlessly wandering, she only regained her humanity by eating Marcel Galliard. Her transformation into a shifter was accidental, and unlike most others, she never asked for this life. As a Titan-shifter, Ymir wasn’t the most powerful or strategic, but she was fiercely protective of the few people she cared about.
8 Annie’s Female Titan Was Built for Combat
She Had the Skills and the Smarts but No Motivation
Annie Leonhart’s Female Titan is one of the most well-rounded shifter forms among the Nine. She has speed, agility, and can harden parts of her body for defense or attack. But what really makes Annie dangerous is her background. She’s one of the most skilled hand-to-hand fighters in the entire anime, and that martial arts training carries over to her Titan form.
However, Annie’s biggest weakness is her lack of commitment. She’s clearly strong, but she often holds herself back. After getting captured, she spends most of the series in a crystal cocoon. By the time she wakes up, the war has changed, and she never fully reenters the fight. Annie has all the tools to be one of the best, but her refusal to truly engage with the battle around her costs her a higher ranking.
7 Armin’s Colossal Titan Was a Tactical Nuke With a Conscience
He Had Unmatched Firepower but Used It Sparingly
As the Colossal Titan, Armin should be one of the strongest shifters. He inherited the Titan after Bertholdt’s death, gaining one of the most fearsome powers in the entire world. Just transforming causes a massive explosion that can wipe out entire city blocks. But unlike Bertholdt, Armin isn’t a fighter, he’s a strategist. He’s brilliant at planning, but he avoids combat whenever possible.
In battle, Armin rarely uses his Titan’s full abilities. His main contribution is usually in planning, not on the front lines. When he does transform, it’s usually to destroy enemy forces quickly, not to fight directly. The explosion from his transformation alone is devastating, but after that, he barely does anything with the Titan’s body. His Titan is incredibly strong on paper, but Armin holds back far too much to rank higher.
6 Bertholdt Used His Colossal Titan Like a Bomb
He Had the Biggest Titan but Not the Heart to Wield It Properly
Standing at 60 meters tall, the Colossal Titan is taller than any other Titan. It releases huge amounts of superheated steam, so it’s difficult to get close to. But under Bertholdt Hoover’s control, this brute strength seemed somehow wasted. Bertholdt was shy and second-guessing himself all the time. He followed orders well and possessed a level head during chaotic situations, but when it came to unleashing the full fury of the Colossal Titan, he always seemed hesitant.
He acted like someone scared of his own strength. When Bertholdt finally went all-out, like during the Battle of Shiganshina, the results were devastating. But even then, he hesitated too long, which allowed Armin and the Scouts to outmaneuver him. The Colossal Titan deserved a commander who could weaponize fear. Bertholdt had the power, but not the mindset.
5 Reiner’s Armored Titan Was a Walking Fortress
His Guilt Weakened Him
Reiner Braun’s Armored Titan is covered in hardened plates that make him extremely resistant to damage, and he’s been trained as a warrior since childhood. Reiner also has more battlefield experience than most other shifters. He’s been involved in almost every major conflict throughout the series and keeps surviving even when things go very wrong. However, being hard to kill isn’t the same as being unbeatable.
His Titan’s armor can be broken with enough force, and newer Titans quickly outclass him in raw power. Reiner himself is emotionally unstable, often torn between his duty and guilt. This internal conflict often affects his performance, making him hesitate or lose focus during critical moments. Despite all his experience and raw power, Reiner loses a lot of fights and survives more out of luck than skill.
4 Lara Tybur’s War Hammer Titan Was a Living Arsenal
She Had the Most Versatile Titan
Lara Tybur’s War Hammer Titan could create weapons and structures out of hardened crystal, forming anything the battle required. It was like having a living armory in Titan form. This ability gave the War Hammer incredible versatility in battle, and Lara knew exactly how to use it. Unlike most shifters, Lara didn’t even stay inside her Titan’s nape. She controlled the titan remotely through a crystalized cord connected underground, making her much harder to kill.
She fought Eren head-on and held her own, which not many shifters can say. Still, the War Hammer Titan had one major flaw: once discovered, the cord made her vulnerable. Once Eren figured that out, he defeated her before she had a chance to show everything the War Hammer Titan could do.
