TL;DR

TL;DR: the best launch Memories are the ones that strengthen top early weapons without becoming dead slots on the rest of your account. Broad fit still matters because the public meta is young and one Memory slot remains a flexible “any color” slot.

Quick Facts

Safest keeps

Ice Golem, Akumashinkan, and broad-fit stat lines

How Game8 ranks

Weapon synergy, versatility, and standout stats

Why flexibility matters

One Memory slot can take any color, per current guides

Naming note

Some launch Memory names still circulate under JP guide naming

Official Snapshot

Official DRAGON QUEST Smash/Grow visual used for the memory tier list
The official CBT report shows why this page has to stay careful: the Memory edit screen was still one of the systems Square Enix planned to simplify before or around launch.

Quick Answer

Quick Answer

If you need the cleanest launch-week answer, prioritize Memories that fit the strongest early weapon lanes and still hold value in the flexible slot. Game8 currently puts Ice Golem and Akumashinkan at the very top because they line up with strong launch weapons like Ice Staff and Platinum Wing. That said, both Game8 and Gamerch also emphasize versatility and stats, so this page values broad-use pieces more than narrow “only one exact build” spikes.

Launch Snapshot Tier List

TierMemory laneWhy it ranks here
SSIce Golem, Akumashinkan, Behoim SlimeTop-end synergy with current high-value weapon lines plus enough raw effect to justify upgrades
SLime Slime, Mummy, Mini Demon, Big HammerExcellent on common early builds, but a little less universal or lower ceiling than SS
AGood story-farm drops with strong stats or one useful starter effectWorth equipping and sometimes worth ranking up, but not first in line for scarce upgrade resources
BFiller until you secure better synergy or stronger statsFine as temporary slot coverage, not where you want your first real investment

Why This Tier List Is Cautious

Official sources explain the system, not a solved tier order

The official CBT report makes it clear that Memories matter in the build loop, but public official sources still do not publish a full best-in-slot table. That means the ranking here has to stay grounded in launch-week guide overlap rather than pretend there is a finished endgame meta.

Weapon fit matters more than isolated text

Game8’s criteria explicitly reward Memories that strengthen top weapons or strong vocation lanes. A flashy effect that does not match your actual carry is lower value than a simpler effect on your real build.

Versatility is not a side stat

Both Game8 and Gamerch weight versatility and stats. That lines up with the current system guides: one slot can stay flexible, so broadly useful Memories age better on a fresh account.

Best Low-Regret Upgrade Targets

  1. Match your main launch weapon first. Ice Staff and Platinum Wing style carries benefit most from top synergy Memories.
  2. Prioritize pieces that survive a class swap. If the Memory still looks good when your carry changes vocation, it is safer to rank up.
  3. Use story-farm drops as real placeholders. Game8’s farming coverage points to stage drops like Lime Slime because they can be farmed early and still hold real value.
  4. Do not overspend just because a slot color matches. Color matters, but the stronger Memory is often the better first answer unless the matchup is close.

If You Only Want Three Names to Remember

MemoryBest use right nowWhy it is a safe recommendation
Ice GolemIce Staff style magic carriesLaunch guides treat it as nearly mandatory for the current top cold-magic lane
AkumashinkanDark physical and broad damage supportStrong opening effect plus top-tier synergy with Platinum Wing style setups
Lime SlimeEarly story and repeat farmingFarmable early and still useful enough that it is not wasted effort

FAQ

Why not publish a giant full list of every launch Memory?

Because the public ranking inputs are still moving. This page stays useful by ranking the best early lanes and upgrade priorities instead of dumping a fake-complete spreadsheet.

Should I farm story-drop Memories even if they are not SS tier?

Yes, if they are easy to get and fit your carry. A farmable S or A Memory that you can use today is often better than waiting forever for a theoretical perfect drop.

Does slot color matter more than raw power?

Not by default. Current launch guides still treat synergy, versatility, and stats as the primary ranking factors, then use slot fit as a real but secondary tiebreaker.