How the letters are used
S means the class changes mid-run and late-run nights the most for its published cost. A is a strong head start that does not carry combat as far. B is a cheap fix for hunger or healing. C is the free kit. Stars on the class are the game's own tier marks and are not the same as this board.
S tier
Player decision Save for Ninja first if nights are why the run ends. At the same 150 Gem price, take Lumberjack instead when wood is the bottleneck.
Player decision Use Vampire when you already hunt through the night and can keep meat stocked. It is a weak first purchase while you are still learning the cook loop.
A tier
Player decision Buy Engineer only when the lobby price is one you accept and you care about reaching higher crafting levels sooner. Gems cannot replace it.
Player decision Take Lumberjack when the craft menu is waiting on wood. If you can already feed the menu and still die at night, Ninja is the better 150 Gem spend.
B tier
Player decision Buy Chef first only if starvation ends the run before combat does. It is a learning purchase, not the class that carries late nights.
Player decision Buy Medic if you survive the food check and lose to damage. Ninja prevents more hits later, but Medic is the affordable version of that problem.
C tier
Player decision Stay on Explorer for the first runs. Spend Gems after you can point at hunger, damage, wood, or nights as the reason the run ended.