Picking a class in Runaways is one of those decisions that can make your entire run feel easier—or make you wonder where all your Credits went. Every class has a different job, and while some are great for learning the game, others become much more useful once you’re trying to pull off a successful escape.
The tricky part is that classes aren’t exactly cheap. So before you spend your hard-earned Credits, it’s worth knowing which ones are actually worth saving for.
Here’s how I’d rank the current classes, with a focus on the things that matter most in a run: survival, looting, mobility, combat, and escaping.
Runaways Classes Tier List – Best Classes Guide
Here’s the quick ranking before we get into what makes each class good:
- S Tier: Smuggler, Gang Member, Juggernaut
- A Tier: Scout, Contractor, Medic
- B Tier: Breacher
- C Tier: Basic, Brawler, Old CEO, Bounty Hunter
- D Tier: None
There isn’t really a completely useless class here, but some options are much easier to recommend than others.
Which Runaways Class Should You Buy First?
If you’re still relatively new to Runaways, I wouldn’t immediately blow all your Credits on the most expensive class you see.
Scout is a great first upgrade because mobility is incredibly useful in this game. Being able to move quickly means you can loot faster, get away from trouble, and spend less time fighting enemies you don’t actually need to fight.
Contractor is another safe pick if you want something more balanced.
Once you’ve built up a decent amount of Credits, I’d start looking toward the S Tier classes. Smuggler is excellent for mobility and flexibility, Gang Member gives you a strong all-round option, while Juggernaut is the class I’d look at if surviving heavy combat is your biggest concern.
S Tier Classes
Smuggler
Smuggler is one of the best all-around classes in Runaways.
What makes it so good is its flexibility. You’re not relying on one specific situation for the class to be useful. Mobility and evasiveness are valuable while you’re looting, travelling between areas, and eventually trying to get out.
Runaways often rewards players who know when not to fight. Smuggler fits that style perfectly because you can focus on getting what you need and moving on before things become too dangerous.
It’s a particularly good choice if you like playing smart rather than constantly charging into fights.
Verdict: One of the best classes for players who value mobility, flexibility, and efficient escapes.
Gang Member
Gang Member is another excellent all-purpose class.
It brings a strong combination of combat and survival, which makes it useful when a run inevitably goes sideways. You aren’t locked into one particular playstyle, either, so it can work well for players who like switching between looting and fighting.
The main drawback is the price.
You’ll need to save a good amount of Credits before you can pick it up, but if you already understand the basics of Runaways, it’s a worthwhile upgrade.
Verdict: A powerful general-purpose class that stays useful throughout a run.
Juggernaut
If your biggest problem is getting destroyed during the final stages of a run, Juggernaut is the answer.
The trade-off is obvious: it’s slow.
But what you lose in speed, you make up for with durability and damage. Juggernaut can take more punishment and hit hard, which becomes particularly valuable during the final fight at the Mexican border.
That section can get messy very quickly. You have to survive for roughly two minutes while dealing with waves of police, so being able to withstand the pressure is a huge advantage.
If you’re the kind of player who would rather take the hit than run away from it, Juggernaut is probably your best choice.
Verdict: Excellent for heavy combat and surviving the final escape.
A Tier Classes
Scout
Scout is probably the easiest A Tier class to recommend to newer players.
Speed is incredibly useful in Runaways. You can get into an area, grab what you need, and get out before enemies have much of a chance to react.
The mobility also gives you more options when things go wrong. Instead of standing there trying to fight your way through every enemy, you can simply reposition or run.
Scout is also considerably more accessible if you haven’t saved enough Credits for the expensive S Tier classes.
Verdict: One of the best beginner-friendly classes and a great choice for fast looting.
Contractor
Contractor is the definition of a reliable middle-ground option.
It doesn’t specialize as heavily as some of the other classes, but that’s actually the reason it works so well for general play.
You can use Contractor for:
- Looting
- Survival
- Combat
- Escaping
- General exploration
If you don’t know what kind of playstyle you want yet, Contractor is a safe purchase.
Verdict: A dependable class for players who want versatility without committing to a specialized build.
Medic
Medic becomes much more interesting when you’re playing with other people.
Its main strength is supporting your teammates and helping the group survive difficult situations.
It won’t necessarily feel as powerful as Juggernaut when you’re playing alone, but in a coordinated group, keeping teammates alive can make a huge difference.
So if most of your runs are with friends, don’t automatically overlook Medic just because it isn’t as combat-focused as some other classes.
Verdict: Strong team-oriented option, especially for coordinated squads.
B Tier Classes
Breacher
Breacher is a more specialized choice.
The class is useful for breaking through obstacles and accessing secured areas, making it particularly appealing if your main priority is getting into places with valuable loot.
This can be handy when dealing with safes and other barriers that would otherwise slow you down.
The problem is that Breacher doesn’t offer the same overall flexibility as the higher-ranked classes, and its cost can make the purchase harder to justify.
If you love the looting side of Runaways and want a class built around getting through obstacles, it’s worth considering.
For everyone else, I’d probably save those Credits for an S or A Tier option.
Verdict: Useful specialist, but not the best all-around investment.
C Tier Classes
Basic
Basic is your starting class, so there’s nothing wrong with using it while you’re learning.
The problem is that once you understand the game and have enough Credits, there isn’t much reason to stay with it.
It doesn’t give you the same mobility, combat power, or utility that the upgraded classes provide.
Use it to learn the game, save your Credits, and then move on when you’re ready.
Verdict: Fine for beginners, but replace it when possible.
Brawler
Brawler is designed around close-range combat.
If you enjoy getting up close and punching enemies, it can be fun, and the extra endurance helps when you’re fighting directly.
The problem is that close-range combat becomes increasingly risky as your run progresses.
There are situations where fighting is unavoidable, but building your entire playstyle around being right next to enemies isn’t always the safest way to reach extraction.
Verdict: Fun for aggressive players, but too specialized to rank higher.
Old CEO
Old CEO has one obvious advantage: money.
Having extra cash sounds great, and it can certainly help you purchase resources and equipment.
But money doesn’t mean much if you can’t survive long enough to use it.
The class’s physical weakness becomes a bigger problem as you progress, especially once you’re dealing with more dangerous enemies and the final stages of the run.
Verdict: Interesting economy-focused option, but its weakness holds it back.
Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter is fast and dangerous, particularly when you’re fighting at close range.
That sounds great on paper, but again, the dependence on close combat is what keeps it out of the higher tiers.
It’s a fun choice if you like aggressive gameplay, but if your primary objective is consistently escaping, there are safer and more flexible options.
Verdict: Decent for aggressive players, but not one of the best escape-focused classes.
Why Mobility Is So Valuable in Runaways
If you’re deciding between classes and don’t know what stat or ability to prioritize, don’t underestimate mobility.
Being fast can help with practically every part of a run.
You can:
- Reach loot locations faster.
- Leave dangerous areas before enemies overwhelm you.
- Avoid unnecessary fights.
- Travel between objectives more efficiently.
- Get to extraction faster.
- Escape when a situation starts going bad.
That’s why Scout and Smuggler perform so well despite not being the heaviest combat classes.
You don’t always need to win a fight.
Sometimes the best move is simply grabbing the loot and getting out.
Best Class for the Final Escape
For the final escape specifically, I’d put Juggernaut near the top.
The Mexican border section is where its strengths really become obvious. You’re dealing with waves of police and need to survive for an extended period, so durability and damage become extremely valuable.
That said, Smuggler can also be a fantastic option.
The difference comes down to how you want to survive:
Juggernaut: Take the punishment and fight through it.
Smuggler: Use mobility and positioning to avoid as much danger as possible.
Neither approach is automatically better. It really depends on whether you’re more comfortable surviving through raw durability or avoiding the damage in the first place.
Best Weapon for Efficient Looting
One extra tip that can make your runs smoother is using a Crowbar.
The Crowbar can help you break through objects and access things such as ATMs without having to rely entirely on lethal combat.
That’s useful because unnecessary kills can create additional problems with the police.
If you’re trying to make a clean escape, sometimes the smartest approach is to get what you need without creating a giant fight around yourself.
Do You Keep Classes Permanently?
Yes. Once you’ve unlocked a class, you keep it.
You don’t have to buy the same class again every time you start a new run.
That makes classes a long-term investment, which is another reason I’d recommend thinking carefully before spending your Credits.
Instead of buying every cheaper class just because you can afford it, save toward something you’ll actually continue using.
Final Runaways Class Tier List Verdict
If I had to narrow the whole list down to just a few recommendations, I’d go with:
Best overall mobility: Smuggler
Best combat and durability: Juggernaut
Best general-purpose option: Gang Member
Best beginner option: Scout
Best balanced class: Contractor
Best team support: Medic
The S Tier classes are the ones I’d ultimately aim for, but don’t feel like you need to wait forever before upgrading from Basic. Scout and Contractor can make your runs much more comfortable while you save toward something stronger.
And remember, having the best class doesn’t automatically guarantee an escape. Good looting decisions, knowing when to avoid a fight, using your equipment properly, and recognizing when it’s time to run can matter just as much.
If you’re torn between two upgrades, I’d generally ask yourself one question: do I want to move around danger, or survive it head-on?
If it’s the first, go Smuggler. If it’s the second, Juggernaut is the better fit.