Best Skills Tier List for Uma Musume Pretty Derby
Written by Priya Kapoor
This tier list and guide ranks the best skills in Uma Musume Pretty Derby for winning races.
S Tier
These skills are strong in most races, trigger reliably, and often decide close finishes.
Speed and Acceleration Skills
Fast & Furious
Mid-race velocity boost for Late Surgers. Consistent and race-changing.
Speed Star
Lets Pace Chasers break out on the final corner. Great for catching leaders.
Professor of Curvature
Boosts speed while cornering. Works well across all distances and maps.
Beeline Burst
Straight-line speed boost. Useful on long tracks with wide straights.
Sturm und Drang
Late-race move-up skill for End Closers. Pairs well with speed stacking.
Red Shift/LP1211-M
Triggers on the final corner if near the front. Good timing and payoff.
Schwarzes Schwert
Strong final stretch burst after a clean early race. High value when managed well.
Recovery Skills
U=ma2
Recovers stamina on a second-half corner. Great synergy with stamina-heavy comps.
Superior Heal
Triggers when you fall behind mid-race. A strong comeback skill.
Relax
Late-race stamina recovery for Late Surgers. Easy to activate and effective.
Iron Will
Heals early when pathing is blocked. Helps smooth rough openings.
A Tier
Good value, but more situational or harder to trigger compared to S tier.
Speed and Utility
Corner Adept ○
Slight speed gain during corners. Basic but solid.
Sprint Straightaways ◎
Strong straight speed boost for sprinters. Works well on short courses.
Inside Scoop
Boosts cornering near the inner rail. Niche, but powerful when used correctly.
Rising Dragon
Triggers on outer passes during final corner. Riskier to activate, but effective.
Shooting for Victory!
Final corner burst when well-positioned. Slightly less consistent than top-tier skills.
Recovery
Introduction to Physiology
Stamina recovery while conserving energy on a late corner. High efficiency.
Extra Tank
Restores energy after burnout. Great safety net for long races.
Breath of Fresh Air
Simple straight-line stamina recovery. Good in most races.
Indomitable
Triggers after being passed mid-race. Useful in crowded fields.
B Tier
Still usable, but limited to certain builds or conditions.
Sunny Days ◎
Only works in sunny weather. Not consistent enough to rely on.
Standard Distance ◎
Boosts performance on 400m-based tracks. Worth it if conditions fit.
Outer Post Proficiency ◎
Useful in brackets 6–8. Only pick if starting there consistently.
Hydrate
Mid-race stamina recovery for Pace Chasers. Not bad, but others do more.
Shatterproof
Mid-race stamina fix for bad pacing. Decent, but inconsistent.
Ramp Up
Triggers when passing mid-race. Decent boost but not always guaranteed.
Corner Acceleration ○
Slight acceleration on corners. Low value unless no better options exist.
C Tier and Below
These are either too weak or harmful. Avoid unless absolutely necessary.
Corner Adept ×
Slows you down on corners. Actively bad.
Running Idle
Hurts you when leading by too much. Punishes good performance.
Packphobia
Lowers performance when crowded. Avoid if you're mid-pack often.
Paddock Fright
Debuff when you’re the favorite. One of the worst effects.
Final Blurb
Focus your builds around high-value, consistent skills like Fast & Furious, U=ma2, and Professor of Curvature. Avoid niche weather or bracket buffs unless you're racing in those exact conditions.
Smart skill planning is the difference between barely placing and breaking the tape in first.
Let the others gamble on Lucky Seven and you’ll be busy winning.
FAQ
Q: What’s the best general-use skill in the game?
Fast & Furious is one of the most reliable. U=ma2 and Speed Star are close behind.
Q: Are red skills ever worth using?
No. They reduce your performance and should be avoided unless forced onto your build.
Q: Should I stack multiple recovery skills?
One or two is fine. Too many can interfere with timing and other skill triggers.
Q: What about terrain or weather-specific skills?
Only use them if you know your exact race conditions. Otherwise, they’re wasted slots.
Q: Are ◎ versions always better than ○?
Yes, if you have the choice. ◎ means stronger effect. Avoid × completely.
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