Updated on February 20, 11:04 a.m. (GMT+8): Improved relevancy.

With frequent patches, updates, and new heroes out every few months, it can be hard to keep up with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

Not playing for a few weeks can leave you lost in the meta, and your favorite hero can go from overpowered to nerfed in one update.

GET AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION WITH OUR COLLECTION OF MLBB GUIDES
Full list of Mobile Legends hero guides, counters, best build, and advanced combos
Full list of Mobile Legends guides: Role guides, how to rank up, terms

If you’re in doubt about who to pick in your next match, here are a few MLBB heroes that will always have a place in the game no matter the meta.

5 timeless MLBB heroes that will always be effective no matter the meta

Pharsa

The queen of the crows possesses skills that are just too versatile. Her Energy Impact can clear minion waves, Curse of Crow can stun multiple enemies, and Feathered Air Strike is undoubtedly one of the best zoning abilities in the game.

ONE Esports' Mobile Legends Pharsa guide with best build, emblem, combos, battle spells
Credit: ONE Esports
Mobile Legends Pharsa guide: Best build, skills, emblem, combos
The 3 best heroes to counter Pharsa in Mobile Legends
Why Pharsa is the only mage hero you need to rank up in Mobile Legends

To top it off, Wings by Wings allows her to travel with ease all around the map, making her a mobile zoning queen. Even her passive adds more slows and damage.

If you’re looking for an MLBB hero that’s easy to learn and viable in any team composition, Pharsa comes to mind.

Chou

Much like the martial artist he was obviously inspired by, Chou is fast — very fast. His first two skills, Jeet Kune Do and Shunpo are both dashes. This makes him very effective when initiating, disengaging, or even just hopping around the map.

ONE Esports' Mobile Legends tank Chou guide with best build, emblem, combos, battle spells
Credit: ONE Esports
Mobile Legends tank Chou guide: Best build, emblems, battle spell, combos
The 3 best heroes to counter Chou in Mobile Legends
Exclusive: How to play tank Chou like a pro — a guide by ECHO’s star roamer Yawi

His ultimate, The Way of Dragon, includes both a knockback and a stun and is usually the ire of the enemy backline and side laners.

Overall, his mobility is a game-changer in a team fight, whether to get up close and personal, or divert the opposing team’s attention. 

Gusion

Speaking of mobility, how about burst damage and mobility?

Gusion is an MLBB hero who has both. Because his ultimate skill, Incandescene, resets the cooldowns of his first two skills, Gusion likes to eliminate enemies before they have a chance to fight back.

ONE Esports' Top 3 counters to Gusion in Mobile Legends
Credit: ONE Esports
Sky Wee’s 5 pro tips to cut down your opponents with Gusion
The 3 best heroes to counter Gusion in Mobile Legends
Exclusive: Want to main Gusion? Hoon reveals 3 things you need to know

Building magic damage and penetration items make Gusion one of the most lethal mage assassins in the game, especially for vulnerable backline supports or late-game carries. While other assassins have gotten a lot of spotlight lately, a good Gusion can still be unbeatable.

Jawhead

Jawhead’s signature skill? Throwing. Literally throwing!

His second skill, Ejector, can throw targets around the map, which is useful in breaking the opposing team’s rhythm. The skill can also target creeps and monsters, which can frustrate an opponent who was just about to secure a buff.

ONE Esports' Top 3 counters to Jawhead in Mobile Legends
Credit: ONE Esports
5 pro tips to pop off on Jawhead by EVOS Legends Bajan
The 3 best heroes to counter Jawhead in Mobile Legends

On top of that, Jawhead is able to output a great deal of damage and offer a stun with Unstoppable Force. Play him if you enjoy creating chaos.

Claude

Despite being one of the oldest MLBB heroes in the game, Claude remains a safe pick in the gold lane and jungle.

What makes him stand out is his Battle Mirror Image skill that gives him unmatched mobility in team fights.

MORE MLBB GUIDES
Mobile Legends Yin guide: Best build, skills, emblem, combos
How to counter Diggie
Best build on Yu Zhong right now transforms the fighter into unkillable tank
Why every Mobile Legends EXP laner should make the effort to master Esmeralda 
5 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang assassins who are surprisingly good in team fights

His Blazing Duet is also one of the most unique skills for a marksman in the game. With the right timing and positioning, he can jump in the middle of the team fight using Battle Image Mirror and activate his ultimate to deal a ton of damage to everyone in the area of effect.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang marksman Claude best counter guide
Credit: Moonton Games, ONE Esports
Mobile Legends Claude guide: Best build, skills, emblem by Cignal Ultra’s Hadess
The 3 best heroes to counter Claude in Mobile Legends
Buy these 3 core items for Claude and set the battlefield ablaze in Mobile Legends

He can then reactivate Battle Image Mirror again to return back to his original position, all within a matter of seconds. If you’re looking for a hero who’s very fun to play, Claude is right up your alley.

Follow ONE Esports on FacebookInstagram, and Tiktok for MLBB esports news, guides, and updates.

READ MORE: The best Balmond build right now in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang