Steel Crossfire Bastion, Centurion & Beater Upgrade Lines
From starter anchor to Super Centurion and Grand Beater — who should grind which defensive or bruiser unlock.
Steel Crossfire splits its heavyweight roster into two familiar upgrade fantasies: the Bastion → Centurion → Super Centurion defensive line, and the Beater → Grand Beater bruiser line. Both families share DNA with starter kits you already piloted, but Shard costs, animation commitments, and Season 1 meta stakes rise sharply. This guide explains each chassis, who should buy which step, and how these bots interact with mobile starters like Pointrunner and Revv on Valorian and Reaver teams.
Line overview
| Stage | Bot | Role | Typical Shard tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Bastion | Anchor / objective hold | Free |
| Mid unlock | Centurion | Frontline captain | High |
| Late unlock | Super Centurion | Raid boss frontline | Premium |
| Starter | Beater (separate branch) | Melee bruiser | Mid |
| Late unlock | Grand Beater | Grapple finisher | Premium |
Exact Shard prices fluctuate with patches — confirm in-game before purchase and supplement income with active codes.
Bastion — the teaching anchor
Bastion is the free defensive starter ranked A-tier in our Character Tier List and featured in Best Starters. Its job is simple: arrive first on point, absorb pressure in Bot mode, transform to Vehicle when the payload moves, and Jet only to peel divers — never to chase cross-map.
Strengths: High effective HP in Bot form, clear objective value, teaches patience that pub queues lack.
Weaknesses: Slow rotations, vulnerable to kiting from Pointrunner circles, Hardline burst from elevation.
If Bastion feels boring, you are probably playing for eliminations instead of round wins. Re-read Domination tips before abandoning the line.
Centurion — Bastion’s Season 1 workhorse
Centurion is the first major Shard investment for defensive players. It keeps Bastion’s anchor identity but adds stronger area presence, tighter Vehicle transitions, and teamfight tools that justify S-tier placement in experienced hands.
When to buy: After ~50 matches where you consistently hold caps and survive long enough for allies to transform. If you die before your team arrives, Centurion will not fix positioning.
Mode notes:
- Bot: Face-tank chokepoints; call when you transform so Revv can dive backline.
- Vehicle: Lead convoy; body-block interceptors.
- Jet: Short peels only — return to ground quickly or you become free Shards for Hardline.
Matchups: Strong into Revv all-ins when you respect block timing. Weak into coordinated Pointrunner cap steals if you overextend.
Super Centurion — late-game crown
Super Centurion is the premium evolution at the top of the defensive tree. Showcase footage highlights massive Bot silhouettes, intimidating Vehicle pushes, and Jet dives that feel like finishers — but only when the pilot already mastered Centurion fundamentals.
Who should grind it: Season 1 veterans who main anchor, play with voice comms, and earn Shards from Battle Pass tiers plus daily objectives without buying every cosmetic.
Who should wait: Players still learning transform modes or losing three rounds in a row to starter Revv players.
Tier honesty: Super Centurion sits S-tier in our hub rankings for coordinated teams. In disorganized pub lobbies, a skilled Pointrunner may still outvalue you by capping while you chase kills.
Beater — the bruiser starter unlock
Beater occupies a different branch from Bastion but appeals to the same players who outgrew passive anchors. It is a melee-forward Bot with satisfying combos and a Vehicle form that loves escort alleys.
Strengths: Teaches aggression without Revv’s extreme dash ceiling. Feels rewarding when grabs connect.
Weaknesses: Committed animations get punished by mobile starters. Jet mode is kill-chase bait for disciplined Hardline players.
Beater sits A-tier in the full Character Tier List — strong, not automatic S.
Grand Beater — premium melee finisher
Grand Beater evolves Beater into a headline unlock. Longer combos, heavier impact VFX, and pub fear factor when you enter Bot mode. Creator showcases pair it alongside Super Centurion for a reason: both are endgame flex picks.
Investment advice: Buy Grand Beater only if Beater already tops your personal tier list for ten-plus matches. Skipping Beater practice makes Grand Beater a Shard bonfire.
Team comp: Grand Beater wants a Bastion or Centurion holding point while you delete divers. Solo queue without anchors feels miserable.
Hardline interactions
Hardline snipers love shooting slow Centurion silhouettes during Vehicle escorts. When you main this line, track Hardline positions before transforming in open lanes. Conversely, Super Centurion’s presence forces Hardline to reposition — communicate with teammates who play range.
Shard economy and Season 1
Season 1 Battle Pass pacing rewards consistent play. Stack boosters from Season 1 updates and patch notes on Latest Updates before double-buying both Super Centurion and Grand Beater — most accounts should master one line first.
Suggested order for defensive mains:
- Bastion (free)
- Centurion
- Super Centurion OR side-grade to Beater if aggression calls
- Grand Beater only after Beater proves fun
Suggested order for bruiser mains:
- Pointrunner or Revv starter practice
- Beater
- Grand Beater
- Optional Centurion if your teams lack anchors
Training checklist before spending
- Win a Domination round primarily through caps, not eliminations
- Transform Bot → Vehicle → Jet → Bot once without taking fatal damage
- Identify Pointrunner and Revv tells from How to Play
- Redeem every working code via How to Redeem
- Re-read Tier List Hub after major patches
Related pages
- Character Tier List — Full roster tiers
- Best Starters — Before you leave free bots
- Tier List Hub — Hub overview
Super Centurion and Grand Beater look incredible in trailers because pilots invested hundreds of matches before clicking buy. Treat Bastion and Beater as tuition, Centurion and Grand Beater as graduation — and let Season 1 Shards fund the degree, not impulse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common Steel Crossfire questions.
Is Centurion worth it over staying on Bastion?
Yes if you already win rounds by holding objectives and want stronger teamfight presence. If Bastion feels too slow, try Pointrunner before spending Shards — Centurion will not fix rotation mistakes.
Super Centurion vs Grand Beater — which is better?
Super Centurion anchors and peels; Grand Beater deletes divers with melee. Pick based on whether your teams need a frontline captain or a bruiser finisher.
Can I skip Beater and buy Grand Beater?
You can, but Grand Beater combos assume Beater muscle memory. Most players waste Shards skipping the mid-tier bruiser.
How do these bots perform in Jet mode?
Both lines treat Jet as situational — peel or brief chase, not permanent flight. Pointrunner still out-scouts you in extended Jet phases.
Do Valorians and Reavers share the same upgrade lines?
Yes. Bastion through Super Centurion and Beater through Grand Beater mirror across factions with different visuals.
When should I revisit this guide?
After every major patch listed on [Latest Updates](/updates/latest/) and when Season 1 Battle Pass tiers change Shard earn rates.