Genshin Impact Characters Tier List, we will not only rank the characters based on their overall strength, but also offer actionable advice on team building, synergies, and how to make the most of your characters in different situations. We will break down the characters by tiers, give insights into how to use them effectively, and provide tips tailored to both new players and advanced players. Whether you’re struggling with Spiral Abyss or just exploring Teyvat, this guide is designed to improve your gameplay and help you make informed decisions on your character choices.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Genshin Impact Characters Tier List?
Before we dive into the rankings, it’s important to understand what makes a character “good” in Genshin Impact. The game revolves around the combination of elements, weapons, and playstyles. Here are the main factors that determine how powerful a character is in the game:
- Elemental Affinity & Reactions:
- The elemental reactions (like Vaporize, Melt, Overloaded, etc.) are core to combat. The synergy between your character’s element and your team’s elemental makeup plays a huge role in maximizing damage.
- Characters that trigger reactions efficiently (such as Hydro for Vaporize) can deal devastating damage.
- Role & Team Synergy:
- Genshin Impact has various roles such as DPS (damage dealer), sub-DPS, support, and healer. A well-balanced team with characters that complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses is crucial.
- Team synergy, such as pairing a Cryo character with a Hydro character for Frozen reactions, can dramatically increase effectiveness.
- Weapon & Artifact Synergy:
- Certain characters shine with specific weapons or artifact sets. For example, Ganyu benefits greatly from the Amos’ Bow, and Zhongli works best with a Geo-boosting artifact set.
- Scaling with Investment:
- Some characters scale better with higher investment. Characters like Hu Tao and Raiden Shogun require significant resources to reach their full potential, but they reward you immensely once properly leveled up.
- Versatility Across Game Modes:
- A character’s effectiveness varies between exploration, boss fights, and Spiral Abyss challenges. A good tier list takes into account how well a character performs across all content.
Genshin Impact S-Tier Characters: The Pinnacle of Power
The S-tier characters are the absolute best in Genshin Impact. These characters dominate almost every aspect of the game, from solo play to co-op and endgame content like the Spiral Abyss. They bring unparalleled damage, utility, and team synergy, making them staples in any well-rounded team.
1. Hu Tao (Pyro, Polearm)
Hu Tao remains one of the top picks for DPS in 2025 due to her high single-target damage. Her Elemental Burst (Guide to Afterlife) allows her to deal massive Pyro damage, especially when paired with characters who trigger Vaporize reactions. Pro Tip: With Hu Tao, make sure to manage her HP carefully; her low HP threshold can be risky but rewarding when combined with the right artifacts.
- Best Weapon: Staff of Homa
- Best Artifact Set: Crimson Witch of Flames
- Ideal Team Composition: Pair her with Xingqiu (for Vaporize) or Chongyun (for Melt).
2. Raiden Shogun (Electro, Polearm)
As the Electro Archon, Raiden Shogun excels in energy regeneration and AoE burst damage. Her Elemental Burst (Secret Art: Musou Shinsetsu) not only deals tremendous damage but also helps with energy generation for the whole team. She fits well in almost any team, particularly in teams focused on energy-hungry DPS characters.
- Best Weapon: Engulfing Lightning
- Best Artifact Set: Emblem of Severed Fate
- Ideal Team Composition: Ideal with characters like Xingqiu or Bennett who can use the extra energy.
3. Kazuha (Anemo, Sword)
A highly versatile support character, Kazuha provides elemental damage boosts and crowd control via his Elemental Burst (Kazuha Slash). His ability to trigger Swirl reactions and enhance other characters’ elemental abilities makes him a must-have in many meta teams.
- Best Weapon: Freedom-Sworn
- Best Artifact Set: Viridescent Venerer
- Ideal Team Composition: Works with any elemental reaction team, but Pyro and Cryo characters benefit the most.
4. Zhongli (Geo, Polearm)
Zhongli is indispensable in almost any team, thanks to his unparalleled shields and his ability to petrify enemies with his Elemental Burst (Planet Befall). His Pillar of Geo provides resistance shredding, which boosts the damage of your other characters, making him an incredible support character.
- Best Weapon: Vortex Vanquisher
- Best Artifact Set: Archaic Petra
- Ideal Team Composition: A great fit in Vaporize or Melt teams for boosting damage.
5. Xingqiu (Hydro, Sword)
Xingqiu remains one of the top sub-DPS and support characters. His Elemental Skill and Burst (Raincutter) allow him to consistently apply Hydro status to enemies, making him a prime candidate for Vaporize or Freeze teams. His ability to reduce cooldowns and trigger constant elemental reactions makes him one of the best characters for maximizing team synergy.
- Best Weapon: Sacrificial Sword
- Best Artifact Set: Noblesse Oblige
- Ideal Team Composition: Works perfectly with Pyro or Cryo characters.
A-Tier Characters: Strong and Reliable
While not as game-breaking as the S-tier, A-tier characters are still incredibly powerful and highly reliable. These characters perform well in almost all content, and with the right build, they can shine in many different situations.
1. Ganyu (Cryo, Bow)
Ganyu is a master of charged shots, making her a formidable single-target and AoE damage dealer. Her Elemental Burst deals substantial AoE Cryo damage, making her a great choice for Freeze teams. Her only weakness is her reliance on Charged Attacks, which takes time to master.
- Best Weapon: Amos’ Bow
- Best Artifact Set: Blizzard Strayer
- Ideal Team Composition: Pair with Xingqiu or Mona for maximum Vaporize damage.
2. Albedo (Geo, Sword)
Albedo shines as a sub-DPS character. His Elemental Skill (Transient Blossom) creates Geo damage over time, while his Burst provides a potent AoE attack. Albedo is a great choice for Geo-based teams and teams that benefit from continuous elemental reactions.
- Best Weapon: Festering Desire
- Best Artifact Set: Noblesse Oblige
- Ideal Team Composition: Ideal for Geo teams or mixed compositions.
3. Ayaka (Cryo, Sword)
A versatile Cryo DPS, Ayaka can quickly wipe out mobs with her fast-paced attacks and Elemental Burst (Kamisato Art: Senho). She excels at Freeze teams and can consistently deal high burst damage.
- Best Weapon: Mistsplitter Reforged
- Best Artifact Set: Blizzard Strayer
- Ideal Team Composition: Works well with Hydro characters like Xingqiu or Mona for Freeze and Melt reactions.
B-Tier Characters: Reliable, but Need Investment
These characters are strong in specific roles, but they may require higher investment or synergy with other characters to reach their full potential. They are still solid choices for building niche teams or for players willing to invest extra resources.
1. Fischl (Electro, Bow)
Fischl is a fantastic sub-DPS character, with her ability to summon Oz to deal constant Electro damage over time. She excels in Electro-based reactions like Hyperbloom and Electro-Charged, but her overall versatility is limited.
- Best Weapon: The Stringless
- Best Artifact Set: Thundersoother
- Ideal Team Composition: Works well in Hyperbloom teams or alongside Cryo characters.
C-Tier Characters: Niche, But Fun
C-tier characters still have useful abilities but are often outclassed by higher-tier characters. They are best for players who enjoy niche roles or have specific team synergies.
1. Noelle (Geo, Claymore)
Noelle is a solid tank and healer with her ability to generate shields and heal through her Elemental Burst (Sweeping Time). However, her damage output is not on par with top-tier DPS characters.
- Best Weapon: Whiteblind
- Best Artifact Set: Retracing Bolide
- Ideal Team Composition: Can work as a shield or off-healer in Geo teams.
Conclusion
Genshin Impact’s tier list can serve as a great starting point for deciding which characters to focus on, but remember that personal playstyle and team synergy are just as important. Whether you’re building an AoE damage dealer like Ganyu or a support powerhouse like Zhongli, always consider how your chosen characters work together.
By focusing on elemental synergy, role balance, and investment in the right artifacts and weapons, you’ll be able to create a team that can tackle all aspects of Genshin Impact, from world exploration to Spiral Abyss challenges.
Have your own favorite character that’s not in the tier list? Let us know in the comments or share your thoughts on how to optimize your team! And for more tips and guides, don’t forget to check out our other Genshin Impact content.
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