Who’s the best character in Genshin right now? If that question has ever crossed your mind mid-battle or while pulling on a new banner, you’re not alone. With over 70 characters and more being added each update, figuring out who to invest your precious Primogems and materials into can feel overwhelming. This is where a well-researched, up-to-date Genshin Tier List comes in.
Why You’re Here (And What You’ll Get)
Whether you’re a free-to-play adventurer, a meta-chaser, or just someone trying to survive Spiral Abyss, your intent is clear: You want to know which characters are actually worth building in Genshin Impact.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- The top-tier characters across roles (DPS, Sub-DPS, Support)
- Rankings based on meta performance, versatility, and ease of use
- Real-game examples to help you decide who fits your playstyle
Let’s dive in. You’ll want to bookmark this one.
S-Tier Characters (Best of the Best)
These are the characters dominating the meta right now. Think of them as the LeBron James of Teyvat — elite, efficient, and often game-changing.
Main DPS (Damage Dealers)
Neuvillette – Hydro Catalyst
- Devastating charged attacks with insane AoE.
- Synergizes well with Hydro resonance and supports like Furina.
Navia – Geo Claymore
- Geo’s new queen. High-burst damage and fantastic synergy with Crystallize.
Raiden Shogun – Electro Polearm
- High burst DPS and recharges the entire team. Core to many Electro-based teams.
Sub-DPS
Xiangling – Pyro Polearm
- Still meta-relevant with her off-field Pyronado. Broken with Bennett in National Team comps.
Yelan – Hydro Bow
- Great off-field Hydro application. Scales well with investment.
Supports
Zhongli – Geo Polearm
- Best shield in the game. Makes dodging optional.
Kazuha – Anemo Sword
- Swirl king. Huge elemental damage boost, amazing crowd control.
Furina – Hydro Sword
- Buffs party damage while healing. Core support in many high-end teams.
A-Tier Characters (Strong, but Situational)
Great picks with a bit more nuance. Think of these as solid, dependable characters who shine in the right comps.
- Alhaitham – Dendro Sword: On-field Dendro driver, high skill ceiling.
- Itto – Geo Claymore: Geo mono-teams love him, but team flexibility is limited.
- Ayaka – Cryo Sword: Dominates Freeze comps but map-limited without Hydro.
- Bennett – Pyro Sword: The definition of value. Great buffer, even if overused.
- Venti – Anemo Bow: Excellent crowd control in mob-heavy domains.
B-Tier and Below (Playable, but Not Meta-Defining)
Use them if you like them — every character is viable with enough investment. Just know that they may require more effort or niche setups.
- Diluc, Chongyun, Lisa, Thoma, etc.
- Good for overworld content and early Spiral Abyss floors.
These characters are like comfort food — not Michelin-starred, but they get the job done.
How We Created This Tier List
This isn’t just based on damage numbers from theorycrafters — we’ve:
- Tested teams in Spiral Abyss (version 4.7)
- Considered accessibility for F2P players
- Weighed synergy, team flexibility, and long-term value
- Balanced subjective feel with objective data (from sites like keqingmains, GenshinLab)
Important Note: Power levels shift with updates. What’s top-tier today might be outclassed tomorrow. Keep checking back for updates.
Role-Based Mini Tier Lists
Top Main DPS Characters
- Neuvillette (S)
- Raiden Shogun (S)
- Navia (S)
- Alhaitham (A+)
- Ayaka (A+)
Top Sub-DPS Characters
- Xiangling (S)
- Yelan (S)
- Fischl (A+)
- Beidou (A)
Top Support Characters
- Furina (S)
- Kazuha (S)
- Bennett (A+)
- Jean (A)
Tips for Building Around Tier List Characters
Don’t chase the tier list blindly: Playstyle matters. If you love bow characters, it’s better to build Yelan or Ganyu even if someone like Navia is ranked higher.
Focus on synergy: Characters like Bennett or Sucrose may seem low tier alone but shine in specific comps.
Artifacts > Characters: A well-built Xiangling will outperform a poorly built 5-star.
FAQs About Genshin Tier List
Is this list F2P-friendly?
Yes — characters like Xiangling, Bennett, and Barbara are available early and can compete at high levels.
Should I pull only S-tier characters?
No. Pull for who you enjoy. Power comes from team synergy and investment.
How often is this tier list updated?
Every major patch (usually every 6 weeks). Bookmark this page!
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Genshin Impact is about fun and creativity, not just min-maxing spreadsheets. Use the Genshin Tier List as a compass, not a rulebook. Test teams, try characters, and don’t forget — even Amber can beat Abyss with the right build.
Ready to build your dream team? Check out our character guides and artifact builds next!
