Genshin Impact Tier List (July 2025) V5.7 Best Characters

Welcome to my comprehensive Genshin Impact Version 5.7 tier list! With the latest update dropping on June 18, 2025, I've analyzed every single character in the game to help you build the ultimate team. Whether you're tackling Spiral Abyss floor 12 or just exploring Teyvat, this guide breaks down all 103 characters based on their current meta performance.

Version 5.7 introduces two new faces to our roster: Skirk, the long-awaited Cryo swordmaster who's shaking up the DPS meta, and Dahlia, a new Hydro support from Mondstadt. I'll show you exactly where they land in the rankings and why.

Genshin Impact Version 5.7 Tier List (July 2025)

Before diving into detailed analysis, here's my complete tier list table for quick reference. I've organized every character by their primary role and overall power level.

Tier	Character	Element	Weapon	Primary Role	Notes
S+	Mavuika	Pyro	Claymore	Main DPS	Top DPS in game
S+	Skirk	Cryo	Sword	Main DPS	2nd best DPS (with Escoffier)
S+	Furina	Hydro	Sword	Sub DPS/Support	Universal buffer
S+	Nahida	Dendro	Catalyst	Sub DPS/Support	Best Dendro applier
S+	Bennett	Pyro	Sword	Support	Ultimate ATK buffer
S+	Kaedehara Kazuha	Anemo	Sword	Support	Best crowd control
S+	Xilonen	Geo	Sword	Support	Universal RES shredder
S+	Zhongli	Geo	Polearm	Support	Strongest shield
S+	Yelan	Hydro	Bow	Sub DPS	Off-field Hydro DPS
S+	Xingqiu	Hydro	Sword	Sub DPS	Hydro application king
S+	Raiden Shogun	Electro	Polearm	Main/Sub DPS	Energy battery
S+	Hu Tao	Pyro	Polearm	Main DPS	Single-target nuke
S+	Alhaitham	Dendro	Sword	Main DPS	Dendro hypercarry
S+	Chasca	Anemo	Bow	Main DPS	Multi-element DPS
S+	Clorinde	Electro	Sword	Main DPS	Aggravate specialist
S+	Kinich	Dendro	Claymore	Main DPS	Burning DPS
S+	Mualani	Hydro	Catalyst	Main DPS	Vaporize nuker
S+	Navia	Geo	Claymore	Main DPS	Geo hypercarry
S	Lyney	Pyro	Bow	Main DPS	Mono-Pyro specialist
S	Gaming	Pyro	Claymore	Main DPS	Plunge attacker
S	Neuvillette	Hydro	Catalyst	Main DPS	Charged attack DPS
S	Ayaka	Cryo	Sword	Main DPS	Freeze team core
S	Ganyu	Cryo	Bow	Main DPS	Charged shot DPS
S	Wanderer	Anemo	Catalyst	Main DPS	Aerial combat
S	Xiao	Anemo	Polearm	Main DPS	Plunge specialist
S	Wriothesley	Cryo	Catalyst	Main DPS	Normal attack DPS
S	Cyno	Electro	Polearm	Main DPS	Aggravate DPS
S	Diluc	Pyro	Claymore	Main DPS	Classic Pyro DPS
S	Tartaglia	Hydro	Bow	Main DPS	Enabler DPS
S	Kamisato Ayato	Hydro	Sword	Main DPS	Hydro hypercarry
S	Tighnari	Dendro	Bow	Main DPS	Quicken DPS
S	Yoimiya	Pyro	Bow	Main DPS	Normal attack DPS
S	Eula	Cryo	Claymore	Main DPS	Physical DPS
S	Arataki Itto	Geo	Claymore	Main DPS	Geo DPS
S	Keqing	Electro	Sword	Main DPS	Aggravate DPS
S	Chiori	Geo	Sword	Sub DPS	Geo constructs
S	Emilie	Dendro	Polearm	Sub DPS	Burning support
S	Fischl	Electro	Bow	Sub DPS	Off-field Electro
S	Nilou	Hydro	Sword	Sub DPS	Bloom specialist
S	Xiangling	Pyro	Polearm	Sub DPS	Pyronado MVP
S	Escoffier	Cryo	Catalyst	Sub DPS	Freeze enabler
S	Baizhu	Dendro	Catalyst	Support	Dendro healer
S	Chevreuse	Pyro	Polearm	Support	Overload buffer
S	Faruzan	Anemo	Bow	Support	Anemo buffer
S	Jean	Anemo	Sword	Support	Anemo healer
S	Kuki Shinobu	Electro	Sword	Support	Hyperbloom trigger
S	Sangonomiya Kokomi	Hydro	Catalyst	Support	Hydro healer
S	Shenhe	Cryo	Polearm	Support	Cryo buffer
S	Xianyun	Anemo	Catalyst	Support	Plunge buffer
S	Citlali	Cryo	Catalyst	Support	Cryo shielder
S	Iansan	Electro	Claymore	Support	Electro buffer
A	Noelle	Geo	Claymore	Main DPS	Shield/heal/DPS
A	Sethos	Electro	Bow	Main DPS	Charged shot DPS
A	Yanfei	Pyro	Catalyst	Main DPS	4-star Pyro DPS
A	Albedo	Geo	Sword	Sub DPS	Off-field Geo
A	Collei	Dendro	Bow	Sub DPS	Dendro application
A	Kachina	Geo	Polearm	Sub DPS	Geo support
A	Lynette	Anemo	Sword	Sub DPS	Anemo support
A	Pyro Traveler	Pyro	Sword	Sub DPS	F2P Pyro option
A	Dendro Traveler	Dendro	Sword	Sub DPS	F2P Dendro
A	Ororon	Electro	Bow	Sub DPS	Electro-charged
A	Rosaria	Cryo	Polearm	Sub DPS	Crit buffer
A	Venti	Anemo	Bow	Sub DPS	Crowd control
A	Yae Miko	Electro	Catalyst	Sub DPS	Turret DPS
A	Charlotte	Cryo	Catalyst	Support	Cryo healer
A	Ifa	Anemo	Catalyst	Support	EC specialist
A	Kujou Sara	Electro	Bow	Support	Electro buffer
A	Layla	Cryo	Sword	Support	Cryo shielder
A	Lan Yan	Anemo	Catalyst	Support	Anemo shielder
A	Mona	Hydro	Catalyst	Support	DMG amplifier
A	Sucrose	Anemo	Catalyst	Support	EM buffer
A	Yaoyao	Dendro	Polearm	Support	Dendro healer
A	Yun Jin	Geo	Polearm	Support	Normal ATK buffer
B	Freminet	Cryo	Claymore	Main DPS	Physical/Cryo
B	Kaveh	Dendro	Claymore	Main DPS	Bloom DPS
B	Klee	Pyro	Catalyst	Main DPS	Explosive DPS
B	Ningguang	Geo	Catalyst	Main DPS	4-star Geo DPS
B	Shikanoin Heizou	Anemo	Catalyst	Main DPS	Melee catalyst
B	Yumemizuki Mizuki	Electro	Catalyst	Main DPS	EC specialist
B	Beidou	Electro	Claymore	Sub DPS	Counter DPS
B	Chongyun	Cryo	Claymore	Sub DPS	Cryo infusion
B	Kaeya	Cryo	Sword	Sub DPS	F2P Cryo
B	Lisa	Electro	Catalyst	Sub DPS	DEF shredder
B	Diona	Cryo	Bow	Support	Shield/heal
B	Gorou	Geo	Bow	Support	Geo buffer
B	Kirara	Dendro	Sword	Support	Shield courier
B	Mika	Cryo	Polearm	Support	ATK SPD buffer
B	Sayu	Anemo	Claymore	Support	Roll healer
B	Thoma	Pyro	Polearm	Support	Pyro shielder
C	Razor	Electro	Claymore	Main DPS	Physical DPS
C	Xinyan	Pyro	Claymore	Main DPS	Physical/Pyro
C	Candace	Hydro	Polearm	Support	Hydro infusion
C	Dehya	Pyro	Claymore	Support	Defensive Pyro
C	Dori	Electro	Claymore	Support	Energy healer
C	Electro Traveler	Electro	Sword	Support	Energy battery
C	Qiqi	Cryo	Sword	Support	Cryo healer
C	Sigewinne	Hydro	Bow	Support	HP buffer
C	Dahlia	Hydro	Catalyst	Support	New shield/ATK SPD
D	Aloy	Cryo	Bow	Main DPS	Collab character
D	Amber	Pyro	Bow	Sub DPS	Starter unit
D	Anemo Traveler	Anemo	Sword	Support	Starter option
D	Geo Traveler	Geo	Sword	Support	Geo constructs
D	Hydro Traveler	Hydro	Sword	Support	HP scaling

S+ Tier: Meta Defining Characters

Main DPS Champions

Mavuika

The Pyro Archon sits at the absolute peak of DPS potential in Version 5.7. Her motorcycle-riding combat style isn't just flashy - it delivers devastating damage numbers that outclass every other character. I've tested her extensively, and with proper team support, she consistently clears Abyss chambers 20-30% faster than other top-tier DPS units. Her Fighting Spirit mechanic allows for flexible team building while maintaining insane damage output. The synergy with Xilonen creates an unstoppable combo that melts through any content. She's worth every primogem if you want the strongest DPS currently available.

Skirk

Finally here after years of anticipation! As Childe's mysterious mentor, Skirk brings a unique Cryo DPS kit that rivals Mavuika when paired with Escoffier. Her Elemental Skill transforms her attacks into devastating Cryo slashes with incredible multipliers. The special Elemental Burst mechanic using "Serpent's Subtlety" instead of energy makes her incredibly consistent - no more energy issues! Without Escoffier, she drops to high S-tier, but with her? She's absolutely cracked, dealing freeze damage that makes Ayaka jealous. I've been destroying Abyss 12 with her freeze teams, often finishing chambers in under 30 seconds. Her Void Rift mechanic rewards freeze gameplay with massive damage bonuses.

Hu Tao

The funeral director remains one of the strongest single-target nukers in the game despite being an older character. Her high-risk, high-reward playstyle keeping HP below 50% still delivers some of the biggest damage numbers possible. With C1 and Homa, she becomes even more broken, but even at C0 with Dragon's Bane she's incredible. Pair her with Xingqiu/Yelan and Zhongli, and watch health bars disappear in seconds. She's particularly dominant in boss-heavy Abyss rotations where her single-target prowess shines. The skill expression required to animation cancel properly makes her rewarding to master.

Alhaitham

The Dendro hypercarry continues to dominate with his unique mirror mechanic that no other character can replicate. His ability to maintain near-constant Dendro application while dealing massive spread damage makes him invaluable in quicken teams. I find him more consistent than Keqing in aggravate teams due to his higher base multipliers and easier rotations. His flexibility in team building is outstanding - he works with Nahida, Yae, Fischl, Kuki, and more. The fact that he doesn't rely on his burst for damage makes him very comfortable to play. With proper investment, he easily competes with the best DPS units in the game.

Chasca

This Anemo bow user brings a completely unique playstyle with her flying mount combat. Her ability to absorb multiple elements and convert them into massive bullet damage is unlike anything else in the game. She essentially becomes a flying artillery platform, raining down elemental destruction. What makes her S+ tier is her incredible versatility - she can work with almost any sub-DPS element and doesn't rely on specific reactions. Her range and mobility trivialize many combat scenarios. Building her is straightforward too - just stack ATK and crit. I've found her particularly effective in chambers with spread out enemies.

Clorinde

The Champion Duelist lives up to her title with an aggravate-focused kit that delivers consistent, high damage. Her unique Bond of Life mechanic might seem complicated at first, but it's actually quite intuitive once you get the rhythm. She excels in quicken teams where her fast Electro application triggers constant aggravate reactions. What pushes her to S+ is her self-sufficiency - she has built-in healing and doesn't require extensive support. Pair her with Nahida and Fischl for an aggravate team that shreds through content. Her elegant combat animations are just a bonus to her exceptional performance.

Kinich

The newest Dendro DPS brings a fresh take on burning teams with his grappling hook mechanic. His ability to maintain consistent Dendro application while dealing massive damage through his special charged attacks is remarkable. What sets him apart is how he's revitalized burning as a viable reaction - previously considered weak, now it's a powerhouse with him. His vertical mobility adds a unique exploration element too. In combat, he pairs excellently with Emilie and Bennett for burning teams that rival vaporize in damage. The skill ceiling is high but rewarding. I've been impressed by his performance in both single-target and AoE scenarios.

Mualani

This Hydro catalyst user brings shark-surfing style to combat with devastating vaporize potential. Her unique marking system allows for massive burst damage windows that can one-shot many enemies. What makes her S+ tier is the consistency of her damage despite being burst-focused - her skill has excellent uptime. She's particularly strong in speed-running scenarios where her front-loaded damage shines. Building her is straightforward with HP% and crit focus. Pair her with Xiangling and Bennett for vaporize nukes that rival Hu Tao. Her playful personality and unique combat style make her as fun as she is powerful.

Navia

The Spina di Rosula president brings Geo DPS to new heights with her crystallize-focused kit. Her ability to convert crystal shards into massive cannon blasts gives Geo a fresh identity beyond just raw damage. What pushes her to S+ is her incredible versatility - she works in mono-Geo, hybrid teams, and even as a quickswap DPS. Her damage is frontloaded into her skill, making her excellent for speedruns. With signature weapon, she competes with the best DPS units. I've found her particularly satisfying to play with her unique crystal-gathering mechanic. She's proven that Geo DPS can compete at the highest level.

Raiden Shogun

The Electro Archon continues to dominate as both main and sub DPS. Her ability to battery the entire team while dealing massive damage during her burst window is unmatched. What keeps her in S+ tier is her incredible versatility - she fits into rational teams, hypercarry setups, and now aggravate teams. Her C2 is one of the biggest power spikes in the game, but even C0 Raiden is exceptional. The satisfaction of seeing her burst numbers, especially in a proper rotation, never gets old. She's stood the test of time through multiple meta shifts. Every account benefits from having Raiden built.

Sub DPS Powerhouses

Furina

The Hydro Archon's kit is absolutely broken in the best way possible. Her ability to simultaneously heal and deal damage while providing massive team-wide buffs based on HP fluctuation revolutionized team building. She single-handedly made healers relevant again and pushed numerous characters up tier levels. Her Ousia and Pneuma forms offer flexibility for different team needs. The universal DMG% buff she provides is unmatched - up to 75% for the whole team! She slots into virtually any team composition and makes it better. Building her is simple too - just stack HP and crit. There's a reason she's in almost every speedrun team.

Yelan

This mysterious lady brings more than just style - she's one of the best sub-DPS units in the game. Her breakthrough barb provides consistent Hydro application while dealing significant damage based on her max HP. The ramping DMG% buff she provides to the active character is incredibly valuable. What sets her apart from Xingqiu is her personal damage output and exploration utility with her skill. She enables powerful double Hydro cores with Xingqiu for Hu Tao teams. Her breakthrough barb has standard ICD, making her perfect for consistent vaporize. Building her is straightforward - HP%, crit, and some ER. She's a premium unit that's worth every primogem.

Xingqiu

The young Feiyun Commerce Guild member remains one of the most valuable 4-star units in the game. His rain swords provide the best single-target Hydro application available, enabling countless vaporize teams. The damage reduction and minor healing from his swords add defensive utility that's often overlooked. His C2 extends Hydro application duration, while C6 adds significant personal damage. What keeps him in S+ tier is his irreplaceable role in many teams - Hu Tao, Yoimiya, and others rely on him. His long-lasting burst with proper ER investment makes rotations smooth. Every account should have a built Xingqiu. The fact that he's "just" a 4-star makes him even more valuable for accessibility.

Xiangling

The chef from Liyue continues to be one of the most broken 4-star units in the game. Her Pyronado has no internal cooldown, meaning every hit can trigger reactions - this is huge for damage. She snapshots buffs, turning Bennett's ATK boost into permanent damage increase for her burst duration. Her AoE coverage is exceptional, hitting enemies other characters miss. C4 extends her burst duration by 40%, which is a massive power spike. She's core to National teams, International teams, and many others. Building her requires high ER (180-200%), but the investment pays off tremendously. Free from the story, yet competing with 5-star units - that's the power of Xiangling.

Nahida

The Dendro Archon remains the premier Dendro enabler in the game, and for good reason. Her skill links enemies together for shared elemental reactions - trigger one, trigger all. The burst creates a massive field of Dendro application with various buffs based on party composition. She's essential for any serious Dendro team and makes reactions like hyperbloom trivially easy to trigger. Her exploration passive marking collectibles is incredibly convenient. Building her is flexible - full EM for reaction teams or a hybrid build for personal damage. She elevated every Dendro character just by existing. There's no replacement for what Nahida brings to a team.

Escoffier

The Cryo catalyst wielder has become Skirk's best friend and a top-tier support in her own right. Her ability to shred Cryo and Hydro RES by up to 35% is unprecedented - that's more than VV! She provides excellent off-field damage through her icicles while maintaining good Cryo application. The healing she provides is sufficient for most content, adding to her versatility. What makes her S+ is how she enables Cryo DPS units to reach new heights - Ayaka and Skirk particularly. Her energy generation for Cryo teams is also excellent. While somewhat limited to freeze teams, she excels so much in that role that she earns her spot. Every freeze team wants Escoffier.

Support Gods

Bennett

Still the ultimate support after all these years, and it's not even close. His burst provides massive ATK buffs (up to 1000+ with good weapons), rapid healing, and Pyro application all in one neat circle. The fact that he's a 4-star makes him even more valuable - C1 removes the HP restriction, C5 boosts his buff further. He enables Pyro resonance, batteries Pyro units, and even serves as a decent DPS at C6. Nearly every team improves with Bennett - National teams, melt teams, even some physical teams. His only "weakness" is circle impact, but the benefits far outweigh this limitation. If you don't have Bennett built, you're playing on hard mode.

Kaedehara Kazuha

The wandering samurai offers unmatched crowd control and elemental damage amplification. His skill groups enemies perfectly for AoE damage while his burst provides consistent swirl and elemental application. The ability to double-swirl makes him incredibly valuable for reaction teams - buff two elements at once! His A4 passive provides up to 40% elemental damage bonus based on EM. What sets him apart from other Anemo supports is his ease of use and consistency. Building him is simple - full EM with enough ER to burst on cooldown. He makes rotations smoother and damage higher. I use him in probably 80% of my Abyss clears because he just makes everything better.

Xilonen

The newest Geo support has revolutionized team building with her incredible utility. Her universal RES shred works for any element, up to 36% - that's huge for team damage. She provides healing based on her DEF, making her a comfortable defensive option. Her skill creates a roller-skating ring that follows you, maintaining buffs with ease. What makes her S+ is her flexibility - she works in any team regardless of element. She's basically "Geo Kazuha" but arguably more universal since she doesn't rely on swirl. Her exploration utility with wall climbing is fantastic too. Building her is simple - stack DEF and some ER. She's future-proof support that will remain valuable for years.

Zhongli

The CEO of Geo provides the strongest shield in the game bar none - 100% uptime with 150% damage absorption. His shield shreds all RES by 20%, providing universal support for any team. The petrification from his burst offers rare hard CC that works on almost everything. What keeps him in S+ tier is the comfort he provides - you can ignore most mechanics with his shield. He trivializes content that would otherwise require careful play. His pillar provides consistent Geo application for reactions or crystallize shields. Building him is flexible - full HP for maximum shield or hybrid for burst damage. Every account becomes significantly easier with Zhongli. The definition of comfort character.

Citlali

The newest Cryo support brings unique utility with her shield and buff combination. Her shields scale with EM, making her the first EM-scaling shielder - this is huge for reaction teams. She provides Cryo application consistently while offering defensive utility that Cryo teams previously lacked. Her buff to melt and vaporize damage is significant, making her valuable beyond just freeze teams. What pushes her to S+ is her versatility - she works in freeze, melt, and even some Pyro teams. Building her with EM makes her shields surprisingly strong while boosting reaction damage. She's opened up new team compositions that weren't viable before. The grandmother of Natlan proves that age brings wisdom and power.

S Tier: Excellent Characters

Strong Main DPS Options

Neuvillette

The Hydro dragon sovereign might have been slightly powercrept by newer releases, but his self-sufficient kit keeps him firmly in S tier. His charged attacks deal massive AoE Hydro damage while healing himself based on damage dealt - no healer needed! The range on his attacks trivializes many encounters, letting you damage enemies from complete safety. His C1 is one of the best in the game, adding interruption resistance and an extra stack. Building him is straightforward - HP% and crit stats with his signature weapon or Prototype Amber for F2P. He's particularly dominant in AoE situations where his beam can hit multiple enemies. The comfort and ease of play he provides is unmatched among DPS units.

Ayaka

The Kamisato princess has returned to prominence with Escoffier's arrival in 5.7. Her burst remains one of the highest damage abilities in the game - those spinning ice blades delete everything in their path. Her alternate sprint provides Cryo infusion and easy repositioning in combat. What keeps her in S tier is her frontloaded damage and excellent freeze synergy. She pairs beautifully with Skirk for dual Cryo freeze teams or works as the sole DPS with proper support. Her C2 adds two extra mini-bursts for even more damage. Building her requires balancing crit rate (with 4pc Blizzard Strayer) and maximizing crit damage. She's the definition of elegant destruction.

Ganyu

The half-qilin secretary's charged shots still hit like trucks after all this time. Whether in freeze teams for comfort or melt teams for maximum damage, she provides consistent DPS from safe range. Her burst provides excellent Cryo application and quadrant-based damage that's perfect for freeze teams. What keeps her relevant is her versatility - she can be main DPS, sub DPS, or support depending on team needs. Her C1 reduces Cryo RES, while C6 allows for quickshot gameplay. Building her is flexible depending on team role, but generally focuses on ATK% and crit. The fact that she's been consistently strong since 1.2 speaks to her excellent design.

Wanderer

Scaramouche's redemption arc included becoming a solid Anemo DPS with unique aerial combat. His skill lets him fly and rain down normal/charged attacks from above, trivializing many enemy attacks. The ability to absorb elements for different buffs adds strategic depth to his gameplay. His C1 extends flight time and adds damage, while C6 makes him a normal attack monster. What makes him S tier is his self-sufficiency and unique combat style that handles both single target and AoE well. Building him focuses on ATK% and crit with his signature weapon or good 4-star alternatives. Paired with Faruzan, he becomes an Anemo powerhouse. He's proven that Anemo DPS can compete at high levels.

Xiao

The Vigilant Yaksha remains a strong pick for players who enjoy his plunging playstyle. His burst transforms him into an aerial death machine, with plunges that demolish both single targets and groups. The HP drain adds risk but is manageable with proper support. Recent additions like Xianyun have given him new life with plunge damage buffs. His C1 adds an extra charge for smoother rotations, while C6 makes him nearly immortal during burst. Building him requires balancing ATK%, crit, and enough ER to burst consistently. He's particularly strong in content with multiple waves where his AoE excels. The original selfish DPS still delivers consistent results.

Wriothesley

The Duke of Meropide brings a unique Cryo catalyst playstyle focused on enhanced normal attacks. His HP management mechanic might seem complex but becomes intuitive with practice. He can heal himself while dealing damage, making him surprisingly self-sufficient. His consistent Cryo application makes him excellent for freeze teams while his high multipliers work well in melt setups. C1 significantly improves his damage and ease of use. Building him is straightforward - ATK% or EM (for melt) with standard crit ratios. He's particularly satisfying to play with his boxing-inspired animations. The coolest character in Fontaine proves that Cryo catalysts can compete.

Cyno

The General Mahamatra has found new life with Dendro reactions making Electro relevant again. His extremely long burst duration makes him unique among DPS units - when Cyno enters burst, he stays there. This makes him excellent for aggravate teams where consistent Electro application is key. His scaling with EM for reaction damage while maintaining good personal multipliers gives building flexibility. C1 significantly improves his rotations, while C2 adds substantial damage. He pairs excellently with Nahida for quicken teams. Building him requires balancing EM and traditional DPS stats. The fact that he went from underwhelming to S tier shows how game mechanics evolution can revive characters.

Diluc

The original 5-star Pyro DPS has aged surprisingly well despite heavy competition. His simple gameplay loop of skill-weaving between normal attacks remains effective and satisfying. Recent additions like Xianyun have given him plunge attack options for variety. His consistent Pyro application makes him reliable for vaporize teams. What keeps him in S tier is his ease of use and solid damage floor - he performs well even with suboptimal play. C1 adds significant damage, while C2 improves his ATK and ATK speed. Building him is straightforward with ATK% and crit focus. He might not have the highest ceiling, but his consistency and accessibility keep him relevant.

Tartaglia

The Harbinger's unique stance-change mechanic remains one of the most interesting kits in the game. His melee stance provides some of the best AoE Hydro application available, enabling powerful vaporize teams. The riptide mechanic creates satisfying chain reactions in grouped enemies. What keeps him S tier is his role as an enabler DPS - he makes Xiangling teams absolutely broken. Managing his cooldown becomes second nature with practice. C1 significantly helps cooldown management, while C6 removes the issue entirely. Building him focuses on crit with his signature weapon or good alternatives. International team (Childe/Xiangling/Bennett/Kazuha) remains one of the strongest in the game.

Kamisato Ayato

The Yashiro Commissioner brings consistent Hydro application with style. His skill creates a water illusion clone while enhancing his normal attacks with Hydro slashes. The long duration and low cooldown make him very comfortable to play. His burst provides consistent AoE Hydro application, perfect for freeze or vaporize teams. What makes him S tier is his flexibility - he works as on-field DPS, quick-swap DPS, or Hydro enabler. C1 significantly improves his personal damage, while C2 extends his DPS window. Building him is straightforward with HP% or ATK% (depending on weapon) and crit stats. He's become the go-to Hydro DPS for players who find other options too complex.

Tighnari

The first limited 5-star Dendro character set the bar high for the element. His charged shot gameplay might seem niche, but the quick charge time after skill makes it smooth. He excels in quicken teams where his multiple hits trigger numerous spread reactions. His burst provides good AoE damage and tracking for mobile enemies. What makes him S tier is his quick-swap potential - come in, skill, charged shots, burst, leave. C1 adds significant quality of life, while C2 boosts Dendro damage for the team. Building him can go full EM for reaction damage or hybrid for balanced performance. He's proven that charged shot gameplay can work in the modern meta.

Yoimiya

The fireworks expert excels at single-target damage with her infused normal attacks. Her skill transforms her into a Pyro machine gun with excellent tracking. While she lacks AoE, her consistent damage and ease of use make up for it. Recent supports like Yun Jin and Yelan have significantly improved her performance. What keeps her in S tier is her comfort - long range, no stamina usage, simple rotations. C1 extends her burst duration for better support capability, while C2 adds Pyro damage bonus. Building her is straightforward with ATK% and crit, using Shimenawa's or the new Golden Troupe set. She's perfect for players who want consistent damage without complex mechanics.

Eula

The Spindrift Knight still delivers massive physical damage through her burst despite the meta favoring elemental reactions. Her ability to hit 1 million+ damage screenshots keeps her popular among nuke enthusiasts. The combination of Cryo application and physical damage gives her unique team building options. What maintains her S tier status is her performance against enemies that can't be frozen or have high elemental resistance. C1 significantly improves her damage consistency, while C6 enables the highest screenshot numbers in the game. Building her requires high crit damage and ATK% with her signature weapon being particularly powerful. She remains the undisputed queen of physical damage.

Arataki Itto

The one and only Oni king brings personality and power to Geo DPS. His unique DEF scaling and reliance on charged attacks during burst create a distinct playstyle. Ushi provides good particle generation and surprising damage with proper investment. What makes him S tier is his performance in mono-Geo teams - with Gorou and Albedo/Chiori, he becomes a monster. His attacks have excellent AoE and his damage is very consistent. C1 significantly improves his flexibility, while C6 transforms him into an unstoppable force. Building him requires DEF% and crit with his signature weapon or Serpent Spine. He's proven that Geo DPS can be both fun and effective.

Keqing

The Yuheng of Liyue has risen from the ashes with Dendro reactions breathing new life into Electro. Her fast attacks and Electro infusion make her perfect for triggering aggravate reactions constantly. The flexibility between physical and Electro builds adds versatility, though Electro is now superior. Her teleportation provides both damage and repositioning utility. What brings her to S tier is her synergy with Nahida and other Dendro supports for quicken teams. C1 provides energy and damage, while C2 adds significant particle generation. Building her has shifted from physical to Electro focus with 4pc Gilded Dreams or Thundering Fury. The original Electro queen has reclaimed her throne.

Reliable Sub DPS

Chiori

The fashion designer's Geo constructs provide exceptional off-field damage that rivals 5-star performance. Her dolls attack independently based on your active character's position, providing consistent Geo application. What makes her S tier is her synergy with other Geo characters - each construct character improves her damage. She's particularly powerful with Itto, Navia, or Albedo teams. Her uptime is excellent with proper rotation management. C1 significantly improves her personal damage by allowing her to join attacks. Building her is simple - DEF% and crit ratios with her signature weapon or good alternatives. She's revolutionized Geo team compositions with her unique mechanics.

Emilie

The perfumer brings burning reactions into the meta with her unique kit focused on this previously weak reaction. Her skill creates a perfume bottle that deals continuous Dendro damage while marking enemies. When marked enemies take burning damage, she deals significant bonus damage. What makes her S tier is how she's made burning viable - paired with Kinich or strong Pyro applicators, the damage is impressive. Her passive reduces burning self-damage for the active character, solving a major issue. C1 improves her energy generation, while C2 significantly boosts her damage. Building her focuses on ATK% and crit with some EM substats. She's the burning reaction specialist we didn't know we needed.

Fischl

The Prinzessin der Verurteilung remains one of the best Electro sub-DPS options available. Oz provides consistent single-target Electro application with good damage, especially at C6. Her A4 passive adds extra damage whenever Electro reactions occur, making her invaluable in reaction teams. What keeps her S tier is her versatility - she works in aggravate, hyperbloom, and even physical teams. She generates good particles for Electro teams too. C6 is her biggest spike, making Oz attack with your active character. Building her is flexible - physical for main DPS or ATK%/EM for sub-DPS roles. The fact that she's a 4-star makes her accessibility even better. Every account benefits from a built Fischl.

Nilou

The dancer of Sabzeruz creates a unique niche as the bloom reaction specialist. Her passive transforms regular blooms into bountiful cores that deal significantly more damage. This restriction to Hydro/Dendro teams might seem limiting, but the payoff is worth it. What makes her S tier is the sheer damage potential of her bloom teams - they trivialize many encounters. Her dance provides good Hydro application while buffing bloom damage based on HP. C1 improves her personal damage, while C2 significantly boosts bloom damage for the team. Building her is simple - stack HP% with her signature weapon or good alternatives. She's proven that restrictive kits can still be meta-defining.

Xiangling

The chef from Liyue continues to be one of the most broken 4-star units despite being a launch character. Her Pyronado has no internal cooldown, snapshots buffs, and provides consistent off-field Pyro in a large AoE. What keeps her S tier is her irreplaceable role in many top teams - National, International, and more. She essentially functions as a 5-star character in terms of damage contribution. C4 is her major spike, extending burst duration by 40%. Building her requires high ER (180-200%) but the investment is worth it. Emblem of Severed Fate is perfect for her. The fact that she's free from story makes her value even higher. Xiangling impact is real.

Top-Tier Supports

Baizhu

The owner of Bubu Pharmacy provides exceptional Dendro support with healing and shielding in one package. His skill provides good Dendro application while his burst creates a shield that refreshes with healing pulses. What makes him S tier is his comfort factor - he makes Dendro teams much safer while maintaining good reaction potential. His passive provides beneficial buffs based on HP, improving reaction damage. C1 significantly improves his energy generation, while C2 extends his burst benefits. Building him focuses on HP% with some ER requirements. He's particularly valuable in hyperbloom teams where survivability can be an issue. The snake doctor proves that Dendro supports can excel.

Chevreuse

The captain of special forces has carved out a unique niche as the overload specialist. Her kit specifically buffs Pyro and Electro characters while healing based on her HP. What makes her S tier in her niche is the massive buffs she provides - ATK% and RES shred for both elements. She's enabled new team compositions that weren't viable before, particularly with Raiden and Yoimiya. Her restrictions might seem limiting but the payoff is worth it. C1 adds energy generation, while C6 transforms her into an incredible buffer. Building her is simple - stack HP% with sufficient ER. She's proven that 4-star specialists can define new metas.

Faruzan

The ancient researcher has become mandatory for Anemo DPS characters with her specialized support kit. Her burst provides Anemo RES shred and DMG bonus that no other character can match. What makes her S tier is how she enables characters like Wanderer and Xiao to reach their full potential. The charged shot mechanic for generating particles takes practice but becomes second nature. C6 is her major spike, providing significant buffs and easier rotations. Building her requires high ER (200%+) to burst consistently. She's the definition of a specialist support - limited use cases but exceptional in those roles. Every Anemo DPS wants Faruzan on their team.

Jean

The Acting Grand Master of the Knights provides versatile support with instant full-team healing. Her skill provides good crowd control with fall damage potential against lighter enemies. What keeps her S tier is her versatility - VV shred, healing, cleansing, and even Sunfire with Bennett. She can even be built as a physical DPS in a pinch. Her burst cleanses debuffs, which is rare and valuable in certain content. C1 increases her personal damage significantly, while C2 improves her support capabilities. Building her is flexible - full EM for Sunfire, ATK% for healing, or hybrid builds. She's one of the most versatile characters in the game.

Kuki Shinobu

The deputy leader of the Arataki Gang has become a hyperbloom goddess with EM scaling. Her skill provides consistent Electro application in a ring around her while healing based on EM/HP. What makes her S tier is her role as the best hyperbloom trigger - consistent, long-lasting, with healing utility. She's enabled some of the strongest and most accessible teams in the game. Building her is dead simple - stack EM with Gilded Dreams or Flower of Paradise Lost. C2 extends her skill duration for better uptime. She's proven that 4-star characters can define entire team archetypes. Every account should build Kuki for hyperbloom teams.

Sangonomiya Kokomi

The Divine Priestess offers unmatched Hydro application and healing in one comfortable package. Her jellyfish has 100% uptime with proper rotation management, providing consistent off-field Hydro. What makes her S tier is her versatility - she works in freeze, bloom, hyperbloom, and even as a driver. The inability to crit is offset by her excellent HP scaling and Healing Bonus ascension. Her signature weapon or Prototype Amber make her incredibly tanky. C1 adds damage, while C6 transforms her into a legitimate DPS threat. Building her focuses on HP% and ER with either Tenacity or Clam set. She's redefined what a healer can bring to a team.

Shenhe

The Cloud Retainer's disciple has found new life with Skirk's arrival and Cryo's resurgence. Her Icy Quills provide flat damage bonuses to Cryo attacks, significantly amplifying team damage. What makes her S tier is her specialized support for Cryo DPS - she makes good Cryo characters great. Her tap/hold skill variations provide flexibility for different situations. She also provides Cryo RES shred and DMG% bonuses through her passives and constellations. C1 adds an extra charge for smoother rotations, while C6 removes Icy Quill limitations. Building her focuses on ATK% to maximize Quill damage. She's proven that specialized supports have a place in the meta.

Xianyun

Cloud Retainer in human form revolutionized plunge attack gameplay with her unique support kit. Her skill provides excellent mobility while her burst enables plunge attacks for the entire team. What makes her S tier is how she's opened up new playstyles - Diluc plunge, Gaming teams, and more. She provides healing based on ATK%, making her a comfortable defensive option too. The flat damage bonus to plunges based on her ATK% is significant. C1 adds an extra skill charge, while C4 provides substantial support buffs. Building her focuses on ATK% and ER with VV set. She's breathing new life into older characters with her plunge support.

Iansan

The newest Electro support from Natlan brings unique buffing capabilities to Electro teams. Her kit provides Electro damage bonus and crit rate to teammates based on her own stats. What makes her S tier is her ability to significantly boost Electro DPS characters like Cyno and Clorinde. She provides good Electro application for reactions while offering defensive utility. Her exploration abilities in Natlan are also excellent. C1 improves her buffing capabilities, while C6 adds significant team damage. Building her focuses on the stats she shares with the team - crit rate and Electro damage. She's proven that Natlan supports can compete with established options.

A Tier: Strong Choices

Solid DPS Options

Noelle

The dutiful maid of the Knights transforms into a Geo powerhouse during her burst. Her DEF to ATK conversion combined with healing makes her incredibly self-sufficient - she's a tank, healer, and DPS all in one. What places her in A tier is her excellent F2P accessibility and C6 power spike that rivals 5-star performance. She excels in mono-Geo teams with Gorou providing DEF buffs and Geo resonance. Her shield provides good protection while her burst offers wide sweeping attacks perfect for groups. Building her requires DEF% and crit with Whiteblind or Serpent Spine. She's proven that 4-star characters can carry accounts through all content with proper investment.

Sethos

The newest Electro bow user brings a unique charged shot playstyle focused on Electro damage. His skill reduces charged shot time significantly while providing EM buffs for reaction damage. What makes him A tier is his accessibility as a 4-star with solid performance in aggravate teams. His animations are smooth and his damage ceiling is respectable with proper supports. He pairs well with Nahida and other Dendro enablers for consistent spread reactions. C1 improves his energy generation, while C6 transforms him into a reaction monster. Building him can focus on EM for reactions or traditional DPS stats. He's a solid option for players seeking an Electro charged shot character.

Yanfei

The legal advisor of Liyue Harbor remains a solid 4-star Pyro DPS option with smooth gameplay. Her charged attacks hit hard while her skill and burst provide consistent Pyro application. What keeps her in A tier is her range advantage and shield capability at C4, making her comfortable to play. She works well in vaporize teams with Xingqiu or overload teams with Fischl. Her normal attack chain builds seals for powerful charged attacks. C1 reduces stamina consumption significantly, while C6 adds substantial charged attack damage. Building her is straightforward with ATK% and crit focus using Wanderer's Troupe or the new sets. She's perfect for players wanting a ranged Pyro option without 5-star investment.

Versatile Sub DPS

Albedo

The Chief Alchemist continues to provide reliable off-field Geo damage through his elevator flower. His skill has excellent uptime and coverage, proccing on any damage within its field. What makes him A tier is his minimal field time requirement and EM sharing for reaction teams. Recent additions like Chiori have given him new synergy partners beyond just Zhongli. His burst provides EM to the team, valuable for reaction-focused compositions. C1 improves his energy generation, while C2 can enable him as a burst DPS. Building him is simple with DEF% and crit, using his event weapon or other alternatives. He remains one of the most universal sub-DPS options available.

Collei

The trainee forest ranger provides accessible Dendro application as a free 4-star character. Her boomerang provides decent range while her burst creates a field of Dendro application. What makes her A tier is her availability - everyone can get her for free, making Dendro teams accessible. She works well in bloom, hyperbloom, and burning teams as a Dendro enabler. Her constellations significantly improve her support capabilities with longer burst duration and EM sharing. Building her can focus on support with ER and EM or sub-DPS with traditional stats. She's particularly valuable for newer players entering the Dendro reaction meta. Free characters rarely offer this much utility.

Kachina

The young Geo character brings a unique turret-style gameplay with her spinning top companion. Her skill provides consistent Geo application while she's off-field, similar to Albedo but with different mechanics. What makes her A tier is her accessibility and solid performance in Geo teams despite being new. She provides good particle generation for Geo teams and works well with crystallize reactions. Her exploration utility in Natlan is also excellent with her unique traversal abilities. C1 improves her damage, while C6 makes her a capable support. Building her focuses on DEF% for damage with some ER for burst uptime. She's proven that new 4-stars can still be valuable.

Lynette

The magician's assistant brings solid Anemo support capabilities as a free character from Fontaine. Her skill provides good crowd control while her burst creates a wind field for continuous swirl. What makes her A tier is her accessibility and respectable performance compared to premium options. She can hold VV set effectively and provides some healing at C1. Her taunt mechanic on skill adds defensive utility for the team. Building her focuses on EM for swirl damage with sufficient ER for burst uptime. She's particularly valuable for players who missed Kazuha or Venti. Free Anemo characters of this quality are rare and valuable.

Pyro Traveler

The protagonist's Pyro form has surprised many with its solid performance. Their skill provides good Pyro application while their burst creates a field of continuous Pyro damage. What makes them A tier is the zero-wish investment required and respectable damage output. They work well in burning teams with Kinich or as a Pyro applicator for reverse melt. The constellation upgrades are free through story progression. Building them is flexible - EM for burning, ATK% for general damage, or support stats. They've proven that Traveler forms can be meta-relevant. Finally, a Traveler element worth building for combat rather than just puzzles.

Dendro Traveler

The protagonist's Dendro form remains one of the best F2P Dendro options available. Their burst provides excellent Dendro application in a large field with good uptime. What keeps them A tier is their accessibility and solid performance in bloom/hyperbloom teams. They generate good particles for Dendro teams and have no real energy issues. The lamp's targeting can be wonky but manageable with positioning. C6 is free through exploration and provides valuable Dendro DMG bonus. Building them focuses on ER and EM with Sapwood Blade for support. They're proof that free characters can enable entire team archetypes effectively.

Ororon

The Electro bow user from Natlan brings interesting mechanics focused on Electro-charged reactions. His skill marks enemies and triggers coordinated attacks when reactions occur. What makes him A tier is his unique niche in taser teams and solid off-field damage. He provides good Electro application for reactions while generating decent particles. His Night Soul mechanic synergizes well with other Natlan characters. C1 improves his reaction damage, while C6 makes him a powerful sub-DPS. Building him can focus on EM for reactions or traditional sub-DPS stats. He's carved out a unique role in Electro-charged focused teams.

Rosaria

The sister from the Church provides more than just Cryo application - she's a crit rate buffer too. Her burst provides consistent Cryo application in a decent AoE while her passive shares crit rate with the team. What keeps her A tier is her versatility - she works in freeze, melt, and physical teams. Her skill provides good repositioning and particle generation. She can even function as a physical DPS with proper investment. C2 extends her burst duration significantly, while C6 adds physical RES shred. Building her is flexible based on role - support or sub-DPS. She's one of the most versatile 4-star characters available.

Venti

The Anemo Archon has fallen from his former glory but remains strong in the right situations. His burst provides the strongest crowd control in the game - when it works. What keeps him A tier is his unmatched performance against light enemies and energy refund utility. Recent Abyss rotations with fewer venti-able enemies have hurt his usage, but he still trivializes appropriate content. His exploration utility remains top-tier with updraft generation. C1 adds personal damage, while C6 reduces Anemo RES. Building him is simple - full EM with sufficient ER. He's still the crowd control king when enemies cooperate.

Yae Miko

The Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine provides consistent Electro application through her fox turrets. Her skill creates up to three turrets that attack independently with good single-target damage. What makes her A tier is her comfort - long-lasting turrets mean less field time needed. She's found new life in aggravate teams where her consistent Electro application shines. Her burst resets turrets while dealing significant damage. C1 improves energy economy significantly, while C2 extends turret range. Building her can focus on EM for aggravate or traditional stats for raw damage. She's proven that turret-based gameplay can be effective at high levels.

Reliable Supports

Charlotte

The journalist from Fontaine provides Cryo healing with her unique camera-based kit. Her skill marks enemies for periodic Cryo damage while her burst provides party-wide healing. What makes her A tier is being a rare Cryo healer that can hold support sets effectively. She works well in freeze teams that want healing without losing Cryo resonance. Her healing scales with ATK%, making her building straightforward. C1 improves her healing significantly, while C6 adds damage based on healing done. She's particularly valuable for players who want comfort in freeze teams. Cryo healers are rare, making her niche valuable.

Ifa

The Anemo catalyst user specializes in Electro-charged reactions with his unique kit. His abilities enhance swirl damage specifically for Electro and Hydro elements. What makes him A tier is carving out a specific niche in taser teams as a dedicated support. He provides VV shred while buffing EC damage significantly. His healing is sufficient for most content, though not as strong as dedicated healers. C1 improves his reaction damage, while C6 makes him a powerful EC enabler. Building him focuses on EM with sufficient ER for consistency. He's proven that reaction-specific supports can find success.

Kujou Sara

The Tengu general provides specialized support for Electro characters with her ATK buffs. Her skill provides a short but powerful ATK boost based on her base ATK. What makes her A tier is her niche with Raiden - she provides Electro particles, ATK buffs, and C6 Electro crit damage. The buff duration is short but manageable with proper rotations. She can also function as a quick-swap burst DPS. C2 makes her much smoother to play, while C6 is one of the best support constellations in the game. Building her focuses on base ATK weapons and ER. She's the dedicated Electro support that makes Raiden hypercarry teams possible.

Layla

The sleepy student provides excellent Cryo shielding with her star-based kit. Her skill creates a shield that generates stars, which fire at enemies providing Cryo application. What makes her A tier is having one of the strongest shields among 4-stars while providing good Cryo application. She works well in freeze teams or as a general shielder for any team. Her shield strength rivals Diona while providing better Cryo application. C1 improves shield generation, while C6 adds significant damage. Building her focuses on HP% for shield strength with some ER. She's perfect for players wanting a strong shield without 5-star investment.

Lan Yan

The Anemo catalyst wielder brings unique shield capabilities to the Anemo element. Her kit provides both shielding and Anemo application, a rare combination. What dropped her to A tier from S is limited team synergy compared to other Anemo options. She works well as a general support providing some crowd control and protection. Her shield scales uniquely, making her building somewhat flexible. C1 improves her support capabilities, while C6 adds team buffs. Building her can focus on support stats with VV set. She fills a unique niche but faces stiff competition from other Anemo supports.

Mona

The astrologist's omen debuff remains one of the highest damage amplifications available. Her burst applies a bubble that amplifies damage when popped - perfect for showcases. What keeps her A tier is her niche use in freeze teams and one-shot compositions. Her Hydro application is decent but not exceptional compared to newer options. The energy generation from her skill is appreciated in Hydro teams. C1 improves reaction damage, while C4 adds crit rate for the team. Building her focuses on ER for burst uptime with support sets. She's fallen from her former glory but remains valuable in specific teams.

Sucrose

The alchemist provides unmatched EM sharing for reaction-focused teams. Her abilities transfer a portion of her EM to teammates, significantly boosting reaction damage. What keeps her A tier is her accessibility as a 4-star and effectiveness in reaction teams. She provides good crowd control and VV shred like other Anemo supports. The driver potential with her normal attacks adds flexibility. C1 adds an extra charge for smoother rotations, while C6 provides elemental damage bonus. Building her is simple - stack EM with VV set. She remains the budget Kazuha with her own unique strengths.

Yaoyao

The young chef provides Dendro healing, a rare combination that enables comfortable Dendro teams. Her skill throws radishes that heal and apply Dendro, while her burst enhances this effect. What makes her A tier is filling the Dendro healer role as an accessible 4-star. She works well in bloom teams where healing is appreciated while maintaining Dendro application. Her exploration passive for finding Liyue specialties is convenient. C1 improves her Dendro application, while C6 adds team buffs. Building her focuses on HP% for healing with some ER. She's particularly valuable for players wanting comfort in Dendro teams.

Yun Jin

The opera performer provides unique normal attack damage buffs based on her DEF. Her burst grants flat damage bonus to normal attacks, perfect for characters like Yoimiya. What makes her A tier is enabling normal attack focused teams that wouldn't work otherwise. She provides the most significant normal attack buffs in the game when built properly. The rainbow team passive encourages diverse team building. C2 extends her buff duration, while C6 adds ATK speed. Building her focuses entirely on DEF% with some ER for burst uptime. She's proven that specialized supports can enable entire playstyles.

B Tier: Good Options

Niche DPS

Freminet

The young diver brings a unique physical/Cryo hybrid playstyle with his claymore attacks. His skill provides Cryo infusion while building stacks for enhanced damage. What places him in B tier is his awkward kit that doesn't fully commit to either physical or Cryo. He can work in shatter teams or as a physical DPS, but other options generally perform better. His animations are satisfying and he has potential with the right supports. C1 improves his damage consistency, while C6 adds significant crit damage. Building him requires choosing between physical or Cryo focus. He's a character that needs more support options to truly shine.

Kaveh

The architect brings a unique Dendro claymore kit focused on bloom reactions. His skill and burst enhance bloom damage while providing some self-healing from cores. What keeps him in B tier is the self-damage from bloom cores and competition from stronger Dendro options. He works best in bloom teams with good healing support to offset core damage. His animations are stylish and his personality shines through his kit. C1 improves his healing, while C6 makes him significantly stronger. Building him focuses on EM for bloom damage with some defensive stats. He's proven that bloom-focused DPS can work, just with caveats.

Klee

The youngest Knight of Favonius brings explosive gameplay with her catalyst attacks. Her kit revolves around bombs and charged attacks with unique mechanics like spark stacks. What keeps her in B tier is her clunky animations, stamina issues, and competition from smoother Pyro options. She can still deal good damage with proper animation canceling and team support. Her range gives some advantage over melee Pyro characters. C1 significantly improves her damage, while C4 adds support capability. Building her is standard DPS with ATK% and crit ratios. She remains fun to play but requires more effort than modern DPS units.

Ningguang

The Tianquan of Liyue serves as the premier 4-star Geo DPS with her jade screen mechanics. Her charged attacks and burst can deal respectable damage with proper investment. What makes her B tier is excellent performance for a 4-star but clear limitations compared to 5-star options. She provides good single-target damage and her jade screen blocks projectiles. C1 makes her attacks AoE, a significant improvement. C6 adds substantial charged attack damage. Building her focuses on ATK% and crit with good catalyst options available. She's perfect for players wanting a Geo DPS without 5-star investment.

Shikanoin Heizou

The detective brings a unique melee catalyst playstyle with martial arts animations. His skill builds stacks for a powerful punch while providing good swirl damage. What makes him B tier is solid performance as a 4-star Anemo DPS with driver potential. He works well in taser teams or as a general Anemo DPS with VV support. His range limitations are offset by satisfying gameplay and good damage. C1 improves his stack generation, while C6 adds significant personal damage. Building him can go full EM for swirl or hybrid for personal damage. He's proven that melee catalysts can work effectively.

Yumemizuki Mizuki

The shrine maiden brings Electro-charged focus with her catalyst attacks and supportive abilities. Her kit enhances EC reactions while providing some team utility. What places her in B tier is being overshadowed by Ifa who does similar things better. She can work in taser teams but generally other options provide more value. Her damage is respectable but not exceptional. C1 improves her reaction damage, while C6 enhances her support capabilities. Building her focuses on EM for reactions with standard support stats. She's a decent option but faces stiff competition in her niche.

Situational Sub DPS

Beidou

The captain of the Crux brings powerful counter mechanics and excellent multi-target damage. Her burst provides chain lightning between enemies with high multipliers. What keeps her in B tier is energy issues and the requirement for multiple enemies to maximize damage. She excels in taser teams where her burst can bounce between targets. The counter mechanic is satisfying when mastered. C2 is her major spike, extending chain bounces significantly. Building her requires high ER to burst consistently alongside crit stats. She's proven that 4-star burst DPS can compete when conditions are right.

Chongyun

The exorcist provides Cryo infusion through his field, enabling unique team compositions. His skill converts melee attacks to Cryo within the field area. What makes him B tier is his niche role that's been somewhat powercrept by newer options. He still enables some melt teams and works with specific characters like Kaeya. His burst provides good burst damage and Cryo application. C2 reduces skill cooldown significantly. Building him can focus on support or burst DPS roles. He remains valuable for specific team compositions despite limited use cases.

Kaeya

The Cavalry Captain provides consistent Cryo application through his burst with good energy generation. His burst follows the active character, providing mobile Cryo application. What keeps him B tier is solid performance for a free character but clear limitations. He works well in freeze teams or as a battery for Cryo DPS characters. His C2 extends burst duration significantly, making him much better. Building him focuses on support stats or can pivot to DPS with investment. He's proof that starter characters can remain relevant with proper investment.

Lisa

The librarian provides DEF shred through her burst, a rare and valuable debuff. Her charged attacks can deal respectable damage with proper setup. What places her in B tier is clunky gameplay and long setup times for optimal damage. She can work as a support for Electro teams or in specific compositions. Her DEF shred is particularly valuable in teams that can snapshot it. C4 improves her burst significantly with extra strikes. Building her can focus on support or burst DPS roles. She's gained some relevance with Dendro reactions but remains niche.

Useful Supports

Diona

The bartender from Springvale provides shields, healing, and Cryo application in one package. Her shield is one of the stronger 4-star options with good uptime. What makes her B tier is solid all-around utility but master of none compared to specialized options. She works well in freeze teams or any team needing defensive support. C1 improves energy generation, while C6 provides EM buffs. Building her focuses entirely on HP% for stronger shields and healing. She's particularly valuable for newer players needing survivability. A comfort pick that's been somewhat powercrept but remains useful.

Gorou

The general of Watatsumi provides unmatched support for DEF-scaling Geo characters. His skill and burst provide DEF buffs, Geo damage bonus, and Geo crit damage at C6. What keeps him in B tier is extreme specialization - useless outside of Itto/Noelle teams. Within his niche, he's absolutely mandatory and incredibly powerful. His own damage is negligible but his buffs are transformative. Building him focuses purely on ER to maintain burst uptime. He's the definition of a specialist support - limited use but exceptional when applicable.

Kirara

The courier cat provides unique shield mechanics with her box form and mobility. Her shield applies on contact and can be maintained while moving. What makes her B tier is decent utility but competition from stronger shielders. She provides good Dendro application for a shielder, making her valuable in some teams. Her exploration utility with box form is excellent for traversal. C1 improves shield uptime, while C6 adds team buffs. Building her focuses on HP% for shield strength. She's particularly fun to play with her unique mechanics.

Mika

The surveyor provides physical damage support through ATK speed buffs and healing. His kit specifically enhances physical DPS characters like Eula. What keeps him in B tier is extreme niche focus with limited applicable teams. Within physical teams, his ATK speed buff is valuable and unique. He provides decent healing as an added benefit. C6 significantly improves his support capabilities with crit damage buffs. Building him focuses on HP% for healing with ER for consistency. He's proven that physical support still has a place, albeit limited.

Sayu

The ninja provides healing and VV shred while rolling around the battlefield. Her skill provides unique mobility while her burst heals and swirls. What makes her B tier is jack-of-all-trades utility without excelling at anything. She's particularly valuable for exploration with her rolling and passive creature benefits. In combat, she provides comfortable healing with some Anemo utility. C1 improves healing significantly, while C6 adds EM buffs. Building her can focus on EM for swirl or ATK% for healing. She's more valuable for quality of life than pure combat effectiveness.

Thoma

The housekeeper from Inazuma provides Pyro shields and application through his burst. His shield stacks with normal attacks, providing consistent protection. What places him in B tier is limited use cases and competition from better options. He's found some niche in burgeon teams where his Pyro application enables reactions. His shield is decent but requires normal attacks to maintain. C1 improves shield strength, while C6 adds team buffs. Building him focuses on HP% for shields with high ER requirements. He's a character that works but generally has better alternatives available.

C Tier: Situational Picks

Razor

The wolf boy was one of the original physical DPS characters but has been heavily powercrept. His kit focuses on physical damage with Electro application for superconduct. What places him in C tier is outdated multipliers and limited team options compared to modern DPS units. He can still clear content with investment but requires significantly more effort than alternatives. His simple gameplay makes him beginner-friendly at least. C1 improves his damage, while C4 adds DEF shred. Building him focuses on physical damage with ATK% and crit stats. He's nostalgic for day-one players but objectively outclassed now.

Xinyan

The rock musician suffers from an identity crisis between physical DPS and Pyro support. Her kit tries to do both but excels at neither, with poor Pyro application and mediocre shield strength. What keeps her in C tier is some niche use with her physical damage buffs and DEF shred at C4. She can function as a burst support in specific teams but generally has better alternatives. Her shield requires hitting multiple enemies to be effective. C2 guarantees crit on burst, while C6 adds charged attack buffs. Building her depends on role - physical DPS or burst support. She desperately needs a rework to find her identity.

Candace

The guardian of Aaru Village provides Hydro infusion for normal attackers, a unique but limited niche. Her skill provides a parry counter while her burst grants Hydro infusion to melee characters. What places her in C tier is extremely limited use cases - very few characters benefit from Hydro infusion. She can work with Ayato for mono-Hydro teams but that's about it. Her damage multipliers are also quite low. C1 improves her support capabilities, while C6 adds some team utility. Building her focuses on HP% for support capabilities. She's a character with interesting concepts but poor execution.

Dehya

The Flame-Mane was one of the most disappointing releases with a kit that doesn't quite work. Her skill provides damage mitigation by redirecting damage to herself, but the implementation is clunky. What keeps her in C tier is some defensive utility and recent improvements with burning teams. She can work as a defensive option but generally Zhongli or other shielders perform better. Her damage is lackluster even with investment. C1 improves her skill uptime, while C2 helps with damage. Building her is awkward - she scales with both ATK and HP. She's awaiting buffs or new supports to become relevant.

Dori

The merchant provides energy generation and healing with her Electro kit. Her burst connects a tether that heals and generates energy for the connected character. What places her in C tier is clunky mechanics and better alternatives for both healing and energy. She requires staying close to enemies with the tether, which is awkward. Her healing is decent but nothing special compared to other options. C1 improves energy generation, while C6 adds Electro infusion. Building her focuses on HP% for healing with ER substats. She's usable but generally outclassed in all her roles.

Electro Traveler

The protagonist's Electro form provides energy battery capabilities with their skill and burst. Their skill generates particles while burst provides energy regeneration to the team. What keeps them in C tier is being outclassed by better battery options like Raiden or Fischl. They can work in teams needing energy but generally aren't optimal. The free constellations through story are nice at least. Building them focuses on ER with support stats. They were decent on release but have been powercrept significantly. Only worth building if you lack better Electro options.

Qiqi

The zombie child provides excellent healing but little else, which limits her utility severely. Her skill marks enemies for healing on attack while burst provides massive healing. What places her in C tier is pure healing in a game where healing alone isn't valuable enough. Furina has made pure healers slightly better, but Qiqi still lacks utility compared to healers with other benefits. She can enable some Furina teams at least. C1 improves energy generation, while C6 can revive fallen teammates. Building her focuses on ATK% for healing with some ER. She's the definition of comfortable but inefficient.

Sigewinne

The Melusine nurse provides healing and modest buffs based on teammates' HP values. Her skill creates healing bubbles while her burst deals damage and heals. What keeps her in C tier is underwhelming performance for a limited 5-star character. Her buffs are minor and her healing, while adequate, doesn't justify her slot over alternatives. She can work in some Furina teams but generally Bennett or other healers perform better. C1 improves her energy generation, while C6 enhances her buffing potential. Building her focuses on HP% with support stats. She's cute but mechanically disappointing.

Dahlia

The new 4-star Hydro support unfortunately lands in C tier due to poor kit design. She provides shields and ATK speed buffs, which sounds good but executes poorly. What makes her C tier is being outclassed by existing options in every role - Diona has better shields, Mika better ATK speed buffs, and neither are top tier themselves. Her Hydro application is also mediocre compared to Xingqiu or Yelan. She might work as a budget option for Skirk teams but even there alternatives perform better. C1 improves her shield strength, while C6 enhances ATK speed buffs. Building her focuses on HP% for shields. She's this version's disappointment character.

D Tier: Rarely Used

Aloy

The collaboration character from Horizon Zero Dawn suffers from a kit that feels unfinished. Her Cryo infusion is extremely clunky, requiring marked enemies to be killed for activation. What places her in D tier is poor multipliers, awkward mechanics, and no constellation upgrades. She was clearly designed as a promotional character rather than a competitive unit. Her skill has long cooldown and her burst, while pretty, lacks impact. Building her as Cryo DPS is possible but why bother when better options exist. She's essentially a collector's item rather than a practical character. Even her passive for fowl hunting is mediocre.

Amber

Our beloved starter Pyro archer struggles with the lowest multipliers in the game. Her kit focuses on Baron Bunny taunts and charged shots, both of which are outclassed severely. What keeps her in D tier is pure favoritism - objectively she's the weakest character in the game. She has some niche use for Pyro application in specific puzzles or challenges. Her burst has decent Pyro application but that's about it. C1 adds a second arrow, while C6 buffs the team's movement and ATK. Building her requires heavy investment for mediocre returns. She's kept alive by dedicated mains who prove anyone can work with enough investment.

Anemo Traveler

The protagonist's starting element shows its age with an outdated kit. Their skill provides minor crowd control while burst creates a tornado that's difficult to control. What places them in D tier is being completely outclassed by every other Anemo option. The tornado often moves away from enemies, making it frustrating to use. Even as a free option, Lynette provides better value. C6 reduces Anemo RES but requires playing through Mondstadt's story. Building them isn't recommended unless you're committed to Traveler-only gameplay. They're nostalgic but that's about it.

Geo Traveler

The protagonist's Geo form provides constructs and minor support capabilities. Their skill creates rocks that can block movement while burst provides crit rate buffs. What keeps them in D tier is clunky construct placement that often hinders more than helps. The constructs can block your own movement and attacks, creating frustration. They have some niche use in Geo construct teams but Chiori does everything better. C1 improves crit rate buff range. Building them focuses on support stats if you must use them. They're marginally better than other Traveler forms but that's not saying much.

Hydro Traveler

The protagonist's Fontaine form provides HP-scaling abilities with some Pneuma/Ousia mechanics. Their kit attempts to provide Hydro application and minor healing. What places them in D tier is extremely poor Hydro application and lackluster multipliers. They're arguably the worst Hydro character in the game, which is impressive given the element's strength. Even as a free option, Barbara provides better value. Building them isn't recommended as resources are better spent elsewhere. They exist primarily for Fontaine puzzles rather than combat. A missed opportunity to make Traveler relevant again.

Building Your Perfect Team

Understanding these rankings helps, but team synergy matters more than individual power. Here are some top meta teams using S+ tier characters:

• Skirk Freeze: Skirk + Escoffier + Furina + Kazuha
• Mavuika Vape: Mavuika + Xingqiu + Bennett + Xilonen
• Alhaitham Quicken: Alhaitham + Nahida + Kuki + Zhongli
• Hu Tao Double Hydro: Hu Tao + Xingqiu + Yelan + Zhongli

Investment Priority

If you're wondering who to build first, I recommend:

1. One strong Main DPS (Mavuika, Skirk, or any S+ tier DPS)
2. Bennett (universally useful)
3. One Anemo support (Kazuha > Sucrose > others)
4. Hydro enabler (Xingqiu or Yelan)
5. Defensive option (Zhongli or kokomi)

FAQs

Who is the strongest character in Genshin Impact 5.7?

Mavuika currently holds the crown as the strongest DPS character, with Skirk (when paired with Escoffier) coming in second. For supports, Bennett and Furina remain unmatched in their utility.

Is Skirk worth pulling without Escoffier?

While Skirk performs significantly better with Escoffier, she's still a solid S-tier DPS without her. If you love Cryo characters or need a freeze team DPS, she's worth considering. However, if you're purely chasing meta, wait to see if you can get both.

How good is Dahlia in version 5.7?

Unfortunately, Dahlia lands in C-tier as one of the weaker releases we've seen. Her kit offers shields and ATK speed buffs, but existing 4-star supports like Diona, Bennett, or even Barbara provide better utility. She's usable but not recommended for primogem investment.

Should F2P players follow tier lists?

Tier lists are guidelines, not rules! F2P players should focus on building versatile supports like Bennett, Xingqiu, and Sucrose first, as they enable many team compositions. Pick one or two DPS characters you enjoy playing and invest in them fully.

Which 4-star characters are still meta in 5.7?

Several 4-stars remain incredibly strong: Bennett (S+), Xingqiu (S+), Xiangling (S+), Fischl (S), Sucrose (A), and Rosaria (A) all provide excellent value and can compete with 5-star units in their roles.

Do tier lists consider constellations?

Most tier lists, including mine, rate characters at C0 for fairness. Some characters like Bennett (C1) and Xingqiu (C2) gain significant power spikes from constellations, while others like Skirk are complete at C0.

Is the tier list different for Spiral Abyss vs overworld?

Yes! This tier list focuses on end-game content like Spiral Abyss. For overworld exploration, characters like Sayu, Yelan, and Wanderer become much more valuable due to their movement abilities. Zhongli also becomes godlike for casual play.

Who are the top 5 DPS characters in Genshin Impact?

Based on Version 5.7 meta, the top 5 DPS characters are:

1. Mavuika - Highest damage ceiling
2. Skirk (with Escoffier) - Cryo freeze specialist
3. Hu Tao - Single-target burst damage
4. Alhaitham - Dendro reaction king
5. Mualani/Chasca - Tied for versatile elemental damage

What characters should beginners prioritize?

New players should focus on:

1. Bennett - Healing and ATK buffs
2. Xingqiu - Hydro application and damage reduction
3. Sucrose - Crowd control and EM buffs
4. Fischl - Consistent Electro application
5. A strong Main DPS - Choose one you enjoy playing

These characters remain useful throughout the entire game.

Are there any must-have characters in Genshin Impact?

While no character is truly "mandatory," these are considered universally valuable:

• Bennett - Fits in 90% of teams
• Kazuha or Sucrose - Anemo support is crucial
• Zhongli - Makes content significantly easier
• Furina - Universal buffer for any team
• Nahida - Essential for Dendro teams

How often do tier lists change?

Tier lists typically shift with each major update (every 6 weeks). Major changes occur when:

• New characters are released
• Character buffs/nerfs happen (rare)
• New artifact sets are introduced
• Abyss mechanics change
• New reactions or mechanics are added

Which characters have fallen off the meta?

Several once-dominant characters have dropped tiers:

• Venti - Heavier enemies resist his CC
• Diluc - Powercrept by newer Pyro DPS
• Klee - Clunky animations hurt her performance
• Qiqi - Pure healers less valuable (except with Furina)
• Mona - Specialized use cases only

What makes a character S+ tier?

S+ tier characters typically have:

• Exceptional damage output or support capability
• Versatility across multiple team compositions
• Ease of use and consistent performance
• Strong synergy with other meta characters
• Future-proof kits that remain relevant

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Remember, while tier lists help optimize your account, the most important factor is enjoying the characters you play. Every character in Genshin Impact can clear all content with proper investment and team support. Choose your favorites and have fun exploring Teyvat!

Last updated: July 2025 for Version 5.7