Wuthering Waves (WuWa) Tier List (July 2025) BEST Characters
I've been grinding Tower of Adversity since launch, and trust me when I say that knowing which Resonators to invest in can make or break your endgame experience. Whether you're a F2P player wondering if that new 4-star is worth building or a whale looking to optimize your teams, I've got you covered with the most comprehensive tier list for Wuthering Waves in 2025.
This tier list focuses on Tower of Adversity (ToA) performance – the true test of character strength in Wuthering Waves. Remember, this is a skill-based game where team synergy matters more than individual power levels. Even lower-tier characters can shine with the right setup and player skill!
Table of Contents
Quick Wuthering Waves (WuWa) Tier List Overview (July 2025)
Here's my complete ranking of all 36+ playable Resonators in Wuthering Waves as of Version 2.4:
| Character | Element | Weapon | Role | Overall Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camellya | Havoc | Sword | Main DPS | SS |
| Jiyan | Aero | Broadblade | Main DPS | SS |
| Carlotta | Glacio | Pistol | Main DPS | SS |
| Jinhsi | Spectro | Broadblade | Main DPS | S |
| Changli | Fusion | Sword | Main DPS | S |
| Xiangli Yao | Electro | Gauntlets | Main DPS | S |
| Cartethyia | Glacio | Rectifier | Main DPS | S |
| Encore | Fusion | Rectifier | Main DPS | S |
| Calcharo | Electro | Broadblade | Main DPS | A |
| Lingyang | Glacio | Gauntlets | Main DPS | B |
| Rover (Havoc) | Havoc | Sword | Main DPS | A |
| Yinlin | Electro | Rectifier | Sub-DPS | SS |
| Mortefi | Fusion | Pistol | Sub-DPS | S |
| Zhezhi | Glacio | Rectifier | Sub-DPS | S |
| Sanhua | Glacio | Sword | Sub-DPS | S |
| Brant | Fusion | Broadblade | Sub-DPS/Support | S |
| Ciaccona | Spectro | Sword | Sub-DPS | SS |
| Danjin | Havoc | Sword | Sub-DPS | A |
| Aalto | Aero | Pistol | Sub-DPS | B |
| Chixia | Fusion | Pistol | Sub-DPS | B |
| Yangyang | Aero | Sword | Sub-DPS | C |
| Verina | Spectro | Rectifier | Support | SS |
| The Shorekeeper | Spectro | Rectifier | Support | SS |
| Baizhi | Glacio | Rectifier | Support | A |
| Jianxin | Aero | Gauntlets | Support | B |
| Youhu | Glacio | Gauntlets | Support | A |
| Rover (Spectro) | Spectro | Sword | Support | A |
| Rover (Aero) | Aero | Sword | Support | S |
| Taoqi | Havoc | Broadblade | Support | B |
| Yuanwu | Electro | Gauntlets | Support | C |
| Roccia | Havoc | Gauntlets | Main DPS | A |
| Phoebe | Spectro | Pistol | Main DPS | S |
| Lumi | Spectro | Gauntlets | Support | B |
| Zani | Fusion | Rectifier | Sub-DPS | B |
| Lupa | Fusion | Broadblade | Support | TBD |
Note: Characters are evaluated at S0 (5-stars) and S2 (4-stars), except Rover variants
Understanding the Tier System
What Each Tier Really Means
I've ranked characters based on their overall performance, ease of use, and team flexibility. Here's what each tier represents:
- SS Tier: Meta-defining powerhouses. These characters excel in virtually all content and fit into multiple team compositions. They're worth pulling and heavily investing in.
- S Tier: Top-tier performers with minor limitations. They might need specific team setups or have slightly higher skill requirements but deliver exceptional results.
- A Tier: Solid, reliable choices. These characters perform well in most situations but may struggle in specific scenarios or require more investment to shine.
- B Tier: Situational picks. They can work well in niche teams or specific content but generally get outclassed by higher-tier options.
- C Tier: Limited viability. These characters require significant investment and specific team compositions to be competitive.
- D Tier: Currently underperforming. Avoid investing heavily unless you really love the character.
My Rating Criteria
- Tower of Adversity Performance - How well they handle the hardest endgame content
- Damage Output & Utility - Raw numbers plus team contribution
- Team Synergy Potential - Flexibility in team compositions
- Ease of Use - Skill floor and ceiling considerations
- F2P Friendliness - Performance without signature weapons or high resonance chains
Main DPS Tier Rankings
SS Tier Main DPS - The Absolute Best
Camellya sits at the pinnacle of Havoc DPS. Her complex kit rewards skilled players with devastating multi-hit combos that clear both single targets and groups. Pair her with Sanhua and Shorekeeper for maximum destruction.
Jiyan remains the AoE king. His broadblade attacks cover massive areas, making him invaluable for floors with multiple enemies. The recent buffs have solidified his position as a must-have for any serious player.
Carlotta brings unprecedented Glacio damage with her Moldable Crystals mechanic. She's particularly effective in single-target scenarios and synergizes perfectly with the new Ciaccona support.
S Tier Main DPS - Exceptional Choices
Jinhsi offers versatile Spectro damage with enhanced basic and resonance attacks. She excels with coordinated attack supports like Mortefi and Yinlin.
Changli provides consistent Fusion damage through her Enflamement mechanic. While she needs specific team setups, her damage ceiling is incredibly high.
Xiangli Yao brings unique time-manipulation mechanics that boost both damage and survivability. His Liberation state with Hypercubes creates massive damage windows.
Sub-DPS Tier Rankings
Top Sub-DPS Characters
Yinlin reigns supreme as the Electro sub-DPS queen. Her coordinated attacks and team buffs make her invaluable in almost any team composition.
Ciaccona has quickly become essential for Glacio teams, especially when paired with Cartethyia. Her damage amplification is unmatched.
Mortefi provides exceptional off-field Fusion damage and works with virtually any Main DPS. His ease of use makes him perfect for newer players.
Zhezhi offers steady coordinated attacks even while off-field, plus valuable Glacio and Resonance Skill damage buffs.
Support Tier Rankings
Essential Supports
Verina and The Shorekeeper dominate the support role. Verina's universal ATK buffs and healing make her fit into any team, while Shorekeeper provides crit buffs specifically tailored for endgame content.
Rover (Aero) deserves special mention as an excellent F2P support option, especially for newer Glacio teams with Cartethyia.
2025 Meta Analysis
Current Meta Trends
The 2025 meta heavily favors:
- Elemental reaction teams over mono-element setups
- Swap canceling for maximizing DPS windows
- Hybrid DPS compositions with characters like Brant enabling dual-carry strategies
Best Team Compositions
Meta Team 1: Havoc Domination
- Camellya (Main DPS) + Sanhua (Sub-DPS) + Shorekeeper (Support)
Meta Team 2: Fusion Burst
- Changli (Main DPS) + Mortefi (Sub-DPS) + Verina (Support)
Meta Team 3: F2P Friendly
- Rover (Havoc) + Danjin + Baizhi
F2P vs Whale Considerations
I've tested extensively on both F2P and whale accounts. The good news? Many 4-star characters at S2+ can compete with S0 5-stars. Sanhua, Mortefi, and Danjin are prime examples of 4-stars punching above their weight class.
Character Investment Priority
Must-Have Characters for 2025
- Verina - If you don't have her, save for her next rate-up
- One top-tier Main DPS - Camellya, Jiyan, or Jinhsi
- Mortefi or Yinlin - Universal sub-DPS options
Reroll Recommendations
If you're just starting:
- Target: Verina + any SS/S tier Main DPS
- Acceptable: Any two S-tier characters
- Avoid: Starting without at least one strong DPS or Verina
4-Star Hidden Gems
Don't sleep on these 4-stars:
- Sanhua: S-tier performance at S2+
- Mortefi: Works in 80% of team comps
- Danjin: High risk, high reward gameplay
Advanced Tips and Strategies
Swap Canceling Basics
I can't stress enough how important swap canceling is for maximizing damage. The easiest ones to learn:
- Encore's Cosmos Rupture cancel
- Camellya's mid-combo swaps
- Basic attack into Liberation cancels
Echo Set Priorities
For Main DPS:
- Lingering Tunes (4-piece) for most characters
- Molten Rift (4-piece) for Fusion DPS
- Void Thunder (4-piece) for Electro DPS
Weapon Recommendations
Most characters perform well with 4-star options:
- Commando of Conviction - Universal stat stick
- Lustrous Razor - Excellent for energy-hungry DPS
- Check out WutheringWaves.gg for detailed weapon guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is the best DPS in Wuthering Waves right now?
A: As of 2025, Camellya holds the crown for single-target damage, while Jiyan dominates AoE scenarios. Both are SS-tier and worth pulling.
Q: Is Wuthering Waves F2P friendly?
A: Absolutely! With smart resource management and focusing on key 4-stars like Sanhua and Mortefi, F2P players can clear all content including Tower of Adversity.
Q: Should I reroll in Wuthering Waves?
A: Only if you're patient. Aim for Verina + a strong DPS, but the game gives enough resources that rerolling isn't mandatory.
Q: Which 4-star characters are worth building to S6?
A: Sanhua, Mortefi, Danjin, and Baizhi are all excellent investments that remain viable in endgame content.
Q: What's the best team composition for beginners?
A: Rover (Havoc) + Sanhua + Baizhi is completely free and can carry you through most content while you build your roster.
Q: How often is this tier list updated?
A: I update rankings with each major patch and whenever significant meta shifts occur. Bookmark this page for the latest rankings!
Q: Is Lingyang really that bad?
A: He's not unusable, but his kit requires perfect execution for mediocre results. Only invest if you love his playstyle.
Q: What's the difference between Main DPS, Sub-DPS, and Support?
A: Main DPS deals damage on-field, Sub-DPS provides off-field damage and buffs, while Supports focus on healing, shielding, and team-wide buffs.
Final Thoughts
Remember, tier lists are guidelines, not gospel. I've seen skilled players dominate with B-tier characters through superior game knowledge and execution. That said, if you're looking to optimize your account and clear content efficiently, focusing on higher-tier characters will make your life much easier.
The beauty of Wuthering Waves lies in its skill-based combat system. Even the best characters need proper rotations, timing, and team synergy to reach their potential. Keep practicing those swap cancels, experiment with different team compositions, and most importantly – have fun!
For more detailed guides and the latest updates, check out the official Wuthering Waves website and consider using WuWa Tracker to monitor your pity counts.
What's your favorite team composition? Drop a comment below and let me know which characters surprised you in 2025!