Genshin Impact Tier List (August 2026) Version 6.4 Luna V

Welcome to the most comprehensive Genshin Impact tier list for Version 6.4 Luna V, updated for April 2026. Whether you are a new Traveler just starting your journey through Teyvat or a seasoned veteran pushing for Floor 12 of Spiral Abyss, this guide will help you understand which characters offer the best value for your precious Primogems.

The meta has evolved dramatically since the last major update. With the introduction of characters like Ineffa, Flins, and Columbina, team compositions have shifted toward fast-paced quickswap rotations that emphasize off-field damage and elemental reaction consistency. Understanding these changes is essential for building teams that can handle the most challenging content HoYoverse throws at us.

This tier list evaluates every character based on their performance at C0 (constellation zero) since most players are free-to-play or low-spenders. I have spent hundreds of hours testing these characters across Spiral Abyss rotations, domain clears, boss fights, and open-world exploration to give you rankings that reflect real gameplay scenarios.

How to Use This Tier List

Before we rank the characters, let me explain the criteria behind these placements. Each character receives a tier rating based on multiple factors that matter for endgame success.

Universality determines how many team compositions a character fits into. A character who only works in one specific team ranks lower than one who enables multiple team archetypes.

Futureproofness measures whether a character will remain relevant as new content releases. Characters with unique mechanics that cannot be replaced tend to hold their value longer.

Pull value represents the return on investment for your Primogems. High-tier characters deliver consistent results without requiring perfect artifacts or signature weapons.

Team synergy evaluates how well a character enables other party members. Some characters boost team damage more than their personal numbers suggest.

Ease of use matters for newer players. Complex characters with high execution requirements may rank slightly lower even if their theoretical damage ceiling is high.

SS Tier: Absolute Meta-Defining Units

These characters stand above all others. They define entire team archetypes and remain irreplaceable even as new characters release. Every account benefits from having these units.

Nahida (Dendro Catalyst) – C0 Rating: SS

Nahida continues to dominate as the premier Dendro support in Version 6.4. Her Elemental Skill applies Dendro to multiple enemies simultaneously while marking them for coordinated attacks. This makes her the cornerstone of every Dendro reaction team including Bloom, Hyperbloom, Burgeon, Aggravate, and Spread compositions.

Best Build:

• Weapon: A Thousand Floating Dreams (signature) or Sacrificial Fragments (F2P)
• Artifacts: Deepwood Memories (4-piece) or Gilded Dreams (4-piece)
• Main Stats: EM sands, EM goblet, EM/CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Elemental Mastery > CRIT Rate/DMG > Energy Recharge

Nahida scales almost exclusively with Elemental Mastery, making her one of the easiest characters to build. Her C0 performance already outclasses most other Dendro units even at higher constellations. The Tri-Karma purification from her Skill triggers consistently and generates Dendro cores for reaction teams.

Kazuha (Anemo Sword) – C0 Rating: SS

Kazuha remains the undisputed king of Anemo supports. His Elemental Skill provides crowd control while his Burst creates a persistent field that absorbs an element and deals continuous damage. Most importantly, his A4 passive grants an Elemental DMG bonus to the party based on his Elemental Mastery.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Freedom-Sworn (signature) or Iron Sting (F2P craftable)
• Artifacts: Viridescent Venerer (4-piece) – mandatory set
• Main Stats: EM sands, EM goblet, EM circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Elemental Mastery > Energy Recharge > CRIT

No other character combines crowd control, elemental resistance shred, and team damage buffs as effectively as Kazuha. His value increases with every new elemental DPS character released since he amplifies their damage significantly. Every serious player should prioritize obtaining him.

Neuvillette (Hydro Catalyst) – C0 Rating: SS

Neuvillette revolutionized the Hydro DPS role upon his release. His charged attack deals massive line-AOE Hydro damage while he moves freely. This unique mechanic allows him to maintain damage uptime while repositioning, something no other catalyst user achieves effectively.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Tome of the Eternal Flow (signature) or Prototype Amber (F2P)
• Artifacts: Marechaussee Hunter (4-piece)
• Main Stats: HP% sands, Hydro DMG goblet, CRIT DMG circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT DMG > HP% > Energy Recharge

Neuvillette self-heals during his charged attacks and converts HP into damage, making him incredibly self-sufficient. His damage ceiling is among the highest in the game, and he requires minimal field time to deal devastating damage. This combination of safety and power places him firmly in SS tier.

Furina (Hydro Sword) – C0 Rating: SS

Furina transformed team building in Genshin Impact with her unique HP manipulation mechanics. Her Elemental Skill summons the Salon Members who deal off-field Hydro damage while draining the party’s HP. This mechanic synergizes perfectly with characters who benefit from low HP thresholds or HP fluctuations.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Splendor of Tranquil Waters (signature) or Favonius Sword (F2P)
• Artifacts: Golden Troupe (4-piece) or Tenacity of the Millelith (4-piece)
• Main Stats: HP% sands, HP% goblet, CRIT/Healing Bonus circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Energy Recharge > HP% > CRIT

At C0, Furina already provides team-wide damage buffs based on Fanfare points generated from HP changes. She enables hypercarry compositions and Fontaine-era teams that revolve around HP scaling. Her versatility as both a sub-DPS and buffer makes her invaluable for endgame content.

S+ Tier: Meta-Defining Characters

These characters define the current meta and enable powerful team compositions. While not quite as universal as SS tier units, they excel in their intended roles and remain top-tier investments for Primogems.

Raiden Shogun (Electro Polearm) – C0 Rating: S+

The Raiden Shogun continues to reign as the ultimate battery and sub-DPS hybrid. Her Elemental Burst provides massive burst damage while regenerating energy for the entire party. This combination solves energy issues for demanding teams while dealing significant personal damage.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Engulfing Lightning (signature) or The Catch (F2P)
• Artifacts: Emblem of Severed Fate (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ER% sands, Electro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Energy Recharge > CRIT > ATK%

Raiden dominates in National Team variants and Hypercarry compositions. Her C2 constellation provides a massive power spike that makes her one of the best single-target DPS units, but even at C0 she remains invaluable for energy management and burst damage windows.

Yelan (Hydro Bow) – C0 Rating: S+

Yelan delivers consistent off-field Hydro application with damage scaling from HP rather than ATK. Her Elemental Burst launches coordinated attacks similar to Xingqiu’s but with higher damage multipliers and additional HP-based scaling mechanics.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Aqua Simulacra (signature) or Favonius Warbow (F2P)
• Artifacts: Emblem of Severed Fate (4-piece)
• Main Stats: HP% sands, Hydro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: HP% > CRIT > Energy Recharge

Yelan’s Breakthrough mechanic provides bonus damage on her charged shots when out of combat, making her excellent for exploration and overworld content. In Spiral Abyss, she enables Vaporize and Bloom reactions with superior uptime compared to most Hydro applicators.

Zhongli (Geo Polearm) – C0 Rating: S+

Zhongli provides the strongest shields in Genshin Impact with his Elemental Skill. His shield reduces all elemental and physical resistance of nearby enemies while being nearly unbreakable with proper investment. This makes him the premier defensive support for glass cannon DPS characters.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Staff of Homa (signature) or Black Tassel (F2P)
• Artifacts: Tenacity of the Millelith (4-piece)
• Main Stats: HP% sands, HP% goblet, HP% circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: HP% > Energy Recharge > CRIT

Beyond shielding, Zhongli’s Elemental Burst provides reliable crowd control with its petrification effect. While newer content sometimes features enemies that ignore shields, Zhongli remains essential for comfortable clears of difficult content. His universal resistance shred benefits every team composition.

Ineffa (Electro Catalyst) – C0 Rating: S+

Ineffa arrived in Version 6.2 as a game-changing Electro sub-DPS who scales with both Elemental Mastery and Energy Recharge. Her unique mechanic allows her to store excess energy and release it as bonus damage during her Burst, making her an exceptional battery for energy-hungry teams.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Solar Pearl or Wandering Evenstar
• Artifacts: Gilded Dreams (4-piece) or Thundering Fury (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ER% sands, Electro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Energy Recharge > Elemental Mastery > CRIT

Ineffa enables Quicken and Aggravate teams with remarkable efficiency. Her off-field Electro application rivals Fischl but with significantly higher damage output and team utility. She has quickly become a staple in Spiral Abyss clears for players who pulled her.

Flins (Electro Claymore) – C0 Rating: S+

Flins brings explosive Electro damage with claymore attacks that feel satisfying to execute. His Elemental Skill imbues his normal attacks with Electro while granting him increased interruption resistance. This allows him to face-tank enemy attacks while dealing consistent damage.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Beacon of the Reed Sea or Serpent Spine (Battle Pass)
• Artifacts: Thundering Fury (4-piece) or Gladiator’s Finale (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Electro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Energy Recharge

His Burst delivers a devastating AOE strike that scales with both ATK and the number of Electro reactions triggered during his Skill duration. This encourages an aggressive playstyle where you weave reactions to maximize his explosion damage. Flins excels as a main DPS in Aggravate and Hypercarry teams.

Lauma (Dendro Polearm) – C0 Rating: S+

Lauma introduces a new mechanic called Photosynthesis where she accumulates Dendro energy during combat and releases it as healing and bonus Dendro application. This makes her the first Dendro character who functions as both a healer and an enabler for Dendro reactions.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Staff of the Scarlet Sands or Dragon’s Bane
• Artifacts: Deepwood Memories (4-piece) or Ocean-Hued Clam (4-piece)
• Main Stats: EM sands, Dendro DMG goblet, Healing Bonus circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Elemental Mastery > Energy Recharge > HP%

Lauma fills a unique niche as the only Dendro healer who can also serve as the primary Dendro applicator. This frees up team slots since you no longer need a separate Dendro unit and healer. She shines in Bloom and Burgeon teams where self-damage from Dendro cores benefits from her sustained healing.

Durin (Pyro Sword) – C0 Rating: S+

Durin wields Pyro with an aggressive combo-focused playstyle. His Elemental Skill enhances his sword strikes with Pyro damage while increasing his attack speed. This allows for rapid application of Pyro for Vaporize, Melt, and Overload reactions.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Primordial Jade Cutter or The Alley Flash
• Artifacts: Crimson Witch of Flames (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Pyro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Elemental Mastery

His Burst unleashes a flurry of Pyro slashes that deal massive damage to single targets. Durin functions as both a main DPS and a quickswap sub-DPS depending on your team needs. His flexibility makes him valuable for players who want a Pyro character that adapts to different compositions.

Columbina (Hydro Bow) – C0 Rating: S+

Columbina brings elegant Hydro application with bow attacks that feel smooth and responsive. Her charged shots apply a unique Hydro mark that increases the damage of the next Hydro reaction triggered on that enemy. This synergizes perfectly with Bloom and Vaporize teams.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Polar Star or The Stringless
• Artifacts: Heart of Depth (4-piece) or Nymph’s Dream (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Hydro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Energy Recharge

Her Elemental Burst creates a rain field that follows the active character, providing off-field Hydro application without requiring her to stay on the field. This makes her one of the best Hydro supports for DPS characters who need to move around frequently. Columbina has become a favorite for Nilou Bloom teams.

Zibai (Geo Sword) – C0 Rating: S+

Zibai elevates Geo teams with a focus on crystallize reactions and shield generation. His Elemental Skill creates Geo constructs that pulse periodically, generating elemental shards and dealing Geo damage. This provides both protection and consistent damage output.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Summit Shaper or Blackcliff Longsword
• Artifacts: Archaic Petra (4-piece) or Golden Troupe (4-piece)
• Main Stats: DEF% sands, Geo DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: DEF% > CRIT > ATK%

His Burst petrifies enemies in a large AOE while granting the party a shield that scales with his DEF. Zibai enables mono-Geo teams to compete with reaction-based teams by providing both damage buffs and defensive utility. He works exceptionally well with Albedo and Arataki Itto.

S Tier: Top-Tier Characters

S Tier characters represent excellent investments that perform strongly in their intended roles. While they may not define the meta like SS or S+ units, they deliver consistent results and fit into multiple team compositions.

Ayaka (Cryo Sword) – C0 Rating: S

Ayaka remains one of the premier Cryo DPS characters with her powerful charged attacks and Elemental Burst. Her alternate sprint allows her to move quickly while infusing her sword with Cryo, making her gameplay fluid and satisfying.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Mistsplitter Reforged (signature) or Amenoma Kageuchi (F2P)
• Artifacts: Blizzard Strayer (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Cryo DMG goblet, CRIT DMG circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT DMG > ATK% > Energy Recharge

Ayaka dominates in Freeze teams where Blizzard Strayer provides massive CRIT Rate bonuses. Her Burst deals incredible damage when it connects properly, though it requires proper positioning and crowd control to maximize its hits. She remains the queen of Freeze compositions in Spiral Abyss.

Alhaitham (Dendro Sword) – C0 Rating: S

Alhaitham serves as a powerful Dendro main DPS who excels in Spread and quickswap teams. His Chisel-Light Mirror mechanic allows him to deal consistent Dendro damage both on-field and during swap windows.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Light of Foliar Incision (signature) or Iron Sting (F2P)
• Artifacts: Deepwood Memories (4-piece) or Gilded Dreams (4-piece)
• Main Stats: EM/ATK% sands, Dendro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > Elemental Mastery > ATK%

His damage ceiling is impressive when paired with Electro supports for Spread reactions. Alhaitham rewards players who understand his mirror mechanics and can maintain optimal uptime on his Dendro infusion. He provides an alternative to Nahida as a Dendro DPS rather than pure support.

Bennett (Pyro Sword) – C0 Rating: S

Bennett continues to be the best 4-star support in Genshin Impact. His Elemental Burst provides massive ATK buffs and healing to characters standing within its field. This combination makes him essential for many team compositions despite being a 4-star character.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Skyward Blade or Favonius Sword (F2P)
• Artifacts: Noblesse Oblige (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ER% sands, HP% goblet, Healing Bonus circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Energy Recharge > HP% > CRIT

At C1, Bennett’s ATK buff removes the HP restriction, making him even more reliable. His C5 increases his Burst talent level which further improves the ATK bonus. Bennett is a priority target for Starglitter purchases and banner wishes due to his universal utility.

Xiangling (Pyro Polearm) – C0 Rating: S

Xiangling delivers off-field Pyro damage through her Pyronado that persists even when she is not active. Despite being a 4-star, her damage output rivals many 5-star characters when properly invested.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Staff of Homa or The Catch (F2P)
• Artifacts: Emblem of Severed Fate (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ER% sands, Pyro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Energy Recharge > CRIT > ATK%

She requires significant Energy Recharge to maintain Burst uptime, which is her main limitation. However, with Bennett providing energy particles and ATK buffs, Xiangling becomes one of the highest damage dealers in National Team compositions. Her C4 extends Pyronado duration, which is a crucial constellation.

Xilonen (Geo Sword) – C0 Rating: S

Xilonen arrived as a 5-star Geo support who buffs party damage through DEF scaling and resistance shred. Her Elemental Skill provides off-field Geo damage while her Burst creates a shield that enhances party DEF.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Peak Patrol Song or Favonius Sword
• Artifacts: Husk of Opulent Dreams (4-piece)
• Main Stats: DEF% sands, DEF% goblet, CRIT/DEF% circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: DEF% > CRIT > Energy Recharge

Xilonen enables mono-Geo teams by providing the DEF buffs and Geo resonance synergy that Geo DPS characters crave. She works exceptionally well with Arataki Itto and Albedo, forming the core of powerful triple-Geo compositions.

Hu Tao (Pyro Polearm) – C0 Rating: S

Hu Tao deals devastating single-target Pyro damage by consuming her HP to power up her charged attacks. Her Elemental Skill puts her into a state where her normal attacks deal Pyro damage and scale with her max HP.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Staff of Homa (signature) or Dragon’s Bane (4-star)
• Artifacts: Crimson Witch of Flames (4-piece) or Shimenawa’s Reminiscence (4-piece)
• Main Stats: HP% sands, Pyro DMG goblet, CRIT DMG circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > HP% > Elemental Mastery

Her C1 removes the stamina cost from her charged attacks during her Skill state, which dramatically improves her damage output and quality of life. Hu Tao demands a shielder like Zhongli to prevent her from killing herself with HP drain, but her damage ceiling justifies the team slot investment.

A Tier: Strong Characters

A Tier characters perform well in specific team compositions or require higher investment to reach their potential. They are solid choices that can clear all content but may not be optimal for speedrunning or min-maxing.

Ganyu (Cryo Bow) – C0 Rating: A

Ganyu delivers powerful charged shot damage with unique AOE mechanics. Her Level 2 charged shots bloom into multiple ice shards that hit a wide area, making her effective against groups of enemies.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Amos’ Bow (signature) or Prototype Crescent (F2P)
• Artifacts: Blizzard Strayer (4-piece) or Wanderer’s Troupe (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Cryo DMG goblet, CRIT DMG circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT DMG > ATK% > Energy Recharge

Her playstyle requires aiming charged shots which some players find difficult, especially on mobile. Ganyu works best in Melt or Freeze teams where her Cryo application enables powerful reactions. Her Elemental Burst provides consistent off-field Cryo damage that pairs well with Hydro supports.

Skirk (Cryo Sword) – C0 Rating: A

Skirk brings fast Cryo application with sword attacks that feel responsive and fluid. Her Elemental Skill allows her to dash through enemies while applying Cryo, making her excellent for setting up Freeze and Superconduct reactions.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Mistsplitter Reforged or Blackcliff Longsword
• Artifacts: Blizzard Strayer (4-piece) or Emblem of Severed Fate (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Cryo DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Energy Recharge

Her Burst delivers a Cryo explosion that deals decent AOE damage and refunds some energy if it hits frozen enemies. Skirk serves as a solid sub-DPS in Freeze teams or a budget main DPS for players who enjoy her agile playstyle. She does not reach the damage ceiling of Ayaka but provides more consistent application.

Varesa (Electro Claymore) – C0 Rating: A

Varesa wields Electro with a focus on heavy attacks that generate energy particles for the team. Her charged attacks deal increased damage and pull in nearby enemies, providing mild crowd control.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Wolf’s Gravestone or Whiteblind (F2P)
• Artifacts: Thundering Fury (4-piece) or Gladiator’s Finale (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Electro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Energy Recharge

Her Burst buffs her attack speed and converts damage to Electro, allowing for sustained DPS windows. Varesa excels as a battery for Electro teams while contributing respectable damage herself. She pairs well with characters who need frequent energy regeneration like Raiden Shogun.

Escoffier (Cryo Polearm) – C0 Rating: A

Escoffier combines Cryo damage with supportive healing through her unique cooking-themed abilities. Her Elemental Skill throws ingredients that heal allies and apply Cryo to enemies simultaneously.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Staff of Homa or Dragon’s Bane
• Artifacts: Noblesse Oblige (4-piece) or Maiden Beloved (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Cryo DMG goblet, Healing Bonus circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: ATK% > Energy Recharge > CRIT

Her Burst sets up a cooking station that continuously heals and deals Cryo damage in an area. Escoffier fills a niche as a Cryo healer who can enable Freeze reactions while keeping the team healthy. She works well in teams that need Cryo application but do not have room for a dedicated healer and Cryo unit.

Varka (Anemo Claymore) – C0 Rating: A

Varka brings the long-awaited Anemo claymore archetype with a focus on swirl reactions and physical damage. His Elemental Skill creates a vacuum that pulls enemies together before unleashing an Anemo slash.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Song of Broken Pines or Prototype Archaic (F2P)
• Artifacts: Viridescent Venerer (4-piece) or Pale Flame (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Anemo/Physical DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Energy Recharge

His Burst enhances his normal attacks with Anemo and provides a team-wide movement speed buff. Varka can be built for either Anemo swirl support or physical main DPS depending on team needs. He offers an alternative to Razor for physical claymore damage with better scaling and utility.

Chasca (Anemo Bow) – C0 Rating: A

Chasca specializes in crowd control with bow attacks that create wind currents. Her charged shots pull enemies toward the impact point, setting them up for follow-up attacks from teammates.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Skyward Harp or The Stringless
• Artifacts: Viridescent Venerer (4-piece) or Wanderer’s Troupe (4-piece)
• Main Stats: EM/ATK% sands, Anemo DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Elemental Mastery

Her Burst creates a tornado that continuously pulls in enemies while dealing Anemo damage. Chasca serves as a budget crowd control option for players without Kazuha or Venti. Her pulling ability is weaker than those premium options but sufficient for most content.

Mualani (Hydro Catalyst) – C0 Rating: A

Mualani arrived as a versatile Hydro support who buffs team Elemental Mastery while applying Hydro. Her Elemental Skill marks enemies with a Hydro sigil that increases damage from elemental reactions.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Sacrificial Fragments or Prototype Amber
• Artifacts: Instructor (4-piece) or Heart of Depth (4-piece)
• Main Stats: EM/ER% sands, Hydro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Elemental Mastery > Energy Recharge > CRIT

Her Burst provides team-wide healing and a temporary Elemental Mastery boost. Mualani excels in reaction-heavy teams like Vaporize and Bloom compositions where her EM buffs amplify damage significantly. She competes with other Hydro supports but offers unique buffing capabilities.

Kinich (Dendro Bow) – C0 Rating: A

Kinich brings Dendro application through bow shots with a unique ricochet mechanic. His charged shots bounce between enemies, applying Dendro to multiple targets with a single attack.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Hunter’s Path or Prototype Crescent
• Artifacts: Deepwood Memories (4-piece) or Gilded Dreams (4-piece)
• Main Stats: EM/ATK% sands, Dendro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Elemental Mastery > CRIT > ATK%

His Burst deploys a seedling that periodically fires Dendro projectiles at marked enemies. Kinich works well as a sub-DPS in Spread and Bloom teams where his multi-target application shines. He requires some aiming skill to maximize the ricochet bounces.

Iansan (Electro Polearm) – C0 Rating: A

Iansan provides Electro application with a focus on plunging attacks and aerial combat. Her Elemental Skill enhances her plunge attacks with Electro damage and creates a thunderstorm zone upon landing.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Engulfing Lightning or The Catch
• Artifacts: Thundering Fury (4-piece) or Shimenawa’s Reminiscence (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Electro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Energy Recharge

Her Burst summons a thunder spear that follows her attacks and deals coordinated Electro damage. Iansan rewards aggressive aerial playstyles and works well with characters who can launch enemies like Jean or Kazuha. She fills a niche as an Electro DPS with unique mobility options.

Aino (Hydro Sword) – C0 Rating: A

Aino delivers Hydro application through fast sword strikes with a focus on single-target damage. Her Elemental Skill performs a flurry of slashes that apply Hydro rapidly, making her excellent for setting up Vaporize reactions.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Primordial Jade Cutter or The Black Sword
• Artifacts: Heart of Depth (4-piece) or Nymph’s Dream (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Hydro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Energy Recharge

Her Burst performs a devastating water slash that deals massive damage to a single target and leaves a Hydro aura that continues to apply the element. Aino works as a budget alternative to Ayato for Hydro DPS and can slot into many team compositions that need reliable Hydro application.

Nefer (Dendro Catalyst) – C0 Rating: A

Nefer brings Dendro damage through catalyst attacks with a focus on sustained damage over time. Her normal attacks apply Dendro and leave a lingering spore that deals damage over several seconds.

Best Build:

• Weapon: A Thousand Floating Dreams or Sacrificial Fragments
• Artifacts: Deepwood Memories (4-piece) or Gilded Dreams (4-piece)
• Main Stats: EM sands, Dendro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Elemental Mastery > CRIT > ATK%

Her Burst creates a field of accelerated growth that boosts Dendro reaction damage for all party members within it. Nefer serves as a Dendro support who enhances reaction teams rather than dealing massive personal damage. She is a solid choice for players who missed Nahida but need a Dendro enabler.

B Tier: Viable Characters

B Tier characters are functional but generally outclassed by higher-tier options. They can clear content with sufficient investment but may require specific team compositions or constellations to compete.

Xingqiu (Hydro Sword) – C0 Rating: B

Xingqiu provides off-field Hydro application through his rain swords that orbit the active character. His Elemental Burst launches coordinated Hydro attacks with each normal attack from the active character.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Sacrificial Sword or Favonius Sword
• Artifacts: Emblem of Severed Fate (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Hydro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: Energy Recharge > CRIT > ATK%

Despite being a 4-star, Xingqiu has been powercrept by Yelan and newer Hydro characters who offer higher damage and better utility. However, he remains valuable as a budget option and works well in National Team variants where his damage reduction and small healing provide extra survivability.

Mona (Hydro Catalyst) – C0 Rating: B

Mona provides Hydro application and a unique damage amplification debuff called Omen. Her Elemental Burst applies Omen to enemies, increasing all damage they take for a short duration.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds or The Widsith
• Artifacts: Emblem of Severed Fate (4-piece) or Noblesse Oblige (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ER% sands, Hydro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > Energy Recharge > ATK%

Her alternate sprint allows her to move quickly across water, making her excellent for exploration. In combat, she serves as a Burst support for one-shot showcase teams where her Omen amplification helps achieve massive damage numbers. Mona struggles with energy requirements and limited Hydro application uptime compared to newer options.

Fischl (Electro Bow) – C0 Rating: B

Fischl summons her familiar Oz to provide off-field Electro damage and application. Her Elemental Skill places Oz at a location where he periodically attacks enemies with Electro damage.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Skyward Harp or The Stringless
• Artifacts: Thundering Fury (4-piece) or Golden Troupe (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Electro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Elemental Mastery

She excels in Aggravate and Superconduct teams where her consistent Electro application enables reactions. Her C6 is a significant power spike that makes Oz attack alongside the active character’s normal attacks. Fischl has been partially powercrept by newer Electro units like Yae Miko and Ineffa but remains a solid 4-star option.

C Tier: Situational Characters

C Tier characters have very specific use cases or are heavily outclassed by other options. They might be worth using if you enjoy their playstyle or need them for elemental resonance.

Amber (Pyro Bow) – C0 Rating: C

Amber is the starting Pyro character who struggles to find a place in the current meta. Her charged shots deal Pyro damage but require significant time to charge, and her damage output is low compared to other options.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Skyward Harp or Prototype Crescent
• Artifacts: Wanderer’s Troupe (4-piece) or Crimson Witch of Flames (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Pyro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Elemental Mastery

Her Baron Bunny can taunt enemies and explode for Pyro damage, but the cooldown is long and the damage is underwhelming. Amber’s only real value is as a Pyro resonance bot for teams that need the attack bonus, or for certain puzzle mechanics that require Pyro application at range.

Diluc (Pyro Claymore) – C0 Rating: C

Diluc was once considered a top-tier main DPS but has been powercrept by newer Pyro characters. His Elemental Skill performs a 3-hit combo that deals Pyro damage, while his Burst deals AOE Pyro damage and enhances his normal attacks.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Wolf’s Gravestone or Serpent Spine
• Artifacts: Crimson Witch of Flames (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Pyro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Elemental Mastery

His straightforward playstyle is beginner-friendly, but his damage ceiling is significantly lower than Hu Tao, Arlecchino, or newer Pyro DPS units. Diluc can still clear all content with heavy investment, but he requires more resources to achieve what other characters do easily.

Keqing (Electro Sword) – C0 Rating: C

Keqing is a fast Electro DPS with a teleport mechanic on her Elemental Skill. She can quickly reposition and deal Electro damage, but her multipliers are lower than modern DPS characters.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Primordial Jade Cutter or The Black Sword
• Artifacts: Thundering Fury (4-piece) or Gladiator’s Finale (4-piece)
• Main Stats: ATK% sands, Electro DMG goblet, CRIT circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: CRIT > ATK% > Elemental Mastery

The introduction of Dendro and Aggravate reactions has buffed Keqing significantly, moving her up from D tier in older lists. With a dedicated Dendro support, she can deal respectable damage through Spread reactions. However, she still requires more investment than newer Electro characters to achieve similar results.

D Tier: Outclassed Characters

D Tier characters are generally outclassed in most scenarios and should only be used if you enjoy their playstyle or have no other options.

Traveler (Anemo/Geo/Electro/Dendro) – C0 Rating: D

The Traveler can switch between elements by resonating with different Statues of The Seven, but is outclassed by specialized characters in each element. Their Anemo abilities are weaker than Kazuha or Sucrose, their Geo constructs are inferior to Zhongli or Albedo, and their Dendro application pales compared to Nahida.

Best Build:

• Anemo: Viridescent Venerer (4-piece), full Elemental Mastery build
• Geo: Archaic Petra (4-piece), DEF or ATK build depending on usage
• Electro: Emblem of Severed Fate (4-piece), Energy Recharge focus
• Dendro: Deepwood Memories (4-piece), Elemental Mastery focus

The Dendro Traveler is the most viable form, providing decent Dendro application for players who lack Nahida or other Dendro characters. They are still a last resort option, but at least they enable Dendro reactions for free-to-play accounts. For detailed Traveler weapon recommendations, see our complete Traveler weapons guide.

Noelle (Geo Claymore) – C0 Rating: D

Noelle attempts to fill multiple roles as a healer, shielder, and DPS but masters none of them. Her Elemental Skill creates a shield that has low durability at C0 and a long cooldown.

Best Build:

• Weapon: Redhorn Stonethresher or Whiteblind (F2P craftable)
• Artifacts: Husk of Opulent Dreams (4-piece)
• Main Stats: DEF% sands, Geo DMG goblet, CRIT/DEF% circlet
• Sub Stats Priority: DEF% > CRIT > Energy Recharge

At C6, Noelle transforms into a capable main DPS with her DEF-scaling normal attacks and extended Burst duration. However, getting a 4-star to C6 requires significant wishing or time, and even then she competes poorly with 5-star Geo characters. She is outclassed by Zhongli for shielding and by Arataki Itto or Albedo for Geo damage.

Character Tier List by Element

Organizing characters by element helps identify the best options for team building and elemental resonance. Here are the top characters in each element for Version 6.4:

Pyro Tier List

1. Durin (S+) – Fast Pyro application with flexible playstyle
2. Bennett (S) – Best support in the game, universal ATK buffs
3. Hu Tao (S) – Top-tier single-target DPS with HP mechanics
4. Xiangling (S) – Off-field Pyro damage with massive scaling
5. Diluc (C) – Outdated but functional main DPS
6. Amber (C) – Limited utility beyond Pyro application

Hydro Tier List

1. Neuvillette (SS) – Highest Hydro DPS ceiling with unique mechanics
2. Furina (SS) – HP manipulation mechanics enable new team archetypes
3. Yelan (S+) – Off-field Hydro application with HP scaling
4. Columbina (S+) – Rain field provides mobile Hydro application
5. Aino (A) – Fast Hydro application for Vaporize setups
6. Mualani (A) – EM buffs enhance reaction teams
7. Mona (B) – Omen amplification for burst setups
8. Xingqiu (B) – Budget Yelan alternative

Electro Tier List

1. Raiden Shogun (S+) – Battery and burst DPS hybrid
2. Ineffa (S+) – Energy storage mechanic enables quickswap teams
3. Flins (S+) – Tanky Electro DPS with interruption resistance
4. Varesa (A) – Battery support with heavy attacks
5. Iansan (A) – Plunge attack specialist
6. Fischl (B) – Oz provides consistent off-field damage
7. Keqing (C) – Dendro reactions have improved her viability

Anemo Tier List

1. Kazuha (SS) – Best support with crowd control and DMG buffs
2. Varka (A) – Physical or Anemo DPS with vacuum mechanics
3. Chasca (A) – Budget crowd control option
4. Traveler (D) – Outclassed in all roles

Geo Tier List

1. Zhongli (S+) – Strongest shields in the game
2. Zibai (S+) – Crystallize specialist with DEF scaling
3. Xilonen (S) – Geo support with DEF buffs
4. Albedo (A) – Off-field Geo damage with Elemental Mastery buffs
5. Noelle (D) – Jack of all trades, master of none

Cryo Tier List

1. Ayaka (S) – Top Freeze DPS with burst damage
2. Ganyu (A) – Charged shot specialist with AOE
3. Skirk (A) – Fast Cryo application with mobility
4. Escoffier (A) – Cryo healer with damage
5. Shenhe (A) – Cryo support with Icy Quill buffs
6. Eula (A) – Physical DPS with Cryo element
7. Chongyun (B) – Cryo infusion support

Dendro Tier List

1. Nahida (SS) – Best Dendro character by far
2. Alhaitham (S) – Dendro DPS with mirror mechanics
3. Lauma (S+) – Dendro healer with reaction enabling
4. Kinich (A) – Ricochet Dendro application
5. Nefer (A) – DoT Dendro with reaction buffs
6. Tighnari (B) – Charged shot Dendro DPS
7. Collei (B) – Budget Dendro application
8. Traveler (D) – Free but underwhelming

Version Change History

Tracking how the meta evolves helps predict future trends and understand character value over time. Here are the significant changes in Version 6.4:

• Version 6.4 (April 2026): Added Ineffa and Flins to S+ tier. Introduced SS tier category for absolute meta-defining units. Moved Yelan to S+ from A tier. Added all new characters from patches 5.4 through 6.4.
• Version 6.2 (February 2026): Ineffa release significantly impacted Electro team viability. Lauma introduced as first Dendro healer.
• Version 5.8 (December 2025): Durin and Columbina released, reshaping Pyro and Hydro team options. Nefer added as budget Nahida alternative.
• Version 5.4 (October 2025): Skirk, Varesa, Escoffier, and Varka introduced. Previous article cutoff.

When to Expect Tier List Updates

The Genshin Impact meta shifts with every new character release and balance adjustment. This tier list receives updates within 48 hours of new patch releases to ensure accuracy.

• New character releases trigger immediate testing and ranking updates
• Balance patches (every 6 weeks) may adjust existing character rankings
• New artifact sets can elevate characters who synergize with them
• Spiral Abyss rotations influence rankings based on floor mechanics

Bookmark this page and check back regularly for the most current rankings. For alternative tier list perspectives, you may also want to check our detailed character rankings which include different evaluation criteria.

Pro Tips for Building Your Team

Building effective teams in Genshin Impact requires understanding synergy beyond individual character strength. Here are advanced strategies for maximizing your roster:

1. Invest in supports first – A well-built Bennett or Kazuha improves every DPS you pair them with. Support characters have more universal value than hypercarries.
2. Balance Energy Recharge – Many players build too much damage and not enough ER. Use ER sands on burst-dependent characters until you have sufficient substats.
3. Understand ICD – Internal Cooldown determines how often elemental application occurs. Characters with standard ICD need different timing than those with no ICD.
4. Consider C0 viability – Meta 5-star characters at C0 often outperform weaker characters at C6. Save Primogems for new characters rather than chasing constellations.
5. Build for reactions – Raw damage numbers matter less than consistent elemental reactions. Teams with proper reaction uptime outperform pure damage teams.

The most successful Spiral Abyss clears come from teams with synergy, not just individual power. A team of S-tier characters with no synergy will underperform compared to a coordinated A-tier team.

FAQ

Bookmark This Page for Updates!

The Genshin Impact tier list meta is constantly shifting with each new character release and balance patch. I recommend bookmarking this page to stay current with the latest rankings for Version 6.4 Luna V and beyond.

Whether you are deciding who to pull for on the next banner or optimizing your existing roster, this guide provides the information you need to make informed decisions with your Primogems. From SS tier meta-defining units to niche options for specific teams, every character in Teyvat has been evaluated based on current endgame performance.

Check back regularly for updates as new characters release and the meta continues to evolve throughout 2026. Happy pulling, Travelers!