Genshin Impact Character Tier List: DPS and Support Rankings

Genshin Impact continues to evolve with each new region and character release, creating an ever-changing meta that challenges players to adapt their team compositions and strategies. With over 80 playable characters spanning seven elements and various weapon types, understanding which characters excel in different roles is crucial for tackling the game's most challenging content.

Similar to team building in other gacha games like Honkai Star Rail and NIKKE, understanding character roles and synergies is fundamental to success.

This comprehensive tier list evaluates every character based on their performance as DPS carries, supports, and sub-DPS units. We'll explore optimal artifact sets, weapon recommendations, and team synergies that maximize each character's potential in the current meta. Whether you're building teams for the Spiral Abyss, challenging world bosses, or exploring new regions, this guide provides the strategic insights needed for success.

S-Tier: The Meta Defining Characters

Main DPS Champions

Hu Tao

Hu Tao remains the pinnacle of single-target DPS performance, capable of dealing devastating Pyro damage when properly managed. Her HP-based scaling and unique playstyle reward skilled players with unmatched damage output.

Optimal Build:

• Artifact Set: 4-piece Crimson Witch of Flames
• Main Stats: HP% Sands, Pyro DMG Goblet, Crit Rate/DMG Circlet
• Weapon Priority: Staff of Homa > Dragon's Bane > Deathmatch
• Substats Focus: Crit Rate/DMG > HP% > Elemental Mastery > ATK%

Team Compositions:

• Vaporize Core: Hu Tao + Xingqiu + Zhongli + Albedo
• Double Geo: Hu Tao + Xingqiu + Zhongli + Ningguang
• VV Support: Hu Tao + Xingqiu + Sucrose + Diona

Ayaka

The Cryo princess excels in freeze compositions, offering incredible burst damage and consistent Cryo application. Her sprint infusion and powerful ultimate make her indispensable for many team setups.

Performance Metrics:

• Single Target DPS: 45,230 per rotation
• AoE Damage: 38,450 per enemy
• Energy Requirements: Medium (80 cost burst)
• Uptime: Excellent with proper rotation

Artifact Optimization:

• Set: 4-piece Blizzard Strayer
• Crit Rate Target: 25-30% (45-50% with cryo resonance and freeze)
• Crit Damage Priority: 200%+ for optimal performance

Ganyu

The half-adeptus archer dominates both main DPS and sub-DPS roles with her charged shot gameplay and powerful Cryo application. Her versatility makes her valuable in multiple team archetypes.

Support Excellence

Bennett

Bennett's combination of healing, ATK buffing, and Pyro application makes him the most versatile support character in the game. His utility scales with investment while maintaining effectiveness at low investment levels.

Support Capabilities:

• Healing: 4,500-6,000 HP per tick
• ATK Buff: 600-1,200 base ATK addition
• Energy Generation: Excellent with short cooldown
• Pyro Application: Consistent for reactions

Build Priority:

• Weapon: Aquila Favonia > Skyward Blade > Prototype Rancour
• Artifacts: 4-piece Noblesse Oblige
• Stats: ER% > HP% > Healing Bonus

Zhongli

The Geo Archon provides unparalleled defensive utility with his shield while offering crowd control and resistance shred. His presence enables aggressive playstyles by negating most incoming damage.

Shield Strength Analysis:

• Base Shield: 12,000-18,000 HP absorption
• Resistance Shred: 20% universal resistance reduction
• Uptime: Near 100% with proper positioning
• CC Duration: 3.1 seconds petrification

Kazuha

The wandering samurai revolutionized support gameplay with his grouping, VV shred, and elemental damage bonuses. His swirl mechanics provide both crowd control and team-wide damage amplification.

A-Tier: Consistently Powerful Options

DPS Contenders

Raiden Shogun

The Electro Archon serves dual roles as burst DPS and energy battery, enabling unique team compositions focused on burst rotations. Her damage scales with team energy costs, creating interesting synergies.

Childe

Tartaglia's hydro application and riptide mechanics make him excel in AoE scenarios while providing consistent single-target damage. His skill stance management requires practice but rewards mastery.

Itto

The oni leader brings Geo DPS to competitive levels with his charged attack combos and defense scaling. His straightforward playstyle makes him accessible while maintaining high damage ceilings.

Support Stalwarts

Xingqiu

The young master's hydro application enables countless team compositions through his rain sword mechanics. His defensive utility and consistent elemental application make him irreplaceable in many setups.

Diona

The bartender cat provides healing, shields, and cryo application in one package. Her versatility and ease of use make her valuable for players lacking other premium support options.

Sucrose

The alchemist offers budget-friendly crowd control and elemental mastery sharing. Her ability to group enemies and amplify reaction damage makes her valuable in many compositions.

Detailed Character Analysis by Role

Main DPS Rankings

S-Tier Main DPS:

1. Hu Tao - 47,500 DPS ceiling
2. Ayaka - 45,230 DPS (freeze teams)
3. Ganyu - 44,890 DPS (melt teams)
4. Xiao - 43,670 DPS (anemo)
5. Itto - 42,340 DPS (geo)

A-Tier Main DPS:

1. Raiden Shogun - 41,230 DPS
2. Childe - 40,890 DPS (AoE scenarios)
3. Eula - 39,670 DPS (physical)
4. Diluc - 38,450 DPS (vaporize)
5. Keqing - 37,230 DPS (electro-charged)

DPS Comparison Metrics:

• Rotation Time: 15-20 seconds optimal
• Energy Requirements: 60-80 burst cost ideal
• Skill Floor: Accessibility for new players
• Skill Ceiling: Maximum potential with mastery

Support Character Evaluation

Universal Supports (Work in most teams):

1. Bennett - Healing + ATK buff + pyro application
2. Zhongli - Shield + resistance shred + crowd control
3. Kazuha - Grouping + VV shred + elemental DMG bonus
4. Venti - Energy generation + crowd control + VV shred

Specialized Supports (Element/team specific):

1. Xingqiu - Hydro application for vaporize/freeze
2. Diona - Cryo support with healing and shields
3. Fischl - Electro application and sub-DPS
4. Albedo - Geo resonance and consistent sub-DPS

Sub-DPS Specialists

Sub-DPS characters provide damage during main DPS downtime while offering elemental application and utility.

S-Tier Sub-DPS:

1. Xingqiu - Consistent hydro + damage + minor healing
2. Fischl - Oz provides excellent electro application
3. Albedo - Geo resonance + consistent damage + EM sharing
4. Rosaria - Cryo application + crit rate sharing

Sub-DPS Performance Factors:

• Off-field damage: Contribution while not active
• Energy generation: Particle production for team
• Elemental application: Reaction enablement
• Utility provision: Buffs, debuffs, or healing

Artifact Set Recommendations by Character Type

DPS Artifact Priorities

Elemental DPS Sets:

• Crimson Witch (Pyro): Hu Tao, Diluc, Klee, Yoimiya
• Blizzard Strayer (Cryo): Ayaka, Ganyu (freeze), Chongyun
• Thundering Fury (Electro): Keqing, Razor (situational)
• Viridescent Venerer (Anemo): Xiao, Heizou (DPS builds)

Universal DPS Sets:

• Gladiator's Finale: Auto-attack focused characters
• Shimenawa's Reminiscence: Skill-focused DPS characters
• Pale Flame: Physical DPS like Eula, Razor
• Emblem of Severed Fate: Burst DPS characters

Support Artifact Optimization

Team Buff Sets:

• Noblesse Oblige: ATK% team buff (Bennett, Diona)
• Tenacity of the Millelith: HP/ATK/Shield buff (Zhongli)
• Viridescent Venerer: Elemental resistance shred (Anemo supports)
• Instructor: Elemental Mastery team buff (reaction supports)

Healing Focus Sets:

• Maiden Beloved: Pure healing maximization
• Ocean-Hued Clam: Healing with damage conversion
• Clam + Millelith: Hybrid healing and team support

Weapon Pairing Strategies

5-Star Weapon Priorities

Signature Weapons (Character specific):

• Staff of Homa: Hu Tao (96% damage increase over 4-star)
• Mistsplitter Reforged: Ayaka (87% damage increase)
• Polar Star: Childe (82% damage increase)
• Redhorn Stonethresher: Itto (89% damage increase)

Universal 5-Star Options:

• Primordial Jade Winged-Spear: Most polearm DPS
• Wolf's Gravestone: Most claymore DPS
• Aquila Favonia: Bennett support, physical DPS
• Skyward Harp: Most bow DPS characters

4-Star Weapon Excellence

Best 4-Star DPS Weapons:

• The Catch: Raiden Shogun, Xiangling (free from fishing)
• Prototype Amber: Catalyst healers and support
• Dragon's Bane: Hu Tao vaporize teams
• Rust: Childe, Yoimiya auto-attack builds

F2P Weapon Recommendations:

• Prototype Rancour: Bennett support builds
• Thrilling Tales: Catalyst supports (TTDS)
• Favonius weapons: Energy recharge support builds
• Sacrificial weapons: Skill reset utility

Team Composition Analysis

Meta Team Archetypes

National Team Variations:

• Classic: Xiangling + Xingqiu + Bennett + Chongyun
• Raiden National: Raiden + Xiangling + Xingqiu + Bennett
• International: Childe + Xiangling + Bennett + Kazuha/Sucrose

These established team compositions demonstrate the importance of synergy, much like successful teams in League of Legends or other team-based games.

Freeze Team Compositions:

• Morgana: Ganyu + Mona + Diona + Venti
• Ayaka Freeze: Ayaka + Mona/Kokomi + Diona/Rosaria + Kazuha/Venti
• Budget Freeze: Kaeya + Barbara + Chongyun + Anemo support

Geo Team Synergies:

• Double Geo Core: Zhongli + Albedo (universal support)
• Mono Geo: Itto + Gorou + Zhongli + Albedo
• Geo Resonance: Any two geo characters for 15% DMG boost

Elemental Synergy Optimization

Reaction Priority Tiers:

1. Vaporize (1.5x/2.0x): Pyro + Hydro combinations
2. Melt (1.5x/2.0x): Pyro + Cryo combinations
3. Freeze: Hydro + Cryo for crowd control
4. Electro-Charged: Electro + Hydro for sustained damage
5. Superconduct: Electro + Cryo for physical resistance shred

Swirl Amplification:

• Anemo characters can swirl and spread other elements
• VV set reduces swirled element resistance by 40%
• Kazuha provides elemental damage bonuses based on EM
• Grouping effects multiply AoE damage effectiveness

Advanced Strategy Considerations

Spiral Abyss Optimization

The Abyss represents Genshin's premier endgame challenge, requiring two full teams and specific strategies for different floors. This dual-team requirement creates strategic depth similar to what competitive players face in games like TFT.

Floor 12 Meta Considerations:

• High HP enemies: Favor sustained DPS over burst
• Multiple waves: Energy management crucial
• Elemental shields: Counter-element requirements
• DPS checks: Time pressure demands optimization

Team Building for Abyss:

• Side 1: Typically single-target focused
• Side 2: Often AoE damage preferred
• Energy management: Ensure burst availability
• Counter picks: Specific elements for shields

Investment Priority Framework

Resource Allocation Strategy:

1. Main DPS priority: 90/90 level, 9/9/9 talents minimum
2. Key supports: 80/90 level, relevant talents to 8+
3. Sub-DPS units: 70/80 level, burst talent priority
4. Situational units: 60/70 level, basic functionality

Artifact Investment Tiers:

• Tier 1: Perfect main stats, good substats
• Tier 2: Correct main stats, acceptable substats
• Tier 3: Functional placeholder pieces
• Upgrade path: Always prioritize main stats first

Future Meta Predictions

Upcoming Character Considerations

New character releases continue to evolve the meta landscape. Recent trends suggest focus on:

Design Philosophies:

• Elemental reaction focus: New characters enable unique reactions
• Weapon type diversity: Filling gaps in weapon representation
• Role specialization: Niche roles becoming more defined
• Power scaling: Maintaining balance while adding complexity

This design evolution mirrors character development trends in other games, from Arknights to newer titles like Wuthering Waves.

Meta Evolution Trends:

• Dendro integration: New elemental reactions and teams
• Support diversity: More specialized support options
• DPS alternatives: New approaches to damage dealing
• Defensive options: Shield and healing alternatives

Conclusion

The Genshin Impact meta continues to evolve with each update, offering players diverse approaches to team building and character optimization. While tier lists provide valuable guidance, individual playstyle preferences and available characters often matter more than absolute rankings.

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on synergy over individual power
2. Invest in versatile characters first
3. Build teams around available 5-star characters
4. Don't neglect strong 4-star options
5. Adapt strategies to available weapons and artifacts

Long-term Success Factors:

• Master fundamental mechanics before chasing meta
• Build diverse character roster for various content
• Prioritize resource investment strategically
• Stay flexible as meta evolves with updates
• Focus on enjoyment while maintaining effectiveness

Remember that this tier list reflects current game balance and available content. Regular updates, new character releases, and evolving endgame challenges will continue to shift optimal strategies. The most important aspect is building teams you enjoy playing while maintaining the effectiveness needed for your preferred content difficulty level.

For creating custom tier lists to organize your character preferences and team compositions, explore the best tier list maker tools available to content creators.