Genshin Impact Tier List (July 2025) Best Characters Ranked

Welcome to my comprehensive Genshin Impact tier list for July 2025! As someone who's been exploring Teyvat since launch, I've seen the meta evolve dramatically with each update. With Version 5.7 bringing exciting additions like Skirk and Dahlia, the character rankings have shifted once again.

Whether you're a seasoned Traveler looking to optimize your Spiral Abyss teams or a newcomer wondering which characters to invest in, this tier list will guide you through all 103 playable characters currently available. I've analyzed usage rates, team synergies, and performance across different content types to bring you the most accurate rankings.

Before we dive into the rankings, let me explain what makes a character truly shine in 2025's meta. It's not just about raw damage anymore - it's about elemental application, team synergy, and versatility across different game modes.

Character Ranking Factors for Genshin Impact

When evaluating characters for this tier list, I consider several crucial factors:

1. Damage Output: Raw DPS potential in optimal team compositions 
2. Elemental Application: How effectively they enable reactions 
3. Team Flexibility: Compatibility with various team compositions
4. Investment Requirements: Performance at C0 vs constellation dependence 
5. Ease of Use: Skill floor and ceiling for average players 
6. Spiral Abyss Performance: Usage rates and clear times in endgame content 
7. Support Capabilities: Buffs, healing, shielding, and utility provided

Genshin Impact Tier List (July 2025)

SS-Tier Characters - The Meta Definers

Character	Role	Element	Key Strengths	Investment Level
Neuvillette	Main DPS	Hydro	Self-sufficient DPS, massive AoE	C0 Optimal
Mavuika	Main DPS	Pyro	Highest pyro damage, excellent support	C0 Optimal
Arlecchino	Main DPS	Pyro	Consistent damage, unique mechanics	C0 Optimal
Furina	Sub DPS/Support	Hydro	Universal damage buff, healing	C0-C2
Nahida	Sub DPS/Support	Dendro	Best dendro applicator, EM sharing	C0 Optimal

S-Tier Characters - Top Performers

Character	Role	Element	Key Strengths	Investment Level
Kazuha	Support	Anemo	Elemental damage boost, grouping	C0 Optimal
Yelan	Sub DPS	Hydro	Off-field damage, DMG% buff	C0 Optimal
Xilonen	Support	Geo	RES shred, healing, versatile	C0 Optimal
Bennett	Support	Pyro	ATK buff, healing, battery	C1 Recommended
Zhongli	Support	Geo	Strongest shield, RES shred	C0 Optimal
Raiden Shogun	Sub DPS	Electro	Energy recharge, burst damage	C0 Optimal
Ayaka	Main DPS	Cryo	Freeze teams, burst damage	C0 Optimal
Hu Tao	Main DPS	Pyro	Single-target damage	C1 Recommended
Xingqiu	Sub DPS	Hydro	Hydro application, damage reduction	C2+ Recommended
Xiangling	Sub DPS	Pyro	Off-field pyro damage	C4 Recommended

A-Tier Characters - Solid Choices

Character	Role	Element	Key Strengths	Investment Level
Chasca	Main DPS	Anemo	Multi-element damage	C0 Optimal
Chiori	Sub DPS	Geo	Geo construct synergy	C1 Recommended
Clorinde	Main DPS	Electro	Fast attacks, aggravate	C0 Optimal
Citlali	Support	Cryo	Cryo/Hydro RES shred	C0 Optimal
Emilie	Sub DPS	Dendro	Burning specialist	C0 Optimal
Ganyu	Main DPS	Cryo	Charged shot damage	C0 Optimal
Kinich	Main DPS	Dendro	Grappling DPS	C0 Optimal
Kokomi	Support	Hydro	Healing, hydro application	C0 Optimal
Lyney	Main DPS	Pyro	Mono-pyro teams	C0 Optimal
Mualani	Main DPS	Hydro	Vaporize nuker	C0 Optimal
Navia	Main DPS	Geo	Crystallize synergy	C0 Optimal
Shenhe	Support	Cryo	Cryo buffer	C0 Optimal
Skirk	Main DPS	Hydro	New playstyle	C0 Optimal
Wriothesley	Main DPS	Cryo	Consistent cryo DPS	C1 Recommended

B-Tier Characters - Niche Specialists

Character	Role	Element	Key Strengths	Investment Level
Albedo	Sub DPS	Geo	Off-field geo damage	C0 Optimal
Alhaitham	Main DPS	Dendro	Spread damage	C0 Optimal
Ayato	Main DPS	Hydro	Normal attack DPS	C0 Optimal
Baizhu	Support	Dendro	Healing, dendro application	C0 Optimal
Childe	Main DPS	Hydro	Riptide, enabler	C0 Optimal
Cyno	Main DPS	Electro	Aggravate DPS	C0 Optimal
Dehya	Support	Pyro	Damage mitigation	C0 Optimal
Eula	Main DPS	Cryo	Physical damage	C0 Optimal
Itto	Main DPS	Geo	Mono-geo teams	C0 Optimal
Jean	Support	Anemo	Healing, VV	C0 Optimal
Keqing	Main DPS	Electro	Aggravate teams	C0 Optimal
Klee	Main DPS	Pyro	Catalyst DPS	C0 Optimal
Mona	Support	Hydro	Damage amplification	C0 Optimal
Nilou	Support	Hydro	Bloom specialist	C0 Optimal
Tighnari	Sub DPS	Dendro	Quickswap spread	C0 Optimal
Venti	Support	Anemo	Crowd control	C0 Optimal
Wanderer	Main DPS	Anemo	Aerial combat	C0 Optimal
Xianyun	Support	Anemo	Plunge buffer	C0 Optimal
Xiao	Main DPS	Anemo	Plunge DPS	C0 Optimal
Yae Miko	Sub DPS	Electro	Turret damage	C0 Optimal
Yoimiya	Main DPS	Pyro	Single-target	C0 Optimal

C-Tier Characters - Situational Picks

Character	Role	Element	Key Strengths	Investment Level
Barbara	Support	Hydro	F2P healer	C0 Optimal
Beidou	Sub DPS	Electro	Counter, chain lightning	C2 Recommended
Chongyun	Support	Cryo	Cryo infusion	C0 Optimal
Chevreuse	Support	Pyro	Overload teams	C0 Optimal
Dahlia	Support	Unknown	New character	C0 Optimal
Diluc	Main DPS	Pyro	Standard DPS	C0 Optimal
Diona	Support	Cryo	Shield, healing	C0 Optimal
Faruzan	Support	Anemo	Anemo buffer	C6 Recommended
Fischl	Sub DPS	Electro	Oz turret	C0 Optimal
Gaming	Main DPS	Pyro	Plunge DPS	C6 Recommended
Gorou	Support	Geo	Geo buffer	C0 Optimal
Kachina	Sub DPS	Geo	Drill turret	C0 Optimal
Kaeya	Sub DPS	Cryo	F2P cryo application	C0 Optimal
Kirara	Support	Dendro	Shield, delivery	C0 Optimal
Kuki Shinobu	Support	Electro	Healing, hyperbloom	C0 Optimal
Lan Yan	Support	Anemo	Shield support	C0 Optimal
Layla	Support	Cryo	Shield specialist	C0 Optimal
Lynette	Support	Anemo	F2P anemo	C0 Optimal
Mika	Support	Cryo	Physical buffer	C0 Optimal
Noelle	Main DPS	Geo	Shield, healing	C6 Recommended
Ororon	Support	Electro	Electro-charged	C0 Optimal
Rosaria	Support	Cryo	Crit rate share	C0 Optimal
Sara	Support	Electro	ATK buffer	C6 Recommended
Sayu	Support	Anemo	Rolling healer	C0 Optimal
Sucrose	Support	Anemo	EM share, grouping	C0 Optimal
Thoma	Support	Pyro	Burgeon enabler	C0 Optimal
Yanfei	Main DPS	Pyro	4-star catalyst	C1 Recommended
Yaoyao	Support	Dendro	Healing, dendro	C0 Optimal
Yun Jin	Support	Geo	Normal ATK buffer	C0 Optimal
Yumemizuki Mizuki	Main DPS	Anemo	Electro-charged	C0 Optimal

D-Tier Characters - Limited Use Cases

Character	Role	Element	Key Strengths	Investment Level
Aloy	Sub DPS	Cryo	Collab character	C0 Only
Amber	Sub DPS	Pyro	Baron Bunny	C0 Optimal
Candace	Support	Hydro	Hydro infusion	C0 Optimal
Collei	Support	Dendro	F2P dendro	C0 Optimal
Dori	Support	Electro	Energy, healing	C0 Optimal
Freminet	Main DPS	Cryo	Physical/cryo hybrid	C6 Recommended
Heizou	Sub DPS	Anemo	Melee catalyst	C0 Optimal
Ifa	Support	Anemo	New healer	C0 Optimal
Kaveh	Main DPS	Dendro	Bloom DPS	C0 Optimal
Lisa	Support	Electro	DEF shred	C0 Optimal
Ningguang	Main DPS	Geo	4-star geo DPS	C0 Optimal
Qiqi	Support	Cryo	Overhealing	C0 Optimal
Razor	Main DPS	Electro	Physical DPS	C0 Optimal
Sethos	Sub DPS	Electro	Charged shot	C0 Optimal
Sigewinne	Support	Hydro	Healing	C0 Optimal
Traveler (All)	Various	Various	F2P option	C6 Free
Xinyan	Support	Pyro	Physical support	C0 Optimal

Genshin Impact Tier List: Detailed Character Analysis

Neuvillette - The Sovereign of Hydro (SS-Tier)

Neuvillette stands at the pinnacle of Genshin Impact's current meta. His charged attack mechanic allows him to deal devastating AoE Hydro damage while being completely self-sufficient. What makes him exceptional is his ability to heal himself based on damage dealt, removing the need for a dedicated healer. His best teams include double Hydro compositions with Furina, or hyperbloom teams with Nahida. At C0, he's already incredibly powerful, but his C1 provides a significant quality-of-life improvement by adding interruption resistance.

Mavuika - The Pyro Archon (SS-Tier)

The newest addition to the Archon roster, Mavuika revolutionizes Pyro DPS with her unique Fighting Spirit mechanics. She functions both as a hypercarry Main DPS and as an exceptional Pyro applicator for other characters. Her motorcycle-based gameplay is not just visually stunning but mechanically powerful, allowing for rapid traversal and consistent damage output. She synergizes perfectly with Xilonen and other Natlan characters, creating some of the highest damage ceilings in the game.

Arlecchino - The Knave (SS-Tier)

Arlecchino brings a unique Bond of Life mechanic that rewards aggressive gameplay. Her enhanced normal attacks deal massive Pyro damage, and she can clear most content without requiring specific team compositions. What sets her apart is her consistency - unlike other Pyro DPS characters who rely on burst windows, Arlecchino maintains high damage throughout her field time. She works exceptionally well with Bennett, Yelan, and Kazuha.

Furina - The Hydro Archon (SS-Tier)

Furina has fundamentally changed how we approach team building in Genshin Impact. Her ability to provide universal damage buffs based on HP fluctuation has made her invaluable in nearly every team composition. She can switch between Ousia and Pneuma alignments, offering both offensive and defensive utility. At C0, she's already meta-defining, but C2 dramatically increases her damage contribution and buff potential.

Nahida - The Dendro Archon (SS-Tier)

As the premier Dendro enabler, Nahida remains irreplaceable in any Dendro-based reaction team. Her Elemental Skill marks enemies and triggers coordinated attacks whenever reactions occur, while her Elemental Burst provides massive Elemental Mastery buffs to the active character. She's the cornerstone of Hyperbloom, Burgeon, and Spread teams, making her one of the most versatile characters in the game.

Kazuha - The Wandering Samurai (S-Tier)

Kazuha's value lies in his incredible versatility. His Elemental Skill groups enemies while providing excellent particle generation, and his passive talent grants substantial Elemental DMG bonuses based on his Elemental Mastery. He fits into virtually any team that doesn't rely on Geo or Physical damage, making him one of the most universally useful characters. His C0 is perfectly functional, though C2 transforms him into a powerful support.

Bennett - The Unlucky Adventurer (S-Tier)

Despite being a launch 4-star character, Bennett remains one of the most important supports in the game. His Elemental Burst provides massive ATK buffs and rapid healing, making him essential for many team compositions. His only real limitation is the circle impact of his burst, but the benefits far outweigh this constraint. C1 is highly recommended as it removes the HP restriction on his ATK buff, but even C0 Bennett is incredibly valuable.

Xingqiu - The Young Master (S-Tier)

Xingqiu continues to be one of the best Hydro applicators in the game. His Elemental Burst provides consistent off-field Hydro application while offering damage reduction and minor healing. He's crucial for Vaporize teams and works excellently with Pyro DPS characters. While Yelan offers similar functionality, many teams benefit from running both. C2 extends his burst duration, while C6 adds significant damage.

Yelan - The Valley Orchid (S-Tier)

Yelan functions as a 5-star alternative to Xingqiu with some key differences. Her damage scales with HP, making her easier to build, and she provides a ramping DMG% buff to the active character. Her superior personal damage and the flexibility of her Elemental Skill make her valuable in both combat and exploration. She's exceptional at C0 but becomes even more powerful with constellations.

Zhongli - The Geo Archon (S-Tier)

Zhongli offers the strongest shield in the game along with universal RES shred, making him the premier comfort character. His shield trivializes most content, allowing players to focus on dealing damage without worrying about dodging. While he doesn't directly increase team damage as much as other supports, the consistency he provides is unmatched. His versatility in build options - from full shieldbot to burst support - adds to his value.

Citlali - The Frostflake Heron (S-Tier)

The latest Cryo support, Citlali brings powerful Cryo and Hydro RES shred to the table, revitalizing Freeze teams. Her kit synergizes perfectly with Ayaka and other Cryo DPS characters, while also providing shields and off-field Cryo application. She's particularly valuable when paired with the new Escoffier, creating powerful Freeze compositions that rival other meta teams.

Xilonen - The Name Engraver (S-Tier)

Xilonen revolutionizes Geo support by providing massive RES shred based on the elements in your team. Unlike other Geo supports who are locked to Geo teams, Xilonen works universally. Her healing capabilities and the ease of triggering her buffs make her incredibly user-friendly. She's been nicknamed the "Geo Kazuha" for good reason - her versatility is unmatched among Geo characters.

Raiden Shogun - The Eternal (S-Tier)

The Electro Archon serves multiple roles: battery, burst DPS, and enabler. Her Elemental Skill provides consistent Electro application and energy generation, while her Burst deals massive damage and regenerates energy for the entire team. She's the centerpiece of Rational teams (Raiden National) and works excellently in Hyperbloom compositions. C0 Raiden is already powerful, but C2 represents one of the biggest power spikes in the game.

Ayaka - The Shirasagi Himegimi (S-Tier)

With the recent Cryo support additions, Ayaka has returned to prominence in the meta. Her Burst remains one of the highest damage abilities in the game when enemies are frozen. She excels in Freeze teams and benefits greatly from the new Escoffier and Citlali. Her complete kit at C0 makes her accessible, though C2 and C4 provide substantial damage increases.

Hu Tao - The 77th Director (S-Tier)

Hu Tao remains the queen of single-target Pyro damage. Her HP-scaling mechanics and powerful Charged Attacks make her exceptional against bosses. While she requires more skill to play optimally compared to other DPS characters, mastering her cancels and rotations rewards players with incredible damage output. C1 significantly improves her playability by removing stamina consumption during her Elemental Skill.

Skirk - The Abyssal Warrior (A-Tier)

As one of the newest additions in Version 5.7, Skirk brings a unique combat style focused on Hydro damage. While still being evaluated by the community, early testing shows she has solid damage potential but lacks the versatility of other Hydro DPS options. Her best teams are still being discovered, but she shows promise in Freeze and Vaporize compositions.

Chasca - The Peacemaker (A-Tier)

Chasca's ability to absorb elements from her teammates and convert them into multi-elemental bullets makes her one of the most unique DPS characters. She excels in teams with diverse elements and can trigger multiple reactions simultaneously. Her flying combat style offers a fresh gameplay experience, though it requires adaptation from traditional combat approaches.

Mualani - The Wave Rider (A-Tier)

Mualani specializes in massive Vaporize nukes with her shark-surfing gameplay. Her high multipliers make her capable of impressive damage numbers, but her reliance on specific setups and timing windows keeps her from the highest tiers. She's particularly effective in speedrun scenarios where enemies can be one-shot.

Alhaitham - The Acting Grand Sage (B-Tier)

Despite being in B-tier, Alhaitham remains a powerful Dendro DPS. His mirror mechanics and consistent Dendro application make him excellent for Spread teams. The ranking reflects the current meta favoring other reaction types, but he's still highly capable in the right teams. His self-sufficiency and ease of use make him a comfortable choice for many players.

Kokomi - The Divine Priestess (A-Tier)

Kokomi's combination of consistent Hydro application, substantial healing, and respectable damage has kept her relevant throughout multiple meta shifts. She's essential for comfortable Freeze teams and works well in Hyperbloom compositions. Her inability to crit is offset by her high HP scaling and the utility she provides.

Gaming - The Leonine Vanguard (C-Tier)

Gaming represents the 4-star plunge attack archetype. While he can achieve impressive numbers with proper investment (especially at C6), he requires specific team support to reach his potential. His reliance on Xianyun or similar plunge supports limits his flexibility, placing him in C-tier despite his high damage ceiling.

Dehya - The Flame-Mane (B-Tier)

Initially considered one of the weakest 5-stars, Dehya has found her niche as a defensive Pyro option. Her damage mitigation mechanics and off-field Pyro application make her valuable in certain team compositions. While she doesn't match other Pyro characters in damage, her unique defensive utility has earned her a spot in B-tier.

The Travelers - The Protagonists (D-Tier)

While freely available and capable of wielding multiple elements, the Travelers generally underperform compared to dedicated characters. Each element offers different utility - Dendro Traveler being the most valuable as a F2P Dendro option. Their main advantage is accessibility and the free C6, but they're typically replaced once players obtain better options.

Dahlia - The Mysterious Newcomer (C-Tier)

Dahlia, another Version 5.7 addition, is still being evaluated by the community. Initial impressions suggest she's a capable support with unique mechanics, but she hasn't yet found a defining role in the meta. Her placement may change as players discover optimal team compositions and rotations.

Aloy - The Savior From Another World (D-Tier)

As a collaboration character, Aloy suffers from limited constellation access and a kit that doesn't synergize well with Genshin's combat system. While she can function as a Cryo sub-DPS, other options significantly outperform her. She remains more of a collector's item than a meta choice.

Genshin Impact Best Team Compositions for 2025

Meta-Defining Teams

1. Neuvillette Hypercarry

• Neuvillette, Furina, Kazuha, Zhongli/Baizhu
• Maximum comfort with incredible damage output

2. Mavuika Vaporize

• Mavuika, Xilonen, Yelan, Bennett
• Highest damage ceiling for Pyro teams

3. Arlecchino Overload

• Arlecchino, Chevreuse, Fischl, Bennett
• Consistent damage with overload synergy

4. Hyperbloom Core

• Nahida, Xingqiu/Yelan, Kuki Shinobu, Flex
• Budget-friendly with massive damage potential

5. Ayaka Freeze 3.0

• Ayaka, Citlali, Escoffier, Kazuha
• Revitalized freeze with new supports

F2P Friendly Options

For players who want to clear all content without spending, I recommend focusing on:

1. National Team Variants - Bennett, Xiangling, Xingqiu + Flex
2. Hyperbloom Teams - Easy to build with high damage
3. Freeze Teams - Safe and consistent for most content

How to Use This Tier List?

Remember, tier lists are guidelines, not gospel. Here's how to make the most of this information:

1. Consider Your Account - Work with what you have
2. Prioritize Supports - They enable multiple teams
3. Build Synergistic Teams - Individual power matters less than team synergy
4. Invest Wisely - Focus resources on key characters first
5. Play Your Favorites - Any character can clear content with investment

Latest Meta Shifts in Version 5.7

The introduction of Skirk and Dahlia, along with balance adjustments, has created some interesting shifts:

• Cryo teams are more viable thanks to Citlali and Escoffier
• Mavuika has established Pyro's dominance in the meta
• Hyperbloom remains one of the most accessible team archetypes
• Mono-element teams are seeing a resurgence

Investment Priority Guide

For new players wondering who to build first:

Must-Build Characters (if you have them):

1. Bennett (C1)
2. Xingqiu (C2+)
3. Nahida
4. Kazuha
5. Furina

Excellent Early Investments:

1. Xiangling (C4)
2. Fischl
3. Sucrose
4. Kuki Shinobu (for Hyperbloom)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the strongest character in Genshin Impact 2025?

Currently, Neuvillette holds the crown as the strongest DPS character due to his self-sufficiency, massive AoE damage, and ease of use. However, Mavuika competes closely in teams built around her. For supports, Furina and Nahida are considered the most impactful.

Is C0 enough for 5-star characters?

Yes! Most 5-star characters are designed to be complete at C0. While constellations provide upgrades, they're rarely necessary. The exceptions are characters like Hu Tao, whose C1 significantly improves playability. I always recommend trying a character at C0 before deciding on constellations.

Should I pull for meta or favorites?

This is Genshin Impact's eternal question! My advice: pull for favorites first, but keep one or two meta supports in your roster. Characters like Kazuha, Bennett, and Nahida enable so many teams that they're worth having even if you don't love their design. Remember, powercreep in Genshin is minimal - your favorites will remain viable.

How often does the tier list change?

Tier lists shift with each major patch (every 6 weeks) as new characters release and Spiral Abyss rotations change. However, dramatic shifts are rare. Characters like Bennett and Xingqiu have remained top-tier since launch. I update this list with each version to reflect the current meta.

What's the best F2P team?

The classic National team (Bennett, Xiangling, Xingqiu, flex) remains undefeated for F2P accessibility and power. For newer players, I recommend building a Hyperbloom team with Dendro Traveler, as it requires minimal investment for high damage output.

Are 4-star characters still worth building?

Absolutely! Some 4-stars like Bennett, Xingqiu, and Xiangling are more valuable than many 5-stars. The key is understanding each character's role and building them appropriately. Don't underestimate 4-stars - they're the backbone of many meta teams.

How important are weapons for tier placement?

Weapons can significantly impact a character's performance, but most rankings assume 4-star weapons or F2P options. 5-star weapons generally improve damage by 15-30% but rarely change a character's tier placement. Focus on talents and artifacts before worrying about perfect weapons.

Conclusion

The Genshin Impact meta in 2025 offers more variety than ever before. While certain characters dominate the tier lists, the game's design ensures that every character can succeed with proper investment and team building.

Whether you're chasing the highest Spiral Abyss clears or just enjoying the journey through Teyvat, I hope this tier list helps you make informed decisions about your roster. Remember to check back each patch as I update these rankings with new releases and meta shifts.

What do you think of the current meta? Drop a comment below with your favorite team compositions!