Tier Lists in Genshin Impact: Decoding the Rankings
Let’s explore Genshin Impact tier lists. These charts rank characters from god-tier to ‘needs-a-lot-of-love.’ What makes a tier list meaningful? Which should you focus on? Let’s find out.
What Makes an Accurate Tier List? The Holy Grail of Genshin Rankings
An accurate Genshin Impact tier list is data-driven, not just an opinion. It combines player experience and community input. Crafting this list is like baking. You need the right data and community discussion.
You need vast data on character performance. Look at damage output in Spiral Abyss. Also, consider support roles and exploration capabilities in Teyvat. A good tier list evaluates all aspects, not just raw damage. Damage isn’t everything for survival.
Experience matters too. Those who create quality tier lists are players. They use characters extensively. They know strengths and weaknesses that stats may hide. It’s different from just reading about a character—it’s about truly understanding them.
The community aspect is crucial as well. Individual opinions are valid but can skew perceptions. An accurate tier list reflects broader consensus. It gathers insights from discussions and evolving meta. It’s a culinary jury judging characters’ effectiveness.
What’s the best Genshin tier list? There’s no definitive ‘official’ list from Hoyoverse. Some communities focus on data analysis, theory crafting, and have a history of good rankings. Look for lists explaining their methods, considering roles and playstyles with regular updates. Even the best tier list is just a guideline—your playstyle and team matter too.
Decoding Tier List Lingo: S-Tier and Z-Tier Demystified
Tier lists come with their own ranking terms. Let’s dissect some common terms, starting with S-tier.
S-Tier: The Cream of the Crop
S-tier stands for ‘Super’ or ‘Superior.’ These characters are the best of the best. They excel in all content, dominating leaderboards. Essentially, they are royalty in Genshin Impact.
‘S-tier’ originates from Japanese grading, where it indicates the highest achievement level. It surpasses ‘A.’ Being in S-tier means a character isn’t just good; they are exceptional.
Z-Tier: The Legendary Joke Tier
Now, let’s discuss the mythical Z-tier. This tier isn’t always found on lists. Z-tier is more a humorous label for very weak characters.
In some circles, such as fans of ‘Uldarashi,’ Z-tier is a tongue-in-cheek title. It describes characters so bad they become legendary for it. Think of it as the ‘so bad it’s good’ category for Genshin characters. If you see a character in Z-tier, it’s usually a playful jab.
The Challenge Factor: Why Some Characters are ‘Difficult’
Genshin Impact features diverse characters. Some are easy to use, while others require more skill. Characters like Raiden Shogun, Nahida, and Cyno often prove challenging for newcomers.
Why is that? It’s about kit complexity and synergy needs. Raiden Shogun is powerful but needs understanding of Energy Recharge and Burst mechanics. It’s not just button-mashing; it requires strategy.
Nahida, the Dendro Archon, shines with Dendro reactions like Bloom and Hyperbloom. Building effective teams takes time. You can’t just throw her into any situation and expect success.
Cyno offers Electro DPS but requires managing rotations carefully. He works best in certain team setups. If not played correctly, he may feel underwhelming. He’s not a pick-up-and-play character.
‘Difficulty’ isn’t negative; it often indicates higher potential rewards for those who invest time in mastering these characters. It’s like playing a complex instrument; the challenge leads to satisfying outcomes.
Character Strength and Ranking: From Gods to Underdogs
The strength of characters in Genshin Impact is hotly debated. Who’s strong or weak? How do we define ‘strength’ across such variety?
Strongest Characters: The Apex of Power
The strongest characters often balance damage, versatility, survival, and utility roles. Overall strength isn’t just DPS; it’s about how well a character fits in a team.
‘God Tier’ includes Furina, Ayaka, Kazuha, Zhongli, Hu Tao, Raiden Shogun, Yelan, and Ganyu. These names aren’t random; they’ve proven themselves in challenging content.
Furina is seen as one of the best due to her Hydro application and versatility. She enhances many team compositions, aiding performance greatly.
Ayaka excels with her Cryo applications and powerful Burst. She dominates Freeze teams, tearing through enemies efficiently.
Kazuha provides crowd control, Elemental DMG boosts, and resistance reduction for teams. He’s vital for maximizing overall damage potential.
that holds powerful compositions together.
Zhongli, the Geo Archon, offers survivability. His shield and resistance shred are formidable. This makes him a defensive powerhouse. He allows teams to tank the hardest attacks. He’s the ultimate protector for your vulnerable DPS characters.
Hu Tao, Raiden Shogun, Yelan, and Ganyu complete this elite list. Each character has a unique type of dominance. Hu Tao delivers legendary Pyro DPS. Raiden Shogun changes the game with energy generation and Burst damage. Yelan excels in off-field Hydro application and damage. Ganyu’s Cryo sniping and AoE damage devastate enemies. They define the meta and set the standard for top performance.
Canonically Strongest: Lore vs. Gameplay
Let’s switch from gameplay strength to lore strength. Who are the powerhouses in Genshin Impact’s story? Interestingly, gameplay strength does not always match lore strength. Some characters are gods in the narrative but not top-tier picks in battles. But some names consistently rise in terms of raw lore power.
Zhongli stands out as canonically the strongest playable character. As Geo Archon and God of Contracts, his power is legendary. According to lore, no one can kill him – he had to fake his death to retire from his Archon duties. That’s a significant display of power. He’s like the Chuck Norris of Teyvat.
Among the Archons, Zhongli is often deemed the strongest. His control over Geo, vast age and experience, and reputation as God of War all contribute to his might. He set the benchmark for divine power.
DPS Kings and Queens: Damage Per Second Royalty
In terms of pure damage output, certain characters stand out. These are the DPS kings and queens, built for quick enemy obliteration.
Eula has the highest single attack damage nuke in Genshin Impact. With the right setup and buffs, she can unleash a physical damage attack exceeding six million points. That makes even the sturdiest Ruin Guard weep. She’s the nuke champion, called for big numbers on screen.
Adepti Powerhouses: Ancient and Mighty
The Adepti of Liyue are ancient beings with mystical power and wisdom gathered over millennia. Among them, Xiao stands out as among the strongest. At over 2,000 years old, he honed his skills to become a powerful force. Of the five Adepti appointed by Rex Lapis (Zhongli) as Yakshas (demon slayers), he is the last surviving one. This shows his resilience and might.
Weakest Characters: The Underdog Squad
Now, we look at the other end – characters often seen as ‘weakest’ in Genshin Impact. ‘Weakest’ is relative. Every character can contribute, and even underdogs can shine with investment. However, some are undeniably less impactful or have less optimized kits than others.
Overall Weakest: Struggling to Shine
When discussing the overall weakest characters, Layla and Xinyan often come up. Layla, despite her unique sleepwalking lore, is seen as weak in gameplay. Her shield and Cryo application are underwhelming against other Cryo supports. She lacks a role in meta team compositions. Lore-wise she has potential, but gameplay-wise, she often falls short.
Xinyan, Liyue’s rock ‘n’ roll musician, is often listed among the weakest. Her kit is a mix, trying to serve both Pyro DPS and shielding roles but not excelling in either. Her scaling faces criticism, and she struggles for a consistent place in team comps. Her rockstar aesthetic exists, but gameplay performance often misses the mark.
Canonically Weakest Archon: Venti’s Hidden Power?
In canon, Venti (Barbatos), the Anemo Archon, seems the weakest among current Archons. His defeat by La Signora early reinforces this idea. However, things might be more complex than they appear.
Although Venti is laid-back and carefree, hinting at hidden strength might be present. Nahida, the Dendro Archon, states an Archon’s power depends on their people’s faith. Venti, as Anemo Archon of freedom, might be intentionally avoiding overt displays of power, maintaining subtle influence. He appears chill, but don’t underestimate him; he might have more than meets the eye.
Rarest Characters: Elusive Five-Stars
In Genshin Impact’s gacha world, some characters are tougher to summon than others. These are the rarest ones that evade your wishes regardless of how many Primogems you spend.
Among five-star characters, Albedo, Diluc, Ganyu, Jean, Keqing, Klee, Mona, Qiqi, Venti are often cited as rare. Their rarity comes from various factors: banner availability, number of characters in standard pools, or sheer bad luck.
Venti and Diluc are notably rare. Both are five-stars from the standard banner and highly coveted by players. Their desirability and odds of pulling one contribute to their perceived rarity. Everyone wants them, but gacha gods do not always deliver.
Regarding the rarest character to pull, any five-star standard banner character claims that title technically. Since players may never get their desired character, they are all rare in a way. Some feel Amber, a starting four-star character, is surprisingly elusive from wishes. Though guaranteed early on, pulling constellations seems rarer than pulling for Lisa or Kaeya. It feels like the game knows you’ve got her already and gives out everyone else instead.
Unpopular Characters: The Less Loved Roster Members
Every game with a large cast has some less popular characters. In Genshin Impact, ‘unpopular’ means lower usage rates, less fan art or limited community buzz. One character mentioned is Scaramouche (now Wanderer). His intriguing lore meets edgy personality but receives criticism over gameplay kit and scaling. Some find his damage output underwhelming among other five-star DPS characters. His playstyle may not resonate with all players.
Hardest Characters to Obtain: Standard Banner Woes
If targeting a specific five-star character from the standard banner, prepare for a long journey. Characters like Keqing, Diluc, Jean, Qiqi, and Mona are part of this standard pool, appearing on any banner but without rate-up lowering odds of getting your choice. Pulling a specific standard five-star often proves challenging within Genshin’s gacha system. It’s a test of patience and luck.
Character Builds and Roles: Crafting Your Dream Team
Genshin Impact involves more than collecting characters; it’s about building them and finding suitable roles in team compositions. Understanding builds and roles maximizes team potential while conquering Teyvat’s challenges.
Best Healers: Keeping
Your Team Alive
In battle, healers are essential. They keep your team intact. Genshin Impact features many great healers. Among them, Kokomi shines as the best.
Kokomi is the top healer in Genshin Impact. Her healing is reliable and strong. Her Elemental Skill and Burst contribute to this. She offers constant healing and powerful burst healing on request. Yet, she is more than just a healer. Kokomi also produces decent damage and triggers Hydro reactions. This makes her a crucial part of many teams. She embodies healing, damage, and Hydro effects in one unit.
Easiest DPS to Build: Ready to Rumble
Creating a strong DPS can seem hard. It requires specific artifacts and weapons. Some characters are easier to build as DPS. They need less effort to be effective. Lynette and Kazuha are examples of simple DPS characters.
Lynette is a four-star Anemo character. She is surprisingly adaptable and easy to gear up. Her Anemo damage scales effectively with many artifacts and weapons. She is a cost-effective DPS choice that excels.
Kazuha is primarily a support but can also be built for DPS. His Elemental Mastery and Anemo damage bonus enable solid damage, especially in reaction teams. While he serves well as support, his DPS ability should not be overlooked. He excels in both roles.
Other characters, like Bennett, Sangonomiya Kokomi, Zhongli, Nilou, Chevreuse, and Gorou, are also easy to build. Their flexible artifact options and accessible stats make them excellent for those seeking DPS without extensive farming. Players can pick these choices easily.
Building Zhongli as DPS: Shielding and Smashing
Zhongli is known for his unmatched shielding ability. This makes him a defensive giant. But can he serve as a DPS? Yes, with certain conditions. While he can deal decent damage with his Elemental Burst, he won’t match specialized DPS characters in raw damage. He is mainly built for support, with shields and utility at his core.
When building Zhongli for DPS, focus on Geo damage and Crit stats. Use artifact sets like Archaic Petra or Noblesse Oblige to enhance his damage output. Weapons with Crit Rate or Crit DMG substats are best. Remember that prioritizing damage may decrease shield strength since you’ll focus on damage over HP. There’s a choice to make.
Best 5-Star DPS: Top-Tier Damage Dealers
Among five-star characters, who stands out as the best DPS? In standard banners, Diluc, Keqing, and Tighnari are top choices for main DPS roles. Diluc is a Pyro Claymore user and a classic powerhouse. His base Pyro damage, combined with Claymore attacks, makes him effective against numerous enemies. His Pyro application may lack reaction focus compared to others, but his damage speaks volumes. He is a dependable, hard-hitting DPS.
Best Dendro Character: Nahida Reigns Supreme
Dendro is the newest element in Genshin Impact. Nahida, the Dendro Archon, has quickly become the best Dendro character available. She is versatile, working as both main DPS and support/sub-DPS hybrid. Her Dendro application works well, enabling reactions like Bloom, Hyperbloom, and Aggravate. For Dendro-centric teams or effective applicators, Nahida is the prime selection. Her exploration Talent ranks among the best in-game, adding value in combat and exploration. She leads the Dendro category with style.
Primogems: The Currency of Wishes
Primogems drive Genshin Impact’s gacha system. Players use them to make wishes on banners for characters and weapons. Every player seeks more Primogems. Here are ways to collect these valuable gems.
Fastest Ways to Obtain Primogems: Wallet Warriors vs. F2P Grinders
Let’s be direct: the quickest method for Primogems is using real money. Buying Genesis Crystals and transmuting them into Primogems is immediate. However, F2P players can also earn Primogems without spending, albeit slower. No tricks provide instant Primogems without cash; steady efforts yield results.
Consistent Primogem Sources: Daily Grind is Real
For a reliable Primogem stream, focus on consistent sources for income over time. Daily Commissions are vital. Completing all four grants 60 Primogems daily. It may seem small alone, but it accumulates significantly. This process acts as a daily wish allowance through simple tasks.
The Spiral Abyss also provides considerable Primogems for those who can clear initial floors. Floors 9-12 reset regularly, offering many Primogems for each clear. While challenging, rewards justify the effort for those maximizing their Primogem count.
Achievements provide a more passive yet stable Primogem stream. While exploring Teyvat, complete quests and gameplay elements to unlock achievements that reward Primogems. This method gifts small bonuses simply for engaging in the game.
Other Primogem Sources: Events, Quests, and Codes
In addition to consistent sources, other ways exist to enhance your Primogem collection. Story and World Quests yield one-time Primogem rewards. Finishing main story quests grants Primogems alongside other resources. It’s like earning rewards through adventures around Teyvat.
Character Story Quests unlocked by Adventure Rank also yield Primogem bonuses upon completion. These quests delve into backstories while providing extra Primogems along the journey. This method fosters connection with favorite characters and adds resources.
Events create a significant source for Primogems in Genshin Impact. Hoyoverse hosts time-limited events offering substantial Primogem rewards for participation and tasks completion. Engaging actively in these events maximizes potential earnings during these rewarding occasions.
Redeem Codes frequently offer free Primogems, Mora, or items. Hoyoverse shares codes via social media or livestreams sometimes. Following Genshin Impact on official channels keeps you informed on new codes for quick redemption.
Exploration offers rewarding opportunities for finding Primogems too. Opening chests and discovering new areas often awards Primogems alongside resources. Search every corner to find unexpected treasures in the regions of Teyvat.
Maximizing Primogem Income: Smart Strategies for Wish Hoarders
To enhance Primogem income as a F2P player, strategize effectively. Using a Compass during exploration is a vital tool. The treasure compass helps locate nearby chests. This way, players can avoid missing Primogems when exploring the world.
Saving Primogems remains crucial for significant pulls. Decide your preferred banners and resist impulse spending.
Primogems should not be spent impulsively. If you want specific character or weapon banners, saving is key. This enhances your odds of obtaining desired items. Patience is crucial in gacha games.
Hangout Quests present a way to earn Primogems. Completing different hangout quests can earn you Primogems. Unlocking all endings in one character’s quest rewards an extra 80 Primogems. It’s the joy of time spent with characters and discovering their tales.
Using F2P strategies means focusing on stable Primogem sources and maximizing free rewards. Events, daily commissions, achievements, and redeem codes are vital for steady Primogem growth without spending real money. It takes time, but consistent effort builds a nice stash.
Primogems per Dollar (USD): The Real Cost of Wishing
If you spend money in Genshin Impact, know how Primogems convert from dollars. Different Genesis Crystal packages can be changed into Primogems. Buying two $50 Genesis Crystal packages yields more crystals than one $100 package. Two packs give you 6560 versus 6480 for one pack. It may seem odd, but it is more efficient to buy two $50 packs. Every Primogem is important.
For an idea on Primogem value, think about the Blessing of the Welkin Moon. It costs $5 for 2700 Primogems over 30 days (90 daily Primogems plus 300 Genesis Crystals initially). The Battle Pass costs $10 and grants 680 Primogems in 42 days along with other perks. Combining these with daily commissions yields 1800 Primogems each month.
