This Genshin Impact tier list for Version 5.0 (October 2024) ranks characters based on their performance in Main DPS, Sub-DPS, and Support roles. Please note that these rankings are based on C0 (no constellations). Let’s jump into each tier and break down why certain characters reign supreme while others lag behind.
SS Tier
These are the absolute top-tier characters that dominate their roles with little investment. They are highly versatile, effective in various team compositions, and often remain relevant across patches.
Main DPS
Neuvillette: With his insane Charged Attack damage and self-sufficiency, Neuvillette can handle both single-target and AoE content with ease. His C1 constellation removes his vulnerability by fixing his energy issues, making him a powerful one-man army.
Arlecchino: Known for her Pyro damage, Arlecchino is a beast in both single-target and AoE scenarios. Her fast Normal Attacks and wide AoE make her a top-tier Pyro DPS, though her high-risk playstyle may deter some players.
Sub-DPS
Nahida: A Dendro powerhouse that fits into almost any Dendro reaction team. Her Elemental Skill provides off-field Dendro application with incredible uptime, making her a must-have for teams focused on Dendro reactions like Burgeon or Hyperbloom.
Xingqiu: Still one of the best sources of Hydro application in the game. His Elemental Burst offers Hydro application, damage reduction, and a bit of healing, making him indispensable for Vaporize or Freeze teams.
Support
Furina: The queen of universal support. Her buffs, healing mode, and team-wide HP drain mechanics open up new strategies for HP-scaling characters. Furina fits into almost any team that requires a healer or buffer.
Kazuha: Kazuha shines as a Swirl master, buffing your team’s Elemental DMG while providing incredible crowd control. He can fit into nearly any team comp, making him one of the most flexible supports around.
S Tier
S-tier characters are excellent in their roles but may require more investment or specific team synergies to truly shine. They’re strong, just not as universally dominant as SS-tier units.
Main DPS
Mualani: DPS with frontloaded Hydro damage, best suited for Vaporize teams. While she excels at single-target damage, her Elemental Skill can be tricky to aim, making her a bit less consistent than other top-tier DPS characters.
Hu Tao: The queen of single-target Pyro damage. Hu Tao’s Elemental Skill buffs her Normal and Charged Attacks at the cost of HP, making her a powerful but risky option. She’s slightly edged out by newer Pyro DPS like Arlecchino.
Sub-DPS
Yelan: Functions similarly to Xingqiu but with more burst damage and mobility. Her Elemental Burst applies Hydro and buffs your active character’s damage, making her a staple in high-damage compositions.
Shinobu: A fantastic Electro Sub-DPS, especially in Hyperbloom teams. Her healing scales with Elemental Mastery, making her a flexible pick that can support both offense and defense.
Support
Bennett: The best all-rounder support with healing, attack buffs, and Pyro application. His Elemental Burst is a game-changer for any team, making him a near-essential character in many compositions.
Zhongli: With his nearly indestructible shield and universal resistance shred, Zhongli remains one of the best supports for any team. His ability to protect the team while debuffing enemies is invaluable.
A Tier
These characters can perform well with the right team composition and investment but are generally less flexible or effective than higher-tier units. They often excel in specific roles but struggle in broader scenarios.
Main DPS
Ayaka: A Cryo DPS who excels in Freeze teams. Her Elemental Burst is a massive nuke, but she requires a lot of energy recharge and specific supports to maximize her potential.
Tartaglia (Childe): Still a solid Hydro DPS, especially in AoE situations with his Riptide mechanic. However, his melee stance timer can be limiting, and he can struggle in single-target fights compared to newer Hydro characters.
Sub-DPS
- Fischl: With high Electro uptime thanks to Oz, Fischl remains a great pick for Electro-charged and Aggravate teams. However, she requires full constellations to truly compete with newer Sub-DPS units.
Support
- Faruzan: A specialized Anemo support who buffs Anemo DMG and reduces Anemo resistance. She is a must-have for Anemo DPS characters like Wanderer but struggles with high energy requirements without her constellations.
B Tier
B-tier characters are generally good at their specific roles but often come with significant limitations. They require high investment to be competitive or have niche uses that aren’t universally applicable.
Main DPS
Diluc: Once the king of Pyro DPS, Diluc’s straightforward playstyle has been overshadowed by characters like Hu Tao and Arlecchino. He’s still solid but lacks the burst potential and flexibility of his competition.
Yoimiya: A single-target Pyro DPS with high Normal Attack damage. Yoimiya can be great in specific teams but lacks AoE potential and can be interrupted easily during her attack strings.
Sub-DPS
- Rosaria: Provides solid Cryo application and crit rate buffs for her team, but her damage and utility pale in comparison to higher-tier options like Shenhe or Ganyu.
Support
- Diona: An excellent Cryo support with healing and shielding, but her buffs are outclassed by Bennett or Zhongli. Still a solid option for Freeze teams or as a Cryo battery.
C Tier
C-tier characters are serviceable but generally outclassed in the current meta. They can still be useful in specific situations but are often considered sub-optimal compared to higher-tier options.
Main DPS
Klee: Klee’s clunky playstyle and high stamina consumption make her difficult to use effectively, especially in fast-paced combat. She can still deal decent Pyro damage, but other Pyro characters perform better with less effort.
Cyno: Electro DPS who excels in Aggravate teams but suffers from energy issues and lack of flexibility. He requires specific team setups to perform well.
Sub-DPS
- Kaeya: Decent Cryo application, but his low damage scaling and lack of burst potential make him less attractive compared to other Cryo units like Ayaka or Rosaria.
Support
- Barbara: A solid healer but her Hydro application can often backfire by freezing your team when fighting Cryo enemies. Her low damage and long cooldowns also hurt her viability.
D Tier
These characters are often considered weak or highly situational. They struggle to keep up with the game’s tougher content and are best replaced by higher-tier options as soon as possible.
Main DPS
Aloy: With no constellations and clunky mechanics, Aloy is easily one of the least effective DPS characters in the game. Her damage ceiling is much lower than other 5-star characters.
Razor: Razor’s Physical damage playstyle has fallen out of favor with the introduction of stronger Elemental Reaction-focused characters. His kit feels outdated and underwhelming in today’s meta.
Support
- Qiqi: While Qiqi can heal a ton, her long cooldowns and energy issues make her inefficient compared to other healers like Bennett or Kokomi. Her lack of utility outside healing limits her flexibility.
Conclusion
As of October 2024, Neuvillette and Arlecchino lead the charge as the best Main DPS characters, while Nahida and Xingqiu reign supreme in the Sub-DPS category. On the support side, Furina and Kazuha continue to be invaluable assets to any team. Lower-tier characters like Aloy and Razor struggle to keep up, but with the right investment, even they can find a place in niche scenarios.
Always remember, while tier lists are helpful, your personal playstyle and team synergy can often make a lower-tier character shine. So, build your teams based on who you enjoy, and have fun exploring Teyvat!
