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Genshin Impact Tier List

Genshin Impact Tier List – Complete (May 2026) Guide

Welcome to the most comprehensive Genshin Impact tier list you’ll find anywhere! As someone who’s spent countless hours analyzing Spiral Abyss data, testing team compositions, and keeping up with every meta shift, I’m excited to share my expert rankings for Version 6.1 Luna II. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting your journey in Teyvat, this guide will help you understand which characters are dominating the current meta and why.

Quick Reference: Genshin Impact Tier List Overview (2026)

TierMain DPSSub DPSSupportKey Characteristics
S+Arlecchino, Flins, Mavuika, Nefer, Neuvillette, Skirk, VaresaEscoffier, Furina, Ineffa, Lauma, Mavuika, Raiden Shogun, Xiangling, YelanBennett, Citlali, Furina, Kazuha, XilonenMeta-defining, essential for endgame
SAlhaitham, Chasca, Clorinde, Gaming, Hu Tao, Ayaka, Kinich, Lyney, Mualani, NaviaChiori, Fischl, Nahida, Nilou, XingqiuBaizhu, Chevreuse, Iansan, Jean, Kuki Shinobu, Kokomi, Shenhe, Xianyun, ZhongliExcellent performance, versatile
ACyno, Diluc, Ganyu, Ayato, Kaveh, Tartaglia, Wanderer, Wriothesley, XiaoEmilie, Ororon, Rosaria, Venti, Yae MikoAino, Charlotte, Faruzan, Ifa, Sara, Layla, Lan Yan, Mona, Sigewinne, Sucrose, Yaoyao, Yun JinSolid with proper investment
BItto, Eula, Keqing, Noelle, Sethos, Tighnari, Yanfei, YoimiyaAlbedo, Collei, Dendro Traveler, Kachina, Lynette, Pyro TravelerBarbara, Diona, Gorou, Kirara, Mika, Sayu, ThomaNiche applications, requires specific builds
CFreminet, Klee, Ningguang, Heizou, Yumemizuki MizukiBeidou, Chongyun, Kaeya, LisaCandace, Dehya, Dori, Electro Traveler, QiqiLimited utility, situational use
DAloy, Manekin, Razor, XinyanAmber, Anemo Traveler, Geo Traveler, Hydro TravelerDahliaVery limited combat utility

Genshin Impact Tier List: Understanding the Rankings

What Makes a Character S-Tier in 2026?

After analyzing data from Spiral Abyss usage rates, community feedback, and hands-on testing, I’ve identified several key factors that push characters into the highest tiers:

S+ Tier Characters are the absolute meta-definers. These characters either:

  • Introduce or dominate new elemental reactions (like Nefer with Lunar-Bloom)
  • Provide irreplaceable utility that enables entire team archetypes
  • Deal damage so significantly above average that they’re considered mandatory for endgame content
  • Have kits that work exceptionally well with current and future support options

S Tier Characters are excellent performers who may have minor limitations but still dominate in their specific roles. They’re often just a step below S+ due to requiring more specific team compositions or having slightly less versatility.

Main DPS Tier List Breakdown

S+ Tier Main DPS Characters

Arlecchino – The Pyro DPS powerhouse continues to dominate with her unique HP-draining mechanics and incredible burst damage potential. What makes her special is her ability to function as both a main DPS and sub-DPS depending on team needs.

Flins – This newer character has quickly risen to S+ status thanks to his interaction with the Lunar-Charge reaction. His damage output scales exceptionally well with investment, and he benefits tremendously from Ineffa’s presence in teams.

Mavuika – As the Pyro Archon, Mavuika brings unprecedented power to Pyro teams. Her ability to deal massive burst damage while providing team utility makes her one of the most versatile DPS options available.

Nefer – The latest Dendro DPS sensation, Nefer introduces the Lunar-Bloom reaction and has quickly become a top-tier pick. Her charged attacks convert Dendro cores into Seeds of Deceit, dealing devastating damage. While she performs best with Lauma, she’s still incredibly powerful even without her dedicated support.

Neuvillette – The first true Hydro hypercarry, Neuvillette’s charged attack cannon deals massive damage that scales with his HP. His ability to shred through enemies while maintaining high health makes him invaluable for difficult content.

S Tier Main DPS Characters

Alhaitham – While recently dropped to A-tier by some sources due to the Dendro meta shift, Alhaitham remains a formidable Spread and Hyperbloom DPS. His quick-swap Dendro application is still among the best in the game.

Hu Tao – The classic Pyro DPS maintains her S-tier status through raw damage output. Her risk-reward playstyle (stronger at low HP) rewards skilled players with some of the highest damage numbers in the game.

Kamisato Ayaka – Cryo’s premier DPS continues to excel in Freeze and Melt compositions. Her burst damage and cryo application remain unmatched for Cryo-focused teams.

Sub DPS Tier List Analysis

S+ Tier Sub DPS Characters

Furina – The Hydro Archon brings unprecedented utility as a sub-DPS. Her ability to provide massive damage buffs while healing makes her essential for nearly every high-end team composition.

Raiden Shogun – Electro’s versatility shines through Raiden, who can function as battery, sub-DPS, or even main DPS depending on build. Her energy generation and burst damage make her irreplaceable in many teams.

Yelan – Often called the “5-star Xingqiu,” Yelan provides incredible off-field Hydro application while dealing substantial damage. Her HP scaling makes her easy to build effectively.

S Tier Sub DPS Characters

Nahida – Dendro’s Archon provides unparalleled elemental mastery and Dendro application. Her ability to boost team damage while applying Dendro makes her essential for Spread, Hyperbloom, and now Lunar-Bloom teams.

Xingqiu – Despite being a 4-star character, Xingqiu remains one of the best sub-DPS options in the game. His Hydro application and damage reduction are invaluable for countless team compositions.

Support Tier List Rankings

S+ Tier Support Characters

Bennett – The undisputed king of supports, Bennett provides attack buffs, healing, and even Pyro application. His versatility and power make him the most-picked character in Spiral Abyss for good reason.

Kaedehara Kazuha – Anemo’s premier support provides elemental damage buffs, crowd control, and incredible versatility. His ability to boost damage while grouping enemies makes him essential for nearly every elemental reaction team.

Xilonen – This newer support has quickly risen to S+ status due to her incredible versatility and ability to enable new team compositions. Her buffs and utility make her valuable across multiple team archetypes.

S Tier Support Characters

Zhongli – The Geo Archon provides the strongest shields in the game while also providing resistance shred. While his offensive utility has diminished with the meta shift, his defensive capabilities remain unmatched.

Kuki Shinobu – Electro’s premier healer provides consistent healing while also dealing damage through her elemental skill. Her synergy with Hyperbloom teams keeps her relevant in the current meta.

Version 6.1 Luna II Meta Analysis

Major Meta Shifts in May 2026

The Luna II update has introduced several significant changes to the Genshin Impact meta:

Lunar-Bloom Reaction – This new Dendro-based reaction has completely changed how we approach Dendro teams. Characters like Nefer and Lauma are now essential for maximizing this reaction’s potential.

Character Movement Analysis:

  • Nefer: Newly introduced as S+ tier, dominates Lunar-Bloom teams
  • Alhaitham: Dropped from S to A tier as other Dendro options outscale him
  • Navia: Lowered to A tier due to Geo’s neglect in current meta
  • Manekin: Surprisingly placed in D tier due to limited combat utility

Team Composition Trends

Based on current Spiral Abyss data, these team archetypes are dominating:

  1. Lunar-Bloom Teams: Nefer + Lauma + Double Hydro
  2. Lunar-Charge Teams: Flins + Ineffa + Flexible supports
  3. Traditional Hyperbloom: Nahida + Xingqiu/Yelan + Flex
  4. Freeze Comps: Ayaka + Kazuha + Flex Hydro + Flex Cryo

Character Investment Priorities

Best Characters to Build in 2026

For Free-to-Play Players:

  1. Bennett (C6 achievable) – Universal support
  2. Xiangling (C6 achievable) – Excellent Pyro sub-DPS
  3. Xingqiu (C6 achievable) – Essential Hydro application
  4. Fischl (C6 achievable) – Great Electro sub-DPS

For Whales/High Spenders:

  1. Mavuika – Pyro Archon with incredible versatility
  2. Nefer – New Dendro DPS with Lunar-Bloom potential
  3. Furina – Hydro Archon with unmatched utility
  4. Kazuha – Best Anemo support in the game

Constellation Value Analysis

Some characters see dramatic improvements with constellations:

High Value Constellations:

  • Raiden Shogun C2: Transforms her from great to broken
  • Hu Tao C1: Removes HP drain penalty, significantly improving QoL
  • Xingqiu C6: Adds consistent Hydro application and damage
  • Bennett C6: Removes attack buff restriction on sword/claymore users

Low Value Constellations:

  • Kazuha: Already excellent at C0, constellations offer minimal improvement
  • Zhongli: Shield strength is already maxed at C0 for most content
  • Furina: Most of her utility is available at C0

Element-Specific Analysis (May 2026)

Pyro Characters Tier List

Pyro remains one of the strongest elements thanks to Mavuika’s introduction and the continued strength of characters like Hu Tao and Bennett.

Top Pyro Characters:

  • Mavuika (S+) – Archon-level power and utility
  • Arlecchino (S+) – Unique HP mechanics, incredible damage
  • Hu Tao (S) – Consistent top-tier DPS
  • Bennett (S+) – Best support in the game

Hydro Characters Tier List

Hydro’s versatility keeps it relevant across multiple team compositions, from Freeze to Vaporize to Bloom.

Top Hydro Characters:

  • Furina (S+) – Archon utility with damage buffs
  • Neuvillette (S+) – First true Hydro hypercarry
  • Yelan (S+) – Premium Hydro application
  • Xingqiu (S) – F2P-friendly essential support

Electro Characters Tier List

Electro has seen a resurgence with Dendro reactions and continues to be strong through characters like Raiden Shogun.

Top Electro Characters:

  • Raiden Shogun (S+) – Versatile battery and DPS
  • Clorinde (S) – Strong Electro DPS
  • Kuki Shinobu (S) – Essential for Hyperbloom
  • Fischl (A) – Great F2P Electro option

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Building Characters Incorrectly

  1. Ignoring ER Requirements: Many players don’t give enough Energy Recharge to burst-dependent characters like Raiden Shogun or Xingqiu
  2. Wrong Artifact Sets: Using generic sets instead of character-specific ones (like using Wanderer’s on everyone)
  3. Overlooking Talent Priority: Focusing on normal attacks when burst or skill is more important

Team Composition Errors

  1. Elemental Synergy Neglect: Not considering how elements interact in teams
  2. Role Duplication: Having multiple characters trying to do the same job
  3. Energy Problems: Not balancing battery and DPS characters properly

Future Meta Predictions

Upcoming Characters to Watch

Based on current datamining and trends, these characters could shake up the meta:

  1. Columbina – Expected to be a powerful Cryo support/DPS hybrid
  2. More Lunar Reaction Characters – The Lunar-Bloom and Lunar-Charge reactions will likely receive more dedicated characters
  3. Archon Continuation – The remaining Archons (if any) will likely be meta-defining

Long-term Investment Strategy

Safe Investments:

  • Kazuha – Will remain relevant due to Anemo’s universal utility
  • Bennett – His buffs and healing are always valuable
  • Furina – Archon-level utility ensures long-term relevance

Risky Investments:

  • Element-specific DPS – May fall out of favor if their element receives no support
  • Niche supports – Only valuable for specific team compositions

FAQ: Genshin Impact Tier List 2026

How often is this tier list updated?

This tier list is updated weekly to reflect the latest Spiral Abyss data, new character releases, and meta shifts. With Version 6.1 Luna II introducing significant changes, we’re monitoring the meta closely to ensure our rankings remain accurate.

Should I only build S-tier characters?

Not necessarily! While S-tier characters offer the best performance, many A and B-tier characters can clear all content with proper investment and team building. The most important factor is building a cohesive team rather than individual character strength.

What’s the difference between C0 and C6 rankings?

C0 (Constellation 0) represents a character’s base power, while C6 shows their maximum potential. Some characters like Raiden Shogun see dramatic improvements at C2, while others like Kazuha are already excellent at C0.

How do you determine tier rankings?

Our rankings are based on Spiral Abyss usage rates, damage output potential, team versatility, and current meta relevance. We also consider how well characters enable specific team compositions and elemental reactions.

Are 4-star characters worth building?

Absolutely! Characters like Bennett, Xiangling, Xingqiu, and Fischl are among the best in the game despite being 4-stars. Many F2P players build exclusively around these characters and clear all content successfully.

What makes a character S+ vs S tier?

S+ characters are meta-defining units that either introduce new mechanics, provide irreplaceable utility, or deal significantly more damage than alternatives. S-tier characters are excellent but may have minor limitations or require more specific team compositions.

How important are weapons for tier rankings?

Weapons can significantly impact a character’s performance, but our rankings assume optimal weapon choices. F2P-friendly options exist for most characters, though signature weapons often provide the best results.

Will this tier list be relevant for future updates?

While specific rankings may change with new character releases and balance changes, the fundamental evaluation criteria and top-tier characters typically remain relevant for several months. We update regularly to ensure accuracy.

Conclusion: Your Path to Genshin Impact Mastery

This comprehensive Genshin Impact tier list for Version 6.1 Luna II should serve as your definitive guide for character building and team composition in 2026. Remember that while tier lists provide valuable insights, the most important factor is building characters you enjoy playing and creating teams that work for your playstyle.

The meta is constantly evolving with new characters and reactions, but the fundamentals of good team building—elemental synergy, energy balance, and role clarity—remain constant. Use this tier list as a starting point, but don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

For more Genshin Impact guides, character builds, and meta analysis, be sure to check out our other articles and bookmark this page for regular updates. The world of Teyvat is always expanding, and staying informed is key to mastering every challenge that comes your way!

Looking for more Genshin Impact content? Check out our Genshin Impact builds guide for detailed character building strategies and team composition tips!

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