Which Genshin Characters Should Beginners Build First? A F2P Must-Build List & Team Guide
Just landed in Teyvat with resin and Mora tighter than your schedule? This guide gives new and free-to-play players a proven list of must-build 4-star characters, with how to obtain them, budget builds, and one universal team that carries you for a long time. Build these and your early game basically can't go wrong.
Two Beginner Myths to Drop First
Myth 1: 5-stars are always stronger. Plenty of 4-stars outclass many standard 5-stars in both utility and damage, and full-4-star teams clearing Spiral Abyss Floor 12 are common. Don't quit just because you didn't pull a limited 5-star.
Myth 2: The Traveler is useless. Anemo Traveler's E groups enemies and is insanely efficient for early farming; Geo Traveler builds bridges and reaches chests. Leveling them to Ascension 70 is absolutely worth it. Don't bench the Traveler early.
Must-Build F2P 4-Stars (by Role)
These characters are cheap to obtain and fight-ready at C0 — the core you should prioritize first. Each lists its role, why it's worth building, how to get it, and a "budget build" (a low-cost setup that works without perfect gear).
PyroBennett
Nicknamed the "6-star" unit. His burst grants whole-team ATK and healing, and slots into almost any team. C0 already gives the full ATK buff; C1 removing the HP cap is a huge spike.
PyroXiangling
Her burst "Pyronado" deals off-field, high-frequency Pyro with top-tier scalings — the core of Vaporize/Melt teams. Given free for clearing Abyss 3-3; extremely cheap to build.
HydroXingqiu
Rain Sword gives DMG reduction, interruption resistance, and steady Hydro application; his coordinated bursts make him key to Vape and Freeze teams. Usable at C0, useful for life.
ElectroFischl
Oz applies Electro off-field with solid coordinated damage at C0; great in Overload, Electro-Charged, and Aggravate teams. Frequently requested across events and comps.
AnemoSucrose
"Mini-Kazuha." Her burst groups enemies and grants whole-team Elemental Mastery; core of Swirl teams. C6 adds an elemental DMG bonus. Cheap and stable output.
DendroKuki Shinobu
Her E continuously applies Electro to detonate Dendro cores; damage scales only with EM and level, so she's dirt cheap to build — the core of Bloom teams.
GeoNoelle
Guaranteed from the beginner banner. A thick shield and self-heal mean you won't die inside it; built up she can even be a main DPS. Great early-game experience.
HydroBarbara
Gifted from early quests and easy to C6; whole-team sustained healing. One E refills HP, saving tons of food resources while you're still learning.
How to Pick Your Main DPS
Your main DPS holds the field and deals damage. Before you pull a limited 5-star DPS, these are comfortable transition picks:
- Ningguang (Geo): a very comfy Geo main DPS for the early game; at C6 she rivals 5-stars and conveniently mines ore for you. A crit catalyst like Solar Pearl works fine.
- Razor (Physical): the most hassle-free physical main DPS for the early game; slap on a physical build and he clears the map. Great transition option if you have no 5-star DPS.
- A pulled limited DPS: if you're lucky enough to get the current banner DPS, build it first — it's usually stronger than the two above.
One Universal Team: National Team Variant
Combine the units above and you get the low-cost, high-power "National Team" idea. The two most useful versions for beginners:
| Slot | Unit | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Buffer / Heal | Bennett | Burst ATK buff + heal, double Pyro resonance DMG |
| Hydro | Xingqiu | Steady off-field Hydro, Vaporize with Pyro DPS |
| Off-field Pyro | Xiangling | Pyronado off-field Pyro, Vaporize core DPS |
| On-field DPS / Shield | Ningguang / Razor / Noelle | On-field DPS — use whoever's handy early |
This comp clears most world bosses and world quests early on; once you pull a stronger DPS, just swap the on-field slot. The supports (Bennett / Xingqiu / Xiangling) stay useful all the way to late game.
Most Common Beginner Mistakes
- Hoarding resin waiting for a "perfect character" and still unable to beat a world boss after two weeks — early resin should go to character ascensions and key talents.
- Looking down on 4-stars and running a team of unbuilt 5-stars that can't deal damage — build the 4-stars above first.
- Spreading resources across many characters so none are maxed — focusing to form one complete team is far more efficient than raising ten halfway.
Summary
New and F2P players, remember one line: max Bennett, Xingqiu, and Xiangling first; don't bench the Traveler and Noelle; use Ningguang / Razor as your DPS transition. This setup gives a smooth early game, a workable Abyss mid-game, and supports that keep working late-game — maximum value. After that, once you understand teambuilding and save up for a limited character you like, fill in the rest slowly.
Artifact Farming Guide → Furina Build Guide →
Back to the Starter Guide — see the 30-day plan & interactive tools →