Genshin Impact Character Tier List 2026 – Best Characters to Build
The August 2026 tier list ranks all roles — Main DPS, Sub-DPS and Support — by their meta ceiling. New Snezhnaya characters (Odette, Sandrone, Varka, Columbina, Flins, Lauma) dominate the top, while established mains (Mavuika, Neuvillette, Furina, Raiden) still sit firmly in S tier. Here's who to prioritize on your limited pool.
SS Tier — The absolute best in each role
| Character | Role | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Odette | Sub-DPS / Support | Best off-field Stellar reaction enabler; massive team-wide buff. |
| Sandrone | Support / Sub-DPS | Core driver of Stellar-Glimmer teams; excellent utility. |
| Mavuika | Main DPS | Pyro hypercarry with unmatched scaling; top-tier burn engine. |
| Neuvillette | Sub-DPS / Main DPS | Hydro beam scales off HP; one of the most consistent DPS in the game. |
| Furina | Sub-DPS / Support | Team-wide DMG buff + HP-scaling offensive pressure; works in almost every team. |
| Bennett | Support | Best ATK buffer + healer; universally used in every meta team. |
| Kazuha | Support | Best Anemo support; EM-based shred + grouping; fits every elemental team. |
| Xilonen | Support | Geo/pyro buffer; newest universal enabler with strong team buffs. |
| Raiden Shogun | Main DPS / Sub-DPS | ER → ATK conversion + burst buffer; still S-tier even with newer options. |
| Yelan | Sub-DPS | Hydro application + HP-scaling damage; core of Vaporize/Hyperbloom teams. |
S Tier — Meta-defining, always viable
- Nahida – Dendro reaction engine; 250+ EM buff in burst. Best Dendro sub-DPS.
- Arlecchino – Pyro hypercarry with self-heal; excels in burn/hammer comps.
- Columbina – Lunar-Charged specialist; top-tier Hydro trigger.
- Ineffa – Support with strong reaction amplification.
- Lauma – Cryo sustain + DMG boost; valuable in freeze/lunar teams.
- Skirk – Cryo DPS with freeze synergy; strong in lunar reaction teams.
- Flins – Dendro sub-DPS; excels in hyperbloom/burgeon cores.
- Varka – Electro support; Stellar reaction enabler with solid buffs.
- Alhaitham – Dendro main DPS; EM scaling with strong single-target damage.
- Xiangling – Pyro off-field burst; core of national/reaction teams.
- Hu Tao – Pyro hypercarry; HP-swinging high-ceiling DPS.
- Ganyu – Cryo charged-attack DPS; freeze core anchor.
- Ayaka – Cryo main DPS; freeze team staple with burst window.
- Yae Miko – Electro sub-DPS; hyperbloom/burn enabler with consistent application.
- Zhongli – Best shield; crowd control + resistance shred; universal support.
- Xingqiu – Hydro application + damage reduction; core of every Vaporize team.
- Fischl – Electro off-field damage; universal sub-DPS with long-duration summon.
How to read this tier list
SS = character changes the entire team's gameplay around it. S = always has a spot in a meta team. The gap between SS and S is usually about team flexibility, not raw damage. A character like Bennett (SS support) is used in nearly every team; an S-tier DPS like Hu Tao is more niche but still excellent when built.
Don't ignore A-tier characters. Many strong characters sit in A because they require specific team setups or weapons. Chiori, Chevreuse, Emilie and Sigewinne are all excellent picks when the team is built around them.
F2P recommendations (no 5★ needed)
- Bennett – free 4★; used in literally every endgame team.
- Xiangling – free 4★; burst stays on-field for huge AoE pyro.
- Xingqiu – 4★; best Hydro applicator; works with any main DPS.
- Kazuha – 4★ banner; best Anemo buffer; worth pulling on his banner.
- Nahida – if you have her; best Dendro support and one of the most versatile chars in the game.
Common mistakes
- Pulling only DPS and ignoring supports: a good support (Kazuha/Bennett) boosts any DPS more than another DPS does. Prioritize utility first.
- Ignoring role compatibility: some characters are only good in specific team types (freeze, hyperbloom, burn). Build the team around the reaction, not the character.
- Upgrading the wrong stats: follow the build pages for each character — wrong artifacts are the #1 reason a top-tier character underperforms.
Quick Answers
What is the best tier in Genshin Impact?
SS tier characters are the absolute best — they change how a team plays and fit into multiple meta compositions. Examples: Bennett (support), Kazuha (buffer), Mavuika (DPS).
Should I pull S-tier or SS-tier characters first?
If you can only pull one, pick SS-tier supports first (Bennett/Kazuha). They make every DPS stronger. Then fill in with SS/S DPS based on your team needs.
Are A-tier characters useless?
No. A-tier characters like Chiori, Chevreuse and Emilie are excellent in the right team setup. Tier reflects versatility, not power in their native team.
What is the best F2P character?
Bennett and Xiangling are free and used in almost every meta team. Kazuha (limited 4★) is the single best support you can pull if he appears on banner.
Do tier lists change every patch?
Yes. New releases and balance changes shift tiers. This list was updated for the 7.0 Snezhnaya patch (August 2026). Check back for major updates.