Genshin Impact: 20 best characters in 2024

There are many playable characters in Genshin Impact. As of the release of version 5.0, their number reached 87 and will only continue to grow in the future. But how do you choose whom to roll for on your account from this abundance? Let’s explore in our article.

Raiden

Image: youtube.com / Raiden from Genshin Impact 

Raiden Shogun, also known simply as Raiden or Ei, is the Archon of Inazuma and the strongest Electro character in the game. Even though she was released three years ago in September 2021, teams featuring her remain relevant and are actively used in Spiral Abyss.

This is because the heroine can fulfill multiple roles. If you have her second constellation, she can easily serve as the main damage dealer of the team, requiring only Sara. If you lack constellations, Raiden can act as a pocket damage dealer or facilitate reactions. There are plenty of team compositions with her, ranging from the classic "National" to packs featuring Dendro reactions.

Al-Haitham

Image: hoyolab.com / Al-Haitham from Genshin Impact 

If you need a strong and meta damage dealer, you can choose Al-Haitham. Since his release, he has also remained relevant. This is due to the relatively simple gameplay and team composition that does not require other legendary heroes.

For a solid team with this character, you only need to pair him with Xingqiu and Kuki Shinobu, along with any Dendro character, making sure to equip them with the Deepwood Memories set. With this team, you can tackle Spiral Abyss and any challenge in the open world. Moreover, Al-Haitham represents a rare type of tall male characters in Genshin, so don't miss your chance.

Arlecchino

Image: vg247.com / Arlecchino from Genshin Impact

Arlecchino appeared in the game relatively recently, closer to the end of the Fontaine storyline. However, her arrival created quite a buzz in the gaming community. Many have been anticipating her since the first animated trailers featuring the Fatui, and the expectations were met.

At the time of this article’s publication, Arlecchino is considered the strongest Pyro damage dealer in the game. She has a straightforward build, a wide selection of suitable weapons, and several viable team compositions. Additionally, she can temporarily move across water, making exploration easier. Even if you assemble a team of your favorite characters for world exploration, you won't face issues with enemies: Arlecchino will quickly take them down.

Furina

Image: hoyolab.com / Furina from Genshin Impact

Archons in Genshin Impact are generally quite strong and versatile, but Furina ranks among the top heroes alongside Raiden. Her release introduced new gameplay options, and she is the first character with such mechanics.

The heroine summons three assistants on the battlefield to attack enemies. Meanwhile, the HP of the allies gradually depletes to 50%, which enhances the attacks of the summoned beings. If you hold the basic attack button, the Archon will change stances, adopting the Pneumousia element and transforming the three assistants into one that heals the active character on the field. With her ultimate, Furina can buff elements, making teams featuring her even stronger.

Neuvillette

Image: siliconera.com / Neuvillette from Genshin Impact 

The Hydro Dragon and judge of Fontaine was released slightly earlier than the Archon, but together they create perfect synergy. Neuvillette works well with the HP loss mechanic from Furina, as he can heal himself. If you equip him with the Twilight Hunter set, he will buff himself upon losing or recovering health.

Overall, Neuvillette's damage output is so good that he doesn’t even need reactions. With a good build, he can solo difficult game content, and there are many videos on YouTube showing how the Hydro Dragon alone can clear entire floors of the Abyss.

Kazuha

Image: hoyolab.com / Kazuha from Genshin Impact

But the top characters in the game don't end with damage dealers, of course. Kazuha is currently the most popular support character. He fulfills several roles in battle: drawing small enemies together, restoring energy to the main damage dealer, enhancing elements with the Spread Reaction, and helping to maintain statuses on opponents.

Without this hero, many strong teams would perform much worse, so it’s definitely worth obtaining him for your account. And if you reach his second constellation, your reactions will become even stronger. However, in reality, the character doesn’t need them to be an excellent support.

Baizhu

Image: lootbar.gg / Baizhu from Genshin Impact 

Many players have been waiting for Baizhu since the game's release. This mysterious healer with a snake around his neck has captivated many, but the wait was quite long. As expected from a character who serves as a healer, Baizhu was designed to be a strong healer.

He is often used in the Abyss, not only because he is currently the strongest healer in the game. The character can also apply shields and activate Dendroculus Resonance when necessary. He works particularly well in teams with Furina, as the healing from his elemental skill is sufficient to restore the health of the entire party, which is diminished by the Archon when using the summon.

Nahida

Image: hoyolab.com / Nahida from Genshin Impact

Another must-have Archon for your account is Nahida. This is due to her ability to fulfill any Dendro support needs, deal damage even when not on the field, and maintain status on enemies almost indefinitely.

You can even play her with the Burning reaction, as her mark mechanics constantly refresh the Dendro status on enemies. Therefore, you can pair this Archon of Wisdom with almost any team to unlock new gameplay possibilities.

Kokomi

Image: hoyolab.com / Kokomi from Genshin Impact

Kokomi initially received mixed reviews as a character. She is the only hero in Genshin Impact whose critical hit chance drops to -100% upon leveling up. This is because her mechanics are incredibly powerful. Without this nerf, she would be able to eliminate anything alive.

In teams, the heroine acts as a healer and applies the Hydro status to enemies. She can be used in various teams, but the priority is to play her in a Frozen setup. This is because Kokomi can keep her jellyfish active on the field for an extended period, and her skill has short cooldowns. With proper use, your heroes will face no healing issues at all.

Yelan

Image: zleague.gg / Yelan from Genshin Impact 

We haven't had any archers on our list yet, so Yelan is here to change that. However, that's not the only reason she's included: in fact, she is one of the strongest Hydro characters in the game. The heroine can deal massive damage on her own or support Pyro and Electro damage dealers by attacking "from the pocket".

With her ultimate, she activates Hydro arrows that trigger upon using basic attacks. This effect also applies to allies, enhancing their attacks and creating reactions. Yelan can also work well with Xingqiu, resulting in a double Hydro setup for Hu Tao and other Pyro characters.

Zhongli

Image: distractify.com / Zhongli from Genshin Impact

Zhongli’s situation is quite interesting. He is currently the only character in Genshin Impact to receive a full rework. This was because, at the time of his release, the Chinese fan base had specific expectations, and, according to players, the character did not meet his perceived strength. Following a major scandal, the developers issued apologies and significantly buffed the character a few updates later.

Now we have a character capable of shielding allies from incoming damage, reducing enemies' damage resistance, and restricting their movement after using his ultimate. Additionally, Zhongli can even function as a physical DPS if his team is properly selected.

Bennett

Image: hoyolab.com / Bennett from Genshin Impact

The role of the best boy in Genshin Impact rightfully belongs to Bennett. He has been in the game since its release and still remains relevant. This is all thanks to his excellent mechanics. The character can not only heal allies but also provide them with attack buffs. Additionally, he can equip support artifact sets, restore energy, and participate in creating reactions. Plus, his build is very straightforward.

To some extent, the hero has become a meme due to his sixth constellation. If activated, characters within the radius of his ultimate (except for archers and catalysts) will receive Pyro Infusion on their attacks. However, there’s nothing wrong with this, as many characters now have their own Elemental Infusion. So feel free to activate the sixth constellation — the Pyro damage buff is never unnecessary.

Xiangling

Image: inverse.com / Xiangling from Genshin Impact

Xiangling can be obtained for free by completing the 3rd floor of the Spiral Abyss for the first time. For many players at the start of the game, this was a major motivation for leveling up, as the Pyro polearm user was already quite strong at that time. She still remains relevant, easily fitting into various teams as a core member or for applying Pyro status.

For example, there is a well-known budget team with Xiangling — the National team. There are different variations: with Raiden, with Dendro heroes, with Anemo damage dealers, but the essence is that this is a strong team that can complete 90% of the game content without significant investment. So don't underestimate Xiangling and level her up. She is an excellent character.

Xingqiu

Image: youtube.com / Xingqiu from Genshin Impact

Another versatile four-star character worth leveling up is Xingqiu. We previously mentioned Yelan, but Xingqiu came into the game earlier and performs just as well. He fits into various teams and fulfills the need for a Hydro character for different challenges, and he is on 90% of players' accounts.

Xingqiu’s mechanics are related to summoning swords. After using his ultimate, he creates several water swords that attack alongside the active character. Additionally, he reduces incoming damage and restores a bit of HP to the active character once his ultimate ends.

Kuki Shinobu

Image: inverse.com / Kuki Shinobu from Genshin Impact

The parade of four-star heroes continues with Kuki Shinobu. This ninja girl from Inazuma has proven to be a strong character after the release of Dendro heroes. She works particularly well in teams with the Bloom reaction, as she can activate the "buds".

Kuki is relatively easy to build. She needs Elemental Mastery for comfortable gameplay and strong reactions, which also affects her healing. When using her skill, she consumes her own HP, so some caution is required. However, since she is off the field most of the time, this is not an issue.

Hu Tao

Image: hoyolab.com / Hu Tao from Genshin Impact

Hu Tao is another character who was released a while ago but has not lost popularity since. Initially, the developers kept her a secret due to her association with death and funerals, and her release occurred right after the Lantern Rite Festival in Liyue. But when she finally appeared in the game, she was so well-received that she remains among the best-selling heroes in the game.

This is because Hu Tao is a strong damage dealer with a straightforward mechanic. The lower her HP, the more damage she deals. She sets insane records. Even in the character selection rankings in the Abyss, Hu Tao ranks quite high.

Navia

Image: hoyolab.com / Navia from Genshin Impact

For quite some time, the niche of Geo damage dealers was occupied only by Itto and Ningguang, occasionally joined by Noelle. But with the release of Navia, everything changed. Primarily, this is because she does not require special conditions like Itto or Ningguang, and also because she has inherently high damage output.

Navia can deal with both minor opponents and bosses, and she is often used to clear the Abyss. Additionally, as a character from Fontaine, she possesses Pneumousia mechanics and can take out drones from her region.

Clorinde

Image: x.com / Clorinde from Genshin Impact

One of the most recent damage dealers in the game is Clorinde. Like Arlecchino, she operates on the Bond of Life mechanic. The higher it is, the stronger her attacks become. Clorinde is strong on her own and specializes in rapid damage output while in stance.

She works best with Dendro supports like Nahida. Due to her mechanics, the heroine requires little to no additional healing, allowing her to be used in a team without a healer while quickly taking down enemies. She is frequently chosen for challenging trials like the Abyss, but she is also quite powerful on her own in the open world.

Ayaka

Image: hoyolab.com / Ayaka from Genshin Impact

Essentially, Ayaka is a one-team character, but that doesn’t prevent her from breaking records in popularity and frequently appearing in recommendations for tackling challenging content. Due to her high personal damage and Cryo element, this character quickly gained popularity and continues to sell well.

The best and most popular team with Ayaka revolves around the Frozen reaction. Immobilized opponents cannot evade damage or strike your characters, making such a team highly valued by newcomers or players who prefer not to spend time learning timings and dodging.

Fischl

Image: screenrant.com / Fischl from Genshin Impact

Completing our selection of the best characters is another four-star hero from Mondstadt. Fischl is often used in teams with Dendro and Electro damage dealers as a sub-DPS who can deal damage from the sidelines. Additionally, her raven is a summon and can "remember" buffs applied at the moment of summoning, making it a strong ally on the field.

Fischl is easy to level up and remains powerful even without constellations, which is why she is valued by many players. She ranks highly on tier lists and is frequently seen in teams for clearing the Spiral Abyss.

In this article, we have compiled 20 characters that are best suited for tackling challenging content in 2024. Of course, new heroes and mechanics are constantly being introduced in the game, but all the characters we discussed above can form a solid foundation.

Main image: zerochan.net