Genshin Impact Characters: All Elements, Weapons, Roles & More

Curious about Genshin Impact characters wandering around Teyvat, their strengths, their roles in battle, and how they actually fit into your team comps? If yes, then you’re in the right place. Ever since its global release back in 2020, Genshin Impact has grown into one of the biggest open-world RPGs out there. HoYoverse keeps things fresh by expanding the map, dropping new storylines, and, of course, introducing more and more characters for us to obsess over. Every update brings along new faces, elemental reactions to play with, and those tempting banner reruns that always make players, whether casual travellers or hardcore meta-chasers, wonder if they should spend their Primogems.

As of Version 5.8 (August 2025), the game now boasts over a hundred playable characters, each tied to their region and element, bringing their own unique playstyle to the table. In this guide, we’ll break down every active character, grouped neatly by element, while also highlighting some of the best DPS picks, healers, supports, and reliable 5-star and 4-star heroes. Let’s dive into the list of all Genshin Impact characters.

All Genshin Impact Characters

The roster isn’t small anymore: Genshin Impact has surpassed an impressive 101 playable characters as of Version 5.8. With so many faces around Teyvat, it can get hard to keep track of them all. To guide you through the various characters, we will categorise them by element and include details of their weapons, roles, rarity, and even regions. We will also include comprehensive tables for each element directly below. Continue reading to find out more about the best Genshin Impact characters.

Anemo

Anemo characters all feature flexibility and control. From sweeping enemies into whirlwinds to triggering Swirl reactions, they have a lot of helpful utility in any comp. Heroes like Kazuha, Venti, and Wanderer are likely to dominate the meta with their crowd control capabilities. Xiao, as well, is always a reliable high DPS choice. Even support choices such as Sucrose and Traveller (Anemo) are good choices for beginners and veterans alike.

Geo

Geo characters have always been the steady rocks of the game, as per the Genshin Impact guide. They’re the ones you can rely on for strong shields, sturdy constructs, and a sense of safety in tough fights. Zhongli’s shield is still unmatched and feels almost unfair at times, while Albedo quietly chips in with reliable off-field damage. Noelle and Gorou might not be flashy, but in the right team, especially mono-Geo, they really shine. And with newer faces like Chiori, the Geo element has become a lot more fun and creative, moving beyond just defence into exciting tactical play.

Electro

Electro thrives on fast-paced reactions like Aggravate and Hyperbloom. Heavyweights like Raiden Shogun and Yae Miko lead the way with their raw damage and burst potential. Fischl remains one of the best 4-star supports in the game, while Cyno hits hard as a quick-swap DPS. And with Ineffa, the brand-new robotic Electro character, the element feels fresher than ever in 5.8.

Dendro

Introduced in Sumeru, Dendro has completely changed how team comps work. Focused on reactions like Bloom, Quicken, and Burning, it’s all about boosting synergy. Nahida and Tighnari headline the element, while Yaoyao and Collei bring strong free-to-play options. With teased Nod-Krai additions like Lauma and Nefer, fans are already excited for what’s next in the Dendro lineup. Among the group, Nahida is widely regarded as one of the best Genshin Impact characters.

Hydro

Hydro characters excel at healing, off-field applications and elemental reaction triggers. Mona enhances team damage with her burst, and Kokomi's sustain has made healing reliable and helps with Hydro uptime. Classics like Xingqiu are still crucial to an endless number of team compositions, and Furina has completely changed the meta with her unique HP melee mechanics, and even Candace has gotten an interesting niche role for Hydro infusion support.

Pyro

Pyro units are famous for raw damage and flashy bursts. Diluc and Hu Tao still stand out as iconic DPS picks, while Klee and Yanfei bring explosive Catalyst play. Xiangling, despite being a 4-star, is still meta-defining thanks to her Pyronado. Recently, Mualani and Chasca have entered the spotlight in 5.8, giving players even more fiery options for high-tier DPS.

Cryo

Cryo is known for freezing comps, boosting crits and doing big damage. Ganyu is an absolute beast in the ranged department, utilising charged shots. Ayaka reigns in Freeze teams, Eula does the highest physical numbers by far, while Qiqi is great for healing. It even makes sense to still use early game characters like Kaeya, given decent builds. Cryo definitely has some of the greatest versatility in the elements for Genshin.

With so much to explore and diversity in the Genshin Impact character tier list, it's virtually impossible not to find a few you bond with. Every character, no matter how obscure they may feel at first, can truly shine if they're correctly built and placed in the best team! You may be a player who is all about the elemental reactions to achieve that perfect Melt, Vaporise, or Hyperbloom.

Or, you might just be down for a sturdy shielder to keep the squad alive while you unload on the DPS. And then, sometimes you're not even playing about the meta- you're pulling for the character that brings you joy, which may be their design, their voice lines, or the good vibes they bring to capacity in your world. That's the wonderful beauty of Genshin; there is every sort of favourite! I hope this is guide feels like a conversation with a fellow traveller as opposed to a robot.