Genshin Impact Tier List (Best Characters Version 4.6)

Genshin Impact Tier List Overview

Welcome to our Genshin Impact Tier List for those that are curious about the best characters in the current state of the game!

What is the Current Genshin Impact Meta?

Neuvillette’s premier team continues to be dominant in any content in which Hydro is viable. His high damage, large AoE and range, and ease of play maintains his position as top tier. His teammates of Kazuha, Baizhu, and Furina provide a lot of damage increases as well as sustain and interruption resistance.

Arlecchino has quickly established herself as top tier for similar reasons. Flexible, adaptable, and easy to play. Currently dominant in any content in which Pyro is viable. Zhongli protects the team and enables virtually 100% uptime which is almost always a DPS increase. Yelan and Bennet’s damage contribution is immense.

Alhaitham’s overall power and his team’s ability to deal with the Iniquitous Baptise in the current Abyss 12-3-2 brings him back up into the top 3. He has always been a strong on-field DPS, often competitive with the best, and despite being debatably more difficult to optimize, has a team that also greatly improves his ease of play.

Tartaglia’s team’s damage is distributed between elements and sources and has significant AoE. This allows him and his team to be relevant in many types of content. It’s hard to go wrong with high damage and AoE even if it’s at the cost of needing a little bit of finesse. 

Xiao’s new premier Plunge team has it all. AoE, sustain, and damage. Furina’s Ousia Arkhe can swiftly handle the Icewind Suite: Nemesis of Coppelius in 12-2-1. Xiao’s AoE also more easily handles the grouping of enemies compared to many other characters found in the 1st half.

Genshin Impact Tier List Best Characters

Updated for Version 4.6

S+	Arlecchino, Neuvillette, Bennett, Furina, Kaedehara Kazuha, Zhongli
S	Alhaitham, Baizhu, Kuki Shinobu, Nahida, Xiangling, Xingqiu, Yelan
A	Hu Tao, Raiden Shogun, Tartaglia, Wriothesley, Chiori, Tighnari, Xianyun
B	Arataki Itto, Cyno, Eula, Kamisato Ayaka, Keqing, Klee, Lyney, Navia, Noelle, Wanderer, Xiao, Yoimiya, Albedo, Charlotte, Chevreuse, Diona, Faruzan, Fischl, Gorou, Jean, Kujou Sara, Layla, Mona, Nilou, Sangonomiya Kokomi, Shenhe, Venti, Yae Miko, Yaoyao

Genshin Impact Tier List by Role

Here’s a look at the same tier list, but with the characters separated by role.

On-Field DPS/Driver

S+	Arlecchino, Neuvillette
S	Alhaitham
A	Hu Tao, Raiden Shogun, Tartaglia, Wriothesley
B	Arataki Itto, Cyno, Eula, Kamisato Ayaka, Keqing, Klee, Lyney, Navia, Noelle, Wanderer, Xiao, Yoimiya

Off-Field DPS/Support

S+	Furina, Kaedehara Kazuha, Bennett
S	Nahida, Yelan, Xiangling, Xingqiu, Kuki Shinobu
A	Xianyun, Chiori, Raiden Shogun, Tighnari
B	Fischl, Mona, Nilou, Albedo, Venti, Yae Miko, Kujou Sara, Shenhe, Faruzan, Gorou, Chevreuse, Jean

Sustain

S+	Bennett, Zhongli
S	Kuki Shinobu, Baizhu
A	Xianyun
B	Layla, Sangonomiya Kokomi, Yaoyao, Charlotte, Jean, Diona

Genshin Impact Best Teams for 4.6 Spiral Abyss

For this last section, I’ll be covering some of the standout teams in Version 4.6 Spiral Abyss. Keep in mind that while these teams are strong, Spiral Abyss metas change every version, so your mileage may vary in the current patch.

Neuvillette Hypercarry – (1st Half)

• Neuvillette (Hydro On-Field DPS) [S+]
• Kazuha (Anemo Support) [S+]
• Baizhu (Dendro Sustain) [S]
• Furina (Hydro Support + Off-Field DPS) [S+]

Arlecchino Vaporize – (2nd Half)

• Arlecchino (Pyro On-Field DPS) [S+]
• Zhongli (Geo Sustain) [S+]
• Yelan (Hydro Support + Off-Field DPS) [S]
• Bennett (Pyro Support) [S+]

Alhaitham Hyperquickbloom – (2nd Half)

• Alhaitham (Dendro On-Field DPS) [S]
• Nahida (Dendro Support + Off-Field DPS) [S]
• Xingqiu (Hydro Support + Off-Field DPS) [S]
• Kuki Shinobu (Electro Sustain) [A]

Tartaglia Reverse Vaporize – (Both Halves)

• Tartaglia (Hydro On-Field DPS) [A]
• Kazuha (Anemo Support) [S+]
• Bennett (Pyro Support + Sustain) [S+]
• Xiangling (Pyro Off-Field DPS) [S]

Xiao Hypercarry – (1st Half)

• Xiao (Anemo On-Field DPS) [B]
• Xianyun (Anemo Support + Sustain) [A]
• Furina (Hydro Support + Off-Field DPS) [S+]
• Faruzan (Anemo Support) [B]

Genshin Impact Version 4.6 Banner Rankings

Arlecchino (Pyro On-Field DPS)

S+Tier

[Full Arlecchino Guide]

A Polearm (scythe) user that revolves around enhancing her Normal Attacks, converting them to Pyro damage and to deal extra damage. Also introduces some new traits not seen before on other characters: 

• While in combat, she can only be healed through the use of her own Burst, Balemoon Rising.
• Bond of Life, a mechanic previously seen used by some enemies and on some weapons, Arlecchino can apply this same thing to herself, which prevents healing. However, she has the ability to increase the Bond of Life on herself and gains bonuses from consuming it such as enhancing her Normal Attacks.

Pros:

• Strong personal damage and large Area of Effect for a melee
• Built in movement and gap closers in her kit helps with maintaining uptime
• Ease of play – not reliant on strict rotations/combos and has low execution requirements
• Burst is non-essential for damage, it can be reserved for situational personal healing
• Flexible teams

Cons:

• Cannot be healed except by her own Burst
• Survivability may rely more heavily on shielding or dodging

Examples of Popular Teams:

Vaporize: Hydro – Flex – Flex 

• Double Hydro: Xingqiu (Off-Field Hydro) – Yelan (Off-Field Hydro) – Zhongli/Layla (Shielder)
• Overvape: Xingqiu (Off-Field Hydro) – Fischl (Off-Field Electro) – Bennett (Support)
• Notable Options:
  • Hydros: Yelan, Xingqiu
  • Offensive Supports: Bennett, Kazuha, Sucrose
  • Off-Fielders: Fischl, Yae Miko
  • Shielders: Zhongli, Layla, Diona

Overloaded: Chevreuse (Pyro Overloaded Support) – Electro – Pyro/Electro Flex

• More Offensive: Chevreuse – Fischl  – Bennett 
• More Defensive: Chevreuse – Fischl – Thoma
• Notable Options:
  • Offensive: Fischl, Beidou, Yae, Bennett, Xiangling
  • Shielders: Thoma, Yanfei (C4), Xinyan, Dehya

Mono Pyro: Bennett (Support) – Anemo/Geo – Flex

• Anemo/VV: Bennett – Kazuha/Sucrose – Xiangling
• Double Geo: Bennett – Zhongli – Chiori /Yun Jin
• Notable Options:
  • Anemo: Kazuha, Sucrose, Lynette
  • Geo: Zhongli, Yun Jin, Chiori, Albedo

Lyney (Pyro On-Field DPS)

B-Tier

A Bow user that focuses on using Charged Aimed Shots. His kit innately encourages him to be paired with other Pyro teammates and being able to maintain Pyro on enemies.

Teams: A popular team for Lyney includes Bennett, a slot for an Offensive Support, and a slot for a Defensive Support. Due to his focus on Charged Attacks, Interrupt Resistance or Shielding is often highly valued for safety, consistency, and uptime.

• Notable Offensive Supports: Kazuha, Xiangling
• Notable Defensive Supports: Zhongli, Layla

Wanderer (Anemo On-Field DPS)

B-Tier

A Catalyst user that specializes in floating and attacking from the air using a mix of both Normal and Charged Attacks. He is also popular for exploration as his ability to fly for extended periods of time can sometimes aid greatly in traversing the world.

Teams: Hypercarry is perhaps Wanderer’s most popular team. A common composition includes: Faruzan (a specialized Anemo Support), Bennett for both his healing and buffing, and a flex, which can be based on the needs of the content you are challenging. It could be more support, more damage, or more defense. 

Some other variations include:

• Double Hydro (Xingqiu, Yelan)
• Double Cryo (Rosaria, Layla)
• Double Geo (Zhongli, Yun Jin)

Baizhu (Dendro Sustain) [S]

S-Tier

A Catalyst user that provides not just healing, but also shielding and Dendro application while either on-field or off-field. Performing all of these functions in a single character makes him a flexible unit that fits into many teams.

Teams: Some of Baizhu’s popular teams include Quicken, Hyperbloom, Burgeon, Nilou Bloom, and Neuvillette. A few notable teammates for each of these team types:

• Quicken: Alhaitham, Raiden Shogun, Kazuha
• Hyperbloom/Burgeon: Raiden Shogun, Thoma, Yelan, Nahida
• Nilou Bloom: Nilou, Kokomi, Nahida
• Neuvillette: Neuvillette, Kazuha, Furina

Disclaimers

Tier lists can be a great resource but you should keep in mind that they are not universal to every individuals’ account and the content of the game is constantly changing. It is best to think of them as general guidelines and suggestions for those that are performance minded!

A typical disclaimer at this point is that you should not be discouraged from pursuing your favorite characters based on their personality, design, or playstyle – just because something may be considered to be often better, does not mean other options are not viable.

The goal is to keep it regularly updated for every patch as the meta is a constantly changing landscape. With every new Spiral Abyss different characters and teams may have their time to shine. 🙂

Methodology

Spiral Abyss

Rankings provided and statistics used are based on the current/recent Spiral Abyss. Current opponent lineups and Blessings of the Abyssal Moon may greatly impact favored teams and characters.

Elements and their involved Reactions often make the difference in what may be favored or unfavored in each separate Phase or Floor or even a specific Chamber and Half.

A team being meta or popular does not necessarily mean they can be used as an universal “best” option.

Ratings

This tier list aims to be inclusive and relatable and take into account factors that many different types of players can appreciate. Investment is considered from many different angles including Artifacts, Weapons, Constellations, and innate character design that would affect performance floors, ceilings, and ease of use. Statistics are also looked at to see what players are really using in practice instead of simply what looks good on paper. What you play your team into matters.

• S+: Extremely standout or highly universal.
• S: Strong and versatile.
• A: Still potentially strong but with some more potential downsides or inflexibilities.
• B: Viable like A but may start to be increasingly niche.

Characters within a tier are not written with a specific order that implies rankings within the tier.

Roles

Roles are also considered because you cannot compare characters of different roles equally – they fulfill different purposes, and different parts come together to function greater than without. Different characters have different roles they excel at, and sometimes they may even be able to fulfill multiple roles.

On-Field DPS / Driver

Characters that demand a majority of their team’s total On-Field time to function effectively. May not always be the highest contributor of damage within a party, sometimes the On-Fielder is a “Driver” that enables the rest of the party.

Off-Field DPS / Support / Quickswap

A broad category that includes pretty much all characters that don’t require long periods of On-Field time to do their job.

Sustain

Healers and Shielders. People that keep the team alive, or enable the team to gain additional uptime through being able to tank hits and ignore mechanics.

Why are Some Characters Missing?

As a general standard, this tier list will assume C0 (Constellation 0) for 5 stars, and C6 for 4 stars. In certain cases, some characters that have extremely impactful but reasonably accessible Constellation may have an extra listing.

Furthermore, you will notice that many characters are missing from the tier list.

With an ever expanding roster full of viable characters able to achieve max rewards in Spiral Abyss, it could be said that half of the roster is essentially in the same tier. For this reason we’ve focused on highlighting those that have stood out in the current or recent version updates.

This wraps up our Genshin Impact Tier List on the current best characters and teams. Be sure to check back for future updates!