10 Best Characters in Genshin Impact (2026)

Genshin Impact follows the story of two twins traveling to the land of Teyvat, only to be separated upon arrival. One gets kidnapped, and the other, the protagonist, is left unconscious and powerless. The protagonist awakens in a foreign environment, searching for their missing sibling. Before embarking on their quest, players must create a reliable team from the characters featured in the game. A good team should contain a balance of the different abilities and elements possessed by these characters. To help you create a top-tier team, we’ve compiled the best characters in Genshin Impact.

10. Venti

His love for apples, excellent musical skills, and childlike features are just a few aspects that make Venti a lovable character. He acts as a support character who is great at exploring. His main ability reacts with other elements, triggering a swirl that creates a consistent burst of damage. On top of that, he can release wind currents using his Anemo power to control the wind. The current disables targets, allowing his team to unleash a plunge attack against them. 

9. Alhaitham

The character is an esteemed member of the Haravatat of the Sumeru Akademiya and the Akademiya’s scribe. He is responsible for documenting the findings and drafting ordinances for the organization. Alhaitham is categorized as a Dendro main DPS capable of enacting up to five rapid strikes, plunging from mid-air, and dealing AoE damage. He is also known for his strategic thinking and kit, the Chisel Light Mirrors. The Chisel Light Mirrors add Dendro to his attacks, resulting in AoE Dendro Projection attacks upon contact with opponents. 

8. Neuvillette

Neuvillette is a humble leader of the Marechaussee Phantom and also the Iudex of Fontaine. The character is quite powerful and features multiple skills and abilities. He can command the tides, triggering up to three attacks that deal Hydro damage. The character also possesses the ability to release torrents of water that deal continuous AoE Hydro damage to his enemies. Additionally, he can draw power from the water to form a Seal of Arbitration. His character allows players to plunge downwards from mid-air, destroying every opponent. 

7. Raiden Shogun

In this title, Raiden Shogun plays the part of the Electro Archon and is the ruler of Inazuma. She began as a boss enemy but later upgraded to a playable character. Raiden has a puppet’s body and Archon Raiden Ei’s consciousness. She created the puppet with limited reactions to rule Inazuma on her behalf. She uses a polearm and has Electro powers. Her elemental skill, the Transcendence: Baleful Omen, activates the Eye of Stormy Judgment, dealing Electro damage to enemies near her. 

6. Arlecchino

Arlecchino, a Pyro DPS, is a member of an elite group of officers for the Snezhnaya Archon Tsaritsa called the Fatui Harbingers. She was an orphan adopted into the House of the Hearth orphanage. Here, she trained as a Fatui. She relies on the build-up of the Bond of Life to amplify her normal attacks. Also, she possesses a passive skill that stops her from getting outside healing. However, this skill gives her the advantage of gaining more Bonds of Life. 

5. Zhongli

The fictional character is the former supreme ruler of the Liyue nation and the mortal vessel of the Geo Archon Morax. Players can obtain this character through Wishes or speaking to NPC Orban in Snow Mountain Camp. His elemental ability allows him to summon a stone stele instantly. Additionally, he can manufacture a jade shield to reduce the resistance of close targets and damage them. Also, his elemental burst summons a meteor from the sky, resulting in Geo damage and petrification of his enemies. 

4. Characters in Genshin Impact: Kamisato Ayaka

Ayako is a beautiful and reserved Cryo swordsman and member of the Kamisato Clan in Inazuma. Her shy demeanor unravels once you interact with her in the events and quests presented in the game narrative. Her elemental skill includes a Cryo blast that launches her enemies in the air. Also, Kamisato Ayaka can move around sprinting through water. Once she stops sprinting, she unleashes a small Cryo effect. On the other hand, her elemental burst generates a Cryo whirlwind that blows her enemies away while simultaneously dealing constant damage. 

3. Yelan

Yelen is a quiet and mysterious character who works at the Ministry of Civil Affairs. She is, however, a Hydro archer who wields a bow known as the Valley Orchid. She is also one of the best off-field characters in the game. Her elemental skill allows players to dash and trap enemies, dealing Hydro damage. The quality of her damage depends on her maximum HP. On the other hand, her elemental burst deals with area-of-effect Hydro damage. It causes a floating die that reinforces the active character’s normal attack. 

2. Xilonen

The popular artisan is a healer and support character who reduces elemental resistance in the enemies she encounters. Players can use her in place of Anemo characters. Her elemental burst, Ocelotlicue Point, triggers the Phlogiston Stereo DJ Controller. Different effects are produced depending on the number of source samples that have changed their elemental types. For instance, Xilonen gives off an Ardent rhythm for two changed source samples that deal with two additional beats of AOE Geo Damage. She can employ her teamwide healing abilities in any team, making her a good choice for mono geo teams. 

1. Furina

Cursed with immortality, Genshin Impact character Furina takes on Focalor’s role of ruling Archon. She has a spontaneous and provocative personality that has earned her recognition and respect among the people of Fontaine. Furina is, moreover, a Hydro character who serves best as an off-field support character, as she can boost damage. She can summon three allies to attack enemies. The skill is referred to as the Ousia form. Additionally, she features the Pneuma form, which activates damage buffs to the entire party based on the health they have gained or lost.