Let’s be real: if you’ve sunk dozens of hours in Teyvat, you know the roster is nearing 100. With Genshin Impact 5.6 tossing the meta into overdrive, assembling a core team can feel Sisyphean. Hydro and Dendro reactions are the new kings, supports are make-or-break, and a handful of veterans shine with fresh tricks. After brutal Spiral Abyss runs, team synergy labs, and hours of theorycrafting, here’s my definitive tier list of the top 13 characters in 5.6.
Tier Overview
- SS Tier: Mavuika, Furina
- S Tier: Ayaka, Kazuha, Zhongli, Hu Tao
- A Tier: Raiden Shogun, Yelan, Bennett, Ganyu
- B Tier: Xiangling, Yae Miko, Nahida
SS Tier: Mavuika
Mavuika, the Pyro Archon on a motorbike, rockets into SS with her blend of raw damage and world traversal perks. Her Skill delivers hefty AoE Pyro impact every 10 s, while her Burst tears through foes for over 300% ATK AoE Pyro damage. Pair her with Cryo or Dendro partners for consistent Melt and Vaporize bursts—and enjoy a 2× sprint speed buff that turns open-world grinding into a joyride.
SS Tier: Furina
Furina, Hydro’s new ruler, is the ultimate buffer-healer hybrid. Her Elemental Skill deals solid Hydro damage while healing the team, and her Burst grants a 20% Hydro damage bonus plus an ATK buff when HP dips. With shields or healers, that high-risk reward is nearly guaranteed, shaving precious seconds off 12-floor Abyss clears in any Hydro-reaction comp.
S Tier: Ayaka
Ayaka remains the Cryo queen. Her quick Ice Fan Skill and extended Frostflake Burst lock down foes in Freeze comps effortlessly. Even at low investment, her charged attacks consistently proc Cryo, turning control-focused lineups into slide-and-freeze spectacles.
S Tier: Kazuha
Kazuha’s swirling Anemo support is a staple in reaction teams. His Skill and Burst apply Swirl rapidly, boosting elemental damage by up to 22%. Whether you’re chasing Vaporize or Hyperbloom, his crowd control and damage buffs are irreplaceable.
S Tier: Zhongli
Unbreakable shields and petrify utility keep Zhongli in hot demand. His Jade Shield absorbs over half incoming damage at peak talent, and his Burst petrifies enemies for 6 s. In Abyss chambers packed with mobs, his defensive safety net lets DPS characters shine.
S Tier: Hu Tao
Hu Tao’s high-risk, high-reward DPS reigns supreme in Pyro teams. Her Skill converts HP to boosted ATK, and her Burst unleashes up to 1,000% ATK Pyro damage when below 50% HP. Careful timing yields Melt explosions that obliterate Abyss shields in one hit.
A Tier: Raiden Shogun
Raiden Shogun is still the go-to energy battery. Her Skill generates Resolves and stacks Electro damage, while her Burst dishes out steady Electro AoE. She smooths out rotations and punctuates them with serious burst damage.
A Tier: Yelan
Yelan doubles down on Dendro-Hydro synergy. Her Sea-Beam Skill and Soul-Ascension Burst keep Hydro application ticking, triggering frequent Bloom or Vaporize procs off-field—perfect for reaction lineups craving off-screen support.
A Tier: Bennett
Accessible and dependable, Bennett’s Fantastic Voyage Burst provides a 25% ATK boost plus healing. His Pyro-on-demand Skill and wide ATK ring make him indispensable in many teams, from budget-friendly Pyro comps to reaction-focused parties.
A Tier: Ganyu
Ganyu’s Frostflake Arrows and Celestial Shower unleash massive Cryo damage. Her charged shots can hit over 500% ATK Cryo, and her Burst blankets the field in AoE Cryo. High energy demands and a slower pace keep her in A Tier, but she excels in Funnel and Freeze lineups.
B Tier: Xiangling
Xiangling’s Pyronado and Pyro Burst pump steady firepower, but newer DPS like Mavuika and Hu Tao outpace her in raw damage. She remains a reliable secondary Pyro applicator for reaction teams.
B Tier: Yae Miko
Yae Miko’s Sesshou Sakura totems dish out off-field Electro, each tick packing 120% ATK damage. Her Burst adds an AoE punch, but high particle costs and totem positioning can hamper Abyss consistency.
B Tier: Nahida
Nahida anchors Dendro teams with her Elemental Skill and Burst, boosting team Elemental Mastery for chronic Bloom, Quicken, and Spread triggers. She’s essential for reaction comps, though less flashy as a standalone pick.
That wraps our breakdown of Genshin Impact 5.6’s top 13 characters. The meta shifts with every patch, but this tier list should keep your squad primed for Abyss runs or co-op flexing.