Genshin Impact’s gameplay is defined by the use of elements and their respective reactions to one another. Naturally, there will be some elements that are more advantageous than others, whether it be due to utility or sheer power. Read along to find out the best elements in the game, ranked from weakest to strongest.
This list evaluates the elements as they are during the latest Patch 3.3, naturally this includes the newest element in the game which is dendro. We’ll also be discussing the quality of the units that the element has to offer and how artifacts make or break them. Stick around to see how high your favorite element made it in the list.
7. Geo
The God of Contracts and his earthen companion, Azdaha.
This element is known for tough shields and amazing resonance within its units. Geo utilizes the power of earth and constructs to simultaneously attack and defend. Out of all the elements, Geo is the most disconnected due to its singular elemental reaction, which is crystallize.
True to what the element symbolizes, geo units are sturdy and crafty. They can create geo structures that do a myriad of things from, obstructing and damaging enemies to aiding in open-world puzzles.
Analysis
Geo is the most independent element in the game. You can definitely beat almost anything with a mono-geo team; the problem is, it can get boring after some time due to its limitations.
You can get a lot of value out of the currently available units. Zhongli, Yun Jin, and Albedo are still generally good supports and work well with other elements, just don’t expect any crazy good reactions. The geo DPS units on the other hand, such as Itto, Noelle, and Ningguang work best with other fellow geo units, especially our favorite dog general Gorou.
Geo got a big buff when the Husk of Opulent Dreams set was released, as it was perfect for almost half the geo roster that depended on DEF. Archaic Petra should’ve been the premier set for geo units, but the 4-piece effect can be clunky to use in combat, so you’ll see players opting for its 2-piece effect instead partnered with another.
Geo Pros:
- Only element in the game that can produce shields as a reaction.
- Great elemental resonance between its units.
- Most units are reliant on DEF so stocked up DEF artifacts can finally be used for most players.
Geo Cons:
- Doesn’t have good synergy when paired with other elements.
- Shields produced through crystallize aren’t even that strong.
- The defensive playstyle it offers isn’t that ideal as enemies aren’t that strong anyway (except for Spiral Abyss).
- Geo constructs can be annoying and disruptive to you as well.
- Due to only having crystallize, high damage numbers may be difficult to achieve when compared to those with melt or vaporize.
Choose Geo If:
- A defensive playstyle is your thing.
- You don’t care much about producing elemental reactions.
- You’re into raising constructs to make open-world exploration easier.
Geo Power Rating
85/100
6. Dendro
The Dendro Archon proves that wisdom comes in all shapes and forms.
The newest, and possibly last element to be released in the game (hopefully not). The arrival of dendro has changed the landscape of the game forever. Not only did it introduce a whole lot of new combat mechanics, but it also added several ways on how to interact with the open-world.
The current dendro units we have are great at applying their element. We have yet to see what dendro can evolve into as more units are added, but as it stands right now, dendro is defined by the heavy use of EM and great synergy with other elements.
Analysis
Dendro created a lot of new viable teams in the game. Not only is it fun to play, but teams that use aggravate, spread, bloom, or hyperbloom can actually push out great damage numbers.
Limited with the options we have currently, we can say that dendro is more of an off-field element that boosts other elements. We can observe this with Collei, Traveler, and Nahida. Having only Tighnari as the dedicated DPS character in this element, we can only wait and see where Hoyoverse takes this element into the future when it comes to on-field damage.
The element is blessed to have both the Deepwood Memories and Gilded Dreams set in one domain. Grinding for both sets is recommended, as they can both work for DPS units or supports.
Dendro Pros:
- Embodies the full potential of EM.
- Can be used to interact with many things in Sumeru.
- Current available units have shown a good rate of dendro application.
- Convenient farming for the best artifact sets.
- Room for growth is vast as new characters with the element are added.
Dendro Cons:
- Dendro as a main damage dealer is expected to be similar to electro where speed is favored over power.
- Has only 4 units in its roster as of this patch.
- Blooms can damage you as well.
- No reaction with anemo, cryo, or geo.
Choose Dendro If:
- You want to feel the power of nature.
- Elemental mastery builds are your thing.
- You like green.
Dendro Power Rating
88/100
5. Electro
The most lethal sword art known in Teyvat, and it belongs to the God of Eternity.
Zip, zap, zoom— no element is as quick and cunning as electro. This element strikes enemies with multiple flashes in the blink of an eye. Electro also brings the best that energy recharge or ER can offer.
Its units offer a bit more diversity, some focus totally on ER, some can be utilized for physical damage, and some are now being built with elemental mastery or EM due to the existence of Dendro. Whichever way, all electro units are sure to bring shocking value to your team.
Analysis
Electro got a big boost because of Dendro. It felt like the missing piece that electro always needed to be at par with the other elements in terms of damage. Of course we still have overload, superconduct, and electro-charged, but these reactions have their own flaws that limit them just slightly compared to other elemental reactions.
Overload makes explosions that push enemies away, which means more work for you, superconduct is limited to physical damage dealers, and these types of units are scarce, lastly, electro-charged deals damage in intervals, which can take longer to take down enemies compared to instantaneous damage reactions.
Electro units can do all sorts of things. Raiden, Traveler, and Dori are amazing with energy generation, Sara and Yae Miko can both call down thunder to punish their enemies, and units like Fischl, Kuki, and Cyno make the most of EM to create devastating reactions.
When it comes to artifacts, I’m glad to see that the Thundering Fury set is finally bringing great value to teams due to the addition of aggravate and spread. The Thundersoother set is an acceptable substitute, but generally you can build electro units with non-electro focused sets like Emblem of Severed Fate or Flower of Paradise Lost for wicked hyperblooms.
Electro Pros:
- Lightning fast attacks…literally.
- Amazing energy generation.
- Elemental resonance offers even more energy generation.
- Offers a good collection of off-field applicators.
- Can be utilized with cryo to boost physical damage dealers.
Electro Cons:
- Full damage potential can only be reached when partnered with dendro.
- Getting electro-charged in bodies of water damages you as well.
- Most electro play styles are more work intensive due to requiring multiple hits or applications in combat, rather than just going for one shot.
Choose Electro If:
- You want a fast paced playstyle.
- You like taking down enemies with a thousand cuts.
- You want to minimize your ER problems.
Electro Power Rating
90/100
4. Anemo
Nobody would ever guess that this drunk bard is actually an Archon.
The power of wind is not to be messed with, as this element is everybody's best friend. Anemo swirls nearly all the elements, spreading them all over and reapplying them with damage. Thanks to a certain artifact set, these anemo can also shred resistances by up to 40%.
Anemo units are flexible and masters of placement. They are known for their amazing crowd control abilities and reliable support utility. Their elemental mastery is the key to achieving powerful swirls.
Analysis
The first element we encounter in the game as the Traveler. On its own, it really doesn't bring the most value, but partnered with one or two more elements? You’ll see elements flying all over and the battle is done before you know it.
Sucrose, Venti, and Kazuha dominate Spiral Abyss because of their ability to group together clusters of enemies in a single place while dealing decent damage along with it. Anemo DPS units such as Xiao and Wanderer are a bit weird to classify due to their own unique playstyles.
Without a doubt, the Viridescent Venerer set is one of the best in the game and is what makes anemo supports so great. For DPS options, the new Desert Pavillion set is a great dedicated set, especially for normal attacks.
Anemo Pros:
- Has Viridescent Venerer, one of the best artifacts available right now.
- Elemental resonance and some character skills are great for exploring
- Elements in the environment can be used in your favor.
Anemo Cons:
- Has no reaction with dendro or geo.
- Dependent on having other elements in the team to maximize potential.
- Some crowd control skills can’t affect larger enemies.
Choose Anemo If:
- You want to have complete control over your enemies.
- You’re going to explore the open-world.
- You want to build units easily by just stacking EM.
Anemo Power Rating
91/100
3. Cryo
If only she could freeze time so she could take a break.
The might of frost makes it to our top 3. Cryo is one of the most versatile elements in the game, it has access to freeze, superconduct, and the all powerful melt reaction.
Cryo units get a little help with their CRIT because of their given sets and resonance. This can make them the ideal damage dealers in a team. Whether you're making your enemies freeze to death or melt down with unbelievable numbers, you can bet that a cryo unit can give great value to your squad.
Analysis
We’ve all had our fun with freeze teams. There is something satisfying with making all your enemies stay in place and die without even having the chance to move a finger. If you’re more into screenshot worthy numbers, melt is the best reaction there is for crazy burst damage.
Cryo units always have a role to play in their respective teams. We have amazing DPS units with Ayaka, Ganyu, and Eula. There are the shielders, Diona and Layla, and the consistent cryo applicators, Rosaria, Kaeya, and Qiqi.
The Blizzard Strayer set is the only dedicated cryo set, but it’s a really good one. Hitting frozen enemies can raise your CRIT Rate by a whopping 40%. This can be capitalized even further by their elemental resonance, raising the CRIT Rate even further.
Cryo Pros:
- Freeze enemies all you want with the right applicators in your team.
- CRIT Rate to your heart's content.
- Can be utilized with electro to boost physical damage dealers.
- Let’s you walk on water.
Cryo Cons:
- Setups can be overridden if other elements are used carelessly.
- Has no reaction with dendro.
- Shatter damage is terrible.
Choose Cryo If:
- You want to use an overall capable element.
- Building physical damage is something you want to try.
- You don’t want to stress yourself over getting the perfect CRIT ratio.
Cryo Power Rating
95/100
2. Pyro
Honestly, Klee isn't doing the evironment any favors.
In most video games, you can’t go wrong with choosing fire. Pyro doesn't disappoint when it comes to sheer power and destruction. It also helps that the element has some of the best units in the game so far.
Pyro characters love to deal damage. Aside from a select few, pyro units generally like being on the field to wreak havoc. Having that extra 25% ATK boost for their resonance only signifies that Hoyoverse didn’t make this element for passive gameplay.
Analysis
In the early days of Genshin Impact, pyro was one of the most sought-after for DPS just because it felt so right to have fire doing all the work. In today’s meta, pyro still dominates the field despite other elements having been buffed.
Diluc, Hu Tao, Yanfei, Yoimiya, and Klee are all on-field DPS characters that just love to hog attention. Off-field supports are scarce with Xiangling leading the charge, but don’t worry as they have Bennett, the best healer in the game and arguably the best 4-star unit.
The Crimson Witch of Flames set is the icing on the cake for achieving high damage numbers. The Lavawalker set is a negligible consolation prize, as there are other better sets.
Pyro Pros:
- The most destructive element in the game.
- Has access to melt and vaporize, the best damage dealing reactions in the game.
- Can be used in lots of puzzles around the world.
- Resonance boosts ATK by a good amount.
Pyro Cons:
- Burning and burgeon can damage you as well.
- Overload pushes back enemies.
- Lots of pyro units prefer to be on the field rather than being quick swapped.
Choose Pyro If:
- You have a taste for fiery explosions.
- You want to get the best reactions for your DPS.
- You want to survive in Dragonspine.
Pyro Power Rating
96/100
1. Hydro
However the dice roll, you just know she's going to win.
Let’s just say that hydro can do it all. If you look online, content creators who boast the best teams will always have at least one hydro character in their slots. This is because hydro has access to crowd control, burst damage through vaporize, and crazy healing.
Hydro units have the best element application in the game. Trust me when I say that you’re almost never gonna run out of ways to apply hydro and this can be said for both DPS units and supports.
Analysis
Hydro brings so much value to a team. It was already strong before because of its ability to freeze and vaporize. The arrival of dendro only solidified hydro as the best as you need it for blooms and hyperblooms.
The fast attacking DPS units, Childe and Ayato are similar in nature, while Nilou brings a whole new mechanic into combat. The best of the best are actually among the off-field supports, which are Yelan, Mona, and Xingqui who can give you a nearly unlimited supply. When it comes to healing, you can trust that Kokomi and Barbara will be enough for your needs.
The Heart of Depth set is only recommended for Childe and Ayato. Hydro supports actually make the most out of the Emblem of Severed Fate set to boost burst uptime and damage.
Hydro Pros:
Extremely versatile.
Almost all units are high quality and sought after.
Elemental application is so good that the term “enabler” was born. This is for hydro on-field units that actually enhance the reactions of the off-field ones.
Units are somewhat tanky because of the elemental resonance and reliance on the HP stat.
Healing for everyone.
Hydro Cons:
The damage of the units themselves are just decent.
Blooms and electro-charged can damage you as well.
Most supports require high energy recharge.
Choose Hydro If:
You want to use the best element in the game.
You need a healer.
You want to see non-stop reactions.
Hydro Power Rating
98/100
