One of the good things about Genshin Impact is the fact that the characters are only divided into two classes: Four and Five Stars. This said, the gap between the two classes isn’t too big so it’s not necessarily bad to have a Four Star character in your team.
The characters that Genshin Impact gives you for free are all four stars: Amber, Barbara, Kaeya, Lisa, and even Xiangling. And despite them being ‘free’, they aren’t all that bad if you wish to keep on using them.
As of version 1.5., Genshin Impact has 18 Four Star characters, only 4 more than Five Star characters. Here goes the 10 best four-starred characters in the game.
10. Razor / main DPS
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Starting off this list is Razor, a very good main DPS if I might say so myself.
Razor wields a Claymore, together with his Electro Vision that allows him to bring forth thunder for his Elemental Skill. As a main DPS, Razor deals a pretty big number of Physical DMG. When his Elemental Burst is on, Razor is accompanied by Lupica, fighting together as he deals both Physical and Elemental DMG during then.
His Elemental Skill CD is also pretty short, only lasting 6 seconds and 10 seconds if you hold the Elemental Skill. The unfortunate thing about him is his Elemental Burst doesn’t carry through if you switch him out during then.
As a ‘wolf’, his Passive Talents help him to fast. Ascension 1 decreases the CD of his Elemental Skill by 18% whilst triggering the Elemental Burst will reset the Elemental Skill CD. On Ascension 4, his Energy Recharge is increased by 30% when his Energy is below 50%.
More importantly, his initial passive skill is to decrease all party member’s sprinting Stamina Consumption by 20%.
What Makes Razor Awesome:
Great main DPS
Elemental Skill CD is rather short
Passive Talent decreases Stamina Consumption by Sprinting
C2 increases CRIT Rate by 10% against enemies with less than 30% HP
9.Chongyun / sub DPS
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Next is Chongyun, a somewhat underrated Cryo sub DPS (according to me).
He also uses a Claymore, which is imbued with Cryo element when his Elemental Skill is on. Chongyun strikes the ground with his Claymore which causes a Cryo AoE that turns into Chonghua Frost Field. Characters who use Claymore, Sword, or Polearm will have their Normal ATK converted into Cryo DMG within this field.
The field lasts for 10 seconds with a 15 seconds CD, which means you only need to wait 5 seconds more to make another when the field disappears.
Unlocking his Ascension will increase the ATK SPD by 8% for Claymore, Sword, and Polearm users within the Chonghua Frost Field. Furthermore, his Ascension 4 summons a spirit that will strike down nearby enemies once the field disappears, dealing 100% of his Elemental Skill DMG as Cryo DMG and decreasing these enemies Cryo RES by 10% for 8 seconds.
What Makes Chongyun Awesome:
Elemental Skill is great when paired with Pyro characters for constant Melt reactions
Elemental Skill lasts for 10 seconds
He can be switched out with other Claymore/Sword/Polearm main DPS once his Elemental Skill is on
C2 decreases CD time of Elemental Skills and Bursts if cast within his Frost Field by 15%
8. Xiangling / sub DPS
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For me, it is obvious that Xiangling would make the list. Both her Elemental Skill and Burst are to die for if you’re looking for Pyro Elemental Reaction.
Xiangling brings Guoba out for her Elemental Skill, which breathes fire to nearby targets dealing AoE Pyro DMG. This obviously means she can be switched out for your main DPS or other characters for Elemental Reaction.
Even more, her Elemental Burst summons a Pyronado, which continuously whirls around your character even when Xiangling isn’t on the field. This goes on for 10 seconds, dealing Pyro DMG to everything in its path. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she is the best Pyro sub DPS you could wish for.
Even more, her Ascension 1 increases Guoba’s flame range by 20%, and her C1 reduces enemies’ Pyro RES by 15% once hit by Guoba’s attacks, and her C4 increases her Elemental Burst duration by 40%.
What Makes Xiangling Awesome:
The best Pyro sub DPS
Elemental Skill and Burst supports Pyro Elemental Reaction to the fullest
She’s free after finishing Spial Abyss Floor 3, Chamber 3
Elemental Burst lasts for quite long
7. Yanfei / main DPS
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The newest Four Star character, Yanfei, is definitely one of the best Four Star main DPS in the game.
To use Yanfei to the fullest, spamming her Charged Attack is recommended. She’s pretty easy to use, you can just click away and use her Elemental Skill and Burst once it’s ready.
As a Pyro Catalyst, Yanfei doesn’t hesitate to shoot fireballs everywhere and summons flames to go against her enemies. I feel like I don’t have to say much about Yanfei because all of her attacks are just to bring Pyro DMG on her path.
Her Elemental Burst deals AoE Pro DMG, granting Yanfei the maximum number of Scarlet Seal (3), which decreases Yanfei’s Stamina Consumption. This also applies Brilliance to her, in which Yanfei is granted a Scarlet Seal periodically and increases the DMG of her Charged Attacks.
Yanfei’s Ascension 1 brings in such effects: when Yanfei consumes Scarlet Seals through Charged Attack, each seal will increase her Pyro DMG Bonus by 5% for 6 seconds. On Ascension 4, when her Charged Attack deals CRIT Hit to opponents, she will deal an additional instance of AoE Pyro DMG as much as 80% of her ATK.
What Makes Yanfei Awesome:
Great main DPS
All of her attacks deal great Pyro DMG
Her talents support her Charged Attacks DMG, which is her best attack
C2 increases her Charged Attack CRIT Rate by 20% when the enemies have HP below 50%
6. Rosaria / sub DPS
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The sister of the Favonius Church is number 6 in this list.
Wielding a Polearm with her Cryo Vision, Rosaria is nothing but quick with her attack. Her Elemental Skill shifts her behind her target, slashing them with her Polearm as she deals Cryo DMG. It’s to note that she can’t shift behind enemies of larger build. But it’s not a big deal because, on the other hand, her CD is pretty short.
Her Elemental Burst summons an Ice Lance, this lance will strike the ground and deals Cryo DMG, once when it strikes and periodically as the Elemental Burst goes on. This lance also releases a blast of cold air, dealing Cryo DMG to opponents within the field.
Now what’s great about her is, on Ascension 1, Rosaria’s CRIT Rate is increased by 12% for 5 seconds when she strikes using her Elemental Skill. On Ascension 4, she increases CRIT Rate of all nearby party members (except herself) by 15% of her CRIT Rate for 10 seconds. The maximum CRIT Rate Bonus from this is 15%.
What Makes Rosaria Awesome:
She’s fast, even more during the night because of her Passive Talent, Night Walk
Her Elemental Burst deals Cryo AoE DMG for periods of time
Ascension 1 increases her CRIT Rate after Elemental Skill
Ascension 4 increases party members’ CRIT Rate after her Elemental Burst
C1 increases her ATK SPD by 15% when she deals CRIT Hit and her Normal Attack DMG increased by 10% for 4 seconds
5. Fischl / sub DPS
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Next up is Fischl, a pretty superb sub DPS, but it is a fact that Genshin Impact hasn’t been taking care of their Electro characters.
The main point of Fischl is her Elemental Skill, in which she summons Oz who will fire Electro shots to enemies nearby. The thing is, Oz stays even if Fischl is switched out, which is why she’s loved as a sub DPS. Plus, Oz stays for 10 seconds in the field, which is pretty long.
But the CD isn’t exactly short; you’d have to wait for 25 seconds to be able to summon him again.
Her Elemental Burst is pretty cool too, in which she turns into Oz and flies past the enemies. Those on her path would take Electro DMG and once she’s on the other end, Fischl will turn back and Oz stays to continue attacking enemies nearby.
This is great because Oz basically helps you put a distance between enemies when you need him to.
What Makes Fischl Awesome:
Superb sub DPS
Elemental Skill lasts for quite long
Elemental Skill helps party for Elemental Reaction with Electro
On Ascension 4, when Electro-related Elemental Reaction is triggered with Oz on the field, the enemies will be struck with Electro DMG equal to 80% of Fischl’s ATK
On C2, Elemental Skill gets an additional 200% ATK as DMG and the AoE is increased by 50%
She’s free if you finished the Unreconciled Stars event
4. Sucrose / sub DPS
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Next is Sucrose, the alchemist with obvious love for her research.
As an Anemo Catalyst, Sucrose is a very great sub DPS. Her ability for Crowd Control comes from her Elemental Skill and Burst, in which she summons Wind to deal Anemo DMG whilst pulling them in before launching them away.
Obviously, her Elemental Burst summons a larger Wind Spirit, in which it continuously pulls and launches nearby enemies that deals Anemo DMG. The spirit is also able to absorb the first element that it comes in contact with and deals additional DMG of the particular element.
Her Ascension 1 increases Elemental Master by 50 in the condition of her triggering a Swirl effect, and characters in the party with the matching elements will get the bonus Elemental Mastery for 8 seconds.
Even more, her Ascension 4 increases other party members’ Elemental Mastery for as much as 20% of her Elemental Mastery for 8 seconds, in the case that her Elemental Skill or burst hits an enemy.
What Makes Sucrose Awesome:
A great sub DPS
Elemental Skill and Burst grant Crowd Control ability
Elemental Burst can also absorb other elements and deals that additional DMG
Increases Elemental Mastery through her Ascension 1 and 4
3. Diona / Utility
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Diona, the Cryo Archer, jumps up the list because of the current Spiral Abyss, which encourages the use of Shield.
Speaking of Spiral Abyss, on top of her Shield, Diona’s healing ability is also important because you can’t eat food when challenging Spiral Abyss.
Moving on, Diona’s Shield comes from her Elemental Skill and it scales off the Max HP, which is great because it means she’s easier to build. Pressing the skill will fire off 2 Ice Paws, while holding it will make Diona dash back before firing 5 Icy Paws, on Hold the Shield gains 75% DMG Absorption Bonus.
The Shield also has a 250% Cryo DMG Absorption Bonus and causes the active character to be affected by Cryo for a short period of time. As if this isn’t enough, her Ascension 1 will increase Movement SPD by 10% and decrease Stamina Consumption by 10% for characters shielded by her Elemental Skill.
Her Healing ability comes from her Elemental Burst, in which she creates a AoE Cryo DMG that deals continuous Cryo DMG to enemies within the AoE, whilst healing party members within the AoE. The HP regeneration is also based on Diona’s Max HP.
Just to mention it, Diona is here because the other Four Star characters with Shield, Xinyan and Noelle, have a rather long CD compared to hers.
What Makes Diona Awesome:
You can get her for free from the recent Energy Amplifier event as a reward
She has both Shield and Healing ability
Shield DMG Absorption and HP regeneration is scaled off her Max HP
Her C6 upgrades her Elemental Burst, increasing Incoming Healing Bonus by 30% when HP is 50^ or lower, and Elemental Mastery by 200 when HP is above 50% when characters are within her AoE
2. Xingqiu / sub DPS
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Xingqiu is easily one of the best sub DPS in Genshin Impact. Wielding a Sword with his Hydro Vision, Xingqiu is also able to heal even though he’s not exactly taking a Healer role.
His Elemental Skill summons the maximum number of Rain Swords, in which he strikes enemies with his Sword and deals Hydro DMG to them. The Rain Sword will swirl around the active character, shattering when DMG is taken. Initially, the maximum number of Rain Swords is 3.
The sought-after skill that Xingqiu has is his Elemental Burst. During this, Xingqiu once again summons the maximum number of Rain Swords. Normal Attacks will trigger continuous Sword Rain attacks that deal Hydro DMG and the number of Rain Swords will remain at maximum as the duration goes.
Most importantly, the swords will carry over even when he’s switched out, which makes it incredible for Hydro Elemental Reaction. And it lasts for 15 seconds, that’s 15 seconds long of Elemental Reaction if you play it right.
He gains hisHealing ability once he’s on Ascension 1, in which shattering his Rain Sword or when its duration ends will regenerate active character’s HP based on 6% of Xingqiu’s Max HP.
And then, on Ascension 4, Xingqiu gets a 20% Hydro DMG Bonus.
What Makes Xingqiu Awesome:
One of the best sub DPS in the game
Elemental Skill can heal once reaching Ascension 1
Elemental Burst carries over to another character, supporting Elemental Reaction
Elemental Burst lasts for 15 seconds
C2 extends the duration of Elemental Burst by 3 seconds and decreases Hydro RES of enemies hit by this by 15% for 4 seconds.
1. Bennett / Utility
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Number 1 on this list is Bennett, which isn’t surprising at all. Another Sword wielder, Bennett holds a Pyro Vision to help him fight.
His main skill is Elemental Burst, in which he creates an Inspiration Field that is not only able to heal, but also boost DMG. Characters within the field will have their HP healed up until their 70% mark. After that, they will get an ATK Bonus based from Bennett’s Base ATK. Also, characters within the Field will get Pyro element.
His field lasts for 12 seconds with a 15 seconds CD, which means you can trigger it almost immediately afterwards if you have his Energy Recharge built well. The HP regeneration is based on Bennett’s Max HP.
On Constellation 1, Bennett’s Elemental Burst ATK won’t have HP restriction anymore. This means, even if your character hasn’t reached the 70% mark, they will have ATK increased anyway, and an additional 20% Base ATK.
What Makes Bennett Awesome:
Amazing buffs for the party
Able to heal and increase ATK
Elemental Burst duration is long with short CD
C1 upgrades his Elemental Burst, offering even more ATK Bonus
