The best Genshin Impact characters: tier list version 7.0 by role (2026)

This information is current as of August 2026.

Following the release of Version 7.0, “Snowfall,” Genshin Impact is undergoing yet another shakeup: the new Stellar Conduction reaction (Cryo + Electro) has brought long-forgotten characters back to the top, Fatui Herald Sandrone has rewritten the rules for Cryo teams, and Odette made her debut in the Phase 1 banners of Version 7.0. Let’s break down the current tier list by role—who’s currently dominating the Abyss, and who should be left on the bench.

How We Compiled the Tier List

The ranking is based on three independent sources: the editorial tier lists from Game8 and Icy Veins (updated in July 2026 for version 6.7 “Luna VIII”), plus character usage statistics for Floor 12 of the Void Abyss from genshin.gg. Characters are divided by role: Main DPS, Sub DPS, and Support. Remember Genshin’s golden rule: a tier list shows the ceiling of a character’s effectiveness, but any character you love can clear all content with the right investment—just pick the ones you like.

Best Main DPS Characters

Eight characters currently share the top S+ tier: Mawuika, Skirk, Flins, Lochen, Nefer, Vareka, Varka, and Zibai. Mawuika and Skirk have held the top spot for several patches now—they’re versatile damage machines capable of clearing any floor of the Abyss. Sandrone deserves special attention—a new Cryo DPS wielding a two-handed sword introduced in version 6.7 and the first character to utilize the Stellar Contact reaction. The Game8 editorial team has ranked her in the top SS tier: her full potential hasn’t been realized yet, as proper supports for this reaction are only just emerging, and with the release of Snow Sandrone, she’ll become even stronger.

The S tier includes Harlequin, Neville, Clorinda, Hu Tao, Ayaka, Mualani, Navia, Vriotesli, Saino, and other proven damage dealers. Neville is still considered “the most comfortable Hydro carry for lazy players”—his charged attacks obliterate everything without the need for complicated rotations. In 7.0, they were joined by Odette—a new five-star Cryo fencer and Snow’s main debut character; based on initial beta assessments, she’s a self-sufficient carry for the new region.

Best Off-Field Damage Dealers (Sub DPS)

Furina reigns supreme here—she’s been the game’s most versatile character for years now: off-field damage, team-wide buffs, and build flexibility. Joining her in the S+ tier are: Ye Lan, Dürin, Escoffier, Ineffa, Lauma, and Linnea. Among the classics, Xiang Lin, Xin Qiu, and Fischl—four-star veterans who, six years later, clear Floor 12 of the Abyss just as well as legendary heroes. If you’re putting together a budget team, start with them.

Best Supports

The list of S+ supports in 2026: Bennett, Sitlali, Columbina, Furina, Nicole, Sucrose, and Shilonen. Bennett is a phenomenon in the game: a four-star starter from 2020 who remains indispensable as an attack buffer and healer. Since Version 6.6, Nicole has become key to the Hexeray ecosystem and the best partner for Varka. Sitlali and Shilonen are the gold standard for next-generation defensive supports.

A separate story in Version 6.7 is the return of Ci Ci. Once the most underwhelming character in her time, she transformed after her buff into an excellent support for Stellar-Conduct squads: consistently applying Cryo, generating particles, and boosting reaction damage. And since Qi Qi often drops “for free” after a 50/50 loss, thousands of players suddenly found themselves with a ready-made meta hero. Saino, Vriotesli, Yae Miko, Diona, and Bei Dou also received buffs—the developers are systematically updating the old roster to accommodate the new reactions.

What the New Reactions Do: Stellar Conduction

The biggest meta news of summer 2026 is the Stellar Contact reaction (Cryo + Electro under specific conditions), added in version 6.7. It turns the usual priorities upside down: squads centered around Sandrone and future Snow heroes are built specifically around it. The current Abyss is pushing players toward new team compositions: on Floor 12, there are buffs providing +200% to Charged damage and +75% to the Lunar reaction, so Cryo/Electro cores are currently at the top of the meta. If you’re planning to pull Snow’s banners, stock up on Cryo and Electro supports in advance.

Who to farm in Version 7.0

Phase 1 of 7.0 (August 12 – September 1): Odette’s debut (5★ Cryo, one-handed sword) and Arlequino’s rerun; among 4-star characters—new Alyosha, Saccharose, and Linette. The logic behind the choice is simple: Odette is for those building Snow and Stellar-Condact teams; Arlequino is a proven Pyro carry for everyone else. Don’t go out of your way to farm Alyosha—he’s a free reward for the Archons’ quest. And here’s the usual advice: if in doubt, save up your Primogems—the entire Snow cycle is coming up, featuring the new Harbingers of Fatuia.

Player Feedback

The community gave the Summer 2026 event an unexpectedly warm welcome. The buffs for older characters were called “HoYoverse’s best decision in years”: owners of Qi Qi and Diluc, who had been joking about the “standard curse” for years, finally brought their favorites into the Abyss. Sandron is praised for her fresh mechanics, but players grumble about her low constellations—her true power will be revealed in future squads, not right here and now. The eternal debate—“Furina or Bennett: who’s more useful for your account?”—has been going on for six years with no clear winner. And, as usual: every other comment under the tier list goes, “But I still play my favorite character from Tier C and beat everything anyway”—and that, by the way, is true.

Analysis of Comments

The main trend in discussions in 2026 is “the return of the old-timers”: the buff system for legacy characters (Hexereis in 6.5–6.6, Cryo/Electro heroes in 6.7) is seen by players as a valid alternative to the endless release of increasingly powerful new heroes. The second trend is cautious optimism regarding Snow: players are looking forward to Odette and the upcoming Harbingers, but after the Nod-Kray cycle, they’ve become more demanding about the power of new units and compare each one to Mavika and Skirk. The third perennial trend is advice for new players: veterans unanimously reiterate that you don’t need a single 5★ character to complete all the content, and the “national team” consisting of Bennett, Xiang Ling, Xin Qiu, and Sucrose has been relevant for six years now—and that’s the best answer to the question of whether you need to spend money in Genshin Impact.