Genshin Impact Support Tier List: Best Characters
Hey guys! Let's dive into the awesome world of Genshin Impact and talk about something super important: Support characters! These are the heroes who make your main DPS shine, providing buffs, healing, shielding, and generally making your life a whole lot easier. Choosing the right support can be the difference between a smooth victory and a frustrating defeat. So, I'm here to break down a Genshin Impact support tier list, helping you figure out which characters are the absolute best at their jobs. This guide will cover a variety of support roles, from healers to shielders to buffers, giving you the lowdown on who to build and who to prioritize. Get ready to level up your team comp game!
Understanding the Support Role in Genshin Impact
Alright, before we jump into the tier list, let's chat about what it actually means to be a support character in Genshin Impact. Unlike your main DPS, who are all about dealing damage, supports focus on enhancing your team's overall performance. They do this in several ways, and knowing these roles helps you understand the tier list better. The primary roles are:
- Healers: These characters are the life-savers of your team, keeping everyone alive and kicking. They provide healing through various methods, like AoE heals, single-target heals, and healing over time (HoT) effects. Characters like Jean and Kokomi are prime examples of top-tier healers.
- Shielders: Shielders are all about defense! They create protective barriers that absorb incoming damage, preventing your DPS from getting interrupted or taking a beating. Zhongli is the king of shielders, offering incredible protection.
- Buffers: Buffers boost your team's damage output, crit rate, attack, or other stats. They can make a significant difference in how much damage your team can dish out. Bennett and Kazuha are phenomenal buffers.
- Debuffers: These characters apply debuffs to enemies, making them take more damage or reducing their resistance. This is extremely helpful in tough battles. Venti is a great example of a debuffer, crowd-controlling enemies to make them vulnerable.
- Battery: Battery supports are excellent at generating energy for the team, allowing everyone to use their Elemental Bursts more often. This is crucial for maintaining high DPS uptime and helps for those tough fights that require constant elemental reactions. Characters like Raiden Shogun are excellent battery units.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's get into the actual Genshin Impact support tier list! Remember, this is just a general guideline, and the best support for you will depend on your team composition and playstyle. The game's constantly evolving, so make sure to consider your own preferences.
The Genshin Impact Support Tier List Breakdown
Okay, buckle up, because we're about to unveil the Genshin Impact support tier list! This is a dynamic ranking, and the best choice depends on your team, but this gives you a great starting point for character selection. We'll break it down by tier and briefly discuss the key strengths of each character. Keep in mind that some characters can fit multiple roles, making them incredibly valuable.
S-Tier Supports: The Absolute Best
- Zhongli: The Geo Archon is a must-have for almost any team. His incredibly strong shield offers unparalleled protection, allowing your DPS to attack without interruption. His damage is great, and his shield shred capabilities make him a top-tier pick for most team compositions. If you have him, use him! No cap.
- Bennett: This guy is practically a staple in Genshin Impact. He provides massive attack buffs and healing, making him an invaluable asset for any team. His Elemental Burst, Fantastic Voyage, is one of the best buffs in the game. He is super versatile and can slot into nearly any team. Seriously, built Bennett is a must-have.
- Kazuha: This Anemo character is a top-tier buffer and crowd controller. His Elemental Skill can pull enemies together, making it easy to deal with large groups, and his Elemental Burst can swirl elements for added damage and apply the associated elemental buffs. He also increases the team's elemental damage. Kazuha is a game-changer for many teams.
- Yelan: Yelan is an off-field Hydro DPS, and her skill and burst can dish out a ton of damage. She provides hydro application, which is crucial for Vaporize and other reaction-based teams. She's amazing and easily slots into teams.
A-Tier Supports: Excellent Choices
- Xingqiu: This Hydro character is one of the best off-field Hydro applicators. He deals significant damage, provides some damage reduction, and is essential for Vaporize teams. His Rain Swords provide some damage mitigation and are a lifesaver in those tough battles.
- Raiden Shogun: While often considered a DPS, Raiden Shogun is an amazing battery support. She generates a ton of energy for the team, allowing for more frequent bursts. She also deals decent damage and can enable several team compositions.
- Jean: This Anemo character is an excellent healer, providing both healing and some crowd control. She can also cleanse debuffs and is great for general survivability. Jean is very versatile and can be used on many teams.
- Furina: A recent addition, Furina is a powerful Hydro Support who offers both off-field damage and team-wide buffs based on her HP. She's particularly strong in teams that can heal consistently.
B-Tier Supports: Solid Options
- Fischl: This Electro character is a strong off-field damage dealer. Her Elemental Skill, Oz, provides consistent Electro application, and she is a great addition to electro-charged teams. Fischl is very easy to build and is effective at C0.
- Diona: Diona is a Cryo character that offers shielding, healing, and energy generation. She is a great budget-friendly option and provides a good balance of support capabilities. Diona can fit into many teams that need a shielder and healer.
- Sucrose: This Anemo character is a great alternative to Kazuha if you don't have him. She can group enemies, provide elemental mastery buffs, and deal decent damage. Sucrose is a great budget-friendly Anemo support.
- Layla: A Cryo shielder who provides very strong shields with good uptime, making her an excellent choice for teams that need consistent protection.
C-Tier Supports: Niche or Situational
- Noelle: Noelle is a Geo character with a shielder and a healer. She is great for newer players but can be outclassed by other support units at higher levels.
- Sayu: Sayu is an Anemo healer that provides healing and can swirl elements. She is a decent option, but other healers might be more effective.
- Traveler (Anemo/Geo/Electro): The Traveler can be a useful support, depending on the element. But other characters usually outclass the Traveler.
Remember, this is just a starting point! You'll find that some lower-tiered characters can shine in specific team comps. The game is all about experimenting and finding what works best for you. Now, let's explore some key considerations when choosing support characters.
Key Considerations for Choosing Support Characters
Okay, so you've seen the Genshin Impact support tier list, but how do you actually decide who to use? Here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Team Composition: The most important thing is how your support character complements your main DPS and other team members. Does your DPS need buffs? Do they need consistent elemental application? Do they need shielding or healing? Figure this out, then pick supports that fulfill those needs. Think about elemental resonance too! For example, pairing two Pyro characters gives you a significant ATK boost. Consider the synergies between the characters!
- Elemental Reactions: Genshin Impact is all about elemental reactions. Supports can be picked to enable these reactions, such as Vaporize (Hydro + Pyro) or Freeze (Hydro + Cryo). Always consider what reactions your team can use and if your supports enable those reactions. For example, Xingqiu is incredible in Vaporize teams. The ability to trigger reactions can significantly increase your damage output.
- Playstyle: Do you prefer a more aggressive playstyle, or do you like to play it safe? Choose support characters that fit your playstyle. If you like to avoid damage, shielders like Zhongli are a must. If you're comfortable dodging, you might focus more on buffers and damage dealers. Do you need a healer, or can you get by with a shielder and dodging? Think about how you like to play and tailor your team to that style.
- Weapon and Artifacts: Support characters rely on their weapons and artifacts to be effective. Make sure you equip them with the appropriate gear. For example, healers benefit from HP-boosting artifacts and weapons. Buffers like Bennett benefit from high base attack weapons. Shields benefit from HP artifacts. The right build is critical. Think about what stats are important for the character.
- Enemy Lineup: Sometimes, the enemy lineup dictates which supports are best. Certain enemies are resistant to certain elements, so you might need to adjust your team to counter them. For example, if you're fighting an enemy with high Cryo resistance, you might want to avoid using a Cryo support.
Building Your Support Characters
Building your support characters right is just as important as choosing the right ones! Here are some key tips for building your supports to make sure they shine:
- Talents: Leveling up your support characters' talents is essential. Prioritize the talents that directly benefit your team, such as healing, shielding, or buffing abilities. Don't skip out on leveling up those important talents!
- Artifacts: Artifacts are critical for boosting your support's stats. Choose sets that provide the stats they need, such as HP, energy recharge, or elemental mastery. For example, the Noblesse Oblige artifact set is excellent for buffers as it boosts attack.
- Weapons: Choose weapons that complement your support character's role. For healers, HP-boosting weapons are great. For buffers, high base attack weapons are ideal. Don't underestimate how the correct weapon can make a huge difference.
- Stats: Focus on the stats that benefit your support character the most. For healers, HP is paramount. For buffers, ATK% and Energy Recharge are critical. For Shielders, HP is usually the most important stat. For batteries, Energy Recharge is important.
Conclusion: Mastering the Support Role
Alright, guys, that's the lowdown on the Genshin Impact support tier list! Remember that building a strong team takes time, experimentation, and, most importantly, fun. Don't be afraid to try different characters and team compositions until you find what works best for you. Genshin Impact is always evolving, so the best supports may change over time. Keep an eye out for new characters and updates. Hopefully, this guide will get you started! Good luck on your Genshin Impact adventures, and happy supporting!