Genshin Impact tier list: Best characters as of the September 2021 anniversary

C-tier characters in Genshin Impact

C-tier characters in Genshin Impact can be considered below average. Yes, they can still be considered decent. Unfortunately, you’ll rarely use them if you already have certain peeps on your roster.

Chongyun

• Element: Cryo
• Role: Sub/Burst DPS
• Pros:
  • Decent Cryo AoE damage and freezing capabilities.
  • Since he’s a Cryo character who uses a claymore, you can expect the shatter effect more often against frozen enemies.
• Cons:
  • Weaker compared to other Cryo options.
  • Has a very niche function.

Barbara

• Element: Hydro
• Role: Support (Healing)
• Pros:
  • Off-field healing and heal-on-attack capabilities.
  • Burst provides a massive party-wide heal.
  • C6 instantly revives a dead teammate, though it has a 15-minute internal cooldown.
• Cons:
  • Elemental skill applies the Wet status on the active character, making them vulnerable to freezing when fighting Cryo enemies.
  • No other reliable function besides healing (which she’s still very good at).
• Related article: Barbara build guide

Kaeya

• Element: Cryo
• Role: Main/Sub DPS
• Pros:
  • Decent Cryo conal damage and AoE capabilities.
  • Improved DPS thanks to Blizzard Strayer.
  • Self-healing passive.
• Cons:
  • Weaker compared to other Cryo options.
  • Has a very niche function.

Kujou Sara

• Element: Electro
• Role: Support (ATK buff)
• Pros:
  • Provides an ATK buff, akin to an Electro Bennett.
  • Elemental skill and burst can be chained to sustain the ATK buff.
• Cons:
  • Extremely short ATK buff duration. Because you need to chain abilities to extend the duration, it can completely ruin your rotation.
  • Requires C2 to be more viable. Without it, you’ll need to cast your elemental skill and follow it up with a charged shot to proc the ATK buff.
• Related article: Kujou Sara build guide

Razor

• Element: Electro
• Role: Main DPS
• Pros:
  • Versatile character who excels with both Electro and Physical damage.
  • Highly formidable once his burst is active.
• Cons:
  • Is also a selfish carry, meaning he needs to be on the field longer when his burst is being used. It requires you to invest heavily in him, as he pales in comparison to most other main DPS options.
  • Requires off-field DPS or support (i.e., Pyro) to have elemental reactions while the burst is active.

Yoimiya

• Element: Pyro
• Role: Main DPS
• Pros:
  • Fast-firing infused normal shots that can whittle down a target’s health; decent against bosses.
  • Decent damage potential with her burst.
• Cons:
  • Elemental skill and general playstyle focus on single-target DPS. Most high-end challenges prioritize AoE damage due to having several hostiles.
  • Weird talent and constellation kit that tries to aid her as a main DPS and sub-DPS/enabler, but lacks anything to make her outstanding in either one.
• Related article: Yoimiya build guide

Rosaria

• Element: Cryo
• Role: Sub/Burst DPS
• Pros:
  • Good Cryo DPS and burst; her burst has high damage potential.
  • Very mobile playstyle.
• Cons:
  • Cannot use her elemental skill to teleport behind larger opponents; can sometimes ruin your planned rotation if she gets caught in the open.
  • Provides extra crit rate for her party, but the amount is very low unless you stack it immensely.
• Related article: Rosaria build guide

Aloy

• Element: Cryo
• Role: Sub DPS
• Pros:
  • A Cryo character that can help with perma-freeze comps.
  • Slightly similar playstyle to Yoimiya; fast-firing normal attacks that are infused with an element.
  • Is a freebie that you can acquire via in-game mail.
• Cons:
  • Predominantly focuses on single-target DPS.
  • There’s a better Cryo archer and her name is Ganyu.
  • No constellations.
• Related article: Aloy build guide

Finally, let’s look at the D-tier characters in the next part of our Genshin Impact September 2021 anniversary tier list.