Genshin Impact: Top 20 Support Characters & Usage Guide
Genshin Impact: Top 20 Support Characters & Usage Guide
Genshin Impact: The Underrated Heroes of Team Support
Genshin Impact is more than just a game about damaging enemies and healing wounds. It’s about cooperation, strategy, and the unsung heroes behind every battle. While damage dealers and healers often steal the spotlight, support characters are the glue that holds a team together, providing invaluable assistance to the entire squad. So, it’s time we shed some light on these overlooked champions of Genshin Impact.
The Often-Overlooked Role of Support Characters
Support characters play a vital role in Genshin Impact, performing tasks other than dealing damage or healing wounds. They excel at providing healing, buffing stats, debuffing enemies, controlling crowds, shielding allies, and enabling devastating elemental reactions. Although they may not always be on the front lines, their contributions are essential for a team’s success.
The Niche Support Characters You Shouldn’t Ignore
Every team deserves a perfectly balanced roster, and that includes incorporating niche support characters. These characters specialize in amplifying the power of a specific element and are most effective when used in teams focused on utilizing that element’s damage. Currently, Genshin Impact offers Sara, Gorou, Faruzan, Shenhe, and Mika as niche support characters. However, keep in mind that their full potential can only be unleashed when their corresponding element is present in the team.
Xiangling: The Pyro Enabler
– Rarity: 4-star polearm-user – Element: Pyro – Support Type: Enabling, Attack-boosting
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Xiangling may not fit the traditional support character mold, but her ability to consistently apply Pyro sets her apart. She excels in setting up powerful elemental reactions like Melt and Vaporize, granting a significant damage boost to the entire team. Additionally, her Ascension 4 talent leaves a Chili Pepper that increases character attack damage, providing a spicy bonus to whoever picks it up. With the right build, Xiangling can be a valuable sub-DPS and elemental reaction enabler in your team.
Kirara: The Dendro Explorer
– Rarity: 4-star sword-user – Element: Dendro – Support Type: Shielding, Burst-Support, Enabling, Exploration
Kirara is not just your average sword-wielding character. Apart from her combat abilities, she excels in exploration, enhancing climbing and sprinting speed while using less stamina. When it comes to combat, Kirara shines as a shield provider, essential for teams relying on Bloom reactions that can damage team members. She also thrives as the only Dendro shielding character, making her a valuable addition to teams that lack the elusive Baizhu. With her versatility, she can adapt to different team compositions as a burst-support or elemental reaction enabler.
Rosaria: The Critical Support
– Rarity: 4-star polearm-user – Element: Cryo – Support Type: Crit Rate-boosting, Enabling
Rosaria is more than meets the eye. Despite being known for her prowess as a Sub-DPS Cryo character, she also serves as a powerful support and offers a unique buff to the team. When built and utilized correctly alongside a well-coordinated team, Rosaria provides a constant 15% increased Crit Rate to other party members and consistent Cryo application for elemental reactions. Her constellations further enhance her capabilities, reducing enemies’ physical resistance and boosting her support capabilities for elemental reaction-based teams. Don’t underestimate the icy allure of Rosaria.
Albedo: The Geo Mastermind
– Rarity: 5-star sword-user – Element: Geo – Support Type: Elemental Mastery-boosting, Shielding
Albedo’s talent lies in his exceptional control over Geo, making him an ideal sub-DPS for off-field Geo damage. His elemental skill creates an AoE zone that generates shields through Crystallize reactions, providing valuable protection to the team. Albedo’s unique ability to generate crystals without removing applied elements makes him a formidable support, enabling powerful elemental reactions. His 4th ascension passive also boosts the entire team’s Elemental Mastery, further enhancing their damage output. With his easy build and scaling with DEF, Albedo is an excellent addition to any Geo-focused team.
The Traveler (Dendro): The Elemental Chameleon
– Rarity: 5-star sword-user – Element: Interchangeable, (Dendro) – Support Type: Elemental Mastery-boosting, Enabling
The Traveler is a unique character capable of utilizing different elements depending on player choice. While Anemo, Geo, and Electro variants are overshadowed by other characters’ abilities, the Dendro variant stands out. Dendro Traveler excels in off-field Dendro damage and application, providing a constant source of Dendro damage through their Elemental Burst. By exploiting Hydro, Electro, or Pyro elements, the Dendro Traveler’s Elemental Burst can trigger powerful elemental reactions, greatly enhancing team damage output. Unlocking their constellations unlocks even more support tools, including a team-wide Elemental Mastery buff. Take advantage of this versatile character to maximize your team’s potential.
Mona: The Burst DPS and More
– Rarity: 5-star catalyst-user – Element: Hydro – Support Type: Enabling, DMG Buff, Crowd Control
Mona’s reputation as a top-tier Burst DPS isn’t for nothing. Her elemental Burst ability amplifies elemental damage and triggers devastating elemental reactions like Melt or Vaporize. Her Hydro-infused bubble debuffs enemies and increases damage dealt to them. Besides her impressive combat abilities, Mona’s exploration talent grants her an alternative sprint style, making water travel a breeze. Her versatile Elemental Skill, which summons a decoy, is also handy for crowd control. Mona is the complete package, excelling in both combat and exploration.
Venti: The Master of Crowd Control
– Rarity: 5-star bow-user – Element: Anemo – Support Type: Crowd Control, Battery, Debuffer
Venti is the epitome of crowd control prowess in Genshin Impact. His elemental Burst creates a vortex that sucks enemies in, locking them in the air and dealing continuous Anemo damage. This ability not only immobilizes enemies but also facilitates melee team attacks by grouping them together. Venti particularly shines in conjunction with the Viridescent Venerer artifact set, which enhances Swirl damage and decreases opponents’ elemental resistance. His abilities make him an exceptional battery for energy-dependent teams and a valuable support for amplifying party damage through elemental reactions.
Kokomi: The Versatile Water Healer
– Rarity: 5-star catalyst-user – Element: Hydro – Support Type: Enabling, Healing
Kokomi may not possess offensive prowess like other characters, but she excels in the art of healing and support. Her elemental skill applies Hydro buffs and provides healing, making her one of the game’s best healers. Additionally, she is a great source of Dendro-related reactions, making her a valuable asset in teams focused on Bloom and Hyperbloom reactions. Kokomi’s versatility shines through her ability to provide healing, enable reactions, and keep your team afloat in the heat of battle.
Diona: The Cryo Shield Maiden
– Rarity: 4-star bow-user – Element: Cryo – Support Type: Shielding, Healing, Battery, Enabling
Diona is known for her healing capabilities, but she brings much more to the table. Her elemental Burst not only provides healing but also generates an AoE Cryo zone, enabling consistent Cryo application. Diona’s elemental skill shields allies and generates energy particles, making her an excellent battery for energy-dependent teams. Her versatility as a healer, shield provider, and enabler makes her a valuable asset in any team composition.
Yaoyao: The Beloved Dendro Healer
– Rarity: 4-star polearm-user – Element: Dendro – Support Type: Healing, Battery, Enabling
Since her recent release, Yaoyao has become a fan-favorite Dendro healer. She possesses an impressive skill set that provides both on-field and off-field healing capabilities. Additionally, Yaoyao’s White Jade Radishes strategically placed on the battlefield can maximize Dendro application and reactions for your team. Focus on building her with HP%, Energy Recharge, and Elemental Mastery to fully unlock her healing potential and amplify your team’s damage output.
Raiden Shogun: The Energy Regeneration Dynamo
– Rarity: 5-star polearm-user – Element: Electro – Support Type: Battery, Enabling
As the Electro Archon, Raiden Shogun wields immense power and provides exceptional energy regeneration support. She fits seamlessly into teams that require an Electro element, a sub-DPS burst unit, and a support unit to help recharge the team’s Elemental Bursts. Raiden’s elemental skill enables consistent electro application off-field while granting a buff to enhance the party’s Elemental Burst damage. Her elemental burst can be used as a powerful Burst-DPS, especially after other elemental bursters in the team. With her versatility and utility, Raiden Shogun is an ideal addition to your team.
Zhongli: The Shield Master
– Rarity: 5-star polearm-user – Element: Geo – Support Type: Shielding, Debuffing, Crowd Control
Zhongli is the epitome of shield protection in Genshin Impact. His unyielding Jade Shield boasts an impressive 150% damage absorption against all elemental and physical attacks, making healers seem unnecessary when Zhongli is in your team. Additionally, the Jade Shield reduces opponents’ Elemental and Physical resistance, providing a significant offensive boost. Zhongli’s elemental burst creates a sizeable AoE and temporarily petrifies enemies, leaving them vulnerable to attacks. With Zhongli in your team, you can defy any foe with unwavering protection.
Yelan: The Versatile Hydro Heroine
– Rarity: 5-star bow-user – Element: Hydro – Support Type: Enabling
Yelan is truly a versatile character, capable of fulfilling sub-DPS and support roles. Her elemental skill serves as a swift sprint, allowing her to traverse the game world effortlessly during exploration. Furthermore, it generates a Hydro-infused string that binds enemies, dealing massive damage. Yelan’s skills perfectly supplement the downtime of main DPS characters, making her a great addition to a variety of team compositions. Her elemental burst amplifies Hydro damage and consistent application, making her highly effective in Vaporize and Bloom teams.
Sucrose: The Anemo Alchemist
– Rarity: 4-star catalyst-user – Element: Anemo – Support Type: Elemental Mastery-boosting, Crowd Control
Sucrose is an invaluable Anemo user for any team. She possesses powerful buffs, such as boosting Elemental Mastery, making her a fantastic addition to any party. Her elemental burst creates an awe-inspiring AoE attack, pulling enemies towards its center. Sucrose excels at creating elemental reactions, as her charged skill hits multiple foes multiple times, increasing damage output. For players seeking an Anemo support character, Sucrose is an excellent free-to-play option. Though she may not have as strong grouping capabilities as Venti, her support abilities remain top-notch.
Bennett: The Pyro Powerhouse
. – Rarity: 4-star sword-user – Element: Pyro – Support Type: ATK Boosting, Healing
Bennett stands as one of the most powerful support characters in Genshin Impact, thanks to his exceptional healing abilities and ATK boost to the team. Even with recent changes and new characters introduced, Bennett’s versatility remains unmatched. Although he may lack Pyro application without unlocking his sixth constellation, he can still disrupt elemental reaction setups. His ATK buff may not be as viable as before due to the emergence of characters with higher HP or Elemental Mastery, but with the release of characters like Lyney, players may rediscover Bennett’s value in mono Pyro teams.
Xingqiu: The Hydro Swordsman
– Rarity: 4-star sword-user – Element: Hydro – Support Type: Enabling, Damage Reduction, Healing, Battery
Xingqiu, the bookworm, is one of the best support characters around, rivaling Yelan in many aspects. His elemental burst creates a rain of swords, providing consistent Hydro application even when he’s off the field. This makes Xingqiu an invaluable asset to any team. Furthermore, his elemental skill offers damage reduction as long as the active character has at least one Rain Blade remaining. Xingqiu’s elemental skill also generates multiple elemental particles, making him an excellent source for generating energy. With a slight healing capability tied to his first ascension passive, Xingqiu is ready to support your team in battle.
Baizhu: The Healing Dendro
– Rarity: 5-star catalyst-user – Element: Dendro – Support Type: Healing, Shielding, Buffing
Baizhu, an esteemed Dendro healer, follows swiftly after Yaoyao’s release. What sets Baizhu apart is his ability to shield the team with his ultimate skill while simultaneously offering healing through both his elemental skill and elemental burst. Although his healing may not be as fast-paced as Yaoyao’s, Baizhu’s healing takes place entirely off-field. Paired with his Dendro Elemental Reaction buff based on his HP, Baizhu becomes an exceptional character to utilize, particularly in Bloom teams where shielding prevents team members from taking damage. He also fits well in Spread and Aggravate teams, though his lack of consistent Dendro application may make pairing him with another Dendro character like Nahida optimal for maximizing the Elemental Reaction buff.
Nahida: The Mighty Dendro Archon
– Rarity: 5-star catalyst-user – Element: Dendro – Support Type: Buffing, Enabling
Nahida, the Dendro Archon, is an exceptional support character, rivaling other Archons in power and versatility. Her proficiency in Dendro application is unmatched, allowing her to consistently unleash devastating Dendro-infused attacks. Nahida’s elemental burst may not seem overwhelming at first, but it packs a potent punch. With an extensive area of effect and a long duration, it ranks among the best elemental bursts in Genshin Impact. Unlock Nahida’s true potential and experience the might of the Dendro element.
Kazuha: The Winds of Support
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– Rarity: 5-star sword-user – Element: Anemo – Support Type: Buffing, Enabling, Crowd Control
Kazuha embodies the spirit of support in Genshin Impact, offering immense utility to any team composition. He complements almost any team and excels in utilizing elemental reactions. Kazuha’s elemental skill provides crowd control by pulling enemies together, even those seemingly unmovable by Venti. His elemental burst grants a substantial boost to the entire team’s elemental damage. Packed with versatility and minimal weaknesses, Kazuha is one of the top support characters in the game, a true master of support.
Conclusion
Genshin Impact’s wealth of support characters provides a wealth of options to suit your team’s needs. Don’t underestimate the impact these characters can have on your squad’s success. From healers to enablers, crowd controllers to energy batteries, support characters deserve recognition for their invaluable contributions. So embrace the unorthodox, experiment with different team compositions, and discover the hidden potential of these unsung heroes in Genshin Impact.
Genshin Impact is currently available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5, with a Switch version in development. Happy supporting, Travelers!
For more information, check our Genshin Impact healer tier list and mistakes players make when using Venti.
