Genshin impact has a great list of playable characters, and it will only get bigger as the game develops over the next few years. Unlike other gacha games in the market, there are no real fodder characters in Genshin Impact. Each of them has a unique kit - their attacks, skills, talents - that matter more in Genshin's action combat than in more traditional gacha. Needless to say, unlocking additional characters is a big deal in Genshin Impact.
Characters can be separated into two categories: 4 star and 5 star. 4-star characters are the most common in Genshin Impact, and you get three of them just by playing the story (Amber, Lisa, and Kaeya). The other 4 stars usually have to be “pulled” from a wish: a gacha mechanic akin to what we would call a loot box here in the West. 4-stars aren't terribly hard to shoot, but their standard drop rate isn't fantastic. 5-star characters are rarer and tend to have better kits than 4-stars, but they are rarely needed to clear Genshin Impact content. So far, they can only be obtained by draw and are often only available for a limited time.
This guide features all current characters in Genshin Impact listed alphabetically and by region. At the bottom of the guide is a section for characters that are rumored and un-rumored, and they will receive a full description when released. Plus, we're working on individual characters and build guides, so check back here often to see if your favorite Genshin Impact characters have one.
Genshin Impact Character Release
Mondstadt
Traveler
You are the main character of Genshin Impact. You and your twin brother (the opposite of your chosen gender) traveled between several worlds, but got stuck in the world of Teyvat after your brother was captured by a powerful nameless goddess. You have no idea how long it took from waking up to this battle, but you'll stop at nothing to find your long-lost brother. The Traveler can wield elemental powers without vision, unlike the native inhabitants of Teyvat who need them. You can also use any item you desire, as long as you first visit a shrine to the respective deity. Only Anemo and Geo are currently available to the Traveler.
Albedo (5 stars)
Albedo is a master alchemist and captain of the Knights of Favonius investigation team in Mondstadt. He is soft-spoken, but adept at swordsmanship, endowed with Geo Vision. Many mysteries surround his origins and he seeks alchemical answers to questions surrounding life itself. Albedo's character and build guide can be found here.
Amber (4 stars)
Leader of the Mondstadt Outriders for the Knights of Favonius (and technically the only Outrider), Amber is a cheerful and energetic young woman who is an ace glider and shouldn't be allowed near a kitchen. She has Pyro vision and uses a bow in combat. His Baron Bunny isn't the best skill, but it's adorable.
Barbara (4 stars)
Nurse, nun, idol: these three words best describe Mondstadt's own Barbara, a pious healer who works for the church of Favonius. Barbara is a shredded young woman most of the citizens of Mondstadt are in love with. She loves to sing and uses the power of music to heal her compatriots in battle via her Catalyst and Hydro Vision.
Bennett (4 stars)
Bennett is a young member of the Mondstadt Adventurers' Guild, known for his extreme bad luck. That hasn't stopped him from exploring the world, even though he's covered in more cuts, scrapes, bruises and scars than a teenager his age should be. Fortunately, his skills with a sword and his Pyro vision help him out of trouble. Bennett's character and build guide can be found here.
Diluc (5 stars)
The owner and proprietor of the Dawn Cellar, Diluc is a serious man who once served with the Knights of Favonius. A past incident caused him to break with the Knights, but he did not stop his relentless efforts to defend Mondstadt against enemies both foreign and domestic. He uses his gclaymore and Pyro Vision in the name of justice, but keeps this part of his life a closely guarded secret.
Diona (4 stars)
Diona is the best bartender in all of Mondstadt, and she hates it. She despises alcohol and aims to overthrow Mondstadt's wine industry, but no matter how hard she tries to make the most disgusting drink imaginable, she's still fantastic. For this reason, the Cat's Tail Tavern is one of the most popular in the country. Her cold exterior hides a more caring heart, and she uses her bow and Cryo Vision to defend her friends when called upon.
Fischl (4 stars)
The Prinzessin der Verurteilung (at least according to her) Fischl is the most eclectic member of the investigative team. Her speech may be filled with flowery language, but she means well and her night crow Oz adores her (although he knows well enough not to bother the Prinzessin). Fischl uses her bow and Electro Vision to aid the Adventurers Guild and Investigation Team, but call her by any other name and she will turn them against you.
John (5 stars)
Jean is the acting Grand Marshal of the Knights of Favonius of Mondstadt, and her constant need to help anyone who asks her for help often leaves her exhausted. The Dandelion Knight continues despite this, still trying to live up to the high expectations she has set for herself. She defends Mondstadt with her sword and Anemo Vision, though not all tasks require her steady hand.
Kaeya (4 stars)
Jean's right-hand man and adopted brother of Diluc (although the two barely get along these days), Kaeya is the Knights of Favonius' best information gatherer. His penchant for telling bald lies has helped him deceive and deceive many criminals, although he is not averse to using this talent to deceive his friends. His calm and easy-going demeanor is largely a facade, as when the pressure hits, he will use his sword and Cryo Vision to defend Mondstadt from his enemies.
Klee (5 stars)
Klee may be a child, but her ability to cause immense destruction with her explosives may be second to none (excluding her largely absent and likely insane mother, Alice). Klee is cheerful, and almost sadly too innocent of the carnage she is causing, often finding herself placed in solitary confinement in the Knights of Favonius' containment chamber by an incredibly exasperated Jean. Klee uses his Catalyst and Pyro Vision with good intention; this intention manages to explode.
Lisa (4 stars)
Lisa is the most talented mage to graduate from the Sumeru Academia in centuries, but prefers to spend her time acting as the librarian of the Knights of Favonius. Lisa is as likely to flirt with you as she will scold you, and if you care about your life, don't dare return her library books late or damaged. You'll quickly discover that she's more than willing to turn her catalyst and Electro Vision against you.
Mona (5 stars)
Mona is a talented astrologer from a distant land who found herself stranded in Mondstadt due to her perpetual lack of funds. She refuses to trade her skills for coins, despite this stubborn pride leaving her hungry most nights. Mona may seem selfish, but it's all an act hiding her true concerns and intentions. She uses her Catalyst and Hydro Vision to divine the future and overcome obstacles in battle.
Noelle (4 stars)
Noelle is the faithful servant of the Knights of Favonius, and she longs to join their ranks one day. This dream is probably the reason why she wears battle armor, despite being a maid. Don't assume for a moment that she neglects her duties as a maid: Noelle cooks, cleans, and performs all of her duties with the utmost care. When able to venture into the field, Noelle uses her claymore and Geo Vision to defend her friends. Noelle's character and build guide can be found here.
Razor (4 stars)
Razor lives with a pack of wolves in the Wolvendom area of Mondstadt. He is wary of strangers and will defend his pack from all strangers. Although more civilized than you might initially think, Razor prefers to live away from human civilization. He's a fierce fighter, and anyone or anything foolish enough to go after his pack will soon find himself under the blade of his claymore, assuming Razor didn't use his Electro Vision to fry them first.
Sucrose (4 stars)
Sucrose is a talented young alchemist from Mondstadt, driven by an almost insatiable curiosity about all things. She is shy and shy, but that hasn't stopped her from pursuing her research with absolute zeal, even if it sometimes requires human contact. She works with Albedo and respects him deeply. When called to the field, Sucrose fights back with her Catalyst and Anemo Vision.
Twenty (5 stars)
“The tone-deaf Bard” as Paimon likes to call him, Venti is a carefree young man with a big heart. He may seem selfish and self-centered to some, but he will do his best to keep the people of Mondstadt safe from tyranny. Venti is also a heavy drinker, able to put down more wine than most without any adverse effects. When called upon, Venti uses his bow and Anemo Vision to protect people and those he cares about.
Liyue
Beidou (4 stars)
A famous captain of the Crux, Beidou inspires fear, awe, and respect among the citizens of Liyue. It is often whispered among those who sailed with her that Beidou can cleave any threat in half with her claymore, imbued with the power of her Electro Vision. While this statement may or may not be true, Beidou actually doesn't fear Liyue Qixing's Tianguan, Ningguang (much to Ningguang's chagrin).
Chongyun (4 stars)
Chongyun comes from a family of exorcists, and he himself is an exorcist devotee. Part of this has to do with his excessive positive energy, which is so pure that most spirits flee before he can see them. In fact, Chongyun has never seen a spirit, and his positive energy makes him susceptible to both extreme emotions and heat. When he needs to defend himself, Chongyun uses a Claymore in tandem with his Cryo Vision.
Tartaglia; AKA Childe (5 stars)
Tartaglia is number 11 of the Fatui Harbingers, an elite group of Snezhnaya agents. He was sent to the nation of Liyue to act as a diplomat, though it's clear that he hides many secrets beneath his relaxed and friendly demeanor. Tartaglia is a skilled combatant, often found wielding a bow alongside his Hydro Vision.
Ganyu (5 stars)
Ganyu is the secretary of Yuehai Pavilion for the Liyue Qixing, and she is an absolute workaholic. Ganyu will complete any task given to her, even if it means she has to work an unpleasant amount of overtime to see the job done. Ganyu is half Adeptus, which caused her to be more quiet and reserved than her compatriots. Ganyu uses a bow and her Cryovision to dominate the battlefield when called upon to do so. Ganyu's character and build guide can be found here.
Keqing (5 stars)
Keqing is Liyue Qixing's Yuheng, meaning she runs day-to-day operations while Rex Lapis is away. She doesn't care much for the gods, however, and prefers to find solutions to the problems facing her and Liyue on her own. She is strong-willed and determined, and any fool who stands between her and Liyue's prosperity will soon find themselves at the mercy of her sword and Electro Vision.
Ningguang (4 stars)
The Tianguan of the Liyue Qixing – a sect of business owners who rule Liyue – Ningguang is arguably the most powerful person in Liyue, and his wealth is unrivaled in all of Teyvat. His Jade Chamber is proof of this, as it floats above Liyue, allowing Ningguang to see the entire nation from his window. When things are going well, Ningguang can dominate the competition with his Catalyst and Geo Vision.
Qiqi (5 stars)
Qiqi is an apprentice at Bubu Pharmacy in Liyue. She is also quite dead. Qiqi is a zombie, resurrected by Liyue's follower. She doesn't talk much, or display complex emotions, but she loves coconut milk (which she often mistakenly calls coconut milk, leading to a lot of confusion). If attacked while collecting herbs for the pharmacy, Qiqi is able to defend herself with her sword and Cryo Vision.
Xiangling (4 stars)
Xiangling as a chef, often experiments with new recipes in her kitchen at Wanmin Restaurant in Liyue. Those wishing to try his dishes should be warned: Xiangling's signature dishes are hot and spicy, often too hot and spicy for most people. It's probably only fitting that she was given a Pyro Vision, though she's as adept at using a firearm as a wok. Xiangling's character and building guide can be found here.
Xingqiu (4 stars)
Xinqqiu is a self-proclaimed practitioner of the arts of the Guhua clan, though this often leads to petty insults and taunts from outsiders. The second son of the guild director of the prosperous Feiyun Commerce Guild often finds himself with his nose buried in a book, but he gladly picks up his sword and uses his Hydro Vision to defend the innocent against injustice. Xinqiu's character and build guide can be found here.
Xinyan (4 stars)
Rock-n-roll has come to Liyue, and no one else plays like Xinyan. Literally: Xinyan is Liyue's only rock-n-roll musician, using her Pyro Vision to generate pyrotechnics during her stage performances. She rebels against prejudice with her music, using a modified lyre of her own creation. Xinyan may protest with the power of song, but she's not afraid to beat a fool with her claymore.
Zhongli (5 stars)
Zhongli is an entrepreneur who works with Wangsheng Funeral Home in Liyue. Not much is known about Zhongli, but he seems to care a lot about the people of Liyue in his own subtle way. He is also infamous for leaving his wallet at home, rarely having Mora on hand and leaving his friends stuck with the tab. He uses his polearm and Geo Vision to take down Liyue's enemies.
Rumored and Unreleased Characters
Xiao (5 stars)
Rumor for version 1.3. Polearm and Anemo. Xiao's character guide with currently leaked beta information can be found here.
Hu Tao (5 stars)
Rumor for version 1.3. Polearm and Pyro. Hu Tao's character guide with currently leaked beta information can be found here.
Ayaka (5 stars)
Rumor; To be determined. Sword and Cryo.
Rosaria (4 stars)
Rumor; To be determined. Polearm and Cryo
