Genshin Impact - Every Character You Can Get Right Now 1.0

So, you've got your hands on the new free-to-play open world RPG, Genshin Impact. While obviously inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Genshin Impact offers one key feature above others: a whole host of playable characters.

Currently, 22 characters are available (not including the player character), each with slightly different skill sets and stats. Genshin Impact utilizes gacha pulls to obtain new anime kids for battle, with a system similar to Fire Emblem Heroes. Read on to find out which characters are available and how to get them!

Genshin Impact Story Characters

These three story characters that can be obtained simply by completing the tutorial quests.

Amber

Amber is perky, excitable, and enthusiastic about adventuring. She's always up for a challenge, and perhaps a little too keen to get into a scrap. She's the first character to join the player on their quest in Monstadt.

• Weapon: Bow and Arrow
• Element: Pyro
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Explosive Puppet - Throw out a puppet to distract enemies and eventually explode.
• Elemental Burst: Fiery Rain - Rains down AOE fire arrows.

Kaeya

Kaeya is your classic charming, quippy older-brother character the player character looks up to. He's a skilled fighter, intelligent as hell, and, most of all, confident. He's got a bit of a flair for the dramatic, which only makes his Spider-Man-esque quips in battle even more fun.

• Weapon: Sword
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Element: Cryo
• Elemental Skill: Frostgnaw - Deals Cryo damage to multiple enemies.
• Elemental Burst: Glacial Waltz - Summon rotating icicles to protect Kaeya and deal Cryo damage to enemies.

Lisa

I haven't quite been able to put my finger on what Lisa is about. Sometimes she's your cool aunt, sometimes she's an extremely capable mage, sometimes she's a sexy librarian whispering innuendo, and sometimes she's a ditzy flirt. Well, this is anime, after all. She's whatever you'd like her to be!

• Weapon: Catalyst
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Element: Electro
• Elemental Skill: Violet Arc - After a long casting time, summon lightning to damage enemies.
• Elemental Burst: Lightning Rose - Launch a continuous lightning blast to knock back enemies and deal damage.

Genshin Impact Gacha Characters

Genshin Impact is free to play, so you probably have been expecting some loot boxes to show up. Well, here they are. You'll need Wishes, which are just magical loot boxes, to unlock characters. You can use real money in microtransactions to purchase crystals that in turn can be used to buy Wishes. Alternatively, you'll collect Prismogems or Stardusts by grinding in-game and can trade them in for crystals, which then can be used for wishes.

Yes, it's confusing, and it's intentional. Being that this is a gacha game, each Wish contains something - but it's typically not a character. In fact, each Wish only has a 0.6% chance to pull a 5-star character or weapon. Either start grinding or open up that piggy bank to access the following characters.

Characters are ocassionally purchasable from the store, but they're on a rotation. Check back each week to see who's available and snag your favorite.

 Barbara

Barbara is a pop idol, or whatever the Teyvat equivalent of an idol is. She's poppy, fun and uses water magic to heal her teammates. She's also Jean's little sister. She uses positive vibes and cheers to heal your wounds!

Note: Until the release of Genshin Impact version 1.1 (Oct. 11), Barbara is a guaranteed addition to your party once you reach Adventure Rank 20, if you created an account before the game's launch on Sept. 28.

• Weapon: Catalyst
• Element: Hydro
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Let the Show Begin - She summons water music notes in a ring around her that on contact inflict the Wet status effect. Additionally, while active players will be healed.
• Elemental Burst: Shining Miracle - She heals allies for a large burst of HP.

Beidou

Beidou is frank, forward, and unyielding in her opinions. She's a capable leader that others are naturally inclined to follow and a seafarer at heart. As the Captain of a fleet of ships, she stares danger in the face every day without flinching and cuts down sea monsters without breaking a sweat.

• Weapon: Claymore
• Element: Electro
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Tidecaller - Beidou holds up her claymore to block attacks. Then she counterattacks. The damage increases proportionally to the number of hits she takes.
• Elemental Burst: Stormbreaker - Attacks create lightning discharge that bounces between enemies and multiplies.

Bennett

Bennett is a likable and enthusiastic adventurer who also happens to be the unluckiest guy in the world. Bennett is infamously the only member of Benny's Adventure Team, a guild that he founded and is the leader of. But hey, you gotta admire the commitment there.

• Weapon: Sword
• Element: Pyro
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Passion Overload - The attack performs differently depending on how long you hold it. A short hold yields a two-hit attack that launches enemies. A long hold performs a three-hit attack that ends in an explosion.
• Elemental Burst: Fantastic Voyage - jump to an enemy to deal damage and create an inspiration circle that heals allies and provides buffs

Chongyun

Chongyun is an exorcist whose capabilities far outpace his experience. Seeking to prove himself, he's trained himself in monk-like self-discipline using martial arts to strengthen his powers. He roams the lands looking for spirits to banish in order to prove himself. Chongyun is so cool because his presence indirectly promises a ghost hunt in a future patch. Nice.

• Weapon: Claymore
• Element: Cryo
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Chonghua's Layered Frost - Hits the ground and creates an AOE Cryo explosion. Afterward, the area buffs Sword, Claymore, and Polearm weapons with Cryo damage.
• Elemental Burst: Cloud-parting Star - Summon 3 spirit blades that hit the ground, causing blast AOE damage

Diluc

Diluc is the richest person in Monstadt, heading up an alcohol import empire. He thinks he's perfect, and, let's face it, he kind of is. He's good-looking, charming, kind, rich, intelligent and has access to unlimited booze. So, yeah. Pray for this pull.

• Weapon: Claymore
• Element: Pyro
• Rarity: 5 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Searing Onslaught - Diluc slashes in front of him with Pyro damage. This can be done three times in a row before it enters cooldown.
• Elemental Burst: Dawn - Shoot out flames that converge into a phoenix that launches forward, dealing damage. Diluc's claymore then does Pyro damage for a short period of time.

Fischl

Fischl is mysterious, eccentric, and a real up-and-comer in the Adventurer's Guild. She's actually a princess but works hard to earn her place in the world, working as an investigator. She is a little maniacal in conversation, but her solid deduction skills make her a welcome addition to any quest.

• Weapon: Bow and Arrow
• Element: Electro
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Nightrider - She summons Oz, her night raven companion, to deal Electro damage in a small AOE. Oz then stays on the field, attacking enemies.
• Elemental Burst: Midnight Phantasmagoria - She merges with her familiar, Oz, and increase speed, defense, and damage.

Jean

Jean is the Grandmaster of the Knights in Monstadt, making her one of the best sword fighters in Teyvat. You'll encounter her during the story but will have to pull her from a Wish, unfortunately. She's Barbara's older sister and is confident, cool, and collected at all times.

• Weapon: Sword
• Element: Anemo (wind)
• Rarity: 5 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Gale Blade - Creates a cyclone that launches enemies. Holding down the skill lets the player control the cyclone's direction.
• Elemental Burst: Dandelion Breeze - Jean summons a storm around her blade, launching enemies and healing allies proportional to her ATK stat. This move leaves a Dandelion Field on the ground, healing allies within while doing Anemo damage to enemies.

Keqing

It is a marvel that we got this far without a cat girl. Well, here she is. Please enjoy. She's a little bit of a loner, but very strong despite her young age. She's a skeptic that spits in the face of gods and believes humans must control their own destiny.

• Weapon: Sword
• Element: Electro
• Rarity: 5 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Stellar Restoration - She throws a Lightning Stiletto. On hit, she creates a small AoE blast that does Electro damage. She also marks enemies with a Stiletto Mark. A charged attack clears the Stiletto Mark while doing more AoE Electro damage. Using Stellar Restoration again causes her to teleport to the marked enemy, dealing AoE Electro damage in a slash.
• Elemental Burst: Starward Sword - Keqing does a huge flash of AoE Elecro damage. Then she rapidly slashes at nearby enemies, ending the attack in a large AoE Electro explosion.

Klee

Klee is basically an excited child that figured out how to make explosives. No idea how that happened. She sees Kaeya as a big brother and is wildly irresponsible with her arsenal. Chaos.

• Weapon: Catalyst
• Element: Pyro
• Rarity: 5 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Jumpy Dumpty - Throws out Jumpy Dumpty who bounces three times, igniting and dealing AoE Pyro damage per bounce. Afterward, it splits into multiple explosives that explode on enemy contact.
• Elemental Burst: Sparks 'n Splash - She basically summons a lot of bombs and explosions and fire. Let anarchy reign!

Mona

Mona is an astrologist (not an astronomer, which is an actual scientist) that is always short on cash. She lives by meager means, except when it comes to extravagant witch outfits, I guess. She's gonna try to sell you some healing crystals at some point, and I'm gonna need you to say no. On the other hand, she can swim around underground like a Splatoon Inkling, so that's dope.

• Weapon: Catalyst
• Element: Hydro
• Rarity: 5 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Reflection of Doom - She summons a Phantom that deals Hydro damage. When it expires, it explodes, dealing AoE Hydro damage. Holding down this skill causes her to dodge backwards before summoning the Phantom.
• Elemental Burst: Stellaris Phantasm - She creates waves in a large AoE, applying Illusory Bubble to enemies. Weaker foes are rendered immobile. On hit, she removes the Illusory Bubble effect and inflicts them with Omen, which makes them take more damage.

Ningguang

Ningguang's aesthetic is that of a Middle Kingdom Chinese Empress, which I am very here for. She's all about law and order, justice and rules. But she's does happen to be the richest person in all of Teyvat and got that way by being a ruthless corporate overlord for her mercantile business. She's definitely the Jeff Bezos of Genshin Impact.

• Weapon: Catalyst
• Element: Geo
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Jade Screen - Create an Earth wall that deals AoE damage and blocks enemy projectiles.
• Elemental Burst: Starshatter - Scatter gems all about as homing projectiles to deal massive earth damage. If a Jade Screen is also up, she launches more gems.

Noelle

Noelle is a royal maid, training herself in the knightly ways of discourse, etiquette, and customs. She intends to become a knight one day, which is pretty awesome. I appreciate that even though Noelle feeds into the whole "anime maid" thing, she has dreams of fighting and nobility that she aspires to.

• Weapon: Claymore
• Element: Geo
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Breastplate - She surrounds herself in geo armor, damaging nearby enemies. Attacks have a chance to heal her and the party.
• Elemental Burst: Sweeping Time - Large AoE burst of earth followed by buffs to damage and attack range.

Qiqi

Qiqi is an apprentice pharmacist, which is pretty advanced considering she looks like she's 5. Qiqi is very much not what she appears - she's a zombie, older than anyone can remember, and must be given orders to act. She's doing okay for herself at Bubu Pharmacy, but she's got an interesting self-discovery thing going on learning how to give herself orders.

• Weapon: Sword
• Element: Cryo
• Rarity: 5 Stars
• Elemental Skill:  Adeptus Art: Herald of Frost - A summon that deals damage to nearby enemies. While the summon is active, Qiqi's attacks heal the party.
• Elemental Burst: Adeptus Art: Preserver of Fortune - Marks nearby enemies and deals ice damage. On hit, the marks disappear, healing the character that hit them.

Razor

Razor was raised in the wilds by a pack of wolves (or so it is claimed). He's kind of a wild child, often prowling the forest at breakneck speeds looking for prey. He seems to have wolf-like abilities, but no one knows his true origin. Potential werewolf? Definitely.

• Weapon: Claymore
• Element: Electro
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Claw and Thunder - He does Electro damage with his weapon, earning an Electro Sigil on hit. Electro Sigils increase his energy recharge rate, and he can have up to three at once. Holding down this attack creates a storm that does AoE Electro damage and uses up his Electro Sigils, restoring his energy.
• Elemental Burst: Lightning Fang - Adds Electro damage to his regular attacks while raising speed and damage.

Sucrose

Sucrose is indeed just sugar, and I suppose this character earned her name by being very sweet. She's an alchemist with an insatiable curiosity and wants to stretch science to its limits one day, making the world a better place. She's a little bit eccentric but a joy to have around all the same. If you're looking for your "crazy inventor" anime trope, here she is.

• Weapon: Catalyst
• Element: Anemo (wind)
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Astable Anemohypostasis Creation - 6308 - Sucrose summons a wind spirit that does AoE Anemo damage. It also pulls enemies toward it, then launches them away.
• Elemental Burst: Forbidden Creation - Isomer 75/Type II - launch a potion that summons a large air elemental, doing massive wind damage while continually pulling enemies toward it and launching them. It can also absorb Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, or Electro elements to do more damage.

Venti

Venti is the bard of the group, normally found singing songs of great adventures or eating apples. He uses song to control the winds and is mischievous in nature. His origin is also unknown; I guess he just blew into town. He's a drifter. Nothing?

• Weapon: Bow and Arrow
• Element: Anemo (wind)
•  Rarity: 5 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Skyward Sonnet - A press does AoE Anemo damage centered on an enemy, then launches them. Holding down this skill creates a larger Wind Domain centered on Venti, sending everyone in the area into the sky (including Venti).
• Elemental Burst: Wind's Grand Ode - Venti shoots a wind-made arrow, forming a gigantic storm. Like most other Anemo abilities, it can absorb Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, or Electro elements.

Xiangling

Xiangling is technically the Head Chef of the Wanmin Restaurant but doubles as a waitress. She loves spicy foods and has mastered the culinary arts at a young age. People are often wary of her dishes because of the associated spiciness, but her enthusiasm for cooking certainly won't disappoint.

• Weapon: Polearm
• Element: Pyro
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Guoba Attack - Summons Guoba the Panda, who breathes fire on enemies.
• Elemental Burst: Pyronado - Xiangling creates a Pyro tornado centered on her, which follows her while dealing damage for a short time.

Xiao

Xiao is about 2,000 years old, but I know what you're thinking: His skin looks great. He's a master of combat, with an unbeatable reputation and no time for small talk or friendly exchanges. Xiao is all business and all power, and prefers not to disclose the fact that he's a deity. His true power is something few people witness and survive.

• Weapon: Polearm
• Element: Anemo (wind)
• Rarity: 5 Stars
• Elemental Skill:  Lemniscatic Wind Cycling - Either on the ground or in the air, he lunges forward, leaving a path of Anemo damage.
• Elemental Burst: Bane of All Evil - While continuously draining his HP, Xiao transforms into the demonic spirit he once was. While transformed, his damage type turns into Anemo damage, and he hits harder. He also jumps higher.

Xingqiu

He's got a reputation for being erudite, overly polite and quiet, but Xingqiu secretly yearns for adventure. He's always got his nose in a book, but he hopes to one day use those skills to take on the world.

• Weapon: Sword
• Element: Hydro
• Rarity: 4 Stars
• Elemental Skill: Guhua Sword - Fatan Rainscreen - Deals Hydro damage with two sword strikes and summons Rain Swords, which surround him. These Rain Swords provides him more defense, but each hit he takes destroys a sword.
• Elemental Burst: Guhua Sword - Raincutter - Normal attacks are followed up by a sword rain attack, and Xingqiu maintains the maximum number of Rain Swords for the duration. Additionally, other characters in your party experience these effects.

Six more playable characters are slated for release in the coming months in Genshin Impact, and many more following those, including Zhongli, Baizhu, Ganyu, Childe, Ayaka, Cyno, Lyney, Lynette, Iansan, Dainsleif, Diona, and Xinyan.

Those are all the currently available characters in Genshin Impact. Who are you looking forward to getting? Let us know in the comments below! Happy grinding!