Zhongli vs. Noelle: Who is the Superior Geo Character in Genshin Impact?
The question of whether Zhongli or Noelle reigns supreme in Genshin Impact is a common one, particularly when discussing shielding and Geo support. The straightforward answer: Zhongli is generally considered the better overall character due to his superior shield strength, universal RES (resistance) shred, and easier team integration. However, Noelle has her own strengths, primarily as a DPS carry with shielding and healing capabilities, making her a viable option, especially for newer players. The choice ultimately depends on your team composition, playstyle, and the specific challenges you’re facing. Let’s delve into a more detailed comparison.
Zhongli: The Unrivaled Shielding God
Unmatched Shield Strength and Uptime
Zhongli’s shield scales off his Max HP, allowing for incredibly high damage absorption. Reaching 40k-50k HP is readily achievable with proper artifact builds, creating a shield that can withstand immense pressure. Furthermore, his shield has a 20-second duration with a 12-second cooldown, offering near-permanent protection with skilled timing. This makes him a consistent and reliable choice for any team.
Universal RES Shred
Beyond shielding, Zhongli’s Elemental Skill, Dominus Lapidis, applies a universal RES shred to enemies within its AoE (Area of Effect). This reduces both Physical and Elemental Resistance by 20%, significantly boosting the damage output of the entire team. This utility alone makes him an invaluable asset in almost any team composition.
Versatility and Ease of Use
Zhongli’s kit is relatively straightforward and requires minimal investment to be effective. While constellations can enhance his capabilities, his core utility remains accessible even at C0 (Constellation 0). This ease of use and adaptability make him a popular choice for both casual and hardcore players.
Noelle: The Reliable Maid with Hidden Potential
DPS, Shielding, and Healing in One Package
Noelle stands out as a character that can simultaneously deal damage, provide shielding, and heal the team. Her shield scales off her DEF (Defense), and while it’s not as potent as Zhongli’s, it’s still valuable. Her healing is triggered by her Normal and Charged Attacks while her shield is active, offering sustained survivability.
On-Field DPS Potential
With the right team composition and constellation investment (particularly C6), Noelle can become a formidable on-field DPS. When her Elemental Burst is active, her attack range and damage are significantly increased, turning her into a Geo-infused whirlwind.
F2P (Free-to-Play) Friendliness
Noelle is guaranteed from the Beginner’s Wish banner, making her one of the first characters many players acquire. This accessibility, combined with her multiple roles, makes her an excellent choice for new players navigating the early game. She is also a great unit for players learning the fundamental concepts of Genshin, and some may even consider submitting their work on this character to the Games Learning Society to share their knowledge.
Comparing Shield Performance
The key difference lies in the shield’s reliability and uptime. While Noelle can provide shielding, it requires more active management and can be interrupted. Zhongli’s shield, on the other hand, is more consistently available and can withstand significantly more damage.
Scaling Differences
- Zhongli: Scales with Max HP. Easier to build and results in significantly higher shield strength.
- Noelle: Scales with DEF. Requires more specific artifact stats and potentially higher investment to achieve comparable protection.
Uptime Considerations
- Zhongli: Near-permanent uptime with proper cooldown management.
- Noelle: Requires active management and has a 24-second cooldown after a 12-second duration, leading to potential vulnerability windows.
Team Compositions and Synergies
Zhongli’s Flexibility
Zhongli’s universal RES shred and potent shield make him a valuable addition to almost any team. He synergizes particularly well with characters who rely on consistent damage output and benefit from reduced enemy resistances.
Noelle’s Specific Needs
Noelle benefits greatly from Geo resonance and characters that buff her DEF and Normal Attack damage. Gorou, Albedo, and Yun Jin are common team members that maximize her DPS potential.
Conclusion: Choose Based on Your Needs
While Zhongli is undeniably the superior shielder and general support character, Noelle can be a strong choice for new players or those seeking a multi-faceted character who can DPS, shield, and heal. Ultimately, the “better” character depends on your specific needs and playstyle. Zhongli’s easy-to-build and versatile kit makes him a great choice for most players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Zhongli worth it if you have Noelle?
Yes, Zhongli is still worth it even if you have Noelle. His superior shield strength, universal RES shred, and easy team integration make him a valuable asset. While Noelle can function as a shielder, Zhongli’s capabilities are far more reliable and versatile.
2. Is Noelle a better DPS than Razor?
The answer depends on team composition and investment. Razor is a solid Physical DPS, but Noelle, with the right team and constellations (especially C6), can achieve comparable or even higher DPS due to her AoE capabilities and consistent Geo damage.
3. What character to replace Zhongli?
Replacing Zhongli entirely is difficult due to his unique RES shred and shield strength. However, characters like Ningguang (for Geo resonance and some defensive utility), Yanfei (with the right build for Pyro shield), or even other shielders like Layla can offer partial alternatives. None quite reach Zhongli’s all-encompassing utility.
4. Is 40k HP enough for Zhongli?
Yes, 40k-50k HP is a comfortable target for a shield-focused Zhongli. This provides a substantial shield that can withstand significant damage. Even 30k-40k is viable, depending on your dodging skills and team composition.
5. Is Noelle good late game?
Yes, Noelle can be good in the late game, especially with the right team and constellation investment. She excels as an on-field DPS with shielding and healing capabilities, offering both survivability and damage output. However, she requires more investment and specialized team building than some other DPS characters.
6. Is Zhongli worth pulling in 2023?
Yes, Zhongli is almost universally considered to be worth pulling due to his unmatched shielding capabilities, resistance shred, and overall versatility. He remains one of the most valuable characters in Genshin Impact.
7. Who is the most OP character in Genshin Impact?
While opinions vary, Zhongli is often considered one of the most overpowered characters due to his exceptional shielding, RES shred, and overall utility. His kit simplifies gameplay and provides significant advantages in almost any situation.
8. What is Zhongli best as?
Zhongli is best as a support character focused on providing strong shielding and RES shred. He can also function as a burst DPS with proper investment, but his primary strength lies in his supportive capabilities.
9. Who works best with Noelle?
Noelle synergizes well with characters who buff her DEF and Normal Attack damage, such as Gorou, Albedo, and Yun Jin. Geo resonance is also beneficial, further boosting her damage output.
10. Is Noelle rare to get?
Noelle is not rare. She is guaranteed from the Beginner’s Wish banner, making her accessible to all new players.
11. Is Zhongli the strongest character in Genshin?
From a lore perspective, Zhongli is arguably the strongest character. In terms of gameplay, he is one of the most impactful and versatile characters, but the “strongest” depends on the specific content and team composition.
12. Can Zhongli heal?
Zhongli himself doesn’t directly heal unless you unlock his C6 (Constellation 6). At C6, he heals party members for a portion of the damage his shield absorbs. However, his primary function is shielding, not healing.
13. Which weapon is best for Noelle?
The best weapons for Noelle include:
- The Redhorn Stonethresher: (Five Stars)
- The Skyward Pride: (Five Stars)
- The Serpent Spine: (Four Stars)
- The Whiteblind: (Four Stars)
14. What is the weakest shield in Genshin?
The weakest shield type varies depending on the enemy and elemental reactions. However, Electro shields are often considered less durable compared to Geo shields.
15. What rank is Noelle?
Noelle Silva is a 3rd Class Junior Magic Knight. While this relates to a different franchise (Black Clover), within Genshin Impact, there is no formal ranking system.