Who Has the Highest DPS in Genshin Impact? The Definitive Answer

The question of which character boasts the highest DPS (Damage Per Second) in Genshin Impact is one that sparks endless debate within the community. While a definitive, universally agreed-upon answer is elusive due to the sheer complexity of the game – team compositions, enemy resistances, artifact builds, and player skill all significantly influence damage output – we can identify contenders who consistently rank at the top. Currently, characters like Neuvillette, Hu Tao, and Raiden Shogun often stand out as top-tier DPS options, depending on the context and team composition. This assessment isn’t simply based on raw attack power, but rather a combination of factors that allow them to maximize damage output over a sustained period. Let’s delve into why.

Understanding DPS in Genshin Impact

DPS, in the context of Genshin Impact, isn’t just about dealing the biggest number with a single hit. It’s about the total damage output over a given timeframe. This considers:

• Base Stats: A character’s inherent Attack, Crit Rate, Crit Damage, and Elemental Mastery are foundational.
• Talent Scaling: How a character’s abilities scale with their stats is crucial. High scaling talents translate to higher damage potential.
• Elemental Reactions: Vaporize, Melt, Electro-Charged, and other reactions can dramatically amplify damage. A character’s ability to consistently trigger these reactions is vital.
• Team Composition: Synergistic team compositions provide buffs, debuffs, and energy recharge that significantly boost DPS.
• Rotation Efficiency: The sequence of attacks and abilities used (rotation) impacts damage output. Optimal rotations maximize damage potential.
• Enemy Vulnerabilities: Different enemies have varying resistances. A character effective against one enemy might struggle against another.
• Artifacts: The right artifacts with the appropriate main stats and substats are critical for maximizing a character’s potential.

Top Contenders for Highest DPS

While the “best” can shift with each new update and character release, here are some consistently high-performing DPS characters:

Neuvillette

Neuvillette is one of the premier DPS units in Genshin Impact. His charged attacks offer substantial Hydro damage to enemies, allowing him to wipe out enemies quickly. He also has a high HP stat, which allows him to take more damage as he dishes it out. Neuvillette’s abilities combined with those of other characters, like Kazuha or Fischl, turn him into a true DPS machine.

Hu Tao

Hu Tao remains a Pyro DPS powerhouse. Her damage is heavily reliant on her HP, with her Elemental Skill converting a portion of her HP into Attack. She excels at single-target damage and benefits greatly from Vaporize reactions. A well-built Hu Tao, supported by characters like Xingqiu and Yelan, can consistently achieve incredible DPS numbers.

Raiden Shogun

Raiden Shogun serves as both an Energy Recharge battery and a potent Electro DPS. Her Elemental Burst infuses her weapon with Electro, allowing her to deal significant AoE damage. She also buffs the Elemental Burst damage of her teammates, further enhancing overall team DPS. Her versatility and consistent performance make her a top-tier choice.

Ganyu

Ganyu is a Cryo Archer capable of dealing immense damage through her Charged Attacks and Elemental Burst. She excels in Melt compositions and can be built for both single-target and AoE damage. Her Frostflake Arrows, dealing AoE Cryo damage, make her an excellent choice for clearing waves of enemies.

Alhaitham

Alhaitham is a powerful Dendro DPS character who shines in Spread-based team compositions. His ability to generate and consume Chisel-Light Mirrors significantly boosts his damage output. With the right team and artifacts, Alhaitham can consistently achieve high DPS numbers.

Yoimiya

Yoimiya is a single target Pyro DPS that offers excellent damage with her elemental skill. Her reliance on normal attacks makes her easy to play and powerful at the same time. When partnered with characters like Yun Jin or Bennett, she can easily shine in Spiral Abyss challenges.

Other Notable Mentions

Other characters who can achieve high DPS with the right investment and team compositions include:

• Ayaka: Cryo DPS known for her powerful Elemental Burst.
• Ayato: Hydro DPS excelling in sustained Hydro application.
• Lyney: Pyro Bow user who focuses on charged attacks.
• Wanderer: Anemo DPS with great mobility and damage.

The Importance of Team Composition

It’s crucial to emphasize that a character’s DPS potential is intrinsically linked to their team composition. The following factors should be considered when building a team around a DPS:

• Elemental Resonance: Pyro Resonance (Attack +25%) is a popular choice for increasing overall damage.
• Elemental Reactions: Vaporize, Melt, and Spread are powerful reactions that significantly amplify damage.
• Buffs and Debuffs: Characters like Bennett (Attack buff), Kazuha (Elemental Damage Bonus and resistance shred), and Zhongli (resistance shred) provide crucial buffs and debuffs.
• Energy Recharge: Consistent energy recharge ensures that characters can use their Elemental Bursts frequently.
• Sustain: A healer or shielder is often necessary to keep the DPS alive and prevent interruptions.

Building for Maximum DPS

Optimizing a character for DPS requires careful attention to artifacts, weapons, and talent levels.

• Artifacts: Select the appropriate artifact set based on the character’s kit and team composition. Focus on main stats like Crit Rate/Crit Damage, Attack%, Elemental Mastery, and Energy Recharge.
• Weapons: Choose a weapon with stats and passives that complement the character’s abilities.
• Talent Levels: Prioritize leveling the talents that contribute the most to the character’s damage output.

The Ever-Changing Meta

The Genshin Impact meta is constantly evolving. New characters, weapons, and artifacts are introduced regularly, shifting the landscape of DPS rankings. What is considered the “best” today might not be the “best” tomorrow. Therefore, staying informed about the latest updates and experimenting with different team compositions is crucial. Be sure to participate in the Games Learning Society to expand your knowledge of the game! You can also visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more details.

Conclusion

Ultimately, determining the character with the absolute highest DPS in Genshin Impact is a complex and nuanced question. Neuvillette, Hu Tao, and Raiden Shogun stand out as consistently strong contenders, but their performance is heavily influenced by team composition, artifact builds, and player skill. Remember to focus on building synergistic teams, optimizing your characters, and adapting to the ever-changing meta to maximize your DPS potential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between Main DPS and Sub-DPS?

A Main DPS is the character that spends the most time on the field, dealing the majority of the team’s damage. A Sub-DPS is a character that provides significant damage off-field, often through Elemental Skills or Bursts.

2. Is Pyro still the strongest element for DPS in Genshin Impact?

Pyro remains a strong contender due to powerful Elemental Reactions like Vaporize and Melt, as well as the Pyro Resonance bonus. However, other elements like Dendro (with Spread) and Hydro (with Vaporize and Bloom) can also achieve comparable or even higher DPS with the right teams.

3. What is the best artifact set for maximizing DPS?

The best artifact set depends on the character and their role. For example, Crimson Witch of Flames is often used for Pyro DPS characters, while Emblem of Severed Fate is popular for characters focused on Energy Recharge and Burst damage.

4. How important is Crit Rate and Crit Damage for DPS?

Crit Rate and Crit Damage are crucial stats for maximizing DPS. Aim for a Crit Rate of at least 50-70% and a Crit Damage of 150% or higher.

5. What role does Elemental Mastery play in DPS?

Elemental Mastery (EM) increases the damage of Elemental Reactions. It’s particularly important for characters who trigger reactions like Vaporize, Melt, or Spread.

6. Are Constellations necessary to achieve high DPS?

While Constellations can enhance a character’s abilities and increase their DPS potential, they are not always necessary. Many characters can achieve high DPS at C0 (Constellation 0).

7. How do I improve my team rotations for better DPS?

Practice makes perfect! Watch guides and experiment with different sequences of attacks and abilities to find the optimal rotation for your team.

8. What is resistance shred, and why is it important?

Resistance shred reduces the enemy’s resistance to a particular element or damage type, increasing the damage dealt to them. Characters like Zhongli and Kazuha provide resistance shred.

9. Which 4-star characters can perform as Main DPS?

Several 4-star characters can perform as Main DPS, including Xiangling, Yanfei, and Razor. They require more investment than 5-star characters but can still be effective.

10. Is it better to have more ATK or more Crit Rate/Crit Damage?

The ideal balance between ATK and Crit depends on the character and their weapon. A general rule of thumb is to prioritize Crit Rate/Crit Damage once you have a decent amount of ATK.

11. How does Energy Recharge affect DPS?

Energy Recharge ensures that characters can use their Elemental Bursts frequently, which can significantly boost DPS.

12. What is the difference between Physical DPS and Elemental DPS?

Physical DPS characters primarily deal Physical damage, while Elemental DPS characters primarily deal Elemental damage. Eula is a well-known Physical DPS character.

13. Which weapon is best for maximizing DPS?

The best weapon depends on the character and their stats. Weapons with Crit Rate, Crit Damage, or ATK% are generally good choices for DPS characters.

14. How do I calculate my character’s DPS?

Calculating precise DPS can be complex. There are various calculators and tools available online that can help you estimate your character’s DPS based on their stats and talents.

15. Should I prioritize talent levels or artifact quality?

Both talent levels and artifact quality are important. Prioritize leveling the talents that contribute the most to the character’s damage output and then focus on obtaining high-quality artifacts with the right stats.