Who is the Most Meta Character in Genshin Impact?

The answer to the question of the “most meta” character in Genshin Impact is, unfortunately, not a simple one. The meta is a constantly shifting landscape influenced by new character releases, weapon banners, artifact sets, and changes to the Spiral Abyss. However, if we’re talking about consistently high usage rates, adaptability, and overall impact on team compositions across various patches, one name consistently rises to the top: Bennett.

While some characters might shine brighter in specific team compositions or against particular enemies, Bennett’s universal utility makes him the closest thing Genshin Impact has to a permanently meta character. His ability to provide massive ATK buffs, significant healing, and apply Pyro resonance with ease makes him a staple in countless teams, from hypercarry DPS setups to reaction-based compositions.

Bennett is a four-star character, making him easier to obtain and build than five-star characters. This accessibility further solidifies his position in the meta. He’s a character that practically every Genshin Impact player either has or should prioritize building, regardless of their current roster or playstyle. His value only increases with constellation unlocks, particularly C1, which removes the HP restriction on his ATK buff, and C6, which infuses his healing field with Pyro (though this is situationally beneficial).

Why Bennett Reigns Supreme

Several factors contribute to Bennett’s meta status:

• ATK Buff: His Elemental Burst, Fantastic Voyage, provides a massive ATK buff based on his Base ATK, making weapon choice crucial. A high Base ATK weapon like the Aquila Favonia or Mistsplitter Reforged (if you can spare it) drastically increases his team-wide damage output.

• Healing: Fantastic Voyage also provides rapid healing within its field, ensuring team survivability. This healing is particularly valuable in the Spiral Abyss, where consistent healing is crucial for clearing floors.

• Pyro Application: Bennett’s Elemental Skill, Passion Overload, can quickly apply Pyro, facilitating powerful reactions like Vaporize and Melt. This is especially beneficial in teams that revolve around Pyro damage dealers.

• Energy Generation: Bennett is an excellent energy battery, thanks to his short Elemental Skill cooldown. Equipping him with a high Energy Recharge weapon and artifacts allows him to consistently generate energy for the team, ensuring that everyone can use their Elemental Bursts on cooldown.

• Accessibility: As a four-star character, Bennett is significantly easier to obtain than five-star characters. Many players acquire him through the gacha system or Starglitter exchange.

The Shifting Sands of the Meta

While Bennett consistently maintains his meta status, other characters frequently cycle in and out of popularity depending on the current game state. Characters like Xingqiu, Xiangling, Raiden Shogun, and Kazuha are also consistently highly valued for their unique utility and impact on team compositions.

• Xingqiu: Provides consistent Hydro application, enabling Vaporize reactions.
• Xiangling: A potent off-field Pyro damage dealer, especially when paired with Bennett.
• Raiden Shogun: Excellent energy battery and burst DPS, particularly strong in Electro teams.
• Kazuha: Provides significant Elemental DMG bonus and crowd control, amplifying team damage.

The introduction of Dendro reactions has also significantly impacted the meta, bringing characters like Nahida, Alhaitham, and Baizhu into prominence. These characters excel in Dendro-based teams that focus on reactions like Quicken, Aggravate, Spread, Bloom, Hyperbloom, and Burgeon.

The Importance of Context

Ultimately, determining the “most meta” character depends on the specific context. For players focused on maximizing damage output, a hypercarry DPS character like Hu Tao or Ayaka, supported by well-built supports, might be considered the most meta. For players prioritizing survivability and consistent team performance, Bennett, Zhongli, or Kokomi might be more valuable. And for those venturing into the realm of game development or research, the Games Learning Society offers valuable insights into how games like Genshin Impact impact learning and engagement.

It’s important to remember that Genshin Impact is a gacha game designed to encourage players to collect and build a diverse roster of characters. The “meta” is a tool for optimizing team compositions and clearing challenging content, but it shouldn’t overshadow the enjoyment of playing the game and experimenting with different characters and playstyles.

FAQs: Meta Characters in Genshin Impact

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about meta characters in Genshin Impact:

1. What does “meta” mean in Genshin Impact?

   • “Meta” refers to the most effective tactics available for achieving success in the game. In Genshin Impact, it typically involves using characters, weapons, and artifacts that are considered the most powerful and efficient for clearing content.

2. Is Bennett still meta in Genshin Impact?

   • Yes, Bennett remains one of the most meta characters in Genshin Impact due to his ATK buff, healing, and energy generation.

3. Who is the best four-star character in Genshin Impact?

   • Bennett is widely considered the best four-star character due to his versatility and impact on various team compositions.

4. Is Raiden Shogun meta?

   • Yes, Raiden Shogun is a highly meta character, excelling as both an energy battery and a burst DPS.

5. Is Kazuha worth pulling for?

   • Yes, Kazuha is generally considered worth pulling for due to his crowd control, Elemental DMG bonus, and overall versatility.

6. How has Dendro impacted the meta?

   • The introduction of Dendro reactions has significantly shifted the meta, bringing characters like Nahida, Alhaitham, and Baizhu into prominence.

7. Is Ayaka a meta DPS?

   • Yes, Ayaka is still considered a strong meta DPS, particularly in Freeze teams.

8. Who is the best healer in Genshin Impact?

   • Bennett and Kokomi are generally considered top-tier healers, each offering unique advantages.

9. Is Zhongli still good in Genshin Impact?

   • Yes, Zhongli’s unparalleled shield strength and universal RES shred make him a valuable asset in many teams.

10. What are meta players?

    • Meta players build characters based on what is generally recommended for optimal performance, often prioritizing characters that are considered powerful and efficient.

11. Who are some of the most used characters in Genshin Impact?

    • Based on usage statistics, Bennett, Xingqiu, Raiden Shogun, Zhongli, and Xiangling are consistently among the most used characters.

12. What makes a character “meta”?

    • A character becomes “meta” due to a combination of factors, including high damage output, unique utility, adaptability to various team compositions, and overall impact on clearing challenging content.

13. Is it necessary to use meta characters to enjoy Genshin Impact?

    • No, it is not necessary to use meta characters to enjoy Genshin Impact. The game can be enjoyed with a wide variety of characters and team compositions.

14. Who is the most powerful Genshin Impact character according to lore?

    • According to lore, Zhongli (the Geo Archon) is often considered the most powerful playable character.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and mechanics?

    • You can learn more about game design and mechanics at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. This society explores the intersection of games and learning, providing valuable insights for educators and researchers.

By understanding the factors that contribute to a character’s meta status and staying informed about the ever-evolving game landscape, players can make informed decisions about which characters to invest in and how to optimize their team compositions for success in Genshin Impact.