Genshin Impact 5.6 Tier List – Best Characters Ranked!

Our updated Tier List for Genshin Impact 5.6 is here! Version 5.6 releases on May 7th, and with it comes new characters. This means possible meta changes and some characters may rank better, or worse, because of it. We’ve refreshed our tier list to reflect the current state of the game, especially after the arrival of Escoffier and Ifa.

Our tier list is split into three main roles: Main DPS, Sub DPS, and Support. Characters are ranked from S+ (the strongest) to D (rarely used in endgame content). We focus mainly on performance in Spiral Abyss, Imaginarium Theater, and overall content. Rankings take into account a character’s role, damage output, ease of use, elemental reactions, and the value they bring to a team.

Note that some may rank in multiple roles, as a few characters can be used as both DPS or Support.

New Additions and Changes in 5.6

The biggest change in version 5.6 is, of course, the addition of Escoffier and Ifa. These two characters changed up the meta in different ways, and we’ve adjusted several rankings because of them:

• Escoffier enters the list. While her playstyle is a bit limited, and she needs specific team setups to shine, she works incredibly well with other S+ characters. She’s especially strong when paired with Cryo units like Ayaka, who returns to S+ on our list. Escoffier is one of the best support for her, allowing Ayaka to shine once again.
• Shenhe moves up from A to S tier. With Cryo becoming more relevant again, thanks to Escoffier and recent team comps, Shenhe’s support potential is finally being recognized. She might even be the best support for Skirk (when she releases), which makes her more valuable than before.
• Ifa joins the list as well. He is a bit more tricky to place. He’s decent but not game-changing, and his role overlaps with better characters, making him rank sort-of in the middle for the time being.
• Lan Yan drops from S to A tier. While she had a lot of hype early on, she’s not seeing much use in high-end content anymore.
• Mizuki falls from B to C tier. She already struggled in endgame content, and now Ifa pretty much outclasses her.
• We also moved Mona down slightly. While she still has niche uses, she just doesn’t feel impactful enough in the current meta to remain in S Tier.

You can check out our full updated tier list to see how Escoffier and Ifa rank and why, or just to find out where your favorite character stands:

Remember, while tier lists can be helpful to understand who performs best in endgame challenges, they aren’t everything. With enough investment, any character can clear tough content in Genshin Impact. So don’t feel forced to play an S+ character if they don’t suit your style. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the characters you like.