Visions in Genshin Impact are a sign of the gods' acknowledgment of humans they deem extraordinary. While some NPCs wield them, they're more famously used by playable characters, most of which are high-ranking members of society and formidable fighters. Categorized into seven elements, all Visions give their owners great power, but some Visions prove stronger than others.
Due to the flexibility of Teyvat's elemental reaction system, the true strength of a Vision holder is limited only by the individual's imagination and personality. However, some elements have been left out of the loop and have fallen behind over time. Despite that, there's no such thing as a weak element in Genshin Impact, just poor synergy.
Updated on December 24th, 2022 by Sarah Martin: Elements are the most important factor in any meta-focused team compilation in Genshin Impact. Since this list was published, more characters have been released for each of the game's seven elements. We've updated this list with more information about which elements are the strongest and which purposes they're the best for.
7 Geo Is Rock-Solid And Built For Defense
Stones are honest, stalwart, and rigid. They rarely move and can rarely be moved, and the same is true for wielders of the Geo element. Geo, or earth, is by no means a weak element; characters like Zhongli, Yun Jin, and Noelle are more than enough proof of that. As strong as it may be, Geo has proven an element fine-tuned for defensive and supportive roles.
It's important to note that Geo's only elemental reaction, Crystallize, doesn't deal extra damage like many other reactions. Instead, it forms a temporary shield that scales based on the character who triggered the reaction. They say offense is the best defense, but Geo mains beg to differ. Arataki Itto, for example, is a total tank who could take out multiple enemies at once by throwing his bull, Ushi, out on the field.
6 Anemo Is The Swiftest But Not The Strongest
Anemo, also known as wind, is the universal element for reactions. On its own, it doesn't help much since most Anemo characters are healers like Jean, "batteries" like Venti who help fill other characters' Elemental Burst gauge, or buffers who increase the party's stats à la Sucrose. Anemo characters shine the brightest when they're placed in a team with either Pyro, Cryo, Electro, or Hydro.
Since Genshin Impact's launch, Swirl reactions have been significantly powerful. Of course, that shouldn't stop players from using whoever they want. There are many Anemo characters, and most of them have incredibly versatile play styles. Anemo characters like the Wanderer, Faruzan, Kazuha are great damage-dealing support characters who prove the element's versatility.
5 Electro Is Fierce Yet Needs More Frontmen
Electro is a mixed bag. A glimpse at statistics regarding the Spiral Abyss and tier lists will show that most lightning-wielding characters function best as supports or as secondary damage dealers, with only a few belonging on the front lines. In other words, for every Raiden Shogun, there is a Kujou Sara and Yae Miko to back her up.
Electro is one of the best elements to use in the early game, as Electro-Charged and Overload reactions deal massive damage. However, it falls behind for some players as enemies get tougher. Even so, Electro characters still have their place in the current meta, and a well-built Electro character is the sign of a truly loyal Electro main.
4 Pyro Is The Embodiment Of Power
Fire has many facets to it. It can kill in a ravenous fury or protect its wielders from the dark and cold. In the same sense, Pyro wielders can give pick-me-ups or ravage enemies in a merciless frenzy, with Pyro Vision holders leaning more towards the latter. To drive the point home, Pyro Elemental Resonance increases the party's baseline ATK by 25%.
It speaks volumes about how some Pyro users continue to dominate the Spiral Abyss years after their release. With reliable reactions like Burgeon and Overload, Pyro users like Xiangling and Hu Tao can boost the account of any new player. Pyro in Teyvat is equivalent to strength, but raw strength alone can only go so far.
3 Cryo Is Perfect For Players Who Want A Simple Solution
An element with excellent utility outside of combat, Cryo is a fan-favorite in Genshin Impact. Home to such beloved characters as Ganyu, Eula, and Ayaka, the ice element has both style and substance in spades. Cryo is particularly useful for both support and DPS.
The Frozen and Superconduct reactions shift the flow of combat in the player's favor and decrease the enemy's physical resistance, respectively, making combat with Cryo users volatile and engaging. Should they desire, players can stun-lock an enemy and use their resident claymore user to button-mash their way to victory.
2 Dendro Requires Extra Brainpower For Extra Firepower
The newly added element, Dendro, came at the perfect time in Genshin Impact's lifespan when interest began to dwindle and concerns over stagnation went from whispers to roars. The life element had been known in the game since launch, but it was exclusive to enemies until Sumeru's release.
Players waited for Dendro to arrive with bated breath, and it more than lived up to the hype. Of all the elements, Dendro relies on reactions the most, with three to choose from and each one possessing a follow-up reaction. Nahida, the Dendro Archon, is one of the game's most overpowered characters and a staple in most team compilations for the Spiral Abyss.
1 Hydro Is Both Helpful And Hazardous
Once regarded as one of the most underwhelming elements in Genshin Impact, Hydro has come a long way. Originally an element made exclusively of supporters, several heavy hitters have been added over the years, like Tartaglia and Ayato. Hydro DPS characters helped boost the water element's reputation, and the addition of Dendro gave it even more fame with the powerful Bloom reaction.
Hydro features characters who display the duality of water: an elixir of healing or a torrent of havoc. Yelan's Skill destroys hordes of enemies, Xingqiu allows for constant elemental application, and Kokomi can bring allies from the brink of death. So far, Hydro has the most characters placed in the upper echelons of the tier lists.