List of Genshin Impact characters


Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG built around exploration, elemental combat, and a diverse roster of playable characters. Each character is aligned with one of seven elements and wields a Vision, a magical device that lets its bearer channel elemental energy in combat. As of December 2025, there are 109 playable characters in the game, each offering distinct playstyles, backstories and ties to Teyvat's culture. The current roster consists of 21 characters from Mondstadt, 21 from Liyue, 17 from Inazuma, 14 from Sumeru, 13 from Fontaine, 11 from Natlan, 2 from Snezhnaya and 6 from Nod-Krai. Four characters come from outside of Teyvat.
Genshin Impact uses a gacha system as its core business model. This means that most of the game's revenue comes from sales on time-limited character "banners" during which players can spend in-game currency for the chance to acquire characters. Through this, some characters such as Zhongli and the Raiden Shogun have earned massive amounts of money for developer HoYoverse. However, some characters faced criticism from players for issues like poor performance in combat and cultural misrepresentation.

Creation and design

Genshin Impact producer Cai Haoyu said that characters are one of the most important components of the game. The characters have unique gameplay based on different elements, which represent the cultural characteristics of their respective regions. The multi-character design of the game is derived from Japanese card games. New characters are continuously introduced; at the same time, contrary to mainstream and past designs that used characters to serve the plot, the production team designed a narrative centered on characters, carrying out multi-plotline parallel narratives under the same worldview. In addition, the characters of Genshin Impact are the main source of profit for the game, with most characters obtained through a wishing mechanic, while other content in the game is provided to players for free.
Each character is designed by a team rather than an individual and there are no "art director" or "creative director" positions in miHoYo. The production team first establishes the character's background story and place of residence, then conducts internal discussions and brainstorming. Afterwards, they evaluate the character's art style, background design, and gameplay mechanics based on player preferences. Once a concept design is finalized, the character design process enters the modeling stage. The production team continuously reviews the character's 3D model to ensure that it is consistent with the concept drawing. In terms of character rendering, the in-game character model and the scene are rendered independently. The scene uses deferred shading, while the characters use forward rendering, allowing the production team to control all lighting effects to ensure that the effect of the character presentation always meets the artist's expectations. To maintain the display effect of the character's face, a system that will automatically adjust according to the direction of the main light source was designed. In terms of the overall shadow effect of the character, the production team depicts the character in a cartoonish art style through cel shading, while also allowing the character to be affected by real-time light sources.
In terms of character artificial intelligence design, the production team has been developing the game's character AI system since 2017. AI is mainly divided into three categories: humans, wildlife, and non-player characters in combat. There were more than 200 types of AI in the early stages of the game. With the increase in AI brought about by game updates, the production team designed an AI framework and established an independent AI pipeline, breaking the inference modules into different categories according to each function to facilitate subsequent updates and maintenance. The character's behavior is based on a decision tree system to determine the character's skills or movements, and the data will be imported into the animation system for execution. The entire system facilitates giving NPCs different personalities and special abilities, also allowing boss-type characters to have unique actions.
For a character's background, the production team creates their image by building interpersonal relationship networks for the character and refining the regional cultural background of the character's origin. Before the character is officially launched in the game, miHoYo promotes them by releasing relevant videos through its official social media accounts for promotion. Initially, a character teaser in Live2D is released to provide a first impression of their design, identity and personality to players. The day before the character's release, a character trailer is released, showing their detailed 3D model, combat animations, skill effects, and some exclusive story and interaction clips. Finally, "Collected Miscellany" videos explain how to use the character's skills and their unique mechanics, with the narrator also describing and commenting on the character's personality based on their respective worldviews.
Many characters are derived from legends of certain nations: for instance, the adepti of Liyue are based on the Xian of Taoism. The idea of the Vision is derived from Taoism: in the game, the concept of a third eye manifests itself in humans in the form of their Vision. Some characters are named after historical or literary figures; for example, Alhaitham is named after the real-life figure Ibn al-Haytham.

Outlanders

Outlanders are characters that are not originally from the world of Teyvat.
  • Traveler '''/ Aether or Lumine
  • Aloy
  • Skirk'''

    Major nations

Mondstadt

Mondstadt was released in September 2020.
  • Astrologist Mona Megistus
  • Bennett
  • Diluc Ragnvindr
  • Diona
  • Durin
  • Fischl von Luftschloss Narfidort '''/ Amy and Ozvaldo von Hrafnavins
  • Razor
  • Venti'''

    Knights of Favonius

The Knights of Favonius is the order of knights that protect Mondstadt.
  • Albedo
  • Amber
  • Eula Lawrence
  • Jean Gunnhildr
  • Kaeya Alberich
  • Klee
  • Lisa Minci
  • Mika Schmidt
  • Noelle
  • Sucrose
  • '''Varka'''

    Church of Favonius

The Church of Favonius is the church subordinate to the Knights of Favonius, worshipping Lord Barbatos.
  • Barbara Pegg
  • Dahlia
  • '''Rosaria'''

    Liyue

Liyue was released in September 2020.
  • Baizhu and Changsheng formerly Herblord
  • Beidou
  • Chongyun
  • Hu Tao
  • Lan Yan
  • Mao Xiangling and Guoba formerly Marchosius
  • Qiqi
  • Shenhe
  • Xingqiu
  • Xinyan
  • Yanfei
  • Yaoyao
  • Yelan
  • Yip Gaming
  • '''Yun Jin'''

    Adepti

The Adepti are a group in Liyue that consists of both illuminated beasts and gods. Most of them are bound by a contract to protect Liyue from demons and evil gods and are led by the Prime of Adepti, Rex Lapis himself.
  • Ganyu
  • Xianyun Cloud Retainer
  • Xiao Alatus
  • Zhongli Rex Lapis
  • '''Zibai'''

    Liyue Qixing

The Liyue Qixing is a committee made up of seven merchants and business leaders who govern Liyue.
  • Keqing
  • '''Ningguang'''

    Inazuma

Inazuma was released in July 2021.
  • Arataki Itto
  • Gorou
  • Kaedehara Kazuha
  • Kamisato Ayaka
  • Kamisato Ayato
  • Kirara
  • Kujou Sara
  • Kuki Shinobu
  • Naganohara Yoimiya
  • Raiden Shogun '''/ Raiden Ei
  • Sangonomiya Kokomi
  • Sayu
  • Shikanoin Heizou
  • Thoma
  • Yae Miko
  • Yumemizuki Mizuki'''

    Sumeru

Sumeru was released in August 2022, and introduced the Dendro characters to the game.
  • Alhaitham
  • Candace
  • Collei
  • Cyno
  • Dehya
  • Dori Sangemah Bay
  • Faruzan
  • Kaveh
  • Layla
  • Nahida
  • Nilou
  • Sethos
  • Tighnari
  • Wanderer formerly Scaramouche '''The Balladeer'''

    Fontaine

Fontaine was released in August 2023.
  • Charlotte
  • Chevreuse
  • Chiori
  • Clorinde
  • Emilie
  • Escoffier
  • Furina de Fontaine
  • Navia Caspar
  • Neuvillette
  • Sigewinne
  • '''Wriothesley'''

    House of the Hearth

The House of the Hearth is an orphanage run by Arlecchino, the Fourth Fatui Harbinger. Orphans within the house are often raised directly into the Fatui or remain closely affiliated with the organization by way of their relation to Arlecchino.
  • Freminet
  • Lynette
  • '''Lyney'''

    Natlan

Natlan was released in August 2024.
  • Chasca
  • Citlali
  • Iansan
  • Ifa and Cacucu
  • Kachina
  • Kinich and K'uhul Ajaw
  • Mavuika
  • Mualani
  • Ororon
  • Varesa
  • '''Xilonen'''

    Snezhnaya

Snezhnaya saw a partial release in September 2025 with the release of Nod-Krai. The rest of Snezhnaya is scheduled to release in 2026.

Eleven Fatui Harbingers

The Eleven Fatui Harbingers are the powerful lieutenants of the Tsaritsa. They are based on characters from the commedia dell'arte.
  • Arlecchino The Knave '/ Peruere
  • Il Capitano The Captain /' Thrain
  • Il Dottore The Doctor '/ Zandik
  • Sandrone Marionette
  • La Signora The Fair Lady /' Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter
  • Tartaglia Childe '''/ Ajax'''