Out of Genshin Impact's soon-to-be 38 characters, only 6 characters can be obtained totally for free. As a game often believed to be restraining for free-to-play players (though not impossible with smart banner choices), these characters are god-sent saviors of the early game. During the early months, these characters dominated the domains and quests of Teyvat.
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Though this fact has changed since launch, the free characters of Genshin Impact are still major influences on gameplay. While each was designed for a different purpose, their gameplay was not designed equally. Some free characters are better or worse than the others, so which characters to choose remains a major issue for fans.
6 Amber
Of the free characters in the roster, Amber was the first to be introduced to the Traveler. Naturally, she was and remains a loved member of the roster, however, times have changed for Mondstadt's outrider. The archer game in Genshin Impact has and continues to evolve with each update, making it very hard to compete for the free Pyro bow user.
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As of update 2.0, there is very little reason to use Amber with other archers like Ganyu and Fischl. Yoimiya even makes for a better Pyro archer, should players be picky about the element. At that, Amber is a little bit difficult to use as far as archers are concerned; Amber requires both heavy accuracy and quick, fast-paced movements due to her close-range talents.
Of course, should players build just the right team, a lot of Amber's struggles can be alleviated. Amber finds herself in the support or sub-DPS positions more than less, so finding a good DPS is going to be vital. Most Cryo, Electro, or Hydro characters will make the cut, the best DPS character standing out like Ganyu and Keqing. As for free characters, Lisa makes for a good partner for easy overcharge reactions.
5 Kaeya
Like Amber, Kaeya saw a lot of use due to his useful skills both in domains and on the field. Most notably, he was and is still loved for his ability to make easy ice bridges over water. However, much like with Pyro, the roster of Cryo characters also makes for heavy competition for Mondstadt's Cavalry Captain.
That said, a minor exploration advantage isn't enough to keep a character around, especially with better ice bridging characters around. In the end, Kaeya's light damage scales fail him, with other Cryo characters dwarfing him like Ganyu and even Chongyun. Not to mention how restrictive his Cryo application is, making him less efficient as an enabler.
Nonetheless, should players find no better character than Kaeya, then he becomes most efficiently placed as an enabler support. Given the restrictiveness of his skill, players may want to invest in a DPS that excels in high-powered attacks against small groups. For example, Diluc and Beidou make for a good source of melt and superconduct reactions respectively.
4 Barbara
Even among healers, Barbara is fairly mediocre. While her heals aren't anything to scoff at, her flaws are clearly noticeable. Nonetheless, Barbara is perhaps the best middle point of the 6 free characters in the game; she clearly has flaws, but her advantages help to balance the scale a little.
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After all, while there is a large roster for DPS and support characters, healing is a little more niche. Not all players have access to another healer, much less one that matches their element preferences. Barbara offers a necessary service to players, so fans may be tempted to keep her around more than Kaeya or Amber.
3 Lisa
Unlike a good half of the free characters, it makes quite a lot of sense to keep Lisa around. After all, she is one of the only Electro catalysts available, and one of the more tactical characters in the game. With talents that triple Electro damage the more they're used, she can act amicably as both an Electro DPS and support.
Of course, with a strategic move set, there is a learning curve for using Lisa in a team. She's both easily interrupted and a little bit difficult to master. Players should expect some practice before using Lisa to her full potential.
That said, a good pairing can make even a novice Lisa player a monster on the battlefield. Generally, characters with Pyro, Hydro, Cryo, or even Anemo attacks that target crowds are especially welcome for Lisa's team compositions. The best include Venti and Ganyu, however, Lisa can reach her full potential even with characters like Amber (whose burst works well against Electro-applied crowds.)
2 Traveler
Among 5-star characters, most fans wouldn't include the Traveler. However, they are technically the only free 5-star character in the game, and compared to other free characters, it shows. They, by technicality, are the most versatile character in the game element-wise (able to use 3 elements currently.)
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While they aren't the most powerful free character, they do make for good quality support. The Anemo Traveler makes for a build with high crowd control capabilities, making for an easier time for the main DPS. Likewise, the Geo Traveler offers good overall tactical support, and the new Electro Traveler offers great Electro enabling. Best of all, the Traveler can switch elements at a Statue of the Seven, making them a character that can adapt to any team composition.
1 Xiangling
Frankly, it makes sense that the hardest to obtain free character would be the strongest. The first polearm character in the game, Xiangling offers both good Pyro support and decent DPS. In the end, one of the only missing pieces for Xiangling is a lack of healing ability.
Of course, there are some minor flaws; Guoba isn't the most accurate companion. Despite this, Xiangling's application versus crowds is top-tier, and her elemental burst transfers for even easier Pyro reactions. And at the end of the day, her attacks make for good base DPS.
Team composition-wise, Xiangling can either fit the DPS or support position. In the DPS position, players are going to want a good sub-DPS and enabler, which characters like Bennett and Xingqiu can fill fairly well. As for Xiangling's support build, a crowd targetting DPS pairs well with Guoba's attacks, with characters like Ganyu and Chongyun fitting the bill.