Genshin Impact needs no introduction. The game has truly become a global phenomenon, with 40 million active players enjoying MiHoYo's masterpiece nearly half a year after its release. It should come as no surprise. After all, Genshin is incredibly accessible, with the game being free-to-play on almost every platform imaginable (with the exception of Xbox, where it was not released at all), from the PlayStation 4 to Android devices.
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Aside from the availability, Genshin Impact also has a huge, constantly-updated open-world to explore, as well as a unique combat system that only takes a while to get used to, but dozens of hours to master. It all revolves around the combinations of different elements. There are seven elements in Genshin: Geo, Electro, Anemo, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, and Dendro (there are no playable Dendro characters yet). One of the first elements players come across is Anemo, which, aside from the protagonist, is the element of many powerful, playable characters.
5 Sucrose
As a well-known alchemist, Sucrose is a very intelligent and curious character. Her intellect has actually granted her an assistant job with Albedo, the main alchemist of Mondstadt's Knights of Favonius. Although she has contributed significantly to the field of bio-alchemy with many important findings, some of Sucrose's research continues to raise a lot of eyebrows among the Favonius alchemists.
Combat-wise, Sucrose is the weakest one out of all playable Anemo characters, which doesn't mean she's completely harmless. With the right elemental combinations and timing, her abilities can be very useful, especially for beginning players who may not have too many five-star characters at their disposal.
The Wind Spirit Creation normal attack is not too useful, but both Sucrose's Elemental Skill and Elemental Burst abilities can wreak some serious havoc. Both of them have to do with creating a Wind Spirit that pulls enemies towards it -- combined with other elements, it can result in a devastating Swirl combo with the capacity to rapidly drain foes' HP.
4 Traveler
The Traveler is the first character players use in the game, as well as the protagonist of Genshin Impact's main plotline. As such, he/she does not need a background introduction. Even though he/she is the main character of the game, his/her combat abilities are definitely inferior to those of some other characters. When it comes to the Traveler's Anemo skills, it's worth remembering that he/she is the only Genshin character that can adapt to use different elements. Right now, this includes only Anemo and Geo, but as more updates with additional regions get released, players can expect the Traveler's roster of elements to be expanded.
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When it comes to combat, the Traveler makes for a very powerful early-game character. The Palm Vortex Elemental Skill is useful for pushing away multiple enemies at once, whereas using the Gust Surge Elemental Burst creates a destructive tornado that pulls enemies in, dealing repeated Anemo DMG and making them extra susceptible to elemental damage combinations.
3 Jean
Jean is the Acting Master of the Knights of Favonius, and as such, plays a huge role in the lore of Genshin Impact, particularly in the beginning stages of the story, where she collaborates with the Traveler to contain the Stormterror threat. Interestingly enough, she is also Barbara's older sister and greatest role model. Kind-hearted and helpful, Jean takes her duties very seriously and tends to overwork herself on a regular basis.
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As a five-star character, Jean is understandably a very skilled warrior, and many players are desperate to get her into their parties. Her Elemental Skill is more powerful than most characters' Bursts -- it generates a mini-storm that obliterates nearby enemies with Anemo DMG. Dandelion Breeze, Jean's Elemental Bursts, can save the players' hide in many boss fights by creating a windy field that heals all party members overtime while dealing Anemo DMG to any and all enemies that enter its premises.
2 Venti
A literal god in a human form, Venti is one of the most popular characters among Genshin Impact players. Personality-wise, he is very mild-mannered and friendly. His greatest passion is music, and he manifests himself on the streets and pathways of Mondstadt to play songs to his people, who are oblivious of the fact that the playful bard is actually the Anemo Archon.
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Venti's friendly and cheerful demeanor doesn't apply to combat. When fighting enemies, he is capable of dealing incredible damage. With the help of Skyward Sonnet, his Elemental Skill, Venti can not only lift enemies in the air while dealing Anemo DMG at the same time but also elevate himself into the air!
Venti's Elemental Burst, the Wind's Grand Ode, releases an arrow that creates a giant Stormeye, dealing long-lasting Anemo DMG, and sucking in objects and enemies towards it.
1 Xiao
This character was officially released in February 2021, and players went absolutely crazy over him. Xiao is the last of the Five Yakshas that were sent to Liyue to destroy the demonic spirits that plagued it. Although he is a polite and well-mannered person, he prefers to keep to himself. Xiao lives in the Wangshu Inn and isolates himself from unnecessary interactions.
As one of the very few spear users in Genshin Impact, Xiao can do away with most basic enemies such as the Hilichurls solely by using his normal attack. The Lemniscatic Wind Cycling, his Elemental Skill, is a simple lunge forward, but it deals a whole lot of Anemo DMG and leaves opponents stunned.
Xiao's Elemental Burst, known as the Bane of All Evil, is rather interesting. Instead of using a special move, he simply puts on the Yaksha Mask, granting him special abilities, including improved jumping, increased AoE, and most importantly, converting all DMG to Anemo DMG for as long as Xiao is in action.