The Genshin Impact universe has expanded significantly in 2025, bringing a host of new characters and regions into the fray. With these additions, the meta for main damage dealers; the DPS characters, has seen some exciting shifts.
 

The DPS (damage-per-second) role is crucial in any team, often serving as the one who delivers massive damage during fights and carries the team through tough bosses. In this updated tier list for 2025, we’re looking at the top 5 DPS characters who stand atop the rankings thanks to their outstanding damage output, utility, and overall impact in a team composition.
 

From fan-favorite newcomers to some surprising power creep, here are the elite DPS characters you’ll want to consider for your team.
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1. Arlecchino (Pyro)

Topping the charts is Arlecchino, the long-awaited Fatui Harbinger who finally became playable, and boy, did she make an entrance. As a Pyro DPS, Arlecchino brings sheer ruthless power to the field. Her kit is centred around aggressive pyro damage with a style that fits her cold, calculating persona from the story. 

In combat, Arlecchino wields pyro with deadly efficiency: her elemental skill sets the battlefield ablaze, marking enemies and amplifying the damage they take, while her burst unleashes a flurry of fiery strikes that can wipe out waves of enemies or chunk down a boss’s HP bar in seconds. What makes Arlecchino truly top-tier is her ability to self-buff and sustain. She has mechanics that reward staying on field, similar to how Hu Tao trades HP for damage; Arlecchino has a risk-reward system where as her health dips or as she eliminates marked targets, her attack power surges. This gives her a playstyle that skilled players adore: high risk, very high reward. 

With the right build (stacking crit and pyro damage) and support (imagine pairing her with a good Hydro applicator for vaporize, or an Anemo support for resistance shred), Arlecchino simply melts enemies. She’s claimed the throne as the most potent Pyro DPS in the game, edging out even past greats, and firmly sits at the top of the 2025 DPS tier list.
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2. Neuvillette (Hydro)

Next on the list is Neuvillette, the enigmatic Chief Justice from Fontaine, who also happens to channel the power of a dragon in battle. Neuvillette took the Genshin world by storm upon release (back in late 2023), and his reputation has only grown since. 

As a Hydro catalyst user, Neuvillette’s claim to fame is his charged attack beam, a continuous torrent of hydro energy that hits hard and pierces through multiple enemies. When fully charged, this beam not only does enormous damage but also heals Neuvillette, allowing him to stay on the field longer; a trait few DPS characters have. 

Neuvillette remains one of the most reliable main DPS characters, especially for AoE situations or boss fights where you can safely channel his attacks. His kit synergises beautifully with Hydro reactions; pair him with Cryo for perma-freeze control or with Electro for constant Electro-Charged procs, and you have a very smooth crowd-control and damage setup. 

One reason he’s maintained such a high tier is his independence; he deals tremendous damage even without requiring elaborate setups or long cooldowns. With straightforward gear requirements (stack HP and crit, due to his damage scaling partly with HP), Neuvillette is relatively easy to build and enormously rewarding to use.
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3. Wriothesley (Cryo)

In the Cryo category, Wriothesley stands out as a unique DPS who fights with his fists (and a ton of Cryo energy). Introduced as Fontaine’s resident powerhouse pugilist, Wriothesley is a catalyst user who prefers to get up close and personal, a contrast to typical catalyst mages. 

He delivers rapid punches infused with Cryo, and every hit not only damages enemies but also can heal Wriothesley or buff him under certain conditions. What sets Wriothesley apart in the DPS roster is his sustained damage output. He doesn’t rely on one huge nuke; instead, he dishes out a relentless barrage of damage over time, which in long fights can actually result in higher total damage than some burst-reliant characters. 

After his release in 2024, players quickly realized that with the right supports (like a Hydro applicator for freeze or a Pyro support for melting, plus a shield to let him stay in melee range safely), Wriothesley can mow down even the bulkiest foes without giving them a chance to retaliate. His Cryo application is also top-notch, making him great for triggering reactions. 

Furthermore, his ability to self-heal on attacks means he’s less dependent on a healer, freeing up a slot for another support or sub-DPS. If you invest in Wriothesley (build him with attack, crit, and some HP/defense to maximize his unique passive boosts), he will reward you with a dependable Cryo damage presence in any team composition.
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4. Clorinde (Electro)

Fontaine has given us another gem in Clorinde, an Electro sword user renowned as a skilled duelist in the storyline. On the battlefield, Clorinde translates that duelist flair into quick, decisive strikes that deal heavy Electro damage. She has a unique mechanic where perfectly-timed counters or using her skill at opportune moments greatly boost her next attack’s damage (and imbue it with Electro). 

This makes her gameplay a bit more technical; you’re encouraged to weave and time her abilities for maximum effect, but the payoff is huge bursts of damage that can delete enemies swiftly. Clorinde’s Elemental Burst further amplifies her DPS credentials. It’s a swift multi-hit Electro combo that not only hurts a lot but also charges her sword with energy, letting subsequent normal attacks do increased damage for a short duration. 

Clorinde ranks among the top Electro DPS options, surpassing many older characters due to her high ceiling for skilled players. With a support like Bennett (for attack buff) or a dendro character (to leverage Aggravate reaction for bonus damage), she truly shines, slicing through enemies with electric precision. 

She’s also relatively flexible; whether in an Electro-charged team with Hydro support or a traditional Electro burst team, Clorinde fits right in as the primary damage dealer.
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5. Navia (Geo)

Geo characters often don’t get the same love in DPS discussions, but Navia is here to change that. Hailing from Fontaine, Navia is a Geo claymore user who has proven that geo damage dealers can pack a punch and then some. She wields a massive weapon with grace and power, delivering crushing blows that generate additional Geo projectiles, turning each swing into a mini-AoE bombardment. 

Navia’s strength lies in her consistency and team utility. Being Geo, she doesn’t rely on reactions for damage, which means her output is steady and reliable no matter the enemy. However, she also synergizes well with other Geo units, pair her with another Geo for the Geo resonance (increased damage when shielded) and watch her numbers climb further. 

One highlight of Navia’s kit is her ability to create a floating Geo construct during her burst that pulses damage and can even provide intermittent shielding to the team. This means while Navia is dishing out DPS, she’s also offering survivability and some crowd control by staggering enemies. She’s fantastic against bosses that aren’t easily affected by elemental reactions (since pure damage works best there), and with the right supports like Zhongli (for strong shields) or Gorou (who buffs Geo damage), Navia becomes a juggernaut. Build her with high defense and Geo damage and she’ll be your steadfast golden champion in any fight.
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The Bottomline

As of 2025, the DPS roster in Genshin Impact is more exciting than ever. New powerhouse characters like Arlecchino and Neuvillette are redefining what it means to deal damage, while others like Wriothesley, Clorinde, and Navia prove that every element has its heavy-hitter. 

The beautiful thing is that team synergy and player skill play huge roles as well; one player’s best DPS might be different from another’s, depending on how they build their team. So always consider your own roster and preferences. If you invest the resources to build a character well, you’d be amazed at how effective they can be.

Speaking of resources, building top-tier characters does require materials, Mora, and those precious Primogems for pulling them in the first place. Be sure to take advantage of in-game events and offers from the Carry1st Shop, which provides a convenient and secure way to top-up your Genesis Crystals with no hassle. 

With the right main DPS leading your party, you’ll carve through any obstacle. Good luck and enjoy the journey with your team of 2025 all-stars!