Returning player here, which older characters are still relevant?

Hey all, I just recently came back to Genshin. I stopped playing when Fontaine just came out. I found myself struggling with Abyss (used to 36 stars easily) and I'm wondering is there any new characters or old characters that matter?

My current DPS: Hutao C1, Gangyu, Raiden C2, Ayaka and Xiao.

Supports: Kazuha, Diona, Zhongli, Kuki, XQ, Yelan, Nahida, Bennett, Jean.

(There is also this Lunar reaction thing, wonder if it's worth look into)

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Commentaires

WhooooCares2026-01-16 21:03

If you properly invest in them, all. If not, none.

Since you're a casual player, just stick to pulling the newest characters. Keeping characters relevant takes regular game play.

HumsterMKI2026-01-16 21:12

Lunar reaction is basically an Amp'ed up version of ekement reactions with new properties.

Its nice to have. But if you are only interested in the story and open world, you could skip it. Other then that its good to update your roster with the latest characters.

Ashlinidor2026-01-16 21:13

Most of them are outdated nowadays. You *can* play Raiden, but you need to get Columbina and Ineffa, who are currently on the banner rotation. The rest of the DPS characters will probably struggle to even reach 100k DPS.

The supports are outdated as well. Kazuha can still be used, but the game has moved away from generalist supports. Kuki, Xingqiu, Yelan, and Nahida can still find spots in the new Lunar teams, but you need a character that can actually trigger the Lunar reaction.

Entire-Magazine-42832026-01-16 21:27

I'm still doing fine with my Raiden National and Raiden Overload team. My best co-op friend is a Hu Tao Main and she is doing totally okay as well.
And as somebody, who is only a casual when it comes to combat, I still can get about 95% of all the primos from endgame and I really only pull/play, who I like. BUT I've been playing for almost four years, in which I've built a strong account. You can't really expect to come back after more than two years and still 36\* the SA.

OmniOnly2026-01-16 22:56

They are relevant in IT but abyss you might need newer supports if you wing it. All are good if invested. We got new weapons, and artifacts and even buffs to old units.

You just have to make solid teams. Like using Diona for a buff for plunge melts. We also get a free con for a few characters.

MiniMages2026-01-16 21:41

Bennett is hard carrying all Pyro teams to this day.

Jean has been given new life as she can heal the entire party in the team and in some very questionable situation can do over a million damage to bosses.

Kazuha and Zhongli are still good and still do the same as before. All geo characters got a new reaction. Lunar Crystalise which causes three constructs to fire upon a target.

Your current DPS have all been power crept. Hu Tao is still strong but there are much stronger ones like Mauvkia and Arlecchino.

Ayaka has been heavily power crept by other DPS and good boi Xiao has been replaced. There is an adeptus character that turns everyone into better versions of Xiao.

MattE362026-01-16 22:05

Pull columbina and ineffa and you will be feeling good. That is my only suggestion

Strict-Bet58592026-01-16 22:15

any character with proper investment and actual best team can still function

i would say Hu tao is fine

if you want to play Ayaka then get escoffier (rumored to come back soon)

if your xiao has Farzuan c6 and xinayun then he can be fine he still dont have furina or Durin so that will be rough

Ganyu not good unless you are very good at CA

Raiden C2 will still want overload with cheverruse or lunar charge with Ineefa to be fine

the supports are still usable

Nahida got severely powercrept by Lauma (and that from a Nahida c2 haver talking)

nowadays sucrose > kazuha but both are fine

Zhongli might have a come back with colombina and zibai

yelan is still fine

benntte is the GOAT still

kuki is fine for hyperbloom but that team got replaced by all lunar reaction teams

Seraph1992026-01-17 00:59

Kuki is still one of the best hyperbloom triggers in Lauma hyperbloom teams

Strict-Bet58592026-01-17 08:26

That is true but hyperbloom
As an archetype had fallen a little
Still it’s a very easy team to play but again get lauma if you want an easier time

Fabulous_Scale47712026-01-16 22:45

Till this day. I still play Childe

TerraSilvas2026-01-16 23:28

Ayaka is still viable if you pull for Escoffier who is a freeze support. Xiao is going to want Xianyun/Cloud Retainer who is a plunge support. Hutao is still viable. Raiden can work well with Columbina/Ineffa as someone has pointed out and Durin (who just ran).

Bennett is still af op as always, Kuki, XQ, Nahida, and Yelan still have their places particularly with Lauma. Zhongli is still nice in certain Abyss rotations that require geo and Kazuha is still good but less newer dps need him.