Genshin Impact: Your Best Free Character Choices

Hey there, fellow Travelers! So you've finally made it to that sweet spot in Genshin Impact where you get to choose a free four-star character from the 7th Tradition, right? That's awesome! But then comes the big question: who should you actually pick? This can be a super tough decision, especially when you're just starting out or even if you're a seasoned player looking to fill a gap in your roster. Let's dive deep into the world of these freebies and figure out which one will bring the most bang for your buck (or, you know, primogems) to your team.

When you first start Genshin Impact, the game throws a bunch of freebies at you, and among the most valuable are the characters you can snag from the Liyue region. After completing certain Archon Quests, you get the chance to invite one of the following characters to your party: Xiangling, Beidou, Ningguang, Chongyun, Xinyan, or Yanfei. Each of these characters brings a unique set of skills and elemental affiliations to the table, and understanding their strengths is key to making the best possible choice for your account. Think of this as your ultimate guide to picking your new best friend in Teyvat. We're going to break down each character, talk about their roles, their best-in-slot gear (if you're feeling fancy), and who they synergize well with. So grab your Adventurer's Handbook, and let's get started on optimizing your team!

Xiangling: The Culinary Pyro Powerhouse

Let's kick things off with Xiangling, a character many players consider an absolute must-have, even after all this time. Xiangling is a Pyro Polearm user from Liyue, and her claim to fame is her incredible off-field Pyro damage, primarily through her Elemental Burst, Pyronado. This fiery whirlwind follows your active character around, dealing consistent Pyro damage to enemies. It's so good, guys, that it's considered one of the best Elemental Bursts in the entire game, regardless of character rarity. Seriously, it's a game-changer for triggering powerful elemental reactions like Vaporize and Melt, which are crucial for dealing massive damage, especially in Spiral Abyss. If you're looking for a character who can consistently apply Pyro for reactions and deal significant damage even when she's not on the field, Xiangling is your girl. Her Elemental Skill, Guoba Attack, summons a little chili-pepper-breathing panda that attacks enemies with Pyro, which is decent for starting reactions but pales in comparison to Pyronado's sheer power. The real magic happens when Pyronado is active. It has a wide range, lasts for a decent duration, and its damage scales really well with Xiangling's Attack stat and Pyro Damage Bonus. Building her is also relatively straightforward; focus on Attack%, Pyro DMG Bonus, and Crit Rate/Crit DMG. For weapons, the Deathmatch (Battle Pass), The Catch (fishing weapon), or even a 4-star weapon like Dragon's Bane (if you have it) are excellent choices. Artifact-wise, the 4-piece Crimson Witch of Flames set is her best-in-slot for maximizing reaction damage, but a combination of 2-piece Crimson Witch and 2-piece Gladiator's Finale or Shimenawa's Reminiscence can also work wonders. Xiangling is a fantastic addition to almost any team, especially those that rely on elemental reactions like Vaporize (with Hydro characters like Xingqiu or Yelan) or Melt (with Cryo characters like Ganyu or Ayaka). Her ability to provide consistent off-field Pyro is invaluable for Spiral Abyss floors and challenging content, making her a top-tier pick for beginners and veterans alike. Don't underestimate the power of this fiery chef, she's a true cornerstone of many top-performing teams in Genshin Impact.

Beidou: The Electro Queen of Counterattacks

Next up, we have Beidou, a formidable Electro Claymore user who excels in dealing massive Electro damage, especially against multiple enemies. Beidou's kit revolves around her Elemental Skill, Tidecaller, and her Elemental Burst, Stormbreaker. Tidecaller is a unique counter mechanic; when you press or hold it, she gains an Electro shield. If you time the release perfectly when she's hit by an enemy attack, she'll unleash a powerful Electro strike that deals damage based on her ATK and also grants her two Electro-charged Electro DMG stacks. The real star, however, is Stormbreaker. This ability creates a lightning discharge that jumps between enemies, dealing Electro damage. What's super cool about Stormbreaker is that when your active character takes damage while it's active, it'll unleash an additional lightning strike. This makes her incredibly effective in dealing with groups of enemies and provides consistent off-field Electro application. Beidou truly shines when she's part of a team that can trigger Electro-Charged (with Hydro), Overload (with Pyro), or Superconduct (with Cryo) reactions. Her damage potential skyrockets when paired with characters that can consistently apply Hydro or enemies that hit her active character. Building Beidou focuses on ATK%, Electro DMG Bonus, and Crit Rate/Crit DMG. For weapons, the Serpent Spine (Battle Pass), Akuoumaru (gacha weapon), or even a R5 Whiteblind (craftable) can be great. For artifacts, the 2-piece Thundering Fury and 2-piece Gladiator's Finale or Shimenawa's Reminiscence is a solid choice. Alternatively, a 4-piece Emblem of Severed Fate set is fantastic if you build enough Energy Recharge on her, as Stormbreaker's damage scales with ER. Beidou is an absolute beast in scenarios where you're facing multiple enemies, making her a premier choice for certain Spiral Abyss floors. Her ability to provide AoE Electro damage and enable powerful reactions makes her a valuable asset. If you're planning on running teams that rely on Electro-Charged or Overload, picking Beidou is a no-brainer. She's a bit more situational than Xiangling, but when those situations arise, she is unmatched.

Ningguang: The Geo Queen of Precision

Moving on to Ningguang, the elegant Geo Catalyst user and the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing. Ningguang is all about precision damage and crowd control, making her a unique addition to any team. Her kit revolves around her Charged Attacks, which launch a barrage of homing Geo shards at enemies. What's really neat is that her Elemental Skill, Jade Screen, creates a screen that blocks projectiles and also buffs Geo DMG for characters passing through it. This skill can also be used to generate extra Geo particles. Her Elemental Burst, Starshatter, summons a large number of Geo crystals that rain down on enemies, dealing massive Geo damage. This burst is particularly devastating when enemies are close together or when Ningguang has her passive talent, Triumphant May, activated, which generates extra crystals. Ningguang excels as a main DPS or sub-DPS, especially in teams that focus on Geo Resonance or require a reliable source of Geo damage. She's fantastic for breaking enemy shields, especially those made of Geo or Electro. Her damage is primarily single-target focused but can hit multiple enemies if they are clustered. Building Ningguang involves focusing on Geo DMG Bonus, ATK%, and Crit Rate/Crit DMG. Since she's a catalyst user, the Solar Pearl (Battle Pass), The Widsith (gacha weapon), or even the Mappa Mare (craftable) are good weapon options. Artifact-wise, the 2-piece Noblesse Oblige and 2-piece Archaic Petra is her go-to for maximizing her burst and skill damage. A 4-piece Retracing Bolide set can also be very powerful if you have a strong shielder in your team, like Zhongli. Ningguang is a great choice if you need a strong Geo damage dealer, especially if you don't have other strong Geo characters. She can be a primary damage dealer or a potent sub-DPS, offering a unique playstyle with her homing projectiles and powerful burst. If you find yourself struggling against certain enemy types or need a reliable way to deal Geo damage, Ningguang is definitely worth considering. Her ability to generate crystallize reactions also provides defensive buffs and shields, adding to her utility.

Chongyun: The Cryo Sword of Frosty Strikes

Next, let's talk about Chongyun, a Cryo Claymore user who brings icy power to the battlefield. Chongyun's kit is all about infusing melee attacks with Cryo and dealing consistent Cryo damage. His Elemental Skill, Spirit Blade - Chonghua's Layered Frost, creates a Frost Field. While characters within this field are in their Normal or Charged Attacks, their attacks will be infused with Cryo. This makes him an excellent enabler for Cryo reactions like Melt and Superconduct. His Elemental Burst, Spirit Blade - Cloud-Veil, summons three spirit blades that strike down enemies, dealing significant Cryo damage. This burst has a low energy cost and can be used frequently, making it a great source of burst damage. Chongyun works best as a Cryo sub-DPS or support, primarily focused on enabling Cryo reactions or providing consistent Cryo application. He pairs exceptionally well with characters who can capitalize on Cryo infusion, such as melee characters or those who need to trigger Melt or Superconduct. Building Chongyun focuses on Cryo DMG Bonus, ATK%, and Crit Rate/Crit DMG. For weapons, the Rainslasher (gacha weapon, good for superconduct), Favonius Greatsword (craftable, provides energy), or even the Sacrificial Greatsword (gacha, resets skill cooldown) can be good choices. Artifact-wise, a 2-piece Blizzard Strayer and 2-piece Noblesse Oblige is a solid combination for Cryo damage and burst power. A 4-piece Noblesse Oblige set can also be excellent if you want to boost your team's overall damage. Chongyun is a fantastic choice if you're looking to build a team around Melt or Superconduct reactions. He provides consistent Cryo application and can significantly boost the damage of characters who can benefit from his infusion. If you need a reliable way to apply Cryo for reactions or want a character who can dish out decent Cryo damage, Chongyun is a solid pick. He's especially good in the early to mid-game for setting up reactions and dealing with elemental shields.

Xinyan: The Rock 'n' Roll Pyro Crusher

Let's spice things up with Xinyan, a unique Pyro Claymore user who combines rocking music with fiery combat. Xinyan is known for her ability to deal both Physical and Pyro damage, and her kit is centered around her unique shield mechanic. Her Elemental Skill, Sweeping Fervor, allows her to swing her greatsword, dealing Pyro DMG and creating a shield. The strength of this shield scales with her DEF, and hitting enemies with her skill can grant stacks that increase its effectiveness and deal Physical DMG. At constellation level 1, her shield also deals Pyro DMG to enemies that hit her. Her Elemental Burst, Riff Revolution, unleashes a destructive wave of Pyro damage and then continues to deal Physical DMG to enemies. Xinyan is a bit of a hybrid character, capable of acting as a Physical DPS, Pyro sub-DPS, or shielder. She's particularly useful for players who are looking for a character who can deal significant Physical damage, which is rare among 4-star characters. Building Xinyan can be a bit more complex due to her hybrid nature. If you're focusing on her Pyro capabilities, you'll want to build ATK%, Pyro DMG Bonus, and Crit Rate/Crit DMG. If you're leaning into her Physical DMG, focus on Physical DMG Bonus, ATK%, and Crit Rate/Crit DMG. For weapons, the Serpent Spine (Battle Pass) is excellent for overall damage, while the Skyward Pride (gacha) is great for Physical DPS. For artifacts, a 2-piece Bloodstained Chivalry and 2-piece Pale Flame set is ideal for Physical DPS. If you're focusing on Pyro, then 2-piece Crimson Witch of Flames and 2-piece Gladiator's Finale can work. Xinyan is a niche but valuable pick, especially if you need a strong Physical damage dealer or a character who can provide a shield while dealing Pyro damage. She's especially good against enemies weak to Pyro or Physical damage. If you're looking for something a bit different and want to experiment with a hybrid damage dealer, Xinyan might be the one for you. Her shield is also quite strong if you build her DEF, making her a solid option for survivability.

Yanfei: The Brilliant Legal Eagle

Finally, we have Yanfei, a Pyro Catalyst user who is essentially a four-star version of Klee, focusing on rapid-fire Pyro damage. Yanfei's entire kit is designed around her Charged Attacks, which launch powerful, homing Pyro projectiles. Her Elemental Skill, Signed Edict, deals Pyro damage and grants her a certain number of Scarlet Seals. These seals reduce her Stamina consumption for her Charged Attacks and increase their damage. Her Elemental Burst, Done Deal, deals a burst of Pyro damage and grants her the maximum number of Scarlet Seals, making her Charged Attacks even more potent. Yanfei excels as a main DPS character, capable of dealing consistent Pyro damage, especially against single targets. She's a fantastic choice for players who enjoy a more aggressive playstyle and want a reliable Pyro damage dealer. Building Yanfei focuses heavily on Pyro DMG Bonus, ATK%, and Crit Rate/Crit DMG. As a catalyst user, weapons like The Widsith (gacha), Dodoco Tales (event weapon, if you have it), or even the Twin-Flame Ancient Ginger (craftable) are excellent choices. For artifacts, the 4-piece Crimson Witch of Flames set is her absolute best-in-slot for maximizing reaction damage. However, a 4-piece Shimenawa's Reminiscence set can also be very powerful if you don't mind the stamina drain, or a combination of 2-piece Crimson Witch and 2-piece Gladiator's Finale works well. Yanfei is a top-tier Pyro DPS among the four-star characters, capable of rivaling some five-stars. She is excellent for triggering Vaporize reactions with Hydro characters and is a staple in many strong team compositions. If you're looking for a consistent and powerful Pyro damage dealer who is relatively easy to play, Yanfei is an outstanding choice. Her ability to dish out high damage with her charged attacks makes her a valuable asset for taking down enemies quickly and efficiently. She's a great option for anyone who wants to main a Pyro DPS character without needing to rely on limited five-star options.

So, Who Should You Choose? The Final Verdict!

Alright guys, let's wrap this up. Deciding which free character to pick from the 7th Tradition can feel like a huge commitment, but hopefully, this breakdown has made it clearer. Xiangling is almost universally recommended because her off-field Pyro damage via Pyronado is insane and fits into so many team comps. If you don't have her, she's probably your safest bet.

If you're struggling with Electro damage, need a powerful AoE character for groups, or want to build an Electro-Charged team, Beidou is your queen. Her counter mechanic and lightning strikes are incredibly satisfying and effective.

For players who need a solid Geo damage dealer, especially for breaking shields or building Geo Resonance, Ningguang is an excellent pick. Her precision attacks and powerful burst are very reliable.

If you're focusing on Melt or Superconduct reactions and need consistent Cryo application, Chongyun is your guy. He enables Cryo damage beautifully for other characters.

Xinyan is a more niche choice, but if you specifically need a Physical damage dealer or a Pyro shielder, she's a unique and viable option.

And finally, if you want a dedicated Pyro main DPS who can dish out consistent damage with charged attacks, Yanfei is an outstanding choice, rivaling many 5-star characters in her role.

My ultimate advice? If you are completely new and unsure, go with Xiangling. Her versatility and raw power are unmatched. If you already have a good Pyro DPS, then consider Beidou for her AoE Electro potential or Yanfei for a different Pyro DPS option. Ultimately, the best character for you depends on your current team composition, the enemies you struggle with, and your preferred playstyle. Whichever you choose, you're getting a solid character that can significantly boost your Genshin Impact journey. Happy adventuring!