In the ever-evolving world of Wuthering Waves, building the perfect team can mean the difference between dominating the Tower of Adversity or struggling to progress. With dozens of unique Resonators to choose from, each with distinct abilities and synergies, knowing which characters deserve your investment is crucial. This comprehensive Wuthering Waves character tier list breaks down every playable character, helping you make informed decisions about who to build, who to pull for, and how to create the most powerful teams in the current meta.
Whether you’re a free-to-play player looking to maximize your resources or a seasoned Rover ready to tackle the toughest endgame content, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the best characters in Wuthering Waves right now.
Understanding Our Tier List Methodology
Before diving into the rankings, it’s important to understand how we evaluate characters in Wuthering Waves. Unlike many tier lists that provide a one-size-fits-all ranking, we’ve developed a comprehensive evaluation system that considers multiple factors:
Evaluation Criteria
Performance Metrics:
- Damage output in optimal team compositions
- Flexibility across different game modes (Tower of Adversity, Whimpering Wastes)
- Energy efficiency and rotation smoothness
- Survivability and defensive capabilities
Team Synergy:
- Buff quality and uptime
- Ability to enable other characters
- Versatility across multiple team archetypes
- Ease of integration into existing compositions
Investment Value:
- Performance at low investment (F2P-friendly)
- Scaling potential with high investment
- Weapon and Echo dependency
- Long-term meta relevance
Skill Floor vs. Ceiling:
- Accessibility for new players
- Mastery potential for experienced players
- Execution difficulty and punishment for mistakes
Tier Definitions
SS Tier (Meta-Defining): These characters significantly impact the meta and enable team compositions that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. They excel in multiple areas and are worth building for almost any account.
S Tier (Excellent): Top-tier performers that excel in their roles and can carry teams to success. They may have minor limitations but are consistently strong choices.
A Tier (Strong): Reliable characters that perform well in the right compositions. They might be outclassed by SS/S tier options but still have clear use cases and can be valuable investments.
B Tier (Viable): Functional characters that can work with proper investment and team support. They often require more specific conditions to shine compared to higher tiers.
C Tier (Niche): Characters with very specific use cases or those that have been power-crept. Generally not recommended for investment unless you have a specific reason.
Complete Wuthering Waves Character Tier List
SS Tier: Meta-Defining Resonators
These characters represent the pinnacle of power in Wuthering Waves and should be prioritized if you’re looking to build the strongest possible teams.
Iuno (Aero Main DPS)
Iuno stands as arguably the strongest Aero DPS in the game, combining devastating single-target damage with impressive AoE capabilities. Her kit revolves around building up Aero Erosion stacks and detonating them for massive damage bursts.
Strengths:
- Exceptional damage output in both single-target and AoE scenarios
- Strong self-sufficiency with built-in damage mitigation
- Excellent energy generation for consistent ultimates
- Synergizes perfectly with Aero support units
Weaknesses:
- Requires specific team compositions to maximize potential
- Can be vulnerable to interruption during long animations
- High investment requirement to reach full potential
Best Team Comps:
- Iuno + Ciaccona + Verina/Shorekeeper
- Iuno + Lupa + Cartethyia
- Iuno + Yangyang + Shorekeeper
Investment Advice: Iuno is worth building to the maximum if you pull her. Her signature weapon and Echo set provide significant damage increases, but she performs well even with 4-star alternatives.
Galbrena (Fusion Main DPS)
Galbrena represents the pinnacle of Fusion damage dealers, offering unparalleled burst potential and team utility. Her ability to switch between different combat stances gives her incredible flexibility in various situations.
Strengths:
- Insane burst damage potential with proper setup
- Built-in team healing and damage mitigation
- Excellent performance in both Tower of Adversity and Whimpering Wastes
- Low dependency on specific supports
Weaknesses:
- Long cooldowns on key abilities
- Can feel clunky without proper energy management
- Requires careful positioning to maximize effectiveness
Best Team Comps:
- Galbrena + Brant + Lupa
- Galbrena + Verina + Zhezhi
- Galbrena + Shorekeeper + Cantarella
Investment Advice: Galbrena scales incredibly well with investment, making her an excellent choice for both F2P and paying players. Her signature weapon provides the biggest damage increase, but she’s functional with alternatives.
Shorekeeper (Support)
The Shorekeeper has revolutionized the support meta in Wuthering Waves, offering unparalleled utility, healing, and damage amplification in a single package. She’s become the gold standard for support characters and fits into virtually any team composition.
Strengths:
- Massive Crit Rate and Crit Damage buffs for the entire team
- Powerful AoE healing with no targeting requirements
- Damage amplification through various utility effects
- Extremely short field time, maximizing DPS uptime
- Universal compatibility with almost all team compositions
Weaknesses:
- Limited personal damage output
- Can be overkill for easier content
- High competition for support slots in some teams
Best Team Comps:
- Literally any team that needs a support – Shorekeeper + [Main DPS] + [Sub-DPS/Hybrid]
Investment Advice: Shorekeeper is arguably the best long-term investment in the game. Even at low investment, she provides massive value, and she scales well with additional resources. Every player should prioritize building her if possible.
S Tier: Excellent Performers
These characters are consistently strong and valuable additions to most rosters, even if they don’t quite reach the meta-defining status of SS tier.
Jinhsi (Spectro Main DPS)
Jinhsi remains one of the most reliable Spectro damage dealers, offering consistent damage output and excellent team utility through her coordinated attack mechanics.
Strengths:
- Consistent damage output with no downtime
- Excellent synergy with coordinated attack supports
- Strong performance in extended fights
- Good self-sufficiency and survivability
Weaknesses:
- Requires specific supports to maximize potential
- Can feel slow compared to newer DPS options
- Limited burst potential without proper setup
Best Team Comps:
- Jinhsi + Zhezhi + Verina
- Jinhsi + Shorekeeper + Yinlin
- Jinhsi + Sanhua + Mortefi
Investment Advice: Jinhsi is still a solid investment, especially if you have her key supports (Zhezhi, Verina). She scales well but doesn’t require maximum investment to perform adequately.
Phrolova (Main DPS)
Phrolova is a high-risk, high-reward DPS character that can deal devastating damage when properly built and played. Her unique mechanics reward skilled players with some of the highest damage numbers in the game.
Strengths:
- Potentially the highest single-target damage in the game
- Excellent off-field damage capabilities
- Strong self-buffing mechanics
- Good performance in both boss fights and AoE scenarios
Weaknesses:
- Extremely high investment requirement
- Demanding playstyle with little room for error
- Very specific weapon and Echo requirements
- Poor performance without proper setup
Best Team Comps:
- Phrolova + Cantarella + Qiuyuan
- Phrolova + Brant + Lupa
- Phrolova + Shorekeeper + Zhezhi
Investment Advice: Only invest in Phrolova if you’re willing to commit significant resources. She requires her signature weapon and specific Echo sets to reach her potential, making her a poor choice for F2P players.
Zani (Spectro Main DPS)
Zani brings a unique playstyle focused on Spectro Frazzle mechanics, offering both strong personal damage and team utility through debuff application.
Strengths:
- Strong damage output with proper setup
- Valuable team debuffs that benefit all Spectro characters
- Good balance between single-target and AoE damage
- Solid energy generation for consistent ultimates
Weaknesses:
- Requires specific enablers (Phoebe) for optimal performance
- Can feel inconsistent without proper team support
- Moderate skill floor to play effectively
Best Team Comps:
- Zani + Phoebe + Shorekeeper
- Zani + Verina + Brant
- Zani + Cantarella + Lupa
Investment Advice: Zani is a strong investment if you have Phoebe or plan to pull her. She performs well with moderate investment and scales nicely with additional resources.
A Tier: Strong and Reliable Options
These characters may not be meta-defining, but they offer solid performance and clear value in the right compositions.
Changli (Fusion Main DPS)
Changli remains a solid Fusion damage dealer with good burst potential and team utility, even if she’s been somewhat overshadowed by newer options.
Strengths:
- Strong burst damage capabilities
- Good team utility through debuffs
- Solid performance in most content types
- Reasonably F2P-friendly with good 4-star weapon options
Weaknesses:
- Can feel outdated compared to newer DPS options
- Requires specific team compositions to shine
- Limited flexibility in team building
Best Team Comps:
- Changli + Brant + Verina
- Changli + Lupa + Shorekeeper
- Changli + Zhezhi + Cantarella
Investment Advice: Changli is a decent investment for F2P players, as she performs well with 4-star weapons and doesn’t require maximum investment to be effective.
Jiyan (Aero Main DPS)
Jiyan combines strong Aero damage with excellent crowd control capabilities, making him a versatile choice for various content types.
Strengths:
- Good balance between damage and utility
- Excellent crowd control capabilities
- Strong performance in AoE scenarios
- Reasonably accessible for F2P players
Weaknesses:
- Lower damage ceiling compared to top-tier DPS options
- Can feel clunky in single-target scenarios
- Requires proper positioning to maximize effectiveness
Best Team Comps:
- Jiyan + Ciaccona + Verina
- Jiyan + Yangyang + Shorekeeper
- Jiyan + Lupa + Cartethyia
Investment Advice: Jiyan is a solid F2P option, especially since he was available for free. He performs well with moderate investment and doesn’t require specific 5-star weapons to be effective.
Carlotta (Glacio Main DPS)
Carlotta offers strong Glacio damage with excellent single-target focus, making her particularly valuable for boss fights and Tower of Adversity.
Strengths:
- Excellent single-target damage output
- Strong performance in extended boss fights
- Good self-sufficiency and survivability
- Reasonably flexible team building options
Weaknesses:
- Limited AoE capabilities
- Long cooldowns on key abilities
- Can feel slow compared to faster-paced DPS options
Best Team Comps:
- Carlotta + Zhezhi + Verina
- Carlotta + Shorekeeper + Mortefi
- Carlotta + Sanhua + Cantarella
Investment Advice: Carlotta is a good investment for players who focus on boss content. She scales well with investment but performs adequately with 4-star alternatives.
Game Mode Specific Tier Lists
While our overall tier list provides a general ranking, character performance can vary significantly depending on the game mode. Here’s how characters rank in specific endgame content:
Tower of Adversity Tier List
Tower of Adversity favors characters with strong single-target damage, consistent performance, and good survivability.
SS Tier: Iuno, Galbrena, Shorekeeper, Phrolova S Tier: Jinhsi, Zani, Carlotta, Changli A Tier: Jiyan, Camellya, Brant, Zhezhi
Whimpering Wastes Tier List
Whimpering Wastes heavily favors AoE damage dealers and characters who can clear multiple waves of enemies quickly.
SS Tier: Galbrena, Shorekeeper, Cartethyia, Encore S Tier: Iuno, Jiyan, Ciaccona, Lupa A Tier: Changli, Rover (Aero), Yangyang, Sanhua
Free-to-Play (F2P) Tier List
For F2P players, character accessibility and performance without 5-star weapons/constellations are crucial factors.
SS Tier: Shorekeeper, Jiyan, Rover (Aero) S Tier: Changli, Xiangli Yao, Encore, Verina A Tier: Carlotta, Sanhua, Yangyang, Baizhi
Team Building Guide
Building effective teams in Wuthering Waves requires understanding character roles and synergies. Here are some proven team compositions for different playstyles:
Hyper Carry Teams
These teams focus on maximizing one character’s damage potential through dedicated support.
Example: Galbrena + Brant + Lupa
- Galbrena deals massive Fusion damage
- Brant provides Fusion DMG and Skill DMG buffs
- Lupa offers additional Fusion buffs and minor healing
Balanced Teams
These teams distribute damage across multiple characters for consistent performance.
Example: Jinhsi + Zhezhi + Verina
- Jinhsi provides consistent Spectro damage
- Zhezhi offers coordinated attacks and buffs
- Verina supplies healing and additional buffs
Reaction Teams
These teams focus on elemental reactions and status effects for maximum damage.
Example: Iuno + Ciaccona + Shorekeeper
- Iuno applies and detonates Aero Erosion
- Ciaccona enables additional Aero Erosion application
- Shorekeeper provides universal support and healing
Frequently Asked Questions
Which character should I prioritize building as a new player?
For new players, we recommend focusing on Shorekeeper if available, as she provides the most value across all team compositions. If you don’t have Shorekeeper, Verina is an excellent alternative. For DPS options, Jiyan (if you got him for free) or Changli are great F2P-friendly choices.
Are 4-star characters worth investing in?
Yes, many 4-star characters are worth investing in, especially supports like Sanhua, Yangyang, and Baizhi. Some 4-star DPS options like Encore and Xiangli Yao can also perform very well with proper investment.
How often does the meta change in Wuthering Waves?
The Wuthering Waves meta typically shifts with major version updates (every 6 weeks) and when new characters are released. However, core support characters like Shorekeeper tend to remain relevant for much longer periods.
Should I pull for weapons or characters?
Generally, you should prioritize pulling for characters over weapons. Most characters can perform well with 4-star weapon alternatives, but having access to the character itself is essential. Only pull for weapons if you already have the character at a good investment level.
What’s the difference between Main DPS, Sub-DPS, and Support roles?
- Main DPS: Characters who spend the most time on field and deal the majority of team damage
- Sub-DPS: Characters who deal significant damage while off-field and provide buffs for the Main DPS
- Support: Characters who primarily provide healing, buffs, debuffs, or utility with minimal personal damage
Conclusion
This Wuthering Waves character tier list provides a comprehensive overview of the best Resonators in the current meta. Remember that tier lists are guidelines, not absolute rules – the best character for you depends on your account, playstyle, and preferences.
SS tier characters like Iuno, Galbrena, and Shorekeeper represent the pinnacle of power and should be prioritized if available. S tier options like Jinhsi, Phrolova, and Zani offer excellent performance with slightly more specific requirements. A tier characters like Changli, Jiyan, and Carlotta remain strong choices that can carry you through most content.
As Wuthering Waves continues to evolve with new updates and characters, this tier list will be updated to reflect the changing meta. For the most current information and detailed character guides, be sure to check out our other Wuthering Waves guides and team building resources.
Whether you’re a veteran Rover or just starting your journey in Solaris-3, building a strong team with the right characters will make your Wuthering Waves experience much more enjoyable and successful. Happy Resonating!