Geo Characters Genshin Impact – Complete Guide (2025)
When it comes to solid defense and stability in Genshin Impact, nothing beats the Geo element. While Pyro and Electro characters often steal the spotlight with flashy reactions, Geo characters offer something just as valuable reliable shields, sturdy builds, and consistent off-field damage.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through every Geo character in Genshin Impact, ranking them by how useful they are in the current meta. Whether you’re running a Mono-Geo team, clearing Spiral Abyss floors, or just looking for a strong shielder like Zhongli, this guide has everything you need.
Geo Characters Genshin Impact – Tier List (2025)
Here’s how every Geo character ranks right now:
- S-Tier: Zhongli, Arataki Itto, Albedo
- A-Tier: Gorou, Navia, Yun Jin
- B-Tier: Noelle, Geo Traveler
- C-Tier: Ningguang
Zhongli – The ultimate shielder and sub-DPS
Zhongli is the gold standard of shielding in Genshin. His Jade Shield scales with HP and can reduce enemy resistances. He’s essential for many teams, not just Geo comps.
Role: Shielder / Burst Sub-DPS | Recommended Set: Tenacity of the Millelith | Pairs With: Any DPS who needs protection (Hu Tao, Ganyu, Itto)
Arataki Itto – High-damage Geo main DPS
If you’re going for a Mono-Geo team, Itto is your star DPS. He scales entirely off DEF, and when paired with Gorou, his damage soars.
Role: Geo Main DPS | Recommended Set: Husk of Opulent Dreams | Best Team: Itto + Albedo + Gorou + Zhongli
Albedo – Consistent off-field Geo damage
Albedo’s Skill applies off-field AoE Geo damage that scales with DEF. He’s low-maintenance, energy-efficient, and fits into almost any team.
Role: Sub-DPS | Artifacts: Husk or Archaic Petra | Strength: Reliable background damage and DEF synergy
Navia – Flexible Geo/Physical burst DPS
Navia is one of the newest additions and offers a hybrid DPS playstyle, combining Geo Burst and physical damage scaling. She works best with shielders like Zhongli or healers like Diona.
Role: Burst DPS / Flex slot | Weapons: Serpent Spine, The Bell | Build Tip: CRIT and ATK% scaling, not DEF like Itto
Gorou – Must-have support for Mono-Geo teams
Gorou doesn’t do much on his own, but with a Geo-heavy team, he becomes irreplaceable. He buffs DEF, Geo damage, and even CRIT at higher constellations.
Role: Support | Best For: Itto, Albedo, Noelle | Artifact Choice: Noblesse Oblige
Yun Jin – Buffs normal attacks for any element
Yun Jin scales with DEF and boosts normal attacks based on that stat. She’s a niche pick but shines with characters like Yoimiya, Wanderer, or Ayato.
Role: Normal Attack Buffer | Best Set: Husk of Opulent Dreams
Noelle – F2P-friendly tank, healer, and DPS in one
Noelle is a true hybrid. At low constellations, she’s a decent healer. At higher ones, she becomes a serious tank-DPS thanks to her burst, which scales with DEF and heals the team.
Role: Tank / Healer / Burst DPS | Recommended Build: Whiteblind + Retracing Bolide or Husk
Geo Traveler – Good for puzzles, early-game, and exploration
Often overlooked, the Geo version of the Traveler offers platform creation, Crystallize reactions, and solid support skills. Perfect for early exploration or puzzle-solving in Liyue.
Role: Utility Support | Build Tip: Use Archaic Petra to buff teammates
Ningguang – Strong single-target burst, but limited AoE and mobility
Ningguang’s ranged playstyle and Jade Screen mechanics are unique, but her single-target focus limits her versatility compared to others on this list.
Role: Burst DPS | Builds: CRIT-based with Archaic Petra / Noblesse | Best Use: Quick-swap teams, treasure farming
What Makes Geo Characters Unique?
Geo characters don’t rely on reaction-based damage like Dendro or Hydro. Instead, they specialize in Crystallize reactions, creating shields when combined with Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo. While Crystallize doesn’t increase your damage output, it gives your active character a protective shard that absorbs elemental damage making Geo ideal for high-end content like Abyss and world bosses.
More than that, many Geo units scale with DEF, making them tanky by design. With the right team, Geo characters like Arataki Itto, Noelle, or Navia can carry entire battles without needing a healer.
Geo Characters and the Genshin Impact Map
Geo characters aren’t just good in combat, they’re great for exploration too. Many puzzles, especially in Liyue, Inazuma, and parts of Fontaine, require you to place or break structures, stand on pressure plates, or reach elevated areas.
- Zhongli’s pillar helps trigger elevated switches
- Geo Traveler’s platforms solve pressure puzzles
- Crystallize shields protect you from environmental hazards
Best Weapons and Artifacts for Geo Characters
| Character | Weapon Options | Top Artifact Sets |
|---|---|---|
| Zhongli | Staff of Homa / Favonius Lance | Tenacity of the Millelith |
| Itto | Redhorn Stonethresher / Whiteblind | Husk of Opulent Dreams |
| Albedo | Cinnabar Spindle / Harbinger of Dawn | Husk / Petra |
| Navia | Serpent Spine / The Bell | Retracing Bolide / Gladiator |
| Noelle | Whiteblind / Serpent Spine | Husk / Bolide |
| Gorou | Favonius Warbow | Noblesse Oblige |
| Ningguang | Solar Pearl / Widsith | Petra / Noblesse |
How to Use Geo Characters Effectively (2025 Tips)
Geo characters may not be flashy, but they’re some of the most reliable in Genshin Impact, especially if you know how to play to their strengths. Here’s how to get the most out of your Geo units, whether you’re building a Mono-Geo team or mixing them into elemental comps.
1. Build a Mono-Geo Team for Strong Geo Resonance
When you use two or more Geo characters in a team, you trigger Geo Elemental Resonance, which boosts shield strength by 15% and increases damage when you’re protected by a shield. This is why pairings like Itto + Albedo + Gorou + Zhongli are so powerful, they’re tanky and hit hard.
2. Focus on DEF, Not ATK
Many Geo characters scale with DEF instead of ATK, including Arataki Itto, Noelle, and Albedo. So when you build them, prioritize DEF% artifacts and weapons that complement their defense scaling. Husk of Opulent Dreams is a top-tier artifact set for them.
3. Use Shield Supports to Stay Aggressive
A strong shield lets your DPS attack without interruption. Zhongli is the best shielder in the game, making him perfect for both Mono-Geo and hybrid teams. Crystallize reactions also help by creating elemental shields when Geo interacts with elements like Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo Genshin Impact.
4. Trigger Crystallize Reactions Properly
To make the most of the Crystallize reaction, apply another element (like Pyro or Electro) first, then follow up with a Geo attack. This ensures a crystal shard is formed, which your character can pick up for extra protection.
5. Use Archaic Petra to Boost Elemental Teams
If you’re mixing Geo with other elements, equip your Geo support (like Geo Traveler or Ningguang) with the Archaic Petra set. It not only boosts Geo damage, but also gives your team a 35% elemental damage bonus when you pick up the right Crystallize shard.
Conclusion
Geo characters in Genshin Impact might not create the flashiest elemental reactions, but they offer something even more valuable: unmatched stability, strong defense, and long-lasting utility. Whether you’re building a Mono-Geo team with Arataki Itto and Gorou, or using Zhongli to shield your Pyro or Dendro carries, Geo units can elevate any team composition.
With solid DEF-scaling, Crystallize shielding, and powerful resonance bonuses, Geo characters are a must-have for both early-game progression and endgame Spiral Abyss. As Genshin Impact continues to expand, Geo remains a reliable choice for players who want control, safety, and consistent damage in every battle.