If you’re diving into the stunning world of Wuthering Waves, you already know how essential it is to pick the right characters. Whether you’re just starting your journey on Solaris-3 or grinding endgame content, having the best characters in Wuthering Waves can make all the difference.
In this Wuthering Waves tier guide, we’ll break down the top-tier characters based on their performance, roles, and how they fit into the current meta. From overpowered DPS units to reliable supports, here’s everything you need to know to build your dream team.
How We Ranked the Characters
Before jumping into the list, let’s quickly go over how we’ve ranked each character:
- DPS Output – Overall damage in both AoE and single-target battles
- Utility – Buffs, debuffs, healing, or crowd control
- Ease of Use – How beginner-friendly or complex a character is
- Team Synergy – How well the character fits into popular team comps
- Meta Relevance – Based on the latest updates and global release meta
This character ranking for Wuthering Waves is based on version 1.0 (Global), and will be updated with future balance changes or new character releases.
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Wuthering Waves Tier List (Global Release)
Here’s a quick overview of the character rankings, followed by detailed breakdowns:
| Tier | Description |
| S-Tier | Meta-defining units – essential for high-end play |
| A-Tier | Strong picks – reliable and versatile |
| B-Tier | Decent – situationally useful or require setup |
| C-Tier | Below average – not recommended for investment |
S-Tier: Must-Have Meta Units
These characters define the current meta. If you have them, prioritize building them first.
Jiyan (DPS)
Jiyan is arguably the best DPS in Wuthering Waves right now. His high burst potential and AoE slashes make him a dominant force in boss fights and mob-clearing scenarios. His skills scale well, and with the right echo build, he melts enemies with ease.
Strengths:
- Massive AoE damage
- Easy combos
- Scales well with resonance boosts
Ideal For: Main DPS in most team comps
Verina (Support/Healer)
Verina is your go-to support and healer. Her utility is unmatched — she provides continuous healing and buffs your active character’s attack power. She’s also incredibly beginner-friendly.
Strengths:
- Consistent healing
- Increases team survivability
- Great synergy with high-DPS units
Ideal For: Support role in any team setup
Calcharo (Electro DPS)
If you love flashy combos and lightning-fast attacks, Calcharo is your guy. He’s a top-tier electro damage dealer with great scaling and decent AoE coverage.
Strengths:
- Stylish, high-speed combat
- Excellent resonance potential
- Strong solo play
Ideal For: Main DPS (requires some skill timing)
A-Tier: Strong and Reliable
These characters are not quite meta-breaking but can comfortably carry you through the game.
Yangyang (Sub-DPS/Support)
A free unit that punches above her weight, Yangyang offers strong support through her wind element. Her skill boosts energy regeneration and helps in multi-target scenarios.
Strengths:
- Energy regen
- Easy to build
- Useful early and mid-game
Baizhi (Healer)
Not as dominant as Verina, but still a solid free healer. She’s effective in sustained fights and useful for players without a 5-star support.
Strengths:
- Reliable healing
- Simple rotation
- Best budget support
Encore (Fire DPS)
Encore brings heat — literally. She’s a fire-element DPS with good scaling and decent AoE. Her playstyle is a bit quirky, but once mastered, she’s a solid unit.
Strengths:
- Fire DoT damage
- Great against multiple enemies
- Unique skill animations
B-Tier: Situational and Niche Picks
These characters can work but often need specific team setups or high investment.
Taoqi (Tank/Shield)
A defensive character who can absorb damage and provide shields, Taoqi is great for players who want a more cautious approach. However, due to the game’s fast-paced nature, she’s less popular in meta teams.
Chixia (DPS – Fire)
Chixia offers decent ranged damage but falls short compared to top-tier DPS units like Jiyan or Calcharo.
C-Tier: Least Recommended
Characters in this tier are either outdated, too niche, or underperform in current meta conditions. Not worth heavy investment unless you love their playstyle or aesthetic.
Best DPS in Wuthering Waves
Let’s spotlight the top 3 DPS characters based on overall performance:
- Jiyan – AoE King, best for mob farming
- Calcharo – Single-target monster, fast gameplay
- Encore – Fire DoT DPS, fun but requires timing
These units dominate the Wuthering Waves meta, especially when paired with strong support like Verina.
Best Support Characters
Support units are the backbone of every team. Here’s who to rely on:
- Verina – Healer + Buffs = Meta support
- Yangyang – Excellent energy regen
- Baizhi – Budget healer with consistent uptime
These characters make your DPS units shine brighter.
Best Free Characters for F2P Players
Even without 5-stars, you can still build a solid team:
- Yangyang – Wind sub-DPS/support
- Baizhi – Free healer
- Chixia – Early fire DPS (not ideal late game)
These units form the foundation for budget-friendly progression.
Team Composition Tips
For a balanced team, you’ll want:
- 1 Main DPS (e.g., Jiyan, Calcharo)
- 1 Sub-DPS or Elemental Battery (e.g., Yangyang)
- 1 Support/Healer (e.g., Verina, Baizhi)
Example F2P team:
- DPS: Chixia
- Sub-DPS: Yangyang
- Support: Baizhi
Example Meta team:
- DPS: Jiyan
- Sub-DPS: Encore
- Support: Verina
Future Tier List Changes
The Wuthering Waves tier list is likely to change with:
- New character banners
- Balance patches
- Meta shifts in PvE/PvP content
Stay updated with patch notes and in-game events to optimize your team.
FAQs
Q: Who is the best character in Wuthering Waves right now?
A: Jiyan and Verina are currently top-tier choices for DPS and support, respectively.
Q: Is it okay to use free characters?
A: Absolutely! Yangyang and Baizhi are among the best free options for early and mid-game.
Q: How often does the tier list change?
A: Expect updates with each major patch or new character release.
