Genshin Impact players will start their adventure in Mondstadt, the city of wind. In their time here, they'll meet the Anemo archon, Barbatos, and the Traveler will gain access to Anemo powers themselves. These are just two examples of Anemo characters in the game, but the other ones that are available are also very powerful. In large part this is due to Anemo's swirl reaction being so useful, and the great utility that characters with this element tend to bring to the table. At the moment, there are only four Anemo characters that players can make use of, but there is at least one more coming in the near future.

The Anemo element is unique Genshin Impact because of the way it reacts with other elements. Rather than having a distinct reaction with each element, Anemo always causes the Swirl reaction when it meets another. This spreads the element of the target to all nearby targets, dealing additional damage and helping to set up elemental reactions. Because Anemo abilities tend to also have wide range and effects that pull enemies in, characters with these visions tend to make excellent support or secondary DPS characters.

RELATED: Genshin Impact - Every Pyro Character in the Game

Anemo Traveler

Genshin Impact Traveler Anemo element

Anemo is the first element available to the Traveler after they arrive in the world of Teyvat, and it also happens to be one of the most useful. Though considered subpar by some, Traveler can be a powerful character thanks to the utility provided by their elemental skill and burst. The elemental skill draws foes in, spreads elements with the Swirl reaction, and has a short cooldown, while the elemental burst creates a huge tornado that picks up any elements and enemies it passes on the way. Though it may seem counterintuitive given that they are the main character, the Anemo Traveler works best as a Secondary DPS character.

Sucrose - Harmless Sweetie

4-star Anemo user Sucrose

At the time of writing, Sucrose is the only 4-star Anemo character in the game, but she pulls her weight in her own way. As her name would imply, she isn't great at dealing damage on her own, but she is an excellent enabler and an amazing support character. Many of Sucrose's abilities increase her party's Elemental Mastery, the stat that affects damage caused by reactions. Her elemental skill also draws enemies in and spreads elements thanks to the Swirl effect, making it even easier for a Primary DPS character like Diluc to hit with powerful elemental reactions.

Jean - Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius

genshin impact jean

Jean's title is a bit of a mouthful, but she's a powerful and versatile character. She is very unique from other characters because she is able to perform well as a Primary DPS while also fulfilling the role of a battlefield healer. One of Jean's most defining combat traits is her ability to use fall damage to her advantage. As part of her elemental skill, Jean can lift enemies in the air and throw them great distances. Throwing enemies straight upward can cause a ton of extra damage outside of what the skill already does.

Venti - Windborne Bard

genshin impact how to get venti

Minor spoilers for the prologue of Genshin Impact, but Venti is actually the Anemo Archon, Barbatos, in disguise. This fact is made clear by the amazing feats of Anemo manipulation he is able to accomplish with his elemental skill and burst. Venti is consistently rated as S Tier in Genshin Impact tier lists thanks to how powerful his abilities are. Players can group enemies together with one of Venti's skills and then throw in another element like Pyro to create burning vortexes that deal intense amounts of damage. Those lucky enough to have pulled him during the first featured banner should be sure to make use of the character.

RELATED: Genshin Impact - Every Electro Character in the Game

Xiao - Guardian Yaksha

genshin impact xiao banner leak

Xiao was a playable character in Genshin Impact's closed beta, and players run into him during the Liyue story arc as well. It's not certain when he'll be added back into the game, but it seems highly likely that it will happen eventually. Xiao will be the 4th 5-star Anemo character after his banner comes, and he'll also be the first Anemo character that uses a polearm weapon. His abilities also seem to set him up as a true Primary DPS Anemo character.

Upcoming Anemo Characters

Genshin Impact Noelle silhouette Anemo background

Those listed above are the only current and confirmed Anemo characters in Genshin Impact, but there's still a lot of potential for the element. Notably, there aren't any claymore using Anemo characters yet, so something like that would be cool to see. In this case, it seems probable that the character would be a more obvious Primary DPS, something that is in low supply at the moment for Anemo character. Aside from the upcoming character Xiao, there are also no polearm wielding Anemo characters yet, and there's only one 4-star polearm character in general, so that's another niche that Anemo could fill.

The existing Anemo characters all focus heavily on support for the most part, with even characters like Jean having the ability to heal. Expanding on this, there are currently no Anemo shields in the game at all, and even enemies like the Fatui Anemoboxer Vanguard creates a frontal shield that negates all damage rather than a traditional Anemo shield. A character with Anemo shielding capabilities would also be interesting for this reason, but more than anything fans just want to see more 4-star Anemo characters. This element is largely locked behind 5-star characters, and that will only get worse once Xiao releases.

At the time of writing, there haven't even been any villains with Anemo Visions or Delusions introduced yet, though it's likely that at least one of the 11 Fatui Harbingers will make use of this element. Despite being so prominent at the game's launch with Traveler, Venti, and Jean all being important characters in the prologue, Anemo actually remains one of the least represented elements in the game. Hopefully this changes in future updates, however.

Genshin Impact is available now on Mobile, PC, and PS4, and later on PS5 and Switch.

MORE: Genshin Impact: Every Cryo Character in the Game (December 2020)