The nations of Teyvat in Genshin Impact are defined by their unique usage of seven elements. Among them, few make for gameplay quite as unique as Anemo and Geo do. Liyue's Geo element, in particular, is notable for its complete lack of offensive elemental reactions, opting for defensive shielding instead.
There are currently 8 playable Geo users in Genshin Impact, all of which need some offensive mechanic to balance the lack of reactions. Most of the time, this is a tactical mechanic designed to complement high-power teammates, but as always, it varies from character to character. In the end, some Geo characters make for better combat characters than others.
Updated January 7, 2022, by Scott Vengel: While 2.3 was intimately deemed the "Geo update" by Genshin Impact fans for its introduction of two new Geo users, Arataki Itto and Gorou, version 2.4 has continued the game's progress in updating its elemental relationships. Notably, version 2.4 introduces a total of four banners, the new character Shenhe and Xiao making up the first banners, followed by Zhongli and Ganyu in the second half. However, it's the new four-star character in the update, Yun Jin, that really makes waves by introducing a new style of support character. This article has been updated to include the new four-star Geo user.
Using Geo Characters
Unlike other elements in the world of Genshin Impact, Geo works without the benefit of offensive elemental reactions. While most other elements work by causing massive damage or boosting the attack power of other attacks, Geo works as a purely defensive element. Geo has only one elemental reaction, crystalize, which forms a shield around the player when the element meets Hydro, Pyro, Electro, or Cryo.
As such, using a Geo user will be different than using other elemental types in Genshin Impact. For a Geo DPS character, this will mean relying on careful builds that rely on a stat other than elemental mastery, and the usage of good support characters that can boost their bare attacks and skills. One popular strategy, especially after the release of Arataki Itto and Gorou in version 2.3, is to use multiple Geo characters in the same team so that the Geo-boosting skills of Geo supports can make Geo attacks more powerful. Geo is one of the only elements that can excel in a one-element team.
8 Geo Traveler
Unsurprisingly for some fans, the Traveler that acts as the protagonist is the most mediocre Geo user of the lot. After all, most free characters outlive their usefulness. The Geo Traveler is especially notable for this trend, given that they are the only free 5-star in Genshin Impact.
Their Geo construct isn't particularly useful compared to others, only allowing for a small plunge attack. Granted, their burst makes for a good amount of damage in the early game, but it becomes obsolete compared to other characters. In the end, the Geo Traveler doesn't have a lot going for them, even compared to the Anemo and Electro Travelers.
Of course, it isn't all bad for the Geo Traveler. No character has easier access to constellations than the Traveler, who obtains them through rank rather than wishes. While the construct itself can be underwhelming, their skill's damage is considerable. Ultimately, although underwhelming, a good Traveler with a good DPS can make an effective combo.
7 Ningguang
Outside of the Traveler, every Geo character has a major mechanic that sets them apart from the rest of Genshin Impact's cast. In Ningguang's case, this comes in major passive talents and DPS level strength. This also comes in addition to a construct that helps nullify pesky projectiles.
With a passive that increases the strength of Geo attacks (after passing through her Jade Screen), Ningguang can increase her or an ally's strength. However, this can also be a limitation for Ningguang. As they face a loss if their team doesn't have another Geo character, players may find this too restraining.
In addition, despite her higher damage potential, Ningguang is ultimately a 4-star character. She may be suitable for the DPS in many cases, but many players will find themselves switching to a 5-star character when they get the chance. Nonetheless, for characters looking to use Ningguang in their team, she suits herself to being paired with at least one Geo character.
6 Gorou
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Though Gorou was introduced as a character long before his release in version 2.3, the perky dog-faced general of Inazuma's resistance on Watatsumi Island offers a playstyle that Genshin Impact players didn't expect for a lowly four-star character; Gorou has the potential to be one of the best mobile support characters in Genshin Impact.
Starting with his elemental skill, Gorou summons a zone that boosts the on-field character depending on the number of Geo characters in the party. Gorou being a Geo character himself, the player will always have a defense boost, but the effect adds interruption resistance at 2 characters and a Geo damage boost at 3 characters.
With his elemental burst, Gorou brings a little bit more offense to the mix. The elemental burst creates another zone of effect, this time causing AoE Geo damage and more buffs depending on the number of Geo characters in the party. This is all done while the zone moves with Gorou, making it a good skill for domains that have the party constantly on the move. That said, Gorou's strength is limited by the fact that buffs are based on the number of Geo characters in the party.
5 Yun Jin
Of the Geo users currently in Genshin Impact, Yun Jin probably has the best balance between support and DPS mechanics. This rings most true in Yun Jin's elemental skill, in which tapping and holding the talent will have two different effects. A simple press attack will unleash a basic Geo attack, dealing moderate damage based on Yun Jin's defense stat. On the other hand, holding the elemental skill will deal higher damage based on charge level (of which there are two), as well as creating a shield during her ability's duration. This gives players the ability to use two skill strategies: starting the cooldown earlier for more skill usage, or holding for longer for more defense.
For Yun Jin's elemental burst, she creates a flag formation that deals additional damage each time an opponent is hit. The additional damage scales off of Yun Jin's defense stat and will be applied multiple times depending on the number of opponents hit by the attack. This can make for an incredible boost in attack power, allowing Yun Jin to be a support that can boost both defense and offense.
That said, Yun Jin does have some notable downsides. For one, her damage-dealing abilities are not at the top of her element, making her a sub-DPS at best without high-effort building. In addition, Yun Jin's shielding and boost abilities are a little more limited than other boosts, as they do not have a duration that extends past their talent's timeframe. Nonetheless, because of her well-roundedness and preference for defense-stat artifacts, Yun Jin finds herself safely on the upside of Geo users in Genshin Impact.
4 Noelle
In many ways, Noelle is the highlight of true versatility in Genshin Impact. Healing, DPS, shielding, support, Noelle has a little bit of everything. Frankly, in terms of combat prowess, Noelle could even give Albedo a run for his money.
Nonetheless, players cannot underestimate the limitations of a 4-star character. Even Noelle has her limits, with other characters dwarfing her in terms of DPS potential and crowd control. In the end, however, Noelle is an above-average choice for most teams in general, not just among Geo users.
Players will find Noelle best suited for the healer position in a team. Here, they can also utilize her versatility to act as a great support when necessary. Alternatively, players may want to invest in her normal attack and burst, placing her as sub-DPS.
3 Albedo
While Noelle is a jack-of-all-trades, Albedo has a natural knack for a skill every team needs: DPS. Kill-zoning, the creation of areas of effect that heavily increase damage output, is the natural best strategy for Mondstadt's head alchemist.
Albedo's elemental skill creates a temporary zone that exudes Geo energy, in addition to creating his infamous elevator-like Geo construct. When paired with other zones, or a good DPS like Diluc, Albedo can be a natural crystallized shield factory. This is in addition to naturally high damage outputs, makes for a force to be reckoned with, second to almost nobody in the Genshin Impact roster.
In terms of team composition for Albedo, players will find the best results with Albedo as a sub-DPS, using his skill in combination with a strong DPS. The strength of Albedo's zone boosts with zone users, like Bennett who boosts attack, or Diona's healing zone. In addition, like others on the list, Ningguang is a good choice both for her increase in Geo damage and for an easy Geo resonance.
2 Arataki Itto
It wouldn't be inappropriate to say that Arataki Itto is the first berserker-style character since Diluc or Xiao. Yet, to be fair, Arataki Itto is also the first character that truly feels like he goes berserk during gameplay, with both fast-paced and heavy-hitting attack. All together, Itto is a good DPS character in Genshin Impact.
Interestingly enough, Arataki Itto is powerful just based on his normal attack patterns alone, with a charged attack that allows him to quickly dive down on his opponents. This is done in a way that flings opponents away, temporarily immobilizing them before Arataki Itto's next attacks. Of course, Arataki Itto offers a heavy increase in attack power with his talents.
Itto's elemental skill summons Ushi, a baby bull that hits opponents when flung. In addition to Ushi's basic attack, each attack the summon land on an opponent boosts Arataki Itto with a stack of Superlative Strength. All of this is ended with Arataki Itto's elemental burst, which switches Itto into Oni mode with his club, the Oni King's Kanabou, for massive amounts of fast-paced damage that send the opponent flying.
1 Zhongli
Archons are the face of their respective elements, so it makes sense that Zhongli would be a major player in the Geo playing field. All Geo characters derive their powers from him, and likewise, Zhongli draws from the strengths of all other Geo characters.
He offers the best shielding in the game, working much in the same way that Noelle does in this regard. As far as DPS potential, his scales naturally compete with Albedo on their own. While he doesn't excel at creating kill zones, his pillars only releasing minimal Geo energy, his burst ranks among the best in Genshin Impact as a whole.
Overall, Zhongli can be paired with nearly anybody and still be an incredibly powerful force. However, he finds especially high use in teams with high-powered DPS characters with lower defense, like Diluc and Keqing. Pairing him with Ningguang also makes for a great choice, increasing the strength of his talents with Ningguang's passive.
Genshin Impact is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Mobile. A Switch version is in development.