Exploration is one of the key elements of Genshin Impact. When a new region is released, players look forward to exploring that area more than the limited-time events or challenges released alongside. Since Version 2.0, Genshin Impact has released multiple characters with exploration abilities that help players to have a smoother and more dynamic exploration experience. Here, in this tier list, we’ll rank all of these characters.
Exploration Characters Tier List in Genshin Impact 3.4
When we say “Exploration”, we don’t mean “Exploration Talents” which only signifies passive talents in characters that allow them to complete expeditions faster. In the following tier list, we’re considering characters that help with movement, or with resources- in one way or another.
S-Tier
In the S-tier, we have characters that are unmatched in terms of exploration. They are not just great characters overall but they also aid with movement in ways no other characters really match- even though they have similar counterparts in lower tiers.
- Yelan: Her E skill allows alternate sprint which is arguably the fastest of all alternate sprints and one of the longest too. Her alternate sprint doesn’t consume stamina. The cherry on top is the fact that she can also recover stamina while she’s in her alternate sprint state.
- Ayaka: Ayaka’s alternate sprint is the same as that of Mona’s but the fact that she’s Cryo means she can cover longer distances in water since she can occasionally exit her sprint, freeze the water and recover her stamina- which Mona cannot do.
- Venti: Other than the fact that Venti’s an Anemo unit (who dominates exploration teams due to Anemo Resonance), he also produces air currents on his own which anyone can use to fly up. If that wasn’t enough, he also reduces Gliding Stamina consumption. Need we say more?
- Kazuha: Kazuha’s E skill might not seem much since it doesn’t elevate you as much as Venti’s air current- but the fact that his E can be used mid-air makes all the difference. Gaining a little bit of height mid-air to reach that extra edge comes in really handy. He also reduces Sprinting Stamina consumption.
- Sayu: She an Anemo unit with an alternate sprint similar to Yelan. She also has the ability to not startle Crystalflies and other similar overworld creatures- which are very hard to farm otherwise in one go.
A-Tier
In the A-Tier we have characters who are comparable to S-Tiers but not quite as used as them for various reasons.
- Nahida: Nahida’s ability to collect certain overworld resources has made her indispensable to some farming teams. She can collect flowers and fruits from difficult places as you just have to aim with her E skill to get them.
- Wanderer: Another Anemo character, but this time he can use his E skill to float up great heights or even travel mid-air. This nullifies most obstacles on your way.
- Keqing: Can use teleportation to reach higher places or even instantly cover a considerable distance on land.
- Alhaitham: Same as that of Keqing.
- Mona: Has the same alternate sprint as that of Ayaka- except hers is Hydro. Her ability to just go through water as if normal land is still valuable.
- Albedo: Pops an elevator with his E skill which, even though clunky, is still very convenient.
- Zhongli: He’s a tall Geo character who can pop tall Pillars with his E skill. These pillars can be climbed to cover tall heights and or recover stamina mid-climbing. They are also great for demolishing nearby ores which makes farming them easier.
B-Tier
In B-tier, we mainly have old characters that are known for their exploration abilities but have become outdated since. This of course doesn’t mean they have become irrelevant.
- Kaeya: He can freeze water the longest with his E and was known for his Ice Bridge. He also reduces Sprinting Stamina consumption.
- Xiao: An Anemo character that can use his E skill dash to cover small distances on land or air. He also reduces Climbing Stamina consumption.
- Ningguang: The only character that shows the locations of nearby ore deposits on the mini-map.
- Rosaria: She increases the Movement Speed of the party by 10% at night.
- Razor: He also reduces Sprinting Stamina consumption and his E skill can be held to break nearby ore deposits similar to Zhongli.
- Geo Traveler: They can also create a construct to climb on and plunge or recover stamina similar to Zhongli. Their construct is shorter in height but it can be aimed which Zhongli cannot do with his Pillars.
C-Tier
The C-Tier characters are those that technically have exploration abilities but have nothing more to offer and are thus mostly unused unless in specific scenarios.
- Amber: Her Pyro element can come in handy for solving many overworld puzzles. She also reduces Gliding Stamina consumption.
- Yanfei: Another Pyro girl- she can show resources unique to Liyue on the mini-map.
- Tighnari: The only character that can show resources unique to Sumeru on the mini-map.
- Gorou: The only character that can show resources unique to Inazuma on the mini-map.
- Kokomi: She can walk on water but it’s only in her burst state. She also reduces Swimming Stamina consumption.
- Diona: The shield from her E skill can give increased Movement Speed to those protected by it.
- Aloy: The only character that doesn’t scare away birds, boars and other such overworld creatures that drop meat. This would be a valuable skill except animals aren’t particularly hard to farm like Crystalflies are.
D-Tier
The following characters are in D-tier because their abilities are either very niche or someone already does what they do and more.
- Thoma: Fishing in Inazuma with him has a chance of getting you double the catch.
- Arataki Itto: Farming wood with him on the team has a 25% chance of getting you an extra log of wood.
- Yaoyao: Has the same passive as Sayu where she doesn’t startle Crystalflies.
- Heizou: Reduces Sprinting Stamina consumption like many other characters.
- Collei: Reduces Gliding Stamina consumption like many other characters.
- Beidou: Reduces Swimming Stamina consumption like Kokomi but nothing else.
- Candace: Reduces Climbing Stamina consumption like Xiao but nothing else.
- Qiqi: Shows resources unique to Liyue on the mini-map like Yanfei but she’s a chibi 5-star Cryo character.
Now that you have a clear idea of all the characters with exploration abilities, you can now construct specific teams to farm ores and harvestable items or even just explore as much as possible depending on your needs. These characters are what you’ll find on most players’ overworld teams and for good reason.