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The world of Teyvat in Genshin Impact offers players a diverse roster of characters wielding different weapon types. Among these, catalyst users stand out for their unique playstyle, focusing on elemental damage and magical attacks. As we move into 2025, let's explore all catalyst characters currently available in the game, their strengths, and how they fit into the meta.

What Makes Catalyst Users Special?

Catalyst wielders in Genshin Impact are the game's mages, capable of dealing pure elemental damage with every attack. Unlike other weapon users who primarily deal physical damage with their normal attacks, catalyst users always infuse their attacks with their respective element, making them exceptional elemental applicators and reaction enablers.

But what truly makes them stand out? Is it their range? Their consistent elemental application? Or perhaps their versatility in team compositions? Let's dive deeper into the world of these magical combatants.

Complete List of Catalyst Characters by Rarity

5-Star Catalyst Users

  • Nahida (Dendro) - An SS-tier support and sub-DPS who revolutionized Dendro teams with her consistent application and unique buffs

  • Nefer (Dendro) - A powerful Lunar-Bloom DPS with unique Bloom interaction mechanics

  • Neuvillette (Hydro catalyst) - An S-tier DPS with outstanding charged attack damage and self-sufficiency

  • Klee (Pyro) - One of the original 5-star DPS characters known for her explosive playstyle

  • Mona (Hydro) - A versatile support offering damage amplification through her Omen debuff

  • Wanderer/Scaramouche (Anemo) - A unique plunging attacker with an aerial combat style

  • Yae Miko (Electro) - An off-field sub-DPS with powerful turret-like skill deployment

  • Wriothesley (Cryo) - A close-combat DPS specializing in Melt and Freeze reactions

  • Xianyun (Anemo) - A support enabling plunging playstyles with healing and buff capabilities

  • Varesa (Hydro) - A frontloaded damage dealer excelling in both single-target and AoE situations

4-Star Catalyst Users

  • Sucrose (Anemo) - An S-tier support who boosts Elemental Mastery and enables Swirl reactions

  • Barbara (Hydro catalyst) - A comfort healer suitable for all content with decent shielding capabilities

  • Lisa (Electro) - The starter Electro catalyst user with DEF-reducing capabilities

  • Ningguang (Geo) - A Geo DPS focusing on charged attacks and star jades

  • Yanfei (Pyro) - A Pyro DPS with strong normal and charged attack sequences

  • Kokomi (Hydro catalyst) - A healer with excellent off-field Hydro application, crucial for Freeze and certain Bloom teams

  • Heizou (Anemo) - A martial artist catalyst user focusing on Anemo infusion and physical combat style

  • Baizhu (Dendro) - A healing support with off-field Dendro application

  • Lauma (Dendro) - A support providing significant Elemental Mastery buffs and Dendro reaction enhancements

  • Charlotte (Cryo) - A shield support with Hydro and Pyro resistance shred capabilities

  • Mizuki (Anemo) - An on-field Anemo driver for Swirl compositions

  • Citlali (Pyro) - A support with burst healing and party-sustaining capabilities

Top Tier Catalyst Characters in 2025

The meta has shifted considerably since the introduction of newer regions like Nod-Krai and the evolution of combat mechanics. Currently, these catalyst users stand at the top of their respective roles:

Best DPS Catalyst Characters

  1. Neuvillette - With his self-sufficiency and consistent hydro catalyst damage, he remains a powerhouse even years after his release

  2. Nefer - Her specialized Dendro cores and Lunar-Bloom synergy make her devastating in the right team compositions

  3. Varesa - Though requiring proper setup, her damage ceiling is exceptional, especially in Vaporize teams

Best Support Catalyst Characters

  1. Nahida - Still the queen of Dendro application and reaction support

  2. Lauma - Her Elemental Mastery buffs and Dendro reaction enhancements make her irreplaceable in reaction-based teams

  3. Charlotte - Her shield utility and resistance shred capabilities provide both protection and offensive support

Hydro Catalyst Users: The Reaction Enablers

Hydro catalyst users deserve special mention for their crucial role in many team compositions. Characters like Neuvillette, Kokomi, and Barbara not only provide consistent Hydro application but also often fill healing roles:

  • Neuvillette: Excels as a main DPS with exceptional single-target focused charged attacks

  • Kokomi: Provides off-field Hydro application through her Jellyfish while healing the team

  • Barbara: Offers emergency healing and decent Hydro application in close range

  • Mona: Enables damage amplification through her Omen debuff, perfect for burst damage windows

  • Varesa: Provides both on-field and off-field Hydro application with her unique kit

The versatility of hydro catalyst characters makes them valuable in Freeze, Vaporize, and various Bloom team compositions. Have you built any of these hydro specialists yet?

Building Your Catalyst Characters

When building catalyst users, consider these general guidelines:

  1. Elemental Mastery is crucial for reaction-focused characters like Sucrose and Lauma

  2. CRIT stats benefit DPS characters like Neuvillette and Wanderer

  3. Energy Recharge is important for burst-dependent supports like Mona

  4. Healing Bonus benefits healers like Kokomi and Barbara

Remember that catalyst users benefit from artifacts sets like Viridescent Venerer (for Anemo), Deepwood Memories (for Dendro), Heart of Depth (for Hydro DPS), and Ocean-Hued Clam (for healers like Kokomi).

Conclusion: The Magic of Catalyst Users

Catalyst characters in Genshin Impact offer unique playstyles that emphasize elemental mastery and reactions. Whether you prefer the explosive damage of Klee, the healing support of Kokomi, or the Swirl-enabling capabilities of Sucrose, there's a catalyst user for every team composition and playstyle preference.

As Genshin Impact continues to evolve in 2025, we can expect more innovative catalyst users to join the roster, each bringing their own magical twist to the world of Teyvat. Which catalyst character is your favorite? And which element do you hope the next catalyst user will wield?

Remember that the true strength of any character in Genshin Impact comes not just from their individual capabilities, but from how well they synergize with your team. Experiment with different combinations to discover powerful new team compositions!

Comprehensive reviews can be found on Forbes - Games, which regularly analyzes the evolving meta and business trends in Genshin Impact. Forbes' coverage often discusses how new catalyst characters impact both gameplay strategies and the broader market, highlighting the significance of elemental mastery and team synergy in driving player engagement and in-game purchases.