The 5★ Characters You NEED To Pull In 2026 (Post Nod Krai Meta Genshin Impact)

Storyline (context)

This video doesn’t follow a narrative “story mode.” Instead, it frames the current Genshin Impact meta after Natlan’s major updates (post “Nod Krai meta” / “not cry” reference) and predicts what pulls will be valuable until the next region/patch cycle.

Gameplay / meta highlights discussed

• The creator uses limited 5★ tiering to recommend pulls based on overall team value, rather than ranking every character in a single list.
• Ranking assumptions:
  • Mostly Constellation 0.
  • Constellation 1 for characters where free Stella Fortuna is available from an event.
  • Notes signature weapons / key constellations when they notably change performance.
• Core focus of the advice:
  • Team synergy, damage ceiling, and practical usability (clunkiness, energy needs, rotation fit).
  • Preference for characters who are future-proof and/or bring strong support that ages well.

Key tiered recommendations (what to pull / avoid)

Tier 1 (1st tier): “Wait—Kit is bad / meta abandoned” (generally not worth it)

Characters mentioned: Childe, Yula, Yae Miko

• Childe: clunky cooldown/rotation friction in modern teams.
• Yula: physical damage is in a bad spot; possible buffs rumored.
• Yae Miko: mediocre sub-DPS damage and time-heavy on-field casting; burst sequence is lengthy.

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“Decent sustain / meh carries / clunky to maximize”

Characters mentioned: Baizhu, Yaoyao, Wanderer, Xiao, Cyno, Lyney, Ganyu, Neuvillette, Ayato, Itto, Alhaitham, Shenhe, Lyney, Ayaka

• Sustain (Baizhu, Yaoyao)
  • Good healing, but often suboptimal offensively when the goal is damage.
• Meh carries
  • Can function, but are below current standards or have less impact versus their stronger teammates.
  • Example concept: “team-covered but not amazing” (e.g., Neuvillette / Ayato—usable everywhere, yet not top-tier impact).
• Clunky-but-not-terrible
  • Shenhe: workable meta role, but energy feels annoying.
  • Lyney: good overload core support now, but bow charge/interruption risk affects execution.
  • Ayaka: strong cryo DPS potential, but burst hit consistency (enemy movement) + energy issues.

Rule given: “For all characters in tier four and below” the creator states they are definitely not worth pulling.

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Tier 3.5: “Decent carry, close to ceiling”

Characters mentioned: Navia, Hu Tao (C1), Clorinde, Neuvillette

• Shared idea: strong already, with fewer clear pathways to significantly jump higher soon.
• Highlights:
  • Navia: expected upgrade next patch; described as stronger and easier than Itto, with better energy/rotation.
  • Hu Tao (C1): C1 reduces clunkiness; focused on vape-style single-target damage.
  • Clorinde: fits multiple strong electro-related cores; damage feels near-capped.
  • Neuvillette: strong team-fit support, but ceiling mostly reaches “sidegrades,” not big future leaps.

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Tier 3: “Decent carries that can improve”

Characters mentioned: Arlecchino, Chasca, Kinich (and again Arlecchino in melt/overload context)

• Arlecchino
  • Considering C1; overload core described as decent.
  • Big potential if melt support options improve (needs better cryo partner consistency).
• Chasca
  • Team DPS described as low; kit has potential, but current team composition feels awkward—more like a “nuke” where she doesn’t contribute enough.
  • Strong constellations/signatures help justify her above the bottom tiers despite weak base DPS.
• K’nax (spelled ambiguously in subtitles)
  • Weak spot: lacking a strong 2nd dendro partner; preferred cores/alternatives argued to underperform in current shells.

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Tier 3 (supports): “Decent supports”

Characters mentioned: Raiden, Kokomi, Chiori, Yelan, Kazuha, Zhongli, Nahida, Jean, Emilie (Emily), Nilou, Albedo, Venti

• Raiden: strong electro for hyperbloom; energy regeneration keeps her meta-relevant.
• Kokomi: flexible healer/off-field hydro; useful across multiple hydro-based teams.
• Chiori: improved via Lunar Crystallize mechanics; niche exists even if not “best-in-slot everywhere.”
• Yelan: flexible, but vape niche is less valuable if vape fell off broadly; depends on whether damage bonuses return.
• Kazuha: similar story—damage-bonus support is less valuable without cryo/broken conditions; still useful via burst element application and cryo setups.
• Zhongli: defensive cornerstone; offense improved a bit via Lunar Crystalloid; always reliable.
• Nahida: still usable, but described as pressured by newer Liyue-dendro options; C0 noted as worse than Sucrose in some roles; stronger at higher cons (C2).
• Jean / Emily
  • Jean: “fun/unique plunge enabler,” but later character designs discourage plunge synergy.
  • Emily: unique burning sub-DPS; numbers not impressive; largely niche value (mainly relevant at C2).
• Nilou: still “queen” of traditional bloom (not Lunar Bloom); strongest in AoE; strong with specific constellations/weapons paired with Nahida.
• Albedo: after buffs (Xyris staff), described as a better “Chiori-like” sub DPS; flex slot.
• Venti: “misplaced” depending on role—great for grouping, but off-field damage is weaker; support role emphasized.

Takeaway: Tier 3 and 3.5 are “mediocre pulls” compared to higher tiers, though some carries might surprise later.

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Tier 2 (Great supports + Great carries): “Good pulls”

Great supports

Characters mentioned: Shenhe (spelled “Shionon”), Dehya? (Dori / Shinobu also), “Escafier/Escofier” (likely Rosaria—described as Cryo support), Furina

• Main supports in this tier: Shenhe, Dori, Shinobu, Furina (plus Escofier singled out as potentially more niche-dominant).

Key discussion about Escofier

• Extremely strong and “irreplaceable” for her cryo niche right now.

• Concern: future cryo releases might power creep her; may be “too tethered” to a freeze meta that could shift toward melt.

• Furina and others: framed as more well-rounded/future-proof.

Great carries

Characters mentioned: Skirk, Molani, “Barca” (possibly a name mix—context suggests a top cryo/hydro carry), plus mentioned as future options

• General rule: better than Tier 3 carries, but below the “top meta” group.
• Skirk / Molani
  • Skirk: potential, but needs more team members to optimize her role.
  • Molani: lacking quality-of-life in rotations; hydro aura can interfere with vape triggering.

Practical counter given (for Molani vape setups)

• If the enemy has extra hydro aura, use the recommended attacker’s normal/charge attacks to consume it before going back to optimal vape triggers.

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Tier 1 (Top carry options + Top meta/versatile)

“Next year top carry options”

Characters mentioned: Flint, Never, Zibai

• Presented as best carries if you can also build their dedicated teams/supports.
• Exception: if you don’t want to pull their dedicated support(s), the value drops.

“Top meta and versatile”

Characters mentioned: Columbina, Lama, Enefa, Mabuka, Linea, Sitlali

• Non-cryo meta described as already established: “most future-proof.”

Sitlali

• Initially skeptical because her kit isn’t inherently as strong.
• Justified mainly because she enables melt, and melt teams perform extremely well even with “normal” execution.
• Melt advantage explained:
  • Hypercarry style: main DPS does 90%+ of team damage, making results easier to overachieve than more complex multi-unit combo teams.

Mabuka (highlight)

• Still one of the best overall pulls:
  • Strong main DPS across many teams.
  • Supports other archetypes (notably overload and synergy with other carries mentioned).

Overall pull strategy / key tips distilled

• Pull primarily based on:
  • Team synergy (does the character enable strong cores consistently?),
  • Energy/rotation smoothness (avoid clunky characters that don’t fit modern rotations),
  • Future-proofing (support value that won’t be invalidated by meta shifts).
• Avoid:
  • Characters categorized as clunky, hard to maximize, or meta-abandoned—especially those explicitly stated as not worth pulling in lower tiers.
• Vape execution tip (Molani-related):
  • If there’s extra hydro aura on the enemy, consume it first using the recommended attacker’s normal/charge attacks, then attempt precise vape triggers.

Gamers or sources featured (mentioned at the end)

• Seven Deadly Sins: Origins (video sponsor)