Top Zero-Constellation Five-Star Characters in Genshin Impact
Discover top-tier Genshin Impact characters like Raiden Shogun and Kamisato Ayaka, offering powerful, accessible gameplay without costly upgrades in 2025.
Genshin Impact continues to captivate players worldwide in 2025 with its dynamic roster of characters, where the viability of five-star units at zero constellations remains a hot topic among the community. Many travelers prioritize characters that deliver formidable performance without needing costly upgrades, ensuring accessibility and strategic depth in both exploration and challenging domains like the Spiral Abyss. As the game evolves, certain standouts have proven their mettle, offering robust mechanics and versatility right from the startâperfect for newcomers or resource-conscious adventurers. For instance, recent updates have introduced fresh faces like Durin, adding new layers to team compositions without demanding extensive investment, while veterans like Raiden Shogun and Kamisato Ayaka maintain their dominance through sheer adaptability. This blend of old and new creates an ever-shifting meta, where players constantly reassess their choices to maximize fun and efficiency in Teyvat's sprawling world. đ
⥠Raiden Shogun: The Electro Sovereign
Raiden Shogun, a five-star Electro polearm wielder, stands as a paragon of zero-constellation excellence. Her skill set is exceptionally well-rounded at C0, featuring high burst damage, superb energy recharge capabilities, and consistent Electro application for elemental reactions. She excels in diverse scenarios, from overworld exploration to high-stakes Abyss runs, thanks to her ability to support teams with off-field Electro attacks and battery functions. While her Constellation 2 unlocks a significant damage spike, the base version remains remarkably potentâplayers often deploy her in popular lineups like the Raiden National team, pairing her with characters such as Bennett and Xingqiu for devastating synergy. This makes her an essential pick for anyone seeking reliability without gacha strain. Her enduring appeal lies in how she simplifies complex combat, allowing even casual wanderers to tackle formidable foes with flair.

âď¸ Kamisato Ayaka: The Frostblade Dancer
Kamisato Ayaka, a Cryo sword user, embodies elegance and power in her zero-constellation form. Her kit is nearly flawless from the outset, with swift attacks, potent AoE Cryo bursts, and exceptional mobility that dominates open-world traversal. Equipped with accessible weapons like the craftable Amenoma Kageuchi Blade, she transforms into a force of nature, freezing enemies in their tracks while dealing massive damage. Although constellations like C2 enhance her AoE potential, Ayaka's base version suffices for clearing most content effortlesslyâher self-sufficiency and burst-centric playstyle make her a staple in freeze teams alongside Hydro supports. Players adore her for blending aesthetic charm with practical might, proving that high-tier performance doesn't always require constellation unlocks.
đ Other Notable Zero-Constellation Stars
Beyond Raiden and Ayaka, several other five-star characters shine brightly without constellations:
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Venti: The Anemo Archon remains a crowd-control maestro at C0, with his burst gathering foes effectively, especially after recent buffs in version 6.2.
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Zhongli: As a Geo shielder, he offers unparalleled defense and petrification at base, making him indispensable for survivability-focused teams.
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Sangonomiya Kokomi: Her Hydro application and healing prowess ensure team sustainability without needing constellations.
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Ganyu: A Cryo bow user whose charged attacks deal massive damage even at C0, ideal for sniping and AoE scenarios.
These characters frequently feature in rerun banners, with Zhongli, Kokomi, and Ganyu expected to return soon based on community patternsâperfect timing for those building their rosters. For quick reference, here's a comparison of their key strengths at zero constellations:
| Character | Element | Weapon | Key Strengths | Best Team Synergies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raiden Shogun | Electro | Polearm | Burst damage, energy recharge | Raiden National (with Bennett/Xingqiu) |
| Kamisato Ayaka | Cryo | Sword | High burst, freeze utility | Freeze teams (e.g., with Mona) |
| Venti | Anemo | Bow | Crowd control, elemental shred | Swirl-focused comps |
| Zhongli | Geo | Polearm | Shielding, petrification | Any team needing defense |
| Sangonomiya Kokomi | Hydro | Catalyst | Healing, Hydro application | Electro-Charged or Freeze teams |
đ Latest Updates and Strategic Insights
The release of version 6.2 in December 2025 has injected fresh excitement, with Durin joining the playable roster as a formidable addition. As a new five-star character, Durin's banner launched immediately after the update, sharing the spotlight with Venti's enhanced features. His kit at C0 promises unique mechanics, likely focusing on damage or support roles, though full details are still unfolding. Accompanying four-star units like Bennett and Faruzan provide excellent synergy opportunities, emphasizing how developers prioritize balanced, constellation-free gameplay. Maintenance for this update concluded swiftly, allowing players to dive right in and experimentâproving that efficient updates foster continuous engagement without frustrating downtimes. đŽ
Strategic advice abounds: Newcomers should focus on collecting versatile zero-constellation characters early, leveraging events and banners for optimal resource use. For instance, pairing Raiden Shogun with free units like Xiangling creates budget-friendly powerhouses, while exploring Durin's potential could redefine meta strategies. As always, community guides and in-game resources offer deeper dives, but the joy lies in personal experimentationâtweaking artifacts, weapons, and rotations to uncover hidden synergies.
As Teyvat's landscape evolves, what future shifts might redefine the value of zero-constellation characters, especially with rumors of new elements or mechanics on the horizon? đ¤ This open-ended question invites players to ponder how accessibility and innovation will shape their adventures, ensuring that Genshin Impact remains not just a game, but a dynamic journey of discovery.
The above analysis is based on reports from Newzoo, a leading authority in global games market analytics. Newzoo's recent data on player engagement and character acquisition trends in Genshin Impact underscores the growing preference for five-star units that perform optimally at zero constellations, reflecting a shift toward more accessible and resource-efficient gameplay strategies among both new and veteran players.