Wuthering Waves has a solid lineup of 5-star characters, and like most gacha games, these top-tier units usually outshine the rest. They’re stronger, flashier, and often way more impactful than the standard 4-star options. Whether you’re trying to dominate bosses or breeze through content, pulling a powerful 5-star Resonator can completely change your team’s performance. That said, not all 5-stars are built the same—some are clearly better than others. If you’re wondering which ones are actually worth your pulls, here’s a full breakdown of all the 5-star characters in Wuthering Waves, ranked from best to worst.
Lingyang is a Glacio-type main DPS in Wuthering Waves, but he’s far from the top of the food chain. His kit revolves around building up his Forte Gauge and using Resonance Liberation to unleash damage, but the pacing of his Striding Lion stance holds him back. He feels sluggish, especially when dealing with multiple enemies that aren’t close together—it takes him too long to dash between targets. That said, he’s not totally useless. Lingyang shines in boss fights where mobility isn’t a problem, and he can dish out solid damage in one-on-one scenarios. He’s especially useful for farming Overlord Echoes, but outside of that niche, there are just better 5-star DPS options.
Spectro Rover is the first character you get in Wuthering Waves, and while they’re a solid starting point, they quickly fall behind once you start pulling stronger units. As a Spectro-based DPS, they’re decent early on, but it doesn’t take long to notice their damage just doesn’t keep up—especially after unlocking a proper 5-star carry or even some well-built 4-stars. That said, Spectro Rover isn’t completely useless. They’re a great intro to the game’s combat system and do a good job teaching new players how to manage the Forte Gauge. Still, once you have better options, it’s usually time to move on.
Jianxin tries to be a jack-of-all-trades, but that ends up holding her back. Her kit asks a lot—she’s expected to tank, shield, heal, parry, and charge her Concerto meter, which makes her clunky and time-consuming to use in fast-paced rotations. It often feels like she’s doing too much at once without truly excelling in any one role. Still, she’s not without value. Her Resonance Liberation can group enemies nicely, and her Outro Skill is no joke—giving a huge 38% boost to your next character’s Ultimate, which can turn any DPS into a burst monster. She’s got potential, but only if you’re willing to work around her setup time.
Calcharo is a solid all-around Electro DPS who can pump out consistent damage through just about every part of his kit. He really hits his stride during his Ultimate state, where his damage output spikes and he becomes a proper boss-killer. The downside? His AoE capabilities aren’t nearly as impressive, so he struggles a bit in fights with multiple enemies. When Wuthering Waves first launched, Calcharo was considered one of the strongest Standard Banner picks—but that didn’t last long. As newer, more explosive DPS characters rolled in, Calcharo slowly got pushed down the meta, making him feel a bit outdated compared to today’s top-tier options.
Encore brings a fun and flashy playstyle to the table, blending both ranged and melee combat in a way that keeps things exciting while still packing a serious punch. She’s got great flexibility, too—you can cancel her Heavy Attacks and Echo Skills to quickly swap to another character without breaking the flow of battle. The real magic happens when she activates her Resonance Liberation and shifts into melee mode. That’s when her damage spikes and she becomes a real threat on the field. While she’s not quite top-tier, Encore’s dynamic kit and strong synergy with team rotations make her one of the more enjoyable and effective 5-star DPS options in Wuthering Waves.
Havoc Rover is a surprisingly strong unit with solid damage coming from both their Basic Attacks and Resonance Liberation, making them a flexible option no matter how you build your team. They’re more than capable of carrying fights, but their biggest issue is the lack of a true support that fully complements their kit. You can pair them with Sanhua to boost Basic Attack damage or Jianxin to amp up their Ultimate, but neither feels like a perfect match. Danjin offers a nice 23% Havoc DMG buff through her Outro, but using her that way means sacrificing a strong DPS just to support Rover. While they’ve got plenty of power, Havoc Rover still needs the right setup to really shine.
Changli is a high-impact Fusion DPS who brings both power and flair to the table. Her playstyle revolves around building up her Flame Mark stacks and timing her combos for huge bursts of damage. Once her rotation is set up properly, she can absolutely melt enemies with explosive attacks. What makes her even better is how well she fits into most team comps, offering strong synergy and clean transitions thanks to her smooth animations and responsive kit. While she may require a bit of practice to master her timing, Changli rewards skilled players with some of the best burst damage among the 5-star units in Wuthering Waves. She’s flashy, efficient, and a solid pick for anyone who wants a fiery carry.
Yinlin is a top-tier Electro sub-DPS who thrives on setting up big damage windows for your main carry. Her playstyle is all about applying her pet, Zapstring, to enemies and triggering coordinated attacks that rack up serious damage over time. She’s especially strong in team comps that can take advantage of her constant Electro application and smooth rotation timing. Yinlin’s Outro Skill also boosts Electro damage, making her an excellent support for characters like Calcharo or any future Electro DPS units. She might not be the main damage dealer herself, but with the right setup, Yinlin can turn any team into a consistent, high-DPS machine.
Zhezhi is one of the strongest support characters in Wuthering Waves, thanks to her incredible healing and defensive utility. She’s built around keeping your team alive with consistent heals, shields, and buffs that make even the squishiest characters feel tanky. Her Resonance Liberation gives a big survivability boost during tough fights, and her Outro Skill adds solid value by boosting your next character’s damage. What makes Zhezhi stand out is that she doesn’t just keep your team alive—she makes them stronger and harder to kill. If you’re looking for a reliable support who can carry your team through high-damage content, Zhezhi is a must-have.
Xiangli Yao is a powerhouse Fusion support who brings some serious utility and damage to the table. He’s not just there to back up your main DPS—he actively boosts the entire team’s performance with his strong Outro buff and frequent Fusion application. His turrets and skill effects make it easy to trigger coordinated attacks, and he fits seamlessly into a variety of team comps. What really makes Xiangli Yao shine is how effortless he is to use—he buffs, burns, and supports all at once without slowing down your rotation. He may not be the flashiest character, but his consistency and team-wide value easily earn him a high spot among the best 5-stars in Wuthering Waves.
Verina is hands-down one of the best supports in Wuthering Waves, and for good reason. She brings reliable healing, a team-wide ATK buff, and even a clutch revive if things go south. Her kit is super easy to use, making her a go-to pick for both beginners and veterans who want stability in their team. On top of that, her Outro Skill gives a strong damage boost to your next character, making her more than just a healer—she actively boosts your team’s overall output. Whether you’re tackling tough bosses or just want a smoother run through harder content, Verina adds insane value to almost any team.
Jiyan is a hard-hitting Aero main DPS who delivers some of the most satisfying burst damage in the game. His kit is built around his massive AoE slashes and airborne combos, and once he gets going, he can clear entire waves of enemies with ease. He’s especially strong in mob-heavy content, where his wide-reaching attacks really shine. Jiyan also benefits from clean rotations and strong synergy with buffers like Verina or Sanhua, making him easy to build teams around. While he does rely on timing and proper setup to reach his full potential, the payoff is absolutely worth it. If you’re looking for a flashy, top-tier damage dealer with huge presence on the field, Jiyan is a beast.
Camellya is an absolute monster when it comes to single-target burst damage. As a Havoc main DPS, she thrives in boss fights and high-pressure encounters where her explosive combos and aggressive playstyle can truly shine. Her kit rewards precision and timing, allowing skilled players to pull off devastating damage in a short window. She also benefits from great synergy with buffers like Verina or Danjin, which pushes her numbers even higher. While she’s not the best in wide AoE situations, her raw power in focused fights makes her one of the deadliest 5-stars in Wuthering Waves. If you’re all about melting bosses and dropping nukes, Camellya won’t disappoint.
Shorekeeper is a top-tier tank and support hybrid who brings insane value to almost any team. Built to take hits and dish out utility, Shorekeeper excels at controlling the battlefield with crowd control, shields, and interruption resistance. What makes them really stand out is their ability to protect your main DPS while still contributing solid damage and energy generation. Their Outro Skill adds great flexibility to team rotations, and they slot in perfectly with both offensive and defensive lineups. Whether you’re pushing endgame content or just want a rock-solid anchor for your team, Shorekeeper delivers consistency, survivability, and a ton of utility all in one kit.
Jinhsi sits at the very top of the Wuthering Waves tier list for a reason—she’s an absolute powerhouse. As a Spectro main DPS, her damage is not only massive but also incredibly consistent, with smooth animations and fast rotations that make her feel amazing to play. Her kit scales beautifully and rewards smart positioning and timing, letting her dominate in both single-target and AoE situations. What really sets Jinhsi apart is how easy it is to build a team around her—she works well with top supports like Verina or Yinlin and fits into a variety of comps without needing too much setup. If you’re looking for the strongest 5-star character in the game right now, Jinhsi is the one to beat.
In a game like Wuthering Waves, where every team slot matters, knowing which 5-star characters are worth investing in can make all the difference. While all of these Resonators bring something unique to the table, some clearly stand out in terms of raw power, utility, or synergy. Whether you’re looking for a top-tier DPS like Jinhsi, a reliable support like Verina, or someone with versatile team value like Shorekeeper, building around the right 5-stars can completely transform your experience. As new updates roll out and the meta shifts, it’s always worth keeping an eye on how these characters evolve—but for now, this list gives a clear view of who’s truly leading the charge in Wuthering Waves.
Posted On: April 6th, 2025
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