Let me tell you, fellow Travelers—there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of pulling a 5-star character in Genshin Impact. You hear that golden shimmer, see the silhouette, and your heart skips a beat. But sometimes… sometimes that joy fades faster than a Pyro Slime in the rain. Because let's be real: some characters just don't live up to the hype. And even as we step into 2026, with the game's massive world expanding and new mechanics rolling out, a few of our beloved units are still languishing in the shadow of power creep.

I've been adventuring across Teyvat since launch, and trust me, I've had my fair share of "why, miHoYo, why?!" moments. While HoYoverse rarely touches a character post-release (unless it's a bug fix), that hasn't stopped the community from dreaming. So grab a cup of dandelion wine, and let's dive into the top 5 characters that, in my humble professional opinion, desperately need a buff. Because we all deserve to see them shine, right?

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🎆 Yoimiya – The Firework Queen That Fizzles Out

Oh, Yoimiya… where do I even start? On paper, she's a blazing bow-wielder who can set the sky alight. In practice, though? She often feels like she's shooting sparklers instead of roman candles. Sure, after Yun Jin arrived, our lovely firecracker got a indirect buff that boosted her normal attacks. But even in 2026, with all the new support characters and artifacts, she still struggles to truly compete with other Pyro DPS units like Hu Tao and Lyney.

The main gripe? Her damage multipliers and that awkward auto-targeting system. If a Hilichurl sidesteps a centimeter, Yoimiya's arrows decide to inspect the nearby cliff instead. And her Elemental Burst? It’s like a afterthought—a burst of fireworks that doesn’t quite burst in terms of team synergy. A simple rework to her multipliers or a slight adjustment to her targeting would make her a solid S-tier instead of the niche pick she often is. I mean, come on, she’s the owner of Naganohara Fireworks! She deserves to go out with a bang, not a whimper.

🐟 Kokomi – The Divine Priestess Who Needs a Miracle

Remember when Sangonomiya Kokomi was released and everyone raised an eyebrow at her -100% Crit Rate? I still chuckle thinking about it. But jokes aside, this strategist has so much potential that remains untapped. She got a bit of love with the Ocean-Hued Clam set, but even that artifact has had its own rollercoaster of adjustments—some patches made it feel like a nerf, and fans were not happy.

In 2026, Kokomi still struggles with the simple issue of utility. Her jellyfish (the Bake-Kurage) is a powerful healing tool, but it's static. Repositioning it? Nope. Want her to provide more than just healing? You'll often find characters like Barbara or the newly introduced hydro healers offering similar or better support with way less hassle. I just want her jellyfish to follow me like Guoba—or at least be recastable without wasting her Burst! A little repositioning QoL change would turn her from "decent" to "wow, finally!" Come on, HoYoverse, let our fish queen swim.

⚡ Raiden Shogun – The Almighty Archon… or Not?

Cast your minds back to Raiden’s debut. The controversy was electric, wasn’t it? People expected an Archon on par with Zhongli’s unbreakable shield or Venti’s crowd control mastery. Instead, we got a character whose support capabilities felt… lacking. Her Elemental Skill buffs bursts, yes, but the initial disappointment was real, sparking a Zhongli-level outcry. Fast forward to 2026, and Raiden has definitely found her place as a battery and sub-DPS, especially in national teams and hyperbloom setups. Yet, when you compare her feeling of absolute authority to what an Archon should embody, there’s still a gap.

Her inability to fully function as a main DPS without C2 is punishing. And while that’s okay for whales, casual players and f2p Travelers feel the sting. A slight tweak to her base kit’s damage scaling or a bit more support versatility would finally make her feel like the true Electro Archon she is—dominating the battlefield with perpetual lightning, not just recharging everyone’s batteries.

❄️ Qiqi – The Zombie Child Who Needs a Brain (for Her Kit)

Qiqi. My first 5-star. And my first heartbreak. She’s adorable, her backstory is tragic, and her healing is phenomenal. But in a game where utility and damage reign supreme, poor Qiqi brings nothing else to the table. No energy generation, no buffs, no cleanse—just pure, undiluted healing. Barbara can revive; Diona gives shields and EM; Bennett is, well, Bennett. Even Qiqi’s constellations are a meme, with her C6 being the only real standout—and let’s be honest, how many of us have a C6 Qiqi? (I’d rather have a C6 Amber!)

In 2026, with the meta dominated by characters who can both heal and amp team damage, Qiqi is the poster child for power creep. What she needs is a fundamental rework: maybe her talisman could reduce enemy resistance, or her healing could overflow into a team-wide ATK bonus. Something, anything, to make her more than just a healbot that takes up a slot. Because right now, pulling Qiqi instead of a limited character feels like the game saying, "Oops, better luck next time!"

💣 Klee – The Spark Knight with a Short Fuse (and Short Range)

Last but definitely not least, we have everyone’s favorite terrorist—I mean, Spark Knight—Klee. She’s cute, chaotic, and can level entire Hilichurl camps with her bombs. So what’s the problem? Her attack range. Klee is a catalyst user who has to almost hug enemies to hit them. In high-level Abyss floors where dodging is crucial, her short range makes her a sitting duck. One moment you’re cackling while throwing Jumpty Dumpties, the next you’re face-down because a samurai sneezed in your direction.

Her damage output is still respectable in 2026, especially with the right supports, but the sheer clunkiness of her playstyle holds her back. If HoYoverse would just extend the reach of her normal attacks or give her a slight mobility boost during her combo, she’d skyrocket up the tier lists. She’s the Daughter of Alice, for Archon’s sake—let her bombs fly farther!

🌟 Final Thoughts

So there you have it—five characters that still make me shake my head in 2026. It’s not about making them overpowered; it’s about letting their designs truly flourish. Each of these units has a passionate fanbase, and with a few tweaks, they could become as beloved as the top-tier meta staples. Until then, I’ll keep hoping, keep requesting feedback in surveys, and keep chuckling nervously every time I pull a Qiqi constellation. Hey, HoYoverse, if you’re reading this—consider this my professional gamer’s note. Your move!