If you’re a new or returning Genshin Impact player booting up the game for the first time in 2026, one of the first questions you’re likely to ask is how many genshin impact characters are there. HoYoverse has released seven full playable regions, multiple crossover events, and dozens of limited-time units since the game’s launch, so the roster has grown far faster than most long-time fans expected even a few years ago. I’ve been playing regularly since Sumeru dropped, and I still get caught off guard when every 6-week patch brings 2 or 3 new units to test out. This guide breaks down the exact 2026 count, plus key details about different unit types, limited vs permanent availability, and how to unlock the specific characters you want for your teams.
Exact Count: How Many Genshin Impact Characters Are There in 2026?
Some sites will list counts as high as 120, but those numbers almost always include non-playable characters, datamined unreleased units, or alternate skins that don’t count as separate playable units. As of the 5.8 mid-year 2026 patch, the official confirmed count of playable Genshin Impact units is 98. That number includes all characters you can currently unlock, plus past event-exclusive and crossover units that are no longer available for new players, but still count as part of the full official roster.
This count does not include NPCs, upcoming announced units, or non-playable boss characters, which is where most casual players find conflicting numbers online. The count grows by 2-3 units on average every 6 weeks, with each major patch adding at least one new 5-star limited unit and one new 4-star unit. HoYoverse has already announced 3 more units coming in the 5.9 and 6.0 patches later in 2026, so the total will cross 100 before the end of the year.
Three of the 98 total units are crossover collaborations that are no longer obtainable for new players, as HoYoverse did not renew the distribution licenses for those runs. If you’re a new player starting in 2026, you will not be able to add these units to your roster unless HoYoverse announces a rerun of the collaboration event in the future.
Breakdown of Genshin Impact Characters by Rarity, Element, and Region
The full 98 character roster is split fairly evenly across rarity, element, and released regions, though some groups have far more representation than others. 5-star units make up 42 of the total 98 playable characters, while 4-star units make up the remaining 56. Most 4-stars are added to the permanent banner after their first limited run, but 8 of the 56 4-stars are still event-exclusive as of 2026, with no announced plans to add them to the standard pool.
When sorted by element, Pyro has the highest count with 17 units, followed by Electro with 15, Hydro with 16, Anemo with 14, Cryo with 14, Dendro with 13, and Geo sitting at the lowest count with 9. Geo is the least represented element as of 2026, mostly because HoYoverse has focused on adding more Dendro and Hydro units to support the Natlan and Snezhnaya story arcs over the past two years. When sorted by region, Liyue has the highest count with 21 units, followed by Mondstadt with 19, Inazuma with 18, Sumeru with 16, Fontaine with 13, Natlan with 7, Snezhnaya with 2, plus 2 crossover units and 2 event-exclusive units not tied to any in-game region.
If you’ve seen conflicting counts online, it’s almost always because the source is including units that don’t qualify as playable. The most common counting errors are:
Limited vs Permanent Characters: Which Units Can You Unlock Right Now?
Of the 98 total playable characters, only 34 are available year-round on the standard banner, or can be earned through permanent story quests and reputation rewards. The other 64 units are either limited run, event exclusive, or crossover units that you can only unlock during their specific banner windows. For example, the Natlan 5-star pyro unit Mavuika only runs twice a year, so if you miss her banner, you’ll have to wait 6 months for her next rerun to pull for her.
You can check the official Genshin Impact event calendar on the HoYoverse news page to see upcoming banner schedules and plan your pulls for limited units you want to add to your roster. Most returning players make the mistake of saving up Primogems for a unit that hasn’t had a rerun in over 3 years, which is usually a sign that the unit is not coming back anytime soon, or might be retired entirely.
If you’re a new player, focus on collecting permanent units first, then save for limited units that fit your team composition, instead of pulling for every new unit that drops. You’ll get far more value out of a small roster of units that work well together than a large roster of units you never use. Don’t feel pressured to pull for every new limited unit just to complete your collection, especially if you don’t enjoy their playstyle.
Tips to Collect More Genshin Impact Characters in 2026 Without Spending Money
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on Primogems to collect most of the Genshin Impact roster in 2026. You can earn roughly 60-80 pulls worth of Primogems every patch for free if you complete all daily commissions, event quests, Spiral Abyss floors, and open world chests. That’s enough to guarantee at least one 4-star unit per patch, and enough to get a guaranteed 5-star unit every 2-3 patches if you save all your pulls instead of spending them randomly.
Don’t waste Acquaint Fates on the standard banner if you’re trying to collect specific units. Save your Intertwined Fates for limited banners, and only use Acquaint Fates when you have extra, since the standard banner has a much smaller pool of units and no way to target specific characters you want. Also, take advantage of free event units: HoYoverse gives away at least one free 4-star unit every other patch, and sometimes even free 5-star units during anniversary events. I got my first 5-star unit, Zhongli, for free during the 2025 4th anniversary event, so it’s definitely worth logging in for big event milestones.
You also don’t need to spend money on the Battle Pass if you’re only interested in collecting characters, since the Battle Pass only gives you extra Primogems and materials, not exclusive units. I’ve spent less than $50 total on the game in 4 years, and I currently have 72 of the 98 total units, including most of the meta-relevant 5-stars. The only units I’m missing are old crossover units I missed before I started playing, and a few limited 5-stars I chose not to pull for because they didn’t fit my playstyle.
Whether you’re a completionist trying to collect every unit, or a casual player just curious about how big the roster has grown, knowing how many genshin impact characters are there in 2026 helps you plan your pulls and make the most of your time in Teyvat. The count will keep growing as HoYoverse releases new regions and story arcs, so check back every few months for updated counts and new tips to unlock your favorite units. Don’t stress if you don’t have every character right away, part of the fun of Genshin is building your roster slowly and testing out new team combinations as you go.