If you’re staring at your Resonator list wondering who’s actually worth building right now, this Wuthering Waves tier list is here to sort it out. Version 3.6 shook things up in a big way — Qingxiao arrived and immediately became one of the best carries in the game, Jingran just dropped on the Phase 2 banner, and the whole meta now bends around the Tune Strain mechanic. Below I’ve ranked the full roster by role, explained why the top picks earn their spot, and flagged which new units are actually worth your Astrite before the next patch. Quick reality check before we dive in: this is a living meta, so treat these tiers as a September 2026 snapshot rather than gospel — and remember a well-built team beats a “higher-tier” character you can’t support.
Quick answer: The best characters in Version 3.6 are Qingxiao, Aemeath, Hiyuki, and Cartethyia at the top of the DPS pile, with Shorekeeper, Verina, and Mornye as the must-have supports and Denia leading the hybrids. Qingxiao is the standout new pull; Jingran is promising but still settling since he only just launched. The whole meta revolves around Tune Strain, so build teams that feed it.
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How This Wuthering Waves Tier List Works
A couple of ground rules so you know what you’re reading. Every character here is rated at S0 (no Sequences) with a sensible weapon and Echo setup — not whale builds — and judged on endgame performance, specifically Tower of Adversity (ToA) and Whimpering Wastes (WhiWa). Those two modes ask for different things: ToA rewards single-target and boss burst, while WhiWa leans on AoE and sustained damage, so a unit can shine in one and feel mediocre in the other. I’ve grouped characters into tiers rather than ranking them 1-through-40, because honestly, the difference between two units in the same band usually comes down to your teams, not some decimal-point damage gap.
The Full Wuthering Waves Tier List (Version 3.6)
Here’s the overall board. New units are marked, and remember their placement is the least settled — they move the most in the first couple of weeks as players lab out their best teams.
| Tier | Resonators |
|---|---|
| SS | Qingxiao (new), Aemeath, Hiyuki, Cartethyia, Carlotta, Cantarella, Shorekeeper |
| S | Luuk Herssen, Sigrika (new), Jingran (new), Camellya, Changli, Brant, Roccia, Phoebe, Ciaccona, Verina, Denia, Mornye, Zani, Phrolova |
| A | Yangyang Xuanling, Lucilla, Lynae, Qiuyuan, Chisa, Suisui, Jinhsi, Jiyan, Xiangli Yao, Zhezhi, Yinlin, Sanhua, Baizhi, Lupa |
| B | Encore, Calcharo, Danjin, Mortefi, Taoqi, Aalto, Rover (Havoc), Rover (Aero), Rover (Spectro), Yuanwu |
| C | Chixia, Yangyang, Lumi, and most starter/early 4-stars without a current niche |
New-unit caveat: Qingxiao, Sigrika, and especially Jingran (who only launched September 10) are still settling. Their placements reflect early Tower clears and theorycraft rather than a fully mature meta — expect small shifts as optimal teams get figured out. For deep dives, community trackers like Prydwen update these daily.
Best Main DPS Characters in 3.6
Your main carry is the biggest single decision on your account, so start here. The current apex damage dealers:
- Qingxiao — the new Aero Sword carry built around Tune Strain and aerial combat. What makes her special is that despite a busy-looking kit (building toward Ephemeral Transcendence and Heaven’s Reckoning), most of her rotation is just holding the Basic Attack button. Elite ToA damage, and the face of the 3.6 meta.
- Aemeath — a top-tier Break/Burst carry that’s dominated since release and works in a range of teams.
- Hiyuki — superb flexibility with Chafe, Control, and Gather utility on top of strong damage; excellent in both endgame modes.
- Cartethyia — still one of the strongest and most flexible carries in the game, with control and erosion tools baked in.
- Carlotta & Cantarella — both remain premium carries that clear everything with the right support.
Mode matters: Qingxiao is fantastic in Tower of Adversity but weaker in Whimpering Wastes because her AoE is limited. If you mainly push WhiWa, prioritize a carry with better multi-target output — another reason to build two teams rather than one.
Best Sub-DPS & Hybrid Characters in 3.6
Sub-DPS and hybrid units are the glue that makes a team more than the sum of its parts — they deal damage and enable your carry. The standouts:
- Denia — the best partner for the Tune Strain meta, providing Break, Burst, and Gather while keeping Tune Strain active for carries like Qingxiao.
- Yangyang Xuanling — a strong Bane hybrid that slots into multiple comps.
- Lynae & Lucilla — reliable Break and Chafe enablers that remain relevant patch after patch.
- Zhezhi — still the right Glacio sub if Carlotta is your main.
- Yinlin & Sanhua — evergreen sub-DPS options that continue to earn their slot in the right teams.
Best Support Characters in 3.6
Supports are the units that transcend patch cycles — the healing, energy, and buffs they provide are useful no matter what carry is trending. The essentials:
- Shorekeeper — the gold-standard support: Gather, sustain, and team-wide value that fits into nearly every top team. If you pull one support this year, make it her.
- Verina — the universal healer/buffer that every account wants; she never really leaves the meta.
- Mornye — a premium Break/sustain support and a core piece of the Qingxiao Tune Strain team.
- Chisa & Suisui — strong Bane/Chafe supports with sustain that round out modern comps.
- Baizhi — the best free-to-play healer and a perfectly good stand-in until you pull a premium option.
Should You Pull? Version 3.6 Banner Verdicts
Version 3.6 runs two phases, and how you spend depends on your account. Here’s the quick read:
| Phase | Featured | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 (Aug 20) | Qingxiao (new), Denia (rerun) | Qingxiao is a top-tier pull and the priority; Denia pairs perfectly with her. |
| Phase 2 (from Sep 10) | Jingran (new), Hiyuki (rerun), Mornye (rerun) | Jingran is promising but unproven; Hiyuki and Mornye are safe, high-value grabs. |
Pull smart: Phase 2 carries three 5-star banners, so it’ll drain your Astrite far faster than Phase 1. Don’t chase everything — decide whether you want the new carry (Jingran) or the proven supports (Hiyuki/Mornye) and commit to one. If you pulled Qingxiao, prioritize Denia and Mornye to complete her Tune Strain core before anything else.
Best Free-to-Play Picks in 3.6
You absolutely don’t need to whale to clear WuWa’s hardest content. The strongest free and low-investment options right now:
- Baizhi — the best F2P healer; she’ll carry your sustain slot for a long time.
- Rover (Havoc) — still the best free Havoc DPS for new accounts, genuinely A-tier for your first month.
- Rover (Aero) — a free Aero body that fits Tune Strain teams if Qingxiao or Cartethyia needs a third slot.
- Sanhua & Yuanwu — dependable 4-star enablers that hold up in real teams.
How to Use This Tier List
- Build teams, not solo units. A B-tier character in a team that supports them beats an SS unit with no synergy around them.
- Match units to the mode. ToA wants single-target burst; WhiWa wants AoE. Aim for two teams so you’re covered either way.
- Don’t chase decimals. Tier bands matter more than a unit being “slightly” above another — trackers disagree by a tier all the time.
- Feed the Tune Strain engine. The 3.6 meta rewards it, so pair carries with the enablers (Denia, Mornye) that keep it running.
- Re-check every patch. New units and endgame buff rotations shift the meta constantly.
For more Wuthering Waves tier lists, character builds, and team guides, dive into our latest gaming guides and updates.
Conclusion
Version 3.6 is a strong patch for WuWa players — Qingxiao gives Aero a genuine top-tier carry, the Tune Strain meta rewards smart team-building, and the reliable supports (Shorekeeper, Verina, Mornye) remain as valuable as ever. But the real lesson of any Wuthering Waves tier list is that this game rewards synergy over rarity: claim your free units, build around the mechanics you can actually support, and you’ll clear the Tower without spending a cent. Bookmark this page and check back as Jingran’s placement settles and the next patch approaches — and if you pulled Qingxiao, go finish that Tune Strain core. See you in the Tower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best character in Wuthering Waves 3.6?
Qingxiao, the new Aero Sword carry, is widely considered the best character in Version 3.6, alongside Aemeath, Hiyuki, and Cartethyia at the top of the DPS rankings. On the support side, Shorekeeper and Verina remain the best all-round picks.
Is Qingxiao worth pulling?
Yes. Qingxiao is a top-tier Aero Main DPS built around Tune Strain, with elite Tower of Adversity damage and a surprisingly simple rotation. She’s an easy recommendation if you want a modern carry, especially if you can build her Tune Strain core with Denia and Mornye.
Is Jingran good in 3.6?
He’s promising but still settling. Jingran launched on September 10, 2026, so there isn’t enough live endgame data to rank him definitively yet. Early impressions place him in the S range, but wait for optimized teams before committing heavily.
Who are the best free-to-play characters?
Baizhi is the best F2P healer, and the Havoc Rover is the best free DPS for new accounts. The Aero Rover fits Tune Strain teams, and 4-stars like Sanhua and Yuanwu remain solid enablers. You can clear endgame content with a well-built free roster.
Who are the best support characters in Wuthering Waves?
Shorekeeper is the top all-round support thanks to her Gather and sustain, followed by Verina (universal healing and buffs) and Mornye (a core piece of the Qingxiao Tune Strain team). Baizhi is the best free alternative.
What is Tune Strain and why does it matter?
Tune Strain is the mechanic that defines the Version 3.6 meta. Carries like Qingxiao build and consume it for big damage, and enablers like Denia keep it active. Teams built around Tune Strain are the strongest in the current endgame, which is why those units rank so highly.
How often does this Wuthering Waves tier list change?
Frequently. New Resonators release each patch, and endgame buff rotations in Tower of Adversity and Whimpering Wastes change what’s strongest, so rankings shift regularly. Treat any tier list as a current-patch snapshot rather than a permanent ranking.
Are tier list placements based on Sequences?
No. This Wuthering Waves tier list rates every character at S0 (no Sequences) with realistic weapons and Echoes, judged on endgame performance. Higher Sequences can raise a character’s real-world value, sometimes significantly.