Best 11 DPS Units in Wuthering Waves 2026
Ranked by damage ceiling first, then by how demanding each unit is to pilot. A unit that only hits 100% with a perfect coord buffer ranks below one that deals 90% of the damage with a third of the setup.
How We Rank These
“Best DPS” depends on your Attribute coverage and team. This list ranks on-field carries by three things: peak damage in a properly built team, how much setup the unit needs before it feels good, and how punishing it is to pilot. If two are close in damage, the easier one ranks higher.
Jinhsi
The strongest Spectro Broadblade hypercarry. She applies and detonates Spectro Frazzle for enormous burst and scales hard with a coord / intro buffer like Zhezhi.
Watch out: Wants Zhezhi (or another coord buffer) + a healer to reach her ceiling; expensive to build to max.
Carlotta
Top Glacio Pistols DPS whose aimed-state combo dumps huge Glacio damage. Clean execution is rewarded and she is very strong even at moderate investment.
Watch out: Wants a Glacio coord partner (Zhezhi) for the highest ceiling; the held-Basic combo takes practice.
Camellya
Top Havoc Sword DPS who spends Crimson petals on empowered Heavy Attacks. Famously easy to enable — Sanhua + a free healer gets her near ceiling.
Watch out: Wants Sanhua's fast Concerto + Heavy-Attack buff; without it her loops are sluggish.
Cartethyia
Flagship Aero Sword DPS who detonates Aero Erosion for massive burst with a unique two-form kit. The centerpiece of the Aero meta.
Watch out: Complex two-form rotation; wants Ciaccona to reach peak.
Jiyan
Premier Aero Broadblade DPS whose Lance-state Heavy Attacks are amplified by a Heavy-Attack buffer. A staple of Aero content.
Watch out: Wants Mortefi / Iuno to reach ceiling; otherwise his Heavy Attacks under-perform.
Xiangli Yao
Premier Electro Gauntlets DPS built around the discharge (coordinated-attack) playstyle with Yinlin. Top Electro carry.
Watch out: Relies on coordinated-attack triggers; wants Yinlin to peak.
Zani
Top on-field Spectro Gauntlets DPS who converts Spectro Frazzle into heavy punches. Pairs perfectly with Phoebe.
Watch out: Wants a Frazzle applier (Phoebe) to reach ceiling.
Changli
Flexible Fusion Sword DPS who converts Forte into empowered Basic Attacks. Great quickswap value.
Watch out: Wants Brant / a coord buffer for max value.
Calcharo
Solid Electro Broadblade burst DPS who detonates Punishment stacks with his Liberation. Self-contained and easy to pilot.
Watch out: Lower ceiling than quickswap units; his damage front-loads on the Liberation.
Encore
Accessible Fusion Rectifier DPS who alternates states to amplify her Liberation. Great early Fusion carry on a free team.
Watch out: Wants a Fusion coord buffer for max value; state rotation needs practice.
Rover
The free protagonist (Spectro form) — a flexible on-field / quick-swap unit and the best free starter carry.
Watch out: A-tier ceiling as a DPS; eventually a limited carry out-scales them for top content.
Verdict
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pull Jinhsi or Carlotta first?
Jinhsi is the higher Spectro ceiling but wants Zhezhi; Carlotta is the top Glacio DPS and slightly more self-contained. For a new account, pull whichever Attribute you lack coverage for, then a coord buffer.
Is the free Rover worth building as a DPS?
Yes — build the Spectro form early as your starter carry. It clears story content comfortably and stays relevant as a flex / enabler.