Spiral Abyss Character Usage Rankings & Analysis - Genshin 5.8

The Spiral Abyss remains Genshin Impact’s ultimate test of team-building, character synergy, and mechanical execution. With every patch, the enemy lineup, blessings, and Ley Line Disorders shape the meta in subtle but impactful ways. In the 5.8 version’s Floor 12, Cryo and Nightsoul-aligned characters receive heavy mechanical incentives — and the usage data reflects that.

Based on latest data from July to August 2025 (5.8 version), here’s an in-depth breakdown of the most used characters, the trends behind their popularity, and what the current Abyss environment is telling us about team composition priorities.

 

Floor 12 Overview: Cryo Supremacy and Nightsoul Bonus

The 5.8 Spiral Abyss Floor 12 is notably favorable to Cryo and Nightsoul characters. The Ley Line Disorders offer:

• +75% Cryo DMG to all party members in the 1st Half
• +75% Nightsoul DMG in the 2nd Half

On top of that, Cryo-related reactions trigger shockwaves that deal True DMG, making them effective even against shielded enemies. This directly supports Freeze, Superconduct, and Shatter teams while giving certain characters massive utility bonuses.

Enemy compositions are no joke either — ranging from Primeval Drake Automaton, invisible bosses like Hermit of Occultation, to shield-heavy Greatspirits and high-HP Leafscale Drakeking with AoE nukes. These mechanics heavily favor burst damage, AoE control, and shield-breaking capabilities.

Usage Rankings – The Top Performers

S＋

Ranking	Character	Usage Rate
1	Escoffier	95.6%
2	Furina	92.8%
3	Skirk	90%
4	Citlali	89.5%
5	Mavuika	84.6%
6	Bennett	80.2%
7	Xilonen	77.3%

 

S

Ranking	Character	Usage Rate
8	Shenhe	54.9%
9	Yelan	48.9%
10	Wriothesley	46.8%
11	Arlecchino	38.8%

 

A

Ranking	Character	Usage Rate
12	Kazuha	29.4%
13	Neuvillette	28.9%
14	Ayaka	27%
15	Charlotte	23.4%
16	Varesa	23.1%
17	Xiangling	20.4%

 

What Makes These Characters Work?

Cryo Reigns Supreme

With the +75% Cryo DMG buff and True DMG shockwaves tied to Cryo reactions, characters like Escoffier, Shenhe, and Wriothesley are natural standouts. Escoffier’s consistent Cryo application and healing via her burst help both trigger shockwaves and sustain the team through boss phases. Wriothesley offers a self-reliant Cryo DPS option, shredding through clustered waves like the Duskwatch Drakes and Leafscale mobs with rapid punches and Charged Attacks. Shenhe, as always, provides unmatched Cryo amplification, especially in freeze-heavy comps or mono-Cryo teams.

 

Reaction-Driven Utility

Characters like Furina and Yelan shine not for their raw damage, but for their ability to drive elemental reactions off-field. Furina’s Hydro companions constantly trigger effects, buffing allies and enabling Freeze, Bloom, and Vaporize reactions. In a floor that rewards uptime and low on-field time, Furina is one of the most flexible sub-DPS supports available. Yelan serves a similar role with her ramping damage and bow-based Hydro application, fitting perfectly into quick-rotating teams.

 

Burst Speed & Rotation Control

Skirk and Citlali have earned their top placements through burst-focused kits and flexible field time. Skirk brings strong AoE and anti-shield burst, fitting the pacing of Chamber 2 and 3 which favor quick-wave clears. Citlali enables fast elemental setups, contributing to both AoE coverage and reaction uptime. These characters help break through trial shields and phase bosses before they can unleash their stronger mechanics.

 

Support Versatility

Bennett and Mavuika continue to hold the meta together from the sidelines. Bennett’s burst offers the best universal ATK buff in the game, along with clutch healing—especially important when dealing with bosses that burn through shields or HP unexpectedly, such as the Greatspirits' field trials. Mavuika, though less flashy, provides unique buffing and defensive value, stabilizing team rotations and offering critical survivability in longer fights.

Xilonen might not be a household name, but her contribution to energy regeneration and elemental resistance shredding make her vital in teams running high-cost bursts or needing to break elemental shields (as in Chamber 3’s white trial shield and elemental resist states). Her value increases the longer the fight lasts.

 

Interesting Outliers & Niche Performers

● Arlecchino (38.8%)
Despite being one of the most aggressive on-field Pyro DPS characters, Arlecchino currently sees moderate usage. This may reflect her dependence on proper buff support and well-invested teams to reach her full potential. Moreover, the current Abyss favors Cryo and reaction-based damage, while Arlecchino's raw Pyro output—though formidable—doesn’t fully capitalize on reaction buffs or support the trial mechanics. Her performance against shielded or phased enemies may also be limited without external shielder or breaker support.

● Neuvillette (28.9%) & Ayaka (27%)
Both are powerhouse main DPS options in the right conditions, but their lower usage this cycle likely stems from the Cryo-heavy competition and team slot pressures. Ayaka, while still strong, may be overshadowed by more flexible Cryo units like Escoffier or Wriothesley, who offer better uptime or utility. Neuvillette’s Charged Attack–centered kit can be harder to maintain under high-pressure scenarios without proper interruption resistance or stamina sustain.

● Charlotte (23.4%) & Varesa (23.1%)
Charlotte remains a solid Cryo support and healer, but her role overlaps with higher-ranked picks like Shenhe or Escoffier, both of whom offer more offensive synergy. Her healing is helpful in sustain comps but may be considered overkill in teams already running Bennett or Furina. As for Varesa, her niche appearance may indicate she’s being selectively used in countering specific Pyro threats or in experimental Nightsoul setups, though she’s yet to be widely adopted in meta rotations.

 

Spiral Abyss Trends: What This Ranking Tells Us

• Hybrid roles outperform rigid kits. Characters like Furina and Escoffier blur the line between DPS, support, and sustain. In a floor that requires fast reaction triggers, healing, and AoE, those who do more than one thing shine the brightest.
• Sustain + Speed > Shield-only teams. With high-pressure bosses that drain energy, use invincibility, or delay fights through phase mechanics, teams that only rely on shields (e.g., Zhongli without heal) fall short. Instead, characters who offer healing and enable damage—like Bennett and Furina—see more reliable success.

Curious how these top characters fit into actual team comps? Check out our [Genshin 5.7 Spiral Abyss Floor 12 Guide And Best Team Comps] for optimized lineups, synergy breakdowns, and tips to clear all three chambers perfectly.

 

Conclusion

Spiral Abyss 5.8 clearly favors fast rotations, off-field reaction triggers, and versatile Cryo or Nightsoul-aligned characters. From Escoffier’s Cryo control to Furina’s unparalleled support flexibility, the top-tier units this cycle excel not only in damage but in adaptability. Whether you're clearing Phantoms, breaking elemental shields, or racing the clock in Chamber 3, smart character investment makes all the difference.

If you're looking to pull these high-performing characters or prepare for future rotations, LDShop offers discounted Genesis Crystals and game top-ups to help you get the most out of your Primogems. Gear up now and build the Spiral-ready teams you need—at a better price.