Navia has returned for her second banner rerun in Genshin Impact version 5.6. With an evolving meta and the release of many new characters, it’s natural to wonder whether Navia is still a good investment. In a recent Ask Zajef stream, Genshin theorycrafter Zajef77 broke down her strengths, weaknesses, team options, and how she compares to today’s most powerful carries.
Let’s dive into the updated Verdict.
Where Does Navia Fit in the Meta Today?
According to Zajef, Navia falls into an interesting middle ground in the current meta. She’s not as powerful as top-tier hypercarries like Muqiao or Neuvillette, but she remains stronger than the baseline set by Hyperbloom teams. This positions her as a “third team carry”—an ideal choice for players looking to diversify beyond the absolute top 1–2 options.
That said, if your account already owns the best hypercarries, Navia may not outperform them. But if you value comfort, consistency, and flexibility, she remains a very solid choice.
Best Navia Teams Right Now
Zajef outlined a number of strong team archetypes for Navia, depending on your available supports.
1. Shilonan “Wheelchair” Core
Navia shines when paired with Shilonan (for particles and Geo buffs), Furina (for fanfare damage boosts), and either Bennett or Yelan. Shilonan’s energy generation allows Navia to run with zero Energy Recharge (ER), freeing up her artifact substats for more offensive power.
Shilonan’s value cannot be overstated—she enables Na’via’s burst every rotation while providing shred, damage buffs, and resonance bonuses.
2. Bennett Core (with or without Furina)
Bennett replaces Yelan for players prioritizing more burst-focused setups. In these cases, Furina remains essential, while the final slot is flexible depending on whether you need another Geo character, a buffer like Mona, or someone like Fischl for extra damage.
3. Xianyun Plunge Teams
Zajef also explored the viability of plunge-focused teams using Xianyun. Navia’s normal attacks are underwhelming, but with Xianyun enabling plunge attacks, Navia can trigger more crystallize reactions per rotation. This playstyle opens up unique burst-damage opportunities, albeit with some sacrifice in rotation smoothness.
F2P and Weapon Options
Navia is generally not a very F2P-friendly character, but she has a few claymores worth considering:
- 🔨 Melusine Claymore (her signature): The best option overall if you want to maximize her output.
- 🔨 Tidal Shadow: A strong free weapon if you can reliably trigger its passive (typically with Furina).
- 🔨 Earthshaker: An okay alternative when Furina or Shilonan are not available.
- 🔨 Serpent Spine: R1 Serpent Spine is still a strong 4-star option for low spenders who can manage crit balance and stacks.
Zajef emphasized that many 4-star claymores are either conditionally good or team-dependent. Tidal Shadow, for example, is excellent—but only when you can drop below 70% HP early enough to trigger its passive.
Is Navia Still a Good Investment?
Zajef’s conclusion was measured. Navia isn’t a top-tier hypercarry, but she’s a well-rounded and comfortable character with multiple viable teams and growing synergy thanks to recent support releases like Shilonan and Furina.
He positions her as one of the few characters who pass the “Hyperbloom check” (i.e., stronger than the best Nahida-Raiden-Singchou Hyperbloom core) but not the “Neuvillette check.”
For players who want a consistent, easy-to-play character for Abyss and endgame content—and especially for those building Geo teams—Navia remains a very solid option.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy Navia’s design and playstyle, she’s still a perfectly viable character in version 5.6. She may not top the meta charts, but she doesn’t need to. She offers reliability, team flexibility, and a refreshing burst-driven playstyle. And with Shilonan and Furina now widely available, she’s more accessible than ever.
As always, don’t let tier lists make your decision. If you like Navia, now’s a great time to grab her.
For more character breakdowns and Genshin news, visit ExploreGenshin.gg.
Frequently Asked Questions about Navia in Version 5.6
Is Navia still meta in version 5.6?
Navia falls between Hyperbloom and top-tier hypercarries like Neuvillette. She isn’t the strongest carry but remains highly viable with the right teams.
What are Navia’s best teams?
Her strongest teams include Shilonan and Furina. She also works well with plunge setups using Xianyun and traditional Geo cores with Bennett or Mona.
Can Navia be played free-to-play?
Yes, but her free weapon options are limited. Tidal Shadow and Earthshaker are okay, but her performance improves significantly with her signature or Serpent Spine.
Is Shilonan essential for Navia?
Shilonan drastically improves Navia’s energy economy and buffs her damage, making her an extremely valuable teammate.
Does Navia need constellations?
Navia performs well at C0, but her constellations—especially her weapon—can boost performance further. Most players won’t need to go beyond C0 or her signature.
Is Navia beginner friendly?
Yes. Navia teams are relatively easy to pilot, and her burst-focused rotation is simple and effective, especially when paired with good supports.
