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Genshin Impact: Mika Guide Monday, December 8, 2025

The Definitive Build & Analysis

Rarity	(4-Star)
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Polearm
Best Role	Physical Support / Healer
Stat Priority	HP% > ER > CRIT Rate (Favonius)
Tier	A (Physical) / C (General)

Mika is the Front-Line Surveyor of the Knights of Favonius and the dedicated support for Physical DPS characters. He provides Attack Speed, Physical DMG Bonus, and consistent Healing, making him the premier partner for Eula and Razor.

Pros

Provides massive Physical DMG% buffs.
Rare Attack Speed buffer (great for Eula/Ayato/Wanderer).
Consolidates Healing and Buffing into one slot.
C6 grants 60% Physical Crit DMG (Huge DPS spike).

Cons

Extremely niche (Physical teams only for full value).
Energy hungry (needs Burst to heal).
Buff duration can be tricky for Eula rotations without C6.
Low personal damage.

Quick Guide (TL;DR)

If you don't have time for the math, here is the cheat sheet.

Best Artifact: 4pc Noblesse Oblige (Team ATK) or 4pc Ocean-Hued Clam (Healing/DMG).
Alt Artifact: 4pc Song of Days Past (Buffing).
Best Weapon: Favonius Lance (Uncontested BiS).
F2P Weapon: Rightful Reward (Craftable) or Black Tassel (HP Stat Stick).
Main Stats: SANDS: ER% or HP% | GOBLET: HP% | CIRCLET: HP% or Healing Bonus.
Talent Priority: Elemental Skill = Elemental Burst > Normal Attack (Ignore).
Top Team: Mika + Eula + Raiden + Furina.

Pro Tip: Hit multiple enemies with his Skill (Hold E). The more enemies you hit with his "Rimestar Flares," the more "Detector" stacks you gain. Each stack increases Physical DMG by 10%.

Ascension & Talent Materials

Category	Material Name	Source
Ascension	Wolfhook	Wolvendom (Mondstadt)
Boss Drop	Pseudo-Stamens	Setekh Wenut (Sumeru Desert)
Talent Books	Teachings of Ballad	Forsaken Rift (Wed/Sat/Sun)

Talent Breakdown & Mechanics

Elemental Skill: Starfrost Swirl

Tap: Fires a Flowfrost Arrow. Grants "Soulwind" state to the party.
Hold: Enters aiming mode to fire Rimestar Flares at up to 3 enemies. Generates 4 particles.
Soulwind: Increases the active character's Attack Speed (up to 25% at Level 13).
Detector Stacks: If the Skill hits multiple enemies, you gain stacks (up to 3). Each stack increases Physical DMG Bonus by 10%.

Elemental Burst: Skyfeather Song

Cost: 70 Energy | Cooldown: 15s | Duration: 15s
Eagleplume: Heals the party instantly on cast, then heals the active character periodically when they hit enemies with Normal Attacks (similar to Qiqi).
Synergy: The healing interval is 2.5s. This is enough to keep characters healthy and trigger artifact sets like Ocean-Hued Clam.

Passive: Suppressive Barrage

Stack Generation: If the active character scores a Critical Hit while under the effect of both Soulwind (Skill) and Eagleplume (Burst), they gain 1 Detector stack (Phys DMG Bonus). This helps you reach max stacks in single-target scenarios.

Talent Priority Order:

Elemental Skill (Level 9) - Increases Attack Speed buff.
Elemental Burst (Level 8) - Increases Healing amount.
Normal Attack (Level 1) - Ignore.

Stat Requirements & ER Thresholds

Mika needs to Burst every rotation to heal and trigger his A4 passive (Physical Buff). ER is priority #1.

Weapon	Team Context	ER Requirement
Favonius Lance	Double Cryo (w/ Eula/Rosaria)	160% - 180%
Favonius Lance	Solo Cryo (w/ Razor)	180% - 200%
Black Tassel (No ER)	Any	210% - 240%

Substat Priority:

Energy Recharge (Until requirement met)
HP% (Scales Healing)
CRIT Rate (Required for Favonius Lance passive)
Flat HP

Best Artifacts Comparison

Set Name	Role	Reasoning
4pc Noblesse Oblige	BiS Support	Provides 20% ATK to the team upon Burst. Essential for Eula/Razor who scale well with ATK.
4pc Ocean-Hued Clam	Healer / Sub-DPS	Converts his healing into Physical damage bubbles (20k-30k). Since Mika buffs Phys DMG, the bubbles hit harder if you have Superconduct.
4pc Song of Days Past	Buffer	Alternative to Noblesse. Records healing to provide a flat damage buff. Often weaker than Noblesse but viable.

Weapon Rankings

Weapon	Type	Performance	Notes
Favonius Lance	ER%	S+	Generates white particles for the entire team. Essential for energy-hungry Eula.
Rightful Reward	HP%	A (Healer)	Fontaine Craftable. Restores energy when healed. Good personal energy economy but doesn't help team energy like Favonius.
Black Tassel	HP%	A (Budget)	3-Star stat stick. Highest HP% polearm in the game. Use if you have enough ER from artifacts.

Constellation Value

Mika is functional at C0, but C6 transforms him into a monster buffer.

C2: Companion's Entrance - (QoL) The first hit of Elemental Skill generates 1 Detector stack automatically. Helps guarantee stacks in single-target fights.
C4: Sunfrost Encomium - (Energy) When Eagleplume (Burst) heals a party member, Mika restores 3 Energy (Max 15). Massive ER reduction.
C6: Companion's Counsel - (Broken) Increases the max number of Detector stacks by 1 (Total 50% Phys DMG Bonus). Additionally, active characters affected by Soulwind gain 60% Physical CRIT DMG.

Verdict: C6 is mandatory for top-tier Physical teams.

Top Team Compositions

1. Eula Hypercarry

Main DPS: Eula
Battery/Sub-DPS: Raiden Shogun
Buffer/Healer: Mika (C6)
Flex: Furina / Rosaria / Zhongli

Why it works: Mika provides Healing (for Furina stacks), Attack Speed (for Eula stacks), and Phys Crit DMG. Raiden provides energy and Superconduct. This is the ceiling for Physical DMG.

2. Razor / Fischl Physical

Main DPS: Razor (or Phys Fischl/Zhongli)
Cryo App: Rosaria
Support: Mika
Flex: Yunjin / Bennett

Why it works: Razor loves Attack Speed to mash his claymore faster. Mika provides that + Healing, allowing Razor to face-tank enemies during his burst.

Rotations & Combos

Standard Support Rotation:
Raiden E > Furina E Q > Mika Q (Heal) > Mika Hold E (Buff) > Eula Combo

Tip: Always use Hold E to hit multiple enemies for max detector stacks. Use Q before E to ensure the healing starts ticking immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is C0 Mika worth it?
At C0, he is arguably worse than Bennett for Eula because his buff is smaller. However, he heals and provides particles. He becomes strictly better than Bennett at C6.

Does he work with Wanderer/Ayato?
Yes. While they don't use the Physical buff, they benefit greatly from the Attack Speed buff (up to 25%) and healing.

Data Source: KQM Standards. Last Updated: December 2025

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Genshin Impact: Layla Guide Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Definitive Build & Analysis

Rarity	(4-Star)
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Sword
Best Role	Shielder / Tenacity Buffer
Stat Priority	HP% > ER > CRIT Rate (Favonius)
Tier	A (Budget Zhongli)

Layla is a sleep-deprived student from the Rtawahist Darshan who boasts the second strongest shield in the game (after Zhongli). Her kit is designed for 100% shield uptime and consistent off-field Cryo application via her "Night Stars," making her the premier holder of the Tenacity of the Millelith set.

Pros

100% Shield Uptime (12s Duration / 12s CD).
Best user of "Tenacity of the Millelith" (consistent procs).
Strongest 4-star shield (scales purely on HP).
C4 provides a massive damage buff to Normal/Charged Attacks.
Very low energy cost (40) for Burst.

Cons

Zero healing capability (pure shielder).
Cryo application can mess up reactions if not careful.
Shield takes time to ramp up strength (Night Stars).
Low personal damage output.

Quick Guide (TL;DR)

If you don't have time for the math, here is the cheat sheet.

Best Artifact: 4pc Tenacity of the Millelith (BiS Support).
Alt Artifact: 2pc Tenacity / 2pc Vourukasha's Glow (Max Shield).
Best Weapon: Key of Khaj-Nisut (Massive HP stat stick + Team EM).
F2P Weapon: Fleuve Cendre Ferryman (Pipe) or Harbinger of Dawn.
Support Weapon: Favonius Sword (Team Battery - Requires Crit).
Main Stats: SANDS: HP% | GOBLET: HP% | CIRCLET: HP% (or CRIT Rate for Fav).
Talent Priority: Elemental Skill > Elemental Burst > Normal Attack (Ignore).
Top Team: Layla + Hu Tao + Yelan + Xingqiu.

Pro Tip: Night Stars = Tenacity Buff. Layla generates "Night Stars" over time while her shield is active. When she has 4, they shoot out. These hits count as Elemental Skill DMG, which triggers the 4pc Tenacity buff (20% ATK) off-field perfectly.

Ascension & Talent Materials

Category	Material Name	Source
Ascension	Nilotpala Lotus	Sumeru Water Bodies (Night Only)
Boss Drop	Perpetual Caliber	Aeonblight Drake (Sumeru)
Talent Books	Teachings of Ingenuity	Steeple of Ignorance (Tue/Fri/Sun)

Talent Breakdown & Mechanics

Elemental Skill: Nights of Formal Focus

Curtain of Slumber: Creates a Cryo shield that absorbs damage based on her Max HP.
Night Stars: While the shield is active, it generates 1 Night Star every 1.5s. When the active character uses an Elemental Skill, it generates 2 Night Stars.
Shooting Stars: Once 4 stars accumulate, they fire at nearby enemies as homing Cryo projectiles. This is what triggers Tenacity of the Millelith.

Elemental Burst: Dream of the Star-Stream Shaker

Cost: 40 Energy | Cooldown: 12s | Duration: 12s
The Turret: Summons a Celestial Dreamsphere that fires Starlight Slugs at enemies.
Synergy: Each slug hit generates 1 Night Star for her shield. This creates a loop: Burst feeds Shield Stars -> Shield fires Stars -> Tenacity Buff stays active.

Passive: Like Nascent Light

Ramping Strength: While the shield is active, every time a Night Star is gained, the Shield Strength increases by 6% (Max 24%). This makes her shield much tankier the longer it stays up.

Talent Priority Order:

Elemental Skill (Level 10) - Pure shield strength.
Elemental Burst (Level 8) - Extra damage.
Normal Attack (Level 1) - Ignore.

Stat Requirements & ER Thresholds

Layla's ER needs are modest due to her 40-cost burst, but you want to burst every rotation to generate stars.

Team Context	Weapon	ER Requirement
Solo Cryo (Support)	Favonius Sword	130% - 150%
Solo Cryo (Support)	HP Weapon (Key/Dockhand)	160% - 180%
Double Cryo (Freeze)	Any	120% - 130%

Substat Priority:

HP% (Aim for 40k+)
Flat HP
Energy Recharge (Until requirement met)
CRIT Rate (Only if using Favonius)

Best Artifacts Comparison

Set Name	Role	Reasoning
4pc Tenacity of the Millelith	BiS	Provides +20% HP (Stronger Shield) and her stars trigger the ATK buff off-field perfectly.
4pc Noblesse Oblige	Alt Support	If someone else has Tenacity, use this. 12s/40-cost burst makes her a good Noblesse holder.
2pc Tenacity / 2pc Vourukasha	Max Shield	Provides +40% HP total. Best if you just want the thickest possible shield and don't care about team buffs.

Weapon Rankings

Weapon	Type	Performance	Notes
Key of Khaj-Nisut	HP%	S+	Nilou's sword. Massive HP stat (= massive shield) and shares EM with the team. Best for Vape/Melt support.
Favonius Sword	ER%	S	Universal support weapon. Generates particles for energy-hungry teammates like Ayaka or Eula.
Fleuve Cendre Ferryman	ER%	A (F2P)	Fishing weapon (The Pipe). High ER helps her burst uptime.
Harbinger of Dawn	CRIT DMG	B (DPS Meme)	3-Star weapon. Only use if you are trying to make Layla deal personal damage (not recommended).

Constellation Value

Layla gets significantly tankier with constellations.

C1: Fortress of Fantasy - (Shield) Increases Shield Absorption by 20%. Also generates shields for Co-op teammates. Essential for comfort.
C3: Secrets of the Night - (Strength) +3 Levels to Skill. Directly buffs shield HP.
C4: Starry Dawn - (Buff) When shooting Night Stars, grants the party a Normal/Charged Attack DMG bonus based on 5% of Layla's Max HP. Huge for Hu Tao/Ganyu.
C6: Radiant Soulfire - (Interval) Reduces interval of Night Star generation by 20%. Means faster Tenacity procs and more C4 buffs.

Verdict: C1 makes her shield competitive. C4 turns her into a buffer.

Top Team Compositions

1. Hu Tao Vape/Melt

Main DPS: Hu Tao
Hydro: Yelan / Xingqiu
Support: Layla (C4 + Key)
Flex: Kazuha / Mona

Why it works: Layla shields Hu Tao (who is usually at low HP). Her off-field Cryo allows Hu Tao to occasionally Melt charged attacks for huge numbers. C4 Layla buffs Hu Tao's CA damage.

2. Morgana Variation (Freeze)

Main DPS: Ganyu / Ayaka
Hydro: Mona / Kokomi
Anemo: Venti / Kazuha
Support: Layla

Why it works: Layla provides Cryo Resonance (Crit Rate) and a shield so Ganyu doesn't get interrupted while aiming. Her stars help keep enemies frozen.

Rotations & Combos

Standard Support Rotation:
Layla Q E > Main DPS

Tip: Always use Q before E if possible. The Q generates stars, which instantly start charging up the shield's star count for faster firing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Layla vs. Diona?
Layla has a stronger shield (100% uptime, higher HP scaling) and better offensive buffs (Tenacity + C4). Diona heals and batteries better. Pick Layla for shielding, Diona for healing/battery.

Is her damage good?
Not really. Her multipliers are HP-based but low. Building her for damage (Blizzard Strayer / Crit) usually results in a paper-thin shield for mediocre returns. Stick to HP support.

Data Source: KQM Standards. Last Updated: December 2025

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Genshin Impact: Kaeya Guide Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Definitive Build & Analysis

Rarity	(4-Star)
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Sword
Best Role	Sub-DPS / Battery / Freeze Support
CV Priority	CRIT > ATK% > ER > EM
Tier	A (Premium Starter)

Kaeya is the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius and one of the best 4-star units you get for free. He serves as an excellent Cryo battery and off-field Sub-DPS. His Elemental Burst follows the active character, making him highly mobile and perfect for melee Freeze or Melt teams.

Pros

High particle generation (excellent battery).
Burst follows the character (mobile Cryo app).
High scalings on Normal Attacks for a 4-star.
Self-sustaining with Elemental Skill healing.
Free to obtain for everyone.

Cons

Cons are extremely hard to get (Standard Banner/Shop only).
Small AoE on Elemental Burst.
Overshadowed by Rosaria in Crit Rate buffing.

Quick Guide (TL;DR)

If you don't have time for the math, here is the cheat sheet.

Best Artifact (Sub-DPS): 4pc Emblem of Severed Fate or 4pc Noblesse Oblige.
Best Artifact (Freeze): 4pc Blizzard Strayer (Free 40% Crit Rate).
Best Weapon: Mistsplitter Reforged (5⭐) or Skyward Blade.
F2P Weapon: Amenoma Kageuchi (Craftable) or Favonius Sword (Battery).
Main Stats: SANDS: ATK% or ER | GOBLET: Cryo DMG | CIRCLET: CRIT Rate/DMG.
Talent Priority: Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill > Normal Attack (Optional).
Top Team: Kaeya + Rosaria + Xiangling + Bennett (Reverse Melt).

Pro Tip: Kaeya has the highest Normal Attack scaling for a Sword user among 4-stars. While usually played as a Sub-DPS, he can function as a viable Physical Main DPS with Aquila Favonia and Superconduct.

Ascension & Talent Materials

Category	Material Name	Source
Ascension	Calla Lily	Springvale / Mondstadt Lakes
Boss Drop	Hoarfrost Core	Cryo Regisvine (Mondstadt)
Talent Books	Teachings of Ballad	Forsaken Rift (Wed/Sat/Sun)

Talent Breakdown & Mechanics

Normal Attack: Ceremonial Bladework

Scaling: Surprisingly high multipliers for a 4-star. His Charged Attack is standard, but his Normal string is fast and fluid.
Usage: Only level this if you are playing Physical Main DPS Kaeya. For Sub-DPS, leave it at Level 1.

Elemental Skill: Frostgnaw

Instant Cast: A quick cone of Cryo DMG. Low cooldown (6s).
Battery: Generates 2-3 Cryo Particles.
Self-Sustain: His "Cold-Blooded Strike" passive heals Kaeya for 15% of his ATK every time Frostgnaw hits an enemy. This gives him surprising survivability in solo situations.

Elemental Burst: Glacial Waltz

Cost: 60 Energy | Cooldown: 15s | Duration: 8s
The Icicle Ring: Summons 3 icicles that orbit the active character. They deal Cryo DMG multiple times per second.
Application: Follows the character, meaning it never misses mobile enemies (unlike Rosaria's stationary burst).
Reverse Melt: Applies Cryo frequently enough to allow Xiangling to Melt some hits, or for Kaeya to Melt off Pyro aura.

Talent Priority Order:

Elemental Burst (Level 9) - Main damage source.
Elemental Skill (Level 8) - Energy and healing.
Normal Attack (Level 1) - Only for Main DPS.

Stat Requirements & ER Thresholds

Kaeya ascends with Energy Recharge, which makes him easier to build than many other units.

Team Context	C0-C5 ER Requirement	C6 ER Requirement
Freeze (Double Cryo)	160% - 180%	140% - 150%
Reverse Melt (Solo Cryo)	200% - 220%	160% - 180%
With Amenoma (R5)	-30% ER Required	-30% ER Required

Substat Priority:

CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG (Target 60/120+ for Melt, 30-40/180+ for Freeze)
ATK%
Energy Recharge (Until requirement met)
Elemental Mastery (Only for Melt teams)

Best Artifacts Comparison

Set Name	Role	Reasoning
4pc Emblem of Severed Fate	Sub-DPS (BiS)	Maximizes Burst damage. Best for Melt teams where ER is high.
4pc Blizzard Strayer	Freeze	Free 40% Crit Rate against Frozen enemies. Allows you to stack pure ATK and Crit DMG.
4pc Noblesse Oblige	Support	If no one else in the team (like Bennett) has it, Kaeya is a great holder due to his low cooldown burst.

Weapon Rankings

Weapon	Type	Performance	Notes
Mistsplitter Reforged	CRIT DMG	S+	Highest damage ceiling. Kaeya can maintain the stacks easily with C6 Bennett or just Skill/Burst usage.
Wolf-Fang	CRIT Rate	S	Battle Pass weapon. Boosts Skill and Burst DMG significantly. Very strong on him.
Amenoma Kageuchi (R5)	ATK%	A+ (F2P)	Inazuma Craftable. Refunds massive energy after burst. Allows you to run 0% ER and full ATK stats.
Favonius Sword	ER%	A (Support)	Best for pure battery build to funnel energy to teammates (like Ayaka or Eula).

Constellation Value

Kaeya's constellations are extremely rare but powerful.

C1: Excellent Blood - (Crit) Normal/Charged Attack CRIT Rate +15% against enemies affected by Cryo. Essential for Main DPS Kaeya.
C2: Never-Ending Performance - (Core) Every time an enemy is defeated while Glacial Waltz is active, its duration extends by 2.5s (Max 15s). In mob scenarios, this gives him 100% Burst uptime.
C6: Glacial Whirlwind - (The Peak) Glacial Waltz generates 1 additional icicle (4 total) and refunds 15 Energy upon cast. Massive damage increase and solves all energy issues.

Verdict: C2 is the most important for his Sub-DPS role.

Top Team Compositions

1. Perma-Freeze

Cryo 1: Kaeya (Sub-DPS)
Cryo 2: Rosaria (Crit Share/Battery)
Hydro: Xingqiu / Yelan / Kokomi
Anemo: Kazuha / Sucrose

Why it works: Kaeya and Rosaria provide endless Cryo application and particles. Enemies stay frozen permanently. Blizzard Strayer artifact set becomes incredibly powerful here.

2. Reverse Melt

Melter: Kaeya
Melter 2: Rosaria
Pyro App: Xiangling
Buffer: Bennett

Why it works: A variation of the National Team. Instead of Xingqiu's Hydro, you use two Cryo units to melt Xiangling's Pyro (and vice versa). Very high burst damage but no defensive freeze/shield utility.

Rotations & Combos

Freeze Rotation:
Rosaria E Q > Kazuha E Q > Kokomi E > Kaeya E Q > Attack

Tip: Kaeya's E generates particles instantly. You can do E -> Q and he will catch the particles during his burst animation, lowering ER needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kaeya or Rosaria?
Rosaria provides Crit Rate sharing and is better for stationary bosses. Kaeya is better for mobile enemies (burst follows you), generates more energy, and has better personal survivability. Use whichever you have more cons for.

Physical Kaeya?
It works because his Normal Attacks have high scaling, but Cryo Kaeya is generally stronger and easier to build. Only go Physical if you have Aquila Favonia and really like his attack animations.

Data Source: KQM Standards. Last Updated: December 2025

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Genshin Impact: Ganyu Guide Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Definitive Build & Analysis

Rarity	(5-Star)
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Bow
Best Role	Melt DPS / Freeze DPS
CV Priority	CRIT > ATK% > EM (Melt)
Tier	S (The Cocogoat)

Ganyu is Liyue's half-qilin secretary and one of the strongest damage dealers in the game. She defined the "Hypercarry" meta with her massive Frostflake Arrow bloom damage. She is incredibly versatile, excelling in both Reverse Melt teams (charged shots) and Freeze teams (quadratic scaling burst).

Pros

Insane AoE damage with Frostflake Bloom.
Quadratic scaling on Burst (destroys grouped mobs).
Extremely F2P friendly (Prototype Crescent/Hamayumi).
Can be played as Main DPS or Off-Field Support.

Cons

Charging shots leaves you vulnerable (needs shielder).
Melt playstyle requires close range (Xiangling).
Aiming can be difficult on mobile devices.
Burst steals Melts in Melt teams (do not use it there).

Quick Guide (TL;DR)

If you don't have time for the math, here is the cheat sheet.

Best Artifact (Melt): 4pc Wanderer's Troupe (Standard) or 4pc Shimenawa.
Best Artifact (Freeze): 4pc Blizzard Strayer (Free 40% Crit Rate).
Best Weapon: The First Great Magic (Lyney's Bow) or Amos' Bow.
F2P Weapon: Hamayumi (Melt Craftable) or Prototype Crescent (General).
Support Weapon: Elegy for the End (Team Buffs).
Main Stats: SANDS: ATK% or EM (Melt) | GOBLET: Cryo DMG | CIRCLET: CRIT DMG.
Talent Priority: Normal Attack > Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill.
Top Team: Ganyu + Xiangling + Bennett + Zhongli (Meltyu).

Pro Tip: In Freeze Teams (Morgana), use her Burst off-cooldown to group and kill mobs. In Melt Teams, do NOT use her Burst, as the icicles will steal reactions from your Charged Shots.

Ascension & Talent Materials

Category	Material Name	Source
Ascension	Qingxin	Liyue Peaks (Jueyun Karst)
Boss Drop	Hoarfrost Core	Cryo Regisvine (Mondstadt)
Talent Books	Teachings of Diligence	Taishan Mansion (Tue/Fri/Sun)

Talent Breakdown & Mechanics

Normal Attack: Liutian Archery

Frostflake Arrow: Charging beyond Level 2 fires a Frostflake Arrow.
The Bloom: Upon hitting a target (or ground), the arrow blooms, dealing massive AoE Cryo DMG. This bloom is the source of 80% of her damage.
Aiming: You can shoot the floor near enemies. The bloom will still hit them. This is useful for shielded enemies or groups.

Elemental Skill: Trail of the Qilin

Taunt: Dashes backward and leaves an Ice Lotus. The Lotus taunts enemies, grouping them for your bloom shot.
Durability: Scales off Ganyu's HP (don't build HP for this, it's just for distraction).
Particles: Generates 2 particles on cast and 2 on explosion.

Elemental Burst: Celestial Shower

Cost: 60 Energy | Cooldown: 15s | Duration: 15s
Quadratic Scaling: Icicles rain down on enemies. If enemies are grouped tightly (Venti/Kazuha), multiple icicles hit multiple enemies simultaneously, causing damage to scale exponentially.
Buff: Grants 20% Cryo DMG Bonus to active members in the field.

Talent Priority Order:

Normal Attack (Level 10) - Frostflake Arrow damage.
Elemental Burst (Level 8-10) - Essential for Freeze.
Elemental Skill (Level 6) - Utility only.

Stat Requirements & ER Thresholds

Ganyu's ER needs depend entirely on whether you use her Burst. In Melt teams, you usually skip Burst, so ER is 0.

Team Context	Build	ER Requirement
Melt Ganyu	Wanderer/Shimenawa	0% (Burst not used)
Freeze (Morgana)	Blizzard Strayer	130% - 140%
Support Ganyu	Noblesse/Emblem	160% - 180%

Substat Priority (Melt):

CRIT DMG (Ascension gives Crit DMG)
CRIT Rate (Target 60-70% for Melt)
Elemental Mastery (Target 200-300 EM)
ATK%

Substat Priority (Freeze):

CRIT DMG (Go all in. 40% Rate comes from set + 15% from resonance)
ATK%
Energy Recharge
CRIT Rate (Cap at 45%)

Best Artifacts Comparison

Set Name	Role	Reasoning
4pc Wanderer's Troupe	Melt BiS	Unconditional 35% Charged Attack DMG + 80 EM. Perfect for Melt. Can be farmed via Strongbox.
4pc Blizzard Strayer	Freeze BiS	Free 40% Crit Rate vs Frozen enemies. Allows you to stack pure Crit DMG. Useless for Melt.
4pc Shimenawa's Reminiscence	Melt Alt	Higher Charged Attack buff (50%) than Wanderer's, but drains energy. Good for Melt since you don't burst anyway.

Weapon Rankings

Weapon	Type	Performance	Notes
The First Great Magic	CRIT DMG	S+	Lyney's bow. Massive Crit DMG and Charged Attack buffs. Generally beats Amos due to easier stats.
Amos' Bow	ATK%	S	Her "Canonical" signature. Passive buffs arrow flight time (Bloom damage). Still excellent.
Hamayumi (R5)	ATK%	S (F2P)	Inazuma Craftable. Buffs Charged Attack DMG if energy is full. Great for Melt (since you don't burst).
Prototype Crescent (R5)	ATK%	A (Conditional)	Mondstadt Craftable. Gives massive ATK if you hit weak spots. Useless against enemies without weak spots (Slimes, some Bosses).

Constellation Value

Ganyu is perfectly complete at C0. Her constellations are luxury.

C1: Dew-Drinker - (QoL) Charged Attacks reduce enemy Cryo RES by 15% and restore 2 Energy. Great damage increase and energy comfort.
C2: The Auspicious - (Utility) Grants an extra charge of Elemental Skill. Helps with taunt uptime and energy.
C6: The Clement - (Speedrun God) Using Elemental Skill makes the next Frostflake Arrow instant (no charge time). This allows for "E > Shot > E > Shot" burst combos.

Verdict: Stick to C0. C1 is nice but not needed. C6 changes her playstyle entirely.

Top Team Compositions

1. Meltyu (Reverse Melt)

Main DPS: Ganyu
Pyro App: Xiangling / Kazuha (Pyro Swirl)
Buffer: Bennett
Shield: Zhongli / Layla

Why it works: Ganyu shoots enemies affected by Pyro to trigger Melt (1.5x DMG). Since she is squishy and standing still to aim, a Shield is mandatory. Damage numbers per shot are massive (100k+).

2. Morgana (Classic Freeze)

Main DPS: Ganyu
Hydro: Mona / Kokomi
Anemo: Venti / Kazuha
Cryo: Diona / Rosaria / Shenhe

Why it works: Venti groups enemies. Mona applies Hydro omen (extension). Ganyu drops her burst. The quadratic scaling obliterates grouped enemies while they remain permanently frozen.

Rotations & Combos

Melt Rotation:
Zhongli Hold E > Bennett Q E > Xiangling Q E > Ganyu Charged Shots (3-4 times)

Freeze Rotation:
Ganyu E Q > Venti E Q > Mona Q E > Ganyu Charged Shots

Frequently Asked Questions

Wanderer's vs. Shimenawa?
Wanderer's allows you to use Burst if needed and is unconditional. Shimenawa offers slightly higher CA damage but drains energy, making it strictly for Melt. Wanderer's is generally preferred for flexibility.

Mobile Controls?
Playing Ganyu on mobile can be hard due to aiming. If you struggle, play her in a **Freeze** team where you rely on her Burst (auto-targeting) more than her aimed shots.

Data Source: KQM Standards. Last Updated: December 2025

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Genshin Impact: Freminet Guide Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Definitive Build & Analysis

Rarity	(4-Star)
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Claymore
Best Role	Physical / Shatter DPS
CV Priority	CRIT > ATK% > ER
Tier	B (Niche Physical)

Freminet is a diver from Fontaine who utilizes a unique "Pressure" mechanic. Unlike Eula, who focuses purely on raw Physical damage, Freminet encourages a mix of Cryo and Physical damage, specifically incentivizing the Shatter reaction (breaking frozen enemies) to buff his skills.

Pros

Unique playstyle blending Cryo and Physical damage.
Makes the "Shatter" reaction actually viable.
Excellent synergy with off-field Hydro (Xingqiu/Yelan).
Very F2P friendly (Craftable weapon is his 4-star BiS).

Cons

Lower damage ceiling than Eula or Hyperbloom teams.
Dependent on Shatter (requires Hydro + Freeze).
Fragile interruption resistance without a shield/Xingqiu.
Single-target focused; struggles in heavy AoE.

Quick Guide (TL;DR)

If you don't have time for the math, here is the cheat sheet.

Best Artifact: 4pc Pale Flame (Physical BiS).
Alt Artifact: 4pc Golden Troupe (Skill DMG focus).
Best Weapon: Beacon of the Reed Sea (5⭐) or Song of Broken Pines.
F2P Weapon: Tidal Shadow (Craftable - R5 is amazing) or Snow-Tombed Starsilver.
Support Weapon: Serpent Spine (BP - Critical Rate stick).
Main Stats: SANDS: ATK% | GOBLET: Physical DMG | CIRCLET: CRIT Rate/DMG.
Talent Priority: Elemental Skill > Normal Attack > Elemental Burst.
Top Team: Freminet + Xingqiu + Fischl + Mika (Shatter-Conduct).

Pro Tip: When Freminet's helmet is on (Skill Active), do NOT just spam attack. You want to weave Normal Attacks until you see "Pressure Level 4" (the gauge fills up), then press E again to unleash a massive Physical hit.

Ascension & Talent Materials

Category	Material Name	Source
Ascension	Romaritime Flower	Underwater in Fontaine (Salacia Plain)
Boss Drop	Artificed Spare Clockwork Component	Coppelius (Icewind Suite - Fontaine)
Talent Books	Teachings of Justice	Pale Forgotten Glory (Tue/Fri/Sun)

Talent Breakdown & Mechanics

Elemental Skill: Pressurized Floe

Pers Timer: Upon casting, Freminet summons Pers and enters the "Pers Timer" for 10s. During this time, his Normal Attacks deal Cryo DMG and increase his Pressure Level.
Level 0-3 (Cryo): If you press E again early, he deals Cryo DMG.
Level 4 (Physical): If you hit Normal Attack 4 times (filling the gauge), Pers unleashes a massive Physical DMG shockwave. This is his main damage source.

Elemental Burst: Shadowhunter's Ambush

Cost: 60 Energy | Cooldown: 15s
Subnautic Hunter Mode: Resets Skill Cooldown immediately. Reduces Skill Cooldown by 70% for 10s.
Hyper-Speed: Normal Attacks now grant 2 Pressure Stacks instead of 1. This means you only need 2 hits to reach Level 4 Pressure.

Passive: Saturation Deep Dive

Shatter Synergy: If Freminet triggers Shatter (breaking freeze with Claymore), his Skill DMG increases by 40%. This incentivizes bringing a Hydro character to keep enemies Frozen before you smash them.

Talent Priority Order:

Elemental Skill (Level 10) - The Shattering Pressure damage is here.
Normal Attack (Level 9) - You weave these constantly.
Elemental Burst (Level 8) - Boosts rotation speed.

Stat Requirements & ER Thresholds

Freminet needs his Burst to maximize his DPS window (reducing Skill CD). Do not neglect ER.

Constellation	Team Context	ER Requirement
C0 - C1	Double Cryo (w/ Mika/Rosaria)	130% - 150%
C2+	Double Cryo	110% - 130%
Any	Solo Cryo (Not Recommended)	160%+

Substat Priority:

CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG (Target 60/120+)
ATK%
Energy Recharge (Until requirement met)
Elemental Mastery (Only incidental for Shatter damage, don't focus it)

Best Artifacts Comparison

Set Name	Role	Reasoning
4pc Pale Flame	BiS	Provides 50% Physical DMG and 18% ATK. Freminet can stack this easily due to his low skill cooldown in Burst mode.
4pc Golden Troupe	Skill DMG	Massive +70% Skill DMG. His "Shattering Pressure" nuke counts as Elemental Skill DMG. A very strong contender.
4pc Blizzard Strayer	Cryo Meme	Only use if playing "Cryo Freminet" with Chongyun infusion. Not recommended for standard play.

Weapon Rankings

Weapon	Type	Performance	Notes
Beacon of the Reed Sea	CRIT Rate	S+	Highest raw stats. Freminet is often unshielded to trigger Shatter, so he can activate the passive easily.
Serpent Spine (R5)	CRIT Rate	S	BP Weapon. Requires a shielder (Layla/Zhongli) or careful play to maintain stacks.
Tidal Shadow (R5)	ATK%	S (F2P)	Fontaine Craftable. Massive ATK boost when healed. Since you run him with a healer (Mika/Kuki), this is consistent.
Snow-Tombed Starsilver	Phys DMG	A	Aesthetically perfect, but generally weaker than Tidal Shadow R5 due to the passive being unreliable.

Constellation Value

Freminet is a 4-star, so aiming for constellations is realistic over time.

C1: Dreams of the Seething Deep - (Crit) Pressurized Floe: Shattering Pressure CRIT Rate increased by 15%. Makes building him much easier.
C2: Penguins and the Land of Plenty - (Energy) Using Shattering Pressure restores 2 Energy. Allows you to drop ER substats for more ATK/Crit.
C6: Moment of Waking and Resolve - (Damage) After triggering Freeze, Superconduct, or Shatter, CRIT DMG increases by 12% (Max 3 stacks = 36% CD). Massive damage boost.

Verdict: C2 makes him comfortable. C6 makes him competitive.

Top Team Compositions

1. Shatter-Conduct (Physical)

Main DPS: Freminet
Hydro: Xingqiu / Yelan / Furina
Electro: Fischl / Kuki Shinobu
Support: Mika (Phys Buff/Heal)

Why it works: Hydro + Cryo freezes enemies. Electro + Cryo creates Superconduct (Phys Shred). Freminet breaks the freeze (Shatter), boosting his E damage. Mika heals and buffs Phys speed/damage.

2. Hyperfridge

Driver: Freminet
Dendro: Nahida / Baizhu
Hydro: Xingqiu / Yelan
Electro: Kuki Shinobu (Full EM)

Why it works: Freminet triggers Shatter on frozen enemies while Kuki triggers Hyperbloom on the seeds generated by Hydro+Dendro. Freminet's Cryo preserves the Dendro aura (Fridge), generating more seeds than usual.

Rotations & Combos

Burst Rotation:
Supports Setup > Freminet Q > E > N2 (Normal x2) > E (Shattering Pressure) > Repeat.

Note: Under his Burst (Q), Freminet gains 2 Pressure stacks per hit. This means you only need 2 Normal Attacks to reach Level 4 Pressure, instead of the usual 4. This speeds up his nuke cycle significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is he better than Eula?
Generally, no. Eula has a much higher damage ceiling with her Burst. However, Freminet's damage is more consistent (frontloaded on Skill) and he doesn't suffer as much if enemies teleport away.

Do I build EM for Shatter?
No. Shatter damage is nice, but it's not high enough to justify sacrificing ATK/Crit. Build him like a standard DPS; let the Shatter just be a bonus that triggers his passive buffs.

Data Source: KQM Standards. Last Updated: December 2025

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Genshin Impact: Eula Guide Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Definitive Build & Analysis

Rarity	(5-Star)
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Claymore
Best Role	Physical Hypercarry
Stat Priority	CRIT > ATK% > ER
Tier	A (Physical Specialist)

Eula is the Spindrift Knight and the undisputed queen of Physical damage. Her kit revolves around her Elemental Burst, which creates a Lightfall Sword that charges up as she attacks, eventually detonating for one of the highest single-hit damage numbers in the game.

Pros

Highest damage ceiling for Physical DPS.
Built-in Physical and Cryo RES shred (Hold Skill).
Immune to interruption during Burst combo.
High defense buff makes her surprisingly tanky.

Cons

Backloaded damage (enemies may die or teleport before Nuke).
Physical damage is weak against elemental shields.
Energy hungry (requires a battery like Raiden or Rosaria).
Burst does not crit... occasionally (reset impact).

Quick Guide (TL;DR)

If you don't have time for the math, here is the cheat sheet.

Best Artifact: 4pc Pale Flame (BiS).
Alt Artifact: 2pc Pale Flame / 2pc Bloodstained Chivalry (Easier substats).
Best Weapon: Song of Broken Pines (Signature) or Beacon of the Reed Sea.
F2P Weapon: Tidal Shadow (Craftable) or Luxurious Sea-Lord (Event).
Support Weapon: Serpent Spine (BP - Excellent Crit stick).
Main Stats: SANDS: ATK% | GOBLET: Physical DMG | CIRCLET: CRIT Rate/DMG.
Talent Priority: Elemental Burst > Normal Attack > Elemental Skill.
Top Team: Eula + Raiden + Furina + Mika (Premium Physical).

Pro Tip: Superconduct is mandatory. Always pair Eula with an Electro character (Raiden/Fischl/Kuki) to reduce enemy Physical Resistance by 40%.

Ascension & Talent Materials

Category	Material Name	Source
Ascension	Dandelion Seed	Mondstadt Gates (Requires Anemo to harvest)
Boss Drop	Crystalline Bloom	Cryo Hypostasis (Dragonspine)
Talent Books	Teachings of Resistance	Forsaken Rift (Tue/Fri/Sun)

Talent Breakdown & Mechanics

Elemental Skill: Icetide Vortex

Tap: Deals quick Cryo DMG and grants 1 "Grimheart" stack.
Hold: Consumes all Grimheart stacks. Reduces enemy Physical and Cryo RES by up to 25%. Also deals AoE Cryo DMG.
Grimheart: Increases Eula's defense and resistance to interruption. Essential for face-tanking hits while stacking her Burst.

Elemental Burst: Glacial Illumination

Cost: 80 Energy | Cooldown: 20s
The Nuke: Deals Cryo DMG and summons a "Lightfall Sword."
Stacking: For 7 seconds, every Normal Attack, Elemental Skill, and Burst hit adds a stack to the sword. Eula gains interruption immunity during this time.
Detonation: After 7 seconds (or if Eula swaps out), the sword falls and explodes, dealing massive Physical DMG based on the number of stacks.

Passive: Roiling Rime

Mini-Nuke: If you consume 2 Grimheart stacks with Hold E, a shattered Lightfall Sword explodes immediately for 50% of the Burst's base damage. This is a key part of her burst combo.

Talent Priority Order:

Elemental Burst (Level 10) - The source of her millions of damage.
Normal Attack (Level 9) - You will be attacking a lot to build stacks.
Elemental Skill (Level 8) - Useful for RES shred.

Stat Requirements & ER Thresholds

Eula has an 80-cost burst and generates few particles. She needs a Cryo Battery (Raiden/Rosaria/Diona).

Team Context	ER Requirement
With Raiden Shogun	130% - 140%
With Cryo Battery (Rosaria/Diona)	135% - 150%
No Battery (Not Recommended)	180%+

Substat Priority:

CRIT Rate (Missed Crit on Burst = Restart Abyss)
Energy Recharge (Until requirement met)
CRIT DMG
ATK%

Best Artifacts Comparison

Set Name	Role	Reasoning
4pc Pale Flame	BiS	Provides 50% Physical DMG and 18% ATK. Eula can maintain full uptime easily with her E > Q > Hold E combo.
2pc Pale Flame / 2pc Bloodstained	Unconditional	Provides constant 50% Physical DMG without stacking mechanics. Easier to farm/mix.
4pc Marechaussee Hunter	With Furina	If running Eula with Furina, this set grants 36% CRIT Rate, which is massive for consistency.

Weapon Rankings

Weapon	Type	Performance	Notes
Song of Broken Pines	Phys DMG	S+	Signature. Highest Base ATK in the game. ATK Speed buff helps squeeze in an extra stack for the nuke.
Beacon of the Reed Sea	CRIT Rate	S+	Often performs equal to or better than Pines due to massive Crit Rate and ATK buffs (if hit). Easier to build around.
Serpent Spine (R5)	CRIT Rate	S	Battle Pass king. Outperforms R1 Wolf's Gravestone if you maintain stacks (needs a shielder like Zhongli).
Tidal Shadow (R5)	ATK%	A (F2P)	Fontaine Craftable. Massive ATK boost when healed. Works great with Mika/Bennett. Better than Snow-Tombed.

Constellation Value

Eula is perfectly fine at C0, but C6 is the biggest damage spike in the game.

C1: Tidal Illusion - (Damage) Consuming Grimheart stacks grants 30% Physical DMG Bonus for up to 18s. Basically permanent uptime.
C2: Lady of Seafoam - (QoL) Reduces Hold E cooldown to match Tap E. Makes maintaining Pale Flame stacks much easier.
C6: Noble Obligation - (The Nuke) Lightfall Sword starts with 5 stacks and has a 50% chance to gain an extra stack per hit. This allows you to reach maximum damage potential easily.

Verdict: C0 is standard. C6 turns her into a speedrun monster.

Top Team Compositions

1. Premium Physical

Main DPS: Eula
Battery/Sub-DPS: Raiden Shogun
Buffer: Furina
Healer/Buffer: Mika (C6 is huge)

Why it works: Raiden provides Superconduct and Energy. Furina gives massive DMG buff. Mika provides Healing (for Furina stacks) and Physical Crit DMG. The synergy is perfect.

2. Classic Eula

Main DPS: Eula
Battery: Rosaria (Crit Share) / Diona (Shield)
Electro: Fischl / Kuki Shinobu
Buffer: Bennett

Why it works: A more accessible team. Rosaria batteries Eula and shares Crit Rate. Bennett buffs ATK. Superconduct is maintained easily.

Rotations & Combos

The "Nuke" Combo:
Tap E > Q (Reset E) > N4 (4 Normal Attacks) > Hold E (Shred) > N4 > BOOM

Tip: Do not dash if possible. Dashing interrupts her attack string, causing you to lose stacks. Use her high interruption resistance to tank hits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Physical Damage dead?
It is niche. Eula is strong enough to clear content, but she struggles against enemies with elemental shields (Lectors/Heralds). She shines against high-HP bosses.

Why didn't my burst crit?
Welcome to Eula mains. Because her damage is concentrated in one hit, missing a crit feels awful. Always aim for at least 70% CRIT Rate.

Data Source: KQM Standards. Last Updated: December 2025

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Genshin Impact: Escoffier Guide Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Definitive Build & Analysis

Rarity	(5-Star)
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Polearm
Best Role	Sub-DPS / Team Healer
Stat Priority	ATK > ER > CRIT
Tier	S (Premium Support)

Escoffier is the former Head Chef of Hotel Debord and a master of precision gastronomy. She revolutionizes Cryo teams by offering ATK-scaled Teamwide Healing and consistent off-field damage through her "Cooking Mek," freeing up slots usually taken by healers or shielders.

Pros

Consolidates Sub-DPS, Healer, and RES Shred roles.
Turret (Skill) has 100% uptime (20s duration).
Shreds Hydro/Cryo RES without needing Swirl (Anti-VV).
Healing scales on ATK, increasing her personal damage.

Cons

High Energy Cost requires 200%+ ER in solo Cryo teams.
Single-target focus on Skill (Cooking Mek).
Passive restricts teams to Cryo/Hydro for max buffs.

Quick Guide (TL;DR)

If you don't have time for the math, here is the cheat sheet.

Best Artifact: 4pc Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City (Support/Buff).
Alt Artifact: 4pc Noblesse Oblige or 2pc ATK / 2pc ER.
Best Weapon: Calming Cookware (Signature) or Engulfing Lightning.
F2P Weapon: The Catch (R5) or Favonius Lance.
Main Stats: SANDS: ATK% or ER | GOBLET: Cryo DMG or ATK% | CIRCLET: CRIT or ATK%.
Talent Priority: Elemental Skill = Elemental Burst > Normal Attack.
Top Team: Escoffier + Wriothesley + Furina + Kazuha (Premium Freeze).

Pro Tip: Unlike other healers, Escoffier scales purely with ATK. Do not build HP or Healing Bonus unless necessary. High Base ATK weapons (like Skyward Spine) are exceptionally good on her.

Ascension & Talent Materials

Category	Material Name	Source
Ascension	Lumidouce Bell	Found in Fontaine (North of Court)
Boss Drop	Artificed Spare Clockwork Component	Coppelius (Icewind Suite)
Talent Books	Teachings of Order	Pale Forgotten Glory (Wed/Sat/Sun)

Talent Breakdown & Mechanics

Elemental Skill: Low-Temperature Cooking

Tap: Summons the "Cooking Mek" turret. Deals AoE Cryo DMG periodically to nearby enemies for 20s.
Hold: Repositions the Mek and targets a specific enemy, dealing increased damage.
Effect: The Mek follows the active character slightly (like Yae Miko's totems), ensuring consistent off-field Cryo application for perma-freeze.

Elemental Burst: Scoring Cuts

Cost: 80 Energy | Cooldown: 18s
The Heal: Instantly restores HP to the entire party based on Escoffier's ATK.
The Damage: Deals a large instance of AoE Cryo DMG. Excellent for clearing mobs or triggering a massive Melt nuke.

Passive: Inspiration-Immersed Seasoning

Res Shred: When the party contains at least 1 Hydro and 1 Cryo character, Escoffier shreds enemy Hydro and Cryo RES by 20% when her Mek hits. This effectively acts as a mini-VV set without needing Anemo.

Talent Priority Order:

Elemental Skill (Level 10) - Primary damage source.
Elemental Burst (Level 9) - For healing strength.
Normal Attack (Level 1) - Ignore.

Stat Requirements & ER Thresholds

Escoffier needs significant ATK for both damage and healing, but do not neglect Energy Recharge.

Team Context	Weapon	ER Requirement
Solo Cryo (Support)	Favonius Lance	210% - 230%
Double Cryo (w/ Wriothesley)	Offensive Weapon	160% - 180%
Triple Cryo (Mono)	Any	130% - 140%

Substat Priority:

Energy Recharge (Until requirements met)
ATK% (Scales DMG and Healing)
CRIT Rate / DMG (For personal damage)
Elemental Mastery (Only for Melt teams)

Best Artifacts Comparison

Set Name	Role	Reasoning
Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City	BiS Support	Assuming she counts as a Natlan character (mechanically), this provides massive party elemental DMG buffs.
4pc Noblesse Oblige	General Buffer	Standard 20% ATK buff. Reliable if Scroll mechanics don't apply or you lack the set.
4pc Golden Troupe	Sub-DPS	Maximizes her Turret (Skill) damage. Use this if you have enough healing and want her to deal significant damage off-field.

Weapon Rankings

Weapon	Type	Performance	Notes
Engulfing Lightning	ER%	S+	Provides massive ER and converts it to ATK. Perfect for her ATK-scaling healing and high burst cost.
Skyward Spine	ER%	S	High Base ATK (674) boosts her healing significantly while providing needed ER.
Favonius Lance	ER%	S (Support)	Excellent for battery roles. Lower Base ATK means less healing/damage, but better team consistency.
The Catch	ER%	A (F2P)	Decent ER and boosts Burst CRIT. Good if you want her to contribute more damage.

Constellation Value

Escoffier is feature-complete at C0, but C1 and C2 offer substantial damage increases.

C1: Pre-Dinner Dance - (Buff) When party is Hydro/Cryo, Skill/Burst use increases Party Cryo CRIT DMG by 60%. Huge for Freeze teams.
C2: Fresh, Fragrant Stew - (Damage) Cooking Mek generates "Cold Dish" stacks. Consuming stacks increases Party Cryo DMG by 240% of Escoffier's ATK. Adds massive coordinated burst damage.
C6: Tea Parties Bursting With Color - (Sub-DPS) Cooking Mek fires additional Cryo projectiles when the active character attacks. Transforms her into a Cryo Xingqiu/Yelan.

Verdict: C0 is excellent. C1 is the best stopping point for support.

Top Team Compositions

1. Premium Freeze

Main DPS: Wriothesley / Ayaka
Sub-DPS: Furina
Support: Escoffier
Anemo: Kazuha

Why it works: Escoffier consolidates the Healer + Cryo Resonance role perfectly. Her teamwide heal maxes Furina's Fanfare instantly. Her passive shreds Cryo RES, allowing Kazuha to focus on grouping or double-swirling.

2. Mono Cryo

Main DPS: Wriothesley
Sub-DPS: Shenhe
Support: Escoffier
Anemo: Kazuha / Jean

Why it works: In unfreezable content (Bosses), this team pumps out raw Cryo damage. Escoffier benefits massively from Shenhe's Quills because her turret hits frequently.

Rotations & Combos

Standard Support Rotation:
Furina E Q > Kazuha E Q > Escoffier Q (Heal/Buff) E (Turret) > Main DPS

Tip: Always use Burst *before* Skill if you have C1/C2 to ensure the buffs are active for the turret's duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is she better than Charlotte?
Yes. Escoffier offers RES Shred (Passive) and Crit buffs (C1) that Charlotte lacks. Her damage contribution is also significantly higher. However, Charlotte is 4-star and easier to obtain.

Why ATK% artifacts?
Unlike HP-scalers (Kokomi/Furina), Escoffier's healing and damage both scale with **ATK**. Building HP does nothing for her.

Data Source: Theorycrafting v6.x (Speculative). Last Updated: December 2025

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Genshin Impact: Diona Guide Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Definitive Build & Analysis

Rarity	(4-Star)
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Bow
Best Role	Shielder / Healer / Battery
Stat Priority	HP% > ER > Healing Bonus
Tier	S (Role Compression)

Diona is the ultimate role consolidator. In one slot, she provides a Shield, Healing, Energy generation (Battery), and massive EM buffs (at C6). While her individual numbers aren't the highest, her ability to do everything at once makes her a staple in Freeze, Physical, and Dendro teams.

Pros

Consolidates Shield, Heal, and Battery roles.
Excellent Cryo Battery (especially w/ Sacrificial Bow).
C6 provides a massive 200 Elemental Mastery buff.
Shield increases Move Speed & decreases Stamina consumption.

Cons

Shield is weaker than Zhongli/Layla (short duration).
Healing ticks are relatively slow.
Low personal damage output.
Circle Impact (must stay in burst to heal/buff).

Quick Guide (TL;DR)

If you don't have time for the math, here is the cheat sheet.

Best Artifact: 4pc Noblesse Oblige (Buffer) or 4pc Maiden Beloved (Pure Healer).
Alt Artifact: 2pc Tenacity + 2pc Vourukasha (Max Shield Strength).
Best Weapon: Sacrificial Bow (Uncontested BiS).
Alt Weapon: Favonius Warbow (Team Battery).
F2P Weapon: Recurve Bow (3-Star HP% Stat Stick).
Main Stats: SANDS: HP% or ER | GOBLET: HP% | CIRCLET: HP% or Healing Bonus.
Talent Priority: Elemental Burst = Elemental Skill > Normal Attack (Ignore).
Top Team: Diona + Ayaka + Shenhe + Kazuha (Premium Freeze).

Pro Tip: Always use HOLD E. Tapping E creates a weaker shield with shorter duration. Holding E creates a shield with 75% bonus absorption and generates more energy particles.

Ascension & Talent Materials

Category	Material Name	Source
Ascension	Calla Lily	Found near lakes in Mondstadt (Springvale)
Boss Drop	Hoarfrost Core	Cryo Regisvine (Mondstadt)
Talent Books	Teachings of Freedom	Forsaken Rift (Mon/Thu/Sun)

Talent Breakdown & Mechanics

Elemental Skill: Icy Paws

Tap: Fires 2 Paws. Shield lasts ~4.8s. (Don't use this).
Hold: Backflips and fires 5 Paws. Shield gains 75% DMG Absorption Bonus and lasts ~12s. Always use Hold to maximize shield uptime and energy generation (3-4 particles).
Utility: Characters protected by the shield gain 10% Movement Speed and consume 10% less Stamina. Excellent for Ayaka/Hu Tao.

Elemental Burst: Signature Mix

Cost: 80 Energy | Cooldown: 20s
Field: Throws a cocktail that creates a "Drunken Mist" field.
Effects: Deals continuous Cryo DMG to enemies and heals the active character within the AoE. The healing ticks are slow (every 2s) but potent.
Debuff: Decreases enemy ATK by 10% inside the field (Passive).

Passive: Cat's Tail Secret Menu

Shield Buff: As mentioned, shield grants 10% Move Speed and 10% Stamina Reduction. This is unique to Diona and very valuable for stamina-hungry carries.

Talent Priority Order:

Elemental Skill (Level 9+) - For Shield Strength.
Elemental Burst (Level 8) - For Healing.
Normal Attack (Level 1) - Ignore.

Stat Requirements & ER Thresholds

Diona needs high ER to burst off-cooldown, but HP is prioritized for shield strength.

Team Context	Weapon	ER Requirement
Solo Cryo	Sacrificial Bow	200% - 220%
Double Cryo (w/ Ayaka/Ganyu)	Sacrificial Bow	160% - 180%
No ER Weapon	Recurve Bow	240%+

Substat Priority:

HP% (Shield/Heal)
Energy Recharge (Until requirement met)
CRIT Rate (Only if using Favonius Warbow)
Flat HP

Best Artifacts Comparison

Set Name	Role	Reasoning
4pc Noblesse Oblige	BiS Support	Grants 20% ATK to the team. Since she bursts often in rotation, this is her best way to contribute offensive utility.
2pc Tenacity / 2pc Vourukasha	Max Shield	If you find her shield breaking too easily, stack 40% HP from these 2-piece sets.
4pc Instructor	EM Buff	Use only in Hu Tao/Yoimiya Vape teams to boost Team EM by 120. Sacrifice stats for buffs.

Weapon Rankings

Weapon	Type	Performance	Notes
Sacrificial Bow (High Refine)	ER%	S+	Allows Hold E twice. Doubles energy generation and ensures shield is always up. Essential for Cryo Battery role.
Favonius Warbow	ER%	S	Great general battery. Requires Crit Rate. Easier to get (free) than Sacrificial.
Recurve Bow	HP%	A (Shield)	3-Star weapon obtained from chests/NPC. Only bow with HP% secondary stat. Use if you want max shield thickness and have enough ER.
Elegy for the End	ER%	A (Whale)	Buffs Team EM/ATK. Diona triggers it well with her Burst, but it's expensive.

Constellation Value

Diona is functional at C0, but C6 transforms her utility.

C1: A Lingering Flavor - (Energy) Regenerates 15 Energy for Diona after Burst ends. Drops ER requirement significantly.
C2: Shaken, Not Purred - (Shield) Increases Shield DMG Absorption by 15%. Also shields teammates in Co-op.
C6: Cat's Tail Closing Time - (Broken) Characters in Burst field get:
• +30% Healing Bonus (if HP ≤ 50%)
• +200 Elemental Mastery (if HP > 50%).
This 200 EM is huge for Melt/Vaporize/Dendro teams.

Verdict: C6 is the goal. It makes her a Kazuha-tier buffer for reaction damage.

Top Team Compositions

1. Morgana (Freeze)

Main DPS: Ganyu / Ayaka
Hydro: Mona / Kokomi
Anemo: Venti / Kazuha
Battery/Shield: Diona

Why it works: Diona generates particles to fund Ayaka/Ganyu's expensive bursts. She provides Cryo Resonance and safety without ruining freeze reactions.

2. Fridge / Dendro Support

Main DPS: Alhaitham / Cyno
Hydro: Xingqiu / Yelan
Dendro: Nahida
Sustain: Diona (C6)

Why it works: Diona's C6 provides 200 EM to the active character, boosting Hyperbloom/Aggravate damage significantly. Her Cryo application can enable "Fridge" mechanics (preserving Dendro aura).

Rotations & Combos

Support Rotation:
Diona Hold E > Diona Q > Swap to Cryo Carry (Funnel particles)

Tip: If using Sacrificial Bow, do: Hold E > Q > Hold E. This maximizes energy generation for your team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is she better than Layla?
Layla has a stronger shield (100% uptime) and better Tenacity uptime. Diona offers healing, better energy generation, and the C6 EM buff. Choose Layla for raw defense, Diona for utility/healing.

Should I build HP or Healing Bonus?
Generally HP/HP/HP is preferred because Diona's shield is her main selling point. Her healing is "good enough" without a Healing Bonus circlet, but her shield needs all the help it can get.

Data Source: KQM Standards. Last Updated: December 2025

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Genshin Impact: Citlali Guide Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Definitive Build & Analysis

Rarity	(5-Star)
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Catalyst
Best Role	Shielder / Reaction Buffer
Stat Priority	EM > ER > HP% (Depending on Kit)
Tier	S (Melt/Freeze Support)

Citlali is a powerful shaman of the Masters of the Night-Wind. As a Cryo Catalyst user, she provides robust shielding via the Nightsoul mechanic and consistent off-field Cryo application. She is a premier holder of the new Natlan support artifact set.

Pros

Strongest off-field Cryo application for Melt teams.
Nightsoul mechanic extends Shield duration automatically.
Excellent holder of "Scroll of Cinder City" for team buffs.
F2P Friendly (works with Craftable/Favonius weapons).

Cons

High Energy Cost (60-80) requires ER investment.
Shield strength depends on maintaining Nightsoul points.
Burst animation is long (vulnerable without shield).

Quick Guide (TL;DR)

If you don't have time for the math, here is the cheat sheet.

Best Artifact: 4pc Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City (Team Buff).
Alt Artifact: 4pc Tenacity of the Millelith (Shield Strength).
Best Weapon: Starcaller's Projection (Signature) or Thousand Floating Dreams.
F2P Weapon: Favonius Codex (Battery) or Ring of Yaxche (Craftable).
Support Weapon: Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers (ATK Buff).
Main Stats: SANDS: EM or ER | GOBLET: EM or Cryo | CIRCLET: EM or CRIT.
Talent Priority: Elemental Skill > Elemental Burst > Normal Attack.
Top Team: Citlali + Mavuika + Kinich + Xilonen (Natlan Synergy).

Pro Tip: Citlali's shield durability relies on her Nightsoul points. Ensure you maintain her Nightsoul state to keep the shield active and trigger the artifact set bonuses.

Ascension & Talent Materials

Category	Material Name	Source
Ascension	Night-Wind Bloom (Placeholder)	Natlan Local Specialty (Night-Wind Region)
Boss Drop	Everflame Seed (Placeholder)	New Natlan World Boss
Talent Books	Teachings of Conflict	Natlan Talent Domain (Wed/Sat/Sun)

Talent Breakdown & Mechanics

Elemental Skill: Opaline Protection

Shield & Nightsoul: Creates a shield that absorbs Cryo DMG 250% more effectively. Enters the Nightsoul's Blessing state.
Off-Field: Summons "Spirit Skulls" that periodically deal Cryo DMG to nearby opponents based on Citlali's EM/HP (depending on final scaling).
Application: Excellent for maintaining Cryo aura for Melt carries or Freezing enemies.

Elemental Burst: Glacial Starfall

Cost: 60 Energy | Cooldown: 15s
The Nuke: Calls down a massive spirit totem that deals AoE Cryo DMG.
Buff: Regenerates Nightsoul points for all nearby Natlan party members, extending their own rotations.

Passive: Night-Wind's Grace

Nightsoul Burst: When a party member triggers a Nightsoul Burst, Citlali restores Energy and strengthens her shield.

Talent Priority Order:

Elemental Skill (Level 10) - Maximizes Shield strength.
Elemental Burst (Level 8) - For damage and utility.
Normal Attack (Level 1) - Low priority.

Stat Requirements & ER Thresholds

Citlali acts as a support, so ER is vital to keep her Burst uptimes for team buffs.

Team Context	Weapon	ER Requirement
Solo Cryo (Support)	Favonius Codex	220% - 240%
Double Cryo (w/ Wriothesley)	Favonius Codex	160% - 170%
With Other Weapon	Signature / TTDS	250%+

Substat Priority:

Energy Recharge (Until requirements met)
Elemental Mastery / HP% (Depending on scaling)
CRIT Rate (For Favonius triggers)

Best Artifacts Comparison

Set Name	Role	Reasoning
Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City	BiS Support	Activating Nightsoul Burst refunds energy and buffs Party Elemental DMG. Essential for any Natlan support.
Tenacity of the Millelith	Shield Bot	Increases Shield Strength and Party ATK. Good if not running other Natlan characters.
4pc Noblesse Oblige	General Buffer	Classic 20% ATK buff. Use if Scroll set isn't available or team doesn't benefit from Elemental DMG.

Weapon Rankings

Weapon	Type	Performance	Notes
Favonius Codex	ER%	S+	Generates white particles for the team. Essential for energy-hungry teams like Melt or Freeze.
Thrilling Tales (TTDS)	HP%	S (Buffing)	Massive 48% ATK buff to your Main DPS. Best if you have enough ER from artifacts.
Prototype Amber	HP%	A (Energy)	Refunds energy after burst. HP substat helps shield strength. Craftable option.
Oathsworn Eye	ATK%	A (Event)	Increases ER after using Skill. Good middle ground between healing scaling (ATK) and energy.

Constellation Value

Citlali is functional at C0, but constellations improve her shielding and buffing.

C1: Starlight Barrier - (Shielding) Increases Shield Absorption by 20%. Great for comfort.
C2: Frostfall Omen - (Shred) Opponents hit by Elemental Skill have their Cryo RES decreased by 15%. Excellent for boosting team damage.
C6: Eternal Night-Watch - (Buff) While Shield is active, active character gains 15% Cryo DMG Bonus. Strong for Mono Cryo/Freeze.

Verdict: C0 is perfectly fine for most players. C2 is a good stopping point for vertical investment.

Top Team Compositions

1. Natlan Melt

Main DPS: Mavuika / Arlecchino
Support: Citlali (Shield/Cryo)
Sub-DPS: Xilonen / Emilie
Flex: Bennett / Kazuha

Why it works: Citlali provides a shield and applies Cryo for the Pyro carry to Melt. The Scroll artifact set buffs the Pyro carry's damage significantly.

2. Wriothesley Freeze/Burnmelt

Main DPS: Wriothesley
Support: Citlali
Hydro/Pyro: Furina / Thoma
Anemo: Kazuha

Why it works: Provides Cryo Resonance (Crit Rate) and shielding for Wriothesley, who is prone to interruption. With Furina, she enables Freeze; with Thoma, she enables Melt.

Rotations & Combos

Support Rotation:
Citlali E (Shield/Nightsoul) > Citlali Q (Buff/Burst) > Swap to Main DPS

Tip: Ensure you refresh her E before the shield expires to maintain the Scroll set buff uptime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is she better than Layla/Diona?
For Natlan teams, absolutely. Her synergy with Nightsoul mechanics and the Scroll set makes her a superior buffer. For generic teams, she is comparable but offers more offensive utility.

Does she heal?
No, Citlali is primarily a Shielder. If you need a healer, consider bringing Bennett or Xilonen in the flex slot.

Data Source: Theorycrafting v6.x (Speculative). Last Updated: December 2025

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Genshin Impact: Chongyun Guide Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Definitive Build & Analysis

Rarity	(4-Star)
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Claymore
Best Role	Burst Nuke / Cryo Enabler
CV Priority	CRIT > ATK% > EM (Melt) > ER
Tier	A (National Team)

Chongyun is a versatile Cryo support and burst damage dealer. Famous for being an original member of the "National Team," he offers unique utility by infusing melee weapons with Cryo and reducing team cooldowns at C2, all while dropping massive Cryo nukes with his low-cost burst.

Quick Guide (TL;DR)

If you don't have time for the math, here is the cheat sheet.

Best Artifact: 4pc Noblesse Oblige (Support) or 4pc Emblem of Severed Fate (Burst DPS).
Alt Artifact: 2pc Blizzard Strayer + 2pc Noblesse (Melt Nuke).
Best Weapon: Wolf's Gravestone (Team Buff/DMG) or Serpent Spine.
F2P Weapon: Tidal Shadow (Craftable) or Mailed Flower (Event).
Support Weapon: Sacrificial Greatsword (Field Uptime & Battery).
Main Stats: SANDS: ATK% or EM | GOBLET: Cryo DMG | CIRCLET: CRIT.
Talent Priority: Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill > Normal Attack (Ignore).
Top Team: Chongyun + Xiangling + Xingqiu + Bennett (OG National).

Pro Tip: C2 is his secret weapon. Elemental Skills and Bursts cast inside his frost field have their Cooldown decreased by 15%. This smoothes out rotations for teams like National or Kaeya Freeze significantly.

Talent Breakdown & Mechanics

Elemental Skill: Spirit Blade: Chonghua's Layered Frost

The Field: Deals Cryo DMG and creates a frost field. Sword, Claymore, and Polearm characters inside gain Cryo Infusion.
Infusion Priority: This infusion can be overridden by Bennett's C6 (Pyro). It overrides Keqing's Electro infusion.
Buffs: Increases Attack Speed by 8% (Ascension 1).
Debuffs: When the field disappears, it summons a spirit blade that hits nearby enemies and reduces their Cryo RES by 10% (Ascension 4).

Elemental Burst: Spirit Blade: Cloud-Parting Star

Cost: 40 Energy | Cooldown: 12s
The Nuke: Summons 3 giant spirit blades that crash down one by one.
Melt King: Because the blades fall slightly apart, they follow "Standard ICD" rules in a way that often allows you to Reverse Melt all 3 hits (or 4 at C6) if strong Pyro is present (Bennett Q + Xiangling). This leads to massive burst damage.

Passive: Steady Breathing

Utility: Increases Normal Attack Speed of characters in the field by 8%. Subtle but useful for claymore users like Diluc (for Melt weaving).

Talent Priority Order:

Elemental Burst (Level 9) - Main damage source.
Elemental Skill (Level 8) - decent initial damage.
Normal Attack (Level 1) - Only if playing Main DPS (rare).

Stat Requirements & ER Thresholds

Chongyun has a very cheap burst (40 cost), so he rarely struggles with energy unless he is the solo Cryo unit.

Team Context	ER Requirement
National Team (Double Pyro)	110% - 130%
Solo Cryo Support	130% - 150%
With Akoumaru (No ER weapon)	140% - 160%

Substat Priority:

CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG (Target 60/120+)
ATK%
Elemental Mastery (Crucial for Melt Builds)
Energy Recharge (Until requirement is met)

Best Artifacts Comparison

Set Name	Role	Reasoning
4pc Noblesse Oblige	Support (BiS)	Since Bennett usually runs Noblesse in National, check if it stacks. If Bennett has it, Chongyun should run 2pc/2pc. If solo support, this is BiS.
4pc Emblem of Severed Fate	Burst DPS	Excellent for maximizing his Burst damage, though he doesn't build excessive ER to scale it infinitely.
2pc Blizzard / 2pc Noblesse	Melt Nuke	The classic nuke setup. Reliable, unconditional damage for his burst.

Weapon Rankings

Weapon	Type	Performance	Description
Wolf's Gravestone	ATK%	S+	Massive ATK buff for him and the team (Passive). Fits his support/nuke hybrid role perfectly.
Serpent Spine (R5)	CRIT Rate	S	Best 4-star for pure personal damage. Makes building Crit easy.
Akoumaru	ATK%	A+ (Burst)	Boosts Burst DMG based on team's total energy capacity. Great in National (Raiden/Xiangling have high cost bursts).
Tidal Shadow (R5)	ATK%	A (F2P)	Fontaine Craftable. Massive ATK boost after being healed (easy in National with Bennett). Accessible to everyone.

Constellation Value

Chongyun is a functional unit at C0, but C2 and C6 are significant milestones.

C1: Ice Unleashed - (Niche) Final Normal Attack releases 3 ice blades. Only useful for Main DPS memes.
C2: Atmospheric Revolution - (The Reason You Play Him) Elemental Skills and Bursts cast within the Frost Field have their CD time decreased by 15%. This creates smoother, faster rotations for the whole team.
C6: Rally of Four Blades - (Nuke) Burst deals 15% more damage to enemies with lower HP % than Chongyun. Also adds 1 additional spirit blade (4 total). Massive damage spike for his burst.

Verdict: C2 is his best support constellation. C6 is his best damage constellation.

Top Team Compositions

1. OG National Team

Vape Trigger: Xiangling
Hydro App: Xingqiu
Buffer: Bennett
Enabler/Nuke: Chongyun

Why it works: Chongyun provides CD reduction (C2) and allows Xiangling to Melt occasionally. His burst is a quick nuke that fits perfectly into the rotation while waiting for cooldowns.

2. Reverse Melt Nuke

Main Nuke: Chongyun
Pyro App: Bennett (C6 preferred for infusion)
Buffer: Shenhe
Swirl: Kazuha

Why it works: Shenhe buffs Cryo damage massively. Bennett and Kazuha apply Pyro. Chongyun drops his triple/quadruple blade burst, melting every hit for 100k+ damage per blade.

Rotations & Combos

National Rotation:
Chongyun E > Bennett Q E > Xiangling Q E > Xingqiu Q E > Chongyun Q (Melt)

Tip: Always use Chongyun's E first so the rest of the team benefits from the C2 Cooldown Reduction when they cast their skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is he better than Rosaria?
They trade blows. Rosaria offers Crit Rate sharing and more consistent off-field Cryo. Chongyun offers CD Reduction and a bigger instant nuke. For National Team, Chongyun is often preferred for the cooldown utility.

Can I use him in Freeze teams?
He works well with Kaeya/Rosaria, but be careful with Xingqiu/Yelan. Because Chongyun uses a Claymore, his attacks trigger Shatter on frozen enemies, which removes the Freeze status and the Blizzard Strayer crit buff.

Does his infusion ruin Electro/Physical mains?
Yes. Never run Chongyun with Razor, Eula, or Keqing (Physical). His Cryo infusion overrides their Physical damage, ruining their DPS.

Data Source: KQM Standards. Last Updated: December 2025

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