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MenuGenshin Impact Best Element: Which To Use?
Updated: 14 Apr 2021 9:32 pm
In the end, it's up to you, really.
BY: Gabrielle Won
Playing with elements is one of the things that make battles interesting. Much like other role-playing games, Genshin Impact also offers you a few elements to play with.
Technically there are seven elements in total: Pyro, Hydro, Cryo, Electro, Anemo, Geo, and Dendro. But, Dendro is an element that exists only through certain monsters or existing objects that might catch fire; there’s no characters with this element.
Elements in Genshin Impact work in a rather reactive way, combining two Elemental DMG will result in an Elemental Reaction which deals quite a number on enemies alike.
It’s a little vague to say which elements are weak against which, as they work together to deal DMG instead of simply being ‘weak’ or ‘strong’ individually at all times. In short, some elements just might be strong against each other instead of being exclusively weak against one and strong against the other.
Furthermore, your party configuration will give you additional Elemental Resonance effects when you have two characters with the same Vision on your party. Personally, I’d rather have four different Elements in my party unless I’m going in to fight Bosses or fight inDomains.
That said, each Element has its plus and minus points. Some better used for this, and some for that. Here is the ranking of the best elements in the game.
6. Geo
The Geo—earth Element is associated with Morax (or Rex Lapis), its Archon from Liyue.
Currently, there are 5 characters with Geo Elemets: Zhongli, Ningguang, Albedo, Noelle, and (Geo) Traveler. That being said, there is no Geo Archer as of ver. 1.4.
Having two Geo characters in your party will activate the Elemental Resonance Enduring Rock. This Resonance increases shield strength by 15% and, in the case of characters having Shields on, DMG dealt will be increased by 15% whilst dealing so will decrease enemies’ Geo RES by 20% for 15 seconds.
Geo is pretty big on Shields and AoE, keep in mind there are 5 characters with Geo Vision and 4 of them are able to summon a Geo Construct which deals Geo AoE over time. There’s a limit, though. Players can only make 3 Geo Constructs at the same time.
Geo can react with Electro, Pyro, Hydro, and Cryo: triggering Crystallize status which creates crystals that turn into shields with contacting elements, DMG from the particular element will be decreased when you’re protected by the shield.
A rather special case, Zhongli’s Elemental Burst Planet Befall is able to inflict Petrify effects on hit enemies, rendering them to stones for 3.1s~4 seconds.
Best Used Against:
- Anything, as it’s a neutral element
Geo Details:
5. Anemo
Anemo—wind is the very first Element that we learn in the game; corresponding to its Archon, Barbatos from Monstadt.
As of now, there are 5 playable Anemo characters: Jean, Sucrose, Xiao, Venti and (Anemo) Traveler. Fun fact: Xiao is the only Anemo Vision holder from Liyue and there are no Claymore wielders with Anemo Vision as of ver. 1.4.
When you have two Anemo active in your party, the Elemental Resonance is Impetuous Winds. This decreases Stamina Consumption by 15% whilst increasing Movement SPD by 10% and shortening Skill CD by 5%. The wind makes things fast; we can say.
Anemo reacts to Electro, Pyro, Hydro and Cryo, applying Swirl status together with whichever elements it comes in contact with. The first element that comes in contact with Swirl will have its Element infused whilst the wind spreads the Elemental DMG to enemies nearby.
Only one element can react with Anemo at a time.
A note here, as Jean is able to use her Elemental Skill to push enemies away with her aim; she can deal Physical DMG along with Anemo DMG as the enemies are thrown up then fall back to the ground.
Best Used Against:
- Anything, as it is a neutral element
Anemo Details:
4. Cryo
The next Element is Cryo—ice, which Archon is the Tsaritsa from Snezhnaya.
Currently there are 5 Cryo characters in the game: Chongyun, Diona, Ganyu, Kaeya, Qiqi, and Rosaria. On top of that, there is already one other upcoming character known to hold the Cryo Vision: Ayaka. With this in mind, only Cryo Catalyst is currently missing from the list.
The Elemental Resonance for two Cryo characters on active party is Shattering Ice. The time affected by Electro is lessened by 40%, and when enemies are Frozen or affected by Cryo, CRIT Rate against them is increased by 15%.
Along with Swirl and Crystallize, Cryo also reacts to Electro, Pyro, and Hydro.
- Cryo + Electro = Superconduct.
This effect deals AoE Cryo DMG whilst reducing enemies’ Physical DMG Resistance by 50%.
- Cryo + Hydro = Frozen.
Quite obviously, this freezes enemies for a few seconds. When Frozen enemies are hit by Claymore, Plunge Attack, or Geo DMG, it will apply Shattered effect. Shattering frozen targets deals more Physical DMG.
- Cryo + Pyro = Melt.
Melt deals x1.5 Cryo DMG when the Elemental Reaction is triggered through Cryo.
When you get the Cryo status, Movement SPD and ATK SPD are reduced.
Best Used Against:
- Hydro
- Electro
Cryo Details:
3. Hydro
With the least number of users to date, landing third place is Hydro—water; an element which Archon is from Fontaine.
Currently, there are only 4 Hydro Vision wielders: Barbara, Mona, Tartaglia, and Xingqiu; respectively two Catalysts, one Bow, and one Swords users.
With two Hydro characters on your party, the Elemental Resonance activated is Soothing Water. Most likely associated with water’s healing ability from countless tales, this Resonance increases Incoming Healing by 30% as it also decreases time affected by Pyro by 40%.
Along with Swirl and Crystallize, Hydro also reacts with the rest of the elements.
- Hydro + Electro = Electro-Charged.
This reaction deals Electro DMG overtime and interrupts any action. When there are Wet enemies nearby, they will also get Electro-Charged as an elemental chain reaction.
- Hydro + Cryo = Frozen.
Obviously, this freezes enemies that come in contact with the Elements. If Frozen enemies are hit by a Claymore, Plunge Attack, or Geo DMG, it will result in Shattered. Shattering frozen enemies will deal more Physical DMG.
- Hydro + Pyro = Vaporize.
Deals 2x Hydro DMG when triggered by Hydro.
When you come in contact with water bodies or rain, the Wet status will be applied. Though this does nothing by itself, it will help when triggering Elemental Reactions so you don’t have to change back and forth between characters.
Additionally, having a Wet status in Dragonspine will quicken the process of Sheer Cold and you might even turn Frozen over and over again.
Best Used Against:
- Pyro
- Electro
Hydro Details:
2. Electro
Coming up next is Electro, with Baal as its Archon whose domain is in Inazuma.
As of now, there are 5 playable characters with Electro as their Elements: Beidou, Fischl, Keqing, Lisa, and Razor. There’s yet to be a Polearm wielder with Electro Vision.
The Elemental Resonance from having two Electro characters active in your party is High Voltage. High Voltage lessens time affected by Hydro by 40%. When triggering Superconduct, Overloaded, and Electro-Charged, there’s a 100% chance to generate an Electro Elemental Particle with 5 seconds CD.
Along with Swirl and Crystallize, Electro also reacts with Pyro, Hydro, and Cryo.
- Electro + Pyro = Overloaded.
Creates AoE Pyro DMG and causes an explosion. Overloaded is arguably the Elemental Reaction with the biggest DMG in the game.
- Electro + Hydro = Electro-Charged.
As it deals Electro DMG overtime, Electro-Charged interrupts any actions. When nearby Wet enemies are present, they will catch the Electro-Charged reaction too as a kind of elemental chain reaction.
- Electro + Cryo = Superconduct.
Creates Cryo AoE DMG whilst reducing enemies’ Physical DMG Resistance by 50%
Inflicted by Electro status will cause your character Movement and ATK to stop momentarily; as if electrocuted.
Best Used Against:
- Pyro
- Hydro
- Cryo
Electro Details:
1. Pyro
It is no surprise, I believe, that Pyro comes at first place in the list, with the Archon Murata from Natlan.
With a total of 7 playable Characters, Pyro has the most users and the only Element that currently covers all of the weapons with Amber, Bennett, Diluc, Hu Tao, Klee, Xiangling, and Xinyan.
The Elemental Resonance unlocked from two Pyro characters in the party is Fervent Flames. When affected by Cryo, the time will be lessened by 40% with this Resonance on. On top of that, Fervent Flames increases ATK by 25%.
Along with Crystallize and Swirl, Pyro also reacts to the rest of the elements including Dendro.
- Pyro + Electro = Overloaded.
Deals Pyro AoE DMG and causes an explosion. Overloaded is most likely the Reaction with the biggest DMG in the game.
- Pyro + Hydro = Vaporize.
When triggered by Pyro, deals 1.5x Pyro DMG.
- Pyro + Cryo = Melt.
When triggered by Pyro, deals 2x Pyro DMG.
- Pyro + Dendro = Burning.
Quite obviously, this deals Pyro DMG over time as it burns. Grass is also considered to be a Dendro object and spreads fire around the area.
When you get a Pyro status, you get small amounts of Pyro DMG over time; like Burning but on a much smaller scale.
Best Used Against:
- Electro
- Cryo
- Dendro
Pyro Details:
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