The gameplay of Genshin Impact is very action-oriented with a Tales of style where your characters have several skills. These same characters also have elements that have a strong impact in combat. Since you can change characters at will during a fight, it is possible to combine these elements to obtain various effects.
Thus, to get by in the long term, it is better to learn very quickly to take advantage of these synergies and not to use the same character constantly. Here is a guide that will explain the subtleties of these elements.
Summary
The list of elements
There are 7 elements in all in the world of Genshin Impact, each region corresponds to one of them, the first of which is where you start your adventure with the city of Monstadt as its epicenter.
anemo is an element using the power of the wind.
Geo is an element using the power of the earth.
Cryo is an element using the power of ice.
dendro is an element using the power of nature.
Hydro is an element using the power of water.
Pyro is an element using the power of fire.
Electro is an element using the power of lightning.
Status effects
When your characters, enemies, and even objects come into contact with one of the elements it will sometimes cause a particular effect. Note that the Dendro, Electro, Geo and Anemo elements are not directly affected and will not cause any negative effects on their own. The item's icon is shown above the target when affected.
- The target will be wet if it comes into contact with water whether it is through a Hydro attack, swimming, or even rain. It will thus be susceptible to electrocution.
- Pyro attacks deal and burn damage continuously.
- Cryo attacks reduce movement speed.
Elementary reactions
To effectively use the elements in combat, it is necessary to constantly combine their effects in order to obtain significant synergies. You can also compose your according to the reactions you want to obtain. See the full list below:
- + ou ouou : Using an Anemo skill (like the tornado that is introduced to you at the very start of the game) on a target or an object affected by Pyro, Electro, Cryo or Hydro allows to extend the targeted element.
- + ou+ : Using a Pyro attack on a target affected by Electro, and vice versa, causes an overload which create Pyro area damage. Also, it can effectively destroy Geo shields.
- + ou + : Using a Cryo attack on a target affected by Electro, and vice versa, causes a Superconduction which creates Cryo area damage and lowers its defense.
- +ou + : Using an Electro attack on a target affected by Hydro, and vice versa, causes an Electrocution which creates Electro damage that can even spread to other nearby enemies.
- + : Using a Pyro attack on a target affected by Dendro inflicts continuous burn damage (the effect is more powerful than the status effect stated above).
- +: Use a Cryo attack on a target affected by Hydro the frozen for a short time and it is unable to move.
- ++ A powerful attack: Once the target is frozen, it is possible to to break with a powerful attack. Attacks with claymores (like Dilluc) or Geo skills (Noelle or your avatar with the Geo element) for example.
- +ou +: Using a Pyro attack on a target affected by Cryo, and vice versa, causes The source. This removes elements from the target but greatly increases the damage dealt by Pyro and Cryo attacks.
- +ou +: Using a Hydro attack on a target affected by Pyro, and vice versa, causes a Evaporation. This removes elements from the target but greatly increases the damage dealt by Pyro and Hydro attacks.
+ououou: Using a Geo attack when affected by a Pyro, Hydro, Electro or Cryo element results in a Crystallization. This will reduce the damage caused by the type in question. It also spawns crystals which, when picked up, grant a shield that will absorb damage until it breaks (the shield reduces damage more effectively depending on the type of crystal picked up).
The elementary resonances
When you compose your team, the combination of the elements of your characters gives you access to many passive bonuses. Knowing that you can only have 4 characters at the same time, here are the possible combinations:
- 4 different elements: Having a balanced team with 4 different elements (whatever they are) will give you a 15% elemental resistance bonus for each element.
- +: Having two Anemo characters in your team activates the bonus Winds of Celerity which lowers stamina consumption by 15%, increases movement speed by 10%, and reduces skill cooldowns by 5%.
- +: Having two Electro characters in your team activates the bonus Mighty Thunder which reduces the duration of the Hydro status effect by 40%. Overconduction, Overcharge, and Electrocute have a 50% chance to drop an Electro elemental particle.
- +: Having two Hydro characters in your team activates the bonus Saving Water which reduces Pyro status effect duration by 40% and increases healing by 30%.
- +: Having two Pyro characters in your team activates the bonus Fervor Flames which reduces the duration of the Cryo status effect by 40% and increases attack by 25%.
- +: Having two Cryo characters in your team activates the bonus Gel Sprayer which reduces the duration of the Electro status effect by 40% and increases the critical hit rate against enemies that are frozen or affected by Pyro by 15%.
- +: Having two Cryo characters in your team activates the bonus Immovable Rock which increases interrupt resistance and damage by 15% while a Geo Shield is active.
Now you know all about the elements and their importance. You can check out our other cheats along with our full Genshin Impact walkthrough. In particular, we explain to you how to quickly gain adventure experience or how to start the adventure well.
