Mastering Shenhe: A Comprehensive Guide for Genshin Impact Mains
In the vast world of Teyvat, few characters have captured the hearts of players as distinctly as Shenhe. As a Cryo polearm user with a unique set of abilities, Shenhe has become a favorite among many Genshin Impact enthusiasts. For Shenhe mains, understanding her strengths, playstyle, and optimal builds is crucial to maximizing her potential in both Spiral Abyss and open-world exploration. This guide dives into the essential strategies and tips for players who want to make the most of this 5-star Cryo character.
Understanding Shenhe’s Role in Your Team
Shenhe is often described as a versatile sub-DPS or support character, but her kit allows her to excel in multiple roles depending on how you build her. Her Elemental Skill, “Spring’s Breath”, and Elemental Burst, “Divine Maiden Beloved”, make her a Cryo battery and enabler, capable of setting up powerful elemental reactions for her teammates.
One of the most important aspects of playing Shenhe is understanding her Cryo resonance potential. When paired with another Cryo character, Shenhe can trigger Cryo resonance, which increases the party’s Elemental Mastery and deals AoE Cryo damage periodically. This makes her a stellar addition to mono-Cryo teams or teams that focus on Superconduct and Freeze reactions.
Optimizing Shenhe’s Build
To get the most out of Shenhe, her build should be tailored to her intended role. Here are some key considerations:
Weapons:
Engulfing Lightning: This weapon is a top choice for Shenhe, as it provides a significant boost to her Elemental Burst damage and energy recharge.
The Catch: A great 4-star alternative, especially for players who don’t have access to Engulfing Lightning. It enhances her Elemental Skill and overall damage output.
Prototype Starglitter: For a more support-oriented build, this weapon increases her Elemental Mastery and provides a healing effect.
Artifacts:
Shenhe’s artifact set depends on her role. For a DPS build, Gladiator’s Endurance or Noblese Oblige are excellent choices. If you’re building her as a support, Emblem of Severed Fate is ideal for its high energy recharge and elemental burst damage boost.
Talents:
Prioritize leveling up her Elemental Burst first, as it is the core of her damage and support capabilities. Her Elemental Skill and Normal Attack should follow, depending on her role in your team.
Team Composition for Shenhe Mains
Shenhe shines in teams that utilize her Cryo enabling and elemental reaction potential. Here are some popular team compositions:
Mono-Cryo Team:
Pair Shenhe with characters like Ayaka, Ganyu, and Rosaria for a Freeze-centric team that deals consistent damage and triggers Cryo resonance.
Superconduct Team:
Combine Shenhe with Eula, Razor, or Gongga for a team that focuses on Superconduct reactions. Shenhe’s Cryo application and energy recharge capabilities make her a perfect fit.
Mixed Elemental Team:
If you prefer a more flexible team, Shenhe can be paired with characters like Hu Tao or Xingqiu to trigger Melt or Vaporize reactions.
Tips for Playing Shenhe Effectively
Energy Management:
Shenhe’s Elemental Burst is a game-changer, but it requires a decent amount of energy to cast. Use her Elemental Skill to generate Cryo particles and ensure a steady flow of energy for your team.
Positioning:
Shenhe’s Normal Attacks and Elemental Skill have a long range, allowing her to deal damage from a safe distance. This makes her a great choice for Spiral Abyss floors with dangerous enemies.
Elemental Mastery:
Invest in Elemental Mastery to enhance her Cryo damage and elemental reaction potential. This is especially important if you’re running her in a mono-Cryo or Superconduct team.
Case Study: A High-Damage Shenhe Build
Let’s take a