Genshin Impact Elemental Reactions Guide

Genshin Impact's combat is driven by seven elements. Understanding their interactions is key for maximizing a team's damage, survivability, and utility, according to a guide from Dot Esports.

Every playable character is associated with one of seven elements: Pyro, Hydro, Cryo, Electro, Anemo, Geo, and Dendro. All elements except Dendro were available at the game's 2020 launch. Dendro characters debuted with the Sumeru region in Version 3.0 in August 2022. That update introduced Tighnari, Collei, and the Dendro Traveler, while expanding the Burning reaction and adding Bloom and Catalyze.

Elemental Basics and Status Effects

Before reactions occur, each element applies a status that lingers on a target. Pyro applies Burning, Hydro applies Wet, Electro applies an Electro aura, and Cryo applies a Cryo aura. Anemo does not leave an aura but instead Swirls existing elements to spread them. Geo creates Crystallize shields, and Dendro interacts with Pyro, Hydro, and Electro.

When two compatible elements interact, they trigger an Elemental Reaction. These create additional damage, crowd control, buffs, or debuffs.

Amplifying and Major Reactions

Reactions fall into two primary types: Amplifying and Major. Amplifying reactions multiply the damage of the triggering hit. The two core amplifying reactions are Vaporize and Melt, which use specific multipliers.

These are the current base multipliers, which have not been changed in the latest Version 7.0 update. Elemental Mastery and other bonuses can further increase the resulting damage.

Major reactions deal a fixed burst of bonus damage independent of character stats. These include Superconduct, Electro-Charged, Overloaded, Frozen, Swirl, and Crystallize. Superconduct reduces enemy Physical resistance by 40% for 12 seconds. Overloaded deals heavy area-of-effect Pyro damage but knocks enemies back. The Swirl reaction, when paired with the Viridescent Venerer artifact set, can shred elemental resistance by 40%.

The Dendro Reaction Tree

Introduced in Version 3.0, Dendro operates on a separate, interconnected system. Its primary reactions are Burning (Dendro + Pyro), Bloom (Dendro + Hydro), and Quicken (Dendro + Electro).

Bloom creates Dendro Cores that can trigger two additional reactions. Electro interacting with a core triggers Hyperbloom, creating a homing Dendro attack. Pyro interacting with a core triggers Burgeon, causing a larger Dendro explosion.

Quicken sets up a state where subsequent Electro or Dendro attacks can trigger Aggravate (adding bonus Electro damage) or Spread (adding bonus Dendro damage). Unlike Vaporize and Melt, Aggravate and Spread do not use a simple multiplier but add reaction damage based on the game's formula.

Lunar, Stellar, and Character Roles

Recent updates have introduced sub-types of certain reactions. Lunar Reactions, activated by Moonsign Benediction passives, include Lunar-Bloom, Lunar-Charged, and Lunar-Crystallize. Stellar Glimmer Reactions, scaling off Stellar Jubilee Passives, currently include Stellar-Swirl and Stellar-Conduct. Both types ignore DMG Bonus and enemy DEF but are affected by RES.

Team-building is fundamentally about element coverage since each character is locked to one element. The guide offers a rough breakdown: Pyro has powerful damage dealers like Hu Tao; Hydro is useful for reaction teams with characters like Furina; Cryo supports Freeze and Melt teams; Electro has strong synergy with Dendro; Anemo provides Swirl utility; Geo focuses on shields and durability; and Dendro is central to Bloom and Quicken teams.

For beginners, the guide suggests starting with Pyro and Hydro to learn the straightforward Vaporize reaction. Accessible characters like Xiangling and Barbara can help new players grasp these foundational mechanics.