Genshin Impact: Fortify Your Forces – A Deep Dive into Defense, Dishes, and Dominating Teyvat
Traveler, let’s discuss getting tough in Teyvat. We enjoy dishing damage, seeing those big numbers as we crush hilichurls and weekly bosses. But what happens when the tables turn? When the Abyss Lector attacks or a Ruin Guard targets you? Defense or DEF is your best friend. Just like real life, a good meal can offer great defense. Let’s explore defense in Genshin Impact, from stat scaling characters to culinary creations that bolster your team.
Dishes That (Implicitly) Pump Up Your Defense
You may wonder, “Do any dishes directly boost defense in Genshin?” The answer is tricky. While there isn’t a ‘Defense-Boosting Delight’ on the menu, meals in Genshin provide buffs. Buffs ease your experience, whether hitting harder, healing faster, or surviving longer. No dish shouts “EAT ME FOR +50 DEF,” but many indirectly bolster your resilience. We’re talking dishes that heal, revive, or decrease damage taken – vital for staying in fights while being as defensive as possible. It’s defense by other means. Culinary means, to be precise.
Defense in Genshin Impact: More Than Just a Stat
Defense in Genshin Impact is not just a number you understand vaguely. It’s a core aspect that dictates damage taken from enemies. Higher DEF means less suffering when a Mitachurl introduces your face to its club. But who cares about DEF? Turns out, several characters do, and knowing them can enhance your team-building strategy.
Which Characters Scale Off DEF? The Unsung Heroes of Tankiness
Forget Attack and Crit for a moment; some Genshin heroes thrive on DEF. These characters grow not by dealing damage, but by being tougher to hit. Let’s meet the DEF scaling dream team:
- Xinyan: Our rock ‘n’ roll pyro queen. Xinyan’s shield strength scales off her DEF. She becomes a sturdy shielder at higher constellations. Plus, shredding enemies with guitar riffs is fun!
- Noelle: The maid knight extraordinaire. Noelle is DEF scaling’s poster child. Her healing and shield strength tie to her DEF stat. Build her well, and she’s an unkillable claymore-wielding tank who also heals your team.
- Itto: The Oni Sumo King and Geo powerhouse. Arataki Itto loves DEF. His charged attacks and Elemental Burst damage scale directly with it. He turns into a wrecking ball hitting like a truck made of Geo.
- Albedo: The Kreideprinz and alchemist. Albedo’s Transient Blossoms deal damage scaled by his DEF. He becomes a reliable off-field damage dealer, setting and forgetting while your main DPS attacks.
- Kachina: The enigmatic figure… Wait. Kachina isn’t playable yet. Maybe it’s mistaken identity or a sneak peek into the future. For now, let’s place Kachina under potential future DEF scaling character.
- Gorou: The loyal canine general of Watatsumi Island. Gorou’s buffs rely on DEF. He boosts Geo damage based on his DEF, making him vital for any Geo team revolving around Itto and Noelle.
- Chiori: The Fontaine-based fashion designer. Chiori’s Elemental Skill summons her automaton, Tamoto, scaling both her Skill and Burst damage with DEF. She shows that tankiness can be fashionable.
- Xilonen: Rounding out our list is… Xilonen. Like Kachina, Xilonen isn’t familiar. Perhaps another future character or maybe a typo? If they show up and scale off DEF, you heard it first!
There you have it. The DEF scaling squad shows that you don’t always need to deal flashy damage to be effective. Sometimes being unmovable is just as valuable.
Characters with High Base DEF: The Naturally Sturdy Bunch
Base stats matter. When it comes to base DEF, some characters are built like brick walls before you level them up or equip artifacts. These characters start tanky and get tankier. Let’s explore who has high base DEF:
- Itto: Our Geo Oni king returns! He not only scales off DEF but boasts the highest base DEF in the game. This guy is tough, making him easier to transform into a DEF-monster.
- Qiqi: The cute zombie healer has high base DEF too. Perhaps it’s the rigor mortis? Whatever the cause, Qiqi is resilient, making her hard to take down combined with her healing.
- Albedo: Another DEF scaling character on the high base DEF list. Albedo’s natural tankiness enhances his DEF-based damage, securing a sturdy off-field presence.
- Hu Tao: Wait, Hu Tao? Yep, surprisingly she has decent base DEF. While you won’t build her for DEF, her tankiness helps her survive while maximizing damage on low HP.
- Cyno: The General Mahamatra and Electro DPS has a respectable base DEF too. He focuses on damage, but his natural sturdiness helps during extended Burst duration.
- Shenhe: The Cryo waifu is surprisingly durable too. Shenhe’s high base DEF boosts her survivability while she buffs your team without being blown away.
- Tartaglia (Childe): Our favorite Fatui harbinger has solid base DEF despite being a damage dealer. Maybe it’s the Fatui training helping him survive close combat situations.
- Kaedehara Kazuha: The wandering samurai is known for . While not tanky, Kazuha has decent base DEF too. This adds to his versatility and survivability as a top-tier character.
High base DEF doesn’t mean a character must be a tank, but it helps survivability. In Genshin, staying alive is half the battle; the other half is hitting things.
Best Defensive Character: The Titans of Tanking
When discussing the “best defensive character” in Genshin Impact, two names arise like Hilichurls to flowers:
- Zhongli: The Geo Archon is the definition of “unmovable object.” Zhongli is the king of defense in Genshin. His Jade Shield offers legendary protection and resistance shred to enemies.
- Noelle: Our DEF scaling maid knight appears again here. While she may lack Zhongli’s shield strength, Noelle demonstrates self-sufficiency. She shields, heals, and deals damage while being super tanky with her DEF scaling.
Other characters can boost defense, but Zhongli and Noelle stand out as top choices.
They excel in tankiness. If you want a team that can withstand challenges, these two will protect you.
Understanding DEF: The Defense Stat Explained
We covered who uses DEF, who excels in it, and the best defenders. But how does DEF operate in Genshin? Let’s decode its mechanics without delving into complex formulas. If that’s your thing, Genshin Impact wikis can aid you.
DEF Damage: Confusion Around Defense and Damage
“DEF damage” can mislead those playing Genshin. It’s often misused. Let’s clarify:
- In other games, “DEF damage” can mean breaking enemy defenses. Some games feature a “defense meter.” You need to deplete it to damage enemies effectively. This doesn’t apply to Genshin Impact.
- In Genshin, DEF decreases incoming damage. The DEF stat lowers damage taken from attacks. A higher DEF means greater damage reduction. It’s a percentage-based mechanic; stacking it increases effectiveness.
- There’s no mechanic to attack an enemy’s defense stat. In Genshin, reduce enemy DEF through debuffs from characters or artifacts. No “DEF damage” attacks exist.
To summarize, DEF in Genshin Impact is about damage reduction for *you*, not harming enemies. It’s mainly about making yourself tougher.
Boosting DEF: Strengthening Your Frontline
So, you see DEF’s importance. How can you increase it in Genshin? You have several options:
- Artifacts: Artifacts are key. They boost stats, including DEF. You can acquire DEF as a main stat on Sands of Eon and as a substat on almost any artifact piece. DEF% Sands, Geo DMG Bonus Goblets for Geo DEF scalers, and Crit Rate/Crit DMG Circlets are popular. Prioritize stacking DEF substats.
- Weapons: Certain weapons provide DEF as a secondary stat. The Redhorn Stonethresher (Itto’s claymore) and Whiteblind (craftable claymore) are excellent choices. These weapons amplify DEF characters for greater tankiness and damage.
- Character Ascension: Characters often gain DEF as they ascend, enhancing their tankiness. For example, Noelle gains DEF% at ascension, enriching her defensive capabilities.
- Team Compositions: Geo Resonance Boosts. Having two Geo characters activates Geo Resonance, increasing shield strength by 15%. This helps survivability, especially for teams that rely on shields. Geo resonance also enhances shielded damage, offering an offensive benefit.
- Team Compositions: Synergistic Pairings. Team combinations can enhance defense and survivability. The team you mentioned – Hu Tao, Xingqiu, Albedo, and Zhongli – illustrates a defensive powerhouse. Zhongli provides shields, Albedo offers off-field Geo damage and resonance, Xingqiu offers damage reduction and healing, while Hu Tao benefits from team survivability.
Building a DEF character or team involves stacking that DEF stat through artifacts, gear, and synergy. Create a team to withstand damage while consistently dealing damage.
Gorou’s DEF Requirements: The Canine General
Having discussed Gorou, let’s examine how much DEF he needs. Gorou’s scales with his DEF, especially his healing at C4 and buffing potential. Stacking DEF on Gorou is wise.
- For Healer Gorou (C4 and higher): If using Gorou for healing at Constellation 4, target at least 1000 DEF. This ensures noticeable healing, particularly against Corrosion. Corrosion drains HP from your party regardless of shields. Every bit of healing matters.
- For /Sub-DPS Gorou: Even when not focused on healing, stacking DEF enhances his buffs. Aim for around 1500-2000 DEF. There’s no firm “cap” for Gorou’s DEF, but returns diminish above this range.
The ideal DEF for Gorou depends on team composition. But generally, aim for at least 1000 DEF for healing and 1500-2000 DEF for .
Crit Rate and Crit DMG: Essential for Damage Dealers
Now, let’s transition to offense, focusing on critical hit stats: Crit Rate and Crit DMG. They play a role in maximizing overall damage in Genshin. Sometimes you need offense as much as defense.
Boosting Crit Rate: Making Critical Hits Reliable
Crit Rate determines your chance of landing a critical hit for extra damage. It’s about consistency. Here’s how to increase this important stat:
- Character Ascensions: Some characters gain Crit Rate as they level up. Here are a few examples from your list:
- Mualani: Mualani isn’t recognized in Genshin lore. It may be a character from another game.
- Wanderer: The Anemo DPS character gains Crit Rate at ascension, favoring crit-focused builds.
- Xiao: As an Anemo polearm , he ascends with Crit Rate, boosting plunge attack damage.
- Yae Miko: The Electro catalyst character also ascends with Crit Rate, aiding in consistent damage output.
These characters naturally build higher Crit Rates thanks to their bonuses.
- Weapons: Many weapons grant Crit Rate as a secondary stat. The Primordial Jade Cutter, Summit Shaper, and Deathmatch are common choices.
- Artifacts: Crit Rate Circlets directly boost this stat. You can also find Crit Rate as a substat on various pieces.
- Artifact Sets: Certain artifact sets like Blizzard Strayer (for Cryo s) and Vermillion Hereafter (for Xiao) offer Crit Rate bonuses under specific conditions.
- Sunday (Honkai Star Rail): The reference to “Sunday” here is intriguing. However, it pertains to another game by Hoyoverse and isn’t relevant for Genshin Impact.
To raise your Crit Rate, focus on character ascension bonuses, weapons, and artifacts (especially Circlets and substats).
Increasing Crit DMG: Maximizing Critical Hit Impact
Crit DMG is the multiplier that adds bonus damage during critical hits. It’s focused on maximizing crit impact. How can you enhance Crit DMG?
- Weapons: Certain weapons also provide Crit DMG as a secondary stat. The Redhorn Stonethresher offers high Crit DMG. Other noteworthy examples include the Staff of Homa, Mistsplitter Reforged, and Kagutsurube Isshin.
- Artifacts: Crit DMG is essential. Equip artifacts that boost it.
- Circlets boost Crit DMG significantly as the main stat. Crit DMG substats on artifacts are also very desirable.
- Artifact Sets: Sets like Crimson Witch of Flames (for Pyro) and Thundering Fury (for Electro) give Crit DMG bonuses as part of their effects.
- Equipment, Reforges, Enchantments, Accessories, Pets: “Equipment, Reforges, Enchantments, Accessories, Pets” likely relates to other games. In Genshin Impact, Crit DMG increases through weapons and artifacts. Genshin does not have pets, reforges, enchantments, or accessories that boost Crit DMG. Let’s focus only on Genshin mechanics.
To maximize Crit DMG in Genshin, focus on weapons with Crit DMG secondary stats, Crit DMG Circlets, Crit DMG substats on artifacts, and relevant artifact sets.
Importance of Crit Rate vs. Crit DMG: Striking the Right Balance
Which is more vital: Crit Rate or Crit DMG? The answer is “it depends.” Generally:
- Crit Rate is typically more important. As stated: “Crit rate is more important than Crit DMG. If you lack crit rate, you will not land critical hits.” Crit Rate shows your chance to crit. Crit DMG shows how hard you crit when you do. Low Crit Rate means low chances to use that Crit DMG.
- Focus on Crit Rate first. A good rule of thumb is around 60-70% Crit Rate or higher. This makes sure you crit consistently.
- Then, focus on Crit DMG. After achieving a good Crit Rate, increase your Crit DMG. A common Crit Rate to Crit DMG ratio is 1:2. If you have a 70% Crit Rate, aim for about 140% Crit DMG.
- Balance matters. Finding the balance between Crit Rate and Crit DMG is crucial. Too much of one and not enough of the other leads to suboptimal damage output. Experiment and determine what works for your playstyle.
Crit Rate ensures consistency. Crit DMG amplifies damage spikes. Strive for balance to unleash your characters’ full damage potential.
Character Special Dishes and Favorite Foods: Culinary Quirks of Teyvat’s Finest
Back to food, because this is Genshin Impact, and food is life (and buffs). Each character has a “special dish.” It is a unique, enhanced version of a regular recipe crafted when they’re in your party. These dishes often provide stronger buffs compared to their regular versions. Let’s explore the character dishes with interesting defensive effects.
Dehya’s Special Dish: The Mystery Meat
The search asks, “What is Dehya’s Special Dish?” Unfortunately, the information does not specify it. It’s a mystery! Perhaps it’s a dish enhancing Pyro damage, or something reflecting her desert roots. We need to investigate further.
Clorinde’s Special Dish: Tagged and Bagged – Stamina Savior
Clorinde, the famous Duelist, has a special dish called “Tagged and Bagged.” This dish restores a remarkable 80 Stamina. While it isn’t directly defense-boosting, stamina is key for dodging and staying agile in combat – essential defensive actions. Thus, “Tagged and Bagged” aids your survivability.
Venti’s Special Dish: A Buoyant Breeze – Gliding Grace
Venti, the Anemo Archon and bard, shares “A Buoyant Breeze.” This dish, made from Barbatos Ratatouille, lessens stamina depletion from gliding and sprinting for the entire party. Stamina management impacts both offense and defense. Less stamina usage enables more dodging and repositioning in combat. Venti’s dish emphasizes agility.
Keqing’s Special Dishes: A Royal Feast of Stamina and HP
Keqing, the Yuheng of Liyue Qixing, offers *two* special dishes!
- Survival Grilled Fish: This dish heals 16% of Max HP plus an extra 1,350 HP to the chosen character. Healing serves as defense, keeping your team alive.
- Lan Yan Jade-Cut Flowers: This dish also restores 80 Stamina. Stamina is vital for defense, making this another indirect defense booster.
Keqing’s offerings handle both HP restoration and stamina management.
Nilou’s Special Dish: Swirling Steps – Padisarah Pudding Perfection
Nilou, the graceful Sumeru dancer, showcases “Swirling Steps,” a special Padisarah Pudding version. The effect details aren’t provided. However, Padisarah Pudding serves as a healing dish, implying “Swirling Steps” likely enhances healing or adds HP-related buffs.
Lyney’s Special Dish: Cubic Tricks – Crit Carnival
Lyney, the Fontaine magician, presents “Cubic Tricks,” an advanced Pate de Fruit version. This dish increases all party ’ Crit Rate by 20% and Crit DMG by 20% for 300 seconds (5 minutes). While not defense-focused, this massive Crit buff helps you defeat enemies quickly, which counts as proactive defense.
Qiqi’s Special Dish: No Tomorrow – A Zombified Culinary Creation
Qiqi, the zombie pharmacist, introduces “No Tomorrow,” an enhanced version of Come and Get It. The effects remain unspecified. Still, “Come and Get It” serves as a revival dish, hinting that “No Tomorrow” might improve the revival effect or provide additional buffs after revival. Revival dishes represent ultimate last-resort defense.
Tighnari’s Special Dish: Forest Watcher’s Choice – Nature’s Hodgepodge
Tighnari, the wise Forest Watcher, has “Forest Watcher’s Choice,” a special Mushroom Hodgepodge version. Mushroom Hodgepodge is a defense-increasing dish in Genshin. Thus, “Forest Watcher’s Choice” probably gives an even better DEF boost. Finally, a dish that directly increases DEF!
Hu Tao’s Special Dish: Ghostly March – Vegetarian Abalone with a Spooky Twist
Hu Tao, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor director, brings us “Ghostly March,” a variant of Vegetarian Abalone. Vegetarian Abalone boosts ATK. It’s plausible “Ghostly March” offers a stronger ATK boost or adds effects related to Pyro damage or Crit, suiting Hu Tao’s offensive style. Maximizing damage serves as proactive defense.
Yoimiya’s Special Dish: Summer Festival Fish – HP Healing Fireworks
Yoimiya, the cheerful fireworks maker, serves “Summer Festival Fish,” a special Tricolor Dango version. This dish is a solid healing option, restoring 40% of Max HP plus an additional 2,350 HP. Healing serves as direct defense, and Yoimiya’s dish provides ample HP recovery.
Raiden Shogun: No Special Dish – The Culinary Impaired Archon
Poor Raiden Shogun lacks culinary skills. As stated, she and the Traveler are among the few characters without a special dish. Her focus on “Eternity” probably leaves little time for cooking experiments. She might simply order takeout from Kiminami Anna.
Ayaka’s Favorite Dish: Chazuke – A Taste of Home
Ayaka, the Shirasagi Himegimi, has a favorite dish: Chazuke. Chazuke is a Japanese dish comprising rice with green tea or dashi poured over it. Though not a special Genshin dish (meaning it lacks in-game buffs), Ayaka’s culinary preferences add depth to her character.
Yelan’s Special Dish: Dew-Dipped Shrimp – A Refreshing Delicacy
Yelan, the mysterious Ministry of Civil Affairs worker, presents “Dew-Dipped Shrimp,” a special Stir-Fried Shrimp version. Stir-Fried Shrimp serves as an ATK-boosting dish. It’s likely “Dew-Dipped Shrimp” boosts ATK or has secondary effects about Hydro damage or stamina that fit Yelan’s agile style.
Nahida’s Special Dish: Halvamazd – Candied Wisdom
Nahida, the Dendro Archon, serves “Halvamazd,” a version of Candied Ajilenakh Nut. The effects are unspecified. Since Candied Ajilenakh Nut revives characters, “Halvamazd” likely enhances that effect similarly to Qiqi’s “No Tomorrow.” Archons have a talent for life-saving dishes.
Lynette’s Special Dish: A Leisurely Sip – Healing Bonus Boost
Lynette, the mysterious assistant, offers “A Leisurely Sip,” an advanced Conch Madeleine version. This dish enhances all party ’ Healing Bonus by 25% for 300 seconds. Boosting Healing Bonus increases healers’ effectiveness, making your team more resilient in prolonged battles.
Emilie’s Special Dish: A Fragrant Feast of Flavors – ATK Amplification
Emilie, the perfumer, creates “A Fragrant Feast of Flavors,” a dish boosting all party ’ ATK by 274 for 300 seconds. Another offensive option that amplifies your team’s damage potential.
