What are the best artifact sets for a sub-DPS Kaeya in Genshin Impact?

Kaeya is a versatile character in Genshin Impact who can be built as a main DPS, sub-DPS, or support. When building Kaeya as a sub-DPS, the goal is to maximize his damage output while also ensuring he can contribute to elemental reactions and support the team. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. KaeyaÔÇÖs elemental skill, Frostgnaw, deals Cryo damage and generates energy particles, making it a reliable source of Cryo application. His elemental burst, Glacial Waltz, summons icicles that orbit around the active character, dealing continuous Cryo damage to nearby enemies. This makes Kaeya an excellent enabler for elemental reactions like Melt and Freeze. As a sub-DPS, KaeyaÔÇÖs role is to provide consistent Cryo application and deal damage when heÔÇÖs off-field, so his burst uptime and damage are crucial.

For artifact sets, the best options for sub-DPS Kaeya are the Blizzard Strayer set and the Noblesse Oblige set. The Blizzard Strayer set is ideal if youÔÇÖre focusing on Cryo damage and Freeze reactions. The 2-piece bonus increases Cryo damage by 15%, while the 4-piece bonus boosts critical rate against enemies affected by Cryo or Frozen. This set synergizes well with KaeyaÔÇÖs Cryo abilities and is particularly effective in Freeze teams. The Noblesse Oblige set is another great option, especially if you want to boost KaeyaÔÇÖs burst damage and provide a team-wide attack buff. The 2-piece bonus increases elemental burst damage by 20%, and the 4-piece bonus grants a 20% attack boost to all party members for 12 seconds after using an elemental burst. This set is more versatile and works well in various team compositions.

When choosing artifact main stats, prioritize Cryo damage bonus on the goblet, critical rate or critical damage on the circlet, and energy recharge or attack percentage on the sands. Sub-stats should focus on critical rate, critical damage, energy recharge, and attack percentage. If youÔÇÖre using the Blizzard Strayer set, you can afford to focus more on critical damage since the set provides a significant critical rate boost.

For weapons, the best options for sub-DPS Kaeya include the Mistsplitter Reforged, the Primordial Jade Cutter, and the Blackcliff Longsword. The Mistsplitter Reforged is a 5-star weapon that increases elemental damage and provides a significant critical damage boost, making it ideal for maximizing KaeyaÔÇÖs burst damage. The Primordial Jade Cutter is another 5-star option that boosts critical rate and provides an attack bonus based on the wielderÔÇÖs maximum HP. The Blackcliff Longsword is a 4-star weapon that increases critical damage and provides an attack boost after defeating enemies, making it a strong choice for sub-DPS Kaeya. If you donÔÇÖt have access to these weapons, the Festering Desire and the Favonius Sword are good alternatives. The Festering Desire increases elemental skill damage and critical rate, while the Favonius Sword helps with energy regeneration, ensuring KaeyaÔÇÖs burst is always ready.

In terms of team composition, Kaeya works well in Freeze and Melt teams. For a Freeze team, pair Kaeya with a Hydro character like Xingqiu or Mona to trigger the Freeze reaction. Adding an Anemo character like Venti or Sucrose can help group enemies and spread Cryo, while a second Cryo character like Diona or Rosaria can provide energy particles and additional Cryo application. For a Melt team, pair Kaeya with a Pyro character like Bennett or Xiangling to trigger the Melt reaction. Bennett also provides healing and an attack boost, making him an excellent support for Kaeya.

When playing Kaeya as a sub-DPS, itÔÇÖs important to manage his energy recharge to ensure his burst is always available. Aim for around 160-180% energy recharge, depending on your team composition and weapon. If youÔÇÖre using the Favonius Sword, you can afford to have slightly lower energy recharge since the weapon generates additional energy particles.

A common mistake to avoid is neglecting KaeyaÔÇÖs energy recharge. Without sufficient energy recharge, KaeyaÔÇÖs burst will have long downtimes, reducing his effectiveness as a sub-DPS. Another mistake is not optimizing his artifact sub-stats. While itÔÇÖs tempting to focus solely on critical rate and damage, energy recharge and attack percentage are also important for maintaining consistent damage output.

Advanced techniques include timing KaeyaÔÇÖs elemental skill to generate energy particles right before switching to another character, ensuring they receive the energy. Additionally, positioning KaeyaÔÇÖs burst effectively can maximize its damage, especially in Freeze teams where enemies are immobilized.

In summary, building Kaeya as a sub-DPS involves focusing on Cryo damage, critical rate, and energy recharge. The Blizzard Strayer and Noblesse Oblige sets are the best artifact options, while weapons like the Mistsplitter Reforged and Blackcliff Longsword enhance his damage. Pairing Kaeya with characters that enable Freeze or Melt reactions will maximize his effectiveness. By following these strategies, you can build a powerful sub-DPS Kaeya that excels in various team compositions and combat scenarios.