What is the best way to use Zhongli's shield in Genshin Impact?

Zhongli is one of the most versatile and powerful characters in Genshin Impact, primarily due to his ability to provide one of the strongest shields in the game. His shield, created by his Elemental Skill, Dominus Lapidis, not only absorbs a significant amount of damage but also provides additional utility, such as reducing the resistance of nearby enemies. To use Zhongli's shield effectively, you need to understand its mechanics, optimize its usage, and integrate it into your team composition and combat strategy.

First, let's break down the mechanics of Zhongli's shield. When you press or hold Zhongli's Elemental Skill, Dominus Lapidis, he creates a shield known as the Jade Shield. The shield's strength scales with Zhongli's Max HP, making HP the most important stat for maximizing its durability. The shield also has a unique property: it reduces the Elemental and Physical RES of nearby enemies by 20%. This debuff can significantly increase your team's overall damage output. Additionally, the shield has a high uptime, especially if you build Zhongli with Energy Recharge or use his Elemental Burst, Planet Befall, which generates energy particles.

To use Zhongli's shield effectively, follow these steps. First, ensure that Zhongli is built with a focus on HP. Artifacts like Tenacity of the Millelith or Noblesse Oblige are excellent choices, as they provide HP bonuses and additional team utility. Weapons like the Black Tassel or Staff of Homa are ideal for increasing his HP further. When in combat, start by using Zhongli's Elemental Skill to create the Jade Shield. If you hold the skill, it will deal AoE Geo damage and create a stronger shield, but it has a longer cooldown. If you press the skill, it will create a weaker shield but has a shorter cooldown, allowing for more frequent use. After the shield is active, switch to your main DPS character and start attacking. The shield will absorb incoming damage, allowing your DPS to focus on dealing damage without worrying about dodging or healing.

There are several important tips to consider when using Zhongli's shield. First, always keep an eye on the shield's durability. If it breaks, you will lose the resistance debuff on enemies, so it's crucial to refresh it before it breaks. Second, use Zhongli's Elemental Burst, Planet Befall, to deal massive AoE Geo damage and petrify enemies. This not only provides crowd control but also generates energy particles to recharge your team's energy. Third, position yourself strategically to ensure that the resistance debuff affects as many enemies as possible. Finally, consider pairing Zhongli with characters who can benefit from the resistance debuff, such as physical DPS characters like Eula or Razor, or elemental DPS characters like Hu Tao or Ganyu.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting Zhongli's HP stat, which directly affects the shield's strength. Another mistake is not refreshing the shield in time, which can leave your team vulnerable to damage. Additionally, avoid using Zhongli's Elemental Skill in situations where you need to dodge or reposition quickly, as the hold version has a longer animation time.

For advanced techniques, consider using Zhongli as a hybrid support and sub-DPS. By building him with a mix of HP and Geo DMG Bonus, you can maximize both his shield strength and his damage output. This allows him to contribute more to the team's overall damage while still providing strong defensive utility. Another advanced technique is to use Zhongli's shield in combination with other shields or healing abilities to create an almost invincible team. For example, pairing Zhongli with Diona or Bennett can provide additional healing and shielding, making your team extremely durable.

In terms of team composition, Zhongli works well in almost any team, but he excels in teams that benefit from his resistance debuff. For example, a team with Hu Tao, Xingqiu, and Albedo can take full advantage of Zhongli's shield and debuff, creating a powerful synergy. Another strong team composition is Eula, Fischl, and Diona, where Zhongli's shield and debuff can significantly boost Eula's physical damage output.

For artifacts, the Tenacity of the Millelith set is the best choice for Zhongli, as it provides a 20% HP bonus and increases the ATK of your team when the Elemental Skill hits an enemy. The Noblesse Oblige set is also a good option, as it increases the damage of Zhongli's Elemental Burst and provides a team-wide ATK bonus. For weapons, the Black Tassel is a great choice for maximizing HP, while the Staff of Homa provides both HP and Crit DMG, making it ideal for a hybrid build.

In specific scenarios, such as the Spiral Abyss, Zhongli's shield can be a game-changer. For example, in floors with high-damage enemies or environmental hazards, Zhongli's shield can provide the durability needed to survive and complete the challenge. In boss fights, the resistance debuff can significantly increase your team's damage output, making the fight quicker and easier.

In conclusion, Zhongli's shield is one of the most powerful defensive tools in Genshin Impact. By understanding its mechanics, optimizing its usage, and integrating it into your team composition, you can maximize its effectiveness and create a nearly invincible team. Whether you're facing tough enemies in the Spiral Abyss or exploring the open world, Zhongli's shield will provide the durability and utility needed to succeed.