How do I counter the Eremite Axe Vanguards in Genshin Impact?

Eremite Axe Vanguards are formidable enemies in Genshin Impact, known for their aggressive melee attacks and high damage output. To effectively counter them, you need to understand their mechanics, exploit their weaknesses, and optimize your team composition and combat strategies. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you tackle these enemies.

Eremite Axe Vanguards are melee fighters who rely on powerful, close-range attacks. They often charge at you with a spinning axe attack, which deals significant damage if not dodged. They also have a ground slam attack that creates a shockwave, which can knock your characters back. Their attacks are slow but heavy-hitting, so timing your dodges and counters is crucial. They are vulnerable to crowd control effects like Freeze and Stun, which can interrupt their attacks and give you an opening to deal damage.

To counter Eremite Axe Vanguards, start by observing their attack patterns. When they raise their axe for a spinning attack, prepare to dodge to the side or use a dash to avoid the damage. If they perform a ground slam, quickly move out of the shockwaveÔÇÖs range. Using characters with shields or healing abilities can help mitigate the damage if you fail to dodge. Characters like Zhongli, Diona, or Noelle can provide shields, while healers like Barbara or Qiqi can keep your team alive during prolonged fights.

Elemental reactions are key to dealing with Eremite Axe Vanguards. Since they are not immune to any specific element, you can use a variety of reactions to increase your damage output. For example, combining Hydro and Electro for Electro-Charged can deal continuous damage over time, while Pyro and Cryo for Melt can result in high burst damage. Overloaded reactions (Pyro + Electro) can also knock them back, giving you some breathing room. Freeze reactions (Hydro + Cryo) are particularly effective as they immobilize the Vanguards, allowing you to attack without retaliation.

Team composition is crucial when facing Eremite Axe Vanguards. A balanced team with a mix of DPS, support, and crowd control characters works best. For example, a team with Ayaka (Cryo DPS), Xingqiu (Hydro support), Bennett (Pyro support/healer), and Sucrose (Anemo crowd control) can create powerful elemental reactions and keep the Vanguards under control. AyakaÔÇÖs Cryo attacks can freeze the Vanguards when combined with XingqiuÔÇÖs Hydro application, while Bennett provides healing and attack buffs. Sucrose can group enemies together and increase elemental mastery, enhancing your reaction damage.

Artifact and weapon choices should complement your teamÔÇÖs strengths. For DPS characters like Ayaka, the Blizzard Strayer artifact set is ideal as it increases Cryo damage and critical rate against frozen enemies. Pair this with a high-damage weapon like the Mistsplitter Reforged or the Amenoma Kageuchi. For support characters like Xingqiu, the Emblem of Severed Fate set boosts energy recharge and burst damage, making his Hydro application more consistent. Weapons like the Sacrificial Sword or Favonius Sword are great for energy regeneration.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the VanguardsÔÇÖ damage output and failing to dodge their attacks. Their spinning axe attack can quickly deplete your health if youÔÇÖre not careful. Another mistake is not using elemental reactions effectively. Relying solely on physical damage without leveraging elemental combos will make the fight longer and more difficult. Additionally, neglecting to use crowd control abilities can leave you vulnerable to their relentless attacks.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your teamÔÇÖs energy regeneration and burst rotations. For example, using BennettÔÇÖs burst to buff your teamÔÇÖs attack before unleashing AyakaÔÇÖs burst can maximize damage output. Timing your elemental skills and bursts to trigger reactions at the right moment is also crucial. For instance, applying Hydro with XingqiuÔÇÖs skill before using AyakaÔÇÖs burst ensures that the Vanguards are frozen, allowing you to deal maximum damage without interruption.

In specific scenarios, such as fighting multiple Eremite Axe Vanguards at once, crowd control becomes even more important. Characters like Venti or Kazuha can group enemies together, making it easier to apply elemental reactions and deal AoE damage. Combining their abilities with a strong DPS character like Hu Tao or Ganyu can quickly clear the battlefield.

In summary, countering Eremite Axe Vanguards requires a combination of careful observation, effective dodging, and strategic use of elemental reactions. Building a balanced team with strong DPS, support, and crowd control characters, along with optimizing artifacts and weapons, will give you the upper hand in these encounters. By avoiding common mistakes and employing advanced techniques, you can efficiently defeat these powerful enemies and progress through the game.