What is the difference between Melt and Reverse Melt in Genshin Impact?

Melt and Reverse Melt are two of the most powerful elemental reactions in Genshin Impact, both involving the Pyro and Cryo elements. These reactions amplify damage significantly, but they differ in how they are triggered and the damage multipliers they provide. Understanding the mechanics of these reactions is crucial for optimizing your team's damage output, especially in high-level content like the Spiral Abyss.

Melt occurs when Pyro is applied to an enemy already affected by Cryo, resulting in a 2x damage multiplier for the Pyro attack. Reverse Melt, on the other hand, happens when Cryo is applied to an enemy already affected by Pyro, resulting in a 1.5x damage multiplier for the Cryo attack. The key difference lies in the order of elemental application and the resulting damage amplification. Melt is generally more powerful due to its higher multiplier, but Reverse Melt can still be highly effective, especially when paired with strong Cryo characters.

To achieve Melt, you need to apply Cryo to an enemy first, followed by Pyro. For example, using a character like Kaeya or Ganyu to apply Cryo, then switching to a Pyro character like Diluc or Hu Tao to trigger the reaction. This setup maximizes the damage of your Pyro attacks. For Reverse Melt, you apply Pyro first, then Cryo. For instance, using Xiangling's Pyronado to apply Pyro, then switching to Rosaria or Ayaka to trigger the reaction with their Cryo abilities. This setup is ideal for Cryo-focused teams.

One important consideration is the elemental gauge theory, which dictates how much of an element is applied and how long it lasts. Pyro and Cryo have different gauge units, with Pyro typically having a stronger application. This means that Pyro can often override Cryo, making it easier to trigger Melt than Reverse Melt. However, with careful timing and character rotations, you can consistently trigger Reverse Melt as well.

Common mistakes include not paying attention to the order of elemental application, leading to unintended reactions like Vaporize or Overload. Another mistake is neglecting to build Energy Recharge on characters who rely on their Elemental Bursts to apply elements, resulting in inconsistent reactions. To avoid these issues, practice your rotations and ensure your characters have sufficient Energy Recharge to maintain uptime on their abilities.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your team's rotations to maximize the number of Melt or Reverse Melt reactions. For example, using Bennett's Elemental Burst to apply Pyro and boost attack, then switching to a Cryo DPS like Ayaka to trigger Reverse Melt. Another technique is using Anemo characters like Sucrose or Kazuha to swirl elements and increase reaction damage through Elemental Mastery buffs.

Team composition is critical for maximizing Melt and Reverse Melt reactions. For a Melt team, consider pairing a strong Pyro DPS like Hu Tao or Diluc with a Cryo support like Kaeya or Rosaria. Adding an Anemo character like Venti or Kazuha can help group enemies and increase reaction damage. For a Reverse Melt team, focus on Cryo DPS characters like Ayaka or Ganyu, supported by Pyro applicators like Xiangling or Bennett. Anemo supports can again be valuable for increasing damage output.

Artifact and weapon choices should complement your team's strategy. For Melt teams, prioritize artifacts that boost Pyro damage and Elemental Mastery, such as Crimson Witch of Flames. Weapons like Staff of Homa or Wolf's Gravestone are excellent for Pyro DPS characters. For Reverse Melt teams, focus on artifacts that enhance Cryo damage and Elemental Mastery, such as Blizzard Strayer. Weapons like Mistsplitter Reforged or Skyward Harp are ideal for Cryo DPS characters.

Specific examples include using Ganyu's Charged Attacks to apply Cryo, then switching to Xiangling's Pyronado to trigger Melt. This setup can deal massive damage, especially if Ganyu is built with high Elemental Mastery. Another example is using Ayaka's Elemental Burst to apply Cryo, then switching to Bennett's Elemental Burst to trigger Reverse Melt. This combination can quickly eliminate tough enemies.

In summary, Melt and Reverse Melt are powerful reactions that require careful planning and execution. By understanding the mechanics, optimizing your team composition, and choosing the right artifacts and weapons, you can maximize your damage output and dominate in combat. Practice your rotations, pay attention to elemental application, and experiment with different setups to find what works best for your playstyle.