What is the best way to use Cryo and Hydro together in Genshin Impact?

Using Cryo and Hydro together in Genshin Impact is one of the most effective ways to trigger the Freeze reaction, which immobilizes enemies and sets up opportunities for high-damage combos. This reaction is particularly useful in both overworld exploration and challenging content like the Spiral Abyss. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to maximize the potential of Cryo and Hydro synergy.

The Freeze reaction occurs when Hydro and Cryo elements interact, freezing enemies in place for a short duration. This reaction does not deal direct damage but is invaluable for crowd control, allowing your team to focus on dealing damage without worrying about enemy movement or attacks. To trigger Freeze, you need to apply Hydro first, followed by Cryo, or vice versa. The order doesnÔÇÖt matter for the reaction itself, but it can affect other reactions like Melt or Vaporize if youÔÇÖre using Pyro characters in your team.

To effectively use Cryo and Hydro together, start by applying Hydro to enemies using characters like Mona, Xingqiu, or Kokomi. These characters have consistent Hydro application, making them ideal for setting up Freeze. Once Hydro is applied, switch to a Cryo character like Ayaka, Ganyu, or Rosaria to trigger the Freeze reaction. Ayaka and Ganyu are particularly strong because their abilities deal high Cryo damage and can maintain Freeze for extended periods.

One important tip is to manage your energy and cooldowns effectively. Characters like Xingqiu and Ayaka rely on their Elemental Bursts for consistent Hydro and Cryo application, so make sure to build enough Energy Recharge on them. Xingqiu benefits from Sacrificial Sword, which helps reset his Elemental Skill cooldown and generate more energy. Ayaka and Ganyu, on the other hand, benefit from weapons like Mistsplitter Reforged or AmosÔÇÖ Bow, which increase their damage output.

When building your team, consider adding an Anemo character like Kazuha, Venti, or Sucrose to group enemies together and increase elemental damage through the Viridescent Venerer artifact set. This set reduces enemy resistance to the swirled element, amplifying your Cryo and Hydro damage. Additionally, a second Cryo character can activate the Cryo Resonance, which increases Critical Rate against frozen or Cryo-affected enemies, further boosting your damage output.

Artifact selection is crucial for optimizing your team. For Cryo DPS characters like Ayaka or Ganyu, the Blizzard Strayer set is ideal, as it increases Cryo damage and provides a significant Critical Rate boost against frozen enemies. Hydro support characters like Xingqiu or Mona should use the Emblem of Severed Fate set, which enhances Energy Recharge and Elemental Burst damage. Anemo supports should use the Viridescent Venerer set to reduce enemy resistance and increase team damage.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting Energy Recharge on support characters, which can lead to inconsistent elemental application. Another mistake is overloading your team with too many elements, which can disrupt your ability to maintain Freeze. Stick to a core of Cryo, Hydro, and Anemo characters for optimal synergy.

Advanced techniques involve timing your Elemental Bursts and Skills to maximize damage during the Freeze window. For example, using AyakaÔÇÖs Elemental Burst immediately after freezing enemies ensures that all hits land on stationary targets. Additionally, using MonaÔÇÖs Elemental Burst before freezing enemies can amplify damage through her Omen debuff, which increases damage taken by affected enemies.

In specific scenarios, such as the Spiral Abyss, Freeze teams excel against groups of enemies or bosses that can be frozen. However, be cautious against enemies immune to Freeze, such as certain bosses or enemies with elemental shields. In these cases, consider swapping out your Freeze team for a more versatile composition.

In summary, combining Cryo and Hydro in Genshin Impact is a powerful strategy for crowd control and damage amplification. By carefully selecting characters, managing energy, and optimizing artifacts, you can create a highly effective Freeze team capable of handling most challenges in the game.