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

Using Pyro and Hydro together in Genshin Impact is one of the most effective ways to deal massive damage due to the Vaporize reaction. Vaporize occurs when Pyro and Hydro elements interact, and it can either amplify Pyro damage (if Hydro triggers the reaction) or Hydro damage (if Pyro triggers the reaction). Understanding how to maximize this reaction is key to optimizing your team's damage output.

First, let's break down the mechanics of Vaporize. When a Hydro attack hits an enemy affected by Pyro, it triggers a Vaporize reaction that increases the Hydro damage by 2x. Conversely, when a Pyro attack hits an enemy affected by Hydro, it triggers a Vaporize reaction that increases the Pyro damage by 1.5x. This means that Hydro-triggered Vaporize deals more damage, but Pyro-triggered Vaporize is still highly effective. To maximize damage, you should aim to have your strongest DPS character trigger the reaction. For example, if your Hydro character deals more damage, you want them to trigger the reaction, and vice versa.

To execute this strategy effectively, you need to carefully manage elemental application. Start by applying the first element (either Pyro or Hydro) to the enemy. Then, quickly follow up with the second element to trigger Vaporize. For example, if you are using a Pyro DPS like Diluc or Hu Tao, you would first apply Hydro with a character like Xingqiu or Mona, then use your Pyro DPS to trigger Vaporize. This ensures that your Pyro attacks benefit from the 1.5x damage multiplier. On the other hand, if you are using a Hydro DPS like Tartaglia, you would first apply Pyro with a character like Bennett or Xiangling, then use your Hydro DPS to trigger Vaporize for the 2x damage multiplier.

One important tip is to pay attention to the order of elemental application. If you apply Pyro first and then Hydro, the Hydro attack will consume the Pyro aura, leaving no element on the enemy. This means you will need to reapply Pyro before triggering Vaporize again. To avoid this, you can use characters with consistent elemental application, such as Xingqiu, whose Hydro application is tied to his Elemental Burst and persists even after the initial application. This allows your Pyro DPS to continuously trigger Vaporize without needing to reapply Hydro.

Another consideration is energy management. Since Vaporize reactions rely heavily on Elemental Bursts, you need to ensure your characters have enough Energy Recharge to use their abilities frequently. Characters like Xingqiu and Bennett are excellent for this because they not only provide consistent elemental application but also generate energy particles for the team. Building Energy Recharge on these characters through artifacts and weapons is crucial for maintaining smooth rotations.

Common mistakes to avoid include overloading the enemy with too many elements, which can cause unintended reactions like Overload or Electro-Charged, disrupting your Vaporize setup. Additionally, failing to time your attacks correctly can result in missed Vaporize opportunities. Practice your rotations to ensure you are triggering Vaporize consistently.

For advanced techniques, consider using characters with high elemental mastery to further boost Vaporize damage. Elemental mastery increases the damage of elemental reactions, so building it on your trigger character can significantly enhance your damage output. For example, if you are using Hu Tao as your Pyro DPS, equipping her with artifacts that provide both Crit Rate and Elemental Mastery can make her Vaporize hits even more devastating.

Team composition is also critical. A strong Pyro-Hydro team might include a Pyro DPS like Hu Tao or Diluc, a Hydro enabler like Xingqiu or Mona, a support character like Bennett for healing and attack buffs, and a flex slot for crowd control or additional damage. For example, a team of Hu Tao, Xingqiu, Bennett, and Zhongli would provide strong Vaporize reactions, healing, and shielding.

Artifact and weapon recommendations depend on your characters. For Pyro DPS characters, Crimson Witch of Flames is the best artifact set, as it increases Pyro damage and boosts Vaporize damage. For Hydro characters, Heart of Depth is ideal for increasing Hydro damage. Weapons like Staff of Homa for Hu Tao or The Stringless for Tartaglia can further enhance their damage output.

In specific scenarios, such as fighting bosses or in the Spiral Abyss, timing your Vaporize reactions can make a significant difference. For example, against the Pyro Regisvine, using a Hydro character to trigger Vaporize can quickly deplete its health. Similarly, in the Spiral Abyss, setting up Vaporize reactions on multiple enemies can clear waves efficiently.

In conclusion, mastering Pyro and Hydro interactions through Vaporize is a powerful strategy in Genshin Impact. By understanding the mechanics, managing elemental application, and optimizing your team composition, artifacts, and weapons, you can maximize your damage output and dominate in combat.