How do I counter Ruin Guards effectively in Genshin Impact?

Ruin Guards are one of the more challenging enemies in Genshin Impact due to their high durability and powerful attacks. To counter them effectively, you need to understand their mechanics, exploit their weaknesses, and use the right team composition and strategies. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to deal with Ruin Guards.

Ruin Guards have two main weak points: their glowing eye and their core on their back. Hitting these weak points with a bow user or a well-aimed attack will stagger them, temporarily disabling their attacks. This is crucial for creating openings to deal damage. When a Ruin Guard is staggered, it will kneel down, giving you a few seconds to unleash your strongest attacks. Additionally, Ruin Guards are weak to elemental reactions, particularly those that deal high burst damage like Overload (Pyro + Electro) or Superconduct (Cryo + Electro).

To start the fight, use a bow character like Fischl, Ganyu, or Yoimiya to target the Ruin GuardÔÇÖs eye. This will stagger it and give you an opening. Once staggered, switch to your main DPS character to deal damage. Characters like Hu Tao, Diluc, or Eula are excellent choices due to their high burst damage. If you donÔÇÖt have a bow user, you can still stagger the Ruin Guard by attacking its core when it exposes it during certain attacks, such as its spinning attack.

Elemental reactions are key to maximizing your damage. For example, using a Pyro character like Bennett or Xiangling to apply Pyro, followed by an Electro character like Fischl or Raiden Shogun to trigger Overload, can deal significant damage. Alternatively, using a Cryo character like Kaeya or Rosaria with an Electro character can trigger Superconduct, which reduces the Ruin GuardÔÇÖs physical resistance, making it easier for physical DPS characters like Eula or Razor to deal damage.

Team composition is important when fighting Ruin Guards. A balanced team with a bow user, a main DPS, a support character, and a healer is ideal. For example, a team of Ganyu (bow user and DPS), Bennett (healer and Pyro support), Fischl (Electro support), and Zhongli (shielder) can be very effective. Ganyu can stagger the Ruin Guard and deal Cryo damage, Bennett provides healing and Pyro for reactions, Fischl adds Electro for reactions, and ZhongliÔÇÖs shield protects the team from the Ruin GuardÔÇÖs powerful attacks.

Artifacts and weapons should be optimized for your teamÔÇÖs roles. For DPS characters, focus on artifacts that increase attack, critical rate, and critical damage, such as GladiatorÔÇÖs Finale or ShimenawaÔÇÖs Reminiscence. For support characters, artifacts that boost elemental mastery or energy recharge, like Noblesse Oblige or Thundering Fury, are ideal. Weapons should match the characterÔÇÖs role, with DPS characters using high attack weapons like the WolfÔÇÖs Gravestone or AmosÔÇÖ Bow, and support characters using weapons that enhance their abilities, like the Favonius Warbow or Sacrificial Sword.

Common mistakes to avoid include ignoring the Ruin GuardÔÇÖs weak points, not using elemental reactions, and failing to dodge its attacks. Ruin Guards have powerful attacks like their spinning attack and missile barrage, which can deal massive damage if not avoided. Always be ready to dodge and use shields or healing to stay alive. Additionally, donÔÇÖt forget to use your characterÔÇÖs elemental bursts and skills effectively to maximize damage and control the battlefield.

Advanced techniques include using crowd control abilities to keep the Ruin Guard in place while you attack. Characters like Venti or Sucrose can use their abilities to group enemies and keep them from moving, making it easier to target the Ruin GuardÔÇÖs weak points. Another technique is to use characters with high mobility, like Keqing or Xiao, to quickly reposition and avoid the Ruin GuardÔÇÖs attacks while dealing damage.

In specific scenarios, such as fighting multiple Ruin Guards at once, focus on staggering one at a time while keeping an eye on the others. Use area-of-effect (AoE) attacks and elemental reactions to deal damage to multiple enemies simultaneously. Characters like Klee or Tartaglia, who have strong AoE abilities, can be very effective in these situations.

In summary, countering Ruin Guards effectively requires a combination of targeting their weak points, using elemental reactions, and having a well-balanced team with optimized artifacts and weapons. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can take down Ruin Guards efficiently and safely.