How do I counter the Rifthound Stomachs in Genshin Impact?

Rifthound Stomachs are a unique mechanic introduced in Genshin Impact that can be challenging to deal with if you donÔÇÖt understand how they work. These enemies are part of the Rifthound family, which includes Rifthounds and Rifthound Whelps. They are known for their corrosive abilities and the ability to drain your characters' health over time. To counter Rifthound Stomachs effectively, you need to understand their mechanics, prepare the right team, and use specific strategies to minimize their impact on your party.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of Rifthound Stomachs. When you attack a Rifthound or Rifthound Whelp, they can enter a "corroded" state. During this state, they will periodically release a corrosive mist that deals damage over time to your characters. This mist also applies a debuff called "Corrosion," which causes your entire team to lose health over time, regardless of shields or healing. The Corrosion effect can stack, making it increasingly dangerous if not managed properly. Additionally, Rifthounds are highly mobile and can teleport around the battlefield, making them difficult to pin down.

To counter Rifthound Stomachs, you need to focus on two main strategies: managing the Corrosion debuff and dealing consistent damage to the Rifthounds. HereÔÇÖs a step-by-step guide on how to do this effectively.

First, prioritize healing. Since Corrosion affects your entire team, having a strong healer is essential. Characters like Bennett, Jean, Kokomi, or Barbara are excellent choices because they can provide consistent healing to counteract the health drain. Bennett is particularly useful because his burst not only heals but also provides an attack boost, which can help you deal more damage to the Rifthounds.

Second, use crowd control and mobility to your advantage. Rifthounds are fast and can teleport, so characters with crowd control abilities like Venti, Kazuha, or Sucrose can help keep them in place. These characters can group the Rifthounds together, making it easier to hit multiple enemies with AoE (Area of Effect) attacks. Additionally, characters with high mobility, like Keqing or Xiao, can help you keep up with the Rifthounds as they move around the battlefield.

Third, focus on elemental reactions. Rifthounds are weak to certain elements, and using the right elemental reactions can significantly increase your damage output. For example, using Electro-Charged reactions with Hydro and Electro characters can deal continuous damage to the Rifthounds, even as they move around. Overloaded reactions with Pyro and Electro can also knock them back, giving you some breathing room.

Now, letÔÇÖs talk about team composition. A balanced team with a healer, a crowd control character, and strong DPS characters is ideal for dealing with Rifthound Stomachs. For example, you could use Bennett as your healer, Kazuha for crowd control, and Raiden Shogun and Xingqiu for consistent Electro-Charged reactions. This team provides healing, crowd control, and high damage output, making it well-suited for taking on Rifthounds.

When it comes to artifacts and weapons, prioritize those that enhance your characters' healing, crowd control, and damage output. For healers like Bennett, the Noblesse Oblige artifact set is a great choice because it boosts his healing and provides an attack bonus to the team. For crowd control characters like Kazuha, the Viridescent Venerer set is ideal because it increases Anemo damage and reduces enemy resistance to elements. For DPS characters like Raiden Shogun, the Emblem of Severed Fate set is a strong option because it boosts Energy Recharge and Elemental Burst damage.

In terms of weapons, focus on those that enhance your characters' abilities. For Bennett, the Aquila Favonia or Skyward Blade are excellent choices because they increase his healing and attack power. For Kazuha, the Freedom-Sworn or Iron Sting are great options because they boost his Elemental Mastery and crowd control abilities. For Raiden Shogun, the Engulfing Lightning or The Catch are ideal because they increase her Energy Recharge and Elemental Burst damage.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting your healer. Since Corrosion affects your entire team, itÔÇÖs crucial to keep your healer alive and ready to provide consistent healing. Make sure to position your healer safely and avoid taking unnecessary damage. Another mistake is focusing too much on single-target damage. Rifthounds often appear in groups, so using AoE attacks and elemental reactions is more effective than focusing on one enemy at a time.

For advanced techniques, consider using characters with shields to mitigate some of the damage from the Rifthounds. While shields wonÔÇÖt protect against Corrosion, they can help reduce the overall damage your team takes. Characters like Zhongli or Diona can provide strong shields and additional utility, such as healing or crowd control.

In specific scenarios, such as the Spiral Abyss, you may encounter multiple Rifthounds at once. In these situations, itÔÇÖs important to stay mobile and avoid getting surrounded. Use your crowd control abilities to group the Rifthounds together and focus on taking them out quickly with AoE attacks. Keep an eye on your teamÔÇÖs health and be ready to switch to your healer if necessary.

In conclusion, countering Rifthound Stomachs in Genshin Impact requires a combination of healing, crowd control, and consistent damage. By understanding the mechanics of Corrosion and preparing the right team, artifacts, and weapons, you can effectively deal with these challenging enemies. Remember to prioritize healing, use elemental reactions, and avoid common mistakes like neglecting your healer or focusing too much on single-target damage. With the right strategies and team composition, you can overcome Rifthound Stomachs and continue your adventure in Teyvat.