How do I counter the Rifthound Necks in Genshin Impact?

Rifthound Necks are one of the more challenging enemies in Genshin Impact, especially due to their unique mechanics and high mobility. These wolf-like creatures are found in the Inazuma region and are known for their ability to inflict Corrosion, a status effect that damages your entire team over time, bypassing shields. To effectively counter Rifthound Necks, you need to understand their mechanics, build a team that can handle their aggression, and use the right strategies to minimize their impact.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of Rifthound Necks. These enemies come in two elemental variants: Electro and Geo. Electro Rifthounds are weak to Cryo and Pyro, while Geo Rifthounds are weak to Geo and physical damage. Both types are highly mobile, often teleporting or dashing around the battlefield, making them difficult to hit. Their most dangerous ability is Corrosion, which they inflict when they land attacks. Corrosion drains the health of all party members over time, even if they are shielded, making healing a critical part of your strategy.

To counter Rifthound Necks, start by focusing on their elemental weaknesses. For Electro Rifthounds, use Cryo or Pyro characters like Ganyu, Ayaka, or Hu Tao to deal increased damage. For Geo Rifthounds, Geo characters like Zhongli or Albedo can break their shields more effectively. Additionally, physical damage dealers like Eula or Razor can be useful against Geo Rifthounds. Always prioritize characters with high burst damage to take them down quickly before they can inflict Corrosion.

Team composition is crucial when facing Rifthound Necks. A balanced team should include a strong DPS character, a healer, and support characters who can provide shields or crowd control. For example, a team with Hu Tao (DPS), Bennett (healer and buffer), Zhongli (shielder), and Kazuha (crowd control and elemental support) can handle Rifthounds effectively. BennettÔÇÖs healing is particularly valuable for countering Corrosion, while ZhongliÔÇÖs shield can reduce incoming damage. KazuhaÔÇÖs crowd control can group Rifthounds together, making it easier to hit them with AoE attacks.

Artifact and weapon choices also play a significant role in optimizing your team for this fight. For DPS characters, focus on artifacts that boost their elemental damage or critical stats, such as Crimson Witch of Flames for Pyro characters or Blizzard Strayer for Cryo characters. Weapons like Staff of Homa for Hu Tao or Mistsplitter Reforged for Ayaka can significantly increase their damage output. For healers like Bennett, prioritize artifacts that boost healing and energy recharge, such as Noblesse Oblige. Weapons like Favonius Sword or Skyward Blade can help maintain his burst uptime.

In combat, positioning and timing are key. Rifthound Necks often attack in packs, so try to group them together using crowd control abilities like KazuhaÔÇÖs Elemental Skill or VentiÔÇÖs Elemental Burst. Once grouped, unleash your strongest AoE attacks to deal massive damage. Be mindful of their teleportation and dashing abilities, as they can quickly reposition and disrupt your attacks. Always keep an eye on your teamÔÇÖs health and use healing abilities as soon as Corrosion starts to take effect.

One common mistake is relying too heavily on shields. While shields can reduce incoming damage, they do not protect against Corrosion. Always bring a healer to counteract this effect. Another mistake is neglecting crowd control. Without it, Rifthounds can scatter and become harder to hit, prolonging the fight and increasing the risk of Corrosion.

Advanced techniques include using elemental reactions to your advantage. For example, triggering Superconduct with Cryo and Electro can reduce the physical resistance of Geo Rifthounds, making them easier to take down. Similarly, Overloaded reactions can knock back Electro Rifthounds, giving you more time to reposition and attack.

In summary, countering Rifthound Necks requires a combination of understanding their mechanics, building a balanced team, and using effective strategies. Focus on their elemental weaknesses, bring a reliable healer, and use crowd control to keep them in check. Optimize your artifacts and weapons to maximize damage and healing efficiency. By following these steps, you can effectively counter Rifthound Necks and minimize their impact on your team.