How do I counter the Rifthound Kidneys in Genshin Impact?

Rifthound Kidneys are a unique mechanic introduced in Genshin Impact that can be challenging to counter if you donÔÇÖt understand how they work. These enemies, known as Rifthounds or Rifthound Whelps, are found in areas like Tsurumi Island and the Chasm. They have a special ability called Corrosion, which can drain your entire teamÔÇÖs HP over time, even if your active character is shielded. To counter Rifthound Kidneys effectively, you need to focus on both combat mechanics and team composition.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of Rifthound Kidneys. Rifthounds are highly mobile enemies that deal both physical and elemental damage. Their Corrosion effect is triggered when they hit your characters, and it bypasses shields, making it a persistent threat. The Corrosion status reduces your entire teamÔÇÖs HP over time, even if they are not on the field. This means you need to prioritize healing and damage mitigation to survive prolonged encounters with these enemies.

To counter Rifthound Kidneys, start by building a team that includes a strong healer. Characters like Bennett, Jean, Kokomi, or Barbara are excellent choices because they provide consistent healing to counteract the Corrosion effect. Bennett is particularly useful because his Elemental Burst not only heals but also provides an attack boost, making him a versatile support. Kokomi and Barbara are Hydro healers who can also trigger elemental reactions like Vaporize or Electro-Charged, adding utility to your team.

Next, consider using characters with crowd control abilities to manage the RifthoundsÔÇÖ mobility. Anemo characters like Venti, Kazuha, or Sucrose can group the Rifthounds together, making it easier to deal damage to multiple enemies at once. KazuhaÔÇÖs Elemental Skill can pull enemies in and deal Swirl damage, while VentiÔÇÖs Elemental Burst creates a vortex that keeps enemies immobilized. Sucrose is also a great option for her ability to group enemies and boost Elemental Mastery, enhancing your teamÔÇÖs elemental reactions.

Elemental reactions are crucial when fighting Rifthounds. Since Rifthounds are weak to certain elements, you can exploit their vulnerabilities to deal more damage. For example, Pyro and Electro are effective against Rifthounds, as they can trigger Overload, which deals AoE damage. Characters like Hu Tao, Diluc, or Raiden Shogun can deal significant damage to Rifthounds while also triggering powerful reactions. Cryo characters like Ayaka or Ganyu can also be effective, as they can freeze Rifthounds in place, reducing their mobility and giving you more time to attack.

When it comes to artifacts and weapons, prioritize those that enhance your teamÔÇÖs survivability and damage output. For healers, artifacts like Maiden Beloved or Ocean-Hued Clam are ideal, as they increase healing effectiveness. For DPS characters, focus on sets like Crimson Witch of Flames for Pyro characters or Emblem of Severed Fate for characters like Raiden Shogun. Weapons like the Prototype Amber for Kokomi or the Favonius Sword for Bennett can help with energy regeneration, ensuring your healers can use their bursts more frequently.

One common mistake players make is relying too heavily on shields when fighting Rifthounds. Since Corrosion bypasses shields, you need to focus on healing instead. Another mistake is neglecting crowd control, which can make it difficult to deal with the RifthoundsÔÇÖ high mobility. Always bring a character with crowd control abilities to keep the enemies in check.

Advanced techniques include timing your bursts and skills to maximize damage and healing. For example, using BennettÔÇÖs burst right before switching to your main DPS can provide both healing and an attack boost. Similarly, using KazuhaÔÇÖs burst to group enemies and then following up with a Pyro or Electro burst can trigger powerful elemental reactions.

In terms of team composition, a balanced team might include Bennett as a healer and buffer, Kazuha for crowd control and Swirl reactions, Hu Tao as a main DPS, and Raiden Shogun for additional Electro damage and energy regeneration. This setup ensures you have healing, crowd control, and high damage output to handle Rifthounds effectively.

In specific scenarios, such as fighting multiple Rifthounds in the Spiral Abyss, youÔÇÖll need to focus on grouping them together and dealing AoE damage. Use Kazuha or Venti to gather the enemies, then unleash your DPS charactersÔÇÖ bursts to clear them quickly. Always keep an eye on your teamÔÇÖs HP and be ready to switch to your healer if Corrosion starts to take its toll.

By understanding the mechanics of Rifthound Kidneys and building a team that prioritizes healing, crowd control, and elemental reactions, you can effectively counter these challenging enemies. Focus on optimizing your artifacts and weapons, and avoid common mistakes like relying on shields or neglecting crowd control. With the right strategy, you can turn the tide of battle and emerge victorious against Rifthounds.