How do I counter the Rifthound Insteps in Genshin Impact?

Rifthound Insteps are a type of enemy in Genshin Impact that can be quite challenging due to their mobility, high damage output, and ability to inflict the Corrosion status. Corrosion is a debuff that causes your entire team to lose HP over time, regardless of shields, making it a significant threat in prolonged battles. To effectively counter Rifthound Insteps, you need to understand their mechanics, prepare a suitable team, and employ specific strategies during combat.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of Rifthound Insteps. These enemies are highly agile and can teleport or dash around the battlefield, making them difficult to hit. They also have a unique ability to inflict Corrosion, which bypasses shields and affects all party members. Corrosion drains HP over time and can stack, meaning the more hits you take from Rifthounds, the faster your teamÔÇÖs health will deplete. Additionally, Rifthounds have elemental affinities, with some being Electro-aligned and others Geo-aligned. This means they are resistant to their respective elements but can be weakened by opposing elements.

To counter Rifthound Insteps, you need a team that can handle their mobility, deal consistent damage, and mitigate the effects of Corrosion. A healer is essential to counteract the HP drain caused by Corrosion. Characters like Bennett, Jean, or Kokomi are excellent choices because they provide strong healing and utility. Bennett, for example, not only heals but also boosts attack power, making him a versatile pick. Jean offers healing and crowd control with her Elemental Skill, while Kokomi provides consistent Hydro application and healing.

In terms of damage dealers, characters with high burst damage or area-of-effect (AoE) abilities are ideal for dealing with Rifthounds. Ganyu, Hu Tao, or Ayaka are strong options because they can deal significant damage in a short amount of time. GanyuÔÇÖs charged shots and AoE burst can hit multiple Rifthounds at once, while Hu TaoÔÇÖs Pyro-infused attacks can quickly take down individual targets. AyakaÔÇÖs Cryo abilities are also effective, especially when paired with Hydro for Freeze reactions, which can immobilize Rifthounds and make them easier to hit.

Elemental reactions play a crucial role in countering Rifthounds. Since they are resistant to their own element, you should avoid using Electro or Geo characters against Electro or Geo Rifthounds, respectively. Instead, focus on using opposing elements. For example, Pyro characters like Hu Tao or Diluc are effective against Electro Rifthounds, while Hydro characters like Childe or Mona can deal with Geo Rifthounds. Combining elements to trigger reactions like Vaporize, Melt, or Freeze can significantly increase your damage output.

When it comes to combat strategies, positioning and timing are key. Rifthounds often attack in groups, so try to group them together using crowd control abilities or by luring them into a confined space. Characters like Venti or Kazuha can help with this by using their Elemental Skills to pull enemies together. Once grouped, unleash your AoE abilities to deal damage to multiple Rifthounds at once. Be mindful of their teleportation and dash abilities, as they can quickly reposition themselves. Use characters with fast attack animations or ranged attacks to keep up with their movements.

Healing and shielding are also important considerations. While shields do not protect against Corrosion, they can still mitigate incoming damage from Rifthound attacks. Characters like Zhongli or Diona can provide strong shields and additional utility. ZhongliÔÇÖs shield is one of the strongest in the game and reduces enemy resistance, while Diona offers both shielding and healing, making her a versatile choice. However, remember that healing is your primary defense against Corrosion, so prioritize characters with strong healing abilities.

Artifact and weapon choices can further optimize your teamÔÇÖs performance. For healers, artifacts like Maiden Beloved or Ocean-Hued Clam are ideal, as they enhance healing effectiveness. For damage dealers, focus on sets like Crimson Witch of Flames for Pyro characters, Blizzard Strayer for Cryo characters, or Heart of Depth for Hydro characters. Weapons should complement your charactersÔÇÖ roles and abilities. For example, Bennett benefits from high base attack weapons like Aquila Favonia or Skyward Blade, while Ganyu excels with AmosÔÇÖ Bow or Prototype Crescent.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting healing, using the wrong elements, and failing to group enemies. Neglecting healing can quickly lead to your team being overwhelmed by Corrosion, so always ensure you have a reliable healer. Using the wrong elements, such as Electro against Electro Rifthounds, will result in reduced damage, so always check the enemyÔÇÖs elemental affinity before engaging. Failing to group enemies can make it harder to deal AoE damage, so use crowd control abilities to your advantage.

Advanced techniques include optimizing energy recharge and burst rotations. Ensure your characters have sufficient energy recharge to use their Elemental Bursts frequently. This can be achieved through artifacts, weapons, or team compositions that generate energy particles efficiently. For example, pairing Bennett with another Pyro character like Xiangling can help generate more energy particles, allowing for more frequent bursts. Additionally, practice your burst rotations to maximize damage output and elemental reactions. For instance, using BennettÔÇÖs burst to boost attack power, followed by XianglingÔÇÖs burst for Pyro damage, can create a powerful combo.

In summary, countering Rifthound Insteps requires a well-rounded team with strong healing, high damage output, and effective elemental reactions. Focus on using opposing elements, group enemies together, and prioritize healing to mitigate Corrosion. With the right strategies and team composition, you can effectively take down Rifthound Insteps and overcome their challenges.