How do I counter the Rifthound Shin Splints in Genshin Impact?

Rifthound Shin Splints are a type of enemy in Genshin Impact that can be particularly challenging due to their mobility, aggressive attacks, and the Corrosion debuff they inflict. To effectively counter them, you need to understand their mechanics, prepare a suitable team, and employ specific strategies during combat. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to deal with Rifthound Shin Splints.

Rifthound Shin Splints are part of the Rifthound family, which includes both the smaller Shin Splints and the larger Rifthounds. These enemies are highly mobile, often teleporting or dashing around the battlefield, making them difficult to hit. They also apply the Corrosion debuff, which causes your entire team to lose HP over time, regardless of shields. This debuff can be particularly dangerous if not managed properly, as it can quickly whittle down your teamÔÇÖs health.

To counter Rifthound Shin Splints, you need to focus on several key strategies. First, prioritize crowd control and mobility. Characters with abilities that can immobilize or slow down enemies, such as freeze or petrify effects, are highly effective. For example, characters like Ayaka or Ganyu can freeze Rifthounds in place, making them easier to hit. Additionally, characters with high mobility, such as Keqing or Xiao, can keep up with the RifthoundsÔÇÖ movements and deal consistent damage.

Second, manage the Corrosion debuff effectively. Since Corrosion bypasses shields, you need to rely on healing to counteract the damage. Characters like Bennett, Jean, or Kokomi are excellent choices for this role. BennettÔÇÖs burst not only heals but also provides an attack boost, making him a versatile support. Jean can heal and cleanse debuffs, while Kokomi offers consistent healing and can apply Hydro for elemental reactions.

Third, exploit elemental reactions. Rifthounds are weak to certain elements, and using the right reactions can significantly increase your damage output. For example, using Electro-Charged reactions with characters like Raiden Shogun or Fischl can deal continuous damage to multiple Rifthounds at once. Overloaded reactions with Pyro and Electro characters can also stagger the Rifthounds, giving you more time to attack.

When building your team, consider a balanced composition that includes a main DPS, a sub-DPS, a healer, and a support character. For example, a team with Ayaka as the main DPS, Xingqiu as the sub-DPS for Hydro application, Bennett as the healer, and Sucrose as the support for crowd control and elemental mastery buffs can be highly effective. This setup allows you to freeze enemies, deal consistent damage, and heal through the Corrosion debuff.

Artifact and weapon choices are also crucial. For your main DPS, focus on artifacts that boost their primary damage stat, such as Blizzard Strayer for Ayaka or Crimson Witch of Flames for Diluc. Weapons should complement their abilities, such as Mistsplitter Reforged for Ayaka or WolfÔÇÖs Gravestone for Diluc. For healers, prioritize artifacts that increase healing effectiveness, such as Maiden Beloved or Ocean-Hued Clam. Weapons like the Prototype Amber or the Favonius Sword can provide additional utility.

In combat, pay attention to the RifthoundsÔÇÖ attack patterns. They often telegraph their moves with a brief pause or a specific animation. Use this time to dodge or counterattack. Avoid clustering your characters together, as the RifthoundsÔÇÖ attacks can hit multiple targets. Instead, spread out and use ranged attacks or abilities to maintain distance.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting healing and relying too much on shields. Since Corrosion bypasses shields, you need to have a reliable healer in your team. Additionally, avoid using characters with long cooldowns or slow attack animations, as the RifthoundsÔÇÖ mobility can make it difficult to land hits.

Advanced techniques include using elemental bursts strategically. For example, using AyakaÔÇÖs burst when the Rifthounds are frozen can deal massive damage. Similarly, timing BennettÔÇÖs burst to coincide with your main DPSÔÇÖs attack window can maximize damage output. Additionally, using crowd control abilities like SucroseÔÇÖs burst or VentiÔÇÖs burst can group the Rifthounds together, making them easier to hit with AoE attacks.

In summary, countering Rifthound Shin Splints requires a combination of crowd control, healing, and elemental reactions. Build a balanced team with strong DPS, reliable healing, and effective support. Use artifacts and weapons that enhance your charactersÔÇÖ strengths, and pay attention to the RifthoundsÔÇÖ attack patterns. With the right strategy and preparation, you can effectively counter these challenging enemies and minimize the impact of the Corrosion debuff.