How do I counter the Rifthound Nail Folds in Genshin Impact?

Rifthound Nail Folds are a unique mechanic introduced in Genshin Impact with the Rifthound enemies, which are wolf-like creatures found in areas like Tsurumi Island and the Chasm. These enemies are known for their ability to inflict Corrosion, a status effect that drains the health of your entire team over time, regardless of shields. To effectively counter Rifthound Nail Folds, you need to understand their mechanics, prepare your team accordingly, and execute specific strategies during combat.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of Rifthound Nail Folds. When you defeat a Rifthound, it leaves behind a Nail Fold, which is a glowing orb that persists for a short time. If you do not destroy the Nail Fold quickly, it will explode, dealing significant AoE damage and applying Corrosion to your entire team. Corrosion is particularly dangerous because it bypasses shields and affects all characters, even those not currently on the field. This makes it crucial to prioritize destroying Nail Folds as soon as they appear.

To counter Rifthound Nail Folds effectively, follow these step-by-step strategies. First, focus on defeating the Rifthounds as quickly as possible. Use characters with high burst damage to take them down before they can inflict too much Corrosion. Once a Rifthound is defeated, immediately switch your attention to the Nail Fold. Use characters with fast attacks or AoE abilities to destroy the Nail Fold before it explodes. Characters like Hu Tao, Ganyu, or Ayaka are excellent for this due to their high damage output and ability to quickly clear multiple targets.

Important tips and considerations include maintaining a balanced team composition. Since Corrosion affects all characters, having a healer is essential. Characters like Bennett, Jean, or Kokomi can provide consistent healing to counteract the Corrosion damage. Additionally, avoid relying solely on shield characters like Zhongli, as shields do not protect against Corrosion. Instead, focus on characters who can deal damage quickly and sustain the team through healing.

Common mistakes to avoid include ignoring the Nail Folds or focusing too much on the Rifthounds without addressing the Nail Folds. If you leave the Nail Folds unattended, they will explode and cause significant damage and Corrosion, making the fight much harder. Another mistake is not bringing a healer, which can lead to your team being overwhelmed by the continuous health drain from Corrosion.

Advanced techniques and optimizations involve using elemental reactions to your advantage. For example, using Electro-Charged or Overloaded reactions can help deal additional damage to both the Rifthounds and the Nail Folds. Additionally, timing your bursts and abilities to coincide with the appearance of Nail Folds can help you clear them more efficiently. For instance, using a character like Raiden ShogunÔÇÖs Elemental Burst can quickly destroy multiple Nail Folds in a single rotation.

Team composition suggestions include a mix of DPS, support, and healing characters. A strong team might include a main DPS like Hu Tao or Ayaka, a sub-DPS like Xingqiu or Fischl, a healer like Bennett or Kokomi, and a support character like Kazuha or Sucrose for crowd control and elemental reactions. This setup ensures you have the damage output to defeat Rifthounds quickly, the healing to sustain your team, and the utility to manage Nail Folds effectively.

Artifact and weapon recommendations should focus on maximizing damage and survivability. For DPS characters, artifacts like Crimson Witch of Flames for Pyro characters or Blizzard Strayer for Cryo characters are ideal. Weapons like Staff of Homa for Hu Tao or Mistsplitter Reforged for Ayaka can significantly boost their damage output. For healers, artifacts like Maiden Beloved or Ocean-Hued Clam can enhance their healing capabilities, while weapons like Prototype Amber or Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers provide additional utility.

In specific scenarios, such as fighting multiple Rifthounds at once, itÔÇÖs crucial to prioritize targets and manage your abilities carefully. For example, if youÔÇÖre facing a group of Rifthounds, use crowd control abilities like VentiÔÇÖs Elemental Burst or SucroseÔÇÖs abilities to group them together, making it easier to defeat them and destroy their Nail Folds simultaneously. Additionally, always keep an eye on your teamÔÇÖs health and be ready to switch to your healer if Corrosion starts to take its toll.

In conclusion, countering Rifthound Nail Folds in Genshin Impact requires a combination of quick damage output, effective healing, and strategic use of elemental reactions. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your team, and executing the right strategies, you can minimize the impact of Corrosion and defeat Rifthounds efficiently. Remember to prioritize destroying Nail Folds, bring a reliable healer, and use characters with strong AoE abilities to manage multiple enemies at once. With the right approach, you can overcome the challenges posed by Rifthounds and their Nail Folds.