What is the best way to deal with the Rifthound Nail Edges in Genshin Impact?

Rifthound Nail Edges are a unique mechanic introduced in Genshin Impact that players encounter when fighting Rifthounds, particularly the larger variants like the Rifthound Whelps and Rifthounds. These Nail Edges are essentially lingering effects left behind by the Rifthounds after they perform certain attacks. They deal continuous damage over time and can be quite troublesome if not managed properly. Understanding how to deal with Rifthound Nail Edges is crucial for maintaining your team's health and ensuring smooth combat.

The mechanics of Rifthound Nail Edges involve the Rifthounds leaving behind a corrosive effect on the battlefield after specific attacks. These Nail Edges persist for a duration and deal damage to any character standing within their area of effect. The damage is typically elemental, often aligned with the Rifthound's element, such as Electro or Geo. The Nail Edges can stack, meaning multiple instances can overlap, increasing the damage output significantly. Additionally, the Nail Edges can cause the Corrosion status, which drains your characters' HP over time, even if they are shielded.

To effectively deal with Rifthound Nail Edges, the first step is to recognize when they are being created. Rifthounds usually leave Nail Edges after performing their lunging or charging attacks. Pay close attention to their animations and be ready to move your characters out of the way. Positioning is key; try to keep your characters mobile and avoid clustering them in one spot, as this can make it easier for multiple Nail Edges to affect your entire team.

One of the most effective strategies is to use characters with strong crowd control or area denial abilities. Characters like Venti or Kazuha can group enemies together, making it easier to focus your attacks and reduce the number of Nail Edges being created. Additionally, characters with shields, such as Zhongli or Diona, can provide a buffer against the damage, though it's important to note that shields do not prevent the Corrosion effect.

Healing is another critical aspect of dealing with Rifthound Nail Edges. Characters like Barbara, Qiqi, or Bennett can provide consistent healing to counteract the damage over time. Bennett is particularly useful due to his burst healing and attack buff, which can help your team recover quickly while also boosting damage output. It's also beneficial to have a character with a cleanse ability, such as Jean or Sayu, to remove the Corrosion status from your team.

When it comes to team composition, a balanced approach is best. A typical team might include a main DPS, a sub-DPS, a healer, and a support character. For example, a team with Hu Tao as the main DPS, Xingqiu for Hydro application and damage reduction, Bennett for healing and buffs, and Zhongli for shielding would be highly effective. This setup allows for strong elemental reactions, consistent healing, and protection against Nail Edge damage.

Artifact and weapon choices can also play a significant role in mitigating the effects of Rifthound Nail Edges. For healers, artifacts like the Maiden Beloved set can enhance healing effectiveness, while the Noblesse Oblige set can boost the team's overall damage output when using bursts. For DPS characters, focusing on artifacts that increase elemental damage and critical rate, such as the Crimson Witch of Flames set for Pyro characters, can help maximize damage. Weapons that provide healing or energy regeneration, like the Favonius series, can also be beneficial.

Common mistakes to avoid include staying stationary for too long, which makes it easier for Nail Edges to stack and deal significant damage. Another mistake is neglecting healing or shielding, as the continuous damage from Nail Edges can quickly overwhelm your team if not properly managed. Additionally, failing to recognize the Rifthounds' attack patterns can lead to unnecessary damage and Corrosion effects.

Advanced techniques involve timing your bursts and abilities to maximize damage while minimizing exposure to Nail Edges. For example, using a character's burst immediately after dodging a Rifthound's attack can allow you to deal significant damage while avoiding the Nail Edge. Additionally, using elemental reactions like Vaporize or Melt can help you take down Rifthounds more quickly, reducing the number of Nail Edges they can create.

In specific scenarios, such as the Spiral Abyss, where Rifthounds are common, it's important to adapt your strategy based on the floor's layout and enemy composition. For example, on floors with multiple Rifthounds, focusing on one at a time can help reduce the number of Nail Edges on the field. Using characters with high mobility, like Keqing or Xiao, can also help you navigate the battlefield more effectively and avoid Nail Edges.

In conclusion, dealing with Rifthound Nail Edges requires a combination of awareness, positioning, healing, and strategic team composition. By understanding the mechanics, utilizing the right characters and artifacts, and avoiding common mistakes, you can effectively manage the challenges posed by Rifthound Nail Edges and maintain your team's health and effectiveness in combat.