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

Countering the Rifthound Nail Heights in Genshin Impact requires a solid understanding of their mechanics, as well as a well-prepared team and strategy. Rifthounds are unique enemies that inflict Corrosion, a status effect that damages your entire team over time, regardless of shields. This makes them particularly challenging, especially in higher-level domains or the Spiral Abyss. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to effectively counter them.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of Rifthounds. Rifthounds come in two elemental variants: Electro and Geo. They are highly mobile and often teleport or dash around the battlefield, making them difficult to hit. Their most dangerous ability is Corrosion, which they apply when they land certain attacks. Corrosion bypasses shields and deals damage to all party members over time, even if they are off-field. This means you cannot rely solely on shield characters like Zhongli or Diona to protect your team. Instead, you need to focus on healing and damage mitigation.

To counter Rifthounds, start by building a team with strong healing capabilities. Characters like Bennett, Jean, Kokomi, or Barbara are excellent choices because they provide consistent healing to counteract the Corrosion damage. Bennett is particularly useful because his 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 extra utility to your team.

Next, consider adding a shield character to your team, even though shields wonÔÇÖt block Corrosion. Shields can still protect your active character from direct damage, allowing your healer to focus on restoring the health of the entire team. Zhongli is the best option for this role due to his strong shield and crowd control abilities. Diona is another good choice, as she provides both shielding and healing.

For damage dealers, prioritize characters who can deal consistent damage and have good AoE (Area of Effect) capabilities. Rifthounds are often encountered in groups, so characters like Ganyu, Ayaka, or Raiden Shogun can be very effective. GanyuÔÇÖs charged shots and burst deal massive AoE Cryo damage, while AyakaÔÇÖs burst can quickly clear groups of enemies. Raiden ShogunÔÇÖs Electro abilities synergize well with Hydro or Pyro characters to trigger powerful reactions like Electro-Charged or Overload.

When fighting Rifthounds, positioning is key. Try to group them together using crowd control abilities or by luring them into a confined space. This will allow your AoE damage dealers to hit multiple enemies at once. Be mindful of their teleportation and dashing abilities, as they can quickly scatter and make it harder to land hits. Use characters with fast attack animations or ranged attacks to keep up with their movements.

One common mistake is neglecting to heal your team frequently. Corrosion damage can quickly add up, especially if multiple Rifthounds are attacking at once. Make sure to use your healerÔÇÖs abilities as soon as they are available, and keep an eye on your teamÔÇÖs health bars. Another mistake is focusing too much on shields and not enough on healing. While shields can help mitigate direct damage, they wonÔÇÖt protect against Corrosion, so prioritize healing over shielding.

For advanced techniques, consider using characters who can apply crowd control or debuffs to slow down the Rifthounds. Characters like Venti or Sucrose can group enemies together with their Anemo abilities, making it easier to deal damage. Additionally, characters like Fischl or Beidou can provide off-field Electro damage, which can trigger reactions and deal consistent damage even when youÔÇÖre focusing on healing or dodging.

In terms of artifacts and weapons, focus on building your healer with sets like Maiden Beloved or Ocean-Hued Clam to maximize their healing output. For damage dealers, use sets like Emblem of Severed Fate or Blizzard Strayer, depending on their element and playstyle. Weapons should prioritize stats like Energy Recharge for healers and Critical Rate/Damage for damage dealers. For example, Bennett benefits from a high Base Attack weapon like Aquila Favonia or Prototype Rancour, while Ganyu can use AmosÔÇÖ Bow or Prototype Crescent for increased damage.

In specific scenarios, such as the Spiral Abyss, you may encounter multiple waves of Rifthounds. In these cases, itÔÇÖs important to manage your energy and cooldowns carefully. Use your bursts strategically to clear waves quickly and avoid being overwhelmed by Corrosion damage. If youÔÇÖre struggling, consider bringing a second healer or support character to ensure your teamÔÇÖs survival.

In summary, countering Rifthound Nail Heights requires a balanced team with strong healing, consistent damage, and good crowd control. Focus on healing to counteract Corrosion, use shields to protect against direct damage, and prioritize AoE damage dealers to handle groups of enemies. Avoid common mistakes like neglecting healing or over-relying on shields, and use advanced techniques like crowd control and off-field damage to optimize your strategy. With the right team composition, artifacts, and weapons, you can effectively counter Rifthounds and overcome their challenges.