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

Rifthound Nail Lines 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 damages your entire party over time, regardless of shields. The Nail Lines are a visual indicator of the Rifthounds' attacks and their Corrosion effect. To counter these mechanics effectively, you need to understand how they work and how to mitigate their impact.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of Rifthound Nail Lines. When Rifthounds attack, they leave behind glowing, claw-like marks on the ground, known as Nail Lines. These lines persist for a short duration and deal damage over time to any character standing on them. Additionally, Rifthounds can teleport and create these lines in multiple locations, making it difficult to avoid them entirely. The Corrosion effect is applied when your characters are hit by Rifthound attacks or stand on the Nail Lines for too long. Corrosion drains the health of all party members, even if they are shielded, making it a particularly dangerous mechanic.

To counter Rifthound Nail Lines, you need to focus on mobility, healing, and elemental reactions. HereÔÇÖs a step-by-step strategy to handle them effectively. First, always keep moving. Rifthounds are highly mobile enemies, and standing still will make you an easy target for their attacks and the Nail Lines. Use dash or sprint to avoid their teleportation strikes and stay out of the marked areas. Second, prioritize healing. Since Corrosion affects your entire team, having a reliable healer is crucial. Characters like Bennett, Jean, Kokomi, or Barbara can provide consistent healing to counteract the damage. Third, use crowd control and elemental reactions to your advantage. Freezing or stunning Rifthounds can prevent them from creating Nail Lines, giving you more time to deal damage safely.

When building your team, consider characters with strong healing capabilities and those who can apply crowd control or elemental reactions. For example, a team with Bennett for healing and attack buffs, Ayaka or Ganyu for freeze reactions, and Zhongli for shielding (though shields donÔÇÖt block Corrosion, they still reduce incoming damage) can be highly effective. Another option is to use characters like Kazuha or Venti to group Rifthounds together, making it easier to avoid their attacks and focus on dealing damage.

Artifact and weapon choices also play a significant role in countering Rifthounds. For healers, prioritize artifacts that boost healing effectiveness, such as Maiden Beloved or Ocean-Hued Clam. For DPS characters, focus on increasing their damage output with sets like Emblem of Severed Fate or Blizzard Strayer. Weapons that provide energy recharge or healing bonuses, such as Favonius Sword or Prototype Amber, can also be useful.

Common mistakes to avoid include staying in one place for too long, neglecting healing, and underestimating the Corrosion effect. Rifthounds are fast and unpredictable, so always be prepared to dodge and reposition. Additionally, donÔÇÖt rely solely on shields, as they wonÔÇÖt protect you from Corrosion. Always have a healer ready to restore your teamÔÇÖs health.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your teamÔÇÖs energy flow and timing your bursts to maximize damage while minimizing exposure to Nail Lines. For example, using BennettÔÇÖs burst for healing and attack buffs, followed by AyakaÔÇÖs burst for massive damage, can quickly take down Rifthounds before they become a significant threat. Additionally, using characters with high mobility, like Keqing or Xiao, can help you avoid Nail Lines more effectively.

In specific scenarios, such as fighting multiple Rifthounds at once, focus on crowd control and area-of-effect damage. Characters like Venti or Sucrose can group enemies together, making it easier to avoid their attacks and deal damage simultaneously. If youÔÇÖre facing a particularly tough Rifthound boss, like the Golden Wolflord, prioritize breaking its shield with Geo characters before focusing on damage.

In summary, countering Rifthound Nail Lines requires a combination of mobility, healing, and strategic use of elemental reactions. Build a team with strong healers and crowd control, equip them with appropriate artifacts and weapons, and always stay on the move to avoid Corrosion. By following these strategies, you can effectively handle Rifthounds and their challenging mechanics.