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

Rifthound Nail Circles are a unique mechanic introduced in Genshin Impact that can be quite challenging to deal with if you donÔÇÖt understand how they work. These circles are created by Rifthounds, particularly the larger variants like the Rifthound Whelps and Rifthound Skulls, during combat. When a Rifthound is defeated, it leaves behind a Nail Circle that deals continuous Corrosion damage over time to your characters. Corrosion is a status effect that bypasses shields and directly reduces your characters' HP, making it a significant threat if not managed properly. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to counter Rifthound Nail Circles effectively.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of Rifthound Nail Circles. When a Rifthound is defeated, it drops a Nail Circle that persists for a certain duration. This circle deals Corrosion damage to any character standing within its radius. Corrosion is particularly dangerous because it ignores shields, meaning even characters with strong shields like Zhongli or Diona will still take damage. The damage is percentage-based, so it can quickly whittle down your teamÔÇÖs health if left unchecked. Additionally, Corrosion can stack, meaning multiple Nail Circles can exponentially increase the damage your team takes.

To counter Rifthound Nail Circles, the first step is to avoid standing in them. This may seem obvious, but in the heat of battle, itÔÇÖs easy to overlook the circles, especially when dealing with multiple enemies. Always be aware of your surroundings and try to position your characters outside the Nail Circles. If you must move through a Nail Circle, do so quickly to minimize the damage taken.

Healing is crucial when dealing with Rifthound Nail Circles. Since Corrosion bypasses shields, having a reliable healer on your team is essential. Characters like Barbara, Qiqi, Jean, or Kokomi can provide consistent healing to counteract the Corrosion damage. Bennett is also an excellent choice, as his burst not only heals but also provides an attack boost, making him a versatile support character. Make sure your healerÔÇÖs abilities are leveled up and that they have sufficient Energy Recharge to keep their healing abilities available when needed.

Another strategy is to use characters with crowd control abilities to manage the Rifthounds before they can create Nail Circles. Characters like Venti, Sucrose, or Kazuha can group enemies together, making it easier to focus your damage and eliminate them quickly. By reducing the number of Rifthounds on the field, you can minimize the number of Nail Circles that spawn.

Elemental reactions can also play a role in countering Rifthound Nail Circles. For example, using characters with strong AoE (Area of Effect) abilities can help clear out multiple Rifthounds at once, reducing the number of Nail Circles. Pyro characters like Diluc, Hu Tao, or Xiangling can trigger Overload reactions, which deal AoE damage and can help control the battlefield. Electro characters like Raiden Shogun or Fischl can also be effective, especially when paired with Hydro characters to trigger Electro-Charged reactions, which deal continuous damage over time.

When it comes to team composition, a balanced team with a strong healer, a crowd control character, and a DPS character is ideal. For example, a team consisting of Bennett (healer and support), Venti (crowd control), Diluc (DPS), and Xingqiu (sub-DPS and Hydro application) can be very effective. This team provides healing, crowd control, and strong elemental reactions to deal with Rifthounds efficiently.

Artifact and weapon choices can also make a difference. For healers, artifacts that boost healing effectiveness, such as the Maiden Beloved set, are ideal. For DPS characters, focus on artifacts that increase their damage output, such as the Crimson Witch of Flames set for Pyro characters or the Thundering Fury set for Electro characters. Weapons that provide Energy Recharge or Elemental Mastery can also be beneficial, as they help ensure your characters can use their abilities more frequently and trigger stronger elemental reactions.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your healerÔÇÖs energy needs, standing in Nail Circles for too long, and not focusing on crowd control. Always make sure your healer has enough Energy Recharge to keep their abilities up, and be mindful of your positioning to avoid unnecessary damage. Additionally, donÔÇÖt underestimate the importance of crowd control; keeping enemies grouped together can make a significant difference in how quickly you can eliminate them.

Advanced techniques include using characters with abilities that can cleanse or mitigate Corrosion damage. For example, JeanÔÇÖs burst not only heals but also cleanses debuffs, making her an excellent choice for dealing with Rifthounds. Additionally, characters with high mobility, like Keqing or Xiao, can quickly move in and out of Nail Circles to minimize damage.

In specific scenarios, such as the Spiral Abyss, where Rifthounds are common, itÔÇÖs important to plan your team composition and strategy in advance. Make sure your team has a strong healer and crowd control character, and consider bringing characters with strong AoE abilities to deal with multiple Rifthounds at once. Practice your rotations and positioning to ensure you can handle the Nail Circles effectively.

In conclusion, countering Rifthound Nail Circles in Genshin Impact requires a combination of awareness, healing, crowd control, and strong elemental reactions. By understanding the mechanics and implementing the strategies outlined above, you can effectively manage the threat posed by Rifthounds and their Nail Circles, ensuring your teamÔÇÖs survival and success in combat.