What is the best elemental reaction for maximizing damage in Genshin Impact?

To maximize damage in Genshin Impact, understanding and utilizing elemental reactions is crucial. Elemental reactions occur when two or more elements interact, creating effects that can significantly boost damage output. Among the various reactions, Vaporize and Melt are considered the most powerful for maximizing damage due to their high damage multipliers. Vaporize occurs when Hydro meets Pyro or vice versa, while Melt happens when Cryo meets Pyro or vice versa. Both reactions have a 1.5x or 2x damage multiplier depending on the order of application, making them ideal for high-damage builds.

To achieve maximum damage with Vaporize or Melt, you need to carefully manage the order of elemental application. For Vaporize, applying Pyro first and then Hydro will result in a 2x damage multiplier, while applying Hydro first and then Pyro will result in a 1.5x multiplier. Similarly, for Melt, applying Cryo first and then Pyro will result in a 2x multiplier, while applying Pyro first and then Cryo will result in a 1.5x multiplier. Therefore, to maximize damage, you should aim to trigger the 2x multiplier by applying the correct element first.

One effective strategy is to use a character with a strong Pyro or Cryo application as the main damage dealer and pair them with a support character who can consistently apply Hydro or Cryo. For example, a team composition featuring Diluc or Hu Tao as the main DPS, paired with Xingqiu or Mona for Hydro application, can consistently trigger Vaporize reactions. Similarly, a team with Ganyu or Ayaka as the main DPS, paired with Xiangling or Bennett for Pyro application, can consistently trigger Melt reactions.

When building your team, consider the energy requirements and cooldowns of your characters' abilities. Characters like Xingqiu and Bennett are excellent supports because they can provide consistent elemental application and energy regeneration. Additionally, characters with abilities that persist on the field, such as Xiangling's Guoba or Fischl's Oz, can help maintain elemental application even when they are not actively on the field.

Artifact selection is also critical for maximizing damage. For main DPS characters, focus on artifacts that boost their elemental damage and critical rate/damage. The Crimson Witch of Flames set is ideal for Pyro DPS characters, as it increases Pyro damage and enhances Vaporize and Melt reactions. The Blizzard Strayer set is excellent for Cryo DPS characters, as it increases Cryo damage and critical rate against frozen or Cryo-affected enemies. For support characters, consider artifacts that boost energy recharge and elemental mastery, such as the Noblesse Oblige set or the Instructor set.

Weapon choice should complement your character's role and elemental focus. For Pyro DPS characters, weapons like the Wolf's Gravestone or the Staff of Homa provide significant attack boosts. For Cryo DPS characters, weapons like the Amos' Bow or the Mistsplitter Reforged enhance their elemental damage. Support characters benefit from weapons that boost energy recharge or elemental mastery, such as the Sacrificial Sword or the Favonius Warbow.

In combat, timing and positioning are key to triggering elemental reactions effectively. Pay attention to enemy patterns and elemental auras to ensure you apply the correct element first. Use your support characters' abilities to set up the reaction, then switch to your main DPS to trigger it. For example, use Xingqiu's Elemental Burst to apply Hydro, then switch to Diluc to trigger Vaporize with his Pyro attacks.

Common mistakes to avoid include applying the wrong element first, which can result in lower damage multipliers, and neglecting energy management, which can leave your characters unable to use their abilities when needed. Additionally, avoid overloading your team with too many elements, as this can make it difficult to control which reactions are triggered.

Advanced techniques include using elemental resonance to further boost your team's damage. For example, the Pyro resonance increases attack by 25%, while the Cryo resonance increases critical rate against enemies affected by Cryo. Additionally, mastering animation canceling and combo chains can help you maximize your damage output during combat.

In summary, to maximize damage in Genshin Impact, focus on triggering Vaporize or Melt reactions with the correct elemental application order. Build a team with strong elemental synergy, choose artifacts and weapons that enhance your characters' strengths, and manage your energy and cooldowns effectively. With careful planning and execution, you can achieve devastating damage output and dominate the battlefield.