What is the best way to use Zhongli's shield in combat in Genshin Impact?

Zhongli is one of the most versatile and powerful support characters in Genshin Impact, primarily due to his ability to create a strong shield that can protect your team from damage. His shield, called the Jade Shield, is generated by his Elemental Skill, Dominus Lapidis. To use Zhongli's shield effectively in combat, you need to understand its mechanics, timing, and how it synergizes with your team and elemental reactions.

First, let's break down the mechanics of Zhongli's shield. When you use Dominus Lapidis, Zhongli creates a Stone Stele that deals Geo damage to nearby enemies. Holding the skill instead of tapping it will cause Zhongli to create a shield that scales off his Max HP. The shield has a high damage absorption rate and provides additional resistance to all elemental and physical damage. The shield also has a unique effect called Fortify, which increases the shield's strength based on the number of hits it takes. This makes it incredibly durable in prolonged fights.

To use Zhongli's shield effectively, you should prioritize holding his Elemental Skill to generate the shield rather than tapping it for the Stone Stele. This ensures your team has maximum protection. The shield lasts for 20 seconds, but its cooldown is only 12 seconds, meaning you can maintain near-constant uptime if you time it correctly. Always keep an eye on the shield's duration and refresh it before it expires to avoid taking unnecessary damage.

One important tip is to build Zhongli with a focus on HP. Since the shield's strength scales with his Max HP, artifacts like Tenacity of the Millelith or Noblesse Oblige with HP% main stats are ideal. Sub-stats should also prioritize HP%, Energy Recharge, and Crit Rate if you want to maximize his burst damage. Weapons like the Staff of Homa or Black Tassel are excellent choices, as they further boost his HP and shield strength.

In terms of team composition, Zhongli works well in almost any team due to his universal shield and resistance shred. However, he excels in teams that rely on consistent damage output and elemental reactions. For example, pairing him with characters like Hu Tao, Ganyu, or Xiao can significantly enhance their survivability and damage potential. Zhongli's shield also synergizes well with Geo resonance, which increases shield strength and provides a damage bonus when protected by a shield. Pairing him with another Geo character like Albedo or Ningguang can further boost your team's overall performance.

A common mistake players make is using Zhongli's shield reactively instead of proactively. You should always aim to have the shield up before engaging in combat, especially in high-difficulty content like the Spiral Abyss. Another mistake is neglecting his Elemental Burst, Planet Befall. While his shield is his primary utility, his burst deals massive AoE Geo damage and petrifies enemies, providing crowd control. Make sure to use it strategically to interrupt enemy attacks or group them together for your DPS characters to finish off.

Advanced techniques include using Zhongli's shield to tank specific enemy mechanics. For example, in boss fights like Azhdaha or the Primo Geovishap, his shield can absorb massive amounts of damage, allowing your team to focus on dealing damage without worrying about dodging. Additionally, you can use his shield to protect your team during cooldown periods when other defensive abilities are unavailable.

In specific scenarios, such as fighting against enemies with high physical damage or elemental bursts, Zhongli's shield can be a game-changer. For instance, against the Ruin Guards or Lawachurls, his shield can mitigate their heavy attacks, giving your team the upper hand. In domains with constant elemental damage, like the Cecilia Garden or the Peak of Vindagnyr, his shield provides consistent protection, allowing your team to focus on dealing damage.

In summary, Zhongli's shield is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your team's survivability and damage output. By focusing on his HP, timing his shield correctly, and pairing him with the right team and artifacts, you can maximize his potential in combat. Avoid common mistakes like using his shield reactively or neglecting his burst, and take advantage of advanced techniques to optimize his performance in various scenarios. With the right setup, Zhongli can become an indispensable part of your team, providing both protection and utility in even the toughest battles.