What is the best way to counter the new Fontaine enemies in Genshin Impact?

Countering the new Fontaine enemies in Genshin Impact requires a solid understanding of their mechanics, as well as strategic team building and combat techniques. Fontaine enemies often have unique abilities tied to the Hydro element, and some may have mechanics that require specific elemental reactions or strategies to defeat efficiently. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you tackle these foes effectively.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of Fontaine enemies. Many of these enemies are designed around Hydro-based abilities, such as creating water shields, summoning water constructs, or applying Hydro status to your characters. Some enemies may also have mechanics that involve draining energy or disrupting your teamÔÇÖs rotations. For example, certain Fontaine enemies might deploy Hydro bubbles that trap your characters, immobilizing them and making them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. Understanding these mechanics is crucial to developing a counter-strategy.

To counter these enemies, youÔÇÖll want to focus on elemental reactions that can break their defenses or exploit their weaknesses. Hydro shields, for instance, can be effectively countered with Cryo or Electro reactions. Freeze reactions (Cryo + Hydro) can immobilize enemies, giving you time to deal damage without retaliation. Electro-Charged reactions (Electro + Hydro) can deal continuous damage over time, which is particularly useful against enemies with high health pools. Additionally, Vaporize reactions (Pyro + Hydro) can deal massive burst damage if timed correctly.

When building your team, consider characters who can consistently apply Cryo, Electro, or Pyro elements. For example, a team with Ayaka or Ganyu for Cryo application, Raiden Shogun or Fischl for Electro, and Xiangling or Hu Tao for Pyro can be highly effective. A Hydro character like Kokomi or Xingqiu can also be useful for enabling reactions or providing healing and support. Make sure your team has a good balance of damage dealers, supports, and healers to handle the Fontaine enemiesÔÇÖ varied mechanics.

Artifact and weapon choices are also important. For Cryo characters, the Blizzard Strayer set is ideal for increasing Cryo damage and critical rate against frozen enemies. Electro characters benefit from the Thundering Fury set, which boosts Electro damage and reduces skill cooldowns. Pyro characters can use the Crimson Witch of Flames set to enhance Pyro damage and reaction damage. Weapons should be chosen based on the characterÔÇÖs role and scaling. For example, Ayaka benefits from the Mistsplitter Reforged or Amenoma Kageuchi, while Raiden Shogun excels with Engulfing Lightning or The Catch.

In combat, timing and positioning are key. Avoid clustering your characters together, as many Fontaine enemies have area-of-effect attacks that can hit multiple targets. Use dodges and i-frames (invincibility frames) from bursts to avoid taking damage. Pay attention to enemy patterns and telegraphs, and be ready to switch characters to trigger reactions or heal as needed. For example, if an enemy is about to deploy a Hydro bubble, switch to a Cryo character to freeze it before it can trap your team.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting elemental reactions, failing to dodge or block attacks, and not adapting your team composition to the specific enemies youÔÇÖre facing. For example, relying solely on physical damage against Hydro-shielded enemies will result in prolonged battles and unnecessary damage taken. Always prioritize breaking shields and exploiting weaknesses.

Advanced techniques include optimizing energy management and burst rotations. For example, using Raiden ShogunÔÇÖs Elemental Burst to recharge your teamÔÇÖs energy can ensure consistent ability usage. Combining bursts for maximum damage, such as using AyakaÔÇÖs Burst followed by XianglingÔÇÖs Pyronado, can quickly eliminate tough enemies. Additionally, mastering animation cancels and combo chains can increase your damage output and efficiency.

In specific scenarios, such as fighting a Fontaine boss with multiple phases, youÔÇÖll need to adapt your strategy. For example, if a boss has a Hydro shield in its first phase, focus on breaking it with Cryo or Electro. In its second phase, it might summon adds or change its attack patterns, so be prepared to switch targets or adjust your positioning.

In summary, countering Fontaine enemies requires a combination of understanding their mechanics, building a synergistic team, and executing precise combat strategies. By focusing on elemental reactions, optimizing your artifacts and weapons, and avoiding common mistakes, you can effectively handle these challenging foes. Experiment with different team compositions and techniques to find what works best for your playstyle, and always be prepared to adapt to new challenges.