What are the new character passives added in the latest Genshin Impact update?

In the latest Genshin Impact update, several new character passives have been introduced, enhancing the gameplay experience and offering new strategies for players. These passives are tied to newly released characters or updated existing ones, and they often provide unique benefits that can significantly impact team compositions and combat effectiveness. Below, we will delve into the mechanics of these new passives, strategies to utilize them effectively, and tips to optimize their potential.

One of the new passives introduced in the update is for the character Xianyun, a 5-star Anemo catalyst user. Her passive ability, "Cloud-Transcending," increases the plunge attack damage of all party members by a certain percentage based on her Elemental Mastery. This passive synergizes well with characters who rely on plunge attacks, such as Xiao or Diluc. To maximize the effectiveness of this passive, players should focus on building Xianyun with high Elemental Mastery through artifacts like the Viridescent Venerer set, which also reduces enemy resistance to Swirl reactions. Additionally, equipping her with weapons like the Sacrificial Fragments or the Wandering Evenstar can further boost her Elemental Mastery.

Another notable passive is for the character Gaming, a 4-star Pyro polearm user. His passive, "Blazing Beast," increases the damage of his Elemental Skill and Elemental Burst when he is below a certain health threshold. This passive encourages players to maintain Gaming at lower health levels to maximize his damage output. To achieve this, players can use healers who provide gradual healing rather than burst healing, such as Bennett or Qiqi. Artifacts like the Crimson Witch of Flames set are ideal for Gaming, as they enhance his Pyro damage and reaction potential. Weapons like the Dragon's Bane or the Kitain Cross Spear can further amplify his damage.

When building teams around these new passives, it is crucial to consider character synergies and elemental reactions. For Xianyun, pairing her with characters who can trigger Swirl reactions frequently, such as Fischl or Xingqiu, can create powerful elemental combos. For Gaming, combining him with characters who can apply consistent Hydro or Cryo effects, like Mona or Rosaria, can lead to devastating Vaporize or Melt reactions.

One common mistake players make is neglecting the importance of artifact substats. For Xianyun, focusing solely on Elemental Mastery without considering Energy Recharge can lead to energy issues, making it difficult to use her Elemental Burst consistently. Similarly, for Gaming, ignoring Critical Rate and Critical Damage substats can result in suboptimal damage output, even with his passive active. Therefore, it is essential to balance artifact substats to ensure both characters perform effectively.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing rotations and timing to make the most of these passives. For Xianyun, using her Elemental Skill to group enemies and then switching to a plunge attack-focused character can maximize damage. For Gaming, timing his Elemental Skill and Burst to coincide with low health thresholds can significantly boost his damage. Additionally, using food buffs and potions that increase Elemental Mastery or Pyro damage can further enhance their performance.

In terms of team composition, a recommended team for Xianyun could include Xiao as the main DPS, Xianyun as the support, Fischl for off-field Electro application, and Bennett for healing and attack buffs. For Gaming, a team with Mona for Hydro application, Rosaria for Cryo application, and Bennett for healing and buffs can create powerful elemental reactions.

Artifact and weapon recommendations are crucial for maximizing the potential of these new passives. For Xianyun, the Viridescent Venerer set with Elemental Mastery main stats and Energy Recharge substats is ideal. For Gaming, the Crimson Witch of Flames set with Pyro Damage Bonus, Critical Rate, and Critical Damage substats is recommended. Weapons like the Sacrificial Fragments for Xianyun and the Dragon's Bane for Gaming can further enhance their abilities.

In specific scenarios, such as the Spiral Abyss, these new passives can be game-changers. Xianyun's passive can make plunge attack-focused teams more viable, while Gaming's passive can provide a significant damage boost in high-pressure situations. By understanding and utilizing these new passives effectively, players can enhance their gameplay and tackle challenging content with greater ease.