Taming the Teyvatian Abyss: A (Slightly Hysterical) Guide to Abyss Heralds, Mages, and Lectors
You entered the world of Genshin Impact. Now, you face creatures that look like nightmares. We call them the Abyss Order. They bring shadowy figures and elemental minions. They make your Traveler’s life difficult. But don’t worry! This guide is here to help you send these nuisances back.
Abyss Herald: Hydrolingus of Doom
First, there’s the Abyss Herald. Specifically, the Hydro Abyss Herald. They make everything wet and miserable. Think of them as the emo teens of the Abyss Order. They brood and love water. Their Hydro shields make them tough to beat.
Breaking the Hydro Shield: Cryo and Electro to the Rescue!
Breaking an Abyss Herald’s shield with random attacks is pointless. It’s like trying to cut through butter with a spoon. The trick to breaking Hydro shields fast is exploiting weaknesses. It’s like rock-paper-scissors, but with magic and more drama.
- Cryo: Your Icy MVP. Hydro hates Cryo. Use characters like Ganyu, or free-to-play heroes like Kaeya and Diona. They melt those watery defenses. It is satisfying to watch a Hydro Herald’s shield crack under Cryo.
- Electro: The Shocking Alternative. Electro is also effective against Hydro shields. It may not be as strong as Cryo, but it’s a good option if your Cryo selection is weak.
Team Tactics: Freeze ‘Em and Squeeze ‘Em
Dealing with Abyss Heralds? A Freeze team works wonders. Frozen foes cannot attack. Group enemies together with Anemo characters. Follow up with Cryo attacks. The battlefield will become an icy slide of defeated Heralds.
Abyss Mages: Elemental Shield Shenanigans
Next are Abyss Mages. They float and cast spells. They hide behind shields meant to test your patience. But with the right elemental knowledge, you can pop their shields and send them packing.
Shield Weaknesses 101: Elemental Matchups
Every Abyss Mage comes with an elemental shield. Each type has its weak point.
- Hydro Abyss Mages: Weak against Pyro, Dendro, and Cryo. Set them ablaze or freeze them solid.
- Cryo Abyss Mages: Ice mages fear Pyro. Fire melts their defenses.
- Pyro Abyss Mages: Weak against Hydro. Drench them to extinguish their flames.
Shield Breaking Strategies: Elemental Reactions are Your Friend
Hitting a shield with *any* element will break it, but we’re aiming for speed and efficiency. Elemental reactions help.
- Correct Element is Key: Always use the right element. Pyro for Cryo shields, Hydro for Pyro shields, and Pyro/Dendro/Cryo for Hydro shields.
- Reaction Rampage: Use reactions like Melt (Pyro + Cryo) and Vaporize (Pyro + Hydro). They deal bonus damage and speed up shield breaking.
- Anemo for AoE Shield Breaking: Facing many mages? Anemo characters are your area-of-effect heroes. They create reactions and weaken multiple shields at once.
Post-Shield Pummeling: DPS Time!
Once you’ve broken an Abyss Mage’s shield, it’s time to deal damage.
- Focus Fire: Concentrate on one mage until it falls. They are less annoying when gone.
- DPS Powerhouse Unleashed: Use your strongest DPS characters now. It’s their time to shine against vulnerable mages.
- Elemental Burst Bonanza: Use Elemental Skills and Bursts. Maximize damage and clear mages quickly. Style points for flashy moves.
Pro Tips for Mage Mayhem
Want to be a pro at slaying Abyss Mages? Here are some tips:
- Food and Potions: Snack Time! Use food buffs and potions. Attack boosts and healing help in tough fights.
- Ultimate Advantage: Save your Elemental Bursts for crucial moments. Use them when shields are down for maximum impact.
- Practice Makes Perfect (and Less Painful): Try different teams and strategies. Find what suits your style best.
Abyss Mages: The Dragonspine Chapter (One-Time Offer!)
If you explore Dragonspine, look for Abyss Mages in the west near the Liyue border. They appear as part of a puzzle. Once defeated, they won’t return. Enjoy the victory while it lasts.
Abyss Lector: Fathomless Flames and Frustration
Next is the Abyss Lector. Specifically, the Fathomless Flame variant. They are the final exam of Abyss monsters. They have complex mechanics and enjoy causing trouble.
Defeating the Fathomless Flame: Furnace Fiasco and Hydro Havoc
Battling an Abyss Lector Fathomless Flame has multiple stages. When their HP dips below 25%, they call in Abyss Mages. They unleash a Darkfire Meteor, creating a Darkfire Furnace. This furnace makes the Lector harder to beat.
Shield Weakness: Hydro is Your Hero (Again!)
The Lector’s shield is weakest against Hydro DMG. Use Hydro characters to break it down. You can also damage the shield by destroying the Darkfire Furnace, which is crucial.
Team Tactics: Freeze and Furnace-Smash
Surprisingly, Freeze teams work against Abyss Lectors. Freeze these fiery foes to attack safely. For the Darkfire Furnace, focus fire is key. Destroy it and then unleash attacks on the Lector to finish them off.
The Abyss Order: More Than Just Monsters
Who are these Abyss Order folks? The lore is complicated. Here are key points:
Enjou: The Abyss Lore Nerd
Ever heard of Enjou? He’s a “lowly clerk” in the Abyss Order. Don’t underestimate him. He loves ancient lore and may know dangerous secrets. He isn’t in the inner circle but knows the Order’s secrets.
Origin Story: Khaenri’ah Connection
The Abyss Order connects to the fallen nation of Khaenri’ah. The people were cursed, turning into Abyss creatures. Speculation suggests Abyss Mages, Heralds, and Lectors were once Khaenri’ahn or perhaps nobles or knights.
Dainsleif: The Enigmatic Khaenri’ahn
Speaking of Khaenri’ah, let’s mention Dainsleif, the brooding figure. Good news for you…
Dain fans: he will be a playable character soon! You can add this mysterious figure to your team later.
Why Dain is Still Human (Kind Of)
Why isn’t Dainsleif a hilichurl or a Abyss monster from Khaenri’ah? The lore indicates full-blooded Khaenri’ahns like Dainsleif are cursed with immortality. They appear human but suffer endless erosion of their physical and mental state. Quite the party.
Twins: Aether vs. Lumine – Does it Even Matter?
Now, let’s talk about twin Travelers – Aether and Lumine. Is there a “better” twin for gameplay? No way! They are identical. Stats, abilities, and progression are the same. You choose for aesthetics. Pick the twin you like best or flip a coin. It really doesn’t matter which.
Aesthetic Supremacy (Your Mileage May Vary)
The main difference lies in their appearance – gender and design. Choose the twin that looks better to you. It is all about personal style in Teyvat.
Story Shenanigans: No Gameplay Impact
Your choice of twin has zero impact on story or gameplay. The plot unfolds the same, whether you pick Aether or Lumine.
Lore Power Levels: Abyss Twin on Top
Abyss twin (the one you don’t choose) seems stronger. They keep their original powers, while the playable Traveler starts off a bit… weaker. This is only lore, not actual gameplay.
Other Abyss-Related Oddities
The Abyss goes deeper than enemies and lore. Here are more intriguing bits:
Paimon: Secretly Evil? (Probably Not, But Maybe?)
The theory that Paimon is the Unknown God who trapped twins in Teyvat persists. Evidence? Paimon’s appearance closely resembles the Unknown God, especially her hairstyle. Is Paimon plotting against us? Probably not. But it is an interesting theory while grinding for artifacts.
Celestia’s Khaenri’ah Crackdown
Khaenri’ah’s destruction happened because Celestia, the celestial city, orchestrated it. They deemed Khaenri’ah blasphemous and sent Archons to attack it. Divine intervention gone wrong.
Gosoythoth: Abyss Eldritch Horror
Gosoythoth appears in the lore as an entity of “ineffable form”. It manifested from the Abyss’s immense power after the Sacred Flame was extinguished. Sounds like cosmic horror. Basically, a really terrible thing from the Abyss.
Void Ward: Tenebrous Papilla’s Shielding
Ever fought the Tenebrous Papilla? Its shield is called the Void Ward. You must use Elemental or Nightsoul-aligned attacks to break it. Bring your elemental damage dealers for this fight.
And there you go – your humorous and informative guide to navigating the Abyss Order in Genshin Impact. Go forth, defeat Heralds, mages, and lectors, and uncover mysteries of Teyvat… or at least get some decent loot.
