Is Beidou a Strong Character in Genshin Impact? Evaluation and Team Insights

Is Beidou Good in Genshin Impact? Unleashing the Kraken of Electro and Answers!

So, you are pondering Beidou in Genshin Impact? You look at your character roster, wondering if this eyepatch-wearing pirate queen is worth your resources. You have come to the right place. We will explore Beidou’s abilities to see if she’s a treasure or just baggage.

Spoiler: Beidou is not just good; she is A-Tier good. She deserves her spot among the top Genshin Impact characters. Why? Because she can deal damage like a kraken and works well with others. She’s a reliable first mate in tough situations.

Beidou: The Thunderbolt Tank – Character Evaluation

Let’s evaluate Beidou. What makes her considered a “must-build” character by many Genshin players? It’s all about her versatility. She is not a one-trick pony; she is a powerful ally ready for battle.

Strengths of the Stormy Navigator:

• Damage Dynamo: Beidou packs a punch. Build her as Main DPS or Sub DPS, and she can deliver significant Electro damage.
• Parry Queen (Tidecaller): Her Elemental Skill, Tidecaller, serves as a parry. Time it right, and Beidou mitigates damage and counters with a devastating attack.
• Off-Field Electro Application (Stormbreaker): Her Elemental Burst, Stormbreaker, creates a lightning shield. This shield deals off-field Electro damage and helps trigger reactions.
• Team Player Supreme: Beidou is very team-oriented. She fits into many compositions, providing both damage and utility.
• Electro-Charged Enabler: Beidou excels in teams with Electro-Charged reactions, especially with Hydro characters.

Weaknesses to Weather:

• Energy Hungry: Her Elemental Burst costs a hefty 80 energy. Managing energy recharge is crucial for Stormbreaker.
• Initial Skill Learning Curve: Mastering Tidecaller’s timing requires practice. It’s not mindless; it needs skill to maximize her potential.
• Not the Best Against Single Targets…Initially: She handles single targets, but shines when facing multiple enemies. With good builds, she can still perform well against bosses.

Despite minor issues, Beidou’s pros greatly outweigh the cons. Her transition from damage mitigation to dealing damage and her application of off-field Electro make her a valuable asset. She’s not just good; she’s a powerhouse waiting to be unleashed.

Charting the Course: Beidou’s Role in Team Compositions

Now, let’s discuss where Beidou shines: team compositions. She fits into various roles, but understanding her optimal position is key to her potential.

Main DPS or Sub DPS? A Pirate’s Flexibility!

Beidou can act as both Main DPS and Sub DPS, but she’s often stronger as Sub DPS. As Main DPS, you can focus on her Normal and Charged Attacks. Her parry can deal direct damage. However, her kit is better suited for off-field damage.

As a Sub DPS, Beidou’s Elemental Burst becomes key. You deploy it, switch to your Main DPS, and let her damage while they attack. This off-field capability is valuable.

Supportive Seas: Shielder and More

While Beidou isn’t a traditional healer or shielder, her Tidecaller skill offers damage mitigation. When parried perfectly, it reduces incoming damage and counterattacks. Consider it proactive defense.

Additionally, Beidou’s off-field application supports her team by enabling reactions like Electro-Charged and Overload. She enhances overall damage and elemental synergy.

Electro Battery? Not Really, But…

Beidou isn’t primarily an Electro battery. She generates energy particles with her Skill and Burst. However, relying on Beidou for energy isn’t ideal. In Electro teams with another Electro character, she contributes to energy sustain.

If you need pure battery capabilities, Fischl or Raiden might suit you better. However, Beidou offers significant damage compared to battery-focused Fischl.

Taser Teams: Beidou’s Electrified Playground

Beidou thrives in “Taser” teams. These teams focus on applying Hydro and Electro to trigger Electro-Charged reactions, dealing damage over time. Beidou’s off-field Electro from Stormbreaker suits Taser compositions.

The core of a Taser team typically includes:

• Hydro Applicator: Characters like Xingqiu, Yelan, or Kokomi that apply Hydro off-field.
• Electro DPS/Sub DPS: Beidou (or Fischl, Yae Miko, or Raiden Shogun).
• Anemo Crowd Control (Optional but Recommended): Characters like Kazuha, Venti, or Sucrose to group enemies.
• Flex Slot: Another Hydro, Electro, or Anemo character or healer/shielder depending on needs.

Beidou’s synergy with Hydro units is tremendous. Characters like Xingqiu and Yelan provide Hydro, allowing her to trigger Electro-Charged reactions consistently with her Burst.

Best Team Compositions: Hydro is Her Best Friend

When building teams around Beidou, consider Hydro synergy. Here are examples of strong Beidou team compositions:

• Beidou – Xingqiu – Fischl – Sucrose/Kazuha: A powerful Taser team. Xingqiu applies Hydro, Fischl adds damage and resonance, and Sucrose/Kazuha amplifies damage.
• Beidou – Yelan – Fischl – Jean/Sayu: A potent Taser variation. Yelan provides Hydro damage; Jean/Sayu offer healing.
• Beidou – Kokomi – Kazuha – Fischl/Raiden Shogun: A comfortable Taser team with Kokomi’s healing and Hydro application.
• Beidou – Dendro Traveler/Nahida – Fischl – Kuki Shinobu/Yaoyao: Aggravate team using Dendro and Electro, focusing on Elemental Mastery builds.

These are examples, and Genshin Impact allows you to experiment with teams. Keep in mind Hydro synergy is where Beidou excels.

Clash of the Titans: Beidou vs. Other Electro Contenders

In the Electro realm, Beidou faces competition from characters like Fischl, Yae Miko, Kuki Shinobu, Razor, and Raiden Shogun. How does Beidou compare to these rivals?

Beidou vs. Fischl: The Off-Field Electro Duel

Beidou or Fischl? Both are excellent 4-star Electro characters that perform well in off-field damage but have different strengths.

Fischl is better for:

• Energy Management: Fischl is an excellent Electro battery, especially with her C6 constellation. Oz generates Electro particles.
• Single-Target Damage: Fischl’s Oz can focus on single targets, making her potent for bosses and spread-out enemies.
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Beidou is better for:

• AoE Damage: Beidou’s Stormbreaker deals great damage to groups. Lightning arcs hit multiple foes, making her a powerhouse in AoE battles.
• Overall Damage Potential (in many scenarios): Fischl has strong single-target damage but Beidou excels in many enemy-rich situations typical in Genshin Impact.
• Parry Utility: Beidou’s Tidecaller gives unique defensive and offensive capabilities that Fischl lacks.

In most situations, Beidou is considered better, especially against groups. Fischl is great for energy needs and single-target combat. However, Beidou’s AoE abilities and damage potential often give her the edge.

Beidou vs. Yae Miko: 4-Star vs. 5-Star Off-Field Supremacy

Beidou, a 4-star character, is often compared to Yae Miko, a 5-star character, focusing on off-field Electro damage. This comparison shows Beidou’s strength.

Yae Miko offers:

• Higher Ceiling Potential: Yae Miko’s Sesshou Sakura turrets deal substantial off-field damage with team buffs and investment.
• Less Energy Dependency (Potentially): Yae Miko’s skill can deliver steady damage over time with less reliance on energy than Beidou’s Burst-centric method.

Beidou provides:

• More Immediate Impact: Beidou’s Burst is instant, dealing damage right away. Yae Miko takes time to place her turrets.
• Parry Mechanic: Beidou’s Tidecaller gives defensive and counterattack options that Yae Miko lacks.
• 4-Star Accessibility: Beidou is easier to obtain and upgrade than a 5-star character like Yae Miko.

In various scenarios, Beidou can be compared to Yae Miko for off-field Electro damage, especially due to her accessibility and consistent AoE damage. Yae Miko may have higher potential with investment, but Beidou is a strong 4-star choice.

Beidou vs. Kuki Shinobu: Burst vs. Skill Focus

The comparison of Beidou and Kuki Shinobu reveals different approaches to Electro application and team utility.

Kuki Shinobu is better for:

• Healing: Kuki Shinobu provides reliable healing via her Elemental Skill.
• Consistent Electro Application (Skill-Based): Kuki’s Elemental Skill consistently applies Electro around her, useful for triggering reactions like Hyperbloom or Electro-Charged.
• Elemental Mastery (Hyperbloom Focus): She shines in Hyperbloom teams, triggering reactions with Dendro Cores and dealing significant damage from her Elemental Mastery.

Beidou excels at:

• Burst Damage: Beidou’s Elemental Burst is her main damage source, delivering significant AoE Electro damage.
• Parry Utility: Beidou’s Tidecaller grants defensive and offensive options missing in Kuki Shinobu.
• Off-Field AoE Damage: Her Burst enables wider AoE Electro application than Kuki’s Skill, making her ideal for AoE Electro damage and Electro-Charged teams.

The choice between Beidou and Kuki Shinobu depends on your team’s needs. Prioritize healing and consistent Electro? Kuki is best. Need AoE Burst damage and parry utility? Choose Beidou.

Beidou vs. Razor: DPS Showdown – Support vs. On-Field Focus

The comparison of Beidou and Razor often hinges on DPS role and player preference.

Razor is stronger for:

• On-Field Physical/Electro DPS: Razor serves as an on-field DPS, mixing Physical and Electro damage through Normal Attacks and his Burst.
• Simpler Playstyle: His gameplay is straightforward, emphasizing Normal Attacks and Burst uptime.
• Early Game DPS Carry: Razor can effectively carry teams early due to ease of use and good damage output.

Beidou is more advantageous for:

• Off-Field DPS and Support Utility: Beidou shines as off-field DPS and provides support with her parry and Electro application.
• Team Synergy: She works well in a variety of team setups thanks to her off-field abilities.
• Higher Damage Ceiling (in many scenarios): In various team compositions, Beidou’s potential damage can exceed Razor’s, especially in AoE contexts.

While Razor offers decent on-field DPS, Beidou usually provides better team value and damage potential, especially over time. Razor plays a more self-focused role, whereas Beidou aids team performance in versatile ways.

Beidou vs. Raiden Shogun: Replacing the Archon? Not Exactly…

Can you swap Raiden Shogun with Beidou? In certain teams, yes, but it is not a direct replacement as they serve different functions.

Raiden Shogun excels at:

• Energy Battery Capabilities: She is an exceptional Electro battery, recharging her team’s Energy significantly with her Burst.
• On-Field Burst DPS: Raiden transforms into a powerful on-field DPS with her Burst, dealing large Electro damage.
• Electro Archon Status: She holds the title of Electro Archon, which grants her advantage.

Beidou provides:

• Off-Field AoE Damage (comparable in some situations): While Raiden’s Burst inflicts massive damage, Beidou’s off-field AoE Electro from Stormbreaker remains competitive, particularly when bouncing between enemies.
• Parry Utility: Beidou’s Tidecaller adds both offensive and defensive options that Raiden lacks.
• 4-Star Accessibility: Beidou is much easier to obtain than a 5-star Archon.

You can replace Raiden with Beidou in some team builds, especially for those wanting Raiden’s battery abilities and on-field Burst DPS. However, Beidou will not act as a battery. Raiden is usually recognized as a more versatile character, but Beidou provides strong off-field Electro DPS, especially in AoE contexts for players lacking Raiden.

Electric Partnerships: Synergy with Fellow Travelers

Beidou is known as a team player. But who are her best allies? Let’s look at key synergies with other Genshin Impact characters.

Hydro Harmony: Electro-Charged Symphony

Hydro characters are the best match for Beidou. Xingqiu, Yelan, Kokomi, Tartaglia, Ayato — any Hydro character applying Hydro can greatly aid her. The Electro-Charged reaction drives many of Beidou’s teams and Hydro characters are essential.

This constant Hydro enables Beidou’s Stormbreaker to trigger Electro-Charged repeatedly, ensuring consistent damage over time against enemies. The synergy is so profound that Hydro/Electro teams are a staple in Genshin Impact team-building.

Fischl’s Feathered Frenzy: Double Electro Delight

An alliance of Beidou and Fischl results in an effective Double Electro team. They enhance each other’s strengths while compensating for weaknesses.

Synergy Highlights:

• Electro Resonance: Two Electro characters generate more Electro particles while improving energy recharge for both Beidou and Fischl.
• Off-Field Damage Overlap: Both excel at off-field attacks, unleashing Electro barrages even when not active.
• AoE and Single-Target Coverage: Beidou handles groups while Fischl targets single foes well, covering both damage aspects effectively.

This pairing shines in Taser teams, where Fischl supplements Beidou’s AoE damage with her single-target strikes, creating a potent Electro core.

Xiao and Beidou: An Anemo-Electro Alliance?

The relationship between Xiao and Beidou, while less obvious than Hydro empowers, opens interesting dynamics.

Potential Synergy Points:

• Off-Field Damage Support for Xiao: Beidou’s Stormbreaker provides steady off-field attacks while Xiao performs plunges during his Burst, adding more Anemo damage overall.
• When Electro strikes a Quicken-affected enemy, it boosts the damage of Electro attacks. This makes Electro characters, like Beidou, much stronger.
• Elemental Mastery Focus: In Aggravate teams, Beidou needs to build Elemental Mastery to optimize Aggravate reaction damage.
• 4-Piece Thundering Fury Set: The 4-piece Thundering Fury set is very effective for Beidou. It enhances Electro damage, increases Aggravate damage, and reduces Elemental Skill cooldown when activating Electro reactions.

In Aggravate teams, Beidou can trigger Aggravate reactions with her abilities. Dendro characters like the Dendro Traveler, Nahida, or Alhaitham apply Dendro. This allows Quicken and Aggravate reactions with Beidou’s Electro attacks. This creates a new build path for Beidou focused on EM and reaction damage.

Forging the Thunder: Beidou’s Build and Stats

It is time to prepare Beidou for battle. Let’s discuss weapons, artifacts, and stats for her maximum potential.

Weaponry Wonders: Claymores of Choice

Beidou uses Claymores and can choose from powerful weapons. Here are top contenders across different rarities:

5-Star Claymores:

• Wolf’s Gravestone: This is Beidou’s best-in-slot weapon for hybrid DPS/Support builds. It has a high ATK stat and boosts team ATK on defeating enemies, greatly enhancing Beidou’s damage and team performance.

4-Star Claymores:

• Serpent Spine: Serpent Spine is a great 4-star option. Its passive ability increases damage and damage taken over time while on-field. It works well for Main or Sub DPS Beidou. Be cautious about taking damage to maintain damage bonus stacks.
• Blackcliff Slasher: This strong 4-star choice excels in AoE situations. It provides an ATK boost after defeating an enemy, making it effective in domains and Abyss floors with multiple enemies.
• Akuoumaru: This Event Wish Exclusive scales with team Energy capacity. Its passive enhances Elemental Burst damage, suitable for Burst-focused teams where high team energy costs arise.
• Favonius Greatsword: A solid Energy Recharge option. It generates energy particles on CRIT hits, helping Beidou’s energy needs and supporting team energy generation. It is helpful in energy-hungry teams.

3-Star Claymores:

• Skyrider Greatsword: A decent early-game option, providing ATK and a stacking ATK bonus upon using Elemental Burst.

Artifact Armaments: Best Sets and Stats

Choosing the right artifacts is vital for optimizing Beidou’s performance. Here are recommended artifact sets and stat priorities:

Artifact Sets:

• 4-Piece Emblem of Severed Fate: This set is considered Beidou’s best general set for Sub DPS builds. The 2-piece bonus provides Energy Recharge, while the 4-piece bonus boosts Burst damage based on Energy Recharge. It complements her Burst-centric playstyle well.
• 2-Piece Thundering Fury + 2-Piece Gladiator’s Finale: This hybrid set works well. The 2TF provides Electro DMG Bonus, while ATK% boosts overall damage. Good if you lack a strong 4-piece EoSF set.
• 4-Piece Noblesse Oblige: This is effective where no team members use 4NO. It gives a team-wide ATK buff after using Beidou’s Burst, enhancing overall team damage.

Stat Priorities:

Main Stats:

• Sands: Energy Recharge or ATK% (prioritize ER if energy is an issue)
• Goblet: Electro DMG Bonus
• Circlet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG (balance ratio aiming for 60-70% CRIT Rate and 120-140%+ CRIT DMG)

Sub Stats (Prioritize):

1. CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG
2. Energy Recharge (until desired ER threshold)
3. ATK%
4. Elemental Mastery

Energy Recharge Requirements: Fueling the Storm

Beidou’s Burst requires attention to Energy Recharge. The ideal ER requirement varies based on team composition.

General ER Guidelines:

• Double Electro Team: Around 120-140% ER works well. Fischl or Raiden can generate energy for Beidou.
• Single Electro Team: Around 180-200% ER often needed to sustain Burst off cooldown without external support.

Adjust your ER based on your team, weapon, and playstyle. Find the ER sweet spot to Burst off cooldown comfortably.

Unique Talents: More Than Just a Parry

Beidou’s kit includes more than just a Claymore and an eyepatch. She has unique abilities that boost her effectiveness.

Tidecaller: Parry and Punish

Beidou’s Elemental Skill, Tidecaller, is her signature move. It isn’t just a shield; it can parry attacks. Using Tidecaller raises her weapon, absorbing incoming damage while gaining a shield. Upon releasing the Skill button when attacked or after holding it, Beidou unleashes a counterattack dealing Electro damage.

Perfect Parry Power:

• Maximum Damage: A perfectly timed parry triggers a stronger counterattack than a delayed parry.
• Damage Absorption: Tidecaller absorbs damage based on maximum HP, reaching 100% absorption at Talent Level 8. This makes her tanky when parrying.
• Electro Application: Tidecaller applies Electro on hit to trigger reactions.

Master the timing of Beidou’s parry to maximize her damage and utility. Practice against different enemies to perfect your timing. It feels rewarding to perfectly parry a Ruin Guard’s spin attack!

Stormbreaker: Off-Field Lightning Barrage

Beidou’s Elemental Burst, Stormbreaker, serves as her primary source of off-field damage. Upon activation, Beidou summons a Thunderbeast’s Shield that:

• Shields your active character: Absorbs damage.
• Unleashes lightning arcs: These bounce between enemies, dealing Electro damage and triggering reactions.