Unleash the Cavalry Captain: Your Expert Guide to Dominating with Kaeya in Genshin Impact
You’ve got Kaeya. He’s the charming Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius. He might be your first Cryo character. Maybe you see his hidden potential now. You are in the right place. Forget rumors. We’re diving deep into building Kaeya in Genshin Impact.
Kaeya: Jack of All Trades, Master of… Cryo?
Kaeya will not top any DPS charts. That’s not the point. He is versatile. He fits multiple roles. He adapts to your team’s needs like a chameleon. Think of him as your Cryo Swiss Army Knife.
DPS Dynamo or Supportive Savior?
You can build him as a DPS. He can be your main damage dealer or a sub-DPS delivering Cryo damage. His normal attacks are quick. His Elemental Skill and Burst scale off ATK. He is effective when geared correctly. But Kaeya shines as a Support character. His Elemental Burst, Glacial Waltz, excels in off-field Cryo application. It sets up reactions and lets your main DPS go wild.
TheGamer notes Kaeya’s strength lies in adaptability and quick attacks. He is the support you didn’t know you needed.
Stats That Matter: ATK and ER are Your Friends
Building Kaeya is straightforward. Pump up his Attack (ATK). Both abilities scale directly with it. More ATK equals more damage. It’s that simple.
The other key stat is Energy Recharge (ER). This is crucial if you lean into a support build. Kaeya’s Elemental Burst holds much utility. So, you want to cast it often. For off-field support, aim for above 160% ER. This keeps those Glacial Waltzes going.
Weaponry: From F2P to Five-Star Frostiness
Choosing the right weapon for Kaeya depends on his role. Let’s break down the options:
Top Tier: Skyward Blade
If you have a Skyward Blade, equip it immediately. KQM confirms this weapon as his best choice. It has high base ATK and Energy Recharge substat. The passive effect boosts Crit Rate and Movement Speed.
Excellent Alternatives:
- Favonius Sword: This four-star sword is great for support builds. As TheGamer notes, it generates Energy Particles on Crit hits. This keeps Kaeya’s Burst active. Crit hits have a 60% chance to generate Elemental Particles, regenerating six Energy for Kaeya.
- Blackcliff Longsword: Focus on DPS? The Blackcliff Longsword can be a solid option. Obtain it from the Starglitter Exchange. Its Crit Damage substat boosts Kaeya’s damage output.
F2P Friendly Options:
No fancy swords? No problem! There are free-to-play options. Weapons like the Amenoma Kageuchi (craftable) or the trusty Harbinger of Dawn (three-star) work well, especially early on.
Weapon Stats to Prioritize:
Keep these stats in mind:
- Crit Rate/Crit Damage: Crucial for maximizing damage potential.
- Attack %: Always good for boosting overall damage.
- Energy Recharge: Essential for consistent Burst uptime.
- Elemental Mastery: Helpful for Melt or Reverse Melt, but usually a lower priority.
Artifacts: Blizzard Strayer or Bust?
Artifacts fine-tune Kaeya’s build. The best set depends on role and team composition.
The Gold Standard: 4-piece Blizzard Strayer
The 4-piece Blizzard Strayer set is king for Cryo DPS or Freeze builds. It boosts Crit Rate against Cryo-affected enemies, especially frozen ones. This lets you stack Crit Damage and ATK for powerful Cryo attacks. KQM recommends this as the top set for Kaeya.
Solid Alternatives:
- 4-piece Noblesse Oblige: Maximize Kaeya’s support capabilities with Noblesse Oblige. It boosts Burst damage and gives an ATK buff to the team after he uses his Burst.
- 2-piece Blizzard Strayer + 2-piece Gladiator’s Finale (or Shimenawa’s Reminiscence): This mix provides a Cryo Damage Bonus and an ATK boost. It balances damage and Cryo application without strictly being tied to Freeze teams.
Talent Tango: Frostgnaw and Glacial Waltz Take the Lead
Talent priority for Kaeya is clear. Focus on these two:
- Frostgnaw (Elemental Skill): Max this first. It’s Kaeya’s main source of Cryo application and a chunk of his damage, especially on a lower cooldown.
- Glacial Waltz (Elemental Burst): Level this second. It’s key for consistent off-field Cryo application.
You can level up his Normal Attack talent later if you use him as a main DPS, but focus on Skill and Burst first.
Team Synergy: Freezing Foes and Melting Faces
Kaeya excels in teams leveraging his Cryo application. Here are some team archetypes he fits:
Freeze Teams:
Pair Kaeya with Hydro characters like Mona, Xingqiu, or Yelan. Create Freeze reactions. Add a Cryo character like Chongyun, Rosaria, or Diona for Cryo Resonance and battery potential. Kaeya works well in this setup.
Melt Teams:
For a more aggressive build, use Pyro characters like Bennett and Xiangling. Kaeya’s Cryo application sets up Reverse Melt reactions. This allows you to deal significant Pyro damage. This composition offers Kaeya’s best damage-dealing setup.
Playstyle Pointers: Adapt to the Situation
Kaeya’s flexibility is a major strength. Here are some approaches:
- Physical DPS: Less common now, but feasible early game. Focus on Physical DMG Bonus and Normal Attack talents.
- Cryo DPS: Use Blizzard Strayer and Cryo DMG Bonus for optimal output.
- Reverse Melt: Apply Cryo, then trigger Melt reactions with Pyro for amplified damage.
- Freeze: Prioritize Cryo application to freeze enemies and control the battlefield.
Kaeya’s Hidden Strengths: More Than Just a Pretty Face
Beyond combat, Kaeya offers much:
- Exploration King: Kaeya shines in exploration. His Elemental Skill freezes water, aiding traversal. TheGamer emphasizes his utility for new players.
- Quick and Nimble: His speed aids combat and exploration.
- Consistent Cryo Application: Both Skill and Burst ensure reliable Cryo application for reactions.
- Versatile and Adaptable: He fits into many team compositions and roles.
Constellation Corner: C6 is the Cherry on Top
Kaeya functions well at C0. His Constellations provide nice boosts. Notably, C6 – Glacial Whirlwind enhances his Burst significantly, adding an icicle and raising damage output. This buff makes his Burst more impactful.
In conclusion, Kaeya is not just a starter character to overlook. With the right build, he can be an effective asset in your Genshin Impact adventures. Experiment with different setups and unleash his potential. You might be amazed at what he brings to the table.
