Unlocking God-Tier Genshin Characters: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Artifact Sets
So, you’re wandering around Teyvat, right? You’ve got your Traveler and other cool characters. You want to make them unstoppable. Welcome to Genshin Impact artifacts. They are like seasoning for your characters.
Half the battle in Genshin is avoiding a rogue Ruin Guard. Or clearing the Spiral Abyss before losing your mind. Artifacts are a huge part of that. Choosing the right set changes how your DPS deals damage. It can either be weak or strong.
With so many sets, stats, and domains, it’s easy to get lost. Don’t worry! This guide helps you navigate the artifact landscape. We’ll break down everything you need to know and equip your characters like the legends they are. Let’s dive in.
Decoding the Artifact Enigma: General Knowledge You Absolutely Need
Let’s start with the basics. Even seasoned Travelers forget why we grind for artifacts. What is an artifact, beyond wasting your precious resin?
What’s the Strongest Artifact in Genshin Impact? (Spoiler: It’s Complicated)
If you’re searching for a single artifact to rule them all, prepare to be disappointed. There isn’t a definitive “strongest” artifact. It depends on context. It’s like asking what the best food is; it depends on your needs.
Some artifact sets rank among the best, especially for damage. For example, the Crimson Witch of Flames set has been powerful since the game’s launch. Pyro reactions are strong. Vaporize and Melt reactions make Pyro characters amazing damage dealers. Sets like Noblesse Oblige are also valuable, providing Elemental Burst damage and team-wide ATK boosts.
The “strongest” artifact set fits well with your character’s kit and team composition. Knowing this synergy is key to maximizing damage potential. As Game Rant’s Artifact Tier List suggests, knowing the best sets is crucial.
The Myth of the Rarest Artifact: Chasing Unicorns?
Elemental Mastery (EM) Goblet. And within that rare breed, an EM Goblet from the Viridescent Venerer set with Crit substats? Congratulations, you’ve won the artifact lottery.
Why are EM Goblets so rare? RNG is the answer. Goblets can roll various main stats, and EM is just one option. Add the specific set you want, then factor in the Crit substats. The odds are astronomically low. If you find one, cherish it. But don’t spend your savings chasing after the absolute “rarest” artifact. It leads to madness and resin depletion.
Do Artifacts Even Matter? Asking the Real Questions
Let’s be clear: artifacts are crucial. Do they matter? They are vital for character progression in Genshin Impact. Weapons and talents matter too, but artifacts fine-tune your characters and push their potential up. Those stat boosts and set bonuses add up in combat.
Think about it: artifact affixes amplify combat prowess. Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, Elemental DMG Bonus, Energy Recharge – these are essential for optimizing character builds. Some artifact types have fixed main stats (Flowers have HP, Plumes have ATK). The real challenge lies in rolling for the perfect combination of main stats and substats.
Five-Star Artifact Rarity: Is the Grind Worth It?
The prized five-star artifact. Shiny, golden, and statistically elusive. How rare are they? Statistically, in higher-level domains (level 80 and above), you have about a 0.6% chance to get a five-star artifact drop per run. Let that sink in: less than 1%. Domains below level 80? Forget about five-stars; they’re very rare.
So, is the grind worth it? For endgame content, absolutely. Five-stars have higher stat ranges and are crucial for maximizing characters’ potential. But expect a grind. It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon… through a domain… with lots of RNG… and probably some tears.
Why Artifact Farming Feels Like Pulling Teeth (It’s Not Just You)
If you’ve spent days or weeks farming artifacts and feel stuck, congratulations! You’re a normal Genshin Impact player! Artifact farming is tough for several reasons:
- Resin Constraints: Resin is the biggest bottleneck. Each run costs resin, which regenerates slowly. Limited attempts mean fewer chances for good drops.
- Domain Drop Pools: Each domain drops two different artifact sets. This halves your chances of getting what you want. It’s like ordering half pepperoni, half pineapple pizza – someone’s disappointed.
- Substat Lottery: Even with the right set and main stat, substats are random. You could get great main stats and then horrible substats like flat DEF or HP.
- Upgrade Woes: You finally get an artifact with good substats, but upgrades go into the one you don’t need.
Artifact farming is a multi-layered RNG challenge that tests your patience and resin stash. It’s meant to be a long-term grind. Embrace the struggle.
Adventure Rank Sweet Spot: When to Really Start Farming
Patience, young Traveler. While you can farm artifacts at lower Adventure Ranks (AR), wait until Adventure Rank 45. Why AR 45? That’s when you unlock Level 90 artifact domains, guaranteeing at least one five-star artifact drop per run.
Before AR 45, focus on leveling characters, weapons, and talents. Use what artifacts you find along the way but don’t waste your Fragile Resin chasing four-star artifacts that will soon become obsolete. Save it for AR 45 and beyond, where resin investments become more efficient.
The Agony of Artifact Farming: A Deep Dive into RNG Hell
Let’s summarize why artifact farming feels like a huge challenge. It’s all about RNG. Random Number Generation controls your artifact dreams. It governs every aspect of acquiring artifacts.
- Set Piece RNG: 50/50 chance of getting the set you want in a domain.
- Goblet Main Stat RNG: For Goblets, the main stat pool is wide, diluting chances of getting the specific Elemental DMG Bonus or ATK%.
- Main Stat Rarity: Some main stats are rarer than others.
- Crit Rate and DMG Circlets are tough to find, unlike HP% or DEF% ones.
- Substat Chaos: Four substats are best. Sometimes you get three, and you must hope for a fourth at +4. Each roll for upgrades feels like a gamble. Will it land in Crit DMG or flat DEF for the fifth time? It builds suspense.
Getting a perfect artifact is unlikely. It requires the right set, main stat, substats, and perfect rolls. Statistically, it’s like winning the lottery. The system promotes long-term engagement over quick results. Set realistic goals, embrace the grind, and maybe seek therapy.
The Statistical Abyss: Odds of a “Perfect” Artifact
So, what are the chances of securing that perfect artifact? Let’s look at the harsh math:
- Set Piece (50%): There’s a 50% chance of getting the desired set from the domain.
- Goblet Type (20%): Approximately 20% chance that a Goblet drops correctly.
- Main Stat (5%): Estimated 5% for wanting main stat on the Goblet.
- Substat Count (25%): 25% chance of having four instead of three substats (ideal scenario).
- Substats (0.000576%): The odds of landing specific desirable substats approach 0.000576% for an optimal combination.
- Upgrades (0.0000954%): For ideal rolls in substats, expect around 0.0000954% odds.
When combining these probabilities, they become nearly theoretical. Key takeaway? Set goals for “good enough.” Sanity should not be overlooked as artifact farming can drain it fast.
Artifact Purging: When to Say “Goodbye, Useless Piece of Junk”
With a limit of 2100 artifacts in the inventory, knowing what to keep is crucial due to constant new artifacts. What’s trash? What’s treasure?
For five-star artifacts, keep items with 3-5 “correct” stat options. “Correct” means useful stats for your character. Stats like Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, Energy Recharge, and Elemental Mastery are solid picks. Flat HP, ATK, or DEF often serve as instant fodder unless for niche characters.
Avoid chasing perfection so fast. Focus on a decent set with viable main stats and useful substats. Aim for solid stats across each artifact for practicality. Progress matters more than perfection.
Most Popular Artifact Sets: The Hall of Fame
Some artifact sets stand out as effective and widely used across team compositions:
- Noblesse Oblige: Amazing for burst-centric support characters like Bennett. Burst DMG boost and ATK buff are invaluable.
- Tenacity of the Millelith: Supports off-field damage dealers or shield providers. It boosts HP and ATK/Shield Strength for the team.
- Viridescent Venerer: Top choice for Anemo support. Reducing enemy Elemental RES boosts damage significantly.
- Emblem of Severed Fate: Energy recharge and Elemental Burst DMG is crucial for burst-reliant characters like Raiden Shogun.
- Crimson Witch of Flames: Amplifies Pyro damage boosts making Pyro characters strong hitters.
The effectiveness of these sets explains their popularity. Knowing them is vital for building a solid artifact collection.
Useless Five-Star Artifacts? Don’t Feed Them to the Dogs (Immediately)
Receiving a five-star artifact that doesn’t help your characters can be disheartening. But do not lose hope! Those “useless” artifacts serve a purpose. Use the Mystic Offering system unlocked at AR 45. It recycles three five-star artifacts into new ones.
Those DEF% Goblets with flat substats won’t equip well anytime soon, but they can aid in Mystic Offerings giving another chance at better pieces. It isn’t perfect, but it’s better than frustration.
Five-Star Drop Rates: The Cold, Hard Numbers
Earlier discussions on five-star artifact drop rates are sobering. At levels 80+, expect around 0.6% for five-star artifacts and about 5.1% for four-stars. Three-star artifacts dominate at 94.3%. The odds favor the house.
Drop rates are fixed and not directly increase-able. Genshin offers a pity system, though not explicitly for artifacts. Some speculate running enough without a five-star may increase chances slightly, but do not rely solely on it.
The Real Rarest Item? It’s Not What You Think
The rarest item in Genshin Impact is surprisingly not a five-star character or an artifact. It is a humble three-star weapon called the Dark Iron Sword. Yes, a three-star weapon is rare because only one exists in the game. You obtain it from an NPC named Chen the Sharp in Liyue Harbor. Most players likely used it as enhancement fodder early on, unaware of its rarity.
Choosing Artifacts Wisely: Character-by-Character Strategy
Picking artifacts isn’t just about rarity. It involves understanding character roles and how different sets enhance abilities. Characters like Fischl or Yae Miko benefit from sets boosting Elemental Skill damage and providing Energy Recharge, like Emblem of Severed Fate.
Characters such as Venti thrive on crowd control and burst damage using sets like Viridescent Venerer, shredding enemy resistance while also utilizing Noblesse Oblige. Understand your character’s kit while choosing stats and bonuses that amplify their strengths.
Artifact Inventory Limits: Don’t Become a Digital Hoarder
A reminder: hold no more than 2,100 artifacts. Attempting to exceed this limit triggers a cleanup message. Regular cleanup is crucial to avoid max limits and receive new drops. Utilize Mystic Offerings, use items as enhancement fodder, and steer clear of hoarding “just in case.” Digital clutter can add stress.
Where the Five-Star Artifacts Roam: Domain Hunting Grounds
Domains serve as primary sources for five-star artifacts, particularly higher-level ones (Level 80-90) with better drop rates. Boss enemies can drop five-star artifacts too, but domains help achieve specific farming goals. The easiest domain is subjective; commonly recommended is the Valley of Remembrance. It drops Viridescent Venerer.
This domain offers manageable enemy waves without complex gimmicks involved.
AR 45: The Five-Star Artifact Bonanza
Yes, back to…
AR 45 is crucial. It unlocks the adult version of artifact farming. Level 90 domains at AR 45 guarantee one five-star artifact per run. This is a huge efficiency leap. Avoid burning through your Fragile Resin before AR 45. Save it, reach AR 45, and then unleash the floodgates. Your sanity will thank you.
Specific Sets for Specific Needs: Artifact Sets and Their Roles
Now, let’s discuss specific artifact sets. There’s no “best” set for all. But some sets work better for certain characters.
Gaming’s Best Gear: Artifact Sets for the Win
Gaming is designed for combat. As a Pyro Claymore user, consider a couple of strong artifact sets. The 4-piece Marechaussee Hunter set is ideal if you trigger Plunging Attacks often. It boosts Normal and Charged Attack DMG when HP fluctuates. The classic 4-piece Crimson Witch of Flames is also great for Pyro DPS characters. Elemental Bonus sets suit characters relying on elemental reactions, like Gaming. If you use Razor or Eula (Physical DPS), consider other options. Otherwise, elemental sets are often best for damage dealers.
DPS Domination: Artifact Sets for Maximum Damage Output
For general DPS, several artifact sets shine. Gilded Dreams is excellent for reaction-focused DPS units scaling from ATK and Elemental Mastery. It enhances both, making it versatile for various builds. For Bloom reaction teams, Flower of Paradise Lost also works well, supporting on-field and off-field Bloom damage dealers. The best DPS set depends on character and team composition, but these remain high-performing options.
Traveler’s Toolkit: Artifacts for the Wandering Hero
The Traveler adapts to different elements. Their best artifact sets vary by element. For Anemo Traveler, the 4-piece Viridescent Venerer is essential. Anemo focuses on Swirl reactions and enemy shredding, and VV excels at both. For main stats, target Crit Rate/DMG Circlet, Energy Recharge Sands, and Anemo DMG Bonus Goblet. Focus on Energy Recharge and Crit stats for substats to keep bursts flowing.
Chasca’s Artifact Arsenal: Gearing Up Natlan’s New Star
With Natlan, new characters and artifact sets emerge. For Chasca, a rumored Natlan DPS, rumors suggest the Obsidian Codex set is the top choice. Natlan sets are designed for Natlan characters and mechanics, so Obsidian Codex is expected to be the best-in-slot for any DPS. Stay updated as Natlan approaches; Obsidian Codex may be a key set.
Venti’s Vortex of Value: Best Artifact Sets for the Anemo Archon
The breezy Anemo Archon, Venti, needs artifact sets to boost his burst damage and support. The 4-piece Viridescent Venerer is again a top option for resistance shredding. The 4-piece Noblesse Oblige also offers great value, enhancing burst damage and providing team-wide ATK buffs. Both sets elevate Venti’s control over enemies and strengthen team damage.
Farming Frontiers: Domains to Dominate for Specific Sets
Want a specific artifact set? Here’s a domain guide:
- Cryo/Hydro: Peak of Vindagnyr (Blizzard Strayer/Heart of Depth)
- Gladiator/Wanderer’s Troupe: Boss drops (weekly and world bosses)
- Anemo/Maiden Beloved: Valley of Remembrance (Viridescent Venerer/Maiden Beloved)
- Pyro/Lavawalker: Hidden Palace of Zhou Formula (Crimson Witch of Flames/Lavawalker)
- Noblesse Oblige/Bloodstained Chivalry: Clear Pool and Mountain Cavern (Noblesse Oblige/Bloodstained Chivalry)
- Geo/Pale Flame: Ridge Watch (Archaic Petra/Retracing Bolide)
Knowing which domain drops which set helps you farm efficiently. Focused farming beats aimless runs.
AR 30 Artifact Farming? Proceed with Caution
Can you farm artifacts at AR 30? Yes, but it’s not advised. Your resin is better spent leveling characters, weapons, and talents. The artifact domains at this level don’t guarantee five-star artifacts, and four-star ones become obsolete quickly. Focus on progression first, then serious farming for AR 45 and up. Early game artifact farming has low value compared to later stages.
Two-Piece Set Synergy: Combining Bonuses
A “two-piece set” means equipping two artifacts from the same set to activate its bonus. Many sets offer two-piece and four-piece bonuses. Sometimes two two-piece bonuses can be more effective than one four-piece set depending on the character. For instance, combining two separate +18% ATK two-piece sets can be beneficial for ATK-scaling DPS characters, especially early on.
DEF Circlets: Niche but Not Necessarily Trash
DEF Circlets often receive bad reviews, but they aren’t useless. For specific characters scaling from DEF, like Arataki Itto or Albedo, a DEF Circlet can be BiS. Even some shielders or healers can benefit from HP or DEF Circlets to enhance survivability or shield strength. Don’t disregard DEF Circlets; they can have niche uses.
100% Crit Rate: Is It Overkill?
If you reach 100% Crit Rate, congratulations! Every attack will be a crit. Is it overkill? Not really. Consistent Crit hits lead to steady damage. However, beyond 100% Crit Rate, further Crit Rate becomes wasted. Focus on Crit DMG or other damage stats instead. A balance of Crit Rate and Crit DMG is generally more effective than solely stacking Crit Rate to 100%.
Four-Piece Set Power: Unleashing Full Potential
The “4-piece set” bonus activates when you equip four artifacts from the same set. These bonuses often surpass two-piece bonuses in power. They can drastically alter a character’s playstyle or damage output. For example, the 4-piece Thundering Fury bonus boosts Electro-Charged, Overloaded, and Superconduct damage and lowers Elemental Skill cooldowns. This dramatically changes Electro-reaction characters.
Free Five-Star Artifacts? Myth or Reality?
Free five-star artifacts aren’t plentiful, but you can find ways to obtain them outside domains. Events may offer five-star artifacts as rewards. Some quests or activities might give a five-star artifact as a one-time reward. Watch in-game events and explore thoroughly to snag these rewards when they pop up. No secret shells on beaches give god-roll five-star artifacts.
Crit Rate Circlet Chances: Playing the Odds
The chances of acquiring a Crit Rate or Crit DMG Circlet as a main stat are notably low. Both Crit Rate% and Crit DMG% have around a 10% chance of appearing on a Circlet. In contrast, HP% (22.5%) or ATK% (22.5%) provides a clearer picture of rarity. Prepare to farm many Circlets if you’re targeting specific Crit main stats.
Adventure Rank and World Level: The Farming Tiers
Adventure Rank and World Level link to artifact farming efficiency. Understanding these mechanics helps optimize resin use and progression.
AR 45 vs. AR 50: Is the Grind Difference Worth It?
Should you farm at AR 45 or wait until AR 50? AR 45 is the optimal spot for serious artifact farming because it guarantees one five-star artifact per domain run.
