Countering Pyro in Genshin Impact: Effective Strategies, Characters, and Tactics for Success

Okay, so you’re fed up with being roasted by Pyro foes? We’ve all been there. It feels like they’re fueled by the sun while your team is fragile. But don’t worry! You found the guide to extinguishing those fiery enemies. Let’s explore the ways to make Pyro enemies regret their choice.

I. Elemental Counters and Reactions: Playing with Fire… and Water (and Ice, and Lightning)

Let’s discuss elements. Knowing your counters matters in this game. Pyro may seem fearsome, but they have weaknesses, big ones. Here’s the elemental breakdown.

A. Primary Counter: Hydro – Water is STILL Wet

If a Pyro enemy threatens you, the answer is clear: HYDRO. Water beats fire. In game terms, it’s about putting out flames, efficiency, and speed.

Imagine Pyro enemies as having a bonfire party. Hydro characters bring industrial-strength hoses to burst that shield. They melt it like butter on a hot day. Pun intended.

To clarify: Pyro is weak to Hydro, and Hydro reacts with Pyro to cause Vaporize. Whether you attack a Pyro with Hydro or vice versa, you receive Vaporize. Both elements combust in their ways. So, Vaporize is inevitable.

B. Secondary Counters: When Water Isn’t Enough (Or You Just Want Options)

Hydro counters Pyro fastest. But what if you want variety? Or your Hydro characters are busy? That’s where secondary counters come in: Cryo and Electro.

Hydro can smash a Pyro Regisvine shield faster than you can say “Vaporize.” But Cryo and Electro can work too. They offer a bit more finesse. Hydro is like a scalpel while Cryo/Electro are hammers. Both can break shields, although with different styles.

For pesky Pyro Abyss Mages? Cryo, Electro, and Hydro are essential. Any element that isn’t Pyro proves helpful. They resemble partygoers bringing firecrackers to a water balloon fight – not the brightest guests.

C. Elemental Reactions: The Spice of Life (and Combat)

Let’s explore elemental reactions. Just combining elements isn’t enough; understanding *why* helps maximize effectiveness. Pyro reacts with various elements. Here’s the elemental reaction rundown focused on Pyro’s relationships:

See those damage multipliers for Vaporize and Melt? They’re significant. That’s where elemental reactions shine. Especially Vaporize since Hydro counters Pyro effectively. It’s a double whammy.

Dendro also matters! Though not a classic counter, Dendro creates Burning with Pyro. It delivers damage over time, helpful against fast enemies or those with high health. Plus, watching things burn is satisfying.

II. Specific Enemies and Bosses: Targeted Pyro Takedowns

General elemental knowledge is fine, but let’s delve into specific enemies causing problems. Knowing how to tackle these foes saves time (and preserves characters).

A. Pyro Regisvine: The Fiery Flower That Needs Weeding

The Pyro Regisvine. Big and fiery, it loves to throw its weight around. This boss needs a Hydro character to come ruin its day.

Hydro is the quickest way to break its shield. Use any Hydro character and watch that shield melt away. Barbara? Sure! Xingqiu? Absolutely! Even Mona for 5-star flair works wonders.

What if your Hydro characters are on vacation? Or you want variety? Cryo and Electro can still help. Characters like Qiqi and Kaeya (Cryo) or even Electro can contribute. If your main damage dealers rely on Normal attacks, they can damage the shield while others chip away at it. But for speed? Hydro remains king.

Geo and Electro elements can also assist alongside Hydro and Cryo. Geo might provide shields, while Electro can lead to Overload reactions post-shield breakdown. If your team features these elements, they’re still relevant against the Regisvine. Just bring backup Hydro or Cryo.

B. Pyro Hypostasis: The Cube of Fiery Frustration

The Pyro Hypostasis. A cube of pure Pyro energy that loves existing and being a nuisance. The final phase tests your readiness as it goes invulnerable. You need to hit those tiny embers to succeed. Fast reactions matter along with elemental defense.

Here’s the trick: Shields, especially Electro or Hydro shields, help you survive this phase and hit those embers. Characters like Beidou (Electro shield) or Diona (Cryo shield) aid greatly. These shields reduce damage taken and allow easier targeting of embers to finish off the Hypostasis quickly.

III. Characters Effective Against Pyro: Assemble Your Fire-Fighting Squad

We know *what* works, but *who* should you deploy? Let’s go over characters. These examples depend on your roster and playstyle but serve as strong options.

A. Hydro Characters: Your Water Warriors

Hydro shines against Pyro; naturally, Hydro characters excel in these encounters. Look for characters with consistent Hydro application like these:

• Xingqiu: Rain Swords for constant Hydro damage with both skills and damage reduction.
• Barbara: Healing and Hydro application together. Great for Vaporize reactions.
• Mona: Crowd control and Hydro application great for Vaporize hits.
• Yelan: Focused on damage, along with excellent Hydro application.

Even characters like Qiqi and Kaeya, while not Hydro, may provide Normal Attack backup options discussed earlier.

B. Cryo Characters: The Icy Contingency

Cryo serves as your secondary option. Though not as fast in shield dealing as Hydro, Cryo characters bring advantages like Melt reactions and crowd control.

• Kaeya: Easy to obtain; provides consistent Cryo application with skills.
• Qiqi: Provides healing and applies Cryo effectively while dealing damage.
• Burst. Her Cryo skills aren’t very quick. However, they are reliable and keep enemies frozen.
• Ganyu: She deals massive damage with AoE Cryo. Her Charged Attacks and Elemental Burst create great Melt reactions. She can obliterate foes.
• Ayaka: Another top-tier Cryo DPS. Her Elemental Skill and Burst provide solid damage and Cryo application. Her alternate sprint helps with repositioning and applying Cryo.

IV. General Strategies: Tips for Pyro Domination

Let’s discuss strategies for dealing with Pyro enemies. These habits are useful against any Pyro foe.

A. Shield Breaking: Hydro is Your Shield Hero

Remember: Hydro breaks Pyro shields best. When facing a Pyro shield (like Abyss Mages or Regisvines), bring a Hydro character. This can save time and prevent character deaths.

Think of Hydro like a key for a lock. Other elements might work, but Hydro unlocks quickly. Why waste time?

B. Elemental Application: Consistency is Essential

For element reactions, consistency is important. Use characters that apply Hydro (or Cryo, or Electro) reliably and often. This triggers elemental reactions frequently, boosting damage.

Characters with lasting Elemental Skills or Bursts greatly help. Xingqiu’s Rain Swords, Fischl’s Oz, Ganyu’s Elemental Burst keep applying elements even when switching characters.

Hydro is best for Pyro counters, but Electro can work too, if Hydro options are low. Overload reactions cause chaos but deliver decent damage. Electro can wear down Pyro shields, but not as well as Hydro.

V. Pyro Status: Living in Heat

Now, let’s touch on Pyro status. What does being “affected by Pyro” mean?

Being affected by Pyro has no special effects. No debuffs, no stat changes, nothing like that. It’s just Pyro. It marks “I’m flammable!”

However, Pyro status allows Elemental Reactions. It’s needed for Vaporize, Melt, Overload, and Burning. You need Pyro on an enemy (or yourself) to trigger reactions.

Basically, any Pyro DMG applies the Pyro status. Pyro attacks, hazards, and some enemy abilities do this. If you see the Pyro icon above an enemy’s head, they are primed to react.

There you have it, a guide to countering Pyro elements! With this knowledge, enter battle with confidence, ready to extinguish flames! You’ve got this!