Unlocking Hu Tao’s Potential: A Deep Dive into Builds, Teams, and Gameplay
So, you want to unleash the mischievous Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao? Great choice! This Pyro Polearm wielder excels at dealing damage. But building her effectively? That’s the challenge. Forget average gear; let’s maximize her damage output.
Artifact Sets: Gearing Up for Ghostly Domination
When it comes to equipping Hu Tao, one artifact set stands out:
- Crimson Witch of Flames: The Pyro Queen’s Regalia Simply put, Crimson Witch of Flames is the best choice for DPS Hu Tao. Why? It offers synergy. The 2-piece bonus gives a solid 15% Pyro DMG Bonus. The 4-piece bonus amplifies Overloaded and Burning DMG by 40%, and Vaporize and Melt DMG by 15%.
- Shimenawa’s Reminiscence: A Solid Sidegrade If Crimson Witch drops are scarce, Shimenawa’s Reminiscence is a solid option. The 2-piece bonus grants an 18% ATK boost. The 4-piece effect sacrifices energy to increase Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attack DMG by 50%. Hu Tao benefits from this during her Skill state.
- Other Artifact Options: Exploring Alternatives While the top two sets are Crimson Witch and Shimenawa, consider these if you’re experimenting:
- Gilded Dreams: For Elemental Mastery Focused Builds If you want an Elemental Mastery (EM) build, Gilded Dreams is intriguing. The 2-piece bonus offers 80 EM, and the 4-piece boosts ATK and EM.
- Flower of Paradise Lost: Bloom Reaction Focus Similar to Gilded Dreams, Flower of Paradise Lost boosts Bloom damage. But for standard Hu Tao builds, stick to Crimson Witch or Shimenawa.
Stat Prioritization: HP is King, But Not the Only Ruler
Now, let’s talk stats. Understanding Hu Tao’s scaling is key:
- HP: The Primary Damage Amplifier Hu Tao’s damage primarily relies on her Max HP. Don’t build her as a typical ATK-scaling DPS. Her Elemental Skill, “Paramita Papilio,” converts Max HP into an ATK bonus.
- HP to ATK Conversion: Elemental Skill Magic Hu Tao’s Elemental Skill ramps up her ATK based on her Max HP. This boost caps at around 400% of her Base ATK. Higher HP means higher damage.
- Crit Rate and Crit DMG: The Damage Multipliers While HP forms the base, Crit Rate and Crit DMG maximize damage. Aim for consistency in crits. HP is the engine, Crit is the turbocharger.
- Crit Rate: Aim for Consistency (60-70%) Start with around 60-70% crit rate. This ensures reliable crits on Charged Attacks. Once achieved, focus on Crit DMG.
- Crit DMG: Stack it High After reaching decent Crit Rate, stack Crit DMG to enhance the damage of crit hits. There’s no cap—keep increasing it!
- Elemental Mastery (EM): Reaction Power Boost (Around 100 EM as a Start) Aim for around 100 EM initially. This boosts reaction damage significantly.
- Pyro DMG Bonus: Fuel the Flames A Pyro DMG Bonus Goblet is essential for a Pyro DPS like Hu Tao. Maximize this to amplify her Pyro-infused attacks.
- Sands: HP% or EM? The Balancing Act For Sands: choose HP% or Elemental Mastery (EM) depending on current stats. If EM is low (under 100), opt for EM Sands. If HP is low, go for HP% Sands. Strike a balance.
Weaponry: From Funeral Banners to Polearms of Power
Choosing the right weapon significantly affects Hu Tao’s performance:
- Staff of Homa: The Ultimate Weapon (Unsurprisingly) Expected, but true: the Staff of Homa is Hu Tao’s best weapon. It increases HP and offers an ATK Bonus based on 0.8% of Max HP. When HP falls below 50%, this ATK bonus rises further.
- Alternative Weapons: Strong Contenders Don’t have the Staff of Homa? Here are other viable options:
- Dragon’s Bane: Reaction-Focused PowerDragon’s Bane is an excellent choice, especially for Vaporize-centric teams. Its secondary stat is Elemental Mastery and increases DMG against Hydro or Pyro affected enemies. Hu Tao benefits greatly from this weapon.
- Deathmatch: Crit Rate and Consistent DamageDeathmatch, from the Battle Pass, offers valuable Crit Rate. Its passive provides ATK and DEF boost based on enemy proximity, increasing overall performance.
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- Prototype Grudge: F2P Friendly Charged Attack Enhancer Hu Tao can benefit from the Prototype Grudge. It’s a craftable weapon that enhances Normal and Charged Attack DMG after using an Elemental Skill. Hu Tao’s gameplay relies on Charged Attacks. This weapon fits her kit and is suitable for budget players.
Team Synergy: Assembling the Funeral Parlor Dream Team
Hu Tao is powerful alone but excels in a well-constructed team. Here are some key pairings:
- Hu Tao and Xingqiu: An Inseparable Duo Hu Tao and Xingqiu make an incredible duo. This partnership ranks among the best in Genshin Impact. Xingqiu applies Hydro off-field, allowing Hu Tao to trigger Vaporize with Charged Attacks. Their synergy is tough to beat.
- Hydro DPS Companions: Yelan and Furina Step Up Yelan and Furina serve as excellent Hydro options alongside Hu Tao.
- Yelan: Hydro DPS and Damage Buffs Yelan fits naturally into Hu Tao’s team. She provides off-field Hydro like Xingqiu. Yelan offers a damage buff to your active character, boosting Hu Tao. A great option if you need more damage.
- Furina: HP Manipulation and Massive Damage Bonus Furina adds unique mechanics. She manipulates HP with her Elemental Skill, which helps Hu Tao as she thrives below 50% HP. Her Burst boosts damage based on HP changes, which Hu Tao can generate. She needs a healer to manage HP loss.
- Supportive Cast: Rounding Out the Roster Other teammates can enhance Hu Tao in various ways:
- Sucrose or Kazuha: Elemental Resistance Shred and Crowd Control Sucrose and Kazuha serve important roles as Anemo supports. They shred enemy Pyro Resistance, increasing Hu Tao’s damage. Kazuha often takes the lead with his superior buffs, while Sucrose remains accessible and good.
- Zhongli: Shield and Universal Resistance Shred Zhongli offers strong protection with his shield. This is especially useful for Hu Tao as she often operates at low HP and is vulnerable to interruptions. His shield also reduces resistances for all elements, enhancing team damage.
- Layla: Cryo Application and Shielding Layla provides Cryo application for Melt reactions and a shield. Her Cryo isn’t as reliable as Hydro for Vaporize, but her shield offers extra survivability if Zhongli is unavailable.
- Xiangling and Bennett: Off-field Pyro and ATK Buff (Use with Caution) Xiangling and Bennett can be used in unconventional teams. Xiangling delivers off-field Pyro damage while Bennett grants ATK buffs and healing. Be cautious with Bennett’s healing, as it may conflict with Hu Tao’s low-HP playstyle.
Gameplay Mastery: Dancing with Death and Damage
Mastering Hu Tao requires understanding her unique gameplay style:
- Vaporize and Melt Reactions: The Damage Multipliers Maximizing Vaporize and Melt reactions is essential. Pair Hu Tao with Hydro users (Xingqiu, Yelan, Furina) for Vaporize. For a Melt build, use Cryo characters (Layla, Rosaria, Kaeya). These reactions are vital for her damage output, especially Vaporize.
- Low HP, High Reward: Embracing the Danger Zone (Below 50% HP) Keeping Hu Tao’s HP below 50% is crucial. Her passive grants a 33% Pyro DMG Bonus at this HP level. This boosts her damage significantly. Avoid excessive healing unless Hu Tao teams with Furina and a healer. Embrace a risky playstyle.
- Charged Attacks: The Primary Damage Dealers Focus on Charged Attacks. Hu Tao’s Elemental Skill buffs Charged Attacks, making them her main damage source during her Skill state. Learn to cancel animations (dashing or jumping) to enhance DPS and stamina efficiency, especially without Constellation 1.
- Elemental Reaction Awareness: Hydro is Your Best Friend Understand Elemental Reactions, particularly Vaporize. Being able to consistently trigger Vaporize with Hydro is crucial for mastering Hu Tao. Practice rotations to ensure Hydro application before every Charged Attack.
Constellation Considerations: C1 – The Quality of Life King
Constellations enhance 5-star characters, so let’s look at Hu Tao’s:
- C1: “Sanguine Rouge” – Stamina Freedom and DPS Boost Constellation 1 significantly improves Hu Tao. It removes stamina costs for Charged Attacks during her Paramita Papilio state. This leads to smoother animation cancels and higher DPS. Though Hu Tao is functional at C0, C1 greatly enhances ease of use and damage output.
Talent Prioritization: Leveling Up for Spectral Power
When leveling Hu Tao’s Talents, prioritize these:
- Normal Attack > Elemental Skill > Elemental Burst Start leveling Normal Attack talent first, then Elemental Skill, and finally Elemental Burst. Hu Tao’s Charged Attacks are her main damage during her Skill state, so Normal Attack is key first. Level Elemental Skill next for damage conversion and Pyro infusion. The Burst follows as it contributes but is less critical.
- Crit Rate and Crit DMG: Substat Focus in Talents For leveling Talents, keep stat priorities in mind. Focus on Crit Rate and Crit DMG substats. Aim for a balance between these stats as you enhance her talents and artifacts.
Leveling to 90: The Final Push for Perfection
The question arises: Is leveling to 90 beneficial?
- Level 90: Worth the Investment for Max Damage For main DPS like Hu Tao, leveling to 90 is commonly worth the effort. Although it requires resources, the stat increases in HP, Crit DMG during ascension, and base ATK provide a noticeable boost in damage. Maximize Hu Tao’s potential by reaching level 90.
HP Cap Clarification: Don’t Overstack HP
A frequent query concerns Hu Tao’s HP cap:
- HP Cap: Around 45,867 HP at Talent Level 10 with Staff of Homa Hu Tao has a cap for effective ATK conversion. The limit is generally around 45,867 HP at Talent Level 10 with a Level 90 Staff of Homa. Exceeding this cap yields diminishing returns in damage. It is important to be aware of this cap while balancing HP, Crit, and EM for optimal performance.
Hu Tao’s Ghostly Companion: YouYou
A fun fact for Hu Tao fans:
- Official Name: YouYou (幽幽) Hu Tao’s ghost is named YouYou (幽幽). This name adds charm and lore to her character.
Other Fun Facts: Fandom and Lore
Let’s dive into some Hu Tao fandom and lore:
- Hu Tao’s Elemental Skill: Paramita Papilio – Key to Power
- ATK Boost based on Max HP: Her Skill serves as the engine of her damage, converting HP into ATK.
- Pyro Infusion: This is essential for Pyro application and triggering reactions.
- Hu Tao Ships: Fandom Favorites
- ZhongTao (Hu Tao and Zhongli): The Most Popular Pairing ZhongTao stands out as the most favored ship among Hu Tao fans. The dynamic between her and the stoic Geo Archon resonates well, inspiring countless fan arts and stories.
- Hu Tao and Aether: Another Ship on the Horizon ZhongTao prevails in popularity, but another pairing of Hu Tao with Aether exists in the fandom.
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- Melt Hu Tao: An Experimental Path Melt builds are possible with Hu Tao, although less frequent than Vaporize. This path may not be as consistent but is available for experimentation.
Building Hu Tao can be rewarding. Understand her stats, team compositions, and gameplay intricacies. This way, you’ll unlock a powerful Pyro DPS capable of overcoming the Spiral Abyss and all of Teyvat’s challenges. Go forth and may your Vaporize reactions always crit!
