Defense is the Best Offense? Unpacking DEF Scaling in Genshin Impact
In the dynamic world of Genshin Impact, you often hear, “ATK is king!” However, there is another important stat: Defense, or DEF. Some characters don’t just tolerate DEF; they thrive on it. Let’s explore DEF scaling characters. Sometimes, the toughest approach helps you win.
DEF Scaling Dream Team: Meet the Fortified Force
The ATK and HP scaling characters get most of the attention. Meanwhile, the DEF scaling crew remains powerful and steady. These characters face danger with confidence. Who are they? Here are the DEF scaling all-stars:
- Xilonen: The new character with unique DEF scaling abilities.
- Chiori: Sleek and lethal, showcasing a stylish defense.
- Kachina: Her defense-based skills deliver unexpected damage.
- Gorou: The canine general buffs DEF and is key for Geo teams.
(We’ll detail him later and maybe link a helpful Gorou guide.) - Itto: Powerhouse Oni, smashing foes using DEF-based Geo.
- Albedo: The brilliant alchemist creates strong Geo constructs using DEF.
- Noelle: Maid knight with great survivability, healing and shielding from DEF.
- Xinyan: This bold rockstar uses DEF for a solid shield, enhancing resilience.
This lineup of eight is DEF-focused. It’s a largely Geo party, aligning with Geo’s tanky nature. Each character contributes their unique style to DEF scaling.
Deep Dive into Defense Scaling: Character by Character Breakdown
Let’s examine how these characters utilize Defense. It’s more than just being sturdy; it’s about using that sturdiness effectively.
Noelle: The Unbreakable Maid
Noelle epitomizes DEF scaling. Her shield, “Breastplate,” absorbs damage based on her DEF. With her shield active, her normal and charged attacks can heal the party. The healing relies on her DEF! Higher DEF means more healing. She excels at tanking and aiding teammates in battles. With constellations, she can change DEF into ATK during her Burst, making her a surprise damage dealer.
Albedo: The Alchemist of Defense
Albedo, the Chief Alchemist, creates a Geo construct using “Abiogenesis: Solar Isotoma.” The damage from Transient Blossoms scales with Albedo’s DEF. Build pure DEF for him, and watch those blossoms effectively damage enemies. He consistently deals damage off-field. Get Albedo strong on DEF; he enables those Geo blossoms to thrive.
Gorou: The Geo General’s Defensive Buffs
Gorou stands as a dedicated support character. Much of his power comes from DEF! His Elemental Skill, “Inuzaka All-Round Defense,” creates a General’s War Banner offering buffs to Geo characters. One significant buff is a DEF increase. Many buffs scale with his Elemental Skill levels, making it vital to level up. He can provide minimal healing, but relies on reaching a decent DEF stat (around 1000 is effective). For maximizing Gorou, check an In Depth Gorou Guide. He supports many Geo teams, enhancing DEF and Geo damage.
Itto, Chiori, Kachina, Xilonen, and Xinyan: The Rest of the DEFenders
Noelle, Albedo, and Gorou often steal the spotlight, but other DEF scaling characters shine too:
- Arataki Itto: His charged attacks, particularly during his Burst, gain damage boosted by DEF. High DEF unleashes colossal Geo damage.
- Chiori: A recent addition who enhances damage using DEF. Elegant characters also derive benefits from defense.
- Kachina: She employs DEF to strengthen her skills, exhibiting versatility in DEF scaling.
- Xilonen: Relies heavily on DEF for scaling damage, making a notable addition to this group.
- Xinyan: Her shield strength is tied to DEF, boosting her durability as a Pyro character.
Defense 101: Demystifying the DEF Stat
We’ve identified who scales with DEF, but what is Defense? Simply put: higher DEF equals less damage from enemy attacks. It’s fundamental damage reduction. Think of it as armor in any RPG; it cushions incoming hits.
How do you boost your character’s DEF? Here are some essentials:
- Leveling Up: Character levels automatically increase base DEF over time.
- Artifacts: Artifacts customize stats. You can choose DEF or DEF% on Sands, Goblets, and Circlets and as substats on many artifacts. For DEF scaling characters, these are crucial.
- Weapons: Some weapons grant DEF or DEF% as secondary stats, perfect for builds focused on DEF.
And a question arises: Is Defense good for Gorou? Yes! While Gorou doesn’t directly deal damage based on his DEF, his support roles thrive on it. Building his DEF enhances durability and maximizes the strength of his buffs for the team.
The HP & ATK Crew: Defense-Adjacent, But Not DEF Scalers
Some characters appear tanky or defensive but don’t scale their abilities with DEF. It’s vital to distinguish between defensive playstyle and “DEF scaling.”
- Zhongli: The Geo Archon is known for his impressive shield, but it scales with HP, not DEF. Boosting HP makes his shield nearly unbreakable. Despite being great for defensive styles, he isn’t a DEF scaler.
- Bennett: A strong support character who offers healing and an ATK boost. His healing scales with his HP, and his ATK buff is linked to Base ATK, not ATK% or flat ATK from artifacts. No DEF scaling here.
- Diluc, Kaeya, Fischl, Baizhu, Ningguang, Kazuha, Xiao, Raiden Shogun, Nahida, Cyno, Barbara, Chongyun, Yanfei, Tartaglia, Kuki Shinobu: These characters utilize stats other than DEF like ATK, HP, EM, or ER for primary damage or healing. For example, Fischl values CRIT, ATK, and EM.
- for burst damage and ATK for skill and normal hits. Barbara’s healing is strictly based on HP. Tartaglia has one of the highest burst scalings, powered by good ATK. Kuki Shinobu juggles HP, EM, and DMG% for damage and healing.
Understanding these differences helps in character building. A tanky character does not always focus on DEF as their main stat.
Defense Beyond Stats: Foods and Strategies for Fortification
Besides stats and builds, enhance your defense with other methods:
- Defense-Boosting Foods: Want extra protection? Genshin Impact offers defense-boosting dishes. Here are some top options:
- Moon Pie
- Calla Lily Seafood Soup
- Lotus Flower Crisps
- Rice Cake Soup
- Sakura Tempura
- Fisherman’s Toast
- Jewelry Soup
- Wakatakeni
These dishes can help in tough situations.
- Geo Resonance & Team Compositions: Geo characters often favor defense. A team of Geo characters unlocks Geo Resonance, boosting interruption resistance. Geo teams with Itto, Albedo, and Gorou mix offense and defense, showing tanks can also deal damage.
So, this is DEF scaling in Genshin Impact. It’s not as flashy as crit builds, but it provides survivability and support. Next time you’re farming artifacts, keep those DEF pieces. You might have a DEF scaling star on your hands!
