There exist seven different elements in the world of Genshin Impact. Each one is ruled over by an Archon who can also grant humans the ability to harness their element. This ability materializes in a Vision, and every playable character — except the Traveler — possesses one. These Vision-wielders are also known as allogenes.
The combat in Genshin Impact primarily revolves around these elements and the reactions they cause. This is why many team comps are comprised of characters with different Visions, thus allowing for different elemental reactions that either buff the player or debuff the enemy.
The Genshin Impact Elements
Anemo – The Anemo element is associated with Mondstadt and Barbatos or Venti in Genshin Impact. It causes Swirl when combined with Cryo, Electro, Hydro, or Pyro, dealing extra elemental damage and spreading the effects of the second element. Anemo is also known for having great crowd control characters, like Venti, Sucrose, and Kazuha.
Cryo – The Cryo element is tied to Snezhnaya and its Archon, the Tsaritsa. It has specific elemental reactions with Electro (Superconduct), Hydro (Freeze), and Pyro (Melt). Its primary use is debuffing enemies in order to either keep them from attacking or lower their defense. It’s known for having great support characters, like Diona, as well as top-tier DPS characters, such as Ganyu and Ayaka of Genshin Impact.
Dendro – The Dendro element is under the jurisdiction of the Lesser Lord Kusanali of the region of Sumeru. It’s been around since the beginning of the game, but HoYoverse has yet to release Dendro-based characters. That said, Genshin Impact version 3.0 will introduce new Dendro characters, like Collei and Tighnari. It will also implement new Dendro reactions, which involve Electro (Catalyze), Hydro (Bloom), and Pyro (Burning).
Electro – The Electro element is associated with Ei, the Raiden Shogun in Genshin Impact, and Inazuma. It has specific reactions with Cryo (Superconduct), Hydro (Electro-charged), Pyro (Overloaded), and later, Dendro (Catalyze). It has a good mix of support characters, like Kuki Shinobu and Kujou Sara, as well as DPS characters, like Keqing and Razor. It also has arguably the best battery in the game — Raiden Shogun. That said, Electro has been criticized for not being as good as other elements due to its weak reactions. However, the introduction of the Dendro element could fix this issue.
Geo – The Geo element is ruled over by Morax or Zhongli of Genshin Impact. Similar to Anemo, it causes the same reaction when combined with Cryo, Electro, Hydro, or Pyro — namely, Crystallize. This drops elemental crystals that shield the player. Thus, Geo has some of the best defensive characters in the game, such as Zhongli and Gorou. However, it also has strong damage-dealing characters, like Arataki Itto and Ningguang.
Hydro – The Hydro element is tied to Fontaine and its yet unnamed Archon, the God of Justice. It causes specific reactions with Cryo (Freeze), Electro (Electro-charged), Pyro (Vaporize), and later, Dendro (Bloom). Hydro is often known for having healing properties, which is why it has Genshin Impact healers, like Barbara, Kokomi, and Xingqiu. Though it also has DPS characters, like Ayato and Childe.
Pyro – Lastly, the Pyro element is associated with the region of Natlan and its Archon, Murata. It has specific reactions with Cryo (Melt), Dendro (Burning), Electro (Overloaded), and Hydro (Vaporize). It’s one of the most useful elements in terms of exploration, as it allows players to light torches, burn roots off chests, and light cooking pits. Aside from that, Pyro also has great damage-dealing characters, like Diluc, Xiangling, and Yanfei. Bennett of Genshin Impact is also recognized as one of the most sought-after support characters in the game.
Genshin Impact is available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.
