Genshin Impact Team Building Guide: Reactions and Best Team Comps
In Genshin Impact, how your characters work together matters more than any single character. Understanding elemental reactions and team roles lets you build strong teams even with mostly free characters.
Last updated: Builds & tier list · Oct 18, 2026 · 2 min read
Elemental reactions
Reactions happen when two elements meet, and they're the core of damage:
- Vaporize (Hydro + Pyro) and Melt (Pyro + Cryo): multiply the triggering hit's damage.
- Freeze (Hydro + Cryo): stops enemies in place, great for crowd control.
- Overloaded, Electro-Charged and Superconduct: extra damage or resistance shred.
- Swirl (Anemo + another element): spreads that element and boosts damage with the right artifacts.
- Dendro reactions such as Bloom, Spread and Aggravate: powerful in modern teams.
Team roles
Most teams have a main damage dealer, one or two sub-damage dealers that apply elements while off-field, and a support or healer. Pick a reaction you want to build around, then choose characters whose elements and skills trigger it reliably.
Strong free and four-star characters
Several characters you can get without luck carry teams for a long time: Bennett (healing and attack buffs), Xiangling (off-field Pyro damage), Xingqiu (off-field Hydro), Sucrose (Swirl and Elemental Mastery buffs) and Kaeya or Chongyun for Cryo. The Traveler can also switch elements to fill gaps.
Artifacts for each role
Main damage dealers want Crit Rate and Crit Damage with an Attack or elemental damage goblet. Supports often want Energy Recharge so their bursts are always ready. Reaction-focused characters want Elemental Mastery. Level your best pieces first and don't chase perfect artifacts early — good enough sets carry most content.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best reaction in Genshin Impact?
It depends on your characters, but Vaporize, Melt and Dendro reactions like Spread and Aggravate are among the strongest damage options.
Can I clear content with free characters?
Yes. Characters like Bennett, Xiangling, Xingqiu and Sucrose are strong in many teams, and the Traveler can fill different elements.
What stats should my main DPS have?
Crit Rate and Crit Damage, ideally in about a 1:2 ratio, plus Attack and an elemental damage goblet.