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Ayaka and Kazuha: A Perfect Pairing for Permafrost Domination?

Absolutely! Ayaka and Kazuha synergize exceptionally well in Genshin Impact, forming the core of some of the game’s most potent and consistent teams. Their combined strengths amplify each other, leading to devastating damage output and unparalleled crowd control. Let’s dive deeper into why this duo is a force to be reckoned with.

Understanding Ayaka’s Strengths

Ayaka, the Cryo Princess of Inazuma, is a premier main DPS character renowned for her consistent Cryo application and high burst damage. Her alternate sprint allows her to infuse her attacks with Cryo, making her a natural fit for Permafreeze compositions. This ability, combined with her powerful Elemental Burst, makes her incredibly effective against groups of enemies. Her kit is straightforward and relatively easy to build around, making her a reliable choice for tackling challenging content like the Spiral Abyss.

Unveiling Kazuha’s Versatility

Kazuha, the wandering samurai, is arguably the best Anemo support in Genshin Impact. His ability to group enemies, shred Elemental Resistance with the Viridescent Venerer artifact set, and provide an Elemental Damage Bonus based on his Elemental Mastery makes him an invaluable asset to virtually any team that relies on Elemental reactions. His Elemental Skill and Burst both provide excellent crowd control, further enhancing his supportive capabilities. Critically, the Elemental Damage Bonus he provides to Cryo with his passive talent is what makes him exceptionally potent in freeze teams alongside Ayaka.

Why Ayaka and Kazuha Work So Well Together

The synergy between Ayaka and Kazuha stems from their complementary strengths. Here’s a breakdown of why they form such a powerful combination:

Elemental Shred and Damage Bonus: Kazuha’s primary role is to shred enemy Cryo resistance using the 4-piece Viridescent Venerer set. This significantly increases Ayaka’s damage output. Furthermore, his passive ability grants Ayaka a substantial Cryo Damage Bonus based on his Elemental Mastery. The higher Kazuha’s EM, the more damage Ayaka will deal.
Crowd Control: Kazuha’s Elemental Skill and Burst excel at grouping enemies together, allowing Ayaka’s Burst to hit multiple targets simultaneously, maximizing its damage potential. This is especially crucial in content with waves of enemies.
Consistent Cryo Application: Ayaka’s innate ability to infuse her attacks with Cryo makes it easy to maintain the Frozen status on enemies, ensuring consistent damage uptime. Kazuha’s Anemo abilities help spread this Cryo aura, further amplifying its effectiveness.
Enabling Permafreeze: With a Hydro applicator like Kokomi or Yelan in the team, Ayaka and Kazuha facilitate the powerful Permafreeze reaction, locking enemies in place and preventing them from attacking. This provides a significant survivability boost and allows Ayaka to deal uninterrupted damage.

Example Team Compositions

The most common and effective Ayaka-Kazuha teams typically include a Hydro applicator and a Cryo support. Here’s a look at a premium team:

Ayaka – Main DPS: The primary damage dealer, focusing on dealing massive Cryo damage while enemies are frozen.
Kazuha – Support: Provides Elemental Shred, Cryo Damage Bonus, and crowd control. Built with high Elemental Mastery and the 4-piece Viridescent Venerer set.
Kokomi – Hydro Applicator/Healer: Provides consistent Hydro application to maintain the Frozen status on enemies and heals the team when necessary.
Shenhe – Cryo Support/Buffer: Enhances Ayaka’s Cryo damage with her Elemental Skill and Burst, further amplifying the team’s damage output.

This composition provides excellent damage, crowd control, and survivability, making it a popular choice for tackling difficult content. It’s highly recommended to look for content from resources such as GamesLearningSociety.org to further your understanding of team dynamics and meta strategies.

Building Ayaka and Kazuha for Maximum Synergy

To maximize the effectiveness of the Ayaka-Kazuha duo, it’s crucial to build them correctly:

Ayaka: Focus on maximizing her Crit Rate, Crit Damage, and Attack. The 4-piece Blizzard Strayer set is the best choice for Permafreeze teams, providing a significant Crit Rate bonus against Frozen enemies. A good sword for Ayaka is Blackcliff Longsword
Kazuha: Prioritize Elemental Mastery above all else. The 4-piece Viridescent Venerer set is essential for shredding Elemental Resistance. Aim for at least 800 Elemental Mastery to maximize his damage bonus and make the most out of his swirl reactions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Kazuha essential for Ayaka teams?

While not strictly essential, Kazuha significantly elevates Ayaka’s damage output and overall team performance. His Elemental Shred and Damage Bonus are invaluable assets for Permafreeze compositions. Without Kazuha, you’d have to rely on alternative Anemo characters like Venti or Sucrose, who may not provide the same level of support.

2. Which Hydro character is best to pair with Ayaka and Kazuha?

Sangonomiya Kokomi is often considered the best Hydro option due to her consistent Hydro application, healing capabilities, and the ability to equip the Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers weapon to further buff Ayaka’s Attack. Yelan and Xingqiu are also excellent choices, providing substantial off-field Hydro damage. Mona is another option, but her Hydro application can be less consistent.

3. What artifacts are best for Kazuha in an Ayaka team?

The 4-piece Viridescent Venerer set is the best choice for Kazuha, as it allows him to shred enemy Elemental Resistance. Prioritize Elemental Mastery on the Sands, Goblet, and Circlet.

4. What weapon is best for Kazuha in an Ayaka team?

Weapons that boost Elemental Mastery, such as the Freedom-Sworn (his signature weapon) or the Iron Sting (a craftable option), are ideal. The Sacrificial Sword can also be a good choice for energy regeneration.

5. Is Shenhe necessary for an Ayaka-Kazuha team?

Shenhe is not strictly necessary, but she significantly boosts Ayaka’s Cryo damage with her Elemental Skill and Burst. She also provides additional Cryo Resonance, further enhancing the team’s damage output.

6. Can I use other Cryo characters instead of Shenhe?

Yes, you can use other Cryo characters like Rosaria or Diona. Rosaria provides Crit Rate buffs and off-field Cryo damage, while Diona offers shielding and healing.

7. Is Ayaka worth pulling if I already have Ganyu?

Both Ayaka and Ganyu are excellent Cryo DPS characters, but they excel in different areas. Ayaka is better suited for close-range combat and Permafreeze compositions, while Ganyu excels at long-range damage and Melt reactions. If you enjoy Ayaka’s playstyle and want a strong Cryo DPS for Permafreeze teams, she is worth pulling even if you already have Ganyu.

8. What is the best 4-star weapon for Ayaka?

The Blackcliff Longsword is a great 4-star option for Ayaka due to its Crit DMG substat and attack-enhancing passive. The Battle Pass weapon, Black Sword, is another excellent choice.

9. Is Ayaka better than Raiden Shogun as a DPS?

Ayaka and Raiden Shogun excel in different roles and team compositions. Ayaka is a dedicated Cryo DPS specializing in Permafreeze teams, while Raiden Shogun can function as both a DPS and a support, particularly in Electro-focused teams. It depends on your team composition and the content you are tackling.

10. How much Crit Rate does Ayaka need in a Permafreeze team?

With the 4-piece Blizzard Strayer set and Cryo Resonance, Ayaka only needs around 20-40% Crit Rate to consistently crit against Frozen enemies. Focus on maximizing her Crit Damage and Attack.

11. Can I use Venti instead of Kazuha in an Ayaka team?

Venti can be used as a substitute for Kazuha, but he may not be as effective against heavier enemies or single-target bosses. His Burst can also lift smaller enemies too high, making it difficult for Ayaka to hit them consistently.

12. What is the ideal Elemental Mastery for Kazuha in an Ayaka team?

Aim for at least 800 Elemental Mastery on Kazuha to maximize his damage bonus and Swirl reactions.

13. What talents should I prioritize leveling on Ayaka and Kazuha?

For Ayaka, prioritize leveling her Elemental Burst, followed by her Normal Attack and Elemental Skill. For Kazuha, level his Elemental Skill and Elemental Burst, as they are his primary sources of damage and support.

14. Does Ayaka work well with Yelan?

Yes, Ayaka works very well with Yelan. Yelan’s Hydro application is excellent and consistent, allowing Ayaka to easily trigger Permafreeze reactions. Yelan also provides substantial off-field Hydro damage, further boosting the team’s overall damage output.

15. Can I build Kazuha as a DPS instead of a support?

While it is possible to build Kazuha as a DPS, it is generally not recommended, especially in an Ayaka team. His primary strength lies in his support capabilities, and focusing on Elemental Mastery will provide a much greater benefit to the team’s overall damage output. Additionally, Kazuha at C6 is a good candidate for DPS.

In conclusion, Ayaka and Kazuha are a formidable duo that can conquer even the most challenging content in Genshin Impact. Their synergy, combined with the right team composition and builds, makes them a force to be reckoned with. Remember, understanding game mechanics and strategies can be enhanced through resources like the Games Learning Society.

Does Ayaka work well with Kazuha?