Is Ganyu One of the Best Characters in Genshin Impact?
Yes, Ganyu is unequivocally one of the best characters in Genshin Impact. Her powerful kit, consistent damage output, and versatility place her among the elite. While other characters may momentarily claim the top spot due to specific team compositions or elemental reaction meta shifts, Ganyu’s enduring strength and ease of use ensure she remains a top-tier choice for both new and veteran players alike. Her ability to function as a powerful main DPS, a consistent off-field support, or even a sub-DPS makes her an incredibly valuable asset to any account. Let’s delve deeper into why Ganyu consistently earns her place among the best.
Ganyu’s Strengths: A Deep Dive
Core Damage: The Power of Charged Attacks
Ganyu’s primary source of damage comes from her charged attacks, specifically her Frostflake Arrows. These arrows deal massive Cryo damage, and at the second charge level, they bloom into a powerful Area of Effect (AoE) attack, hitting multiple enemies simultaneously. This allows her to effectively clear waves of enemies and deal significant damage to single targets, making her incredibly versatile. The damage multiplier on her Frostflake Arrow rivals, and in some cases, exceeds the damage multiplier of other character’s ultimate abilities, solidifying her status as a heavy hitter. Her consistent damage output sets her apart from characters that rely heavily on elemental reactions for burst damage.
Versatile Playstyle: DPS, Support, and More
Ganyu’s versatility is one of her greatest assets. She isn’t just a one-trick pony limited to a single role.
- Main DPS: Ganyu excels as a main damage dealer, raining down consistent Cryo damage with her charged attacks. Her kit is designed to maximize the impact of her charged shots, making her a force to be reckoned with when built properly.
- Sub-DPS: Ganyu’s Elemental Burst, Celestial Shower, creates a large field that continuously deals Cryo damage. This makes her a fantastic sub-DPS, providing off-field damage even when not actively on the field. Her burst also has “quadratic scaling,” meaning the damage increases significantly with more enemies caught within the AoE, making her ideal for crowd control scenarios.
- Support: While not her primary role, Ganyu’s Cryo application can support other elemental reactions like Melt or Superconduct. When needed, her burst provides consistent Cryo application, setting up powerful combos for your team.
Synergistic Kit: Crit and Cryo Buffs
Ganyu’s kit also synergizes beautifully with herself. Her high base Critical Hit Rate and Critical Damage allow her to consistently land critical hits, increasing her damage output. Furthermore, she benefits greatly from Cryo buffs and reactions like Melt, allowing her to achieve astronomical damage numbers with the right team. Characters like Shenhe amplify her Cryo damage potential significantly. She isn’t dependent on reactions, but she can also make great use of them.
Ease of Use and Accessibility
Ganyu’s playstyle is relatively straightforward and easy to learn. While mastering her charged shots and optimal team rotations might take some practice, she isn’t as mechanically complex as some other characters, making her accessible to all skill levels. She also doesn’t need specific constellations to function well, with even her C0 form performing exceptionally.
Ganyu’s Weaknesses (And How to Overcome Them)
Aiming Issues
One of the biggest hurdles when playing Ganyu is the aiming mechanic in Genshin Impact. Many players find it clunky, and this can impact the effectiveness of her charged shots, especially on a controller. However, this can be mitigated with practice, proper positioning, and adjusting the game settings. Aim assist helps, and it is also helpful to use a mouse and keyboard if you can.
Straightforward Playstyle
Some players might find Ganyu’s playstyle “boring” due to its simplicity. While her playstyle is effective and consistent, it might not appeal to those looking for intricate or flashy combos. Nevertheless, simplicity doesn’t diminish her raw power. Also, her versatility as main dps, sub dps, or support can make gameplay feel less one-dimensional if you switch her role.
Dependence on Specific Weapons and Artifacts
While Ganyu is powerful even with less-than-ideal equipment, she shines with specific weapons like the Amos’ Bow, Prototype Crescent, or Blackcliff Warbow. Additionally, artifact sets like Blizzard Strayer or Wanderer’s Troupe are generally considered her best options. This could require some grinding, but the investment is worth it.
Conclusion: A Top-Tier Choice
Ganyu’s power, versatility, and accessibility solidify her status as one of the best characters in Genshin Impact. Although she has some minor drawbacks, they can be overcome with the right strategies and equipment. Whether you’re looking for a consistent damage dealer, a powerful sub-DPS, or a character to facilitate elemental reactions, Ganyu is an excellent choice. She is one of the rare characters that excels in almost every field, making her a must-pull for those looking to elevate their team’s overall strength.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Ganyu still a top-tier DPS?
Absolutely. Ganyu remains a top-tier DPS character, capable of dealing massive damage in various team compositions. She can deal substantial damage with or without elemental reactions.
2. Is Ganyu better than Hu Tao?
It depends on the situation. Hu Tao excels against single or double targets, while Ganyu is superior in AoE situations. Both characters are excellent, and the “better” option is often a matter of preference and team synergy.
3. What is Ganyu’s best artifact set?
Blizzard Strayer is generally recommended for Ganyu, providing Cryo DMG Bonus and Crit Rate against enemies affected by Cryo. Wanderer’s Troupe is a strong alternative, boosting Charged Attack DMG and Elemental Mastery.
4. What are Ganyu’s best weapons?
The Amos’ Bow is considered her best in slot weapon. Other excellent options include the Prototype Crescent, Skyward Harp and the Blackcliff Warbow.
5. Who should I run with Ganyu?
Strong characters to pair with Ganyu include Shenhe for Cryo buffs, Xingqiu or Kokomi for Hydro application (for Freeze or Melt), Bennett for healing and ATK buffs, and Venti/Kazuha/Sucrose for crowd control and elemental resistance shred.
6. Why is Ganyu called “Cocogoat”?
The term originated from a misunderstanding by Qiqi, who believes “Cocogoat” to be a mythical creature that produces coconut milk.
7. Is Ganyu good at C0?
Yes, Ganyu is incredibly powerful even at C0. Her constellations mainly offer quality-of-life improvements and further damage boosts.
8. Does Ganyu’s Burst do a lot of damage?
Yes, her burst is extremely powerful, dealing consistent Cryo damage in a large AoE. It is especially potent when used against multiple enemies due to its “quadratic scaling.”
9. Is Ganyu’s playstyle difficult to master?
Ganyu’s core gameplay is relatively straightforward, but mastering her charged shots and optimizing her team compositions will take time.
10. Is Ganyu a “must-pull” character?
If you are looking for a strong and versatile damage dealer, Ganyu is a must-pull character. However, your playstyle and preferences are also important considerations.
11. How does Ganyu’s Charged Attack work?
Her charged attack has two levels, with level two resulting in a Frostflake Arrow that deals AoE Cryo damage upon impact.
12. Is Ganyu better than Zhongli?
Zhongli and Ganyu serve different roles. Zhongli is a tank and support, while Ganyu is a DPS. Who is “better” depends entirely on your needs and team composition.
13. Is Ganyu a god?
Ganyu is not a god; she is an Adeptus, a half-human, half-Qilin being with unique powers and an incredibly long lifespan. She is an emissary for the Liyue Qixing.
14. What does Ganyu hate?
Ganyu doesn’t harbor outright hatred but has conflicts with Keqing due to perceived disrespect and Ningguang due to their questionable methods.
15. Is Ganyu a good archer?
Yes, Ganyu is considered one of the best archer characters in Genshin Impact due to her exceptional damage output and versatile skillset. She is unique among archers due to her AoE attacks.