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Is Ganyu Still Better Than Ayaka? The Eternal Cryo Debate in Genshin Impact

Unequivocally, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It’s a resounding “it depends.” Ganyu and Ayaka are both top-tier Cryo DPS characters in Genshin Impact, each boasting exceptional damage potential and unique strengths. While Ayaka’s burst-centric playstyle offers incredibly high frontloaded damage, perfect for quickly dispatching enemies, Ganyu excels in sustained damage, particularly against groups of enemies and stationary bosses. Whether Ganyu is “better” than Ayaka is subjective and heavily reliant on your team composition, playstyle preference, and the specific content you’re tackling.

Ganyu vs. Ayaka: A Detailed Comparison

To truly understand the nuances of this debate, let’s delve into a side-by-side comparison of these Cryo queens:

Damage Output

Ganyu: Primarily relies on her Charged Attacks, specifically her Frostflake Arrow Bloom, which deals significant AoE Cryo damage. She also possesses a potent Elemental Burst that continuously rains down Cryo damage in a large area, further enhancing her AoE capabilities. Ganyu’s damage profile makes her exceptionally effective against groups of enemies and single, stationary targets.
Ayaka: Her primary damage source is her Elemental Burst, “Soumetsu,” a whirlwind of Cryo blades that deal massive damage over its duration. Ayaka also possesses a unique sprint that infuses her normal attacks with Cryo, providing sustained damage and enabling consistent Cryo application. Ayaka shines against enemies that can be reliably frozen within her burst range.

Verdict: Ayaka generally boasts higher single-target burst damage potential, while Ganyu provides superior AoE sustained damage, making her ideal for dealing with multiple enemies or bosses with large hitboxes.

Team Compositions

Ganyu: Thrives in teams focused on Freeze or Melt reactions. Her ability to consistently apply Cryo makes her an excellent enabler for characters like Xiangling (Melt) or Mona/Kokomi (Freeze). Popular Ganyu team compositions include:
- Melt Ganyu: Ganyu, Xiangling, Bennett, Zhongli
- Freeze Ganyu: Ganyu, Mona/Kokomi, Venti/Kazuha, Diona/Rosaria
Ayaka: Excels in Permafrost teams, where the goal is to keep enemies perpetually frozen. This requires a strong Hydro applicator like Kokomi or Mona, an Anemo character for crowd control and resistance shred (Kazuha or Venti), and another Cryo character for energy generation and Cryo Resonance (Shenhe or Rosaria). A typical Ayaka team looks like:
- Permafrost Ayaka: Ayaka, Kokomi/Mona, Kazuha/Venti, Shenhe/Rosaria

Verdict: Ayaka’s team compositions are typically more rigid and demanding, often requiring specific 5-star characters for optimal performance. Ganyu, on the other hand, offers greater flexibility and can slot into a wider variety of teams with excellent results.

Ease of Use

Ganyu: Her Charged Attack playstyle can be somewhat demanding, requiring precise aiming, especially on mobile devices. However, her consistent Cryo application and AoE damage make her relatively forgiving in less-than-perfect scenarios. Ganyu can be clunky for some players who are not good with Aimed Shots.
Ayaka: Her sprint mechanic and reliance on her Elemental Burst require careful positioning and energy management. Misplacing her burst can significantly reduce her damage output. While powerful, mastering Ayaka requires practice and strategic thinking.

Verdict: Ganyu is generally considered more accessible to new players due to her simpler playstyle. Ayaka requires more mechanical skill and strategic planning to maximize her potential.

Energy Recharge

Ganyu: Doesn’t heavily rely on her burst, making her less energy-dependent than Ayaka. Her Constellation 1 also partially refunds energy, further alleviating energy concerns.
Ayaka: Severely relies on her burst, which has a relatively high energy cost, which requires proper energy management and sufficient Energy Recharge substats on her artifacts. Without sufficient energy recharge, Ayaka can struggle to consistently use her burst, leading to a significant drop in damage.

Verdict: Ganyu is less energy-hungry compared to Ayaka, providing more comfort for new players and requires less dedicated investment in energy recharge stats.

Ganyu’s Strengths

Excellent AoE damage: Her Frostflake Arrow Bloom and Elemental Burst excels against groups of enemies.
Versatile: Fits into both Melt and Freeze team compositions.
Consistent Cryo application: Enables powerful elemental reactions.
Less energy-dependent: Easier to manage energy compared to Ayaka.
Strong at C0: Performs exceptionally well without constellations.

Ayaka’s Strengths

High single-target burst damage: Soumetsu deals massive damage to enemies caught within its range.
Cryo infusion: Provides sustained Cryo damage and consistent Cryo application.
Superior Freeze potential: Ideal for Permafrost team compositions.
Powerful DPS: Considered one of the strongest DPS units in Genshin Impact.

Ganyu’s Weaknesses

Charged Attack reliance: Can be clunky for some players.
Vulnerable during aiming: Requires careful positioning to avoid taking damage while charging her attacks.

Ayaka’s Weaknesses

Energy-dependent: Struggles without sufficient energy recharge.
Burst range limitations: Her Elemental Burst is more powerful against enemies that can be reliably frozen within her burst range.
Team limitations: Permafrost teams require specific units.
Positioning is important Mastering Ayaka requires practice and strategic thinking.

The Verdict

Ultimately, the “better” character depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize high single-target burst damage and enjoy a more strategic playstyle focused on freezing enemies, Ayaka is an excellent choice. If you prefer a more consistent and versatile damage dealer with excellent AoE capabilities, Ganyu is the way to go.

Consider your team composition and the types of enemies you frequently face when making your decision. Both Ganyu and Ayaka are capable of clearing the Spiral Abyss and tackling any content in Genshin Impact. There is no wrong answer, as both are among the most potent damage dealers in the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Ganyu still the best DPS in Genshin Impact?

Ganyu remains one of the top-tier DPS characters in Genshin Impact, thanks to her strong AoE capabilities and versatility. However, the title of “best” is always subjective and depends on the context. Other characters like Ayaka, Hu Tao, and Raiden Shogun can rival her damage output in specific scenarios.

2. Is Ayaka better than Ganyu in the Spiral Abyss?

It depends on the Spiral Abyss chambers. Ayaka’s high burst damage is beneficial against bosses and single targets in specific chambers. But Ganyu excels in chambers with multiple enemies.

3. Should I pull for Ganyu if I already have Ayaka?

If you’re looking for a versatile Cryo DPS who excels in AoE situations and can slot into different team compositions, then pulling for Ganyu is a great idea. Ganyu is a valuable addition to any Genshin Impact roster, even if you already have Ayaka.

4. Should I pull for Ayaka if I already have Ganyu?

If you lack a strong single-target DPS and enjoy playing freeze teams, pulling for Ayaka would be beneficial. Ayaka provides a different playstyle and strengths than Ganyu, offering more options for tackling different challenges.

5. Is Ganyu easier to build than Ayaka?

Ganyu is generally easier to build due to her less stringent energy recharge requirements. She can still be good in teams with less Energy Recharge. Ayaka requires significant investment in energy recharge substats to ensure consistent burst uptime.

6. What is Ganyu’s best artifact set?

The Wanderer’s Troupe set is generally considered Ganyu’s best artifact set for Melt team compositions, while the Blizzard Strayer set is ideal for Freeze teams.

7. What is Ayaka’s best artifact set?

The Blizzard Strayer set is almost universally used for Ayaka, providing a significant Cryo damage bonus and increased Crit Rate against frozen enemies.

8. What are the best weapons for Ganyu?

The Amos’ Bow is Ganyu’s signature weapon, and is considered her best in slot option. Other strong options include the Aqua Simulacra, Skyward Harp, and Prototype Crescent (craftable).

9. What are the best weapons for Ayaka?

The Mistsplitter Reforged is Ayaka’s signature weapon and her best in slot option. Other strong choices include the Haran Geppaku Futsu, Primordial Jade Cutter, and Amenoma Kageuchi (craftable).

10. Is Ganyu good at C0?

Yes, Ganyu is an exceptional DPS character even at C0. Her constellations provide improvements, but she is perfectly viable and powerful without them.

11. Is Ayaka good at C0?

Yes, Ayaka is a fantastic DPS character at C0.

12. Can Ganyu support Ayaka?

Yes, Ganyu can provide support for Ayaka. Her Elemental Burst can provide consistent Cryo application, allowing Ayaka to trigger Freeze reactions more easily.

13. Which character is better for F2P (Free-to-Play) players?

Both Ganyu and Ayaka are viable for F2P players, but Ganyu might be slightly more accessible due to her more flexible team compositions and lower energy recharge requirements. This is because the Games Learning Society has shown that a lower barrier to entry in a game tends to keep player engagement high. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more on that topic.

14. Is Ayaka better than Ganyu against bosses?

Ayaka is generally superior against bosses that can be frozen, as her burst deals massive single-target damage. Ganyu is still effective against bosses, but Ayaka can potentially achieve faster clear times in those scenarios.

15. Are both Ganyu and Ayaka worth pulling in 2024?

Absolutely. Both Ganyu and Ayaka remain powerful and relevant DPS characters in 2024. Their ability to clear challenging content like the Spiral Abyss makes them valuable additions to any Genshin Impact account.

In conclusion, the debate between Ganyu and Ayaka is an ongoing discussion with no definitive answer. Evaluate your own playstyle, team needs, and preferences to determine which character aligns best with your account. Both Ganyu and Ayaka are top-tier DPS units capable of carrying you through any content the game throws your way.

Is Ganyu still better than Ayaka?