Hu Tao and Raiden Shogun: A Powerful Partnership or a Pyro-Electro Mismatch?

The burning question on every Genshin Impact player’s mind: Is Hu Tao good with Raiden Shogun? The short answer is: yes, conditionally. While they don’t have inherent synergistic reactions that propel them to the top of the meta, they can absolutely function well in a team with proper support and understanding of their individual strengths. The real answer lies in team composition, rotations, and understanding what each character brings to the table.

Understanding the Potential Synergy

Hu Tao is a premier Pyro DPS that relies heavily on her Elemental Skill to infuse her attacks with Pyro and scale her damage off HP. Raiden Shogun, on the other hand, is a versatile character that can function as a Sub-DPS and Energy Recharge battery. Her Elemental Burst provides significant Electro damage and recharges energy for the team, enabling more frequent burst rotations.

The potential synergy lies in Raiden Shogun’s ability to provide consistent Electro application, enabling Overload reactions with Hu Tao’s Pyro-infused attacks. However, Overload can be a tricky reaction as it knocks enemies away, potentially disrupting Hu Tao’s close-range combat style. The key is to use Raiden Shogun’s burst to provide the electro application and battery support.

Building a Functional Hu Tao + Raiden Team

A successful Hu Tao and Raiden Shogun team requires careful consideration of the other two team members. Here are a few potential team compositions and their strengths:

• Hu Tao, Raiden Shogun, Xingqiu, Zhongli: This team provides consistent Hydro application for Vaporize reactions with Hu Tao, Electro application for Overload, and the unparalleled survivability and resistance shred from Zhongli’s shield. Xingqiu’s Hydro application is crucial to Hu Tao’s consistent vaporize.

• Hu Tao, Raiden Shogun, Yelan, Xingqiu: An alternative to the above team, sacrificing some survivability for more damage. Yelan provides additional Hydro application and damage scaling based on the active character’s HP, further boosting Hu Tao’s damage potential.

• Hu Tao, Raiden Shogun, Xiangling, Bennett: This team is focused on maximizing damage output through Pyro resonance and Bennett’s powerful ATK buff. Xiangling acts as another Sub-DPS and Pyro enabler, while Bennett provides healing and a substantial damage boost. Keep in mind this relies on circle impact and doesn’t provide any sort of resistance shred.

Rotations and Playstyle Considerations

Effective team rotations are crucial for maximizing the potential of a Hu Tao and Raiden Shogun team. The general rotation typically involves:

1. Applying Hydro with Xingqiu or Yelan.
2. Activating Zhongli’s shield (if applicable).
3. Using Bennett’s burst (if applicable).
4. Activating Raiden Shogun’s Elemental Burst to generate energy and apply Electro.
5. Switching to Hu Tao and using her Elemental Skill to infuse her attacks with Pyro and deliver charged attacks with Vaporize.

During Hu Tao’s downtime, Raiden Shogun can continue dealing Electro damage and recharging energy for the team, ensuring smooth and consistent damage output.

Overload vs. Vaporize: The Dilemma

The main challenge with pairing Hu Tao and Raiden Shogun is the potential conflict between Overload and Vaporize. Overload consumes both Pyro and Electro, potentially interfering with Hu Tao’s ability to consistently trigger Vaporize reactions.

The key to mitigating this issue is to prioritize Hydro application and carefully manage elemental application. Xingqiu or Yelan’s consistent Hydro application ensures that Vaporize reactions are prioritized, while Raiden Shogun’s Electro application adds an extra layer of damage through Overload without disrupting the core Vaporize strategy. It’s not the most optimal, but it can function perfectly fine if built correctly.

The Importance of Artifacts and Weapon Choices

The effectiveness of a Hu Tao and Raiden Shogun team hinges on proper artifact and weapon choices.

• Hu Tao: The ideal artifact set for Hu Tao is Crimson Witch of Flames for maximum Pyro damage. Alternatively, Shimenawa’s Reminiscence can be a viable option. Her best weapon is the Staff of Homa, but other options include Deathmatch, Dragon’s Bane (for Vaporize teams), and Blackcliff Pole.

• Raiden Shogun: The Emblem of Severed Fate is the best artifact set for Raiden Shogun, maximizing her Energy Recharge and Burst damage. Her best weapon is the Engulfing Lightning, but other viable options include The Catch, Skyward Spine, and Favonius Lance.

Conclusion: A Viable But Not Meta-Defining Duo

While Hu Tao and Raiden Shogun may not be the most synergistic duo in Genshin Impact, they can absolutely function effectively in a well-constructed team. With careful planning, proper team composition, and efficient rotations, players can harness the power of Pyro and Electro to conquer challenging content.

The key to success lies in understanding the nuances of elemental reactions and prioritizing Vaporize reactions for Hu Tao while leveraging Raiden Shogun’s Energy Recharge and Sub-DPS capabilities. It requires careful attention to detail and a commitment to optimizing team composition and rotations.

Remember that the most important aspect of team building in Genshin Impact is enjoyment. Experiment with different team compositions, playstyles, and strategies to find what works best for you. And while you’re at it, don’t forget that resources like those found at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org can help deepen your understanding of the game’s mechanics and community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Hu Tao C1 a necessity for this team to function?

No, Hu Tao C1 is not a necessity, but it significantly improves her ease of use and damage output by eliminating stamina constraints during charged attacks. C0 Hu Tao can still function effectively with proper stamina management.

2. What is the best F2P weapon for Raiden Shogun in this team?

The Catch is undoubtedly the best F2P weapon for Raiden Shogun. It provides Energy Recharge and increases Elemental Burst damage and Crit Rate, perfectly complementing her role in the team.

3. How important is Energy Recharge on Raiden Shogun in this team?

Energy Recharge is crucial for Raiden Shogun, as it allows her to consistently use her Elemental Burst and provide energy for the team. Aim for around 220-250% Energy Recharge.

4. Should I prioritize Crit Rate or Crit Damage on Hu Tao?

The standard 1:2 ratio still applies, so if your character has a Crit Rate of 50%, aim for 100% Crit Damage.

5. What is the ideal HP for Hu Tao?

Ideally, you’ll want to have around 30,000 – 40,000 HP on Hu Tao to maximize the bonus damage from her Elemental Skill.

6. Is it better to use Bennett or Zhongli in this team?

It depends on your needs. Bennett provides a significant ATK buff and healing, while Zhongli offers unparalleled survivability and resistance shred. Choose based on your playstyle and the content you’re facing.

7. Can I use Sucrose instead of Kazuha in this team?

Yes, Sucrose can be a viable alternative to Kazuha. She provides Elemental Mastery buffs and grouping capabilities, which can enhance the team’s overall damage output. Kazuha will provide a higher damage bonus, but Sucrose can suffice.

8. How does Yelan compare to Xingqiu in this team composition?

Yelan and Xingqiu both provide Hydro application, but Yelan also offers damage scaling based on the active character’s HP. Yelan is better for damage, whereas Xingqiu provides additional damage resistance and some healing.

9. What are the best artifacts stats for Raiden Shogun?

Aim for Energy Recharge on the Sands, Electro Damage Bonus on the Goblet, and Crit Rate or Crit Damage on the Circlet. Substats should prioritize Crit Rate, Crit Damage, Energy Recharge, and ATK%.

10. How do I manage Overload reactions effectively?

Prioritize consistent Hydro application from Xingqiu or Yelan to ensure that Vaporize reactions are prioritized. Pay attention to enemy positioning and adjust your playstyle to minimize the impact of Overload knockback.

11. Is this team viable for Spiral Abyss?

Yes, this team can be viable for Spiral Abyss with proper investment and strategy. However, its effectiveness may vary depending on the specific floor and enemy composition.

12. Can I use Fischl instead of Raiden Shogun in this team?

Fischl can provide consistent Electro application, but she lacks Raiden Shogun’s Energy Recharge capabilities. As such, Fischl would not be able to fill Raiden Shogun’s role.

13. What Talents should I prioritize on Raiden Shogun for this team?

Prioritize Raiden Shogun’s Elemental Burst, followed by her Elemental Skill. Her Normal Attack talent is less important in this team composition.

14. What is the best way to level up Raiden Shogun quickly?

Focus on completing Daily Commissions, Ley Line Outcrops, and Weekly Bosses. Utilize Fragile Resin to accelerate your progress. Also, use the Adventure Book to find nearby materials.

15. What constellation is recommended for Raiden Shogun?

Raiden Shogun’s C2 is her most significant constellation, as it ignores 60% of the enemy’s defense. However, even at C0, she can still be a valuable asset to the team.