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Is Layla Worth Building in Genshin Impact? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, Layla is absolutely worth building in Genshin Impact, particularly if you need a reliable shielder and Cryo support character. While she may not be a top-tier damage dealer, her strengths lie in her robust shielding capabilities and consistent Cryo application, making her a valuable asset for many teams. Layla’s effectiveness scales well with investment, transforming her from a decent support into a key contributor to team survivability and synergy. Let’s dive deeper into why Layla deserves a spot on your roster.

Why Choose Layla?

Layla shines as a support character, primarily focused on providing a strong shield and applying Cryo to enemies with her Elemental Skill, Nights of Formal Focus. Here’s why she’s worth considering:

Powerful Shield: Layla’s shield scales directly with her Max HP, making her incredibly tanky. With proper investment in HP artifacts and weapons, her shield can withstand significant damage, allowing your main DPS to stay safe and uninterrupted. Her shield is notably one of the strongest in the game, rivaling even some of the 5-star shielders.
Consistent Cryo Application: Her Elemental Skill applies Cryo damage in an area around her while creating her shield. This Cryo application is very reliable, making her excellent for triggering reactions like Freeze or Superconduct. This ensures consistent reaction uptime, boosting your overall damage output.
Versatile Team Compositions: Layla fits well in various team archetypes, including Freeze teams, physical teams, and even reverse melt teams. Her ability to provide both shielding and Cryo support makes her a flexible option for many team compositions.
4-Star Accessibility: As a 4-star character, Layla is relatively easier to obtain and refine compared to 5-star characters. This means you can more readily access her constellations, which enhance her support capabilities.
Strong Alternative to 5-Star Shielders: If you do not have access to characters like Zhongli, Layla provides a viable alternative. Her shield strength is quite comparable when properly built, making her an excellent option for players who need a reliable defensive support.

Layla’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

Exceptional Shielding: Her primary strength is her HP-scaling shield, offering significant protection. This can be a game changer for teams that lack defensive options.
Reliable Cryo Application: Her consistent Cryo application through her Elemental Skill is invaluable for enabling various elemental reactions. This is especially useful in Freeze compositions where consistent cryo is essential.
Flexibility in Team Compositions: Layla’s versatility allows her to fit seamlessly into multiple team archetypes. Whether you’re building a Freeze comp, a physical team, or needing cryo for reactions, Layla is a very adaptable choice.
Decent Energy Generation: She is not the best but also not the worst energy generator. Her skill produces decent energy enabling a fairly consistent use of her elemental burst.

Weaknesses

Low Personal Damage: Layla’s own damage output is rather underwhelming. Her damage scaling is not her primary focus; instead, her shield is where she truly excels. This means she is not an ideal DPS character.
Constellation Dependency for Full Potential: Although functional at C0, her support capabilities, especially energy generation, are significantly enhanced by her constellations. This could be seen as a hurdle to reaching her maximum utility.
Limited Healing Capabilities: Unlike some other shielders like Diona, Layla does not offer healing, thus you might need a dedicated healer in your team.
Shield Break Penalty (Minor): When her shield breaks, her damage output will stop. So, if you are fighting very high damage opponents, ensure to be aware of her shield duration.

Layla’s Role in Various Team Comps

Freeze Teams

Layla is phenomenal in Freeze teams, especially alongside characters like Ayaka or Ganyu. Her consistent Cryo application helps maintain the Freeze status on enemies, while her shield keeps your main DPS protected. This enhances survivability and enables consistent damage output.

Physical Teams

In physical teams, Layla is a great partner for Eula or Razor. Her Cryo application triggers Superconduct, which reduces enemies’ Physical Resistance, allowing your physical DPS to deal more damage. Her shield also adds crucial defense for melee damage dealers.

Reverse Melt Teams

Layla can act as a Cryo battery in Reverse Melt teams, applying Cryo to enable consistent Melt reactions. Pairing her with a strong Pyro DPS can significantly increase team damage. This versatility is one of the reasons why Layla is such a useful support.

How to Build Layla Effectively

Artifacts

Maximize Layla’s HP with artifacts. The most effective choices include:

Tenacity of the Millelith: This set provides a significant HP boost and also increases the team’s ATK, making it a great overall option.
Two-Piece Tenacity of the Millelith + Two-Piece Vourukasha’s Glow (or similar): Using two pieces of these will yield a 40% HP buff, maximizing the shield strength.

Main Stats: HP% on Sands, Goblet, and Circlet are generally recommended for a strong shield.

Substats: Prioritize HP%, Energy Recharge, and a small amount of Crit Rate if you’re running Favonius Sword for energy generation.

Weapons

The best weapons for Layla include:

Key of Khaj-Nisut: This is the top choice for HP-based support build, providing a large HP bonus and increasing team EM.
Favonius Sword: Great for increasing the overall energy recharge of the team. If you are using this sword, try to get the Crit Rate sub stat to proc the sword’s effect.
Sacrificial Sword: A decent option to increase Layla’s skill uptime and get some additional energy.
Black Tassel: A good option for maximizing her HP, making her shield more reliable and sturdy.

Final Verdict

Layla is a highly valuable and versatile support character. Although her personal damage is limited, her strong shield and reliable Cryo application make her a great addition to many team compositions. If you need a shielder, or a Cryo support for your Freeze or physical teams, Layla is an excellent choice and absolutely worth building. Her accessibility as a 4-star character further cements her status as a highly useful character that you’ll probably end up using in many different situations and team compositions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Layla a good main DPS?

No, Layla is not suitable as a main DPS character. Her damage scaling is based on her ATK, which is generally low, and her primary strength lies in her shielding and Cryo application capabilities. She is designed as a support, not a damage dealer.

2. Should I build Layla or Diona?

It depends on your needs. Diona provides healing, a shield, and an Elemental Mastery buff. Layla excels in shield strength, making her a stronger shielder if healing isn’t your primary concern. If you need a strong shield, Layla is a better choice. If you need healing, go with Diona.

3. Is Layla’s shield better than Zhongli’s?

No, Zhongli’s shield is generally considered better than Layla’s. Zhongli’s shield has higher damage absorption and duration, but Layla’s shield is more than enough for a vast amount of content and battles. Layla is still a very good alternative if you don’t have Zhongli.

4. Can Layla be a good battery for cryo?

Yes, Layla can function as a Cryo battery, especially in Reverse Melt teams. Her Elemental Skill generates Cryo particles which help recharge your other Cryo character’s elemental bursts.

5. What is the best artifact set for Layla?

The best artifact sets for Layla are Tenacity of the Millelith for increased HP and team ATK or a combination of Two-Piece Tenacity of the Millelith + Two-Piece Vourukasha’s Glow (or similar) for maximum HP.

6. Which weapon is best for Layla?

The Key of Khaj-Nisut is the best choice for its large HP buff and its team EM buff, if you are not using this 5 star sword then the Favonius Sword is a great option for energy generation.

7. Is Layla worth building if I have Zhongli?

Yes, Layla is still worth building if you have Zhongli. She is still an amazing cryo support and has a different feel and gameplay.

8. Is Layla good with Ayaka?

Absolutely, Layla is excellent with Ayaka in a Freeze team. Her Cryo application and shield synergize perfectly with Ayaka’s playstyle.

9. Can Layla be a healer?

No, Layla is not a healer. She focuses on providing a shield, so you will need a dedicated healer in the team if that is needed.

10. Who to pair with Layla in Genshin Impact?

Layla pairs well with various characters, including Ayaka, Eula, Razor, and Wanderer as a Cryo support, as well as with a Hydro character for freeze comps. She generally synergizes well with teams that need Cryo application or shield support.

11. Can Layla be a Sub-DPS?

While her damage is not her primary role, Layla can be built as a Sub-DPS in Freeze teams. However, this is not recommended and you should focus on her HP for shield strength.

12. Does Layla’s shield strength scale with her level?

Yes, Layla’s shield strength scales with her HP and Level. Therefore, leveling her up to 90 is recommended for maximum shield effectiveness.

13. Is Layla better than Thoma?

It depends on the team. Thoma is better for Vape comps, while Layla is better for double Hydro or Freeze comps.

14. Is Layla useful at C0?

Yes, Layla is useful at C0, providing a strong shield and consistent Cryo application. However, constellations enhance her energy generation and overall utility.

15. What is Layla’s optimal team comp?

Layla’s optimal team comps vary, but popular choices include Freeze teams with Ayaka or Ganyu, Physical teams with Eula or Razor, or in any team needing a strong shield and cryo application.

Is Layla worth building Genshin?