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Razor vs. Beidou: A DPS Showdown – Who Reigns Supreme?

The question of whether Razor is a better DPS (Damage Per Second) character than Beidou in Genshin Impact is complex and largely depends on team composition, investment levels, and playstyle preference. Generally speaking, Razor, at C0, is often considered a more consistent on-field DPS, particularly in the early to mid-game. However, Beidou’s potential skyrockets with constellations, especially C2, turning her into a powerful sub-DPS and off-field damage dealer. The short answer is, it’s not a simple “yes” or “no,” and the following will delve into why.

Razor: The Wolf Within – Consistent On-Field Damage

Razor’s Strengths

Ease of Use: Razor’s straightforward kit makes him easy to pick up and play. His Elemental Skill, Claw and Thunder, has a short cooldown, allowing for frequent Electro application and Energy Recharge.
Consistent Physical and Electro Damage: Razor’s Elemental Burst, Lightning Fang, infuses his normal attacks with Electro, significantly increasing his damage output. He also gains increased Attack Speed and Electro RES.
Self-Sufficient: Razor’s kit provides him with excellent Energy Recharge, reducing his reliance on other characters for Energy generation. He can often sustain his Burst uptime relatively easily.
Early to Mid-Game Powerhouse: Razor shines particularly in the early to mid-game due to his easy access, relatively low investment requirements, and solid damage output.

Razor’s Weaknesses

Limited Team Synergy: While Razor can function in various teams, his on-field focus can sometimes clash with characters who rely on quick-swap rotations.
Falling Off in the Late Game (Without High Investment): Compared to other late-game DPS options, Razor’s damage can fall behind without significant investment in artifacts, weapons, and constellations.
Vulnerable During Burst: During his Burst, Razor becomes vulnerable to interruption. Positioning and dodging are crucial for maintaining his damage output.

Beidou: The Uncrowned Lord – High-Risk, High-Reward Counter

Beidou’s Strengths

Exceptional Sub-DPS/Off-Field Potential: Beidou truly shines as a sub-DPS character, dealing significant damage while off-field.
Powerful Counter Mechanic: Beidou’s Elemental Skill, Tidecaller, is a potent counter that deals massive damage when perfectly timed. A well-timed counter can stagger enemies and deal substantial damage.
Electro Application: Beidou’s Elemental Burst, Stormbreaker, creates a shield of Electro energy that bounces between enemies, providing consistent Electro application and damage, even while she’s off-field.
Team Synergy: Beidou synergizes extremely well with characters like Fischl, Raiden Shogun, and characters who benefit from Electro-Charged reactions.
Area of Effect (AoE) Damage: Stormbreaker delivers impressive AoE damage, making her particularly effective against groups of enemies.

Beidou’s Weaknesses

High Constellation Dependency (Especially C2): Beidou’s full potential is locked behind constellations. C2 is particularly important, as it increases Stormbreaker’s bounce targets, significantly boosting her damage output.
High Energy Cost: Beidou’s Burst has a high Energy cost (80), requiring careful Energy management and potentially a battery character.
Perfect Counter Timing Required: Maximizing Tidecaller’s damage requires precise timing, which can be challenging for some players.
Single-Target Weakness: While excellent in AoE situations, Beidou’s single-target damage can be less impressive than Razor’s, especially without proper team support.

The Verdict: Context is Key

Ultimately, deciding whether Razor or Beidou is a “better” DPS depends on the specific situation.

Early to Mid-Game, Simpler Playstyle: Razor is a solid choice for a consistent on-field DPS.
Late-Game, Stronger Teams, Higher Investment: Beidou excels as a sub-DPS with substantial off-field Electro damage and AoE capabilities, particularly at higher constellations.

Consider your team composition, investment level, and playstyle when making your decision. Both characters can be powerful additions to your roster, but they shine in different roles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. At what constellation does Beidou become significantly better than Razor?

Beidou’s C2 constellation is a game-changer. It increases the number of targets her Stormbreaker can bounce between, significantly increasing her overall damage output. While Beidou is still viable before C2, C2 is when she truly begins to outshine Razor, especially in AoE situations.

2. What are the best weapon choices for Razor?

For Razor, good weapon choices include:

5-Star: Wolf’s Gravestone, Redhorn Stonethresher
4-Star: Serpent Spine (Battle Pass weapon, requires maintaining shield), Prototype Archaic (F2P friendly), Blackcliff Slasher (Starglitter Exchange)

3. What are the best weapon choices for Beidou?

For Beidou, excellent weapon choices include:

5-Star: Wolf’s Gravestone, Skyward Pride
4-Star: Serpent Spine (Battle Pass weapon), The Bell (for survivability), Favonius Greatsword (for energy recharge)

4. What artifact sets are best for Razor?

The best artifact sets for Razor are:

4-Piece Pale Flame: This set provides a significant boost to Physical DMG.
2-Piece Pale Flame + 2-Piece Bloodstained Chivalry: This combination also provides a strong Physical DMG bonus.
4-Piece Gladiator’s Finale: A decent generalist set that increases ATK%.

5. What artifact sets are best for Beidou?

The best artifact sets for Beidou are:

4-Piece Emblem of Severed Fate: This set is generally considered the best for Beidou, increasing Energy Recharge and Burst damage.
2-Piece Thundering Fury + 2-Piece Noblesse Oblige: This combination provides Electro DMG Bonus and Elemental Burst DMG.

6. What stats should I prioritize on Razor’s artifacts?

Prioritize these stats on Razor’s artifacts:

Sands: ATK%
Goblet: Physical DMG Bonus
Circlet: Crit Rate or Crit DMG (depending on your needs)
Substats: Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, Energy Recharge

7. What stats should I prioritize on Beidou’s artifacts?

Prioritize these stats on Beidou’s artifacts:

Sands: Energy Recharge or ATK% (depending on your team’s energy needs)
Goblet: Electro DMG Bonus
Circlet: Crit Rate or Crit DMG (depending on your needs)
Substats: Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, Energy Recharge

8. What team compositions work well with Razor?

Good team compositions with Razor include:

Razor, Rosaria/Kaeya (Cryo for Superconduct), Bennett (Healer/Buffer), Flex (Anemo for RES Shred or another Sub-DPS)
Razor, Xingqiu/Yelan (Hydro for Electro-Charged), Dendro Traveler/Nahida (Dendro for Aggravate/Hyperbloom), Flex (Healer/Shielder)

9. What team compositions work well with Beidou?

Strong team compositions with Beidou include:

Raiden National (Raiden Shogun, Xiangling, Xingqiu, Beidou): A highly effective and popular team.
Taser Team (Beidou, Fischl, Xingqiu/Yelan, Sucrose/Kazuha): Focused on Electro-Charged reactions.
Hyperbloom (Beidou, Dendro Traveler/Nahida, Xingqiu/Yelan, Kuki Shinobu/Raiden Shogun): Utilizes Hyperbloom reactions.

10. How important is Energy Recharge for Beidou?

Energy Recharge is crucial for Beidou, especially with her 80 Energy cost Burst. Aim for at least 140-160% Energy Recharge, potentially higher if you’re not using a dedicated battery character.

11. Is Razor viable in the Spiral Abyss?

Razor can be viable in the Spiral Abyss, particularly in the earlier floors. However, as you progress to higher floors, his damage may require substantial investment and specific team compositions to remain competitive.

12. Is Beidou viable in the Spiral Abyss?

Beidou is highly viable in the Spiral Abyss, especially with proper investment and team composition. Her AoE damage and off-field Electro application make her a valuable asset against multiple enemies.

13. Can Razor and Beidou be used together in the same team?

While technically possible, using both Razor and Beidou in the same team can be redundant, as both characters require significant field time. However, some niche compositions may benefit from their combined Electro application. Generally, they function better in separate teams.

14. What are the best talents to prioritize when leveling Razor?

Prioritize leveling Razor’s Normal Attack first, followed by his Elemental Burst, and then his Elemental Skill.

15. What are the best talents to prioritize when leveling Beidou?

Prioritize leveling Beidou’s Elemental Burst first, followed by her Elemental Skill, and then her Normal Attack. Her Burst is where most of her damage comes from.

Is razor a better DPS than Beidou?