Should I Build EM on Dendro? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely should build Elemental Mastery (EM) on Dendro characters in Genshin Impact! EM is arguably the most crucial stat for maximizing the potential of almost all Dendro reactions. The extent to which you prioritize it, however, depends heavily on the specific Dendro character, their role in your team, and the reactions you’re aiming to trigger.
Why Elemental Mastery is King (and Queen) for Dendro
Dendro’s power lies in its elemental reactions. Unlike some elements where Attack and Crit stats reign supreme, Dendro reactions – Quicken, Spread, Aggravate, Bloom, Hyperbloom, Burgeon, and Burning – are heavily reliant on the EM of the character triggering the reaction. These reactions are considered “transformative,” meaning their damage scales primarily with the EM and level of the character triggering the reaction, rather than their ATK, Crit Rate, or Crit DMG.
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Quicken/Aggravate/Spread: These reactions boost Electro and Dendro damage, respectively, and directly scale with EM. A higher EM will result in significantly more damage output.
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Bloom/Hyperbloom/Burgeon: These reactions create Dendro Cores. Then, Hydro creates Bloom (Dendro Cores), Electro triggers Hyperbloom (homing Dendro projectiles), and Pyro triggers Burgeon (AoE Dendro explosion). The damage of Hyperbloom and Burgeon specifically scales directly off the EM of the Electro/Pyro character triggering these reactions.
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Burning: While less prevalent in current meta teams, Burning’s damage also scales with the EM of the character triggering the reaction (usually Pyro).
In essence, neglecting EM on your Dendro characters is akin to leaving a significant portion of their potential untapped. The specific amount of EM needed varies, but aiming for a substantial amount is generally advisable.
Tailoring Your EM Build to the Character and Team
While EM is generally excellent, it’s important to tailor your build to the specific Dendro character and the reactions you want to trigger.
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Nahida: As the Dendro Archon, Nahida benefits immensely from EM. Not only do her reactions scale with it, but her passive talents also buff the active character’s EM based on her own. Aim for at least 800 EM on Nahida. Whether you use an EM goblet, a Dendro damage goblet, or a Crit goblet depends on how much EM you already have.
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Dendro Traveler/Collei: These characters are great for applying enough Dendro not to erase the Electro aura. Stack EM on them to ensure they can reliably trigger the Dendro reactions.
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Yaoyao/Kirara: If Yaoyao or Kirara are mainly used for healing, you can focus more on HP since their healing scales off it. However, if you plan to use them to trigger reactions, EM is still a good stat to consider.
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Nilou Bloom Teams: In these specialized teams, where the focus is solely on Bloom reactions, building full EM on the characters triggering the Blooms (often Hydro characters, but sometimes Nahida) is highly effective.
Considerations Beyond Elemental Mastery
While EM is crucial, it’s not the only stat that matters.
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Energy Recharge (ER): Many Dendro characters, particularly those who rely on their Bursts for consistent Dendro application, need sufficient ER to ensure they can consistently use their abilities. This is more important than EM sometimes.
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Crit Rate/Crit DMG: For Aggravate/Spread teams where Dendro or Electro characters are also dealing direct damage, Crit stats become more relevant. Aim for a decent Crit ratio (e.g., 60% Crit Rate, 120%+ Crit DMG) in addition to a respectable amount of EM.
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HP: For Dendro characters whose healing or shield strength scales off HP, like Yaoyao and Kirara, prioritizing HP can be more beneficial, especially if their role is primarily supportive.
Final Thoughts
Building EM on Dendro characters is generally a winning strategy. Understanding the specific requirements of each reaction and character will allow you to optimize your builds and unleash the full potential of Dendro’s powerful elemental reactions. Remember to consider team composition and character roles when deciding on the optimal balance between EM and other key stats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Building EM on Dendro
1. How does Elemental Mastery affect Dendro reactions?
Elemental Mastery (EM) is crucial for enhancing Dendro reactions. It increases the damage or effectiveness of reactions like Quicken, Spread, Aggravate, Bloom, Hyperbloom, Burgeon, and Burning. The higher the EM of the character triggering the reaction, the more potent the effect.
2. What is the ideal EM for Nahida?
For Nahida, aim for at least 800 EM. Her passive talents provide additional EM to the active character based on her own EM, making her a powerful support and damage dealer. While her EM has diminishing returns after 1000, the extra EM can be easily achieved with dendro resonance, set bonuses, and teammate buffs.
3. Does Nahida need an EM goblet or a Dendro DMG goblet?
The choice between an EM goblet and a Dendro DMG goblet for Nahida depends on your current EM. If you already have around 800 EM, a Dendro DMG goblet may be better. If not, prioritize the EM goblet to reach a good base level.
4. Is it better to stack EM on all Dendro characters?
Not always. While EM is generally good, some Dendro characters benefit more from other stats. Characters like Yaoyao and Kirara, whose healing or shield strength scales off HP, might prioritize HP over EM, especially if they primarily serve as supports.
5. How does Dendro EM work in Aggravate teams?
In Aggravate teams, where Dendro and Electro characters synergize, EM enhances both the Aggravate and Spread reactions. Aim for a balance between EM and offensive stats like Crit Rate and Crit DMG on your main damage dealers.
6. Does Dendro EM affect Hyperbloom damage?
Yes, Hyperbloom damage scales off the EM of the character triggering the reaction – which is the Electro character applying Electro to the Dendro Core.
7. Should I use full EM on Nahida in a Nilou Bloom team?
In Nilou Bloom teams, building full EM on Nahida is often a good strategy to maximize Bloom damage, even surpassing the usual 1000 EM limit.
8. What stats should I prioritize on a Dendro support character?
For a Dendro support, prioritize Energy Recharge (ER) and Elemental Mastery (EM). ER ensures they can consistently use their burst, while EM enhances the damage or effectiveness of their reactions. HP can also be important for characters like Yaoyao who heal based on HP.
9. Does Dendro scale off level?
Yes, since all of Dendro’s current reactions (Bloom, Quicken, and Burning) are transformative reactions, meaning they scale off Elemental Mastery and Level.
10. How does Dendro Elemental Mastery work?
When you have two or more Dendro characters in your party, all characters will have their Elemental Mastery increased by 50, with further boosts when triggering Dendro-related reactions.
11. Is Aggravate better than Hyperbloom?
Aggravate generally has a higher damage ceiling, while Hyperbloom allows you to do significant damage with less investment. The better choice depends on your team composition and play style.
12. What is the strongest reaction in Dendro?
While opinions may vary, Quicken is one of the strongest reactions due to its ability to enable follow-up reactions like Aggravate and Spread, significantly boosting Electro and Dendro damage.
13. What is Dendro’s weakness?
Dendro is seemingly weakest to Electro, which triggers the Catalyse, Aggravate, and Hyperbloom.
14. What characters are good with Elemental Mastery?
Characters like Sucrose, Kaedehara Kazuha, and Venti are great damage dealers as long as they’re swirling an element.
15. Where can I learn more about the science of games and learning?
You can explore valuable insights and research at the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org.