Ayaka vs. Shenhe: Which Cryo Queen Reigns Supreme? A Comprehensive Guide

The age-old question plagues Genshin Impact players: Should I pull for Ayaka or Shenhe? The answer, as always, is “it depends.” Both are exceptional Cryo characters, but they fulfill drastically different roles. Before you spend your hard-earned Primogems, let’s dive deep into their strengths, weaknesses, and synergies to help you make the best decision for your team.

The Short Answer:

If you lack a strong main DPS and enjoy a fast-paced, aggressive playstyle centered around Cryo, Ayaka is the clear winner. Her consistent Cryo application, high damage output, and ease of use make her a powerhouse. However, if you already have a reliable Cryo DPS like Ganyu, or you want to maximize the potential of your existing Cryo units, Shenhe is the superior choice. She’s a dedicated support character whose sole purpose is to amplify Cryo damage to absurd levels. Ultimately, both units can synergize incredibly well on the same team, so if you’re aiming for Cryo supremacy, consider saving for both!

Understanding Ayaka: The Elegant Hailstorm

Ayaka, the Kamisato Princess, is a 5-star Cryo sword user renowned for her sustained damage output. She excels as a main DPS, constantly dealing Cryo damage through her Normal Attacks, Charged Attacks, Elemental Skill, and devastating Elemental Burst.

Ayaka’s Strengths:

• High Consistent Damage: Her Cryo-infused attacks, especially her Burst, deal massive damage, making her a powerhouse against single targets and groups of enemies.
• Easy to Build: Relatively straightforward artifact requirements, primarily focusing on Crit DMG, ATK, and Energy Recharge.
• Versatile Team Compositions: While she thrives in Freeze teams, Ayaka can also be used in Mono-Cryo or even Melt compositions (although the latter is generally less optimal).
• Mobile and Agile: Her alternate sprint allows her to traverse the battlefield quickly and apply Cryo consistently.
• Beginner-Friendly: She is a fairly easy character to pick up and play, which makes her a great unit for new and old players alike.

Ayaka’s Weaknesses:

• Burst Reliant: Much of her damage is tied to her Elemental Burst, requiring good Energy Recharge to maintain uptime.
• Limited Range Burst: Her Burst has a relatively small area of effect, making precise positioning crucial.
• Vulnerable During Sprint: She is invincible during her sprint, but must wait through animation lock afterwards to do any attacks or skills.

Understanding Shenhe: The Transcendent Crane Herald

Shenhe, the Lonesome Transcendence, is a 5-star Cryo polearm user specializing in buffing Cryo damage. She’s a dedicated support character whose primary role is to enhance the damage output of other Cryo units through her Elemental Skill and Burst.

Shenhe’s Strengths:

• Unparalleled Cryo DMG Bonus: Her Icy Quills provide a significant boost to Cryo damage dealt by allies, especially those with multi-hit abilities like Ayaka’s Burst.
• Cryo Resistance Shred: Her Elemental Burst reduces enemy Cryo Resistance, further amplifying Cryo damage.
• ATK Bonus: She provides an ATK Bonus based on her own ATK which can be very useful, especially for increasing the DPS of your carries.
• Battery Potential: Shenhe can generate a substantial amount of Cryo particles, acting as a battery for other Cryo units like Ayaka and Ganyu.

Shenhe’s Weaknesses:

• Limited Role: Her kit is almost exclusively designed to support Cryo characters.
• Sub-Par Damage: Shenhe herself deals relatively low damage compared to DPS characters.
• High Energy Cost: Her Elemental Burst has a high Energy cost, requiring a good Energy Recharge stat.
• Less Effective Without Cryo DPS: If you don’t have a strong Cryo damage dealer, Shenhe’s buffs are largely wasted.

Synergy: Ayaka and Shenhe – A Match Made in Celestia

While Ayaka and Shenhe fulfill different roles, they synergize incredibly well. Shenhe’s Icy Quills directly amplify the damage of Ayaka’s Burst and Normal Attacks, while her Cryo Resistance shred further enhances Ayaka’s overall damage output. Additionally, Shenhe’s battery capabilities ensure that Ayaka can consistently use her Elemental Burst. This allows Ayaka to consistently output sustained damage, while having Shenhe to keep her energy full.

Who Benefits Most from Shenhe?

• Ayaka: As mentioned earlier, Ayaka is arguably the character who benefits the most from Shenhe’s buffs.
• Ganyu: Both Burst DPS and Charged Attack Ganyu builds can benefit significantly from Shenhe’s damage amplification.
• Other Cryo Characters: Characters like Chongyun, Rosaria, and Kaeya can also benefit from Shenhe’s buffs, but to a lesser extent.

Team Composition Considerations

When deciding between Ayaka and Shenhe, consider your existing team compositions and playstyle preferences:

• Freeze Teams: Both Ayaka and Shenhe excel in Freeze teams alongside Hydro applicators like Kokomi, Mona, or Xingqiu and Anemo supports like Kazuha or Sucrose.
• Mono-Cryo Teams: A Mono-Cryo team consisting of Ayaka, Shenhe, a Cryo battery/support (Diona or Rosaria), and an Anemo support can also be highly effective.
• Flexibility: Ayaka offers more flexibility in team compositions compared to Shenhe, who is primarily limited to Cryo-centric teams.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Ayaka worth pulling for if I already have Ganyu?

Yes, Ayaka and Ganyu offer different playstyles. Ayaka is a more aggressive, sustained DPS, while Ganyu can be played as both a main DPS and a burst support. Having both provides more options for tackling different types of content. As the Genshin Meta evolves, it is always great to have more tools at your disposal.

2. Is Shenhe worth pulling for if I don’t have Ayaka?

If you have a well-built Ganyu or another Cryo DPS that you enjoy playing, Shenhe can still be a valuable addition to your team. However, her value is significantly reduced without a dedicated Cryo damage dealer.

3. What is the best artifact set for Ayaka?

The 4-piece Blizzard Strayer set is generally considered the best for Ayaka, providing a significant Crit Rate bonus against frozen enemies. A close second could be the Heart of Depth set, but it is much more rare for people to use it.

4. What is the best weapon for Ayaka?

Mistsplitter Reforged is Ayaka’s signature weapon and arguably her best in slot. Other viable options include Haran Geppaku Futsu, Primordial Jade Cutter, Blackcliff Longsword, Amenoma Kageuchi (craftable), and Black Sword (Battle Pass).

5. What is the best artifact set for Shenhe?

Noblesse Oblige or Emblem of Severed Fate are good choices for Shenhe, depending on whether you want to provide a team-wide ATK buff or prioritize Energy Recharge.

6. What is the best weapon for Shenhe?

Weapons with high Base ATK and Energy Recharge are ideal for Shenhe. Options include Engulfing Lightning, Skyward Spine, Favonius Lance, and The Catch (F2P).

7. Does Ayaka need Shenhe to be effective?

No, Ayaka is perfectly capable of dealing significant damage without Shenhe. However, Shenhe significantly amplifies Ayaka’s damage output, making them a powerful duo. She can act as a multiplier for all the damage that Ayaka puts out.

8. Is C1 Ayaka worth pulling for?

Ayaka’s Constellations are generally not considered essential. While C1 provides some additional Energy Recharge, it’s not a game-changer. Her best constellations are C4 and C6.

9. Is C1 Shenhe worth pulling for?

C1 Shenhe is a decent constellation, but not necessarily a must-have. It allows for more flexible skill usage and helps with energy generation.

10. Can I use Ayaka without Kazuha?

Yes, while Kazuha is an excellent support for Ayaka, other Anemo characters like Sucrose and Venti can also provide crowd control and elemental shred.

11. What is the ideal team composition for Ayaka?

A common and effective Ayaka team composition is: Ayaka, Shenhe, Kokomi/Mona, and Kazuha/Sucrose.

12. What stats should I prioritize on Ayaka?

Prioritize Crit DMG, ATK, Energy Recharge, and Crit Rate (aim for around 30-40% due to Blizzard Strayer’s Crit Rate bonus).

13. What stats should I prioritize on Shenhe?

Prioritize ATK, Energy Recharge, and Crit Rate (for Favonius Lance).

14. Is Ayaka or Raiden Shogun better?

Ayaka and Raiden Shogun fulfill different roles. Ayaka is a main DPS, while Raiden Shogun is a versatile support/sub-DPS. The better choice depends on your team composition needs.

15. Can Shenhe buff Physical DMG as well?

Yes, Shenhe’s Elemental Skill, in its held form, will buff both Cryo and Physical DMG. This can be useful for characters like Eula or even Physical builds of Rosaria. This is one of the lesser known ways of utilizing her kit.

Conclusion: Choose Wisely, Traveler!

Ultimately, the decision of whether to pull for Ayaka or Shenhe depends on your existing team composition, playstyle preferences, and available resources. If you need a reliable main DPS, Ayaka is the clear winner. If you want to maximize the potential of your existing Cryo units and you have the right team composition, Shenhe is the better choice. Consider the information provided here, assess your needs, and may the Archons guide your pulls!

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