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Should You Pull for Hu Tao or Klee? A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing between Hu Tao and Klee for your Genshin Impact roster is a common dilemma, especially for players seeking a powerful Pyro DPS (Damage Per Second) character. Both are beloved figures with unique playstyles and strengths. However, they cater to different needs and preferences. Let’s cut to the chase:

The Short Answer: Hu Tao is generally the better choice for most players seeking a high-performing, single-target Pyro DPS. She boasts superior damage potential, especially when paired with the right supports and artifacts. However, Klee offers a more accessible and potentially AoE-focused playstyle. Klee can excel in certain team compositions with good investment.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your current roster, playstyle, and what you prioritize in a DPS character. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of each character to help you decide.

Hu Tao: The Queen of Single-Target Pyro Damage

Strengths of Hu Tao

Massive Single-Target Damage: Hu Tao excels at taking down single, high-health enemies like bosses. Her damage potential is primarily tied to her Charged Attacks after activating her Elemental Skill.
Vaporize Synergy: She pairs exceptionally well with Hydro characters like Xingqiu and Yelan, triggering the Vaporize reaction for significant damage amplification.
HP Scaling: Hu Tao’s damage scales with her Max HP, allowing for unique artifact and team builds that focus on both damage and survivability.
High Damage Ceiling: With the right investment, Staff of Homa, and proper attack cancels, Hu Tao is among the top damage dealers in Genshin Impact.
Ascension Stat: Her ascension stat increases CRIT DMG, which complements her damage-dealing focus.
Survivability at Low Health: While it might seem risky, Hu Tao’s kit is designed around staying at low HP. When below 50% HP, her damage and HP regeneration are boosted, and her DEF value is incredibly high.

Weaknesses of Hu Tao

HP Management: Her optimal playstyle revolves around keeping her HP below 50%, which requires careful gameplay and may feel risky for some players.
Attack Cancel Reliance: To maximize her damage, you need to learn and practice animation cancels, which can have a learning curve.
Stamina Consumption: Her charged attacks consume a lot of stamina, requiring effective stamina management.
Less Effective in AoE: While she can damage multiple enemies, her primary strength lies in single-target damage.

Klee: The Explosive Little Bomber

Strengths of Klee

AoE Damage: Klee’s attacks, including her bombs and Elemental Burst, have considerable AoE (Area of Effect) potential, making her effective against groups of enemies.
Pyro Application: She consistently applies Pyro to enemies, enabling reactions like Vaporize and Melt.
Fun and Engaging Playstyle: Klee’s chaotic bombing style can be quite entertaining and engaging for some players.
Accessibility: She is generally easier to pick up and play than Hu Tao, with less focus on timing and canceling.
Burgeon Potential: With Dendro’s introduction, Klee is a viable option for Burgeon teams alongside characters like Thoma.

Weaknesses of Klee

Lower Damage Output Compared to Hu Tao: Overall, Klee’s damage output is generally lower compared to Hu Tao in most scenarios.
Stamina Issues: Like Hu Tao, Klee’s charged attacks can be taxing on stamina.
Squishy: She has the lowest health among Catalyst users, making her vulnerable and in need of shielding or healing.
Less Effective in Single-Target Scenarios: Klee is better against multiple enemies but might struggle with single bosses.
Inconsistent Hitbox: Klee’s attacks are known to be inconsistent at times.

The Verdict

If your priority is maximizing single-target Pyro damage with great potential, Hu Tao is the clear winner. She is a powerhouse when built correctly and can decimate bosses with ease. However, if you prefer a more forgiving AoE-focused character with a fun, explosive playstyle, and are willing to invest the time to build an effective team, Klee may be enjoyable.

Consider the following:

Are you comfortable managing Hu Tao’s HP and animation cancels?
Do you prefer dealing with single targets or groups of enemies?
What supports do you already have, especially Hydro characters?
Are you willing to invest in learning the complexities of each character?

Answering these questions can guide you to the best choice for your Genshin Impact journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Hu Tao significantly stronger than Klee?

Yes, in most scenarios, Hu Tao is considered significantly stronger than Klee in terms of damage output, especially in single-target encounters. Hu Tao’s scaling and potential with Vaporize are superior.

2. Which character is easier to play, Hu Tao or Klee?

Klee is generally considered easier to play than Hu Tao. Klee has a more straightforward playstyle with less emphasis on specific animation cancels, while Hu Tao needs more focus on HP management and attack canceling for optimal damage.

3. Is Hu Tao reliant on the Staff of Homa?

While Staff of Homa is Hu Tao’s BiS (Best in Slot) weapon, she can still perform very well with other 5-star polearms and even some 4-star options. The Dragon’s Bane is a commonly used and powerful 4-star weapon, especially in Vaporize teams.

4. What is the best team comp for Hu Tao?

A typical Hu Tao team revolves around Vaporize reactions. Popular comps include Hu Tao, Xingqiu/Yelan (Double Hydro), and a shielder or support, like Zhongli, or an Anemo support like Sucrose to group enemies.

5. What is the best team comp for Klee?

Klee can work well in several compositions. Teams with Xingqiu or Yelan (for Vaporize), an Anemo support (like Sucrose), and Bennett for Pyro resonance is a good option. She is also seeing use in some Burgeon teams with Dendro applicators.

6. Are animation cancels necessary for Hu Tao?

Attack cancels are not strictly necessary but they greatly improve Hu Tao’s damage output. Learning to cancel her charged attacks will allow for more consistent damage.

7. How important is Hu Tao’s C1 constellation?

Hu Tao’s C1 constellation is highly valued as it significantly improves her mobility and damage potential by allowing you to cancel charge attacks with dash-cancels. It is a considerable DPS increase.

8. Is Klee a viable DPS?

Yes, Klee is a viable DPS, especially if you enjoy her playstyle. However, she requires more investment and may not reach the same heights as other top-tier Pyro DPS characters. She can shine with a good team comp, especially in situations where you face multiple enemies.

9. Is Klee a good beginner character?

Klee is generally considered a good beginner character due to her straightforward playstyle. However, you will need to be careful because of her low survivability.

10. What artifacts should I use for Hu Tao?

The most common artifact set for Hu Tao is 4-piece Crimson Witch of Flames. However, 4-piece Shimenawa’s Reminiscence is a good alternative.

11. What artifacts should I use for Klee?

4-piece Crimson Witch of Flames is generally the best set for Klee. However, you may also consider 2-piece combinations like 2-piece Crimson Witch and 2-piece Gladiator’s Finale/Shimenawa’s Reminiscence.

12. Is it worth pulling for Klee if I already have Hu Tao?

That depends on your playstyle and needs. If you enjoy Klee’s playstyle and want an AoE-focused Pyro DPS, then you might want to pull her. However, from a purely meta standpoint, if you already have a fully built Hu Tao, Klee might be redundant.

13. Who is better for clearing domains, Hu Tao or Klee?

This will vary depending on the domain. For domains with many enemies, Klee can be a good option. However, for domains where there are a few powerful elites or a singular boss, Hu Tao will be better.

14. Does Klee have any utility?

Klee’s primary focus is on dealing damage. She doesn’t bring much utility other than applying Pyro.

15. Should I pull for Hu Tao or save for another character?

This depends on your overall roster and priorities. If you need a strong single-target Pyro DPS, Hu Tao is an excellent choice. If you are more interested in an AoE character, there are other options to consider. Always check for leaks and future character banners before making a decision.

Should I pull for Hu Tao or Klee?