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Should You Build HP or ATK on Candace in Genshin Impact? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of whether to build HP or ATK on Candace in Genshin Impact is a common one, and the answer isn’t always straightforward. The short answer? Primarily focus on HP for a support-focused Candace, and consider a hybrid approach with some ATK for a more damage-oriented build. However, understanding the nuances behind this decision is critical for maximizing her potential. Let’s delve into a more detailed explanation.

Understanding Candace’s Scaling

Candace, a 4-star Hydro polearm user, has a unique kit that relies heavily on her Max HP. Her Elemental Skill and Burst both scale directly with her HP, meaning the higher her HP, the more damage and absorption her shield provides. This scaling makes her different from most characters who rely on ATK for their damage output.

However, things are a bit more nuanced than a simple “stack HP and ignore ATK.” Here’s a breakdown:

HP Scaling: Her Elemental Skill’s damage and shield strength, as well as her Elemental Burst’s initial damage, scale directly with her Max HP. Critically, her second passive talent further boosts Normal Attack damage by 0.5% for every 1000 HP she has while her burst is active. This means her own on-field normal attack and her teammates benefit from her HP.
ATK Scaling: While her Hydro infusion from her burst affects Normal, Charged, and Plunging attacks, the actual damage from these attacks is still calculated based on the character’s Attack stat. It is important to clarify, that Candace’s skill and burst do not use ATK at all when calculating damage.

The Support Candace: Prioritizing HP

If you intend to use Candace as a support or sub-DPS, prioritizing HP is paramount. Here’s why:

Enhanced Survivability: High HP means a stronger shield from her Elemental Skill, making her more resilient and providing better protection for your team.
Increased Hydro Application and Buffs: Her burst’s hydro infusion and Normal Attack damage buff scale with her Max HP. The higher her HP, the stronger the buff and the more hydro application she provides.
Reliable Support: As a support, Candace’s primary role is to enable and enhance your main DPS. Focusing on HP allows her to maximize her supportive capabilities.
Easy Artifact Building: Stacking HP is significantly more straightforward than balancing Crit, ATK, and Energy Recharge on artifacts for optimal performance.

Artifacts and Weapon Choices for a Support Candace

For a support build, you should aim for:

Artifact Main Stats: HP% on Sands, Goblet (HP% or Hydro Damage Bonus), and Circlet (HP% or Crit Rate/DMG for C6).
Artifact Set: Noblesse Oblige is generally the best choice for support Candace, as it buffs her burst and provides an ATK buff for her entire team. Tenacity of the Millelith is also a solid alternative, increasing her HP and providing an ATK buff on hitting with her skill.
Weapons: Weapons with HP% as a secondary stat like the Black Tassel (3-star), or Staff of Homa, or Primordial Jade Winged-Spear or weapons with Energy Recharge are best for consistent Burst uptime like Favonius Lance or The Catch.

The Hybrid Candace: Balancing HP and ATK

If you’re looking to make Candace a more active part of your team’s damage output, a hybrid build may be beneficial. This approach involves balancing HP with ATK, Crit, and Energy Recharge. However, this build is more demanding to execute. Here’s when you might consider this:

C6 Candace: Her sixth constellation adds significant Hydro DMG to Normal Attacks after using her Burst, making ATK a valuable stat to scale.
On-Field DPS Potential: With a hybrid build, you can utilize Candace’s infused Normal Attacks while still benefitting from her HP-scaled support abilities.
Specific Team Compositions: Certain team compositions might benefit from a more damage-oriented Candace.

Artifacts and Weapon Choices for a Hybrid Candace

For a hybrid build, consider the following:

Artifact Main Stats: HP% or ATK% Sands, Hydro Damage Bonus Goblet, Crit Rate/Crit Damage Circlet
Artifact Sub Stats: Prioritize Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, HP%, and Energy Recharge.
Artifact Set: Heart of Depth can boost hydro damage with some ATK, or a combination of 2 piece Heart of Depth and 2 piece Noblesse Oblige for a more balanced damage and burst support.
Weapons: Weapons with ATK% as a secondary stat like the Staff of the Scarlet Sands (if you have high EM) or Deathmatch or weapons with Energy Recharge like The Catch are viable choices.

Conclusion

In most scenarios, prioritizing HP will yield the best results for Candace, making her a reliable and powerful support unit. While a hybrid approach can be fun, it’s crucial to remember that her main strength lies in her HP-scaling abilities, especially if you don’t have her C6.

The best way to decide between HP and ATK Candace is to consider her role in your team, your play style, and your current character and weapon inventory. Play around with both builds and see what you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Candace

1. How much HP should I aim for on Candace?

For a support build, aim for at least 30,000-40,000 HP. This will ensure a strong shield and potent Normal Attack buff. With proper gear, you can push well above 40,000 HP.

2. Is HP% or Hydro Damage Bonus better for Candace’s Goblet?

As a support, HP% is often better, but Hydro Damage Bonus can be viable for a more damage-oriented build or for a C6 Candace.

3. What is Candace’s best artifact set?

The best artifact set for support Candace is Noblesse Oblige. Tenacity of the Millelith is also a good alternative. For a hybrid build, consider Heart of Depth.

4. Which weapon is best for Candace?

Staff of Homa, or Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, are the best weapons for pure HP. For energy-recharge focused, consider Favonius Lance or The Catch.

5. Is Candace a good Hydro applicator?

Candace’s Hydro application is decent, primarily from her Burst infusion, but there are other units who have better Hydro application. However, her Hydro infusion is unique, as it applies to melee characters.

6. Is Candace good in Genshin Impact?

Yes, Candace is a viable support with a unique Hydro infusion ability. While not the strongest, she can be a great addition to certain teams.

7. Does Candace work with charged attacks?

Yes, her Elemental Burst provides a Hydro infusion to Normal, Charged, and Plunging attacks.

8. Is Candace a DPS or a support?

Candace is primarily a support/sub-DPS, but with enough investment, she can function as a more offensive unit.

9. Does Candace need Energy Recharge?

Yes, Energy Recharge is crucial for her burst uptime. Aim for around 160-200% Energy Recharge, depending on your team composition.

10. Can Candace work with Nilou?

Yes, Candace can work with Nilou, particularly for infusing Nilou with Hydro and dealing Normal attacks damage, although Nilou does not scale of ATK.

11. Is Candace good with Hu Tao?

Yes, Candace’s Hydro infusion can allow Hu Tao to trigger Vaporize reactions.

12. Does Candace work with Ayato?

Yes, Candace can pair well with Ayato, as he can capitalize on her Hydro infusion and HP-based buff with his normal attacks.

13. Is Candace good with Kazuha?

Yes, Candace and Kazuha synergize well. Kazuha can easily Swirl the Hydro from Candace’s burst, however, this also may be challenging to do due to Kazuha’s tendency to swirl the other elements more.

14. Does Candace need EM?

While not as crucial as HP or ATK, some EM (Elemental Mastery) can help increase Candace’s reaction damage, especially in teams where she is triggering Vaporize or Electro-Charged. EM will be useful if using Staff of the Scarlet Sands.

15. What is the best F2P option for Candace?

The best F2P option is Favonius Lance or the Catch for energy recharge, and the Black Tassel for maximum HP scaling.

Should I use HP or ATK Candace?