Table of Contents

The Definitive Guide to Layla’s Best Sword: Unleash Her Full Potential

Choosing the right sword for Layla in Genshin Impact can drastically impact her effectiveness as a support, sub-DPS, or even hybrid character. While there’s no single “best” sword for every situation, the Favonius Sword generally reigns supreme due to its unparalleled energy generation capabilities for the team. However, other options shine depending on your team composition, Layla’s role, and your specific needs. Let’s dive into the details.

Understanding Layla’s Needs: More Than Just a Shielder

Layla’s primary function in most teams is as a powerful shielder, but she also offers Cryo application and can contribute some sub-DPS damage, especially at higher constellations. Therefore, when choosing a sword, we need to consider stats and passives that enhance these aspects:

HP: Essential for maximizing shield strength.
Energy Recharge (ER): Vital for consistent shield uptime and Burst usage.
Crit Rate: Crucial if using the Favonius Sword to trigger its passive.
ATK & Crit Stats: Impactful for her Burst and Night Star damage, particularly in a sub-DPS build.

Top Sword Choices for Layla

Here’s a breakdown of the best sword options for Layla, ranked by general effectiveness and versatility:

Favonius Sword: The king of support weapons. Its passive generates Energy Particles for the entire team upon a Crit hit. This significantly reduces Energy Recharge requirements for Layla and other party members, allowing them to use their Bursts more frequently. Aim for at least 30% Crit Rate to reliably trigger the passive.
Sacrificial Sword: While Layla’s Skill cooldown matches its duration, the Sacrificial Sword’s passive can be invaluable if her shield breaks prematurely or you need an extra burst of Cryo application. It allows you to recast her Skill, providing a second shield and refreshing the Night Star count. This is especially useful in high-damage environments.
Key of Khaj-Nisut: This 5-star sword is excellent for max HP builds. It boosts Layla’s HP significantly and provides an Elemental Mastery buff to the team based on Layla’s HP. If you already have enough energy recharge, and are running elemental reactions, then this is a great choice.
Freedom-Sworn: This 5-star sword buffs ATK and damage for the team. Layla’s skill triggers this often enough to make it worth using, especially if there is no other character able to reliably trigger this.
Primordial Jade Cutter: A fantastic stat stick, providing a huge Crit Rate boost and increasing HP. The added ATK bonus based on HP is a nice bonus, making Layla’s Burst and Night Star damage more potent. This is an excellent option if you’re focusing on a sub-DPS build or simply want more consistent damage from her.
Harbinger of Dawn: A surprisingly good 3-star option, especially early in the game. It provides a massive Crit Rate and Crit DMG bonus when Layla’s HP is above 90%. While maintaining this HP threshold can be challenging, it’s a cheap and effective way to boost her damage output.
Iron Sting: Provides Elemental Mastery, which can be beneficial in teams that rely on Cryo reactions like Melt or Superconduct. The passive also increases Elemental Damage, further boosting her Burst and Night Star damage.
Sapwood Blade: A craftable sword that provides Energy Recharge and grants a Leaf that increases Elemental Mastery when picked up. Can be useful if Energy Recharge is lacking and Elemental Mastery is desired.

Artifact Sets for Layla: Synergizing with Your Sword Choice

The best artifact sets for Layla depend on her role in the team and your chosen sword:

Tenacity of the Millelith (4-Piece): This is often the best general-purpose set, increasing her HP and providing an ATK buff to the team when her Skill hits opponents.
Noblesse Oblige (4-Piece): A classic support set that buffs the team’s ATK after Layla uses her Burst. Excellent if no other character in the team is already using this set.
Emblem of Severed Fate (2-Piece) + Tenacity of the Millelith (2-Piece): A good hybrid option, providing both Energy Recharge and HP, which is helpful if you’re struggling to balance these stats.
Blizzard Strayer (4-Piece): Only viable in Freeze teams where Layla is built as a sub-DPS. This set increases Crit Rate against frozen enemies, allowing you to focus on Crit DMG.
Vourukasha’s Glow (2-Piece): Increases Layla’s HP by 20% and will boost her Elemental Skill and Burst damage by 10%.

Building a Sub-DPS Layla: Maximizing Damage Potential

If you want to build Layla as a sub-DPS, focus on ATK, Crit Rate, and Crit DMG in addition to HP and Energy Recharge. Good weapon options include the Primordial Jade Cutter and Iron Sting. Prioritize Blizzard Strayer (4-Piece) in Freeze teams, or a combination of ATK and Cryo DMG Bonus sets in other compositions.

The Importance of Team Composition: Layla’s Synergies

Layla excels in teams that benefit from consistent Cryo application and a strong shield. She synergizes well with:

Freeze Teams: Ayaka, Ganyu, Mona, Kokomi, Xingqiu, Yelan
Reverse Melt Teams: Xiangling, Bennett, Kaeya, Rosaria
Physical Teams: Eula, Razor, Fischl

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Layla’s Best Sword

1. Does Sacrificial Sword work well on Layla?

Yes, the Sacrificial Sword is a decent option on Layla. Although her Skill cooldown matches its duration, the Sacrificial Sword’s passive ability can be especially useful if her shield breaks prematurely.

2. How much Crit Rate does Layla need for Favonius Sword?

Aim for at least 30% Crit Rate, but ideally closer to 50% or higher, to reliably trigger the Favonius Sword’s passive. Use a Crit Rate Circlet if necessary.

3. Is Iron Sting a good choice for Layla?

Iron Sting is a viable option for Layla, providing Elemental Mastery and increasing Elemental DMG. This is especially useful in teams that rely on Cryo reactions like Melt or Superconduct, enhancing her sub-DPS potential.

4. Is Layla’s shield better than Zhongli’s?

Layla’s shield is not as strong as Zhongli’s in terms of raw absorption, but it is still one of the strongest shields in the game. Zhongli’s shield also offers universal RES shred, making him generally a superior shielder. However, Layla is more accessible as a 4-star character.

5. What does Layla scale off of?

Layla’s shield scales off HP, and her Night Star damage (and her burst) depends on Layla’s ATK and CRIT stats.

6. What artifacts should I use on Layla?

The Tenacity of the Millelith (4-Piece) is often the best general-purpose set, but Noblesse Oblige (4-Piece) and hybrid sets are also viable depending on your team composition.

7. Can Layla be a Cryo battery?

Yes, Layla can be used as a Cryo battery, especially when equipped with the Favonius Sword.

8. Which is better, Rosaria or Layla?

Rosaria is a crit buffer, while Layla is a shield support/sub-DPS. Their roles are different, and the best choice depends on your team’s needs.

9. Is Layla worth building?

Yes, Layla is worth building, especially if you need a strong Cryo shielder. She also provides consistent Cryo application and can contribute some sub-DPS damage.

10. Who is good with Layla?

Layla works well in Freeze teams, Reverse Melt teams, and Physical teams. Characters that benefit from her shield and Cryo application include Ayaka, Ganyu, Xiangling, Eula, and Razor.

11. How do I make my Layla shield stronger?

Focus on HP and the Tenacity of the Millelith artifact set to maximize Layla’s shield strength.

12. What is Layla’s best team comp?

Layla’s best team comp depends on your needs, but popular options include Freeze teams with Ayaka or Ganyu, and Reverse Melt teams with Xiangling.

13. What does C6 Layla do?

C6 Layla significantly boosts her damage by increasing the DMG of Shooting Stars and Starlight Slugs by 40% and decreasing the interval between Night Star creation.

14. Is there an HP sword in Genshin Impact?

While there aren’t many swords that directly scale with HP, the Key of Khaj-Nisut boosts HP and provides an Elemental Mastery buff based on HP, making it a good option for Layla.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and learning?

You can explore fascinating research and insights into the intersection of games and education at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org for short.

Conclusion: Tailoring Your Choice to Your Needs

Ultimately, the best sword for Layla depends on your specific team composition, playstyle, and priorities. While the Favonius Sword is the most versatile option for its energy generation, other swords like the Sacrificial Sword, Primordial Jade Cutter, and even Harbinger of Dawn can excel in certain situations. Experiment with different weapons and artifact sets to find the optimal build that unlocks Layla’s full potential as a valuable asset to your Genshin Impact team.

What is the best sword for Layla?