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Heizou Stats Guide: Maximizing His Anemo Power

The optimal stats for Heizou depend heavily on his role in your team. However, generally, you should prioritize Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, and Anemo DMG Bonus. In the early game, focus on ATK% and Crit stats, while endgame Heizou benefits from a more balanced approach, potentially incorporating Elemental Mastery (EM), especially if he’s triggering reactions. Understanding the nuances of each stat and its impact on Heizou’s damage output is crucial to building him effectively.

Understanding Heizou’s Kit

Before diving into specific stat recommendations, it’s essential to understand how Heizou functions. Heizou is a 4-star Anemo catalyst user specializing in melee combat. His kit revolves around stacking Declension stacks, which significantly amplify the damage of his Heartstopper Strike Elemental Skill. Understanding how these stacks interact with various stats is key to optimizing his damage.

Normal Attack: Fudou Style Martial Arts: His normal attacks deal Anemo DMG and have a quick attack animation, making him viable for on-field DPS.
Elemental Skill: Heartstopper Strike: This is Heizou’s primary damage dealer. Holding the skill grants Declension stacks (up to 4). Each stack increases the power of the next Heartstopper Strike. At maximum stacks, the skill deals significantly increased damage.
Elemental Burst: Windmuster Kick: Heizou kicks a Fudou Style Vacuum Slug that explodes on impact, dealing AoE Anemo DMG. It also creates a Windmuster Iris that explodes after a short delay, dealing further AoE Anemo DMG. If the Vacuum Slug hits enemies affected by Hydro/Pyro/Cryo/Electro, they will be afflicted with Windmuster Iris, which will also explode and deal DMG of that corresponding element.

Prioritizing the Right Stats

The best stats for Heizou are a mix of offensive capabilities and the ability to proc reactions:

Crit Rate & Crit DMG: These are crucial for maximizing Heizou’s overall damage output. Aim for a 1:2 ratio between Crit Rate and Crit DMG. A good target is around 60-70% Crit Rate and 120-140% Crit DMG for optimal consistency.
ATK%: This is your bread-and-butter stat for increasing his damage. It directly affects the scaling of his normal attacks, Elemental Skill, and Elemental Burst.
Anemo DMG Bonus: This stat directly boosts the damage of all his Anemo attacks. It’s vital for increasing the impact of his Heartstopper Strike and Windmuster Kick.
Elemental Mastery (EM): While not as crucial as the core stats, EM can significantly increase the damage of Swirl reactions, especially when Heizou is part of a team focused on triggering reactions. This becomes more relevant if you’re focusing on a reaction-based team composition.
Energy Recharge (ER): You’ll need enough ER to consistently use his Elemental Burst. This is especially important if you’re using him as a burst DPS or off-field support. Aim for around 120-140% ER depending on your team composition and weapon choices.

Artifact Recommendations

Choosing the right artifacts is critical for optimizing Heizou’s stats. Here are some recommendations:

4-Piece Viridescent Venerer (VV): This is generally considered the best-in-slot for Heizou, especially in reaction-based teams. It provides a 15% Anemo DMG Bonus and, more importantly, decreases enemy Elemental Resistance to the element infused in the Swirl reaction by 40% for 10 seconds.
2-Piece Viridescent Venerer & 2-Piece ATK% Set (Gladiator’s Finale, Shimenawa’s Reminiscence, Echoes of an Offering): This combination provides a balanced approach, increasing both Anemo DMG and overall ATK. A solid choice if you don’t need the resistance shred from the 4-piece VV set.
4-Piece Desert Pavilion Chronicle: Provides a 15% Anemo DMG Bonus. After Charged Attacks hit opponents, the equipping character’s Normal Attack SPD will increase by 10% while Normal Attack, Charged Attack, and Plunging Attack DMG will increase by 40% for 15s.
Early Game Artifacts: In the early game, focus on sets that provide ATK% or Crit Rate bonuses, such as the Martial Artist or Berserker sets.

Artifact Main Stats

Sands: ATK% or Elemental Mastery (EM)
Goblet: Anemo DMG Bonus
Circlet: Crit Rate or Crit DMG (choose whichever you need more to balance your Crit ratio)

Artifact Substats

Prioritize the following substats in order of importance:

Crit Rate
Crit DMG
ATK%
Elemental Mastery (EM)
Energy Recharge (ER)

Weapon Choices

The best weapon for Heizou depends on your available resources and desired playstyle. Here are some recommendations:

5-Star Weapons:
- Kagutsuuchi Isshin (New weapon from 4.5): Crit Rate Substat and its effect increases Atk by 12%. Additionally, Normal Attack DMG increases by 24% for 15s after using an Elemental Skill.
- Skyward Atlas: High base ATK and provides an Elemental DMG Bonus.
- Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds: Provides Crit Rate and increases Movement SPD, making Heizou more agile. It also passively increases Elemental DMG Bonus while on the field.
4-Star Weapons:
- The Widsith: Provides Crit DMG and a random buff upon entering combat (ATK%, Elemental DMG Bonus, or Elemental Mastery). The ATK buff is great for increasing damage, and the EM buff is useful for reaction teams.
- Solar Pearl: Increases Elemental Skill and Burst DMG after a Normal Attack hits.
- Oathsworn Eye: Increases Energy Recharge and ATK after using an Elemental Skill.
- Ballad of the Boundless Blue: Increases Normal Attack DMG. This weapon is an event weapon from 4.1.
3-Star Weapons:
- Magic Guide: Easy to obtain and offers Elemental Mastery, useful in reaction-based compositions early game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Elemental Mastery (EM) essential for Heizou?

No, it’s not essential, but it can be highly beneficial, especially in reaction-based teams. If you’re primarily focusing on his direct Anemo damage, prioritize Crit, ATK%, and Anemo DMG. However, if you’re using him to trigger Swirl reactions, EM becomes a valuable stat.

2. Should I use a Crit Rate or Crit DMG Circlet?

Choose based on your Crit ratio. Aim for a 1:2 ratio. If your Crit Rate is too low, use a Crit Rate Circlet. If your Crit DMG is too low, use a Crit DMG Circlet.

3. What’s the best team composition for Heizou?

Heizou works well in teams focused on enabling Swirl reactions. Good teammates include characters who can apply Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, or Electro consistently, such as Xingqiu, Xiangling, Fischl, and Rosaria. A typical team might include Heizou, Xingqiu, Xiangling, and Bennett.

4. Is Heizou better as a main DPS or a sub-DPS?

Heizou can function effectively as both, depending on your team composition and weapon choices. He excels as a main DPS when built with high Crit and ATK, while he can act as a sub-DPS by providing Anemo damage and triggering reactions.

5. How important is Energy Recharge (ER) for Heizou?

It’s important, but not top priority. Ensure you have enough ER to consistently use his Elemental Burst, but don’t sacrifice too much Crit or ATK for it. Around 120-140% ER is usually sufficient.

6. Can Heizou trigger Viridescent Venerer’s effect effectively?

Yes! As an Anemo character, Heizou can easily trigger Swirl reactions, enabling him to shred enemy Elemental Resistance with the 4-piece Viridescent Venerer set. This is one of the main reasons why the VV set is considered his best-in-slot.

7. What are the best Talent priorities for Heizou?

Prioritize leveling his Elemental Skill (Heartstopper Strike) first, as it’s his primary source of damage. Then, focus on his Normal Attack for consistent damage and his Elemental Burst for added AoE damage.

8. Is Heizou a good replacement for a 5-star Anemo DPS?

While Heizou can perform admirably as a DPS, he generally won’t outdamage a well-built 5-star Anemo DPS like Xiao or Wanderer. However, he’s a strong and accessible option for players who don’t have access to those characters.

9. How do Declension stacks affect Heizou’s damage?

Declension stacks significantly increase the damage of Heizou’s Heartstopper Strike. Each stack provides a damage bonus, with the maximum of 4 stacks granting the highest damage multiplier. The amount of increased damage is based on his talent level.

10. Is it worth using Heizou in a Mono-Anemo team?

While possible, it’s generally not optimal. Heizou’s strength lies in triggering Swirl reactions. A Mono-Anemo team lacks the necessary elemental application to enable those reactions, limiting his potential.

11. Can Heizou benefit from buffs that increase Normal Attack DMG?

Yes! While his Elemental Skill is his primary damage source, his Normal Attacks are still important for filling in damage during downtime. Therefore, he benefits from buffs that increase Normal Attack DMG.

12. Does Heizou’s burst infuse with other elements similar to the Anemo Traveler’s?

Yes, Heizou’s Elemental Burst, Windmuster Kick, can infuse with Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, or Electro if the Vacuum Slug hits enemies affected by those elements. This infusion adds extra damage and utility to his burst.

13. What’s more important on Heizou: a high weapon base ATK, or a beneficial substat?

Generally, a beneficial substat like Crit Rate, Crit DMG, or Elemental Mastery is more valuable than a slightly higher base ATK. A well-rolled weapon with the right substat will provide a more significant damage increase than a weapon with a higher base ATK but an unhelpful substat.

14. Are there any specific constellations that drastically improve Heizou?

Yes, Heizou’s constellations C1, C2 and C6 significantly improve his gameplay. C1 Increases Heizou’s ATK SPD by 15% for 5s after he takes the field. He also gains 1 Declension stack. This effect can be triggered once every 10s. C2 – Increases Heartstopper Strike’s Crit Rate by 4%. Additionally, Heizou will gain 1 Declension stack for Heartstopper Strike upon striking an opponent. C6 – Heartstopper Strike’s Crit DMG is increased by 32%. Additionally, when Heartstopper Strike hits, there is a 100% chance to create 1 Windmuster Iris, which will explode after a short delay and deal 4 times its original DMG. This Windmuster Iris is created by Heizou himself, and cannot trigger Elemental Reactions.

15. How can I quickly check the elemental resistance of an enemy in the game?

Unfortunately, Genshin Impact doesn’t provide an in-game display of enemy elemental resistances. However, you can observe enemy behavior. For instance, enemies with elemental shields have high resistance to that particular element. Additionally, certain enemies are naturally resistant to specific damage types. Observing how quickly they take damage helps assess their resistance to different elements.

What stats should I use for Heizou?