Layla’s Talents: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering the Starry Astrologist in Genshin Impact
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Layla, the Rtawahist student from Genshin Impact, is a unique Cryo support character who excels at providing robust shields and consistent Cryo application. To fully harness her potential, understanding her talent mechanics and how to prioritize their upgrades is crucial. This article delves into exactly what talents Layla needs and offers a detailed look at how to maximize her effectiveness in various team compositions.
Layla’s Essential Talent: Nights of Formal Focus
The most crucial talent for Layla to level is her Elemental Skill: Nights of Formal Focus. This skill is the cornerstone of her support capabilities, creating the Curtain of Slumber, a shield that scales with Layla’s Max HP. Here’s why this talent is so vital:
- Shield Strength: The strength of Layla’s shield directly impacts her ability to protect your team. Upgrading Nights of Formal Focus increases the base damage absorption of the shield, making it far more resilient against enemy attacks. This is paramount for survivability, particularly in challenging encounters.
- Cryo Application: Her Elemental Skill also provides consistent Cryo application via the shooting Stars that orbit her shield, allowing reactions like Freeze and Melt. While not as impactful as some other Cryo characters, the consistent nature of her cryo is valuable.
- Night Stars: In addition, the Night Stars, generated by the shield, deal cryo damage when launched against enemies. Upgrading the Elemental skill increases this damage which is based on her attack and crit stats
Due to these reasons, leveling Nights of Formal Focus should be the highest priority for Layla. Maximizing her shield strength ensures consistent protection and enables you to fully utilize her other abilities.
Why Prioritize the Elemental Skill?
The core of Layla’s kit revolves around her shield and Cryo application, which is directly tied to Nights of Formal Focus. While her Elemental Burst has damage-dealing potential, the burst itself doesn’t offer the same level of protective utility and consistent Cryo application. Investing heavily in her Elemental Skill before focusing on other talents will maximize her effectiveness as a support unit.
Layla’s Secondary Talent: Dream of the Star-Stream Shaker
Following Nights of Formal Focus, you should then prioritize leveling Layla’s Elemental Burst: Dream of the Star-Stream Shaker. While it’s not as crucial as her Elemental Skill, it offers valuable offensive capabilities and enhances her Cryo presence. Here’s a breakdown:
- AoE Cryo Damage: The burst summons a Dream Sphere which continuously shoots Starlight Projectiles dealing Cryo Damage. It has a decent Area of Effect (AoE), which can deal damage to multiple enemies. Upgrading it increases the damage of these projectiles, which scale with her attack and crit stats.
- Cryo Application: The Burst also aids in the Cryo application by applying it to enemies within its AoE. This helps with enabling reactions and further support.
- Night Star Generation: The burst enhances the generation of Night Stars around Layla, which is based on her shield’s health. This provides a consistent way to launch these attacks, dealing additional damage.
Although her burst’s damage is not comparable to a dedicated DPS character, upgrading it allows Layla to deal more consistent damage in combination with her shield. While it’s secondary to her elemental skill, it’s still a worthy focus.
Layla’s Least Important Talent: Sword of the Radiant Path
Layla’s Normal Attack: Sword of the Radiant Path, should be the lowest priority for leveling. As a support character, Layla will primarily rely on her Elemental Skill and Burst for utility and damage. Her normal attacks do physical damage and aren’t really relevant to her kit, and she should not be relied upon for dealing physical damage.
Talent Leveling Materials
To maximize Layla’s talents, you will need the following materials:
- Trounce Material: Mirror of Mushin, obtained from the Shouki no Kami, the Prodigal boss fight.
- Scrolls: Divining Scroll, Sealed Scroll, and Forbidden Curse Scroll. These are obtained by defeating Samachurls.
- Talent Books: Teachings of Ingenuity, Guide to Ingenuity, and Philosophies of Ingenuity. These are obtained from the domain Steeple of Ignorance in Sumeru on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- Crown of Insight: Used to upgrade talents to the maximum level (level 10).
To upgrade all of Layla’s talents to the maximum level, you will need:
- Divining Scroll x18
- Sealed Scroll x66
- Forbidden Curse Scroll x93
- Teachings of Ingenuity x9
- Guide to Ingenuity x63
- Philosophies of Ingenuity x114
Layla Talent Leveling Priority Summary
In summary, here’s how to prioritize Layla’s talent upgrades:
- Elemental Skill (Nights of Formal Focus): Highest priority for shield strength and cryo application.
- Elemental Burst (Dream of the Star-Stream Shaker): Secondary priority for AoE Cryo damage and enhanced Cryo application.
- Normal Attack (Sword of the Radiant Path): Lowest priority, as she will not be used for normal attacks.
By following this priority, you’ll maximize Layla’s effectiveness and unlock her full potential as a support character in Genshin Impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Layla’s Talents
1. What are Layla’s talents used for?
Layla’s talents are used to enhance her support capabilities. Her Elemental Skill provides shields and applies Cryo, while her Elemental Burst deals Cryo damage in an AoE. Her normal attacks, however, are not a focus for her build.
2. How does Layla’s shield scale?
Layla’s shield, created by her Elemental Skill (Nights of Formal Focus), scales off her Max HP. The higher her HP, the stronger her shield will be.
3. Does Layla’s burst scale off her HP?
No, Layla’s Elemental Burst (Dream of the Star-Stream Shaker) damage scales off her ATK and Crit stats, not her Max HP.
4. Can Layla be a DPS?
While it’s possible to build Layla for damage, she’s primarily a support character. Her personal damage output is not very strong compared to dedicated DPS characters. While it’s possible to build her as a sub-DPS, her main strength lies in her shielding and consistent cryo application.
5. What is the best weapon for Layla?
Some of the best weapons for Layla include the Key of Khaj-Nisut, Primordial Jade Cutter, Freedom-Sworn, Sacrificial Sword, and Favonius Sword. These weapons either provide HP, Energy Recharge, or buff her team, enhancing her support role.
6. What artifacts are best for Layla?
The best artifacts for Layla typically focus on HP main stats, or Energy Recharge for her sands, Cryo DMG Bonus or HP for her goblet, and HP or Crit for her circlet. The 2 piece bonus from Tenacity of the Millelith will provide her with increased HP and therefore greater shield strength.
7. Is Layla’s shield better than Zhongli’s?
Layla’s shield is quite strong, but when considering various weapon options like the Black Tassel for Zhongli, there is little difference in shield strength.
8. How can I maximize Layla’s Cryo application?
To maximize Layla’s Cryo application, level up her Elemental Skill (Nights of Formal Focus) and Burst (Dream of the Star-Stream Shaker). Using weapons and artifacts that boost Energy Recharge will ensure that you can use her burst more frequently.
9. Is Layla a good battery for Cryo teams?
Yes, Layla can function as a Cryo battery, especially in Reverse Melt teams. The cryo from her elemental skill and burst can help charge other cryo users.
10. Does Layla need Crit stats?
While her shield strength doesn’t depend on crit, her Burst damage will scale with crit. It’s best to focus on HP as a priority, then balance out her crit stats.
11. Is Layla good in a Freeze team?
Absolutely. Layla’s consistent Cryo application via her Elemental Skill and Burst makes her a great choice for Freeze team compositions.
12. Why is Layla always sleepy?
Layla’s sleepiness stems from her intense dedication to her studies at the Akademiya. This has led to sleep deprivation and a constantly exhausted state.
13. Can Layla be a healer?
No, Layla doesn’t provide any healing. Her main role is to be a shielder and a Cryo applicator. If you need a healer, pair her with a character who can provide healing.
14. Can you get Layla in Genshin Impact right now?
Layla is a 4-star character and is available on various character banners, sometimes featured with increased drop rate. Keep an eye on current banner details to see when she is available.
15. Is Layla better than Diona?
It depends on your needs. Layla offers a stronger shield with better uptime, while Diona provides healing, energy, and an EM buff. Layla is better for shield-focused team compositions, while Diona is better for more well-rounded healing and support teams.