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Zhongli vs. Noelle: Unveiling the Strongest Shield in Genshin Impact

In the world of Genshin Impact, shields are a crucial aspect of team composition, providing invaluable protection against enemy attacks. Among the many shield-bearing characters, Zhongli and Noelle stand out as popular choices. However, when it comes to sheer shield strength, Zhongli emerges as the clear winner. His shield boasts significantly higher damage absorption potential due to its scaling with max HP and inherent 150% damage absorption against all damage types. Let’s delve into a detailed comparison to understand why Zhongli reigns supreme as the shield king.

Comparing the Shield Capabilities

While both characters offer shield protection, their mechanics, scaling, and overall effectiveness differ significantly. Let’s break down the key aspects of each shield:

Zhongli’s Dominance: The Geo Archon’s Unbreakable Defense

Zhongli’s Jade Shield, granted by his Elemental Skill, Dominus Lapidis, is renowned for its exceptional durability. Several factors contribute to its superiority:

HP Scaling: The shield’s strength scales directly with Zhongli’s max HP. This means the higher his HP, the more damage the shield can absorb. A well-built Zhongli can easily achieve 40,000-50,000 HP, resulting in a shield capable of withstanding immense damage.
Universal Damage Absorption: The Jade Shield has a 150% absorption bonus against all damage types (Physical, Elemental). This effectively doubles its durability against all incoming attacks, making it incredibly versatile and reliable in any situation.
Long Uptime: At Talent Level 13, the shield has a 20-second duration and a 12-second cooldown. This near-permanent uptime, combined with its superior strength, allows players to maintain consistent protection throughout battles.
Debuff Resistance: In addition to absorbing damage, Zhongli’s shield also reduces enemy resistance to all damage by 20% making him an important addition to any team.

Noelle’s Tenacity: The Unwavering Maid’s Solid Protection

Noelle’s Breastplate, activated by her Elemental Skill, provides a shield with decent durability, particularly for newer players. However, it falls short compared to Zhongli’s in several aspects:

DEF Scaling: Noelle’s shield scales with her DEF stat. While DEF does contribute to damage absorption, it’s generally less effective than HP scaling for shield strength. Reaching extremely high DEF numbers can be challenging, especially early in the game.
Limited Uptime: Noelle’s shield has a 12-second duration and a 24-second cooldown. This leaves a significant gap in protection, forcing players to rely on dodging or other mitigation strategies during the downtime.
No Universal Resistance: Noelle’s shield lacks the 150% damage absorption bonus against all damage types that Zhongli possesses. This makes it more vulnerable to certain elemental attacks.
Healing Synergy: The shield triggers a healing effect when Noelle is on the field and attacking. This can provide sustain, but it’s contingent on her being active, which may not always be optimal.

Side-by-Side Comparison

To highlight the differences, let’s consider a hypothetical scenario:

Zhongli: 50,000 HP, Talent Level 13 Jade Shield
Noelle: 2,500 DEF, Talent Level 13 Breastplate

In this scenario, Zhongli’s shield would far surpass Noelle’s in terms of raw damage absorption. The 150% damage absorption bonus further amplifies the difference, allowing Zhongli to withstand significantly more punishment. While Noelle can still provide valuable protection, especially early on, her shield simply cannot compete with the sheer resilience of Zhongli’s Jade Shield.

Should You Replace Noelle with Zhongli?

This question depends on your team composition, available characters, and overall goals.

If you have Zhongli, and shielding is your priority, then absolutely. His shield provides unmatched protection, allowing you to play more aggressively and worry less about dodging.
If you don’t have Zhongli, Noelle can be a viable substitute, especially early in the game. She offers a combination of shielding and healing, making her a valuable asset for newer players.
If you have other shielders like Diona or Thoma, consider their strengths and weaknesses. Diona offers healing and Cryo application, while Thoma provides Pyro application and a stacking shield. Choose the character that best complements your team’s needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Noelle have the strongest shield in Genshin?

No, Zhongli has the strongest shield in Genshin Impact, primarily due to its HP scaling and 150% damage absorption against all damage types. Noelle’s shield, while decent, scales with DEF and lacks the universal damage absorption bonus.

2. How strong is my Zhongli shield?

To calculate your Zhongli shield strength, use the following formula: (Talent Level Shield Percentage * Zhongli’s Max HP) + Flat Shield Bonus. For example, a Level 13 shield is 27.3% Max HP + 3,389. For a Zhongli with 50,000 HP, this would be (0.273 * 50,000) + 3,389 = 17,039. After applying 150% universal damage absorption, the final shield strength becomes 25,558.5.

3. Can Zhongli’s shield be broken?

Yes, Zhongli’s shield can be broken, especially if the character taking damage is low level or has low DEF. However, its high durability makes it significantly more resistant to breaking compared to other shields.

4. Can Noelle be a good shielder?

Yes, Noelle can be a good shielder, particularly for newer players or those without access to other shielders. However, her shield uptime is limited, and its strength is lower compared to Zhongli’s.

5. Why is my Zhongli shield weak?

Common reasons for a weak Zhongli shield include:

Low HP: Ensure Zhongli has sufficient HP to maximize shield strength.
Low Talent Level: Upgrade Zhongli’s Elemental Skill talent to increase the shield’s damage absorption.
Low-Level Character Taking Damage: The character on the field absorbs damage for the shield, therefore if they have low level and defence, the shield will break faster.

6. What character can replace Zhongli?

While no character can perfectly replicate Zhongli’s shield, some alternatives include:

Ningguang: Offers a Geo damage bonus and a Jade Screen that blocks projectiles.
Layla: Provides a shield that scales with HP and generates Stars, which turn into Shooting Stars that deal Cryo damage.
Diona: Offers a shield, healing, and Cryo application.

7. What is the weakest shield in Genshin?

The strength of a shield also depends on the element that is attacking it. However, Electro-infused shields are the weakest due to their susceptibility to multiple elements.

8. Can Zhongli heal?

While Zhongli is primarily a shielder, his C6 constellation allows him to heal party members when his shield takes damage. However, the healing is relatively minor and not his primary function.

9. Is Noelle worth using in Genshin?

Yes, Noelle is worth using, especially for new players. She provides a reliable combination of shielding, healing, and damage output, making her a versatile asset early in the game.

10. Who is a better shield: Noelle or Diona?

Diona is generally considered a better shield than Noelle due to her easier build requirements, Cryo application, and healing capabilities. Her shield also has better uptime compared to Noelle’s at lower constellation levels.

11. Can you heal with Noelle?

Yes, Noelle can heal when her shield is active and she hits enemies with Normal or Charged Attacks. Her C1 constellation guarantees healing during her Burst.

12. Is 40k HP enough for Zhongli?

Yes, 40k HP is generally considered sufficient for a shieldbot Zhongli. It provides a strong and reliable shield that can withstand most attacks. 50k HP is even more comfortable, but 40k is a good target.

13. How long does Noelle’s shield last?

Noelle’s shield lasts for 12 seconds, with a 24-second cooldown on her Elemental Skill. This leaves a 12-second gap in protection.

14. Is Zhongli good or evil?

Zhongli is neither good nor evil. He is depicted as a wise and neutral figure who prioritized the contract with his people over anything else.

15. Does Zhongli shield take damage for you?

Yes, Zhongli’s shield absorbs damage for the active character on the field. The shield strength is based on Zhongli’s HP, but the damage taken depends on the active character’s DEF and level.

Conclusion: Zhongli’s Reign as Shield King

While Noelle offers a decent shield option, Zhongli’s Jade Shield remains the strongest in Genshin Impact. Its superior scaling, universal damage absorption, and long uptime make it an invaluable asset for any team. While both characters have their merits, Zhongli’s shielding capabilities simply outclass Noelle’s by a significant margin.

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Whose shield is stronger Noelle or Zhongli?