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Why is Raiden Shogun So Good? A Deep Dive into Genshin Impact’s Electro Archon

Raiden Shogun, the Electro Archon of Inazuma in Genshin Impact, isn’t just “good” – she’s phenomenal. Her popularity and effectiveness stem from a potent combination of versatile gameplay, powerful damage output, exceptional energy generation, and strategic team synergy. She’s a character who can slot into a variety of roles, from sub-DPS to main DPS, and consistently deliver impressive results. Furthermore, her constellations offer significant power spikes, making her a valuable investment for players looking to optimize their teams. She fundamentally changes the way many teams function, providing both damage and utility that is unmatched by many other characters in the game. Let’s break down exactly why she reigns supreme.

The Core Strengths of Raiden Shogun

Raiden Shogun’s kit is designed for seamless integration into various team compositions. Her strengths can be categorized into several key areas:

Exceptional Energy Recharge: This is arguably her most defining feature. Her Elemental Skill, Transcendence: Baleful Omen, provides Electro DMG bonus to allies’ attacks and, more importantly, generates Resolve stacks. Then, when she uses her Elemental Burst, Secret Art: Musou Shinsetsu, she regenerates Energy for the entire party based on the number of Resolve stacks she has accumulated. This solves Energy problems for characters with high Energy costs, enabling them to consistently use their bursts and increasing overall team DPS.
Significant Burst Damage: Her Elemental Burst isn’t just about Energy recharge; it’s a massive damage dealer in its own right. For a set duration, Raiden Shogun enters the Musou Isshin state, converting her normal, charged, and plunging attacks into Electro DMG. This damage scales with her Energy Recharge and the number of Resolve stacks, resulting in devastating burst windows. Properly built, she can easily out-damage many main DPS characters during this time.
Sub-DPS Versatility: While capable of being a hypercarry, Raiden Shogun also excels as a sub-DPS. Her Elemental Skill provides consistent off-field Electro application, enabling powerful Elemental Reactions like Overload, Electro-Charged, and Superconduct. This allows her to contribute significantly to team damage even when she’s not actively on the field.
Team Buffs: Her passive talent, Enlightened One, grants her Electro DMG Bonus based on her Energy Recharge. This synergizes perfectly with her role as an Energy battery, incentivizing players to build Energy Recharge on her while simultaneously boosting her damage output. The same talent also grants teammates Energy Recharge based on over 100% Energy Recharge, further buffing the team.
Constellation Value: Raiden Shogun’s constellations are incredibly powerful. C2 is a game-changer, ignoring 60% of opponents’ DEF during her Musou Isshin state, significantly increasing her damage. C3 further boosts her Burst level by 3, further increasing the damage output of her burst. Her constellations have a substantial impact on her performance, making her a worthwhile character to invest in.

Raiden Shogun in Different Team Compositions

Raiden Shogun’s adaptability is one of her greatest assets. She seamlessly integrates into a multitude of teams, enhancing their effectiveness and damage potential. Here are a few examples:

Raiden National Team: This is a highly popular and effective team, consisting of Raiden Shogun, Xingqiu, Xiangling, and Bennett. Raiden Shogun acts as the main driver and Energy battery, enabling Xingqiu and Xiangling to consistently use their bursts. Bennett provides healing and ATK buffs, maximizing the team’s overall damage output.
Raiden Hypercarry Team: This team focuses on maximizing Raiden Shogun’s burst damage. It typically includes supports like Kujou Sara (C6 for maximum effect), Bennett, and a buffer such as Mona or Yae Miko. The goal is to stack as many buffs as possible onto Raiden Shogun before she unleashes her Musou Isshin, resulting in devastating damage.
Eula Raiden Team: Eula, the Cryo Claymore user, struggles with Energy Recharge. Raiden Shogun solves this problem while also providing Superconduct to reduce enemy Physical Resistance, amplifying Eula’s damage. The two characters synergize well, covering each other’s weaknesses and maximizing their respective strengths.
Aggravate Raiden Team: By pairing Raiden with characters like Nahida and other Dendro applicators you can create an Aggravate team that allows Raiden to trigger the Aggravate reaction on all of her attacks during her Elemental Burst. This allows Raiden to increase her damage output, and is most effective against one to two strong enemies.

Building Raiden Shogun: Artifacts, Weapons, and Talents

To fully realize Raiden Shogun’s potential, it’s crucial to build her correctly. Here’s a breakdown:

Artifacts: The Emblem of Severed Fate set is the optimal choice for Raiden Shogun. The 2-piece bonus grants 20% Energy Recharge, while the 4-piece bonus increases Elemental Burst DMG by 25% of Energy Recharge, up to a maximum of 75%. Main stats should prioritize Energy Recharge (Sands), ATK% (Goblet), and Crit Rate/DMG (Circlet), with Energy Recharge, Crit Rate/DMG, ATK%, and Elemental Mastery as desirable substats.
Weapons: Her signature weapon, Engulfing Lightning, is undoubtedly the best choice, providing Energy Recharge and increasing ATK based on Energy Recharge. However, other viable options include Skyward Spine, The Catch (a F2P option obtainable from fishing), and Favonius Lance (for even more Energy generation for the team).
Talents: The priority for talent leveling is Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill > Normal Attack. Her Burst is the primary source of her damage and Energy generation, so maxing it should be the top priority.

Conclusion

Raiden Shogun’s popularity and effectiveness are well-deserved. Her unique combination of Energy Recharge, damage output, and team versatility makes her a valuable asset to any Genshin Impact account. Whether you’re looking to optimize your existing teams or build new ones around her, Raiden Shogun is a character who consistently delivers exceptional results. Understanding her strengths, weaknesses, and optimal builds is key to unlocking her full potential. Further your understanding of game mechanics and character design by exploring resources such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, which offers valuable insights into the educational and social aspects of gaming. Ultimately, Raiden Shogun isn’t just a powerful character; she’s a game-changer who elevates the entire Genshin Impact experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Raiden Shogun

1. Is Raiden Shogun a must-pull character?

Yes, for many players, Raiden Shogun is considered a must-pull character. Her versatility, Energy Recharge capabilities, and high damage potential make her a valuable addition to almost any team. She significantly improves team consistency and allows for more flexible team compositions.

2. Is Raiden Shogun better than Yae Miko?

It depends on your needs. Raiden Shogun is more versatile due to her Energy Recharge and team-buffing capabilities. Yae Miko focuses primarily on dealing damage. If you need a battery and sub-DPS, Raiden is better. If you need a dedicated off-field DPS, Yae Miko can excel.

3. What is Raiden Shogun’s best team comp?

The Raiden National Team (Raiden Shogun, Xingqiu, Xiangling, Bennett) is widely considered one of her best teams. Other excellent options include Raiden Hypercarry and Eula Raiden teams.

4. What artifacts should I use on Raiden Shogun?

The Emblem of Severed Fate artifact set is the best choice for Raiden Shogun. Prioritize Energy Recharge, ATK%, and Crit Rate/DMG on the main stats.

5. What is Raiden Shogun’s best weapon?

Engulfing Lightning is her signature weapon and the best option. However, Skyward Spine and The Catch are viable alternatives.

6. What talents should I prioritize leveling for Raiden Shogun?

Prioritize leveling her Elemental Burst first, followed by her Elemental Skill. Her Normal Attack can be leveled last.

7. Is Raiden Shogun good at C0?

Yes, Raiden Shogun is very good at C0. She provides significant Energy Recharge and damage even without constellations. However, her constellations, especially C2, provide substantial power spikes.

8. What is Raiden Shogun’s biggest weakness?

Raiden Shogun’s weakness primarily lies in her vulnerability to interruption during her Musou Isshin state. Shield characters can mitigate this weakness. She also doesn’t synergize well with Physical DPS characters aside from Eula.

9. How does Resolve work for Raiden Shogun?

Resolve stacks are gained when party members use their Elemental Bursts. The more Energy the Burst costs, the more Resolve is generated. Raiden Shogun consumes these stacks during her Musou Isshin state to increase her damage and Energy restoration.

10. What is Raiden Shogun immune to?

Raiden Shogun is not immune to Electro damage. She has a base 10% resistance to all damage types.

11. How much Energy Recharge does Raiden Shogun need?

Aim for around 220-270% Energy Recharge on Raiden Shogun to maximize her Energy generation and damage output.

12. Is Raiden Shogun a good DPS character?

Yes, Raiden Shogun can be a very effective DPS character, especially during her Musou Isshin state. She also provides consistent off-field damage as a sub-DPS.

13. Is Raiden Shogun worth pulling for if I already have good DPS characters?

Yes, even if you have strong DPS characters, Raiden Shogun’s Energy Recharge and support capabilities can significantly improve your team’s overall performance and consistency. She’s a valuable addition to any account.

14. What is Raiden Shogun’s role in the lore?

Raiden Shogun is the Electro Archon of Inazuma, responsible for maintaining order and upholding her vision of eternity. She serves as a major character in the Inazuma Archon Quest.

15. How does Raiden Shogun compare to other Archons?

Raiden Shogun is often considered one of the most powerful and versatile Archons in Genshin Impact. Her unique kit and adaptability make her a valuable asset to many teams.

Why is Raiden Shogun so good?