Genshin Impact Chongyun guide: weapons, artifacts, and more

A Cryo-Claymore wielder with the ability to convert allies’ attacks into Cryo DMG, Chongyun is an interesting character with his own niche in Genshin Impact. With the right set up and team comp, he makes for a potent DPS, Burst Carry, or Enabler. 

This guide will help put you on the path to doing just that.

Genshin Impact Chongyun guide

Weapons

Chongyun brings a high base ATK plus consistent Cryo DMG to a team (either by himself or by converting allies’ attacks), and his choice of Claymore needs to reflect that.

Wolf’s Gravestone

(Picture: miHoYo)

Base ATK plus ATK% plays into all the strengths just mentioned for Chongyun. Add in Wolfish Tracker for another 20% to Base ATK, plus an additional 40% ATK for all party members when attacking enemies lower than 30% HP and Wolf’s Gravestone is a phenomenal choice for Chongyun. Then again, it is for any Claymore user wanting to do damage…

It works for DPS, sub-DPS and even for an Enabler build as all his abilities scale off attack, and if there’s anything Wolf’s Gravestone provides, it’s attack.

Prototype Aminus

(Picture: miHoYo)

Lots of inherent Attack scaling alongside the Crush ability make this a really strong option, especially due to how easily Refinable a forgeable weapon is. Again, this is a solid option for most builds but does favour DPS and sub-DPS builds - you do want to make use of Crush, and if you’re not on the field to utilise it, you’re not getting any value out of the Refined ability.

Sacrificial Greatsword

(Picture: miHoYo)

Instead, consider Sacrificial Greatsword if you want to use Chongyun in a supportive Enabling role. Chongyun’s draw (and also his limiting factor) as an Enabler is his ability to convert ally attacks into Cryo DMG from Physical with his Elemental Skill. Sacrificial Greatsword ensures both more uptime for Chongyun’s Elemental Burst with Energy Recharge and also has the Composed ability to increase how often his Elemental Skill (and therefore the Chonghua Frost Field) is available.

Debate Club

(Picture: miHoYo)

Specifically, at Refinement Rank 5. A lot of Chongyun mains and community testing suggests this a very strong pick for Chongyun, despite it’s 3* rarity. If you need a good weapon for Chongyun, especially pre-Level 70 weapons, the Debate Club will happily fill that role.

This is obviously not an exhaustive list, and most high-tier Claymores with good Attack stats or ways to empower Elemental Skills and Bursts are likely solid choices for Chongyun.

Artifacts

An all-important Cryo DMG Goblet! (Picture: miHoYo)

The general consensus around Chongyun’s artifact loadout hinges around two key sets: namely, Noblesse Oblige and Gladiator’s Finale.

Full Noblesse Oblige turns Chongyun into a fantastic Burst Carry and Enabler, leaning on Spirit Blade: Cloud-Parting Star’s low cooldown and energy cost, who can then also lay down his Elemental Skill to set up for his allies before switching out to wait on CDs and for his Chonghua Frost Field to dissipate.

• Read more: Genshin Impact Mona guide: weapons, artifacts, and more 

However, Full Gladiator’s Finale is much more about using Chongyun for his consistent DPS, relying on the massive amps to basic attacks the 4-piece set bonus provides. Interestingly through a 2/2 Split between the two is favoured over just a straight Gladiator’s set for a carry build due to how often his Burst can be available, improving overall damage by empowering both his Attack stat (which his abilities scale on too) and also providing a 20% amp to his Burst.

If you’re struggling to get hold of decent drops for either of these sets, Martial Artist is a decent option for a Carry build, empowering Chongyun’s damage even more after he uses his Elemental Skill, and Instructor and The Exile are good choices for an Enabler build.

(Picture: miHoYo)

Artifact Stats

Interestingly, both of the stat builds we’re suggesting here can and do translate over to one another. They both want to build damage, the question is more how highly you want to prioritise Crit:

DPS Stat Priorities

1. Cryo DMG Goblet (Key)
2. Crit Rate (50~%+). Inc. Circlet
3. Crit DMG
4. ATK
5. Energy Recharge

Enabler Stat Priorities

1. Cryo DMG Goblet (Key)
2. ATK
3. Energy Recharge
4. Crit Rate and DMG

To reiterate, get your hands on a Cryo DMG Goblet! It’s incredibly impactful for Chongyun.

Play Patterns

Chongyun is relatively simple to play in and of himself - hit things with his Elemental Skill and Burst, stay inside his frost field for amped damage and Cryo conversion. The challenge is more in setting him up well with a team composition.

Before we get to that, a general play pattern is open with his Elemental Burst, then use his Elemental Skill, Spirit Blade: Chonghua’s Layered Frost to add further damage and activate his most intriguing ability, Chonghua Frost Field.

Staying in that field converts all basic attacks made by characters armed with a melee weapon (namely Swords, Claymores, and Polearms) into Cryo DMG, including those made by Chongyun. This is the crux of whether Chongyun will work for you - consistent Cryo DMG can be amazing, or exceptionally frustrating.

If you can use it, his Ascension Skill, Steady Breathing’s Attack SPD boost of 8% is great, and the potential for very easy Cryo-based Elemental Reactions is very potent.

(Picture: miHoYo)

To do that, you’re going to have to put careful thought into Chongyun’s team members. The first thing to recognise is that while Superconduct via Electro seems like a great choice of Elemental Reaction on the surface, it’s actually quite hard to use as your Physical DMG is regularly turned into Cryo.

The one major exception is Fischl, who as a high-tier DPS character and Bow user isn’t affected by the Physical DMG conversion from Chonghua Frost Field, and Oz synergises exceptionally well with all the easy reactions.

• Read more: Genshin Impact Bennett guide: weapons, artifacts, and more

Easier set-ups involve using Pyro users like Klee, Xiangling or Bennett (the latter in particular) for the high damage Melt reaction, or using Hydro users to apply Wet, then switching to a Claymore user to simultaneously Freeze then Shatter opponents with the Cryo DMG conversion from Chonghua Frost Field. Chongyun himself is very good for doing just that alongside characters like Mona, Childe, and Barbara.

Bringing in Venti or Sucrose with Viridescent Venerer is also a good choice for the 4-piece set effect that reduces Elemental RES.

Now you know everything you need to know to turn Chongyun into the exorcist he was always meant to be. Just remember to wrap up warm!