Genshin Impact Gorou guide: Best build, weapons, artifacts, tips, and more

Genshin Impact’s 2.3 Phase II has finally arrived, bringing with it the debut of two characters from the Inazuma region known for their prowess and power.

While we already had the opportunity to talk about one of these, with our deep introduction to the Hero of Hanamizaka and leader of the Arataki Gang, the intrepid Arataki Itto, this time we’ll talk of someone important within the nation of the Eternity, given his role as part of the game's Archon Quests.

Without further ado, let us welcome the Canine Warrior, Gorou.

Gorou - Background and Origins

The appearance of Gorou as part of the playable roster of Genshin Impact was something that had been brewing for several reasons, including his role as the great general of the Watatsumi Island army because of all his experience in terms of leadership and military strategy, which has earned him the respect of all subordinates.

During most of the time the Vision Hunt Decree was in place, Gorou led Watatsumi's forces against the Raiden Shogun's army, staying ahead with his strategy and versatility, earning him the title of "ever-victorious pointy-eared general", a nickname that spread among the warriors of the shogunate.

Although all this has allowed him to earn a place within the most respected characters of Inazuma, Gorou doesn’t usually give himself an air of greatness as he is someone more than direct, so everyone sees him as an understanding and very trustworthy being, that will always have his good set of ears to listen to any of your doubts and tell you a couple of tips.

Gorou - Talents

His normal attack, Ripping Fang Fletcling, allows him to fire up to four consecutive shots with his bow, while with his charged attack, Gorou will make a more accurate shot that will accumulate stone crystals at the tip, allowing him to deal Geo DMG when fully loaded.

With his Elemental Skill, Inuzaka All-Round Defense, Gorou will inflict Geo DMG in an area in addition to raising his “General's War Banner”, which will grant the following effects to you and your allies while is active, depending on how Geo characters are in your party:

• 1 character: Adds “Standing Firm” and increases your DEF
• 2 characters: Adds “Impregnable” and increases RES to interruptions
• 3 characters: Adds “Crunch” and grants a Geo DMG Bonus

The banner's effects will be active for a maximum of two seconds if your character goes out of its area of effect, and only one banner can be active at a time. To adjust its location, you must hold down the activation key of the skill and place it at your location of choice.

Finally, with his Elemental Burst, Juuga: Forward Upon Victory, Gorou will show his power and inflict Geo DMG around him, also activating an area called "General's Glory" which will have the same effects as his Elemental Skill, with the difference it will follow your movements instead of being static.

Additionally, every 1.5 seconds, this ability will cause a Crystal Collapse that deals Geo DMG against an enemy located in the area, and pulls a shard created by Crystallize reactions to your character's location, giving you a temporary elemental energy shield.

Inuzaka All-Round Defense cannot be used at the same time as this ability. If activated, the General's War Banner will be destroyed and the elemental ability won’t be available, until the effect of Juuga: Forward Upon Victory expires or Gorou falls in combat.

Gorou - Best Weapons

Favonius Warbow

Since Gorou's abilities are more focused on giving more power to your characters and allies, his best options for the attack will be those that boost his power based on the use of his abilities and energy, which is why the four-star Favonius Warbow will be the best tool for him.

This weapon is well known for being similar to the ones used by the Knights of Favonius, however, only the best archers like Gorou can exploit its full potential. Being a weapon from the Favonius series, it’s very common to find it in many ways, so maximizing it won’t be so difficult.

The Favonius Warbow has base ATK stats of 41 - 454, in addition to a 13.3% - 61.3% Energy Recharge bonus, and its "Windfall" ability allows CRIT hits to have a 60/70/80/90/100% chance of generating Energy Particles every 12/10.5/9/7.5/6 seconds.

Sacrificial Bow

As next in this list, we will suggest you go for the Sacrificial Bow, a ceremonial hunting bow that has become petrified over time, granting the wielder the power to withstand the winds of time.

This weapon has a base ATK stat of 44 - 565, plus an Energy Recharge bonus of 6.7% - 30.6%, and like all weapons in the Sacrificial Series, this also comes with the passive effect “Composed”.

Composed allows after dealing damage to an opponent with an Elemental Skill, that skill will have a 40/50/60/70/80% chance to reset its cooldown. This can only occur once every 30/26/22/19/16 seconds and is more likely to trigger if the ability hits multiple enemies.

Elegy for the End

As a third option, we will find the Elegy for the End, a 5-star bow as lovely as any bard's lyre, while its arrows are capable of piercing the heart like a lamenting sigh. This bow is part of the "Millennial Movement" that wanders amidst the winds.

The Elegy for the End comes with "The Parting Refrain", a unique effect that increases Elemental Mastery by 60/75/90/105/120, and whenever your Elemental Skills or Bursts hit opponents, your character will gain a Sigil of Remembrance.

Once you collect four of these sigils, these will be consumed and all nearby party members will obtain the "Millennial Movement: Farewell Song" effect for 12 seconds. increasing Elemental Mastery by 100/125/150/175/200 and ATK by 20/25/30/35/40%. Once this effect is activated, you won’t get any more Sigils of Remembrance for 20 seconds.

Gorou - Best Artifacts

Husk of Opulent Dreams

The best artifact set for Gorou is without a doubt the most recently added to the game as part of the 2.3 update, available within the rewards of the "Slumbering Court" domain.

The Husk of Opulent Dreams set allows you to amplify your DEF by 30% when using two pieces, while with four, the character can obtain the Curiosity effect either by hitting an enemy with a Geo attack, by obtaining a stack, or even when your character is off the field.

This effect can stack up to 4 times, with each charge increasing DEF by 6% and granting 6% Bonus Geo DMG. However, if the wearer does not gain a Curiosity stack within six seconds, the character will lose a stack.

Additionally, if you don’t have some of the artifacts in the set, you can choose to complement it with pieces of Archaic Petra, Noblesse Oblige, or Emblem Of Severed Fate, which grant a bonus of Geo DMG, Elemental DMG or Energy Recharge respectively, with two pieces equipped.

Artifact Stats

As for his statistics, these will be focused on strengthening his DEF statistics and Geo skills, as well as his Energy Recharge to use his skills more frequently and the power of his critical hits.

Main stats:

• ATK
• DEF%
• Energy Recharge
• Geo DMG Bonus

Sub stats:

• DEF%
• Flat DEF
• Energy Recharge
• CRIT DMG
• CRIT Rate

Recommended team composition

Given the abilities that allow you to improve the power and resistance of your allies, Gorou's role within the team will be more focused on being a support, however, part of his greatest potential will come from aligning him with Geo affinity characters, so you should focus on these when building it, as well as adding some good DPS to your squad.

• To begin, we suggest adding a Geo character with good potential for damage. For this, you can choose between Arataki Itto or Noelle, as they are two of the best DPS elements in the game.
• As the second piece for your team, it’s important to choose someone that allows you to sustain the potential of damage as Sub DPS, in addition to having good elemental reactions. For this, we prefer going between Albedo, Zhongli, or even the Geo Traveler.
• To finish, you can complement your party with an element that allows you to generate a good amount of energy, such as the Raiden Shogun, Beidou, Xingqiu, or in another case, fill the space with another Geo character.

And this is all we have to share with you about Gorou. Remember, this powerful warrior will be only available until 4th January 2022, along with Arataki Itto in the “Oni’s Royale” banner.

• Read more: Genshin Impact v2.3 tier list: All characters ranked from best to worst

Don't forget to check our dedicated Genshin Impact section, where you can find all the news, guides, and previews you desire, as well as our Genshin Impact Twitter account.

Featured image courtesy of miHoYo.