Should You Pull For Ayaka Or Shenhe in Genshin Impact?

The first phase of the Genshin Impact 3.5 version has finally concluded, meaning travelers now have an opportunity to unlock the much-anticipated characters Kamisato Ayaka and Shenhe. If you weren't aware, Kamisato Ayaka is a 5-star Cryo Sword user and the younger sister of Kamisato Ayato. At the same time, Shenhe is also a 5-star Cryo playable character whose signature weapon is a Polearm.

However, as is tradition, players are always eager to know which character to invest in. Therefore, they are having a hard time choosing between Kamisato Ayaka and Shenhe. With that said, this article will uncover which is a more worthy character to unlock and help them make an informed decision.

Genshin Impact: Is Kamisato Ayaka Worth Pulling For?

Despite Kamisato Ayaka's reputation as the demure Shirasagi Himegimi, she is actually a great warrior and one of the strongest DPS characters in the game. Her Cryo-infused Normal and Charged Attacks and the Cryo damage from her skill and burst make her particularly effective in Freeze teams that immobilize enemies before dealing devastating damage.

Ayaka's abilities are designed to increase her damage output, so she works best as a primary damage dealer. To get the most out of her, you'll need to build a team that complements her style and empowers her to deliver devastating blows to her opponents.

Aside from her impressive damage output, Ayaka is also relatively easy to build compared to most other DPS characters. As a Cryo character, she can benefit from the Cryo Resonance bonus and the 4-set bonus from the Blizzard Strayer artifact set, which can give her up to 55% free Crit Rate. This frees up artifact farming time, as players only need to focus on acquiring Crit DMG, ATK, and Energy Recharge. Ayaka is one of the few characters in Genshin Impact who commonly boasts 80/260 Crit ratios.

But keep in mind that while Ayaka is a great asset, she is not as adaptable as some other five-star characters. For example, the Electro Polearm Archon Raiden Shogun and the Dendro Catalyst Archon Nahida are more versatile and can excel in different roles.

Overall, Kamisato Ayaka is a great Cryo DPS character in Genshin Impact who can work well as either a Main DPS or Sub-DPS. With her sprint and Cryo infusion, she can achieve close to 100% Cryo application. Additionally, she can easily fit into most Cryo-focused team compositions.

Genshin Impact: Is Shenhe Worth Pulling For?

Shenhe is a game-changer for Cryo-based lineups looking to compete with the best team compositions in Genshin Impact. Her value to these teams is unparalleled, and no other character can replicate her unique skillset at the moment. In short, if you're building a Cryo-based team, Shenhe is a must-have and definitely worth pulling.

One of Shenhe's greatest strengths is her elemental burst, which deals area-of-effect Cryo damage and creates a special Talisman Spirit field. Any foes that enter this field have their Cryo and physical resistance decreased while also regularly taking Cryo damage. Moreover, her first Ascension passive skill grants a 15% Cryo damage increase to other team members within the field.

Shenhe's fourth Ascension passive skill also grants her party members unique buffs after using her elemental skill. If the skill is pressed, it boosts elemental skill and elemental burst damage by 15% for 10 seconds. If held, it increases normal, charged, and plunging attack damage by 15% for 15 seconds.

Fortunately, Shenhe is an easy character to build, as her damage boosts scale off her total ATK, so low investment still yields results. But with her signature weapon, constellations, and top-tier artifacts, her support abilities become truly exceptional.

To build Shenhe, focus on Energy Recharge to keep her burst ready and stack ATK to maximize her damage boosts. Opt for the Noblesse Oblige set if your team doesn't already have someone using it, or use two sets that give a +18% ATK bonus. Choose a weapon like the Favonius Lance or Energy Recharge sands to increase Energy Recharge.

Ultimately, adding Shenhe to your team is a no-brainer if you already main a Cryo DPS unit. She'll take your team's performance to the next level, making battles smoother and more enjoyable. So, don't hesitate to pull for her and experience the power of Cryo in all its glory.

However, to fully enjoy the benefits of Shenhe's skillset, you'll need a team composed mostly of Cryo characters, as one of her abilities is specific to this element type. Despite this limitation, Shenhe remains a powerful support unit that can turn the tide of battle with her icy powers.