A Comprehensive Guide to Candace in Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact's version 3.1 introduced Candace, a character bringing unique mechanics to the battlefield.

Despite the current roster not offering optimal teammates for her, Candace's novel abilities provide a fresh and entertaining gameplay experience.

This article dives into the best ways to use Candace, including her gameplay mechanics, support and DPS builds, and team composition strategies.

Let's jump right in!

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A Comprehensive Guide to Candace: Best Builds and Team Compositions

Understanding Candace's Abilities

Elemental Skill: Sacred Rite - Heron's Sanctum

Tap‍

Candace rushes forward with her shield, dealing Hydro damage to opponents in front of her.

This move can be used for quick engagements or to apply Hydro for elemental reactions.

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Hold‍

Raises her shield to block attacks, creating a barrier that absorbs damage based on her Max HP and is 250% more effective against Hydro damage.

Upon release, or when the barrier's duration ends, Candace performs a leaping strike that deals Hydro damage.

This skill's defensive capability allows Candace to protect herself and her teammates while preparing for a counterattack.

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Elemental Burst: Sacred Rite - Wagtail's Tide

Candace's Elemental Burst showcases her support capabilities. Upon activation, she deals AoE Hydro damage and bestows the Prayer of the Crimson Crown on the active character, which has the following effects:

• Characters deal increased Elemental Damage with their Normal Attacks, enhancing the team's overall damage output.
• Swapping characters triggers a wave of water that deals Hydro damage to nearby opponents, limited to a certain number of activations. This ability can seamlessly integrate into swap-based combat strategies, providing consistent Hydro application and damage.
• Sword, Claymore, and Polearm-wielding characters under this effect receive Hydro Infusion on their attacks, further amplifying their ability to trigger Hydro-related elemental reactions.

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Passive Talents

Aegis of Crossed Arrows (A1)

Aegis of Crossed Arrows provides a strategic advantage by allowing Candace's Elemental Skill, Sacred Rite: Heron's Sanctum, to finish charging instantly if she is hit during its Hold duration.

This passive encourages active and strategic positioning in combat, enabling Candace to quickly counterattack with a fully charged skill upon receiving damage.

It enhances her survivability and damage output by ensuring that her defensive maneuvers can transition seamlessly into offensive actions, making her an effective frontline support that can adapt to dynamic combat situations.

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Celestial Dome of Sand (A4)

Celestial Dome of Sand significantly boosts the team's damage output under specific conditions.

Characters affected by the Prayer of the Crimson Crown from Candace's Elemental Burst, Sacred Rite: Wagtail's Tide, gain a damage increase for their Elemental DMG dealt with Normal Attacks.

This increase is 0.5% for every 1,000 points of Candace's Max HP.

This passive skill emphasizes the importance of building Candace with a high HP pool, not just for the sake of her survivability and the effectiveness of her shield but also to enhance her role as a support character by directly increasing the team's overall damage potential through her Elemental Burst.

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To Dawn's First Light (Exploration Passive)

To Dawn's First Light offers a non-combat utility that decreases climbing Stamina consumption for your own party members by 20%.

While not directly influencing combat, this passive talent is beneficial for exploration, allowing you to navigate Teyvat's terrain more efficiently.

It's important to note that this effect is not stackable with other Passive Talents that provide the same benefits, ensuring that the advantage remains balanced.

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Talent Priority for Support Builds

If you're using Candace primarily as a support character, the talent priority should focus on maximizing her utility and the benefits she provides to her team:

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Elemental Burst

‍Prioritize this talent to increase the effectiveness of the Prayer of the Crimson Crown, boosting the Elemental DMG of your team's normal attacks and enhancing Hydro application.

This is particularly beneficial in elemental reaction-focused teams.

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Elemental Skill

‍Next, focus on her Elemental Skill to improve her defensive capabilities and Hydro application.

A stronger shield and higher Hydro DMG can significantly contribute to both survivability and setting up elemental reactions.

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Normal Attack

‍This is the lowest priority for support builds, as Candace's role will primarily involve using her Elemental Skill and Burst for team utility rather than direct damage.

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Talent Priority for DPS or Hybrid Builds

If opting for a DPS or hybrid role, where Candace is expected to contribute significantly to the team's damage output, the talent priority shifts:

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Elemental Burst

‍Even for DPS builds, her Elemental Burst remains a top priority due to the Elemental DMG bonus and Hydro infusion it provides, enhancing both her damage and that of her teammates.

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Normal Attack

‍Elevate the priority of her Normal Attack talent to increase her direct damage output.

This is especially relevant if Candace spends a considerable amount of time on the field performing attacks.

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Elemental Skill

‍While still important for its utility and Hydro application, it becomes slightly less critical in DPS-focused builds compared to her Burst and Normal Attacks.

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Building Candace's Artifacts

Support/Hydro Applicator Build

For a support or Hydro applicator build, the focus is on enhancing Candace's ability to apply Hydro, boost team damage, and use her Elemental Burst effectively.

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Artifact Sets

Noblesse Oblige (4-piece set)

‍Increases Elemental Burst DMG by 20% and provides all party members with a 20% ATK increase for 12s after using an Elemental Burst.

This set synergizes well with Candace's role in boosting team damage through her Elemental Burst.

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Tenacity of the Millelith (4-piece set)

‍Increases HP by 20% and, when an Elemental Skill hits an opponent, increases ATK of all nearby party members by 20% and their Shield Strength by 30% for 3s.

This set can enhance Candace's support capabilities, especially if her Elemental Skill is used frequently.

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Emblem of Severed Fate (2-piece set) + Noblesse Oblige (2-piece set)

‍This combination provides a balance between Energy Recharge and Elemental Burst DMG, suitable for ensuring Candace can use her Elemental Burst frequently while also benefiting from the increased damage.

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Main Stats Priority

Sands: HP% or Energy Recharge (ER). HP% increases her shield strength and the healing from her passive, while ER ensures more frequent use of her Elemental Burst.

Goblet: HP% to leverage her HP scaling on abilities, enhancing both her damage and shield capabilities.

Circlet: HP% or Crit Rate/Crit DMG (if focusing on increasing her Burst damage output). However, HP% is generally preferred to maximize her utility.

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Sub Stats Priority

Focus on HP%, Energy Recharge, Crit Rate, and Crit DMG, prioritizing HP% and ER to ensure her supportive abilities are maximized.

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DPS Build

While not the primary role for Candace, a DPS build focuses on maximizing her damage output, particularly through her Normal and Charged Attacks.

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Artifact Sets

Heart of Depth (4-piece set)

‍Increases Hydro DMG by 15% and after using an Elemental Skill, increases Normal Attack and Charged Attack DMG by 30% for 15s.

This set boosts Candace's Hydro damage, making her more effective in a DPS role.

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Gladiator's Finale (4-piece set)

‍Increases ATK by 18% and, if the wielder of this artifact set uses a sword, claymore, or polearm, increases their Normal Attack DMG by 35%.

While Candace benefits less from the ATK bonus due to her HP scaling, the increase to Normal Attack DMG is beneficial for a DPS approach.

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Main Stats Priority

Sands: ATK% or Energy Recharge. ATK% increases overall damage, while ER helps maintain Elemental Burst uptime.

Goblet: Hydro DMG Bonus to enhance her Hydro-related damage output.

Circlet: Crit Rate or Crit DMG, depending on what is needed to balance her Crit stats for optimal damage.

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Sub Stats Priority

Prioritize Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, and Energy Recharge, aiming for a balance that maximizes DPS while ensuring sufficient energy for Elemental Burst usage.

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Hybrid Build

For a hybrid role that balances support capabilities with DPS potential, adjust artifact choices to include a mix of the recommended stats and sets above, adjusting the build to the specific needs of your team composition and playstyle.

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Weapon Options

Support/Hydro Applicator Role

For a support or Hydro applicator build, the focus is on enhancing Candace's Elemental Burst frequency, shield strength, and overall utility.

Weapons that provide HP, Energy Recharge, or enhance her support capabilities are ideal.

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Favonius Lance (4-Star)

Offers Energy Recharge, which helps Candace achieve higher uptime on her Elemental Burst.

The weapon's passive ability generates elemental particles on CRIT hits, further aiding in energy regeneration for the whole team.

This weapon is a top choice for a support build focused on enabling frequent use of her Elemental Burst.

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Prototype Starglitter (4-Star)‍

This polearm increases Energy Recharge, which is crucial for maintaining Candace's Elemental Burst availability.

Its passive increases Elemental Skill DMG and Elemental Skill CRIT Rate, indirectly boosting Candace's support capability by enhancing the Hydro application and damage from her skill.

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Black Tassel (3-Star)

Uniquely, this weapon boosts HP by a significant margin, enhancing the effectiveness of Candace's HP-scaling abilities, including her shield and the Hydro DMG of her Elemental Skill and Burst.

While it lacks the Energy Recharge of the other options, it's a solid choice for maximizing her utility and durability in prolonged battles.

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DPS Role

When building Candace for a more DPS-oriented role, weapons that increase her Hydro damage, attack power, or provide DPS-related passives are more suitable.

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Staff of Homa (5-Star)

Although primarily a DPS weapon, Staff of Homa is an excellent choice for Candace due to its HP% sub-stat, which benefits her HP-scaling abilities, and its CRIT DMG increase.

Its passive boosts HP and provides an ATK bonus based on Max HP when HP is below or above certain thresholds, making it a powerful option for a hybrid DPS/support Candace build.

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Skyward Spine (5-Star)

Provides Energy Recharge, increasing the frequency of Candace's Elemental Burst.

Its passive increases CRIT Rate and Normal ATK SPD, also generating an additional attack that deals AoE DMG, enhancing her overall DPS capability.

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Wavebreaker's Fin (4-Star)

A good 4-star option that boosts HP and improves Elemental Burst DMG.

This weapon's passive can also increase ATK based on Max HP, aligning well with Candace's HP-scaling abilities and supporting a hybrid DPS approach.

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Hybrid Role

If you're looking to use Candace in a hybrid role that balances support and DPS qualities, selecting a weapon that offers a balance of HP, Energy Recharge, and offensive capabilities is key.

Favonius Lance and Prototype Starglitter: Remain strong choices for their balance of Energy Recharge and support to either Elemental Skill or Burst frequency.

Wavebreaker's Fin: Can also serve well in a hybrid role, offering a mix of HP scaling and ATK boosting capabilities that support both her DPS and support functionalities.

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Team Compositions with Candace

Freeze Composition

• Candace (Hydro Support)
• Ganyu/Ayaka (Cryo DPS): Main DPS whose Cryo attacks, when combined with Candace's Hydro application, can consistently freeze enemies, controlling the battlefield and boosting damage through Cryo resonance.
• Venti/Sucrose (Anemo Support): Provides crowd control and Swirl reactions, further increasing elemental damage with the Viridescent Venerer set.
• Diona/Bennett (Healer/Support): Diona can offer additional Cryo for resonance and shield support, while Bennett provides healing and an ATK buff. Both enhance the team's survivability and damage potential.

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Vaporize Composition

• Candace (Hydro Enabler)
• Hu Tao/Xiangling (Pyro DPS): Acts as the main DPS. Candace's Hydro application sets up for powerful Vaporize reactions, significantly boosting the Pyro character's damage output.
• Zhongli (Geo Support): Provides shields for damage mitigation, allowing the DPS characters to stay in the fray longer. His petrification effect can also enhance team survivability.
• Xingqiu/Bennett (Hydro/Pyro Support): Xingqiu can add additional Hydro for more consistent Vaporize reactions or healing, while Bennett offers an ATK boost and healing, further enhancing DPS and team resilience.

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Electro-Charged Composition

• Candace (Hydro Support)
• Raiden Shogun/Fischl (Electro Sub-DPS): Serves as a sub-DPS, enhancing Electro-Charged reactions with Candace's Hydro, leading to continuous AoE Electro damage.
• Kazuha/Sucrose (Anemo Support): Amplifies elemental reactions and groups enemies together for more efficient damage application.
• Bennett (Healer/Support): Provides healing and an ATK boost, supporting the main and sub-DPS characters in maintaining high damage output.

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Hyperbloom or Dendro-Based Composition

• Candace (Hydro Support)
• Tighnari/Collei (Dendro DPS): Main DPS that initiates Dendro reactions. Candace can set up Bloom reactions with her Hydro, which can be further exploited for Hyperbloom when combined with Electro characters.
• Fischl/Beidou (Electro Sub-DPS): Triggers Hyperbloom reactions with Dendro cores created by Candace's Hydro and the Dendro character's attacks.
• Kazuha/Sucrose (Anemo Support): Enhances reaction damage and groups enemies, maximizing the efficiency of Bloom and Hyperbloom reactions.

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Candace's Constellation

Constellation 1: Returning Heiress of the Scarlet Sands

Extends the duration of the Prayer of the Crimson Crown effect from her Elemental Burst by 3 seconds.

This constellation increases the uptime of the damage bonus and Hydro infusion provided by her Burst, allowing for more consistent application of Hydro and increased damage over a longer period.

It's especially beneficial in teams that rely heavily on normal attacks infused with Hydro for elemental reactions.

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Constellation 2: Moon-Piercing Brilliance

When her Elemental Skill hits opponents, Candace's Max HP is increased by 20% for 15 seconds.

This boost in HP not only strengthens her survivability but also enhances the effectiveness of her abilities that scale with Max HP, including the damage and shielding capability of her Elemental Skill and the AoE Hydro DMG from her Burst.

It's particularly useful in ensuring Candace can maintain front-line presence and support her team more effectively.

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Constellation 4: Sentinel Oath

Equalizes the cooldown of her Elemental Skill's Hold and Tap versions.

This greatly enhances Candace's flexibility in combat, allowing her to use her shield and counterattack mechanic more frequently.

It ensures that she can adapt to various combat situations, providing Hydro application or defensive support as needed without being hindered by longer cooldowns.

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Constellation 6: The Overflow

Allows characters (excluding Candace) affected by the Prayer of the Crimson Crown to unleash a wave of AoE Hydro DMG equal to 15% of Candace's Max HP with their normal attacks, triggering once every 2.3 seconds.

This damage is considered Elemental Burst DMG.

This constellation transforms Candace into a powerful support for elemental reaction-based teams, notably enhancing her ability to contribute to the team's Hydro application and damage output passively.

It's particularly potent in compositions focusing on reactions like Freeze, Vaporize, or Electro-Charged, where consistent Hydro application is crucial.

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Candace's Role and Potential

Hydro Support and Elemental Reaction Enabler

Candace's primary role is to serve as a Hydro support, using her Elemental Skill and Burst to apply Hydro to enemies consistently.

This makes her an invaluable asset in compositions focused on triggering elemental reactions, where she can set up reactions for DPS characters to exploit.

• Freeze Teams: Candace can constantly apply Hydro, enabling Cryo DPS characters to freeze enemies. This control mechanism is crucial for high-level content where crowd control can make or break a battle.
• Vaporize Teams: With her ability to apply Hydro, she sets the stage for Pyro characters to trigger Vaporize reactions, significantly boosting the damage output.
• Electro-Charged Teams: In teams focusing on Electro-Charged reactions, Candace's Hydro application synergizes with Electro characters to deal continuous AoE damage.

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Tank and Damage Mitigation

Her Elemental Skill, especially when held, creates a shield that absorbs damage, making Candace an effective tank.

This ability to mitigate incoming damage is particularly useful in challenging content where survivability is key.

By strategically timing the use of her shield, Candace can protect herself and her teammates, reducing the need for healing and allowing for more aggressive playstyles.

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DPS Potential

While not her primary role, Candace has the potential to contribute to the team's DPS, especially when built with a focus on HP to enhance the damage scaling of her abilities.

Her normal and charged attacks, albeit not as fast as some other characters, can still deal significant damage, especially when enhanced by her Elemental Burst, which adds a Hydro DMG bonus to normal attacks.

In setups where Candace is used as a DPS, her performance is further amplified when paired with characters and artifacts that boost Hydro damage or overall attack power.

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Utility and Flexibility

Candace's passive talents and constellations add layers of utility that can benefit the team.

For example, her ability to reduce stamina consumption when climbing can be a small but handy bonus during exploration.

Her constellations unlock further enhancements to her skills, increasing her support capabilities, and making her even more versatile.

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Final Thoughts on Candace

Candace's introduction to Genshin Impact offers a character with unique and versatile abilities.

While her full potential may unlock with future character releases, Candace already adds an intriguing dynamic to team compositions.

Whether as a Hydro applicator, elemental buffer, or support, Candace encourages to experiment with creative and personalized team builds.

As the game evolves, it will be exciting to see how Candace's role in teams expands, possibly making her a staple in new and innovative strategies.