Chongyun in Genshin Impact: An In-depth Guide

Chongyun, the icy exorcist from Liyue, has long been regarded as a niche character in Genshin Impact.

Originally overshadowed by his more straightforward counterparts, recent updates have significantly enhanced his viability, making him a strong unit either as a DPS or an enabler.

This guide dives deep into the capabilities of Chongyun, exploring his kit, artifacts, weapons, and team synergies that can unleash his full potential.

Let's jump right in!

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An In-depth Guide to Chongyun: Best Builds and Team Compositions

Chongyun's Combat Kit

Normal and Charged Attacks: Frosty Strikes

Chongyun's basic attack chain consists of four slow, powerful strikes with his claymore, each delivering Cryo damage when empowered by his Elemental Skill.

Despite having lower multipliers compared to other claymore users, these attacks are essential for applying Cryo status to enemies, particularly when Chongyun's field is active.

Investing in his basic attacks is generally less prioritized unless he's part of a team composition that significantly boosts his damage output, making him more viable as a DPS.

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Elemental Skill: Spirit Blade - Chonghua's Layered Frost

Chongyun slams his claymore into the ground, dealing AoE Cryo damage and creating a frost field.

Within this field, melee weapon attacks become infused with Cryo, enhancing the potential for elemental reactions.

This skill is the cornerstone of Chongyun's kit, transforming him into a powerful enabler for Cryo-based reactions, especially Melt and Freeze.

It's particularly effective when paired with Pyro characters like Bennett for continuous Melt procs or in facilitating Freeze compositions with Hydro allies.

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Elemental Burst: Spirit Blade - Cloud-Parting Star

Summons three giant swords from the sky, each sword striking down to deal significant Cryo damage to enemies in a large area.

Beyond its impressive damage potential, Chongyun's Burst benefits greatly from its lack of Internal Cooldown (ICD), allowing each sword to independently trigger reactions like Melt.

This makes it incredibly powerful in combination with characters that apply durable Pyro effects, such as Bennett, maximizing the damage output through repeated Melt reactions.

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Ascension Passives

Gallant Journey (A1): Increases normal attack speed for allies within the frost field, slightly enhancing DPS output for fast-attacking characters.

Frozen Skies (A4): Adds a Cryo resistance shred effect when the frost field expires, amplifying Cryo damage dealt to affected enemies.

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Talent Priority

As a Sub-DPS or Enabler

For Chongyun's role as a sub-DPS or an enabler, which is arguably where he shines the most due to his unique Elemental Skill:

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Elemental Skill

‍This should be your top priority for leveling up.

The skill's ability to infuse melee attacks with Cryo within its field is invaluable for setting up elemental reactions like Freeze and Melt, which are central to Chongyun’s utility in a team.

Enhancing this talent increases the Cryo damage dealt when activating the skill and indirectly boosts the overall team's DPS by enabling more potent reactions.

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Elemental Burst

‍Next in line, Chongyun's Burst offers significant AoE Cryo damage that can trigger multiple reactions, especially useful in groups of enemies.

Upgrading this talent increases the damage output of the Burst, making it a powerful tool for clearing mobs or dealing hefty damage to bosses when timed correctly with other elemental effects for reactions.

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Normal Attack

‍As Chongyun's basic attacks are less critical for his role as an enabler or sub-DPS, this talent becomes the lowest priority for upgrades.

The primary use of his normal attacks in this role is to apply Cryo for reaction setups, which does not require high investment in talent levels unless you're leaning into a DPS build.

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As a Main DPS

If you're building Chongyun as your main DPS, the priority shifts slightly to ensure he can dish out consistent and high damage:

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Normal Attack

‍When Chongyun is your team's main source of damage, upgrading his normal attack talent becomes paramount.

Increasing this talent's level significantly boosts his damage output, making his basic and charged attacks more lethal against enemies.

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Elemental Burst

‍Still crucial for high burst damage, Chongyun's Elemental Burst remains a priority.

As a DPS, the burst's high damage and potential for reaction-based damage make it a key part of his arsenal.

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Elemental Skill

‍While still important for its utility and Cryo application, the Elemental Skill becomes slightly less of a priority in a DPS build.

It's used to set up reactions and provide additional Cryo damage, but the main damage increase comes from his normal attacks and Burst in this role.

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Artifact Recommendations

Chongyun as a Sub-DPS/Enabler

When Chongyun is used primarily for his ability to enable elemental reactions through his Elemental Skill, the focus is on maximizing his utility rather than his direct damage output.

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Noblesse Oblige (4-Piece Set)

Increases Elemental Burst DMG by 20% and provides a team-wide ATK buff of 20% for 12 seconds after using an Elemental Burst.

This set enhances Chongyun's Elemental Burst damage and benefits the entire team by boosting their ATK after he uses his Burst.

It's particularly effective in teams where Chongyun's role is to enable reactions and provide occasional bursts of damage.

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Blizzard Strayer (4-Piece Set)

Cryo DMG Bonus of 15% and increases CRIT Rate by 20% when attacking an enemy affected by Cryo.

If the enemy is Frozen, CRIT Rate is increased by an additional 20%.

This set boosts Chongyun's damage against Cryo-affected or Frozen enemies, enhancing both his role as a Cryo applicator and his damage output in teams focused on Freeze reactions.

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Chongyun as Main DPS

In a DPS build, Chongyun's artifacts should increase his damage, focusing on his ability to consistently deal high Cryo damage.

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Gladiator's Finale (4-Piece Set)

Increases ATK by 18% and, if wielding a Claymore, increases Normal Attack DMG by 35%.

This set is a solid choice for enhancing Chongyun's overall damage, especially his Normal Attacks, which are crucial when he's the main DPS.

The ATK bonus and Normal Attack DMG increase directly boost his damage output.

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Blizzard Strayer (4-Piece Set)

When Chongyun is built as a DPS, especially in a Freeze team, this set not only increases his Cryo damage but also significantly boosts his CRIT Rate against enemies affected by Cryo or Frozen, allowing for more CRIT DMG or ATK investment in other areas.

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Main Stats Priority

Sands: ATK% or Elemental Mastery (if focusing on reaction damage)

Goblet: Cryo DMG Bonus (to maximize his elemental skill and burst damage)

Circlet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG (balancing for a 1:2 ratio between CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG is ideal)

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Sub-stats Priority‍

CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK%, and Energy Recharge or Elemental Mastery depending on whether the focus is on frequent Burst usage or enhancing elemental reactions.

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Weapon Choices

For Chongyun as Main DPS

When building Chongyun as your primary damage dealer, focusing on weapons that enhance his attack power, crit stats, or increase his Cryo damage is crucial.

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Prototype Archaic (Craftable)

Increases ATK and has a chance to deal additional AoE damage upon hitting an enemy with Normal and Charged Attacks.

As a free-to-play-friendly option, Prototype Archaic offers a solid ATK boost and additional damage potential, complementing Chongyun’s DPS role by enhancing his overall damage output.

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Serpent Spine (Battle Pass)

Increases CRIT Rate and damage dealt, but also increases damage taken.

Damage dealt increases with each stack of the weapon's effect, up to a maximum.

Serpent Spine is an excellent choice for Chongyun, as the CRIT Rate increase and damage boost significantly enhance his DPS capabilities.

The weapon's passive aligns well with Chongyun's playstyle, allowing for higher damage output as long as you manage the increased damage taken.

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Skyward Pride (5-Star)

Increases Energy Recharge, with a unique effect that increases all DMG and generates vacuum blades that deal additional DMG after using an Elemental Burst.

For Chongyun mains focusing on frequent use of Elemental Burst, Skyward Pride not only boosts burst damage but also helps in energy regeneration, ensuring Chongyun can use his burst more often.

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For Chongyun as Sub-DPS/Enabler

In a supporting role, Chongyun benefits from weapons that enhance his elemental reaction capabilities or improve his utility in team compositions.

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Sacrificial Greatsword (Gacha)

Provides a chance to reset the cooldown of Chongyun’s Elemental Skill upon dealing damage with it, also offering Energy Recharge to help with his Elemental Burst uptime.

This weapon is exceptionally well-suited for Chongyun in an enabler role, allowing him to more frequently create his Cryo field and thus enhance his team's elemental reaction potential.

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Favonius Greatsword (Gacha)

CRIT hits have a chance to generate elemental orbs, providing energy for Chongyun and his teammates.

Favonius Greatsword is ideal for ensuring energy generation, allowing Chongyun to support his team by providing additional energy, helping maintain high uptime on Elemental Bursts across the team.

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Hybrid Role

If you use Chongyun flexibly as both DPS and support, a balanced weapon choice that offers a blend of damage and utility is optimal.

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The Bell (Gacha)

Increases HP and provides a damage-absorbing shield when taking damage.

While not the most popular choice, The Bell can offer Chongyun increased survivability, making it easier for him to stay in the fray and continue supporting the team or dealing damage.

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Blackcliff Slasher (Starglitter Exchange)

After defeating an enemy, ATK is increased for a period of time. This effect can stack.

This weapon can boost Chongyun's ATK significantly in situations where enemies can be quickly defeated, bridging the gap between his DPS and support roles by increasing his damage output in successive battles.

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Optimal Team Synergies

Chongyun in Melt Compositions

Chongyun excels in teams that capitalize on the Melt reaction, which requires Cryo and Pyro elements.

• Chongyun (Cryo Enabler/DPS): Provides Cryo application through his Elemental Skill, setting up Melt reactions.
• Bennett (Pyro Support/DPS): His Elemental Burst applies Pyro to enemies, enabling consistent Melt reactions with Chongyun's Cryo infusion. Bennett also offers healing and an ATK buff, enhancing the team's survivability and damage output.
• Xiangling (Pyro Sub-DPS): Generates additional Pyro applications with her abilities, ensuring that the field is always ready for Melt reactions. Her Pyronado, in particular, can deal massive damage when combined with Chongyun's Cryo.
• Sucrose or Venti (Anemo CC/Support): An Anemo character with the Viridescent Venerer artifact set can reduce Cryo and Pyro resistances of enemies, increasing the damage of Melt reactions initiated by Chongyun and his Pyro teammates.

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Chongyun in Freeze Compositions

Freeze teams benefit from Chongyun’s ability to apply Cryo, locking down enemies and setting up for shatter damage.

• Chongyun (Cryo Enabler/DPS): Initiates Freeze reactions with his Cryo infusion.
• Xingqiu (Hydro Sub-DPS): His Rain Swords consistently apply Hydro, pairing perfectly with Chongyun to maintain the Freeze status on enemies. Xingqiu's damage reduction and healing further bolster team survivability.
• Mona (Hydro Support/DPS): An alternative to Xingqiu, Mona can apply Hydro with more burst potential and offers a significant damage increase with her Elemental Burst’s Omen debuff.
• Kazuha or Jean (Anemo Support): Provides crowd control, elemental resistance shredding with Viridescent Venerer, and additional utility through healing (Jean) or elemental DMG bonus (Kazuha).

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Chongyun as Main DPS in Shatter Teams

While less common, Chongyun can be built as the main DPS in teams focused on exploiting the Shatter reaction for additional physical damage against Frozen enemies.

• Chongyun (Main DPS): His Elemental Skill provides the Cryo application necessary for Freeze and subsequent Shatter reactions.
• Diona (Cryo Support): Offers shields and healing while contributing to Cryo resonance for increased CRIT Rate against Cryo-affected enemies. Diona's Elemental Burst can also help in maintaining the Freeze status.
• Beidou or Fischl (Electro Sub-DPS): Provides consistent off-field Electro damage, contributing to Superconduct reactions that reduce enemy Physical RES, further enhancing Chongyun's Shatter damage.
• Anemo Support (Sucrose, Kazuha, or Venti): Uses the Viridescent Venerer set to reduce enemy resistances and group enemies together, increasing the efficiency of Chongyun's AoE Cryo attacks and facilitating reaction setups.

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Constellation Details

Constellation 1: Ice Unleashed

Adds 3 ice blades to the final attack of Chongyun's Normal Attack combo, each dealing 50% of his ATK as Cryo DMG.

This constellation boosts Chongyun's AoE Cryo damage capability, making his Normal Attack sequence stronger and beneficial for teams relying on Cryo application for reactions.

It's particularly useful in increasing his DPS output when he's used in a carry role.

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Constellation 2: Atmospheric Revolution

Reduces the cooldown of Elemental Skills and Bursts used within Chongyun's Frost Field by 15%.

A crucial upgrade for teams that rely on quick rotation of abilities.

This constellation enhances Chongyun's role as an enabler, allowing teammates to use their Elemental Skills and Bursts more frequently, thereby increasing the team's overall damage output and utility.

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Constellation 4: Frozen Skies

Chongyun regenerates 1 Energy every time he hits an enemy affected by Cold or Frozen status, occurring once every 2 seconds.

Enhances Chongyun's energy regeneration, ensuring more frequent use of his Elemental Burst.

This constellation is particularly beneficial in Freeze compositions, where Chongyun can consistently apply Cryo to keep enemies Frozen, thereby maintaining his energy supply.

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Constellation 6: Rally of Four Blades

Spirit Blade - Cloud-parting Star deals 15% more DMG to enemies with lower HP than Chongyun and summons an additional spirit blade.

Significantly increases the damage potential of Chongyun's Elemental Burst, particularly against weakened enemies.

This constellation solidifies Chongyun's position as a powerful burst DPS, capable of finishing off opponents or dealing massive damage in critical moments.

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Advanced Tips

Maximizing Cryo Infusion Efficiency

Chongyun’s Elemental Skill, Spirit Blade - Chonghua's Layered Frost, infuses melee attacks within its field with Cryo.

Positioning is key; ensure melee fighters are within the field to benefit from Cryo infusion, crucial for setting up Freeze or Melt reactions.

Sync Chongyun's skill with your team's attack patterns.

For Freeze compositions, deploy his skill right before Hydro applications to ensure continuous Freezing.

In Melt teams, align with Pyro applications to maximize Melt damage.

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Elemental Burst Synergy

Chongyun’s Elemental Burst, Spirit Blade - Cloud-parting Star, is stronger when paired with Pyro for Melt reactions.

Use it after applying Pyro, like Bennett’s burst, to deal amplified damage.

Understanding elemental reaction mechanics, particularly how Pyro and Cryo interact, can significantly increase output during these bursts.

While Chongyun's Burst has a low energy cost, ensuring he has enough Energy Recharge to consistently use his Burst when it's off cooldown is crucial, especially in fast-paced combat situations or domains where quick clears are necessary.

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Advanced Combat Strategies

In teams where Chongyun acts as a main DPS in Freeze compositions, consider the Shatter mechanic.

While Freeze teams typically avoid Shatter to maintain crowd control, Chongyun’s ability to consistently apply Cryo with Claymore swings can exploit Shatter for additional damage, especially with high Elemental Mastery.

When using Chongyun in a Freeze comp, particularly with Hydro supports like Xingqiu or Mona, balancing Freeze and Shatter can maximize both crowd control and damage output.

Strategic switching and timing of Chongyun's attacks can maintain enemy lockdown while still exploiting Shatter’s damage bonus.

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Final Thoughts on Chongyun

Chongyun's journey from an underplayed character to a decent enabler and DPS in Genshin Impact is a testament to the evolving nature of the game's meta.

With the right artifacts, weapons, and team compositions, Chongyun can be a powerhouse, offering flexibility and strength in various combat scenarios.

Whether freezing enemies in place or setting up devastating Melt reactions, Chongyun's updated guide ensures you can make the most of this cool exorcist's power.