Yanfei: The Ultimate Pyro Catalyst Guide in Genshin Impact

Yanfei, often dubbed as Liyue's astute legal advisor, has evolved considerably since her debut in Genshin Impact.

With Sumeru and the introduction of the Dendro element, Yanfei has found new grounds to showcase her pyro power, particularly through the Burgeon reaction.

This guide aims to give both new adventurers and veteran players a comprehensive insight of Yanfei's capabilities, including builds, and team compositions.

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Yanfei Guide: Best Builds and Team Compositions

Yanfei's Talents Unveiled

Normal Attack: Seal of Approval

Yanfei's normal attack performs up to three strikes, dealing Pyro DMG to enemies.

Each hit grants Yanfei a Scarlet Seal, reducing the stamina consumption of her charged attacks and increasing their damage.

Scarlet Seals are crucial for sustaining her charged attack spam, with each seal obtained making her next charged attack more potent and AoE-focused.

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Charged Attack: Consuming Scarlet Seals

Consumes all Scarlet Seals to unleash a powerful AoE Pyro charged attack.

The more seals consumed, the larger the AoE and the higher the damage multiplier, making seal management pivotal to her gameplay.

Reduced stamina consumption per seal allows Yanfei to perform these powerful attacks more frequently without depleting her stamina reserves too quickly.

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Elemental Skill: Signed Edict

Yanfei summons blistering flames that deal AoE Pyro DMG.

Upon hitting enemies, it grants Yanfei the maximum number of Scarlet Seals and generates Pyro particles, ensuring her ability to continue her charged attack onslaught.

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Elemental Burst: Done Deal

Deals AoE Pyro DMG upon casting, granting Yanfei maximum Scarlet Seals and a Pyro DMG bonus, significantly enhancing her charged attack damage output for its duration.

This burst ability not only boosts her damage but also aids in the quick accumulation of Scarlet Seals, ensuring sustained high damage output.

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Ascension and Passive Talents

Proviso (A1)

Each Scarlet Seal consumed by Yanfei's charged attack increases her Pyro DMG Bonus by 5% per seal.

This bonus lasts for 6 seconds and is reset with each subsequent charged attack, replacing the old bonus with a new one based on the current number of seals consumed.

To maximize Pyro damage output, it's crucial to manage the timing of charged attacks to continually refresh this Pyro DMG Bonus while also ensuring Scarlet Seals are accumulated efficiently before each charged attack.

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Blazing Eye (A4)

Upon landing a critical hit with a charged attack, Yanfei deals an additional AoE Pyro DMG equal to 80% of her ATK.

This damage is considered charged attack DMG.

This talent further influences a critical hit-oriented build, as it not only amplifies her charged attack damage but also benefits from the Pyro DMG Bonus provided by Proviso.

Focusing on critical rate and damage in Yanfei's build can significantly increase her damage output, making her charged attacks devastating against groups of enemies.

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Encyclopedic Expertise (Exploration Passive)

This passive talent does not directly impact combat but is incredibly useful for resource gathering, displaying the location of Liyue-specific resources on the mini-map.

For players looking to collect regional specialties in Liyue for ascensions or commissions, this talent makes Yanfei a valuable asset outside of combat.

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Talent Priority for Yanfei

Normal Attack

‍As the foundation of her gameplay, upgrading this talent is crucial.

Since Yanfei relies on her charged attacks for the majority of her damage—and her normal attacks grant her the Scarlet Seals needed to increase those charged attacks.

Investing in this talent increases her overall damage output.

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Elemental Burst

‍Yanfei's Elemental Burst not only deals significant AoE Pyro DMG but also provides her with maximum Scarlet Seals and enhances her Pyro DMG.

Upgrading this talent increases the burst's damage and the duration of the Pyro DMG bonus, making it a powerful tool for both initiating fights and sustaining damage.

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Elemental Skill

‍While also important, Yanfei's Elemental Skill serves mainly as a mechanism for generating Scarlet Seals and dealing additional Pyro DMG.

Since its primary function is to support her charged attacks by providing seals, it should be prioritized last.

The skill's damage does increase with leveling, but not as significantly as the benefits gained from upgrading her normal attacks and Elemental Burst.

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Building Yanfei: Artifacts

Crimson Witch of Flames (4-Piece Set)

This set is designed for Pyro DPS characters like Yanfei.

It not only boosts her Pyro DMG but also icreases the damage from key elemental reactions that she frequently triggers, such as Vaporize and Melt.

The stacking effect from the 4-piece bonus synergizes well with her playstyle, enhancing her Pyro DMG Bonus significantly during combat.

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Wanderer's Troupe (4-Piece Set)

For Yanfei, who relies heavily on charged attacks, this set is incredibly beneficial.

The increased Elemental Mastery enhances the damage of elemental reactions, making this set particularly effective in reaction-focused builds.

The substantial boost to charged attack damage from the 4-piece set bonus directly complements her combat strategy.

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Main Stats Priority

Sands: ATK% or Elemental Mastery (if focusing on elemental reactions).

Goblet: Pyro DMG Bonus. This is non-negotiable as it directly increases her elemental damage, which is her primary source of DPS.

Circlet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG, depending on your current stats. Aim for a balanced CRIT Rate to CRIT DMG ratio of around 1:2.

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Sub-Stats Priority‍

CRIT Rate > CRIT DMG > ATK% > Elemental Mastery (for enhancing reaction damage) > Energy Recharge (if struggling with burst uptime).

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Optimal Weapons

Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds (5-star)

Increases CRIT Rate and grants a significant boost in movement SPD.

Its passive increases Elemental DMG, which stacks up to four times during combat.

This weapon is ideal for Yanfei as it enhances both her critical hit capability and her sustained Pyro damage, making it a top-tier choice for maximizing DPS.

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Skyward Atlas (5-star)

Offers a substantial ATK increase and increases Elemental DMG Bonus.

Its passive randomly triggers AoE attack, which is beneficial for Yanfei's role as an AoE Pyro DPS.

The ATK boost from Skyward Atlas significantly enhances her charged attacks and Elemental Burst damage.

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The Widsith (4-star)

Provides CRIT DMG increase and has a unique passive that randomly grants one of three bonuses when entering combat: increased ATK, increased Elemental DMG, or increased Elemental Mastery.

For Yanfei, who benefits greatly from all three stats, this weapon can provide a significant damage boost in bursts, making it an excellent choice for a more burst-oriented playstyle.

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Solar Pearl (4-star Battle Pass Exclusive)

Increases CRIT Rate and has a passive that boosts Yanfei's Elemental Skill and Burst damage after using a Normal Attack, and vice versa.

This complements Yanfei’s combat rhythm of alternating between normal and charged attacks and her Elemental Skill/Burst, enhancing her overall damage output.

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Frostbearer (4-star Craftable)

Increases ATK and has a passive that deals additional AoE DMG upon hitting enemies affected by Cryo, which can be useful in certain team compositions aiming to exploit Melt reactions.

While not as directly synergistic with Yanfei's kit as other options, it's a solid choice for players lacking access to premium weapons.

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Eye of Perception (4-star)

Grants ATK Bonus and has a passive that can bounce between enemies upon hitting, dealing additional ATK DMG.

This weapon enhances Yanfei's AoE capabilities, making it a good option for clearing groups of enemies.

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Yanfei in Team Compositions

Vaporize Teams

Yanfei's potential is maximized in Vaporize teams, where she can apply Pyro to enemies previously affected by Hydro to trigger the Vaporize reaction.

This reaction increases her damage significantly, making her an excellent choice for such teams.

Optimal partners for Yanfei in Vaporize compositions include:

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Hydro applicators

‍Characters like Xingqiu, Mona, or Kokomi are ideal as they provide consistent Hydro application for Yanfei to trigger Vaporize reactions.

Xingqiu is particularly effective due to his high uptime on Hydro application through his Elemental Burst.

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Supports

Bennett is a top choice for his attack buff and healing, enhancing Yanfei's damage output and sustainability.

Sucrose or Kazuha can also be included for their ability to group enemies and increase Elemental Reaction damage through their Elemental Mastery buffs.

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Melt Teams

Though less common due to the mechanics of triggering Melt with a Pyro character, Yanfei can still function well in teams designed to use the Melt reaction.

This setup usually involves a Cryo character applying Cryo to enemies for Yanfei to Melt.

However, it's less efficient than Vaporize teams due to the directional nature of Melt reactions (2x damage when Pyro applies on Cryo vs. 1.5x when Cryo applies on Pyro).

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Cryo applicators

Ganyu or Diona can serve as good Cryo partners, but keep in mind that maintaining the Cryo aura for Yanfei to Melt can be challenging.

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Overload Teams

For content where crowd control and AOE damage are beneficial, Yanfei can be part of an Overload team.

This setup strengthens the explosive Pyro-Electro reaction to deal AOE Pyro damage.

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Electro partners

Fischl, Beidou, or Lisa can provide consistent Electro application to trigger Overload with Yanfei's Pyro attacks.

Raiden Shogun is also a great option, enhancing the team's energy regeneration and adding substantial Electro DMG.

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Mono Pyro Teams

In scenarios where Pyro resonance is advantageous, Yanfei can be used in a mono Pyro composition for the increased ATK bonus.

This setup is particularly useful in domains or battles where Pyro damage is favored.

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Pyro supports

‍In addition to Bennett for his invaluable buffs, Xiangling can add off-field Pyro DMG, enhancing the team's overall damage output.

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Flex Slot: Utility and Support

Anemo Support

‍Characters like Venti, Sucrose, or Kazuha can gather enemies and spread elemental effects, increasing Yanfei's reaction potential and overall damage.

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Geo Support

Zhongli or Albedo can provide additional shields or off-field damage, respectively, supporting Yanfei's survivability and DPS uptime.

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Constellations: A Deep Dive

C1: The Law Knows No Kindness

When Yanfei uses her charged attack, each existing Scarlet Seal additionally reduces the stamina cost of this charged attack by 10% and increases her resistance against interruption.

This constellation is crucial for Yanfei's stamina management, allowing her to perform more charged attacks without depleting her stamina quickly.

It also makes her charged attack animations more reliable by reducing the chances of being interrupted.

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C2: Right of Final Interpretation

Increases Yanfei's charged attack CRIT Rate by 20% against enemies below 50% HP.

Significantly enhances Yanfei's ability to land critical hits with her charged attacks, especially when finishing off enemies.

This constellation boosts her damage output in the later stages of battles.

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C4: Supreme Amnesty

Upon using her Elemental Burst, Done Deal, Yanfei creates a shield that absorbs up to 45% of her Max HP for 15 seconds.

This shield absorbs Pyro DMG 250% more effectively.

Adds a defensive aspect to Yanfei's kit, allowing her to be more resilient in combat.

This is particularly useful in challenging content where additional protection can help sustain Yanfei's presence on the field.

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C6: Extra Clause

Increases the maximum number of Scarlet Seals by 1.

This constellation maximizes Yanfei's charged attack potential by increasing the damage multiplier and AOE radius of her charged attacks.

It also complements her C1 by further improving stamina efficiency and resistance against interruptions.

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Advanced Gameplay Tips

Scarlet Seal Optimization

Always aim to hit enemies with her Elemental Skill to instantly generate the maximum Scarlet Seals.

This not only boosts her charged attack damage but also minimizes stamina consumption.

To maintain the Pyro DMG Bonus from her Proviso passive, time your charged attacks to refresh the effect without letting it expire.

This ensures a continuous damage boost.

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Elemental Reaction Setup

For Vaporize or Melt compositions, have your Hydro or Cryo character apply their element first before Yanfei's charged attacks to maximize reaction damage.

This is crucial for maximizing DPS output in reaction-based team compositions.

In teams where Yanfei is responsible for triggering reactions, be mindful of her fast Pyro application, especially with her Ascension 4 passive.

Ensure that the elemental aura from the Hydro or Cryo character is sufficiently strong to not be immediately consumed by Yanfei's Pyro.

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Critical Hits Focus

Since Yanfei’s Ascension 4 passive, Blazing Eye, triggers additional Pyro DMG on CRIT hits, prioritizing CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG in her build can significantly increase her overall damage output.

If you have her at C2, use the increased CRIT Rate against enemies below 50% health to finish fights quickly.

This can be especially powerful in prolonged battles or boss fights.

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Burst Timing

Use her Elemental Skill right before her Burst for an immediate set of Scarlet Seals, allowing for an immediate follow-up with powerful charged attacks enhanced by her Burst’s damage bonus.

In teams where Yanfei is the primary DPS, ensure energy funneling from supports to allow her to use her Elemental Burst as often as possible.

Characters with Favonius weapons or those with high energy particle generation can help maintain her Burst uptime.

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Positioning and Movement

Yanfei’s charged attacks have significant AOE potential.

Position her to hit as many enemies as possible with each attack.

Use Anemo characters to gather enemies together for more efficient damage dealing.

Practice canceling the end lag of her charged attack animation with a quick sprint or jump.

This can significantly increase her DPS by allowing her to initiate the next charged attack sooner.

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Final Thoughts on Yanfei

Yanfei remains a versatile and powerful character in Genshin Impact's ever-evolving landscape.

Whether as a main DPS or a supportive shielder, her unique kit and playstyle offer something for every traveler.

Harnessing her full potential requires understanding her mechanics, optimizing her build, and combining her into effective team compositions.