Yelan in Genshin Impact? Yeah, she’s that Hydro powerhouse who can make your team feel like a well-oiled machine—or a disaster waiting to happen, depending on how you build her. But if you nail the right setup, she’s an absolute game-changer. Seriously, she’ll change your whole game. I swear, I used to think my damage-dealing teams were pretty solid until Yelan showed up and, well, let’s just say I was like “oh, that’s how you really deal damage.”
Anyway, let’s dive into her build, team combos, weapons, and some tips I picked up (and some I learned the hard way). Trust me—you’re gonna want to have Yelan on your squad after reading this.
Who is Yelan?
Yelan is the mysterious 5-star Hydro bow-wielding agent from Liyue who just exudes that cool, confident vibe. I mean, if I had a nickel for every time I’ve seen her walk into a cutscene with that smug little smirk… But jokes aside, her kit makes her a must-have for those looking to maximize both sub-DPS and support roles.
She made her debut in the 2.7 update of Genshin Impact, and from the get-go, she’s had the ability to tear through enemies with her burst damage while supporting her team. In short, she’s a rock star. I guess I should stop fan-girling and tell you how to actually build her, huh?
Yelan’s Abilities—Let’s Break It Down
Before you even think about loading her up with the best artifacts and gear, let’s talk about Yelan’s abilities. You gotta know what she brings to the table first, right? Trust me, this is where it all starts.
Elemental Skill – Lingering Lifeline
Yelan’s Elemental Skill (Lingering Lifeline) is what I like to call her “get out of dodge” move. It lets her dash forward while leaving behind a trail of Hydro damage. You can even use this to get around the battlefield faster. (Side note: I’ve accidentally dashed into cliffs more times than I care to admit. Whoops.) It’s a great way to tag multiple enemies, ensuring that you’ll get those sweet elemental reactions.
- Cooldown: 20 seconds (which feels like forever when you’re waiting to trigger a reaction—sigh).
- Damage Type: Hydro. Duh.
- Special Perks: It can trigger elemental reactions, so get creative!
Elemental Burst – Depth-Clarion Dice
Now, let’s talk about Yelan’s Elemental Burst (Depth-Clarion Dice). This is where things get spicy. When activated, Yelan sends out a die that deals huge Hydro damage to enemies. This burst also scales based on her max HP, so you’re gonna want to make sure her HP is looking healthy (trust me, learned that the hard way). The best part? It buffs your team’s damage in a pretty wide radius, making her an ideal support character.
- Cooldown: 18 seconds (so yeah, not exactly a “throw it every second” kind of move).
- Damage Type: Hydro (again, can you tell she’s all about Hydro?).
- Bonus Effect: Damage boost for your teammates.
Passive Talent – Turn Control
Her passive talent, Turn Control, reduces the cooldown of her Elemental Burst when she uses her Skill. More burst, more frequently? Yes, please. Also, it means you can trigger that extra damage buff more often, so you get even more bang for your buck.
The Perfect Yelan Build
You’ve got the basics down, but now let’s talk about the real fun stuff: the build. And no, I’m not just talking about slapping on a random artifact set and calling it a day. I’m talking about maximizing her potential, making her the damage machine she was born to be.
Main Stats: The Essentials
Yelan isn’t messing around with mediocre builds. To truly bring out her potential, focus on the following stats:
- Attack (ATK): This one’s obvious, but you’ll need a hefty attack stat if you want those big numbers flying across the screen. No weak sauce here.
- HP: Remember, her Elemental Burst scales with HP. So yeah, you’ll want her to have a lot of it.
- Crit Rate & Crit Damage: Gotta love a good crit. And Yelan’s not just gonna be a regular old support; she’ll deal damage if you let her.
Sub-Stats That Are Non-Negotiable
Look, some sub-stats are pretty self-explanatory, but when it comes to Yelan, you want these in your sights:
- Crit Rate (duh)
- Crit Damage (double duh)
- Attack Percentage (ATK%)
- HP Percentage (HP%)
- Energy Recharge (this helps keep her Elemental Burst rolling fast)
The Best Artifacts for Yelan
Here’s where I really need to make a decision: do I go for full damage or do I go for the “oh look, I’m supporting but secretly slapping you with all the damage” route? This is where the artifact sets come in. There are a few options, but here’s my favorite.
- Shimenawa’s Reminiscence (4-piece)
This one is chef’s kiss for Yelan. It boosts her overall damage output by increasing attack. This is great for her Elemental Burst, which you’ll use all the time. It’s kind of like when you find the perfect fit for a jacket—just works. - Heart of Depth (2-piece) + Noblesse Oblige (2-piece)
Now this one’s a nice mix: you get Hydro damage bonus and a boost to Elemental Burst damage. It’s all about finding the balance between her burst and her Hydro tag team partner.
Best Weapons for Yelan
Alright, here’s where it gets juicy. Yelan’s weapons can make or break her potential. So, let’s talk top-tier choices:
- Aqua Simulacra (5-star)
If you’re lucky enough to pull this, congratulations. It’s perfect for Yelan. It increases Crit Damage and gives her an extra damage boost when enemies are near. It’s like a giant “I’m about to mess you up” sign. - The Viridescent Hunt (4-star)
This one boosts Crit Rate, plus it gives you an elemental mastery increase. Translation? More reactions. More damage. Yelan + Electro = goodbye enemies. - Favonius Warbow (4-star)
If you’re not swimming in 5-star weapons, no worries. This one helps with energy generation, which is a big deal since Yelan’s burst has a bit of a cooldown.
Yelan’s Best Team Compositions
Okay, so we’ve got her build ready, but what about her teammates? Yelan’s all about triggering reactions, so you need characters who can help her out.
1. Vaporize Team: Yelan + Xiangling + Bennett + Xingqiu
- Xiangling: Pyro + Yelan’s Hydro = Vaporize. Simple math.
- Bennett: Healing and boosting attack—always a good time.
- Xingqiu: More Hydro. Makes things way easier to trigger Vaporize.
This team’s got synergy, my friends. You’ll watch those Vaporize reactions go off like fireworks.
2. Electro-Charged Team: Yelan + Fischl + Beidou + Sucrose
- Fischl: Sets up Electro damage and makes Electro-Charged happen.
- Beidou: Extra Electro. Plus, she can shield.
- Sucrose: Swirls Hydro and Electro to boost everything.
This one’s all about Electro-Charged damage—perfect for annoying the heck out of enemies.
3. Freeze Team: Yelan + Ganyu + Kaeya + Diona
- Ganyu: Cryo damage. Freeze ensues.
- Kaeya: Extra Cryo. More Freeze.
- Diona: Shields and heals. Plus, some Cryo damage.
Freeze is a classic. And with Yelan and these Cryo bros? Enemies won’t know what hit ’em.
Tips for Playing Yelan (and Not Messing Up)
Look, I get it. You want to play Yelan like a pro, but let’s be real: it takes practice. Here are some quick tips I wish I knew sooner.
- Timing her burst is key. Don’t just spam it. Use it when you know you’ll hit multiple enemies or when your team’s ready to deal big damage.
- Focus on Energy Recharge. The more burst, the better. You’ll thank me later when your cooldowns are reduced.
- Yelan’s Elemental Skill is a lifesaver. Use it for movement and to tag enemies for more damage. Just… don’t dash off a cliff like I did once. (It’s embarrassing, honestly.)
Final Thoughts
Yelan’s not just some average 5-star character. She’s got the potential to change your entire approach to team composition. Whether you’re focusing on damage, support, or setting up reactions, she’s versatile enough to work with a ton of different setups. Get her build right, pair her with the right team, and you’ll be unstoppable.
Oh, and remember: Yelan’s like that one friend who always knows the best way to beat a boss—except she actually gets it done. Fast.
