Kaeya Rating and Best Builds

Kaeya is a 4-Star Cryo Sword character in Genshin Impact. He is one of the starter units alongside Lisa and Amber. See his best weapons and artifacts, ascension materials, and our rating of this character in this guide!

Kaeya Rating and Info

Character Information

Kaeya
Rating
Rarity	★★★★
Element	Cryo
Weapon	Sword
Voice Actors	EN Voice Actor: Josey Montana McCoy JP Voice Actor: Toriumi Kohsuke

Tier List Rankings

Main DPS	Sub-DPS	Support	Exploration
-		-

Character Tier List | Best Characters

Kaeya's Stats

Kaeya's Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths
• Kaeya's short cooldowns and energy requirements allow for easy building of a reliable party member. • Capable of functioning as both a decent Cryo and Physical DPS due to his scalings. • Good off-field Cryo applications allow Kaeya to have seamless transitions in most teams.
Weaknesses
• Elemental Skill and Burst has a small area of effect, favoring a Melee DPS unit if it is not Kaeya. • Kaeya's Constellations are more rare than most 4-stars.

Best Builds for Kaeya

Kaeya DPS Builds

Cryo Main DPS

Best Weapon	Mistsplitter Reforged
Replacement Weapons	1. Primordial Jade Cutter 2. Wolf-Fang 3. The Black Sword
Best Artifacts	Blizzard Strayer x4
Main Stats	Sands: ATK%
	Goblet: Cryo DMG Bonus
	Circlet: Crit DMG
Substats	Crit DMG, ATK%, CRIT Rate

This Main DPS Build for Kaeya enhances his Cryo DMG output. It's especially good when Chongyun is in the party to infuse Kaeya's Normal Attacks into Cryo DMG!

Freeze Team

Best Weapon	Mistsplitter Reforged
Replacement Weapons	1. Primordial Jade Cutter 2. Favonius Sword 3. Fleuve Cendre Ferryman
Best Artifacts	Blizzard Strayer x4
Main Stats	Sands: ATK%
	Goblet: Cryo DMG Bonus
	Circlet: CRIT DMG
Substats	ATK%, CRIT DMG, CRIT Rate

This Kaeya Freeze Team build has him as the secondary Cryo applicator in the team. He also functions as the unit who feeds Elemental Particles to the Cryo Main DPS.

Kaeya Support Builds

Physical Support

Best Weapon	Skyward Blade
Replacement Weapons	1. Favonius Sword 2. Fleuve Cendre Ferryman 3. Sacrificial Sword
Best Artifacts	Blizzard Strayer x2 Noblesse Oblige x2
Main Stats	Sands: ATK% or Energy Recharge
	Goblet: Cryo DMG Bonus
	Circlet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG
Substats	Energy Recharge, ATK%, CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG

Kaeya's Sub-DPS build for Physical teams requires him to use his Elemental Burst to apply constant Cryo on enemies to trigger the Superconduct Elemental Reaction.

Kaeya Talent Priority

	Main DPS	Sub-DPS
1st	Normal Attack	Elemental Burst
2nd	Elemental Skill	Elemental Skill
3rd	Elemental Burst	Normal Attack

Depending on Kaeya's Role, you will want to prioritize leveling his Normal Attacks or Elemental Burst, with his Elemental Skill next on the list.

Best Artifacts for Kaeya

Best Artifacts Ranked

	Artifact	Artifact Bonuses
1st	Blizzard Strayer	2-PC: Cryo DMG Bonus +15% 4-PC: When a character attacks an enemy affected by Cryo, their CRIT Rate is increased by 20%. If the enemy is Frozen, CRIT Rate is increased by an additional 20%.
2nd	Blizzard Strayer	2-PC: Cryo DMG Bonus +15%
	Noblesse Oblige	2-PC: Elemental Burst DMG +20%
3rd	Noblesse Oblige	2-PC: Elemental Burst DMG +20%. 4-PC: Using an Elemental Burst increases all party members' ATK by 20% for 12s. This effect cannot stack.

Best 4-Star Artifact for Kaeya

Artifact	Artifact Bonuses
The Exile	2-PC: Energy Recharge +20% 4-PC: Using an Elemental Burst regenerates 2 Energy for all party members (excluding the wearer) every 2s for 6s. This effect cannot stack.

List of Artifacts and Set Bonuses

Kaeya Best Weapons

Top 3 Kaeya Weapons

	Weapon	Weapon Information
1st	Mistsplitter Reforged	Base ATK: 674 Bonus Stat: CRIT DMG 44.1% Skill Effect: Gain a 12% Elemental DMG Bonus for a character's Elemental Type. At stacks 1/2/3, Elemental DMG is further increased by 8/16/28%. Each stack has an individual duration and are gotten through: • Normal Attacks with Elemental DMG (duration 5s) • Casting an Elemental Burst (duration 10s) • Having less than 100% Energy (disappears at full Energy)
2nd	Primordial Jade Cutter	Base ATK: 542 Bonus Stat: CRIT Rate 44.1% Skill Effect: HP increased by 20%. Additionally, provides an ATK Bonus based on 1.2% of the wielder’s Max HP.
3rd	Favonius Sword	Base ATK: 454 Bonus Stat: Energy Recharge 61.3% Skill Effect: CRIT Hits have a 60% chance to generate a small amount of Elemental Particles, which will regenerate 6 Energy for the character. Can only occur once every 12s.

Best Free-to-Play Weapon for Kaeya

Weapon	Weapon Information
Fleuve Cendre Ferryman	Base ATK: 510 Bonus Stat: Energy Recharge 45.9% Skill Effect: Increases Elemental Skill CRIT Rate by 8%. Additionally, increases Energy Recharge by 16% for 5s after using an Elemental Skill.

All Recommended Weapons for Kaeya

Recommended Weapons	How to Get
Mistsplitter Reforged	Gacha
Primordial Jade Cutter	Gacha
Skyward Blade	Gacha
Haran Geppaku Futsu	Gacha
Summit Shaper	Gacha
Freedom-Sworn	Gacha
Wolf-Fang	Battle Pass
Sacrificial Sword	Gacha
Festering Desire	Event
The Black Sword	Battle Pass
Favonius Sword	Gacha
Amenoma Kageuchi	Crafted
Iron Sting	Crafted
The Alley Flash	Gacha
Blackcliff Longsword	Starglitter Exchange
Harbinger of Dawn	Gacha
Royal Longsword	Starglitter Exchange

List of Swords

Kaeya Best Team Comps

Kaeya Freeze Hypercarry Teams

Main DPS	Sub-DPS	Sub-DPS	Support
Kaeya	Kazuha	Xingqiu	Shenhe
Kaeya	Chongyun	Xingqiu	Kazuha

Kaeya as a Main DPS will center around Chongyun infusing Cryo on Kaeya's melee attacks while Xingqiu will help freeze enemies while being off-field. Kazuha will help reduce enemy Cryo Resistance with the Viridescent Venerer artifact set.

Kaeya Superconduct Teams

Main DPS	Sub-DPS	Sub-DPS	Support
Kaeya	Raiden	Shenhe	Mika
Keqing	Kaeya	Shenhe	Zhongli

This Kaeya team increases Physical DMG damage as much as possible with Superconduct, Zhongli's shield applying a Physical Resistance debuff, and Shenhe's buffs and Debufs from her Elemental Burst.

Kaeya is best used in this team comp for off-field damage, constant application of Cryo, and provding Energy for Shenhe.

Kaeya Freeze Teams

Main DPS	Sub-DPS	Sub-DPS	Support
Ayaka	Kaeya	Kokomi	Kazuha

Kaeya in Freeze team comp provides the set-up for swirling Freeze and buffing Cryo with Kazuha. Ayaka, or your Cryo Main DPS, will then utilize the buffs. In addition, Kaeya's spammable Elemental Skill can provide much needed Energy for Ayaka.

Kaeya Dendro Fridge Teams

Main DPS	Sub-DPS	Sub-DPS	Support
Nahida	Kaeya	Shinobu	Xingqiu

This Dendro team comp for Kaeya has him acting as an off-field unit that applies Cryo on enemies. Cryo does not interact with Dendro, which makes it easy for the Cryo Main DPS to freeze enemies and create Dendro Cores. Shinobu's role will be to trigger the Hyperbloom reaction with her Elemental Skill.

Kaeya Best Constellations

Pavo Ocellus

Constellation and Effects

	Kaeya's Constellations
C1	Excellent Blood The CRIT Rate of Kaeya's Normal and Charge Attacks against enemies affected by Cryo is increased by 15%.
C2	Never-Ending Perfomance While Glacial Waltz is in effect, for each opponent defeated, its duration is increased by 2.5s, up to a maximum of 15s.
C3	Dance of Frost Increases the Level of Frostgnaw by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
C4	Frozen Kiss Triggers automatically when Kaeya's HP falls below 20%: Creates a shield that absorbs damage equal to 30% of Kaeya's Max HP. Lasts for 20s. This shield absorbs Cryo DMG with 250% efficiency. Can only occur once every 60s.
C5	Frostbiting Embrace Increases the Level of Glacial Waltz by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
C6	Glacial Whirlwind Glacial Waltz will generate 1 additional icicle and will regenerate 15 Energy when cast.

Best Constellations Rating and Explanation

	Rating	Constellation Effect / Merits
C1	★★☆	• Very good Constellation for a main DPS Kaeya.
C2	★★★	• Increases Kaeya's Burst DMG. • Energy refund is appreciated for reduced Energy Recahrge requirements.

Perfect at C0 for Sub-DPS

Kaeya's constellations barely increase his damage as a Sub-DPS, so he's perfectly viable at C0. Though C2 might look enticing, it's very unlikely that his burst will defeat enemies given how low its DMG scaling is.

Kaeya Ascension and Talent Materials

Kaeya Ascension Materials

Lv.20→Lv.40	Calla Lily ×3 Shivada Jade Sliver ×1 Treasure Hoarder Insignia ×3
Lv.40→Lv.50	Calla Lily ×10 Shivada Jade Fragment ×3 Treasure Hoarder Insignia ×15 Hoarfrost Core ×2
Lv.50→Lv.60	Calla Lily ×20 Shivada Jade Fragment ×6 Silver Raven Insignia ×12 Hoarfrost Core ×4
Lv.60→Lv.70	Calla Lily ×30 Shivada Jade Chunk ×3 Silver Raven Insignia ×18 Hoarfrost Core ×8
Lv.70→Lv.80	Calla Lily ×45 Shivada Jade Chunk ×6 Golden Raven Insignia ×12 Hoarfrost Core ×12
Lv.80→Lv.90	Calla Lily ×60 Shivada Jade Gemstone ×6 Golden Raven Insignia ×24 Hoarfrost Core ×20

Kaeya Talent Level-Up Materials

Daily Domain Drops	Enemy Drops	Weekly Boss Drops
Wed/Fri/Sun Teachings of Ballad	Treasure Hunters Treasure Hoarder Insignia	Lupus Boreas Challenge Reward Spirit Locket of Boreas
Guide to Ballad	Silver Raven Insignia
Philosophies of Ballad	Golden Raven Insignia

Talent Materials per Level

How to Use Kaeya

Spammable Cryo Elemental Skill

Elemental Skill: Frostgnaw

Kaeya's Elemental Skill, Frostgnaw, has a short cooldown of 6 seconds which allows for continuous Cryo application. Paired with a Hydro character, Kaeya can constantly keep enemies frozen!

Deployable Cryo Elemental Burst

Elemental Burst: Glacial Waltz

Similar to Xiangling, Kaeya's Elemental Burst, Glacial Waltz, surrounds the character in revolving icicles dealing multiple hits of Cryo damage. Since this effect persists even when switching characters, it can be used to set up multiple Elemental Reactions.

Sprinting Stamina Reduction While Exploring

Kaeya's Passive Talent, Hidden Strength, reduces the party's sprint stamina usage by 20%, making Kaeya useful when hunting for materials and treasure in Teyvat.

Ice Bridge with Elemental Skill

Kaeya is also very helpful especially early on for traversing bodies of water by freezing it with his Elemental Skill. To reach islands far from shore like the Secret Island, use Kaeya's reliable skill to ice bridge there!

Kaeya Talents (Skills)

Normal Attack: Ceremonial Bladework

Talent Description
Perform up to 5 rapid strikes. Charge Attack Consumes a certain amount of Stamina to unleash 2 rapid sword strikes. Plunge Attack: Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging enemies along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact.

Frostgnaw

Talent Description
Unleashes a frigid blast, dealing Cryo DMG to enemies in front of Kaeya. Flavor Text: Kaeya seems affable, but his nature is that of unyielding ice.

Glacial Waltz

Talent Description
Coalescing the frost in the air, Kaeya summons 3 icicles that revolve around him. These icicles will follow the character around and deal Cryo DMG to enemies in their path for so long as they persist. Flavor Text: A winsome smile, genial words, and the merciless hoarfrost that lies beneath... These are all Kaeya's weapons.

Cold-Blooded Strike

Talent Description
Every hit with Frostgnaw regenerates HP for Kaeya equal to 15% of his ATK.

Heart of the Abyss

Talent Description
Enemies Frozen by Frostgnaw will drop additional Elemental Particles. Frostgnaw may only produce a maximum of 2 additional Elemental Particles per use.

Hidden Strength

Talent Description
Decreases sprinting Stamina consumption of your characters in the party by 20%. Not stackable with Passive Talents that provide the exact same effects.

How to Get Kaeya

Pull on the Standard Banner

Banner Status	Active

Additional copies of Kaeya can be pulled from the Wanderlust Invocation. All 4-star characters can be pulled from this banner, except for any new 4-star character during their Character Event Wish banner.
All Wish Banners Guide

Bought From the Starglitter Exchange

Months	Characters and Weapons
January July	Blackcliff Weapon Series
February August	Royal Weapon Series
March September	Blackcliff Weapon Series
April October	Royal Weapon Series
May November	Blackcliff Weapon Series
June December	Royal Weapon Series

As a 4-star character, Kaeya has a chance to appear in the Starglitter Exchange every month. He can be traded for 34 Masterless Starglitter.

Masterless Starglitter Shop

Playing the Story

Kaeya is one of the three unique characters that you get for free by playing through the Archon Quests. You can only get one copy of him, so you will need to find other sources to raise his constellation.

Prologue: Act 1 Story Walkthrough

Kaeya's In-Game Information

Kaeya Voicelines

Thoughts About Kaeya

Character	In-Game Thoughts
Amber	Concerns: ...I'm feeling uneasy all of a sudden! Was that Kaeya with you earlier? Did he give you any trouble? Culprit: There's something weird-looking about the dandelions in the garden... Hmm, I bet Kaeya had something to do with this!
Collei	How's everyone in Mondstadt, are they good? I caused so much trouble back then, I sometimes wonder if I should make some time to go back there and apologize... Hmm, but what if I ran into the Cavalry Captain, and he started teasing me? ... Yeah, there's no rush, maybe I'll leave it a while longer.
Diluc	Kaeya? You can only trust half of what he says... at best.
Diona	How is it that even a captain is a disgusting boozehound! You know, that guy who's got that laugh! He downs drink after drink. Ugh!
Fischl	Fischl: His nature is obscure, his fate a mystery, and his speech a vexing tapestry woven of both fact and fiction... Perhaps he and I share the burden of mystical sight... Oz: Or perhaps he's secretly an actual pirate?
Jean	Is that right...? Kaeya also gave you some suggestions. He is an excellent knight after all — this is a fact no one can deny.
Klee	Kaeya is the best! He wrote the Favonius Survival Rulebook for me and he always helps me cover it up when I make a big disaster.
Mona	Kaeya Alberich? He's a Pavo Ocellus. Destined for greatness and grandeur... and to hide ugly realities behind a layer of charm and elegance. He believes he has made a clean break with his past, but one day fate will catch up with him. When it does, he will have a major decision to make.
Noelle	He's a mysterious character! He comes and goes like the wind, and is always occupied with important business. I like the fact that he delegates some of the smaller jobs to me sometimes, it's nice to feel like part of the team, you know... What do you mean "errand runner"? I don't see it like that at all! Okay, well yes, technically I run errands for him. But still, I really appreciate it!
Rosaria	Wine has its uses... like revealing someone's true colors, for example. Smooth talk is Kaeya's veil, but being me, I can see right through it. Hah, you should see him when he's drunk.
Sucrose	Oh... I know he likes to joke, and isn't trying to make fun of me, but I often struggle to work out which parts are the truth and which parts are jokes. So whenever he talks to me, the outcome is either one of two things: morbid embarrassment or unbearable awkwardness.

Kaeya's Thoughts About Others

Character	In-Game Thoughts
Albedo	About Albedo Albedo, eh? Calm, collected, and incredibly talented. He's the type everybody likes, some even more so than others. What, you into him as well?
Amber	About Amber That Outrider is a clever and righteous knight. Be careful not to step out of line in front of her.
Diluc	About Diluc Diluc? He was cute as a young lad. But nowadays he just seems to be in a world of his own... Overall, not much fun to hang out with.
Diona	About Diona Have you tried one of Diona's drinks? Oh right, you're still underage. Haha, such a shame, it truly is — to not be able to revel with you in such bliss.
Fischl	About Fischl What? You think Fischl having one eye covered is very fitting given her title of Prinzessin der Verurteilung. Hahaha, if that's the case, that must make me a future royal progeny too, no?
Jean	About Jean What? The Acting Grand Master? You need to give her your full support.
Klee	About Klee Klee. Seems she has failed to elude the Acting Grand Master's investigative skills, despite the pointers I gave her... Haha, I'm kidding, no need to go reporting me or anything.
Lisa	About Lisa Oh Lisa. Hmm... You'd better not forget to return your books on time. I made that mistake once and boy was she angry. My arm is still numb from last time...
Mika	About Mika When I first met Mika, he seemed like the nervous type, so I decided to joke around with him a little. I didn't count on that making him even more nervous... His smile looked as if it were plastered onto his face, and in the end, he even wrote me a letter of apology. Tsk-tsk. Does taking everything so seriously run in the Schmidts' blood?
Noelle	About Noelle I was entrusted by the Acting Grand Master to discreetly and indirectly support Noelle, but there hasn't been much for me to concern myself with, she has a good head on her shoulders. Quite the relief.
Rosaria	About Rosaria Ahaha, you want to know about the secrets of Sister Rosaria? That... I cannot tell you. Though my impression is not bad — certainly better than a certain someone whose name I won't bother to mention. She's honest with herself. She casts off that which she has no time for and she doesn't feign motivation for affairs that do not interest her.
Sucrose	About Sucrose Sucrose may not be much of an extrovert in public, but as they say — it's always the quiet ones... Apparently, her laboratory is home to quite the eclectic range of implements and her experiments are more than just intellectually stimulating... All hearsay, of course. You don't seriously think I would go snooping around a fair lady's private quarters, do you?
Varka	About Varka Grand Master Varka is the legend of his generation. On the day of his triumphant return, I shall be sure to personally introduce you to him. I’m sure you too will be in awe of his greatness.

Kaeya Release Date

Genshin Impact Version 1.0
Release Date	September 28, 2020

Kaeya was released on September 28, 2020 as one of the standard characters during the game's official launch.

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Yoimiya

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