Genshin Impact

Elemental Reactions Explained

Genshin Impact - Elemental Reactions and Best Characters for Reactions Guide

Elemental Reactions occur when two Elements are applied together, which triggers powerful combat effects and statuses in Genshin Impact. See how each Elemental Reactions work, the best characters for it, and how you can increase its damage in this guide!

List of Elemental Reactions and Effects

Elemental Reactions Chart

Elemental Reactions

Elemental Reactions and Effects

Click on the name to jump to that section of the page!

Reactions Elements Effect
Swirl Genshin - Anemo Icon ➡︎
Genshin - Pyro Icon Genshin - Hydro Icon
Genshin - Cryo Icon Genshin - Electro Icon
Deals AoE damage based on the reacted Element, then spreads that element to nearby enemies.
Crystallize Genshin - Geo Icon ➡︎
Genshin - Pyro Icon Genshin - Hydro Icon
Genshin - Cryo Icon Genshin - Electro Icon
Creates a crystal shield you can pick up based on the corresponding element.
Vaporize
Genshin - Pyro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Hydro Icon
Damage dealt will be multiplied based on the reacting Element.
Electro-Charged
Genshin - Electro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Hydro Icon
Target takes Electro damage over time.
Frozen
Genshin - Hydro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Cryo Icon
Target is temporarily frozen in place and stopping all actions.
Melt
Genshin - Pyro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Cryo Icon
Damage dealt will be multiplied based on the reacting Element.
Overloaded
Genshin - Electro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Pyro Icon
Target explodes, knocking back enemies in proximity and deals AoE Pyro damage.
Superconduct
Genshin - Electro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Cryo Icon
AoE Cryo damage occurs and decreases Physical resistance.
Burning
Genshin - Pyro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Dendro Icon
Deals Pyro damage over time.
Bloom
Genshin - Hydro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Dendro Icon
Creates a Dendro Core. Dendro Cores explode when too many are made or after a set durtion.
Burgeon
Genshin - Pyro Icon ➡︎Dendro Core
Pyro damage detones a Dendro Core, dealing AoE Dendro damage.
Hyperbloom
Genshin - Electro Icon ➡︎Dendro Core
Electro damage detones a Dendro Core, transforming it into a Sprawling Shot that deals Dendro damage.
Quicken
Genshin - Electro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Dendro Icon
Afflicts the enemy with Quicken. This enables follow-up catalyze reactions.
Aggravate
Genshin - Electro Icon ➡︎Quicken Infusion
Deals increased Electro damage to a Quickened enemy.
Spread
Genshin - Dendro Icon ➡︎Quicken Infusion
Deals increased Dendro damage to a Quickened enemy.

Swirl

Genshin - Elemental Reaction - Swirl

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Anemo Icon ➡︎ Genshin - Pyro Icon Genshin - Hydro Icon Genshin - Cryo Icon Genshin - Electro Icon
Effect ・Damage dealt is based on your Elemental Mastery.
・Applies the nearby element to other targets.
・Target element is spread.
Applied Element Before Reaction After Reaction
Genshin - Pyro Icon Genshin - Hydro Icon Genshin - Cryo Icon Genshin - Electro Icon
Genshin - Pyro Icon Genshin - Hydro Icon Genshin - Cryo Icon Genshin - Electro Icon

Swirl Effect Explanation

The Swirl elemental reaction activates when Anemo is used on an enemy that has Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo already applied to it. When a Swirl reaction occurs, the element reacted will hit nearby enemies as AoE damage and apply that element to them as well.

For example, when Hilichurls and Cryo Slimes are standing on water, hitting the Cryo Slime with Anemo will spread Cryo to all nearby enemies, freezing the Hilichurls due to the Frozen reaction!

The only way to increase Swirl DMG is by increasing the Elemental Mastery of the character triggering the reaction.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Crystallize

Genshin - Elemental Reaction - Crystallize

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Geo Icon ➡︎
Genshin - Pyro Icon Genshin - Hydro Icon Genshin - Cryo Icon Genshin - Electro Icon
Effect ・Provides an elemental shield dependent on the element.
Applied Element Before Reaction After Reaction
Genshin - Pyro Icon Genshin - Hydro Icon Genshin - Cryo Icon Genshin - Electro Icon
None

Crystallize Effect Explanation

Crystallize activates when a Geo attack hits an enemy that has Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo applied to it. When a Crystallize reaction occurs, the applied element on the enemy will disappear(if possible) and an elemental shield crystal corresponding to the element will spawn.

The shield spawned will protect the player from all kinds of attacks. However, it will be more efficient in protecting against attacks corresponding to the element of the shield.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Vaporize

Genshin - Elemental Reaction - Vaporize

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Pyro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Hydro Icon
Effect ・Damage dealt will be multiplied based on the reacting Element.
・Damage dealt can be increased by Elemental Mastery and ATK%.
Applied Element Before Reaction After Reaction
Genshin - Pyro Icon Genshin - Hydro Icon
None
Damage Multiplier Pyro DMG to Hydro Enemy Hydro DMG to Pyro Enemy
x1.5 x2

Vaporize Effect Explanation

Vaporize activates when Pyro comes into contact with Hydro and vice versa. When Vaporize occurs, the target will take increased multiplicative damage and their previously applied element will be removed(if possible).

It's important to note that applying Hydro on a Pyro affected enemy will deal x2 while doing the opposite will deal only x1.5.

Another thing that's important to note is that Vaporize damage will only depend on the ATK% and Elemental Mastery of the character applying the second element!

Common team compositions that make use of this combo are Tartaglia + Xiangling and Hu Tao + Xingqiu.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Electro-Charged

Genshin - Elemental Reaction - Electro-Charged

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Hydro Icon  ⬅︎➡︎  Genshin - Electro Icon
Effect ・Deals Electro damage over time and can arc to nearby enemies.
・Damage dealt can be increased by Elemental Mastery.
Applied Element Before Reaction After Reaction
Genshin - Hydro Icon Genshin - Electro Icon
None

Electro-Charged Effect Explanation

Electro-Charged occurs when Hydro or Electro come into contact with each other. When an Electro-Charged reaction activates, nearby wet targets will also take Electro damage over time, but will not receive the Electro-Charged status.

Before attacking with Electro, make sure to use Hydro attacks on all enemies, then swap to Electro! When it's raining, the Wet status will be applied to everything in the area, making it easy to cause an Electro-Charged reaction.

Increasing the Elemental Mastery of the character triggering Electro-Charged will increase the damage over time caused by the reaction!

Common team compositions that make use of this combo are Beidou + Xinqgiu and Tartaglia + Fischl.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Frozen

Genshin - Elemental Reaction - Frozen

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Hydro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Cryo Icon
Effect ・Temporarily renders target immobile.
・Shattered effect deals Physical Damage.
・Shattered damage can be increased by Elemental Mastery.
Applied Element Before Reaction After Reaction
Genshin - Hydro Icon Genshin - Cryo Icon
None

Frozen Effect Effect Explanation

Frozen occurs when Hydro and Cryo come into contact with one another. When Frozen activates, the target will be unable to move. Frozen can be set off against enemies in water or rain.

Frozen enemies can be shattered, which deals Physical Damage. Examples of attacks that can shatter frozen enemies are Claymores, Plunging Attacks and Geo Attacks. Increasing the Elemental Mastery of the character triggering the shatter will cause it to deal more damage.

Common team compositions that make use of the Frozen reaction are Ayaka + Mona and Ganyu + Kokomi.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Melt

Genshin - Elemental Reaction - Melt

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Pyro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Cryo Icon
Effect ・Damage dealt will be multiplied based on the reacting Element.
・Damage dealt can be increased by Elemental Mastery and ATK%.
Applied Element Before Reaction After Reaction
Genshin - Pyro Icon Genshin - Cryo Icon
None
Damage Multiplier Cryo DMG to Pyro Enemy Pyro DMG to Cryo Enemy
x1.5 x2

Melt Effect Explanation

Melt occurs when Pyro and Cryo come into contact with one another. When a target is hit with Melt, they will take increased damage and their previously applied element will be removed(if possible).

It is important to take note that dealing Pyro damage to Cryo affected enemies will deal x2. Doing the opposite will only deal x1.5 the amount of damage, which is commonly referred to as Reverse Melt.

Increasing the character's Elemental Mastery and ATK% will also increase the overall damage of the Melt Reaction.

Common team compositions that make use of the Melt reaction are Ganyu + Xiangling and Rosaria + Xiangling.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Overloaded

Genshin - Elemental Reaction - Overloaded

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Electro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Pyro Icon
Effect ・Deals Pyro damage to a wide area.
・Any hard objects in the area will break.
・Knockbacks nearby enemies.
・Damage dealt can be increased by Elemental Mastery.
Applied Element Before Reaction After Reaction
Genshin - Electro Icon Genshin - Pyro Icon
None

Overloaded Effect Explanation

Overloaded occurs when Electro and Pyro come into contact. When Overloaded activates, AoE Pyro damage will hit all nearby enemies. However, enemies will also be knocked back, which can cause other attacks to miss!

Damage dealt by the Overloaded reaction can be increased by increasing the Elemental Mastery of the character triggernig the overload effect.

A common team composition that uses the Overloaded reaction is Yoimiya + Beidou.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Superconduct

Genshin - Elemental Reaction - Superconduct

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Electro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Cryo Icon
Effect ・Deals Cryo damage in a wide area.
・Lowers physical resistance of all enemies in the AoE.
・Damage dealt by Superconduct can be increased by Elemental Mastery.
Applied Element Before Reaction After Reaction
Genshin - Electro Icon , Genshin - Cryo Icon
None

Superconduct Effect Explanation

Superconduct occurs when Electro and Cryo come into contact. When a Superconduct reaction activates, AoE Cryo damage will hit nearby enemies and will lower their physical resistance for 12 seconds.

The damage of Superconduct can be increased by the amount of Elemental Mastery the character who is triggering the reaction has. The amount of the physical resistance reduced will always be a fixed amount of about -40%.

Common team compositions that use Superconduct reaction are Razor + Kaeya and Eula + Raiden Shogun.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Burning

Genshin - Elemental Reaction - Burn

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Pyro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Dendro Icon
Effect ・Deals Pyro damage over time.
Applied Element Before Reaction After Reaction
Genshin - Pyro Icon Genshin - Dendro Icon
None

Burning Effect Explanation

Burning activates when Pyro comes into contact with Dendro. When a Burning reaction occurs, Pyro damage will be dealt over time for around 5 seconds. Burning can also be used to destroy Dendro objects in the field like thorns.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Bloom

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Hydro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Dendro Icon
Effect ・Leaves a Dendro Core beside the enemy.

Bloom Effect Explanation

Hydro and Dendro mixing together will create a Dendro Core. Dendro cores can interact with Pyro, which will make the seed explode, or with Electro, which turns it into a homing missile. Dendro Cores can explode on their own after a set time or if too many are on the field.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Burgeon

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Pyro Icon ➡︎Dendro Core
Effect ・Dendro Core will explode, dealing AoE Dendro damage.

Burgeon Effect Explanation

Dendro Cores will explode when it comes into contact with Pyro. The explosion will cause AoE Dendro DMG

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Hyperbloom

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Electro Icon ➡︎Dendro Core
Effect Transforms Dendro Cores into Sprawling Shots that homes into nearby enemies and deals Anemo damage.

Sprawling Shots Effect Explanation

Dendro Cores will transform into homing missiles when it comes into contact with the Electro Element. These missiles seek out the nearest enemy and deals Dendro damage.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Quicken

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Electro Icon ⬅︎➡︎ Genshin - Dendro Icon
Effect ・Afflicts enemy with the Quicken status.

Catalyze Effect Explanation

When Electro and Dendro comes into contact with each other, it will apply the Quicken status. This status will open enemies up to other Catalyze Reactions.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Aggravate

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Electro Icon ➡︎Quicken Infusion.png
Effect ・Deals bonus Electro damage to Quickened enemies.

Aggravate Effect Explanation

Electro damage will deal bonus damage to Quickened Enemies.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Spread

Reactive Elements
Genshin - Electro Icon ➡︎Quicken Infusion.png
Effect ・Deals bonus Dendro damage to Quickened enemies.

Spread Effect Explanation

Dendro damage will deal bonus damage to Quickened Enemies.

▲ Return to Reactions Table ▲

Best Elemental Reactions

Elemental Reaction Rating

Damage ・Vaporize
・Melt
・Aggravate
・Spread
Support ・Swirl
・Frozen
・Crystallize

This list is not the end all be all for how you should build teams in the game. The list is simply to help you choose which reactions you should be aiming for if you had certain limitations.

An Amber Main DPS Melt team will do way less damage compared to a Tartaglia Electro-Charged team, so play around the characters, not the elemental reactions!

List of Actions by Element

Jump to Section
Anemo Pyro Hydro
Electro Cryo Geo
Dendro

Anemo Reactions

Anemo Reaction

Attacking Element Element Applied
Swirl AnemoAnemo PyroPyro HydroHydro
ElectroElectro CryoCryo

Possible Actions with Anemo

List of All Actions with Anemo
Activate Wind element monuments
Activate windmills
Obtain Dandelion Seeds
Clear foggy mists or leaves.

Activate windmills

Genshin - Liyue - Windmill Mechanism
You can find windmills all around the wilds of Teyvat. Using the anemo skill on the windmill will activate a wind current that you can use to reach high places.

Obtain Dandelion seeds

Dandelion

Using the anemo skill on Dandelions will allow you to collect the seeds.

Return to the Element Table

Pyro Reactions

Pyro Reaction

Attacking Element Element Applied
Burning PyroPyro DendroDendro
Melt PyroPyro CryoCryo
Vaporize PyroPyro HydroHydro
Overloaded PyroPyro ElectroElectro

Possible Actions with Pyro

List of All Actions with Pyro
Shred Cryo and Electro shields
Activate Fire element monuments
Burn thorn obstacles
Burn wooden shields
Thaw frozen objects and chests
Light campfires to use for cooking
Light torch puzzles
Obtain Electro Crystals
Obtain Mist Flower Corolla

Thaw frozen treasure chests

Frozen Treasure Chest

You can use the Pyro skill to melt frozen chests so you can open them.

Light torch puzzles

Torch

While adventuring through Teyvat, you can find torches that you need to light up with a Pyro skill. Usually lighting all torches in an area will reward you with a chest to open.

Obtain Electro Crystals

Electro Crystal

Electro crystals can be mined by using the Overloaded elemental reaction, which you can get by hitting the electro crystals with a Pyro skill.

Obtain Mist Flower Corolla

Mist Flower

Mist Flowers can often be found in lakes or bodies of water surrounded by a small frozen area. Using the Pyro skill will allow you to gather these Mist Flowers.

Return to the Element Table

Hydro Reactions

Hydro Reaction

Attacking Element Element Applied
Frozen HydroHydro CryoCryo
Electro-Charged HydroHydro ElectroElectro
Vaporize HydroHydro PyroPyro

Possible Actions with Hydro

List of All Actions with Hydro
Shred Pyro shields
Activate Water element monuments
Extinguish fires
Obtain Flaming Flower Stamen

Obtain Flaming Flower Stamen

Flaming Flower

Flaming flowers can be found in the grassy fields of Teyvat. Using a Hydro skill on them will allow you to collect the Flaming Flower Stamen.

Return to the Element Table

Electro Reactions

Electro Reaction

Attacking Element Element Applied
Superconduct ElectroElectro CryoCryo
Electro-Charged ElectroElectro HydroHydro
Overloaded ElectroElectro PyroPyro

Possible Actions with Electro

List of All Actions with Electro
Can take down Hydro shields
Activate Electric element monuments
Activate electric circuit puzzles
Complete Inazuma puzzles
Get Sakura Blooms

Activate electric circuit puzzles

Electric Circuit

Some dungeons have electric circuit puzzles that you need to activate using an Electro skill.

Return to the Element Table

Cryo Reactions

Cryo Reaction

Attacking Element Element Applied
Frozen CryoCryo HydroHydro
Superconduct CryoCryo ElectroElectro
Melt CryoCryo PyroPyro

Possible Actions with Cryo

List of All Actions with Cryo
Shreds Electro and Hydro shields
Activate Ice element monuments
Deactivate fire traps
Make an ice bridge
Obtain Flaming Flower Stamen

Deactivate fire traps

Fire Trap

Some dungeons have fire traps that you can temporarily disable by using the cryo skill on them.

Make an ice bridge

Time and the Wind_Island

Using a Cryo skill on water can freeze it, allowing you to stand and walk on it. This is useful when you need to cross long bodies of water without using up your stamina.

Obtain Flaming Flower Stamen

Flaming Flower

Flaming flowers can be found in the grassy fields of Teyvat. Using a Cryo skill on them will allow you to collect the Flaming Flower Stamen.

Return to the Element Table

Geo Reactions

Geo Reaction

Attacking Element Element Applied
Crystallize GeoGeo PyroPyro HydroHydro
ElectroElectro CryoCryo

Possible Actions with Geo

List of All Actions with Geo
Shreds Geo shields
Activate Rock element monuments
Break hard objects easily

Break hard objects easily

Rock Treasure

Geo skills can be used to break rocks, ores, and even the rock shield more efficiently.

Return to the Element Table

Dendro Reactions

Dendro Reaction

Attacking Element Element Applied
Burning DendroDendro PyroPyro
Bloom DendroDendro HydroHydro
Catalyze DendroDendro ElectroElectro

Return to the Element Table

Best Characters for Setting Up Elemental Reactions

Recommended Characters to Set-Up Elemental Reactions

Best Characters for Setting Up Elemental Reactions
Kazuha Image Kazuha • Kazuha can infuse his Elemental Skill and Elemental Burst with the Element applied to himself. You can easily set-up reactions by self-applying an Element to Kazuha then Swirling it to buff and apply that element with your Burst!
Sucrose Image Sucrose • Sucrose can spread an Element to all nearby enemies while gathering them to a single location. Sucrose can also give Elemental Mastery to your teammates for more damage potential!
Venti Image Venti • Venti's infuses an Element with his Elemental Burst vortex, allowing you to freely hit enemies trapped there with any Element like Hydro and Cryo for Freeze.
Ayaka Image Ayaka • Ayaka's kit allows her to apply Cryo especially when she infuses her blade by using her special Sprint. With her Elemental Burst, you can also set-up constant Freeze with Hydro characters.
Ganyu Image Ganyu • Ganyu's wide AoE range on her Elemental Burst can apply Cryo to all enemies inside. She can set-up constant Freezes when paired up with Hydro characters like Mona or Kokomi.
Xingqiu Image Xingqiu • Xingqiu constantly applies Hydro to enemies with his Elemental Burst. Most of the time, Xingqiu will apply Hydro first, allowing you to set-up reactions like Vaporize with Pyro Main DPS's like Diluc or Hu Tao.
Tartaglia Image Tartaglia • Tartaglia is similar to Xingqiu, but instead of being a Sub-DPS, he can function like a Main-DPS as an enabler for Pyro Sub-DPS's like Xiangling. You can do tons of damage with Vaporize or Electro-Charged!
Fischl Image Fischl • When Fischl summons Oz, Oz will continuously attack enemies with Electro. This can set-up Superconducts or Electro-Charged reactions when fighting with enemies!
Raiden Image Raiden • Raiden Shogun's Elemental Skill constantly apply Electro when enemies are hit by any attacks from you or your party members. This sets up constant Superconducts for Physical characters like Eula.
Bennett Image Bennett • Bennett's fast Elemental Skill cooldown and powerful Elemental Burst ATK buff to your teammates while also applying Pyro can set-up big numbers for your main DPS!
Nahida Image Nahida • Nahida's Elemental Skill is the most powerful when it comes to applying Dendro. She can also buff the active character by giving them Elemental Mastery during her burst.

How to Increase Damage of Elemental Reactions

Increase Elemental Mastery

Genshin - Elemental Mastery Sands

Elemental Mastery increases the effectivity of your Elemental Reactions. To know more about Elemental Mastery and how to increase it, check out our guide below!

What is Elemental Mastery and Effects

Elemental Reaction Achievements

All Elemental Reaction Achievements

Achievement Rank Primogem Reward
Completed AchievementCool It! ★★★ 5 Primogems
Objective : Keep an enemy Frozen for over 10s (x1).
Completed AchievementSeason's Greetings ★★★ 5 Primogems
Objective : Freeze 4 enemies within 2x (x1).
Completed AchievementThe Art of War ★★★ 5 Primogems
Objective : Defeat 4 enemies with Overloaded within 2s (x1).
Completed AchievementA Little Less Shocking Than Love at First Sight ★★★ 5 Primogems
Objective : Defeat 4 enemies with Electro-Charged within 2s (x1).
Completed AchievementDolorous Stroke 5 Primogems
Objective : Defeat an opponent by Shattering the ice they were trapped in.
Completed AchievementGo With The Wind! ★★★ 5 Primogems
Objective : Trigger Cryo, Hydro, Pyro and Electro Swirl Reactions at least once each within 2s (x1)
Completed AchievementMelt You Down Like Ice Cream ★★★ 5 Primogems
Objective : Defeat 4 opponents with Melt within 2s (x1)

Achievement List and Rewards

Genshin Impact Related Links

All Tips and Tricks Guides

Genshin - Tips

All Tips & Tricks Guides

Before Starting The Game

Element Guides

Leveling and Grinding Guides

Tips to Remember

Miscellaneous Guides

FAQs

    Walkthrough Menu

    All rights reserved