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Kaeya is one ofGenshin Impact’smost versatile and frequently overlooked characters. The Cryo sword-user and Cavalry Captain is a narrative fixture in the idyllic city of Mondstadt, welcoming new Travelers to the game with his trademark brand of light-hearted trickery. He’s a free starter character, but every subsequent Kaeya is worth his weight in Mora with Constellations harder to snatch than limited 5 stars. Kaeya’s storylines indicate a greater purpose down the road ofGenshin Impact’s increasingly dark plot – ensure he’s ready.
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Updated on June 06, 2025, by Scott Vengel:Interest in Genshin Impact has largely started to grow again, mimicking the attraction that suddenly appeared with the release of Inazuma. Naturally, the same holds true for Sumeru, which has seen a lot of new information released in the last few weeks in anticipation of its release in Version 3.0. In addition to a recent release of the appearances of the Fatui Harbingers, by Hoyoverse themselves, many new players a looking to start Genshin Impact for themselves. With this in mind, this article will be updated to include a general overview section, to aid fans that may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information revolving aroundKaeya’s best builds in Genshin Impact.
General Overview
Given that Kaeya is the first Cryo user given to players inGenshin Impact, he offers a very simple to use skillset with quick skill cooldowns and a burst effect that automatically swaps to the active character. A Cryo sword user, Kaeya’s expertise is in quick attacks and movement at the expense of high attack damage — this makes him more effective in application and support rather than raw physical DPS and crowd control. On the other hand, Kaeya also offers excellent skill and burst attacks for Cryo DPS and application.
That said, players will find four main directions that serve Kaeya well — Permafreeze, Reverse-Melt, Physical, and Support. Generally, the first two are more effective for long-term gains, as they focus more on building Kaeya’s elemental skill and burst. Artifact-wise, theBlizzard Strayer, Gladiator’s Finale, and Shimenawa’s Reminiscencemake for good sets to invest in.
As for teammates and weapons, it will largely depend on the route players are choosing to build Kaeya. The two elemental tracks will need Hydro and Pyro teammates respectively, so players should plan accordingly — Zhongli makes for an all-around good choice due to his defensive strengths (and Kaeya general lack thereof).Mistsplitter Reforged and Primordial Jade Cutterare Kaeya’s favorite swords overall.
Cryo DPS – Permafreeze
Cryo DPS or Sub-DPS is Kaeya’s strongest build for his individual damage. His Elemental Burst “Glacial Waltz” deals Cryo DMG to surrounding enemies, hitting about 15 times for an 8s duration. While his Constellations are hidden in the Standard Banner, C1 – C2 is certainly achievable thanks to Starglitter shop rotations. Kaeya becomes a viablelate-game DPS/Sub-DPSchoice at C2, which extends Glacial Waltz by 2.5s up to 15s when the active character defeats an opponent.
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Blizzard Strayer is a top-tier artifact set for Kaeya. Blizzard Strayer’s exceptional 4 PC bonus alleviates the need to scrounge for CRIT Rate in substats on a Permafreeze team, where Kaeya’s slow-drip Burst afflicts single or grouped opponents with a steady stream of Cryo. Kaeya should be accompanied by anotherCryo companion for Cryo Resonance: an additional 15% CRIT Rate boost against Cryo-affected targets, resulting in a massive 55% CRIT Rate increase when the opponent is completely Frozen. Removing the CRIT Rate component to Kaeya’s artifacts allows players to hone in on CRIT DMG and ATK %, therefore investing in his long-term highest damage output.
Farming Blizzard Strayer is a mini-game of its own, soGenshin Impactfans locked in the artifact RNG battle could consider 2 PC Gladiator’s Finale or Shimenawa’s Reminiscence on Cryo DPS Kaeya as a placeholder. This is a Hybrid build some players prefer, where CRIT Rate is exchanged for the ability to flit in and out of Permafreeze or Vapemelt roles without shuffling his build.
Substat goals:CRIT DMG, ATK %, CRIT Rate, Energy Recharge
Weapons
As a sword-wielder,Kaeya has a range of weapon optionsthat depend on his team build and artifact stats. Mistsplitter Reforged is generally considered his best in the slot. Kaeya can only achieve the first stack of Mistsplitter by himself – he needs Chongyun or C6 Bennet (who can’t be used with Permafreeze) to reach the second stack and the third stack is out of the question. Despite this, Mistsplitter is just so good in general that these setbacks don’t really matter.
Primordial Jade Cutter is legendary with an additional Bennet ATK buff and extra helpful for a C4 Kaeya with a ton of field time, fortifying his otherwise meager shield - though its CRIT Rate might be overkill with Blizzard Strayer. Skyward Blade is best for endurance situations depending on the team comp. Summit Shaper is a powerful weapon without a shield but especially shines with Diona in tow.
Team Players
Cryo DPS – Reverse-Melt
Reverse-Melt is an elemental reaction that occurs when Cryo hits an enemy already affected by Pyro, dealing 1.5x DMG. Kaeya is an unusual yet effective Reverse-Melt DPS because he isn’t seeking a big reactionary hit with his Elemental Burst. Instead, Kaeya’s Elemental Skill will do the majority of the Reverse-Melting. The individual icicles in his Burst have their own cooldown and are difficult to time with thePyro application from even Xiangling– the AoE of Glacial Waltz and Pyronado don’t quite align unless the enemy is still and staggered for a considerable period.
Reverse-Melt Kaeya is best on a team with 2 Pyro characters for that sweet 25% ATK increase courtesy of Pyro Resonance and another Cryo accomplice for complete Energy assurance. Cryo Resonance isn’t negligible but plays a less significant part for Reverse-Melt Kaeya, whose partners are likely to Melt Frozen enemies before he can hit them again. Since he’s already a talented battery solo, the second Cryo representative could be replaced by an Anemo Swirler like Kazuha, Venti, or Sucrose for an emphasis onElemental Mastery and Viridescent Venerershred instead. C3 Kaeya enjoys a 3-level increase to his Elemental Skill and serves as a particularly formidable Reverse-Melter.
The Hybrid-friendly 2 PC Glad./Shim. combo with 2 PC Blizzard Strayer is a go-to for Reverse-Melt Kaeya. Kaeya in a Sub-DPS position would prefer Lavawalker for his one-hit Skill – as a DPS, he’s likely to linger on the field with his Burst that wipes off the Pyro application Lavawalker needs to succeed. This Kaeya build does well with around 100 – 200 Elemental Mastery, 80 of which he can grab from Wanderer’s Troupe in the absence of EM-carrying Supports.
Substat goals:CRIT DMG, CRIT Rate, ATK%, Elemental Mastery
Mistsplitter remains competitive for Reverse-Melt Kaeya, especially with C6 Bennet, but Chongyun may interfere with establishing Pyro on this team. Primordial Jade Cutter has more utility in the absence of Blizzard Strayer. Its 4* counterpart The Black Sword provides longevity to Kaeya with its healing ability, as does popular stat stick Aquila Favonia. Summit Shaper is a great fit fora team with resistance shredder Zhongli, who can now be used with Kaeya since Shatter won’t be an issue.
For four-star options, Festering Desire has a Skill DMG boost but is no longer available for incoming players – Blackcliff is a Starglitter shop weapon with a CRIT DMG Bonus that will permit the CRIT Rate Circlet Reverse-Melt Kaeya may need having lost Blizzard Strayer. Lion’s Roar is doable yet something of a last resort: it will benefit Kaeya’s Skill but his Burst will remove the Pyro affliction pretty quickly, rendering the passive obsolete. Freedom Sworn is another option for specifically Sub-DPS.
Physical DPS
Cryo is a better end-game destination for Kaeya than Physical. Often generic fits for him such as 2 PC Gladiator’s Finale coupled with 2 PC Shimenawa’s Reminiscence results inmore Cryo damage than Physical damageby default. However, Kaeya also boasts some of the best Normal/Charged Attack scaling amongst sword-users, and the joy ofGenshin Impactis building characters completely to taste. Physical Kaeya is certainly powerful enough to carry casual players or those who simply prefer purely Physical combat through the over-world.
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Kaeya’s Cryo element makes up one-half of a Superconduct recipe, a key Elemental Reaction in Physically-led teams that reduces enemy PHYS RES by 40% for 12s.Physical Kaeya needs an Electro Supportand can also work with Hydro – Freezing enemies reduces the need to dodge and preserves stamina for more fluid sword-work. Kaeya’s Passive Talent “Hidden Strength” reduces sprinting Stamina consumption of the entire party by 20%, helpful for his own Charged attack maintenance or as a Support. CI Kaeya gets a further Physical edge with a 15% Normal/Charged Attack CRIT Rate increase against Cryo-affected enemies.
Artifact Sets
Artifact Stats: ATK % Sands, Physical DMG Goblet, CRIT Rate/DMG Circlet
Substat goals: CRIT DMG, CRIT Rate, ATK%, ATK
The best weapons for Physical Kaeya – Aquila Favonia (among 5 stars) and Prototype Rancour (among 4 stars) – have a Physical DMG Bonus, which is why 2 PC Gladiator’s Finale/Shimenawa’s Reminiscence plus 2 PC Bloodstained/Pale Flame is recommended over 2 PC Bloodstained plus 2 PC Pale Flame. For players using the double-PHYS artifact sets, ATK buffing weapons like Primordial Jade Cutter and Summit Shaper are better options. Lion’s Roar is most at home on a Physical Kaeya, since an Electro character is required for his team –Raiden Shogun in particular.
Support
Supporting characters are selected based on their ability to generate energy for the DPS, stat-boosting talents, elemental application, and protective abilities. Kaeya checks the boxes for battery and elemental boxes – unfortunately, his C4 shield is unique only to him. With an Energy Recharge ascension stat and enduring Cryo application, Kaeya is an excellent Support for a melee DPS who relies on Cryo for Melt, Freeze or Superconduct. Maximize his Burst damage withEmblem of Severed Fateorboost the party attack withNoblesse Oblige.
Kaeya is a great battery: Frostgnaw creates 2 Elemental Particles per use in the act of Freezing or hitting an already Frozen opponent. C6 Kaeya’s Glacial Waltz gets an additional icicle and will regenerate 15 Energy when cast. Support Kaeya will benefit melee fighters like Diluc or Hu Tao – ranged DPS struggle to fully utilize his Burst without endangering themselves.He can refill Ayaka’s high Burst costwhile activating Cryo Resonance for both her and Eula, who can utilize Glacial Waltz for Superconduct. Support Kaeya is all about maximizing his Burst, and Energy Recharge weapons such asSacrificial SwordandSkyward Bladeare ideal. However, this build varies depending on the team type.
As with all character building inGenshin Impact, the final numbers are more important than prioritizing specific ways to get there. Certain artifact and weapon combinations illuminate clearer paths, but the randomization aspect of Genshin means players may have greater personal build potential in more obscure pieces. Luckily,Genshin Impact’s dedicated fanbase has several artifact optimization tools players can reference when in-game trial and error becomes too tedious.
Genshin Impactis available on mobile devices, PC, PS4, and PS5.
