Genshin Impact Characters: Maximizing Crit DMG Through Ascension
In the vast and immersive world of Genshin Impact, character optimization is key to dominating both the Spiral Abyss and the game’s challenging content. Among the many stats and attributes players can focus on, Crit DMG (Critical Damage) stands out as a powerful multiplier that can turn even the most average attacks into devastating blows. However, maximizing Crit DMG isn’t just about equipping the right weapons or artifacts—it also heavily relies on character ascension. In this article, we’ll explore how ascending your characters can significantly boost their Crit DMG output and transform them into formidable fighters.
Understanding Crit DMG and Ascension
Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand how Crit DMG works in Genshin Impact. Crit DMG determines the multiplier applied to attacks when they land a critical hit. The higher this value, the more damage your character deals on critical strikes. While weapons, artifacts, and talents all play a role in increasing Crit DMG, character ascension provides permanent and significant boosts that cannot be overlooked.
Character ascension is a process where players use specific materials to unlock new levels for their characters. Each ascension phase not only increases a character’s base stats but also enhances their unique abilities and passive talents. For many characters, ascending can directly or indirectly improve their Crit DMG output, making it a crucial step in any optimization strategy.
How Ascension Impacts Crit DMG
Ascending a character can boost their Crit DMG in several ways:
Base Stat Increases: Each ascension phase increases a character’s base stats, including Attack and Crit Rate, both of which are essential for maximizing Crit DMG. Even a small increase in these stats can lead to a significant jump in overall damage output.
Talent Enhancements: Certain ascension levels unlock or enhance talents, which can directly improve a character’s ability to land critical hits or amplify their Crit DMG. For example, some talents increase elemental mastery or provide elemental damage bonuses, which can further enhance critical strikes.
Passive Skill Upgrades: Many characters gain powerful passive skills upon ascending, which can provide additional Crit DMG boosts or improve the effectiveness of their attacks.
Weapon and Artifact Synergy: Ascending a character often makes them more compatible with high-tier weapons and artifacts, which are designed to maximize Crit DMG.
Top Characters Benefiting from Crit DMG Ascension
While every character benefits from ascension, some shine particularly bright when their Crit DMG is maximized. Below are a few examples:
1. Diluc
Why: Diluc is a prime example of a character who thrives on high Crit DMG. His elemental skill, Searing Onslaught, and burst, Dawn, both scale incredibly well with Crit DMG. Ascending Diluc not only increases his base attack but also enhances his ability to land consistent critical hits.
Tip: Pair Diluc with a high Crit DMG weapon like the The Black Sword and a set of Gladiator’s Finale artifacts for maximum damage.
2. Hu Tao
Why: Hu Tao is a damage-dealing powerhouse who relies heavily on her elemental burst, Paper Folding Umbrella, to dish out massive Crit DMG. Ascending her increases her attack and Crit Rate, making her even more deadly.
Tip: Use the Crimson Witch of Flames artifact set to further amplify her elemental reactions and Crit DMG.
3. Zhongli
Why: Zhongli is a versatile character who can deal both physical and elemental damage. His elemental burst, Planet Busting Star, benefits greatly from high Crit DMG, especially when paired with his ascension-enhanced talents.
Tip: Equip Zhongli with the Vortex Vanquisher artifact set to maximize his elemental damage and Crit DMG.
Case Study: Optimizing Crit DMG Through Ascension
Let’s take Ganyu, one of the most popular DPS characters, as an example. Ganyu’s damage output is heavily reliant on her charged shots and elemental burst, both of which benefit immensely from high Crit DMG. By ascending Ganyu to higher levels, players can unlock significant boosts to her attack and Crit Rate, making her charged shots even more lethal.
Ascension Phase 1: Increases Ganyu’s base attack and enhances her elemental skill, Trail of the Qilin, which improves her mobility and damage consistency.
Ascension Phase 3: Unlocks a talent that increases her charged shot Crit DMG by 20%, turning her into a one-shot machine