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Genshin Impact best Ganyu build, weapons, Artifacts, and Ganyu F2P options (August 2022)

Icy splendor

Ganyu is already an incredible damage character in Genshin Impact, but there's room for some major improvement if youv'e got the time and resources to invest in one of the game's most popular Cryo characters to date. In our best Genshin Impact Ganyu build, we bring out her true talents thanks ahead of the Genshin Impact version 3.0 update where she'll be making a grand return!

Ganyu excels at all things DPS, but there’s one passive talent that makes her charged attack a mighty force, assuming you put together the right build. A well-built build is as important as the perfect team comp, even if it’s less reliant on weapons than other character talents. It's thanks to the talent's importance that there’s even an equally good Ganyu Free-to-play build for those who haven't got the cash or time to obtain the top tier loot from domains or weapon wish banenrs.

Watch the new Genshin Impact version 3.0 trailer, where Ganyu will be making a return.

Is Ganyu a DPS character?

Absolutely. She’s one of the best Genshin DPS characters, alongside Xiao. Unlike Xiao, though, Ganyu has some support utility as well. Her Elemental Skill draws enemies in and deals AoE Cryo damage, which is good for setting up reactions and other AoE attacks, while her Burst deals continuous Cryo damage.

What is the best Ganyu build in Genshin Impact?

With the perfect build, you'll be surprised just how strong Ganyu can be!
With the perfect build, you'll be surprised just how strong Ganyu can be!

The best Ganyu build revolves around boosting her Cryo damage and maximizing the passive talent Undivided Heart. It’s flexible with weapons, but you’ll probably need to grind quite a bit for the Artifacts.

What is the best Ganyu weapon?

Aqua Simulacra is your best bet for Ganyu's weapon. It increases your HP by 16% and increases damage dealt by the wielder when enemies are nearby. It also provdes bonus crit damage, making it ideal for Ganyu as a DPS-heavy bow user.

Amos’ Bow is a popular alternatve choice for Ganyu’s best weapon, since it gives the wielder a significant attack boost. The secondary stat increases attack by 10% at the lowest level, and the passive skill offers another 12% increase. After you fire a normal or charged attack, normal and charged damage get yet another 8% for each 0.1 seconds the arrow is airborne.

Ganyu has a base attack stat of 26, and her charged attack deals heavier Cryo damage the longer you let it charge, so this is ideal for her.

What are the best Ganyu Artifacts?

Our top pick for Ganyu is the four-piece Shimenawa's Reminiscence set.

  • 2-piece effect: Increases ATK by 18%
  • 4-piece effect: When casting an Elemental Skill, if the character has 15 or more Energy, they lose 15 Energy and Normal, Charge, and Plunging Attack DMG is increased by 50% for 10s.

What is the best Ganyu F2P build?

Even without the perfect build, the free-to-play options available are more than enough to let Ganyu shine!
Even without the perfect build, the free-to-play options available are more than enough to let Ganyu shine!

Ganyu’s paid build revolves around her Artifacts, so there’s not much change in her F2P build.

The best Ganyu weapon for F2P

We chose the Prototype Crescent for this build. It gives a flat 6% increase to ATK, which is always useful. In addition, aimed Shot hits on weak points increase Movement speed by 10% and ATK by 36% for 10s, so you can quickly trigger burst windows with a cheeky aimed shot every now and again.

If Ganyu’s Energy is full, you’ll also see these effects double.

The best Ganyu Artifacts for F2P

The Artifact set remains the same for this build, though you could swap in a 2-piece Scholar or Exile set if you wanted to get that extra Energy boost for Ganyu’s attack.

What are the Ganyu materials in Genshin Impact?

Ganyu’s Ascension materials are standard for Liyue characters and include Whopperflower Nectar, Hoarfrost Core from the Cryo Regisvine, and the slightly-hard-to-find Qingxin Flower. Ganyu materials for talents are Diligence-series books, more Whopperflower items, and, at later levels, Shadow of the Warrior. That last one only comes from battles with the final boss in Liyue.

What is the best Ganyu party comp?

Since this build relies partly on enhancing Ganyu’s critical rate, you’ll want another Cryo character to get the 15% critical boost from the Shattering Ice resonance effect. Diona is a good choice for this, since she provides healing and shields.

A Hydro character is also essential. If you have Diona for healing, we recommend Xingqiu instead of Barbara, since his Rain Swords ability provides continuous Hydro effects and deals high damage.

Pyro should go in the fourth slot. Klee, Yanfei, and Xiangling are all good sub-DPS choices to help set up Melt reactions, and Yanfei is available for free during the Prosperous Partnerships event in the 2.4 update.


Once you’ve got your Genshin Impact party sorted, it’s time to head to the depths of the ocean. Check out the Enkanomiya region and plunder all its secrets, including the new book collections and finding all the Key Sigils. If you’re not keen on the current banners, save up those Primos for one of Genshin Impact’s upcoming banners instead.

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