The best Genshin Impact Ganyu build

Ganyu in Genshin Impact.

Ganyu in Genshin Impact.
September 8: Ganyu's rerun banner goes live tomorrow, with Dori, Sucrose and Xinqiu.

Want the best Genshin Impact Ganyu build? A secretary and emissary of the Yuehai Pavilion and one of the Adepti of this day, Ganyu is a human-adeptus hybrid that works for the Liyue Qixing. She’s a fierce follower of Morax and very dedicated to her duties.

Ganyu, hailing from Liyue, was initially introduced in the second half of the 1.x series of Genshin Impact updates. Since then, she's had a couple of reruns, with more planned for the future. Initially a powerhouse with the right Critical Hit build, she's not as popular now that the roster has fleshed out a bit. Still, she's worth trialling in your team.

While you're here, be sure to check out our guide to all Genshin Impact Electroculus locations and Genshin Impact weapons. We also have a regularly updated Genshin Impact codes guide if you're looking for some handy freebies.

Genshin Impact Ganyu
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How do I get Ganyu in Genshin Impact?

Ganyu is obtainable by spending wishes in her Event Banner “Adrift in the Harbor”. The banner is getting a rerun in the second half of the Genshin Impact 3.0 - there isn't a specific date yet, but we'll update here when we know more!

What's the best Ganyu build?

Role
Best Weapon
Alternative Weapon
Best Artifacts
Alternative Artifacts
Cryo DPS
Amos’ Bow
Skyward Harp
Blizzard Strayer
Gladiator's Finale

In combat, Ganyu is easily a top-tier DPS unit and one of the best Cryo units overall. If you want to make her shine you need to focus on her Cryo abilities and build a setup around that. To do that, Weapons like Skyward Harp and artifacts like Blizzard Strayer will be of immense help.

Below is the best Ganyu build right now. You can keep reading to find out the hows and whys of this particular Ganyu build, but if you've used this character before, you'll quickly understand the thought process behind her best weapon and artifact choices.

Cryo DPS build

Amos’ Bow is, of the three bows suggested, the most fitting to serve their purpose on this build, even if the Skyward Harp being the most offensive of the three. However, since these two are 5-star weapons it can be difficult to obtain them, thus making you resort to alternative weapons like The Stringless.

  • Read More: Genshin Impact Spiral Abyss guide

    Blizzard Strayer brings the perfect Cryo damage bonuses for Ganyu, but since it’s a bit tricky to obtain this set, you can find good alternatives in the Gladiator’s Finale set.

What are the best team comps for Ganyu?

Character
Element
Diona, Shenhe
Cryo
Bennett, Klee
Pyro
Sucrose, Venti
Anemo
Xingqiu, Mona
Hydro
Zhongli
Geo

Ganyu is an unrivaled Cryo DPS unit that crushes everyone with her offensive abilities, and even more so with a team that accompanies her and compliments her elemental abilities.

Bennett and Sucrose can both support/heal and act as Sub-DPS triggering reactions, and Xingqiu or Mona will help spread the Freezing even more effectively. Ganyu doesn't have the best defense, so a shield character like Zhongli can help protect her on the field.

Ganyu's Weapon screen
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What are the best weapons for Ganyu?

Weapon
Rarity
Stats
Skills
How to Obtain
Aqua Simulacra
5-Star
Crit DMG
HP is increased by 16%. When there are opponents nearby, the DMG dealt by the wielder of this weapon is increased by 20%. This will take effect whether the character is on-field or not.
Wishes
Amos' Bow
5-Star
ATK + 10.8%
Increases Normal Attack and Aimed Shot damage by 18%. Increases damage by 12% for every 0.1 seconds that an arrow is in flight. Stacks up to 5 times on each arrow.
Wishes
Prototype Crescent
4-Star
ATK + 6.0%
Aimed Shot hits on weak points increase Movement SPD by 10% and ATK by 36% for 10s.
Forge

Weapons like the Amos' Bow and Aqua Simulacra are the best options for this build, but you can also find a more affordable and equally good alternative in the form of the forgable Prototype Crescent.

Ganyu's Artifact screen
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What are the best artifacts for Ganyu?

Artifacts
Two-Piece Effect
Four-Piece Effect
Gladiator's Finale
Attack +18%
If the wielder of this artifact set uses a Sword, Claymore or Polearm, increases their Normal Attack damage by 35%
Blizzard Strayer
Cryo damage Bonus +15%
When a character attacks an enemy affected by Cryo, their Critical Rate is increased by 20%. If the enemy is Frozen, Critical Rate is increased by an additional 20%.
Noblesse Oblige
Elemental Burst DMG +20%
After using an Elemental Burst, all teammates get +20% ATK. Lasts 12s, does not stack

For this build you will need the Blizzard Strayer and Gladiator's Finale sets, so you can use Ganyu as a DPS on your party. How many of these you choose to equip on her will depend on your gameplay, so it is suggested that you test different builds, see how they work as mixed or full sets and you can decide then.

Slot
Main Stat
Sub Stats
Feather
Attack
Attack%, Critical Damage, Elemental Mastery, Critical Rate
Flower
HP
Attack%, Critical Damage, Critical Rate, Elemental Mastery
Hourglass
Attack%
Critical Damage, Energy Recharge, Elemental Mastery, Critical Rate
Goblet
Cryo Damage Bonus%
Attack%, Critical Damage, Critical Rate, Energy Recharge / Elemental Mastery
Headpiece
Critical Rate / Critical Damage
Critical Rate / Critical Damage, Attack%, Energy Recharge, Elemental Mastery

Given Ganyu's set of skills, you want to develop Elemental Mastery as the main stat and focus on boosting Attack as the sub-stat.

What are Ganyu's skills and talents?

Attack
Effect
Normal Attack
Performs up to 6 consecutive shots with a bow.
Charged Attack
Perform a more precise Aimed Shot with increased damage. While aiming, an icy aura will accumulate on the arrowhead before the arrow is fired. Has different effects based on how long the energy has been charged: Charge Level 1: Fires off an arrow that deals Cryo damage. Charge Level 2: Fires off a Frostflake Arrow that deals Cryo damage. The Frostflake Arrow blooms after hitting its target, dealing AoE Cryo damage.
Plunging Attack
Fires off a shower of arrows in mid-air before falling and striking the ground, dealing AoE damage upon impact.
Elemental Skill - Trail of the Qilin
Leaving a single Ice Lotus behind, Ganyu dashes backward, shunning all impurity and dealing AoE Cryo damage. Ice Lotus -Continuously taunts surrounding opponents, attracting them to attack it. -Endurance scales based on Ganyu's Max HP. -Blooms profusely when destroyed or once its duration ends, dealing AoE Cryo damage.
Elemental Burst - Celestial Shower
Coalesces atmospheric frost and snow to summon a Sacred Cryo Pearl that exorcises evil. During its ability duration, the Sacred Cryo Pearl will continuously rain down shards of ice, striking opponents within an AoE and dealing Cryo damage.
Talent#1 - Undivided Heart
After firing a Frostflake Arrow, the Critical Rate of subsequent Frostflake Arrows and their resulting bloom effects is increased by 20% for 5 seconds.
Talent#2 - Harmony between Heaven and Earth
Celestial Shower grants a 20% Cryo damage Bonus to active party members in the AoE.
Talent#3 - Preserved for the Hunt
Refunds 15% of the ores used when crafting Bow-type weapons.

Ganyu shines as a DPS, with greatly offensive abilities that display all her Cryo powers. Probably one of the best Bow-users in the game, Ganyu can use either her Elemental Skill or Burst as extremely aggressive AoE moves that will wipe entire groups of enemies with ease.

Ganyu's Constellation screen
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What are Ganyu's constellations?

Constellation
Effect
Dew-Drinker
Taking damage from a Charge Level 2 Frostflake Arrow Bloom decreases opponents' Cryo Resistance by 15% for 6 seconds. A hit regenerates 2 Energy for Ganyu. This effect can only occur once per Charge Level 2 Frostflake Arrow, regardless if Frostflake Arrow itself or its Bloom hit the target.
The Auspicious
Trail of the Qilin gains 1 additional charge.
Cloud-Strider
Increases the level of Celestial Shower by 3, up to a maximum level of 15.
Westward Sojourn
Opponents standing within the AoE of Celestial Shower take increased damage. This effect strengthens over time. Increased damage taken begins at 5% and increases by 5% every 3 seconds, up to a maximum of 25%. The effect lingers for 3 seconds after the opponent leaves the AoE.
The Merciful
Increases the level of Trail of the Qilin by 3, up to a maximum level of 15.
The Clement
Using Trail of the Qilin causes the next Frostflake Arrow shot within 30 seconds to not require charging.

If you get to pull Ganyu multiple times, you will eventually reach a level of the constellation that will turn her into an excellent DPS unit, with improvements on all her Skills and their respective cooldowns, making Ganyu a great offensive unit for your party.

What are Ganyu's ascension materials?

Ascension Rank
Required Level
Required Materials
1
20
20000 Mora, Shivada Jade Sliver x1, Qingxin x3, Whopperflower Nectar x3
2
50
40000 Mora, Shivada Jade Fragment x3, Hoarfrost Core x2, Qingxin x10, Whopperflower Nectar x15
3
60
60000 Mora, Shivada Jade Fragment x6, Hoarfrost Core x4, Qingxin x20, Shimmering Nectar x12
4
70
80000 Mora, Shivada Jade Chunk x3, Hoarfrost Core x8, Qingxin x30, Shimmering Nectar x18
5
80
100000 Mora, Shivada Jade Chunk x6, Hoarfrost Core x12, Qingxin x45, Energy Nectar x12
6
90
120000 Mora, Shivada Jade Gemstone x6, Hoarfrost Core x20, Qingxin x60, Energy Nectar x24

Ascending Ganyu boosts her Attack and Critical Damage stats more than anything else, a welcomed improvement that makes her a great DPS. Farming the Cryo Regisvine can take a bit, but for improving a unit as helpful as Ganyu is for your team it's worth the effort.

What are Ganyu's talent materials?

Daily Drops
Enemy Drops
Weekly Drops
Teachings/Guide/Philosophies of Diligence
Whopperflower/Shimmering/Energy Nectar
Shadow of the Warrior

An important part of building Ganyu is remembering to level up her talents and abilities. The order in which you go about this will change slightly depending on the role you expect her to play in your team, but here's the most common Ganyu talent upgrade order:

  • Elemental Skill
  • Elemental Burst
  • Normal Attack

And that's everything you need to know about Genshin Impact Ganyu! You now have all the info you need to make the most of the Plenilune Gaze in combat. Good luck!

For more Genshin Impact goodness, be sure to check out the Genshin Impact tier list. For specifics, check out our Genshin Impact 3.0 hub (which replaces the 2.9 leaks pagae), the preliminary Nahida build, and the Genshin Impact 3.1 hub if you're already looking toward the future.