Zhongli Best Builds and Talent Guide for Genshin Impact

Zhongli is one of the most flexible characters in Genshin Impact Zhongli. He is a 5-star Geo Polearm user with great team value. He can protect teammates with strong shields or deal big damage. His skills focus on making shields and using strong Geo attacks. This makes him important for many team setups. If you want a character with style, power, and flexibility, Genshin Impact Zhongli is a great pick.

Key Takeaways

• Zhongli is great for strong shields and big damage bursts. Pick builds that match how you like to play.

• For strong shields, focus on HP% stats. Use the Tenacity of the Millelith artifact set to make shields stronger.

• Level up Zhongli’s Elemental Skill first for better shields. Then, upgrade his Elemental Burst to boost damage and control.

• Gather materials early to level up Zhongli and his talents. This helps him become powerful faster.

• Try teams with Geo characters for better shields and damage. Or, team him with DPS characters for the best results.

Best Zhongli Builds

Zhongli is a very flexible character in Genshin Impact. You can use him for strong shields or big damage. There are builds to match how you want to play him. Let’s explore the best Zhongli builds to unlock his full potential.

Shield Support Build

The Shield Support Build is popular among players. It focuses on making Zhongli’s shield as strong as possible. This build also gives helpful buffs to your team.

Recommended Weapons

• Favonius Lance: Creates energy particles to keep Zhongli’s Burst ready.

• Black Tassel: A cheaper choice that increases HP for stronger shields.

Best Artifact Sets

Stat Priorities

To make Zhongli a great shielder, focus on these stats:

• Sands: HP%

• Goblet: HP%

• Circlet: HP% or CRIT Rate (for some extra damage).

Talent Priorities

Upgrade Zhongli’s Elemental Skill (Dominus Lapidis) first. This makes his shield very strong. Then, level up his Elemental Burst for more utility.

Burst Support Build

The Burst Support Build mixes shield power with high Burst damage. It’s great if you want Zhongli to deal big Geo damage while protecting your team.

Recommended Weapons

• Staff of Homa: Boosts CRIT DMG and HP, perfect for shields and damage.

• Deathmatch: A good 4-star weapon that raises CRIT Rate and ATK.

Best Artifact Sets

Stat Priorities

For this build, focus on these stats:

• Sands: HP% or Energy Recharge

• Goblet: Geo DMG Bonus

• Circlet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG.

Talent Priorities

First, upgrade Zhongli’s Elemental Burst (Planet Befall). This boosts his Burst damage. Next, level his Elemental Skill for better shields.

Tip: The Burst Support Build works well with teams that use Zhongli’s resistance shred and interruption resistance.

Zhongli Talent Guide

Normal Attack: Rain of Stone

Zhongli’s Normal Attack, Rain of Stone, has six hits. It deals physical damage and works well in a Physical DPS build. While not his main focus, it still helps in fights. The attack includes single-target and AoE damage. The charged attack is especially strong.

Here’s the damage breakdown for each attack:

Rain of Stone isn’t Zhongli’s strongest skill. But it’s useful for steady damage when other skills are on cooldown.

Elemental Skill: Dominus Lapidis

Dominus Lapidis is Zhongli’s most important skill. It creates a Stone Stele that deals AoE Geo damage. The Stele also resonates with other Geo constructs. Holding the skill makes a Jade Shield. The shield scales with Zhongli’s max HP and lowers nearby enemies’ Elemental and Physical RES by 20%.

Key features of this skill:

• Stone Stele: Hits multiple enemies with Geo damage.

• Jade Shield: Blocks damage based on Zhongli’s max HP.

• Resistance Reduction: Weakens enemies’ defenses by 20%.

Here’s a chart showing the damage multipliers for Dominus Lapidis:

This skill makes Zhongli great for shielding and dealing damage. It’s also very helpful in tough battles where defense and control are key.

Elemental Burst: Planet Befall

Zhongli’s Elemental Burst, Planet Befall, calls down a meteor. It deals huge Geo damage and petrifies enemies. Petrified enemies can’t move, giving your team time to attack.

Here’s how Planet Befall helps your team:

Planet Befall is a must-upgrade talent for Zhongli. It’s not just about damage—it also gives your team control and safety.

Pro Tip: Use Zhongli’s Burst with characters like Hu Tao or Ganyu. They can take advantage of the petrification effect for massive damage.

Talent Leveling Priorities

Upgrading Zhongli’s talents in the right order is important. It helps him perform better, whether as a shield supporter or damage dealer. Focus on the correct talents to make him stronger.

Here’s a simple guide for leveling Zhongli’s talents:

If you want Zhongli as a support, upgrade his Elemental Skill first. This boosts his Jade Shield, which depends on his max HP. A stronger shield means your team stays safer.

For sub-DPS Zhongli, start with his Elemental Burst. Planet Befall does big Geo damage and freezes enemies. This gives your team time to attack. After that, level up his Elemental Skill for good shields.

Normal Attack should be upgraded last. It’s helpful sometimes but doesn’t add much to his main abilities.

Tip: Collect Zhongli’s talent materials early. You’ll need Teachings of Gold, Slime Condensate, and Tusk of Monoceros Caeli. These can be found in domains, bosses, and the overworld.

By following this order, Zhongli will be ready for any role. Whether he’s protecting or attacking, he’ll always be a strong teammate.

Zhongli’s Ascension Materials

To make Zhongli stronger, you need special items. These materials help improve his stats and unlock his full power. Let’s look at what you’ll need for Zhongli’s ascension.

Ascension Materials List

Zhongli’s ascension needs gems, enemy drops, boss items, and a Liyue specialty. Here’s a simple list for each level:

Cor Lapis and Basalt Pillars are very important. Start collecting them early to save time!

Talent Upgrade Materials

To upgrade Zhongli’s talents, you’ll need books, enemy drops, and rare boss items. Here’s a breakdown of the materials:

The Crown of Insight is rare. Save it for when you’re ready to fully upgrade Zhongli’s talents.

Where to Find Zhongli’s Ascension Materials

Not sure where to find Zhongli’s materials? Here’s a quick guide:

• Basalt Pillar: Fight the Geo Hypostasis in Guyun Stone Forest, Liyue.

• Cor Lapis: Found in Liyue at these spots:

  • Mt. Hulao in Jueyun Karst

  • Northeast of Tianqiu Valley

  • Sal Terrae’s underwater cave

  • Buy from Changshun in Liyue Harbor (5 for 1,500 Mora each, restocks every three days).

For Prithiva Topaz, defeat Geo Hypostasis or other Geo bosses. Slime materials drop from Slimes, which are easy to find across Teyvat. Keep farming these often to stay prepared!

Tip: Plan your farming routes and weekly boss fights to collect Zhongli’s materials faster.

Best Weapons for Zhongli

Picking the right weapon for Zhongli is very important. It can improve his shields or damage based on your playstyle. Here are the top weapon choices, from rare 5-star to free options.

5-Star Weapons

If you have a 5-star weapon, Zhongli becomes much stronger. These weapons boost both his shields and damage:

• Staff of Homa: One of Zhongli’s best weapons. It raises HP and gives a big CRIT DMG boost. Its passive also increases ATK based on HP, making it great for shields and bursts.

• Vortex Vanquisher: Made for Zhongli, this weapon improves shield strength and ATK. It’s perfect for shield-focused builds.

• Primordial Jade Winged-Spear: Though not HP-based, it raises CRIT Rate and adds stacking ATK bonuses. It’s good for burst-focused Zhongli.

4-Star Weapons

No 5-star weapon? No problem! Zhongli works well with these 4-star options:

• Favonius Lance: This weapon creates energy particles, keeping Zhongli’s Burst ready. It helps the team but needs a decent CRIT Rate to activate its effect.

• Black Tassel: A great choice for shield builds. It gives the highest HP% bonus among polearms, making Zhongli’s Jade Shield stronger.

Here’s a simple comparison of these weapons:

Free-to-Play Options

Free-to-play players still have good weapon choices for Zhongli:

• Black Tassel: The best free option for shield builds. Its HP% stat strengthens shields and is easy to get.

• Favonius Lance: While not fully free, many players already own this 4-star weapon. Its energy recharge effect supports the team well.

These options keep Zhongli useful, even without rare weapons.

Tip: For shield builds, pick HP-scaling weapons like Black Tassel. Combine them with Tenacity of the Millelith artifacts for the best results.

Best Artifacts for Zhongli

Choosing the right artifacts is key to unlocking Zhongli’s full potential. Whether you’re focusing on shields or burst damage, the right set can make a huge difference. Let’s dive into the best Zhongli artifacts for each build.

Shield Support Build

If you want Zhongli to be the ultimate shield provider, focus on boosting his HP. The Tenacity of the Millelith set is your best bet. It not only strengthens his shield but also buffs your team’s ATK and shield strength. This synergy makes it one of Zhongli’s best artifacts for shield support.

Increasing HP% is crucial for maximizing Zhongli’s shield strength. The Tenacity of the Millelith set enhances both his HP and team utility, making it a top choice for shield builds.

Here’s what you should aim for:

• 4pc Tenacity of the Millelith: Boosts shield strength and provides an ATK buff for your team.

• 2pc HP% + 2pc HP%: Maximizes Zhongli’s shield strength by focusing entirely on HP.

For stats, prioritize HP% on the Sands, Goblet, and Circlet. This ensures Zhongli’s shield can absorb as much damage as possible.

Burst Support Build

For a Burst Support Zhongli, you’ll want to balance shield strength with high Geo damage. Artifact sets like Noblesse Oblige and Archaic Petra work wonders here. They enhance his Elemental Burst damage while providing team-wide buffs.

For stats, go for HP% or Energy Recharge on the Sands, Geo DMG Bonus on the Goblet, and CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG on the Circlet. This setup ensures Zhongli’s Burst hits hard while maintaining solid shields.

Alternative Artifact Sets

Sometimes, you might not have the perfect set ready. That’s where alternative options come in. Zhongli’s versatility allows him to perform well with various artifact combinations.

If you’re still farming for Zhongli’s best artifacts, mix and match sets that provide high HP stats. Even without full set bonuses, Zhongli can still shine as a shield or burst support.

Tip: Don’t stress about perfect artifacts right away. Focus on HP% stats first, then refine your sets as you go.

With the right artifacts, Zhongli becomes a powerhouse in any role. Experiment with these sets to find what works best for your team.

Team Compositions for Zhongli

Making a strong team with Zhongli depends on his role. Whether he’s shielding or dealing burst damage, Zhongli fits many teams. Let’s look at some top team setups to use his skills best.

Shield Support Teams

For shield support, Zhongli’s strong shields and resistance shred are key. Pair him with another Geo character to activate Geo Resonance. This boosts shield power and reduces interruption risks, making your team tougher.

Here are some artifact setups for shield-focused teams:

For shield teams, pair Zhongli with Albedo or Ningguang. They work well with his Geo abilities and boost Geo damage. Adding a healer like Bennett or Kokomi keeps your team healthy in tough fights.

Tip: Use two Geo characters for Geo Core teams. This improves survivability and lets your DPS focus on attacking.

Burst Support Teams

Zhongli as a Burst Support deals big Geo damage while shielding. This works well in teams needing high burst damage or reaction setups.

Here’s what Zhongli adds to burst teams:

For burst teams, pair Zhongli with Hu Tao or Ganyu. His shield lets them focus on attacking without interruptions. In reaction teams, his resistance shred boosts Vaporize or Melt damage, making him very useful.

Synergies with Other Characters

Zhongli works well with many characters because of his flexibility. He fits Geo teams or reaction-based setups easily. Here are some great pairings:

Pairing Zhongli with Geo characters like Albedo or Gorou activates Geo Resonance. This boosts shields and team durability. For reaction teams, characters like Xingqiu or Fischl trigger strong reactions while Zhongli protects and shreds resistance.

Note: Zhongli’s shield is great for DPS teams. It lets your main DPS focus on attacking without interruptions.

Different Ways to Play Zhongli

Zhongli isn’t only about shields or bursts. You can try other styles, like Physical DPS or Hybrid DPS. These builds are unique but need different teams and resources.

Physical DPS Zhongli

To make Zhongli a Physical DPS, focus on his Normal Attacks. This style is great for single enemies or steady physical damage. Use weapons like Crescent Pike to boost Normal and Charged Attacks. Other good options are Staff of Homa or Deathmatch for extra damage.

Here’s how this style works:

For this build, pair Zhongli with teammates like Xingqiu or Fischl. They trigger reactions to boost his damage. This playstyle needs medium to high investment but is fun for making Zhongli your main attacker.

Hybrid DPS Zhongli

A Hybrid DPS build mixes Geo and physical damage. Zhongli’s Elemental Burst deals AoE Geo damage, while his Normal Attacks handle physical damage. This style is flexible but needs more resources than Physical DPS.

Here’s a comparison of the two styles:

Hybrid DPS Zhongli is great for teams needing AoE damage and crowd control. His Elemental Burst is key for handling groups of enemies. However, his personal damage might feel weaker than a full Physical DPS build.

If you want to use all of Zhongli’s abilities, try Hybrid DPS. Be ready to invest in both Geo and physical stats to make it effective.

Tip: Use Hybrid DPS Zhongli in areas with many enemies, like Spiral Abyss. His AoE damage and control make fights easier.

Zhongli is a very flexible character for any team. He can give strong shields or deal big damage. Test different builds and teams to find your favorite way to play. Trying new setups can lead to fun strategies! With the right build, Zhongli can be the key to your Genshin Impact success.

Pro Tip: Use his best skills to boost your team’s power.

FAQ

How do I farm Cor Lapis for Zhongli’s ascension?

You can find Cor Lapis in Liyue. Look around Mt. Hulao, Tianqiu Valley, and Sal Terrae. You can also buy five pieces from Changshun in Liyue Harbor for 1,500 Mora each. Don’t forget to check these spots daily!

Tip: Use a character like Ningguang to highlight nearby ores.

Is Black Tassel a good weapon for Zhongli?

Yes! Black Tassel is an excellent free-to-play option for shield builds. Its HP% stat boosts Zhongli’s Jade Shield strength. While it doesn’t add much damage, it’s perfect if you want Zhongli to focus on protecting your team.

Should I prioritize HP or CRIT stats for Zhongli?

It depends on your build. For shield support, prioritize HP% on all artifacts. For burst support, balance HP% with CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG. This way, Zhongli can protect your team while dealing significant Geo damage.

Can Zhongli work in non-Geo teams?

Absolutely! Zhongli’s shield and resistance shred fit any team. Pair him with characters like Hu Tao or Ganyu for uninterrupted DPS. His flexibility makes him a valuable addition, even in reaction-based teams.

What’s the best way to use Zhongli’s Elemental Burst?

Use Planet Befall to control crowds and deal massive Geo damage. The petrification effect freezes enemies, giving your team time to attack safely. Combine it with other AoE skills for maximum impact.

Pro Tip: Time Zhongli’s Burst with your DPS character’s strongest attacks for devastating combos.