Updated for Version 3.5
Amber is a 4–star Pyro Bow character in Genshin Impact who works as an on-field Charged Shot DPS or Burst support that provides fast Pyro application and taunting utilities. Learn about Amber’s best builds, Talent priority, best weapons, best artifacts, and best teams in this in-depth review.
Note that the information given may change if new discoveries are made. More extensive testing is in progress.
The full-length guide is available here. It is heavily outdated and currently being updated, please visit our Discord to learn more about Amber.
Table of Contents
New Content
| Dendro | Unlocks Burgeon playstyle. |
| Hunter’s Path | 5–star Bow that is good for Melt Amber. |
| King’s Squire | Sumeru craftable Bow that is suitable for Amber’s DPS playstyles. |
| Gilded Dreams, Flower of Paradise Lost | Artifact sets that are especially good for Burgeon Amber. |
| Heizou | 4-star Anemo Catalyst character who fills the role of VV shredder and TTDS holder while providing some amount of grouping. |
| Layla | 4-star Cryo Sword character who offers a strong shield that can provide a damage buff through Constellations. |
Playstyles
This Quick Guide will cover Melt, Burgeon, and Burst Support playstyles. For her Physical playstyle, please check out the full guide here.
Melt
Amber’s standard DPS playstyle; requires extremely high Resin and Primogem investment to catch up with other DPS units. Players can focus on maximizing one or more aspects of Amber’s kit:
| Charged Shot | • Staple Amber on-field DPS playstyle that is accessible at C0. • Suffers from being single-target only, falling off in multi-target content. • Having a standard Charged Shot (CS) multiplier means lower damage than CS-centric units. |
| Elemental Skill (C2+) | • Amber’s biggest source of AoE front-loaded damage; needs C4 to comfortably use. • Deals damage in satisfying big numbers, but has potential locked behind Constellations. |
| Elemental Burst | • High hit count leads to high Pyro application rate, and makes it difficult to Melt all of Amber’s Burst hits. Instead, it’s mainly utilized to enable Reverse Melt for Cryo units or for quickly setting up VV Shred in Solo Pyro at C2+; it is often forgone entirely in Double Pyro comps. • At C0, it’s highly impractical to use her Burst every rotation without enormous ER requirements, due to being unable to guarantee particles from Skill. • From C4 onward, it is instead encouraged to use her Burst even when a Pyro teammate is present for additional damage. • Deals less damage against smaller enemies. |
Burgeon
Offers high sustained AoE damage. Amber is a decent Burgeon DPS as almost all of her kit can trigger Burgeon:
| Charged Shot | Controlled, consistent Pyro application; recommended to only use Charged Shots in gameplay. • Dendro Cores have a very forgiving range where Burgeon can be triggered. |
| Elemental Skill | • AoE Pyro application. At C2+ has occasional use cases when Charged Shots are obstructed from hitting Dendro Cores, or when AoE application is needed to trigger scattered cores. • Before C2, it’s too unreliable as a Pyro source since you cannot control when Baron Bunny explodes. • After C2, the time wasted on casting the Skill is better used on Charged Shots, unless the scenario demands it. • Amber deals negligible Skill damage with an EM build. |
| Elemental Burst | • Not recommended to use, since its high Pyro application triggers Burning. • Burning deals lower damage than Burgeon and halts Dendro Core production, while requiring valuable Hydro application to extinguish. |
Burst Support
Amber’s multi-hit, low cost Elemental Burst offers an extremely high Pyro application rate, useful for breaking Elemental shields as well as enabling multiple instances of Reverse Melt and setting up VV Shred. It can further trigger 4pc Noblesse or 4pc Instructor set effects, and easily proc Favonius Warbow’s passive in conjunction with the Burst CRIT Rate bonus from Amber’s A1 Passive. She also contributes to Pyro Resonance, which can be a helpful boost for her teammates. All of these effects are achievable at C0 and only require investment in ER% — a decent package deal for a free character.
Elegy for the End and Amber’s C6 can be valuable in maximizing her support potential.
Character Overview
Level and Talent Priority
Melt
Talent Priority
C0: Normal Attack >> Burst > Skill
C2+: Normal Attack ≥ Skill > Burst
Burgeon
Amber deals damage exclusively through Burgeon in this playstyle; it’s top priority to level her to 90 to maximize the reaction’s base damage. All of her Talents can be left at Level 1.
Burst Support
Talent Priority
Burst >> Skill >> Normal Attack
Amber mainly uses her Burst to apply Pyro and buff the team, only using her Skill if it does not interfere with reactions. The Talents of Amber’s damage-dealing teammates take priority over her own.
Talents
Normal Attack | Sharpshooter
Talent Description
Normal Attack
Performs up to 5 consecutive shots with a bow.
Charged Attack
Perform a more precise Aimed Shot with increased DMG.
While aiming, flames will accumulate on the arrowhead. A fully charged flaming arrow will deal Pyro DMG.
Plunging Attack
Fires off a shower of arrows in mid-air before falling and striking the ground, dealing AoE DMG upon impact.
Amber mainly uses her Normal Attack Talent’s Charged Shot. Each shot takes ~1.5s to fully charge and can be interrupted by enemy attacks, which may call for a shield.
Elemental Skill | Explosive Puppet
Talent Description
The ever-reliable Baron Bunny takes the stage.
Baron Bunny
- Continuously taunts the enemy, drawing their fire.
- Baron Bunny’s HP scales with Amber’s Max HP.
- When destroyed or when its timer expires, Baron Bunny explodes, dealing AoE Pyro DMG.
Hold
Adjusts the throwing direction of Baron Bunny.
The longer the button is held, the further the throw.
The main utility of Amber’s Skill is its taunting mechanics, which can prevent interruption mid–Charged Shot by driving enemies within a 5 meter (~2 abyss tiles) radius away from her. However, enemies can’t switch targets mid-attack, which means Baron Bunny needs to be deployed some time before they begin to attack.
Elemental Burst | Fiery Rain
Talent Description
Fires off a shower of arrows, dealing continuous AoE Pyro DMG.
Fires a volley of 18 arrows, each with its own hitbox. It’s worth noting that only large targets are hit by all 18 arrows; smaller enemies are hit by less. This ability applies a large amount of Pyro within its AoE, which is useful in setting up combos and breaking Elemental shields.
Ascension 1 Passive | Every Arrow Finds Its Target
Talent Description
Increases the CRIT Rate of Fiery Rain by 10% and widens its AoE by 30%.
Increases both the size of Amber’s Burst field and the hitbox of its arrows. The bonus CRIT Rate is helpful to improve the proc chance of Favonius Warbow’s passive.
Ascension 4 Passive | Precise Shot
Talent Description
Aimed Shot hits on weak spots increase ATK by 15% for 10s.
A minimal buff that further reinforces Amber’s identity as a sharpshooter.
Constellations
Constellation 1 | One Arrow to Rule Them All
Fires 2 arrows per Aimed Shot. The second arrow deals 20% of the first arrow’s DMG.
The second arrow is fired 10 degrees vertically below actual aiming. It is an additional attack whose damage is calculated separately and shares ICD with the primary shot. The primary arrow usually hits enemies first.
This Constellation isn’t particularly relevant for most playstyles, aside from Physical Amber.
Constellation 2 | Bunny Triggered
Baron Bunny, new and improved! Hitting Baron Bunny’s foot with a fully-charged Aimed Shot manually detonates it.
Explosion via manual detonation deals 200% additional DMG.
The “200% additional DMG” here is a 200% DMG Bonus that is additive to other DMG Bonus sources. To detonate the Bunny, you have to shoot at the ground it stands on, not its foot. It has a very generous hitbox.
It’s not recommended to focus on a Melt Bunny playstyle at this Constellation due to the long Skill cooldown and single Skill charge.
Constellation 3 | It Burns!
Increases the Level of Fiery Rain by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.
A non-negligible boost to Amber’s Burst damage but usually can’t be fully utilized against smaller targets, diminishing the value of this Constellation.
Constellation 4 | It’s Not Just Any Doll…
Decreases Explosive Puppet’s CD by 20%. Adds 1 additional charge.
A nice QoL Constellation. The cooldowns are counted sequentially, meaning it takes a full 24s to recharge both Bunnies.
Constellation 5 | It’s Baron Bunny!
Increases the Level of Explosive Puppet by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.
A sizable boost to Amber’s Elemental Skill damage if manual detonation is utilized. It’s the maximum potential for a Melt Bunny playstyle.
Constellation 6 | Wildfire
Fiery Rain increases all party members’ Movement SPD by 15% and ATK by 15% for 10s.
Offers teamwide buffs. At this Constellation, Amber has her best potential as a Burst Support.
Artifacts
ER Requirements
| Scenario | No team Fav procs | 1 team Fav proc | 2 team Fav procs |
| Melt (C2) | 140–145% | 105–130% | 100–110% |
| Melt (C4+) | 100–120% | 100–110% | 100% |
| Burst Support (Elegy) | 225–240% | 185–195% | 160–170% |
| Burst Support (Fav) | 165–175% | 145–150% | 130–135% |
Assumptions:
- Team Fav procs are not funneled to Amber.
- Amber absorbs her own particles when wielding Favonius Warbow.
- Omission of Skill when played as a Burst Support.
Notes:
- Amber doesn’t use her Burst in a Burgeon playstyle, and as such does not have an ER requirement.
- C0 Melt Amber doesn’t normally Burst in her rotation; at C2 only for VV Shred set up.
Use the Energy Recharge Calculator to determine exact requirements for your team and rotation.
Artifact Stats
Melt
 Sands |  Goblet |  Circlet |
| EM > ATK% | Pyro DMG% | CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG |
Substats: ER% (until requirement) > CRIT Rate = CRIT DMG > EM > ATK% > Flat ATK
ATK% Sands gains value when there is an abundance of EM from Amber’s weapon and team buffs. A 1:2 ratio of CRIT Rate to CRIT DMG is optimal.
Burgeon
Sands | Goblet | Circlet |
| EM | EM | EM |
Substats: just EM
EM is the only useful stat for Amber’s Burgeon playstyle.
Burst Support
Sands | Goblet | Circlet |
| ER or ATK%* | Pyro DMG Bonus | CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG |
Substats: ER% (until requirement) > CRIT Rate (if Favonius) > CRIT DMG > ATK% > Flat ATK
*An ATK% Sands becomes viable when running Favonius Warbow.
Artifact Sets
Melt
| Artifact Set | Notes |
| 4pc Shimenawa’s Reminiscence / 4pc Wanderer’s Troupe | Best for Charged Shot playstyles, range from viable to questionable for playstyles that focus more on Amber’s Skill (C4+) and Burst. Shimenawa’s Energy drain increases Amber’s ER needs in exchange for a powerful buff to Charged Shots. |
| 4pc Crimson Witch of Flames (CW) | Best all-around set that buffs all of Amber’s Pyro attacks and reactions. Gets better with C4. |
| 4pc Gilded Dreams | Provides stronger buffs than 2pc combinations. Comes from a Resin-efficient Domain. |
| 2pc combinations of Crimson Witch of Flames (CW), +80 EM, and +18% ATK sets | Usable sets. Generally, the 2pc combination of CW and +80 EM is stronger than the rest. |
Burgeon
| Artifact Set | Notes |
| 4pc Flower of Paradise Lost | Best-in-Slot at high EM. |
| 4pc Gilded Dreams | Strong set that provides an abundance of EM. |
| 2pc combinations of +80 EM sets | Usable sets. |
Burst Support
| Artifact Set | Notes |
| 4pc Noblesse Oblige | Support set for ATK-scaling damage dealers. |
| 4pc Instructor | Only use if the team allows Amber to trigger reactions with her Burst. Provides an EM buff that is valuable to reaction-heavy teams. |
| 2pc Emblem of Severed Fate | Helps Amber meet her ER requirement. While the set’s 4pc bonus is not worth farming for her, it’s nevertheless appreciated. |
Weapons
Melt
Weapon rankings assume the use of Bennett’s Burst. Without it, 3-star weapons lose value due to their low Base ATK.
| Weapon | Notes |
| Aqua Simulacra / Skyward Harp / Polar Star | Best all–around options with similar power levels. Aqua requires close range; strongest option when paired with Bennett; Polar Star encourages full use of Amber’s kit for maximum performance. |
| Hunter’s Path / Amos’ Bow | Good for Melt Charged Shot playstyle. Note that at 0 stacks, Amos’ Bow loses to every 5-star option in this list. |
| Thundering Pulse | CRIT DMG and ATK% stat stick. Heavily underutilized passive. |
| Slingshot | Surprisingly strong Charged Shot 3-star option that slightly beats Thundering Pulse at close range. |
| Prototype Crescent / King’s Squire | Craftable options. Prototype Crescent is a potent ATK% stat stick with its passive. King’s Squire offers a good amount of both ATK% and EM. |
| Windblume Ode | F2P option. Appreciable EM substat with a short-lived ATK% buff after Skill use; potentially better passive up-time at C4. |
| Hamayumi | Craftable option. Decent for Charged Shot playstyle, but falls off if Amber needs to Burst. |
| The Stringless | Very strong for Melt Bunny; EM stat stick for a Charged Shot playstyle. |
| The Viridescent Hunt | Battle Pass option. The passive is not particularly great for DPS Amber, but the occasional grouping can be useful sometimes. |
| Blackcliff Warbow | F2P; only worth using if options above are unavailable.Blackcliff’s passive is unreliable but can surpass craftable options if the scenario allows for consistent stacks. |
| Sharpshooter’s Oath | CRIT DMG substat; offers a potent damageDMG buff toon weak spot hits, putting it close to 5-star options, but only utilizable by skilled players and only against enemies with weak spot; a very accessible F2P option. |
Burgeon
| Weapon | Notes |
| The Stringless | Gacha option; wasted Skill and Burst DMG Bonus passive. |
| Windblume Ode | F2P option; offers the same EM substat as Stringless. |
| King’s Squire | Craftable option. |
| Raven Bow | Very accessible F2P option; less EM than the above options. |
| Elegy for the End | Wasted ER% substat; Amber can’t trigger the passive reliably without using her Elemental Burst, which risks causing Burning instead of Burgeon. It’s better to let a teammate use this weapon instead. |
Burst Support
| Weapon | Notes |
| Elegy for the End | Possesses a useful substat and provides a valuable teamwide buff. |
| Favonius Warbow | Ensures Amber meets her ER requirement and reduces teammates’ ER needs; build CRIT Rate on Amber to reliably trigger the passive. |
| ER% Bows | Getting Amber’s Burst up reliably is more important than dealing damage. This makes weapons that assist in fulfilling her ER needs solid options. |
Teams
Team images courtesy of the KQM portrait generator.
Melt
- Functional as long as a Cryo applier and an Anemo VV holder or Zhongli are present.
- Slotting in a shielder is recommended as Amber is easily interrupted during Charged Shots.
Notable Teammates
| Character | Notes |
| Ganyu, Rosaria | Have good AoE, personal damage and Cryo application. Are the only units who can enable Melt Amber on their own. |
| Chongyun | Able to Melt his Burst 3–4 times off of Amber’s Burst. At C2, reduces C4 Amber’s total Skill cooldown to 20.4s; struggles to provide enough Cryo application for Amber’s Charged Shots without help from an Anemo unit’s Cryo Absorption or another Cryo teammate. |
| Diona | Shielder, healer and slow Cryo applier; EM buffer at C6. |
| Layla | Has higher personal damage and a stronger shield than Diona; provides a middling Additive Base DMG Bonus to Amber’s Charged Shots at C4. |
| Character | Notes |
| Kazuha, Sucrose, Heizou | Kazuha and Sucrose are better at providing relevant buffs, VV and grouping than Heizou. |
| Venti | Has the strongest grouping in the game, offers VV Shred and an Energy refund, but no other buffs to damage. |
| AMC | Possesses a unique Absorption Priority, allowing for Double Swirl setups in AoE that maintain a Cryo aura. As their Burst requires good positioning in order to be useful, it is best to focus on instead using their Short-Hold Skill. |
| Sayu, Jean | Heal and provide VV Shred. |
| Character | Notes |
| Bennett | Amber’s best Pyro teammate; offers a large Flat ATK buff and Pyro Resonance. |
| Zhongli | Gives Universal RES Shred and a strong shield. |
| Another Cryo unit | Free 15% CRIT Rate buff from Cryo Resonance on Amber’s Melts; running Double Cryo also reduces each Cryo unit’s ER needs. |
Example Teams
This is not a comprehensive list of teams. The inclusion or exclusion of any given team does not necessarily reflect its power level.
Burgeon
- Highly desires Kokomi, a limited 5-star character, for a comfortable Hydro application rate.
- Can utilize Fridge by bringing a Cryo character for extra Dendro Core production and Freeze.
- Bringing a shielder is recommended as Amber is easily interrupted during Charged Shots.
Notable Teammates
| Character | Notes |
| Kokomi | Consolidates off-field AoE Hydro application and healing, both of which are valuable for this team archetype. |
| Ayato | Decent off-field AoE Hydro applier through his Burst, but has to forgo offensive stats for ER% and take up field time by using Skill to meet Energy needs. |
| Barbara | Budget Kokomi. Requires super close range, Sacrificial Fragments or help from an Anemo unit’s Hydro Absorption for consistent Hydro application; clunky F2P option. |
Example Teams
This is not a comprehensive list of teams. The inclusion or exclusion of any given team does not necessarily reflect its power level.
Hu Tao VV Burst Support
A well-invested Hu Tao benefits greatly from a Pyro teammate for VV setups, since she herself cannot reliably apply Pyro for VV Shred without sacrificing a large portion of her damage. For more in-depth info, check out the Hu Tao guide here.
Notable Teammates
Example Teams
This is not a comprehensive list of teams. The inclusion or exclusion of any given team does not necessarily reflect its power level.
Credits
Writer: Casdela#5121
Editors: Polomo#8430, idkanonymized#4166, Nikatosaurus#5639, Cuzimori#1535, Chasing Haze#3014, Reimu#1626
Transcriber: Polomo#8430