Updated for Version 5.5
Gaming is a 4★ Pyro Claymore character in Genshin Impact who deals strong damage via enhanced Plunging Attacks. Learn about Gaming’s best builds, best weapons, best artifacts, and best teams in this quick guide.
Note that the information given may change if new discoveries are made. More extensive testing is in progress.
Join our Discord to participate in the theorycrafting process.
Table of Contents
New Content
 Citlali | Citlali is an excellent support for Gaming thanks to her off-field Cryo application, RES Shred, and her ability to trigger the full effects of 4pc Scroll and provide a shield. |
 Xilonen | Xilonen is a great support for Gaming, as she Shreds the PHEC elements of the team, triggers the full effects of 4pc Scroll, and heals with her Elemental Burst. |
 Fruitful Hook | A strong option that scales incredibly well with refinements. It is among his top weapon choices. |
 A Thousand Blazing Suns | A generic but potent stat stick. |
 Fang of the Mountain King | A generic 5-star stat stick. The passive is useless in most scenarios. |
 Iansan | Iansan can hold 4pc Scroll in Gaming’s teams while also providing her ATK buffs. |
 Sigewinne | Provides teamwide healing. Her elemental application is insufficient on its own; however, she is a decent slot when paired with another Hydro option (such as Furina). |
 Lan Yan | Provides a strong shield and can situationally offer Viridescent Venerer or Thrilling Tales buffs. |
 Ororon | Ororon can hold 4pc Scroll in Gaming’s Vaporize teams. His off-field electro application enables Gaming to trigger Overloaded and Vaporize. |
 Kachina | A potential 4pc Scroll holder in scenarios where crystallizing Pyro is possible. |
 Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City | A potent supportive set held by Gaming’s teammates, Natlan supports provide a greater buff. |
 Long Night’s Oath | A new set that buffs Plunge damage; however, Gaming can’t maintain a high amount of stacks, resulting in a sidegrade to his 4pc set options. |
Infographic
Credits to: kolvii, icedsquid, auraolis, irokei, haafr, acerbus114, pjeljr, and KQM Staff.
Character Overview
Playstyles
Plunging Attack DPS
Gaming is an on-field Plunging Attack DPS unit who uses his Elemental Skill to perform enhanced Plunging Attacks. Gaming uses his Burst to enter a special state that ends if he leaves the field, so his teammates should set up their off-field abilities beforehand. Gaming’s teammates aim to maximize his damage by providing buffs and enabling Elemental Reactions from off-field (Usually Forward Melt or Reverse Vaporize).
Gaming’s special state summons the Suanni Man Chai. Man Chai deals damage to an enemy and returns to Gaming, which resets Gaming’s Skill cooldown as long as he is above 50% Max HP. This allows Gaming to use 4–6 enhanced Plunging Attacks during his Burst state. Note that Man Chai doesn’t return immediately, so Gaming needs to perform some action while Man Chai travels back. See the Combos section for more details.
Gaming’s Elemental Skill cooldown reset, A1 Passive, and A4 Passive require him to stay above 50% Max HP, so a healer is recommended.
Talents
Talent Priority
Skill > Burst ≥ Normal Attack*
Gaming’s enhanced Plunging Attacks constitute the majority of his damage and scale with his Skill’s Talent level. His Burst does not deal a significant amount of damage so it can be prioritized after. His Normal Attack Talent is still used to fill time between the enhanced Plunging Attacks from his Skill.
*Prioritize Gaming’s Normal Attack over his Burst if playing with Xianyun and C6 Bennett. In this circumstance, his Pyro-infused regular Plunging Attacks contribute more damage than his Burst.
Talent Overview
Normal Attack | Stellar Rend
Talent Description
Normal Attack
Performs up to 4 consecutive strikes.
Charged Attack
Drains Stamina over time to perform continuous spinning attacks against all nearby opponents.
At the end of the sequence, performs a more powerful slash.
Plunging Attack
Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact.
Gaming has generic scaling on his Normal Attacks. He can use them to fill time between Plunging Attacks during his Burst, but they do not make up a noteworthy portion of his damage unless he is paired with a C6 Bennett. They are typically ignored in a Melt playstyle.
Elemental Skill | Bestial Ascent
Talent Description
Pounces forward using the Wushou arts, leaping high into the air after coming into contact with a target or surface. After Gaming has used Bestial Ascent to rise into the air, if he immediately uses a Plunging Attack, he will use the especially powerful Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider instead.
Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider
The DMG from Plunging Attacks caused by Bestial Ascent is converted to Pyro DMG that cannot be overridden by other elemental infusions. Upon landing, Gaming will consume a fixed amount of HP. Gaming’s HP cannot be reduced below 10% by this method.
Charmed Cloudstrider DMG is considered Plunging Attack DMG.
Gaming’s Skill constitutes the majority of his damage. Upon using his Skill, Gaming does the following in sequence:
- First, Gaming lunges forward at an enemy.
- He passes through smaller enemies, but cannot pass through larger enemies like bosses.
- This can make positioning a nuisance sometimes.
- Then, he launches himself up after colliding with an enemy.
- Next, he can perform his enhanced Plunging Attack Charmed Cloudstrider after you click or press the typical Plunging Attack button.
- The enhanced Plunging Attack is converted to Pyro and cannot be overridden.
- Gaming deals Plunging Attack damage upon landing on the ground.
- His enhanced Plunging Attack does not deal midair collision damage .
- Finally, after landing, Gaming loses 15% of his Max HP.
- Gaming’s HP drain cannot reduce his HP below 10%.
Note:
- Charmed Cloudstrider is considered Plunging Attack DMG; therefore, it’s considered a Blunt Attack and will cause Shatter onto Frozen Enemies.
- Gear that requires Gaming to deal Elemental Skill DMG, or that increases Elemental Skill DMG will not affect Charmed Cloudstrider’s damage.
- Conversely, Plunging Attack buffs, like those from Xianyun or Fruitful Hook will buff it.
Elemental Burst | Suanni’s Gilded Dance
Talent Description
Gaming enters Wushou Stance, briefly applying Pyro to him, recovering a fixed amount of HP, and summons his companion, the Suanni Man Chai, to smash into his target, dealing AoE Pyro DMG.
After bashing its target, Man Chai will roll to a nearby location before moving towards Gaming. When it links up with Gaming, Man Chai will leave the field and reset the CD for Gaming’s Elemental Skill, Bestial Ascent.
While Wushou Stance is active, his resistance to interruption is increased, and when Gaming lands with Charmed Cloudstrider attack or completes the forward pounce attack from Bestial Ascent with over 50% HP, he will summon Man Chai again.
Each Gaming can only have 1 Man Chai on the field simultaneously.
This effect will be canceled once Gaming leaves the field.
On cast, Gaming’s Burst deals damage, heals 30% of his Max HP, applies Pyro to himself, and activates a special stance where he summons Man Chai.
Man Chai rolls towards an enemy, deals damage, and then reconnects with Gaming. When Man Chai returns to Gaming, Gaming’s Elemental Skill cooldown resets. Man Chai is resummoned every time Gaming performs his enhanced Plunging Attack during his Burst state, as long as he is above 50% Max HP. This allows Gaming to perform 4–6 enhanced Plunging Attacks during his Burst state.
Ascension 1 Passive | Dance of Amity
Talent Description
After Bestial Ascent’s Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider hits an opponent, Gaming will regain 1.5% of his Max HP once every 0.2s for 0.8s.
Gaming’s A1 Passive causes him to regenerate 6% of his Max HP over 0.8s after hitting an enemy with his enhanced Plunging Attack. The healing is not enough to fully counteract the healing lost from an enhanced Plunging Attack, but it helps with survivability nonetheless.
Ascension 4 Passive | Air of Prosperity
Talent Description
When Gaming has less than 50% HP, he will receive a 20% Incoming Healing Bonus. When Gaming has 50% HP or more, Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider will deal 20% more DMG.
Gaming’s A4 Passive grants a 20% DMG Bonus to his enhanced Plunging Attack if he has at least 50% Max HP. This basically makes a healer teammate required at C0 since Gaming will eventually drain his own HP below 50%. Gaming also receives a 20% Healing Bonus below 50% Max HP which helps with keeping his health above 50%.
Utility Passive | The Striding Beast
Talent Description
Increases the Movement SPD of your own party members by 10% during the day (6:00 – 18:00).
Does not take effect in Domains, Trounce Domains, or Spiral Abyss. Not stackable with Passive Talents that provide the exact same effects.
Gaming’s Utility Passive increases the Movement SPD of the party during the day (06:00–18:00). This is only useful in the overworld, but it can make exploration and multi-target combat a little quicker.
Constellations
Gaming is a perfectly good unit at C0. His first five Constellations provide small damage buffs, but his last Constellation is a larger increase.
Constellation 1 | Bringer of Blessing
Constellation Description
When the Suanni Man Chai from Suanni’s Gilded Dance meets back up with Gaming, it will heal 15% of Gaming’s HP.
With Gaming’s C1, he heals back what he loses per enhanced Plunging Attack. Combined with the healing from his A1 Passive, Gaming could be played without a healer if you can avoid taking additional damage from enemies (e.g., via a shield).
Constellation 2 | Plum Blossoms Underfoot
Constellation Description
When Gaming receives healing and this instance of healing overflows, his ATK will be increased by 20% for 5s.
Gaming’s C2 re-incentivizes the use of a healer for an ATK% increase. While overhealing is possible from Gaming’s C1, healers make this much more easy to achieve. Most healers can overheal Gaming; however, Bennett’s healing stops triggering at 70% of the on-field character’s Max HP, so Bennett cannot typically overheal Gaming from his healing alone.
Constellation 3 | Awakening Spirit
Constellation Description
Increases the Level of Bestial Ascent by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.
This Constellation grants a noticeable damage increase since Gaming’s Skill comprises the majority of his damage.
Constellation 4 | Soar Across Mountains
Constellation Description
When Bestial Ascent’s Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider hits an opponent, it will restore 2 Energy to Gaming. This effect can be triggered once every 0.2s.
Gaming’s C4 lowers his ER requirements considerably (roughly 25–35%), which allows more investment into offensive substats.
Constellation 5 | Evil-Daunting Roar
Constellation Description
Increases the Level of Suanni’s Gilded Dance by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.
This Constellation is a damage increase to Gaming’s Burst, which makes up a small amount of his overall damage.
Constellation 6 | To Tame All Beasts
Constellation Description
Bestial Ascent’s Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider CRIT Rate increased by 20% and CRIT DMG increased by 40%, and its attack radius will be increased.
This is Gaming’s best Constellation by far. His C6 provides a huge CRIT buff and sizable AoE increase to his enhanced Plunging Attacks. The CRIT buff maintains a 1:2 ratio, so you do not have to adjust Gaming’s build unless your base CRIT Rate exceeds 80%.
Combos
Combo Notation
N = Normal Attack
C = Charged Attack
A = Aimed Shot
P = Plunging Attack
E = Elemental Skill
tE = Tap Skill
hE = Hold Skill
Q = Elemental Burst
D = dash (cancel)
J = jump (cancel)
W = walk (cancel)
> = switch character
( ) = these actions are optional; please refer to the notes below
[ ] = repeat these actions the specified number of times
The number of enhanced Plunging Attacks Gaming can perform during his Burst state heavily depends on how quickly Man Chai returns. Depending on how far Man Chai rolls away, Gaming can perform anywhere from 5 to 8 enhanced Plunging Attacks during his field time.
Note that when playing with C6 Bennett in a Melt or Vaporize team, Gaming should dash towards Man Chai instead of performing any Normal Attacks during the downtime between Skills. The additional Pyro application from infused Normal Attacks clears Hydro and Cryo auras, which prevents Gaming from consistently triggering Vape or Melt.
Alternatively, Gaming can perform a technique commonly referred to as “juggling,” where he reconnects with Man Chai in midair. This technique removes the need to run towards Man Chai between plunges and minimizes the randomness caused by Man Chai’s travel time. When performed correctly, this allows Gaming to perform 1-2 additional enhanced Plunging Attacks per rotation. In some teams, the increased plunge frequency can result in losing Hydro or Cryo auras. In these situations, dashing towards Man Chai may be preferable.
Here’s an Example of the Juggling technique.
| Q 7[EP] | Use Case: Default Vape Combo |
| Q 5-6 [EP] | Use Case: Default Melt Combo Gaming’s Melt enablers have shorter uptime on their elemental application, resulting in less enhanced plunges on average. His enhanced plunging attacks should be spaced out according to the Cryo application. |
| EP Q 5[N2 EP] | Use Case: Xingqiu/Yelan This is Gaming’s vape combo when he’s paired with coordinated Hydro appliers. Use his Skill before his Burst to prefunnel Pyro Particles, then use 2 Normal Attacks while waiting for Man Chai to return, then use his Skill as it comes off cooldown. |
| Q 5[N2 EP] EP (EP) | Use Case: Xingqiu/Yelan A faster combo to perform than above, but also more difficult to pull off as it requires using the Juggling tech. |
| EP Q 3[JP EP] 2[N2 EP] | Use Case: With Xianyun This combo maximizes Xianyun’s A4 Plunging Attack buff and makes use of Gaming’s regular Plunging Attacks, making it recommended to level up his Normal Attack. Since this combo lacks Normal Attacks, Gaming needs to use a different combo to trigger Xingqiu’s or Yelan’s Burst. |
| EP Q 5–7[N1D EP] (Replace N2 with N1D) | Use Case: Sweating for an Extra Plunge or Two You can reduce the time it takes for Man Chai to reconnect with Gaming by dashing in Man Chai’s direction instead of waiting for him to come to Gaming. In optimal scenarios, this allows Gaming to perform additional enhanced Plunging Attacks per rotation. Note that this makes positioning and gameplay in general more difficult, especially with units like Bennett with limited AoE on their buffs. |
Artifacts
ER Requirements
Gaming’s C4 reduces his ER requirements via its Energy refund.
| C0-C3 | C4-C6 | |
| Solo Pyro | 180–190% | 145–155% |
| With Bennett | 150–160% | 125–135% |
- Teammate Favonius procs reduce Gaming’s ER requirements by 15–25%.
- ER requirements with Bennett calculated with 2 Bennett Tap Skills and require him to feed the particles from one Tap Skill to Gaming. If Bennett does not funnel particles to Gaming, the ER requirements are about 10% higher.
Use the Energy Recharge Calculator to determine exact requirements for your team and rotation.
Artifact Stats
 Sands |  Goblet |  Circlet |
| EM, ER, or ATK% | Pyro DMG Bonus | CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG |
Stat Priority: ER% (until requirement) > CRIT > EM > ATK%
Gaming’s Burst must be used every rotation, so prioritize meeting his ER requirements.
EM stats are only needed in a Vape or Melt team. EM is mostly useless in Mono Pyro and Chevreuse Overloaded teams.
Artifact Sets
Recommended Sets
 4pc Crimson Witch of Flames (CW) | 4pc Crimson Witch of Flames is Gaming’s best artifact set for Melt and Vaporize teams. He can easily reach max stacks on the 4pc effect, since he uses his Skill at least 5 times per rotation. This set avoids the CRIT Rate cap issues of 4pc MH, making it Gaming’s best option when using high CRIT Rate weapons or at C6. If you want to use this set, it may be the most efficient use of Resin to farm another domain and get pieces from the Strongbox. |
 4pc Marechaussee Hunter (MH) | 4pc Marechaussee Hunter is Gaming’s most recommended artifact set. While he does not benefit from the 2pc bonus, he consistently gains all 3 stacks of the 4pc bonus rather quickly. Gaming has an effective cap of 64% CRIT Rate with 4pc MH. Weapons with CRIT Rate secondary stats and Gaming’s C6 make it easy to reach this cap, so be careful with your builds. |
Other Sets
4pc Long Night’s Oath | 4pc Long Night’s Oath is a fine alternative to 4pc CW. Gaming does not perform Charged Attacks, and his Skill does not deal Elemental Skill damage, so this set will only stack whenever Gaming deals Plunge Damage- either through his Elemental Skill’s enhanced Plunging Attack or through his regular Plunging Attacks with Xianyun. This set outperforms Gilded Dreams if he’s doing multiple Plunging Attacks, as is the case on a Vaporize team. |
 4pc Gilded Dreams | 4pc Gilded Dreams is a viable alternative in Vape and Melt teams if you already have a good set. It performs roughly 5% worse than Crimson Witch of Flames and 4pc Marecahussee Hunter. |
 2pc Mixed Sets | 2pc Set Bonuses: ATK%, EM, Pyro DMG%, ER%, Plunge% Good transitional sets while you farm for one of the sets above. 2pc ATK% + 2pc Pyro DMG% performs on par with 4pc Vermillion Hereafter. |
 4pc Vermillion Hereafter | 4pc Vermillion Hereafter provides a large amount of ATK% that stacks over time. However, Gaming already receives a large amount of ATK buffs from teammates such as Bennett. This set performs roughly 11% worse than 4pc Crimson Witch of Flames, and is on par with 2pc mixed sets. Therefore, it is not worth farming. |
Weapons
 4★ Serpent Spine | Serpent Spine is Gaming’s general Best-in-Slot weapon, even at R1. An ATK buffer (like Bennett) and a shielder are recommended to run with this weapon. Without a shielder, it loses consistency and falls behind other high-ranking weapons. This weapon can be prestacked before starting a chamber on the Spiral Abyss, provided Gaming is on the first slot of the team. |
4★ Fruitful Hook | Fruitful Hook is an extremely powerful option for Gaming. It scales well with refinements and is on par with an equally refined Serpent Spine, making it a powerful weapon. Note that the passive will not affect his first plunge. Additionally, it has no effect on his burst damage, which typically makes up around 8-15% of his total damage. |
5★ A Thousand Blazing Suns | A Thousand Blazing Suns provides a CRIT Rate secondary stat and an exceptionally high Base ATK. This weapon’s passive incentivizes weaving Elemental Infused Normal Attacks into his combo. In Melt teams including C6 Bennett, the additional Pyro application will overtake the Cryo aura, preventing Gaming from melting his plunges. In these teams, it’s best to avoid using his Normal Attacks. Because Gaming is unable to refresh the passive or take advantage of the nightsoul portion, it performs on par with other stat sticks such as Redhorn or Verdict. |
 5-Star CRIT Claymores | Verdict, Redhorn Stonethresher, Beacon of the Reed Sea. These Claymores possess a CRIT secondary stat and/or high Base ATK, making them tied for Gaming’s fourth-best option. However, their passives are mostly useless on Gaming. |
 4★ Mailed Flower | This is an event-exclusive weapon released in Version 3.5. R5 Mailed Flower is a generic EM and ATK% stat stick, performing better than Gaming’s free options in Melt teams but being inferior to Rainslasher in Vape teams. |
 4★ Rainslasher | Rainslasher is a powerful option in Gaming’s Vaporize teams. At R5, it is competitive with 5-star CRIT Claymores. It is not recommended to use this weapon in non-Vaporize teams. |
5-Star ATK% Claymores | Wolf’s Gravestone, Song of Broken Pines, The Unforged, Fang of the Mountain King These 5-star Claymores are good ATK stat sticks. They perform worse than CRIT Claymores due to the ATK buffs common in Gaming’s teams. Wolf’s Gravestone and Song of Broken Pines can also buff the ATK% of Gaming’s teammates. Note that Song of Broken Pines has a Physical DMG% secondary stat, but significant ATK% buffs via its passive. |
 4★ Tidal Shadow | R5 Tidal Shadow is Gaming’s best free and permanent option. Gaming can guarantee 100% uptime on its passive with his self-healing. |
 4★ Lithic Blade | Lithic Blade is a good option at high refinements. It requires at least one other Liyue character on the team to be viable. |
 5★ Skyward Pride | Skyward Pride performs on par with R5 Tidal Shadow and gains a bit of value if Gaming has high ER requirements. The Vacuum Blades do negligible damage overall. |
 4★ Ultimate Overlord’s Mega Magic Sword | This is an event-exclusive weapon released in Version 4.3. Ultimate Overlord’s Mega Magic Sword is an alternative to Tidal Shadow that gains more value if Gaming has higher ER requirements. |
Teams
Rotation Notation
- N = Normal Attack
- C = Charged Attack
- A = Aimed Shot
- P = Plunging Attack
- E = Elemental Skill
- tE = Tap Skill
- hE = Hold Skill
- Q = Elemental Burst
- D = dash (cancel)
- J = jump (cancel)
- W = walk (cancel)
- > = switch character
- ( ) = these actions are optional; please refer to the notes below
- [ ] = repeat these actions the specified number of times
Teambuilding
 Bennett | Utility Bennett is highly recommended in any of Gaming’s teams. His Elemental Burst provides healing and a strong Flat ATK buff within its AoE. On top of that, his Elemental Skill helps lower Gaming’s ER requirements. Bennett also applies enough Pyro with his Skill and Burst to enable consistent 4pc Viridescent Venerer setups. Positioning Gaming should try to stay within Bennett’s Burst radius to maintain the Flat ATK buff and continuous healing, an issue commonly referred to as “Circle Impact”. Constellation 6 C6 Bennett provides a nice Pyro DMG Bonus and infuses Pyro into Gaming’s Normal and Plunging Attacks. This Pyro Infusion can cause issues in Vaporize and Melt teams due to the additional Pyro application, so Gaming needs to avoid using Normal Attacks between enhanced Plunging Attacks in these teams. In teams with Xianyun, Gaming’s Pyro-infused Plunging Attacks can fill downtime between enhanced Plunging Attacks. Ultimately, you do not need Bennett’s C6 to play Gaming, but if you have it, then you need to be careful with Gaming’s combo in Vape and Melt teams. |
 Xianyun | Xianyun is an excellent teammate who provides healing, 4pc Viridescent Venerer RES Shred, and a great Additive Base DMG Bonus to Plunging Attacks. She also allows Gaming to perform regular Plunges during Man Chai’s downtime. She is one of Gaming’s best teammates in Vaporize, Melt, and Mono Pyro teams. |
 Healers | A healer is generally recommended in Gaming’s teams to maintain his A1 Passive, A4 Passive, and Constellation 2. Bennett or Xianyun are usually the preferred healers, but other options are possible like Iansan, Kokomi, Kuki Shinobu, and Jean. |
 Off-Fielders | Gaming requires uninterrupted field time to execute his enhanced Plunging Attack combo. As such, off-field buffers, elemental appliers and damage dealers are required as teammates. Set up their abilities before Gaming takes the field. |
Melt
Melt is Gaming’s most recommended playstyle. He can trigger Forward Melt off an enemy Cryo aura with his enhanced Plunging Attacks, leading to extremely high damage potential. However, there are a few issues with Melt teams that should be addressed.
- Cryo Application: Gaming triggers Forward Melt with his Plunging Attacks as long as there is sufficient off-field Cryo application. The only characters who can provide enough Cryo application by themselves for the entire duration of Gaming’s field time are Citlali, Rosaria, and C6 Kaeya. If none of these characters are used, at least two sources of consistent off-field Cryo application will be needed to maintain a Cryo aura on the enemy.
- C6 Bennett: If you have C6 Bennett on the team, Gaming cannot weave in Normal Attacks between enhanced Plunging Attacks. Instead, he should dash towards Man Chai, or use his Juggling tech to try to perform enhanced Plunging Attacks in quicker succession.
- ER Requirements: In Melt teams, Gaming has high ER requirements. Additionally, his teammates tend to have high ER requirements as well.
Notable Teammates
Cryo
 Citlali | Citlali provides off field Cryo application in a wide AoE centered around Gaming, while also Shredding Pyro and Hydro Resistances when Melt/Freeze is triggered. She has enough Cryo application on her own to allow Gaming to melt his enhanced Plunging Attacks. As a Catalyst character, Citlali can equip powerful supportive weapons such as Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers, Starcaller’s Watch, or Favonius Codex. As a Natlan character, she has access to the full effects of the 4pc Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City Artifact set. Overall, her offensive amplification is superb. Lastly, her shield provides valuable defensive utility, which Gaming appreciates, especially if he’s equipped with Serpent Spine. |
 Rosaria | Rosaria’s Cryo application is also sufficient to allow Gaming to Melt his Enhanced Plunging attacks with proper timing. Additionally, she provides a valuable CRIT Rate buff. Her Burst has a limited AoE and is static, so positioning is important to consider. |
 Kaeya | Kaeya provides Cryo application that follows Gaming. C6 Kaeya provides enough Cryo application by himself for Gaming to consistently trigger Melt with his enhanced Plunging Attacks. Kaeya’s Cryo application is consistent as long as Gaming can stay close to the enemy. This is more easily achieved against large enemies and bosses, but it may be difficult against smaller or mobile enemies. |
 Diona | Diona consolidates the roles of shielder, healer, buffer, and enabler in Gaming’s Melt teams. However, she does suffer from the “Circle Impact” issues that characters like Bennett or Rosaria also face. Diona’s Cryo application alone is not sufficient, so Citlali, Rosaria, or Kaeya are recommended as an additional Cryo applier. At C6, Diona grants a 200 EM buff while Gaming is within her Burst AoE, which boosts his Melt damage considerably. |
 Layla | Layla provides the one of the strongest shields in the game and can hold 4pc Tenacity of the Millelith (or 4pc Noblesse Oblige) to also buff Gaming. She provides consistent Cryo application with her Burst and Shooting Stars. |
 Ganyu | Ganyu provides consistent AoE Cryo application and a Cryo DMG% buff that can boost the other Cryo character’s damage. Ganyu can hold 4pc Noblesse Oblige to increase Gaming’s ATK, but this comes at a cost to her personal damage. |
 Shenhe | Shenhe is a potential secondary Cryo character who applies Cryo with her Burst and buffs her Cryo teammate’s damage. Additionally, her A4 Passive’s Hold Skill buff increases the damage of Gaming’s enhanced Plunging Attacks. It is not recommended to run Shenhe with Layla as it is usually insufficient Cryo application. |
 Chongyun | Chongyun is another Cryo character who can be paired with Gaming to enable melt through his skill’s Cryo infusion. When paired with Xianyun, Gaming can weave in low plunges to apply Cryo while waiting for Man Chai to return. Without Xianyun, Gaming can use normal attacks to apply cryo. Chongyun is a great Favonius and Instructor holder, lowering the team’s ER needs and boosting damage. He also does not rely on constellations. Chongyun doesn’t work with C6 Bennett, as Bennett’s Pyro infusion will override Chongyun’s Cryo infusion, so avoid pairing them together. |
Anemo + Flex
Bennett | Bennett is highly recommended in any of Gaming’s Melt teams. His Elemental Burst provides healing and a strong Flat ATK buff within its AoE. On top of that, his Elemental Skill helps lower Gaming’s ER requirements. If Bennett is C6, Gaming cannot use Normal Attacks while waiting for Man Chai to return since this is too much Pyro application. |
Xianyun | Xianyun is a great teammate for Gaming as she provides healing, 4pc Viridescent Venerer Pyro RES Shred, and a great Additive Base DMG Bonus to Plunging Attacks to a single target. She also allows Gaming to perform regular Plunging Attacks during Man Chai’s downtime. |
 Iansan | Iansan is a great option for Gaming’s melt teams, as she can provide a large flat ATK buff that Gaming’s playstyle can maintain great uptime on. Additionally, she can provide buffs with 4pc Scroll and is a great Favonius holder, lowering team ER needs. |
 Kazuha | Kazuha can absorb Cryo into his Elemental Burst, which allows Gaming to get consistent Melts. However, Kazuha prioritizes absorbing Cryo last, so there cannot be any Pyro, Electro, or Hydro aura on any enemy. Getting both Cryo Absorption and a Pyro Swirl in the same rotation can be difficult and requires careful planning. |
 Sucrose | Sucrose can absorb Cryo into her Elemental Burst, but it can be cumbersome to ensure this. Nonetheless, she can provide her EM buffs, Shred Pyro Resistance through 4pc Viridescent Venerer and hold Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers, Wandering Evenstar, or A thousand Floating Dreams. |
 Xilonen | Xilonen is a great teammate in Gaming’s Melt teams, providing all her RES Shred and 4pc Scroll. She will not interfere with elemental auras as she lacks off field application. |
 Chevreuse (C6) | At C6, Chevreuse is a strong pyro option for Gaming’s Melt teams thanks to her high Pyro DMG% bonus buff. Additionally, she can greatly reduce Gaming’s ER requirements. |
 Lynette | Lynette prioritizes absorbing Cryo into her Burst’s Taunt, so she can be a functional secondary Cryo applier for Rosaria or Kaeya. She also provides a small ATK% buff via her A1 Passive after using her Burst. |
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.
The duo of Bennett and Citlali is extremely powerful for Gaming. Citlali provides off-field Cryo application to enable Gaming to melt his enhanced Plunging Attacks, while also providing RES Shred and buffing via 4pc Scroll and TTDS. Bennett provides powerful ATK buffs and lowers Gaming’s ER requirements.
The final flex slot is variable, with each option offering their own unique buffs.
Sample Rotation (Sucrose)
Bennett E Q > Sucrose E > Citlali EQ > Gaming Q 5-6[EP]
Sample Rotation (Xianyun)
(Gaming EP)1 > Xianyun EPQ > Bennett EQ > Citlali EQ > Gaming Q 5-6[EP]
1Gaming does an Enhanced Plunging Attack to apply Pyro.
Sample Rotation (Xilonen)
(Gaming EP)1 > Xilonen E N2 > Bennett EQ > Citlali EQ > Gaming Q 5-6[EP]
1Gaming does an Enhanced Plunging Attack to apply Pyro.
Sample Rotation (Iansan)
Bennett E > Iansan E(N1)1Q > Bennett Q E > Citlali EQ > Gaming Q 5-6[EP]
1Iansan can skip her enhanced Normal Attack if she has C2.
Rosaria and Diona provide enough combined Cryo application to allow Gaming to consistently trigger Melt on his Plunging Attacks. Rosaria grants a valuable CRIT Rate buff, while Diona provides a shield and a massive EM buff with her C6. For support builds, Rosaria and Diona can hold 4pc Scroll or 4pc Noblesse while Bennett holds 4pc Instructor. If available, Diona can also hold 4pc Song of Days Past.
Sample Rotation
Diona hEQ1 > Bennett EQ > Rosaria EQ > Gaming Q 6[EP] > Rosaria E > Gaming E > Bennett E
1If Diona is equipped with 4pc Scroll, use a Gaming EP in the first rotation.
If Bennett is C6, do not weave in Normal Attacks between Plunging Attacks.
Sample Rotation
Bennett EQ > Kaeya EQ > Bennett E > Xianyun EPQ > Gaming combo
The above rotation allows Kaeya to snapshot Bennett’s buff. If you want more uptime on Bennett’s buff for Gaming, follow this rotation:
Kaeya EQ > Bennett EQ > Xianyun EPQ > Gaming combo > Kaeya E > Bennett E > Gaming N2
Rosaria can provide sufficient Cryo application for Gaming through her Elemental Burst, as long as his Plunging Attacks are spaced out.
Sample Rotation
Gaming EP > Xilonen E N2 > Bennett EQ > Rosaria EQ > Gaming Q 6[EP]
1Space out Gaming’s hits to allow Rosaria to apply Cryo onto the enemy.
Vaporize
Vaporize is one of Gaming’s viable playstyles. They are easier to play as Reverse Vaporize is more consistent than Forward Melt due to Elemental Gauge theory. However, As Gaming is able to take advantage of Melt’s higher damage multiplier on most of his attacks, Melt teams tend to have a higher damage ceiling compared to Vaporize. These teams can run multiple units, but overall the teambuilding guidelines include:
- Healer: A healer is recommended in at least one team slot to keep Gaming above 50% HP to maintain his A1 Passive, A4 Passive, and C2.
- Bennett: Bennett is the most recommended unit in the healer slot for his aforementioned utility, as well as his ability to enable Pyro Swirls.
- Hydro: Gaming triggers Reverse Vaporize on his Plunging Attacks as long as there is sufficient off-field Hydro application.
- Anemo/Xilonen: An Anemo unit or Xilonen can provide RES Shred alongside other buffs.
- Flex: The last team slot could be any off-fielder except a Dendro unit (to avoid Burning) or a Cryo unit (since Gaming triggers Shatter instead of Melt against Frozen enemies). Double Hydro teams are possible.
Notable Teammates
Hydro
Furina | Furina provides good Hydro application and a great DMG% buff. Gaming’s HP drain from his enhanced Plunging Attacks helps stack her Fanfare more quickly. Additional Elemental Reactions or Pyro application (like from C6 Bennett’s Pyro Infusion) can disrupt Furina’s Hydro application, causing Gaming to lose Vapes. |
  Xingqiu, Yelan | Xingqiu and Yelan provide enough Hydro application for Gaming to consistently trigger Vaporize with his enhanced Plunging Attacks. Gaming needs to weave in 1–2 Normal Attacks between enhanced Plunges to proc their Bursts. Xingqiu provides defensive utility and slightly more Hydro application (thanks to his orbitals), while Yelan provides a ramping DMG% buff. |
Healer
Xianyun | Xianyun is still a great teammate in Gaming’s Vaporize teams, offering her buffs and 4pc VV. Xianyun and Furina have excellent synergy. Xianyun’s teamwide healing counteracts Furina’s HP drain and allows quicker stacking of Fanfare points. Note that the Anemo application from her Burst’s coordinated Anemo attacks can clear the Hydro aura faster in single-target scenarios; however, this isn’t usually an issue unless playing with Thoma or C6 Bennett and weaving Normal Attacks. |
Bennett | Bennett, yet again, is a great teammate in Gaming’s Vaporize teams thanks to his powerful buffs and particle generation. Bennett also applies enough Pyro with his Skill and Burst to enable consistent 4pc Viridescent Venerer setups. |
Chevreuse (C6) | Chevreuse is only recommended outside of Overloaded teams if she has access to her C6, as it provides a dramatic Pyro DMG Bonus buff. Her supplementary Pyro application from her Elemental Burst can make it more consistent to set up 4pc Viridescent Venerer. |
 Kokomi | Kokomi provides healing and supplemental Hydro application to Furina, Xingqiu, or Yelan. She can also hold Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers and 4pc Tenacity of the Millelith to also buff Gaming’s ATK. |
 Jean | Jean provides healing and 4pc Viridescent Venerer RES Shred. Do not play Jean and Bennett together, since their Sunfire interaction applies far too much Pyro on the enemy. |
 Sayu | Sayu provides healing and 4pc Viridescent Venerer RES Shred. She can be safely used with Bennett. |
Flex
 Sucrose | Sucrose provides 4pc Viridescent Venerer RES Shred, buffs EM with her A1 and A4 Passives, and can further buff Gaming by holding Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers, Wandering Evenstar, or A Thousand Floating Dreams. |
 Kazuha | Kazuha provides an Elemental DMG Bonus via his A4 Passive, minor grouping, and the typical 4pc Viridescent Venerer RES Shred. Kazuha cannot absorb Pyro into his Elemental Burst since its Pyro application disrupts Gaming’s Vaporizes. Either absorb Hydro into his Burst or don’t use his Burst at all. |
Xilonen | Xilonen provides RES Shred, which unlike 4pc Viridescent Venerer, lasts longer and persists when new enemies spawn. As a Natlan character, she has access to the 4pc Scroll set, but she can also run 4pc Archaic Petra/Instructor if there is another 4pc Scroll holder already. Additionally, she can provide decent healing. |
 Lan Yan | Lan Yan provides a powerful shield while Shredding Pyro Res through 4pc Viridescent Venerer. As a catalyst character she can further support Gaming by using Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers, Starcaller’s Watch, or A Thousand Floating Dreams. |
 Zhongli | Zhongli provides the strongest shield in the game and 20% Universal RES Shred. He can also hold 4pc Tenacity of the Millelith or 4pc Instructor to further buff Gaming. Zhongli is a great option if you need a shield for Serpent Spine. |
Iansan | Iansan is a powerful buffer that provides Flat ATK, with a condition that requires movement. As a Plunge DPS, Gaming moves enough to maintain great uptime on her buffs. Additionally, as a Natlan character, Iansan can fully activate 4pc Scroll, providing an additional 40% Pyro DMG bonus. |
 Fischl | Fischl offers strong personal damage that can also reliably clear Pyro auras caused by C6 Bennett’s Pyro Infusion. Gaming can occasionally trigger Overloaded and Vaporize (Overvape) off a single enhanced Plunging Attack with Fischl’s Electro application. |
 Ororon | Ororon provides Utility in the form of his taunt and Flat Energy Restoration. As a Natlan character, he can fully activate 4pc Scroll through his A1 passive when paired with Hydro characters. However, his personal damage is lower than Fischl’s. |
  Thoma, C4 Yanfei | Thoma and C4 Yanfei enable consistent Pyro Swirl setups for 4pc Viridescent Venerer while also granting a shield. It is not recommended to weave in Normal Attacks with Thoma and Furina on the same team, since Thoma’s additional Pyro application can overtake the enemy Hydro aura, preventing Gaming from triggering Vaporize consistently. |
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.
This is one of Gaming’s best teams. Xianyun’s teamwide healing helps counteract Furina’s teamwide HP drain. Furina’s DMG% buff is great and her Hydro application allows Gaming to consistently trigger Vaporize without needing to weave in Normal Attacks. Bennett provides fantastic ATK buffs and may enable Pyro Swirl setups (depending on when Furina’s Salon Members apply Hydro).
Sample Rotation
Furina ED Q > Bennett EQ > Xianyun N1 EP Q > Gaming combo > Bennett E > Gaming N2
This is a strong 4-star only VV Vape team. Gaming’s default combo with N2 between Skills triggers Xingqiu’s Burst. Sucrose can hold Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers in this team.
Sample Rotation
Xingqiu EDQ N1 > Bennett ED¹Q > Sucrose N2 E > Gaming combo > Bennett E > Gaming N2
¹Maintain enough distance from enemies such that Xingqiu’s orbital Rain Swords do not make contact after Bennett uses his Burst, otherwise Sucrose cannot consistently Swirl Pyro.
This is another variation of Gaming’s vaporize team, replacing the VV slot with Xilonen, who provides her 4pc Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City and high uptime on her RES Shred. She typically won’t be using her Elemental Burst.
Sample Rotation
Furina ED Q > Bennett EQ N11 > Xilonen E N2 > Gaming Q 7[EP]
1Using a Normal Attack with C6 Bennett can help preserve the Pyro aura from which Xilonen will Crystallize Pyro.
This is a Bennett-less Gaming Vaporize team that requires him to weave in a Normal Attack between Plunging Attacks to proc Yelan’s Burst. Gaming takes full advantage of Yelan’s ramping DMG% buff. C4+ Yanfei creates a shield (which helps maintain Serpent Spine stacks) and applies a Pyro aura for Xianyun to Swirl. This is a team where multiple Favonius weapons may be useful.
Sample Rotation
Yelan EQ > Yanfei EQ > Xianyun EPQ > Gaming combo
This is a potent option that trades 4pc Viridescent Venerer Pyro RES Shred for Fischl’s strong personal damage. If you have C6 Bennett, Fischl can reliably clear Pyro auras so Gaming can still consistently trigger Vaporize.
Sample Rotation
Furina ED Q > Bennett EQ > Fischl E/Q¹ > Gaming combo > Bennett E > Gaming N2
¹Fischl alternates Burst and Skill.
Mono Pyro
Mono Pyro teams capitalize on lower ER requirements and 4pc Viridescent Venerer Pyro RES Shred or similar debuffs that benefits the entire team. Bennett, Xiangling and Mavuika are the best Pyro option for this archetype, with the latter requiring Xilonen. Kazuha, Xianyun, or Xilonen are the best flex units.
Overall, due to Gaming’s high Plunge Scalings and access to Amplifying Reactions, Mono Pyro teams don’t synergize well with his kit.
While other Pyro and Anemo off-fielders may be used for a Mono Pyro composition, the viability of the resulting team is much lower.
Example Teams
Kazuha provides a Pyro DMG% buff via his A4 Passive (in addition to 4pc VV Pyro RES Shred).
Sample Rotation
Bennett E > Kazuha tEPQ > Bennett Q E > Xiangling Q E > Kazuha hEP > Gaming combo
Xianyun buffs Plunging Attacks and allows Gaming to perform additional Pyro Plunging Attacks if you have C6 Bennett.
Sample Rotation
Bennett Q E > Xiangling Q E > Xianyun EPQ > Gaming combo > Bennett E > Gaming / Xiangling
Bennett uses another instance of his Skill towards the end of the rotation to funnel Pyro Particles to either Gaming or Xiangling.
Through Xilonen Nightsoul point consumption, Mavuika can stack battery her Burst and provide a DMG% buff to Gaming through her A4.
Sample Rotation
Gaming EP > Xilonen E N2 > Bennett EQ > Mavuika Q tE > Gaming combo
Chevreuse Overloaded
Gaming’s Overloaded teams are enabled by Chevreuse’s Resistance Shredding, as she effectively replaces a 4pc Viridescent Venerer holder. The knockback from Overloaded can make gameplay difficult or slow against smaller enemies, but this archetype has no issue against heavy enemies. A source of off-field Electro application is required to maintain great uptime on Chevreuse’s A1 RES Shred passive. Bennett and Iansan are very strong options in the flex slot.
Due to Gaming’s high Plunge Scalings and access to Amplifying Reactions, Overloaded teams don’t synergize well with his kit.
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.
Chevreuse provides buffs, Fischl provides off-field Electro damage, and Bennett does what he does best.
Sample Rotation
(Fischl C)¹ > Chevreuse (Q) hE > Bennett EQ > Fischl E/Q² > Gaming combo > Bennett E > (Gaming N2)
¹First rotation only.
²Fischl alternates Burst and Skill.
Chevreuse provides buffs, Fischl provides off-field Electro damage and application, and Iansan provides a Flat ATK buff that Fischl can snapshot and Gaming can maintain uptime on, while allowing Gaming to move freely without being locked to a fixed area.
Sample Rotation
(Fischl C)1 > Chevreuse (Q) hE > Iansan E N1 Q > Fischl E/Q2 > Gaming combo
¹First rotation only.
²Fischl alternates Burst and Skill. When using her Burst, wait until its animation ends to ensure she snapshots Iansan’s buff.
Credits
quinslay, irokei, leifa, june, duckfero, nooot, whalien, luno_, athene., emiliabyss, caramielle, polomo, alehannita, pjeljr, .anothername, thegreatlumos. acerbus114, plumetra
Team images made with the KQM portrait generator.
