Updated for Version “Luna VIII”

Qiqi is a 5-star Cryo Sword character in Genshin Impact who provides sustain, Cryo application, and Stellar-Conduct buffs. Learn about Qiqi’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.

The full-length guide is available here. It is heavily outdated and currently being updated; please visit our Discord to learn more about Qiqi.

Infographic

Credits to: icedsquid, auntyplays, meow.jl, pys6, vorpalraven and KQM Staff

Character Overview

Playstyles

Off-Field Support

Qiqi uses her Skill to provide healing and Cryo application. In Stellar-Conduct teams, she provides buffs that get even better at C6. She can also serve as a Cryo applier for some Forward Melt teams.

On-Field DPS / Driver

Qiqi can be a tanky driver for teammates’ coordinated attacks or serve as a Physical or Hybrid DPS. This playstyle is not covered in-depth in this Quick Guide.

Talents

Level and Talent Priority

Skill > Burst

Qiqi’s buffs do not scale with Talent Levels and can be skipped entirely if her healing isn’t needed.

Qiqi’s Elemental Skill is her main healing ability, so you should prioritize it if healing is needed. In Stellar-Conduct teams, her Burst can be leveled for damage; however, this is optional. Her Normal Attack Talent can also be left unleveled in most cases.

Talent Overview

Constellations

Artifacts

ER Requirements

In Stellar-Conduct teams where Qiqi is at C6, it is optimal to use her Burst every rotation. In most other teams and before Qiqi is C6, she does not have to use her Burst. Qiqi’s healing from her Skill and A4 Passive is already enough for survivability in most cases. As such, Qiqi can forgo ER investment entirely and use her Burst every other rotation, when available, or when needed.

Assumptions:

• Safe particle RNG and default enemy particles are assumed.
• Relevant teammates other than Qiqi hold Favonius Weapons where applicable.
• When Qiqi holds Favonius Sword, her ER requirements decrease by 20–30%.

Qiqi’s C1 lowers her ER requirements significantly, especially in Stellar-Conduct teams. The exact Energy refund depends on whether the Herald of Frost can hit the enemy consistently. The table below assumes consistent hits in the Melee column and doesn’t in the Ranged column.

	C0	C1 + Melee	C1 + Ranged
With Sandrone	240–285%	150–170%	190–220%
With Sandrone + 1 Cryo	220–245%	135–155%	170–190%

Use the Energy Recharge Calculator to determine exact requirements for your team and rotation.  For more details on how Favonius weapons will affect your team, please use Ac1d’s Favonius Mastersheet.

Artifact Stats

Sands	Goblet	Circlet
ATK%	ATK%	CRIT Rate (Fav.) or ATK% or Healing Bonus

Stat Priority: ER until requirement > ATK% > CRIT Rate (Favonius) > Flat ATK

Qiqi’s healing and C6 buff scale with ATK. With Favonius Sword, a CRIT Rate Circlet helps trigger Favonius Sword’s passive more consistently. At C6, an ATK% Circlet can be best since her Stellar-Conduct buffs scale with ATK.

A Healing Bonus Circlet can increase Qiqi’s healing even further, but this is generally unnecessary.

Artifact Sets

Hover over artifact images for more information.

4pc Tenacity of the Millelith (TotM)	4pc TotM is a good buffing set with ATK-scaling teammates. However, if Qiqi is C6 in Stellar-Conduct teams, 4pc Noblesse Oblige may be preferred to let another teammate hold 4pc TotM instead.
4pc Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City (Scroll)	4pc Scroll gives a teamwide 12% DMG Bonus to the Element with which Qiqi triggers a reaction. In teams without an ATK-scaling DPS or where 4pc TotM is already in use, this set can be a decent alternative. If Qiqi is on a team with a Natlan teammate, they may be better suited to hold this set instead since they can activate the set’s full Elemental DMG Bonus.
4pc Instructor	4pc Instructor grants the team 120 EM for 8s if Qiqi triggers an Elemental Reaction while on-field.
4pc Noblesse Oblige (NO)	4pc NO is a good alternative to 4pc TotM in teams where Qiqi uses her Burst every rotation. However, this may extend the rotation or lead to unfeasible ER requirements in most teams, making 4pc NO undesirable. However, if Qiqi is C6 in a Stellar-Conduct team, she may hold this set to let another teammate hold 4pc TotM instead.
4pc Ocean-Hued Clam (OHC)	4pc OHC is an option in teams where Qiqi has more field time. Qiqi can easily max out the upper limit of the Sea-Dyed Foam’s healing absorption to deal 27,000 AoE Physical damage every 3.5s. In teams with an Electro character, the damage from the Sea-Dyed Foam increases thanks to Superconduct’s Physical RES Shred. In off-field teams, this set can still work but a lot of teams prefer more supportive options that buff Qiqi’s teammates directly
4pc Song of Days Past (SoDP)	4pc SoDP is another buffing set that records the amount of healing done and converts it into an Additive DMG Bonus. However, the buffs from this set may be used up fast in multi-target combat or by the wrong teammate.

Weapons

Hover over weapon images/names for more information.

Favonius Sword	Favonius Sword is the best option for decreasing both Qiqi’s and her teammates’ ER requirements. Qiqi requires some CRIT Rate investment to consistently trigger Favonius’s passive.
Freedom-Sworn	Freedom-Sworn’s passive gives a teamwide Normal Attack, Charged Attack, and Plunging Attack DMG Bonus and ATK%. Qiqi needs to trigger two reactions to proc this passive, which may be difficult in some teams.
Key of Khaj-Nisut	Key of Khaj-Nisut provides a large teamwide EM buff, which can make it a strong option for team damage in Melt teams. Qiqi can build HP% main stats to increase the passive at the cost of her healing output.
Peak Patrol Song	Peak Patrol Song gives an Elemental DMG% buff based on the wearer’s DEF. This can be an option for teams that deal a lot of Elemental damage. Qiqi should build some DEF (up to 3200) to maximize the passive, which is easier thanks to her high Base DEF. Make sure Qiqi performs at least 2 Normal Attacks to activate this weapon’s passive.
Finale of the Deep	Finale of the Deep is a craftable weapon from Fontaine. It offers the most ATK% for a 4-star weapon. Qiqi can easily trigger the first part of its passive. At R5, assuming Qiqi can fully clear the Bond of Life, this option grants more ATK than any other Sword on the list, aside from refined 5-star options.
Azurelight ⓘ, Summit Shaper ⓘ, Aquila Favonia ⓘ	These 5-star weapons have high total ATK. But, they are only worth using if you have them available and do not want to waste billets crafting Finale of the Deep.
Other ATK% Swords	If you have no billets for Finale of the Deep, other ATK% Swords can be used. However, Finale of the Deep is generally a better weapon.
Xiphos Moonlight	Xiphos’ Moonlight gives ER% to the entire team based on Qiqi’s EM. Qiqi should build EM main stats to maximize this passive. However, Favonius Sword is generally a better choice.
Sacrificial Sword	Sacrificial Sword is no longer needed for full uptime on Qiqi’s Skill, thanks to her Witch’s Revelation Passive.

Teams

Stellar-Conduct

Qiqi is one of Sandrone’s best teammates in Stellar-Conduct. Her Cryo application, buffs, and particle generation make her one of the core teammates in this archetype.

Notable Teammates

Sandrone ★

As a Stellar-Conduct DPS, Sandrone appreciates Qiqi’s buffs and particle generation.

Off-field Electro

An off-field Electro applier is mandatory to trigger Stellar-Conduct in teams with Sandrone.

Yae Miko ★	Yae Miko is the preferred Electro option for Stellar-Conduct. She benefits from Qiqi’s buffs as she deals Stellar-Conduct DMG herself.
C6 Beidou	At C6, Beidou is the preferred replacement for Yae Miko. After completing her Witch’s Revelation quest, she provides valuable Cryo RES Shred and an EM buff to the on-fielder. She is also available from the Starglitter Exchange and Lantern Rite events, making it easier to gain her Constellations.

Kuki Shinobu

Fischl

Flex

These characters provide buffs or damage.

Nicole ★	Nicole provides an ATK% buff to the whole team and a shield, which the team appreciates. The Arcane Projections produced by her Burst do not interfere with any Elemental Reactions; however, Nicole generally does not Burst in Stellar-Conduct teams to reduce the team’s rotation length. Nicole uses 2pc ATK% + 2pc ATK% in Stellar-Conduct teams.
C6 Diona	At C6, Diona provides an EM buff and a Stellar-Conduct DMG buff to the active character in her Burst’s AoE. While in a Polestar Field generated by the Stellar-Conduct reaction, her Skill provides additional off-field Cryo application and allows her to hold 4pc TotM.
Escoffier	Escoffier’s Cryo RES Shred, particle generation, and personal damage make her a viable option for Stellar-Conduct by lack of other options. However, Escoffier will not have her maximum amount of RES Shred since the team does not consist solely of Hydro and Cryo teammates. Additionally, Electro teammates like Yae Miko cannot benefit from her RES Shred since the Stellar-Conduct damage they deal is considered Electro DMG.
Cyno	Cyno can be played as an on-field or quickswap DPS in Stellar Conduct teams where he appreciates Qiqi’s buffs and Cryo application. However, he competes with Sandrone for field time and has limited synergy with her. It seems that his Stellar-Conduct teams will have to wait for future characters to be released.
Wriothesley	Wriothesley has anti-synergy with Qiqi, as her healing can lower the amount of special Charged Attacks he can perform. Considering her Burst increases Qiqi’s healing output even further, her C6 buff can also be harder to use. Qiqi can still work with Wriothesley for her Stellar-Conduct buff, but she should use gear that minimizes her healing output (e.g. unleveled artifact pieces).

Xilonen	Sucrose	Zhongli
Iansan	Bennett	4pc VV Anemo Supports

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.

A strong Sandrone team with Yae Miko and Nicole or Escoffier. Nicole provides an ATK% buff to Sandrone and Yae, while Escoffier provides Cryo particles, minor Cryo RES Shred, and some personal damage.

Sample Rotation (Nicole)
Yae 3[E] > Qiqi E (Q)¹ > Nicole E > Sandrone combo

Sample Rotation (Escoffier)
Yae 3[E] > Escoffier E > Qiqi E (Q)¹ > Sandrone combo

¹If Qiqi is C6.

This Sandrone team particularly shines with Beidou’s and Diona’s C6. Beidou’s and Diona’s shields, on top of Qiqi’s and Diona’s heals, make this team very comfortable to play.

Sample Rotation
Qiqi E (Q)¹ > Beidou EQ > Diona hEQ > Sandrone combo

¹If Qiqi is C6.

General Support

Qiqi’s healing and Cryo application can work for many teams.

Notable Teammates

Cryo

Qiqi can work with other Cryo characters in Freeze teams or serve as a secondary Cryo applier in Forward Melt teams. Qiqi can also help battery other Cryo units and provide healing.

Citlali

Qiqi can serve as secondary Cryo application alongside Citlali in Forward Melt teams with a Pyro DPS, supplementing her Cryo to allow for more lenient Melt timings or additional Melted hits. In Freeze teams, Citlali shreds Hydro RES and holds 4pc Scroll while Qiqi can act as a sustain.

Skirk	Ayaka	Wriothesley	Eula
Freminet	Rosaria	Kaeya

Hydro

Qiqi can provide Frozen uptime in teams with Hydro characters.

Furina

Qiqi provides healing to offset Furina’s HP drain and stack Fanfare.

Neuvillette	Ayato	Tartaglia
Yelan	Xingqiu	Mona

Pyro

Mavuika / Arlecchino

Qiqi’s Skill provides enough Cryo application for Pyro DPS units like Mavuika and Arlecchino to Melt their hits. Melee DPS units are preferred, as her Cryo application comes from both the Herald of Frost and the coordinated attacks. As such, ranged DPS units like Yoimiya and Lyney require an additional Cryo applier on the team.

Durin

Gaming

Dehya

Diluc

Other

For certain non-PHEC DPS units, Qiqi provides Cryo application and healing.

Chasca

Navia

Varka

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.

Qiqi acts as a defensive Cryo option for Skirk, provides healing for Fanfare, and generates particles for the team. Qiqi can hold 4pc Scroll if Furina holds 4pc TotM.

Sample Rotation (Mona)
Furina ED Q > Qiqi N1 E (Q)¹ > Mona EQ > Skirk combo

Sample Rotation (Shenhe)
Furina ED Q > Qiqi N1 E (Q)¹ > Shenhe hEQ > Skirk combo

¹Use Burst when available.

Sucrose must deplete the Pyro aura from Bennett’s Burst prior to Arlecchino taking the field.

If possible, cancel Arlecchino’s Charged Attack to get more reliable Melts.

Sample Rotation
Arlecchino E > Bennett EQ > Qiqi E > Sucrose N1 E > Arlecchino C¹ 6[N3D]

¹Dash cancel this Charged Attack for more reliable Melts. Alternatively, you can wait for the Cryo aura to be reapplied before starting the Normal Attacks.

Now that Qiqi generates particles on her Skill, she can be a Cryo battery for Eula. With her ability to generate Fanfare for Furina, she’s a decent pick in this team.

Raiden provides Superconduct uptime, Energy regeneration, and personal damage. Rosaria is a more accessible unit who can be a second Cryo battery and provides a modest CRIT Rate buff. At C6, Rosaria also shreds Physical RES.

Sample Rotation (Raiden)
(Raiden E)¹ > Furina ED Q > Qiqi E (Q)² > Eula E Q N4 hE N4 > Raiden Q 3[N4] E

Sample Rotation (Rosaria)
Furina ED Q > Qiqi E > Rosaria E > Eula E > Rosaria Q > Eula Q N4 hE N4 > Rosaria E > Eula³

¹First rotation only.
²Use Burst when available.
³Funnel particles from Rosaria to Eula.

Limited Roster Alternatives

These teams are meant for newer players whose limited roster prevents them from using the teams above; as such, the teams below result in lower damage output.

A tried and trusted staple. Qiqi uses Normal Attacks to drive the coordinated attacks from herself, Xingqiu, Beidou, and C6 Fischl.

Make sure to alternate between Fischl’s Burst and Skill between rotations to ensure optimal uptime for Oz. Qiqi’s Cryo application enables Superconduct, which benefits 4pc Ocean-Hued Clam’s damage. 4pc TotM is still an option as it buffs the entire team.

Credits

Writer(s): meow.jl, vorpalraven, pys6
Contributors: haafr, raspiee, mystathi, brukin, lego102lego, not.logic, abababao2010, acerbus114, antiguaa, irokei, hayanochie

Team images made with the KQM portrait generator.