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Yanfei Quick Guide

Updated for Version 4.0

Yanfei is a 4-star Pyro Catalyst character who primarily acts as an on-field damage dealer centered around her ranged Pyro application and enhanced Charged Attacks. 

Learn about Yanfei’s best builds, Talent priority, 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 It is heavily outdated and currently being updated, please visit our Discord to learn more about Yanfei.

New Content


Dehya
A 5-star Pyro Claymore character who provides off-field damage, damage mitigation, and resistance to interruption. She can act as an alternative to shielders in Yanfei teams, but is generally a niche pick.

Baizhu
A 5-star Dendro Catalyst character who provides teamwide healing, small shields, and a buff to Dendro Reaction damage.

Kirara
A 4-star Dendro Sword character who provides a strong Dendro shield on a short cooldown. While she is a decent shielder option, her poor off-field Dendro application limits teambuilding in Burgeon playstyles.

Lynette
A 4-star Anemo Sword user who can hold the 4pc Viridescent Venerer set, deal off-field damage, and taunt enemies with her Burst. She has worse buffing compared to other Anemo options, but her taunt can prevent Yanfei from getting interrupted. She gains some value if her Ousia-aligned damage is impactful for dealing with certain Fontaine enemies.

Flowing Purity
A 4-star craftable Catalyst from Fontaine. It is a serviceable free weapon that works well in both Vaporize and Mono Pyro playstyles.

Sacrificial Jade
A Battle Pass exclusive weapon that works exceptionally well in Yanfei’s Vaporize playstyles. It has additional value if Yanfei has her fourth Constellation.

Marechaussee Hunter
This set can allow Burgeon Yanfei to receive a sizable CRIT buff due to the reaction’s self damage. However, this set is not very useful overall as it does not buff her Transformative Reaction damage, and Yanfei’s Talent damage is much lower or even negligible in Burgeon teams.

The increased CRIT Rate also leads to more A4 procs, which can trigger Burning at the detriment of Dendro Core generation.

Infographic

Character Overview

Playstyles

On-Field Pyro DPS

Yanfei’s Pyro Normal and Charged Attacks allow her to trigger numerous Pyro reactions such as Vaporize and Overloaded from a distance. In particular, the lack of ICD on her Charged Attacks allows her to consistently trigger Vaporize for substantial damage. Her frequent use of fast Normal Attacks also make her a good driver for off-field damage dealers such as Beidou, Xingqiu, and Yelan.

On-field Overloaded/Burgeon Trigger

An off-shoot to her typical Pyro DPS playstyle that focuses on increasing her Transformative Reaction damage (through Overloaded and/or Burgeon). In this playstyle, Yanfei only needs levels and EM and is not reliant on performing Stamina-consuming and interruptible Charged Attacks.

Shield Support (C4+)

With her Constellation 4, Yanfei can create a Pyro shield that provides some survivability without Talent investment, while also contributing towards Pyro Resonance. She can also apply Pyro aura for Double VV Vape setups. However, this playstyle requires a high investment into Energy Recharge since her shield can only be deployed using her Burst. A niche playstyle, as other shielder options will outshine Yanfei outside of a few specific teams that require her Pyro element.

Level and Talent Priority

If Yanfei is triggering numerous Transformative Reactions such as Overloaded and Burgeon, raising her to Level 90 is highly recommended to maximize her reaction damage.

Normal Attack > Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill

For builds that focus on her Transformative Reaction or her C4 shield, Talent levels are not required due to her negligible personal damage in such cases.

Talents

Normal Attack

Normal Attack | Seal of Approval

Normal Attack
Shoots fireballs that deal up to three counts of Pyro DMG.
When Yanfei’s Normal Attacks hit enemies, they will grant her a single Scarlet Seal. Yanfei may possess a maximum of 3 Scarlet Seals, and each time this effect is triggered, the duration of currently possessed Scarlet Seals will refresh.
Each Scarlet Seal will decrease Yanfei’s Stamina consumption and will disappear when she leaves the field.

Charged Attack
Consumes Stamina and all Scarlet Seals before dealing AoE Pyro DMG to the opponents after a short casting time.
This Charged Attack’s AoE and DMG will increase according to the amount of Scarlet Seals consumed.

Plunging Attack
Gathering the power of Pyro, Yanfei plunges towards the ground from mid-air, damaging all opponents in her path. Deals AoE Pyro DMG upon impact with the ground.

Yanfei’s Normal Attack sequence launches projectiles that home in and can hit enemies at a decent range. Each Normal Attack hit grants Yanfei a Scarlet Seal for 10s, stacking up to 3 Seals (or 4 at C6). The duration for all Seals is refreshed for each new Seal gained.
When Yanfei uses a Charged Attack, she consumes her currently held Scarlet Seals to increase her Charged Attack’s damage and AoE, as well as reduce its Stamina consumption. Her Charged Attacks have no ICD, which allows each one to trigger a reaction. Her Charged Attacks are also considered Blunt damage, which allows them to trigger Shatter and effectively damage Geo shields.

Elemental Skill

Elemental Skill | Signed Edict

Summons blistering flames that deal AoE Pyro DMG.
Opponents hit by the flames will grant Yanfei the maximum number of Scarlet Seals.

A single instance of Blunt Pyro DMG. Its primary use is to instantly provide Yanfei with the maximum amount of Scarlet Seals along with particle generation.

Elemental Burst

Elemental Burst | Done Deal

Triggers a spray of intense flames that rush at nearby opponents, dealing AoE Pyro DMG, granting Yanfei the maximum number of Scarlet Seals, and applying Brilliance to her.

Deals a single instance of Pyro DMG, and instantly grants Yanfei the maximum amount of Scarlet Seals. It also imbues the Brilliance state while she remains on-field, which increases  Yanfei’s Charged Attack damage and passively grants her Scarlet Seals during its duration. It will typically only be used every other rotation due to its high Energy Cost.

Ascension 1 Passive

Ascension 1 Passive | Proviso

When Yanfei consumes Scarlet Seals by using a Charged Attack, each Scarlet Seal will increase Yanfei’s Pyro DMG Bonus by 5%. This effects [sic] lasts for 6s. When a Charged Attack is used again during the effect’s duration, it will dispel the previous effect.

A simple Talent that increases her Pyro DMG% after her Charged Attacks consume Scarlet Seals.

Ascension 4 Passive

Ascension 4 Passive | Blazing Eye

When Yanfei’s Charged Attack deals a CRIT Hit to opponents, she will deal an additional instance of AoE Pyro DMG equal to 80% of her ATK. This DMG counts as Charged Attack DMG.

Allows Charged Attacks that crit to deal a second hit that can also apply Pyro. This Talent can be detrimental since excess Pyro application can overtake useful Elemental auras.

Constellations

Constellation 1

Constellation 1 | The Law Knows No Kindness

When Yanfei uses her Charged Attack, each existing Scarlet Seal additionally reduces the stamina cost of this Charged Attack by 10% and increases resistance against interruption during its release.

A simple Constellation that can alleviate the Stamina issues from her Charged Attack centric playstyle.

Constellation 2

Constellation 2 | Right of Final Interpretation

Increases Yanfei’s Charged Attack CRIT Rate by 20% against enemies below 50% HP.

A straightforward CRIT Rate buff that is excellent for her personal damage, but may cause more unwanted A4 procs.

Constellation 3

Constellation 3 | Samadhi Fire-Forged

Increases the Level of Signed Edict by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.

A simple but negligible Skill damage increase.

Constellation 4

Constellation 4 | Supreme Amnesty

When Done Deal is used:
Creates a shield that absorbs up to 45% of Yanfei’s Max HP for 15s.
This shield absorbs Pyro DMG 250% more effectively.

Additional comfort from a sizable shield that boosts her survivability and provides Interruption Resistance. The added survivability is also greatly appreciated in Burgeon teams. Also allows Yanfei to be used as a niche shield support without the need for heavy Talent investment, albeit with serious ER requirements.

Constellation 5

Constellation 5 | Abiding Affidavit

Increases the Level of Done Deal by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.

Increases the Charged Attack DMG% Bonus granted by her Burst.

Constellation 6

Constellation 6 | Extra Clause

Increases the maximum number of Scarlet Seals by 1.

Increases the maximum number of held Scarlet Seals to 4. At 4 Seals, Charged Attacks consume no Stamina and deal maximum damage. Eliminates her Stamina issues and slightly increases the value of her Burst and A1 Passive. This Constellation does not change Yanfei’s preferred attack combos.

Combos

N# = Corresponding number of consecutive Normal Attacks
C = Charged Attack
E = Elemental Skill
Q = Elemental Burst

Yanfei’s general attack combo will consist of an opening combo with her Skill and Burst (when available), a series of Normal Attack combos, and finally an ending combo when her Skill is off cooldown. An example of a full combo is ‘N1 EQ 3N3C N1 E CA,’ where N1 EQ is the opening combo and 3N3C N1 E CA is the Normal Attack combo.

Opening Combos

With Burst

N1 EQEasy to execute opening combo. 
N1 Q N1C N1 E CAnother opening combo that better utilizes the Seals generated by her Skill and Burst while also maximizing Vaporizes.

No Burst

E COpening combo for when her Burst is not available.
N1 E CWeaving in Normal Attacks can allow for additional Vaporizes by proccing more off-field Hydro coordinated attacks.

Normal Attack Combos

Pyro DPS

3[N3C]Standard combo that ensures a Hydro aura before Yanfei uses Charged Attacks when using either non-C6 Xingqiu or non-C2 Yelan. It also uses the least amount of Stamina among her normal combos.
4[N2C]Highest damage normal combo due to a balance of Scarlet Seal generation and Charged Attack frequency. Generally requires a high amount of off-field Hydro to consistently Vaporize her Charged Attacks.
N3C/N2C HybridAlternating between the above combos can act as a middle ground between the two, especially if frequent dodging is required.
N1 E CUsed at the end of the rotation when Yanfei’s Skill is off cooldown.

Overloaded/Burgeon DPS

4[N3C]This combo is a reasonable option in Overload teams, having a decent trigger frequency with low Stamina consumption.
5[N2C]This combo allows for the most possible Overloaded procs.
NA SpamYanfei’s Normal Attacks are preferred in Burgeon as they detonate Dendro Cores while applying less Pyro than her Charged Attacks. They also have faster animations and do not require Stamina to be used.

Builds

ER Requirements

120-140%2 Yanfei Skills, 1 Bennett Skill per rotation, Burst every other rotation, 1-2 Favonius procs, 21s rotations 

For an on-field DPS playstyle, it is recommended to use Yanfei’s Burst every other rotation instead of sacrificing substats for enough ER% to use her Burst every rotation. Yanfei’s exact ER requirements will depend greatly on her team’s composition and gear.

In some cases Yanfei may opt to never cast her Burst, like when using 4-Piece Shimenawa’s Reminiscence or when acting as a Transformative Reaction DPS who does not rely on her Burst’s buffs.

Use the Energy Recharge Calculator to determine exact requirements for your team and rotation.

Pyro DPS

Artifact Stats


Sands

Goblet

Circlet
EM/ATK%Pyro DMG BonusCRIT Rate/CRIT DMG

Substats:
CRIT > ATK% = EM > ER%

ATK% and EM Sands perform similarly for a Vaporize DPS playstyle; the better of the two will depend on external buffs. ATK% Sands and substats are preferred in teams where Yanfei does not trigger reactions at all, such as in Mono Pyro teams.

Because of her A4 Passive, there is a slight advantage to CRIT Rate over CRIT DMG such that a 3:5 ratio may be preferred as opposed to the usual 1:2 ratio. However, players should not go out of their way to only stack CRIT Rate.

Artifact Sets


4pc Crimson Witch of Flames (CWF)
Overall Best-in-Slot in Vaporize teams by a slight margin. Its Pyro DMG Bonuses boosts all her damage sources and also gives DMG Bonuses for all Pyro-related reactions.

4pc Wanderer’s Troupe
Grants an unconditional boost to Charged Attacks, which make up the majority of Yanfei’s DPS. Its 2pc effect also grants an EM bonus which enhances reaction damage.

4pc Gilded Dreams
Provides 180 EM and 14% ATK in teams with a second Pyro, or 230 EM when she is solo Pyro. Yanfei can easily maintain the set bonus with her various Pyro attacks, though the effect can deactivate right before a Charged Attack hits.

2pc combinations of CWF/EM/ATK%/Marechaussee Hunter
A mix of 2-Piece sets can be useful when building towards a full 4-Piece set, or if substats are exceptional.

4pc Shimenawa’s Reminiscence
Trades the passive Seal generation (and her C4 shield) for a more consistent but slightly weaker Charged Attack DMG% Bonus that can be used every rotation.

4pc Retracing Bolide
Viable option when used with Zhongli. Not recommended to farm.

4pc Lavawalker
Viable option only in Mono Pyro teams. Not recommended to farm.

Weapons


Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds
Yanfei’s overall Best-in-Slot weapon. Provides a substantial amount of highly valued CRIT Rate, and Yanfei’s long field time requirement synergizes well with the weapon passive.

The Widsith
When used as a Vaporize DPS, Yanfei can utilize all three possible buffs, in addition to its CRIT DMG stat. However, The EM buff is useless in Mono Pyro teams. The long cooldown on its passive also makes its performance inconsistent especially in longer fights.

At higher refinements, it will often surpass even 5-star options.

Kagura’s Verity
A strong 5-star option due to its useful CRIT DMG substat. It is possible to maintain all stacks after the second rotation, further increasing its damage potential in extended fights.

Sacrificial Jade
Provides a hefty amount of CRIT Rate and a modest amount of EM, both of which are well appreciated in Yanfei’s Vaporize playstyles. Refinements on this weapon are a marginal damage increase.

Its HP buff has some usefulness in increasing her C4’s shield durability.

Tulaytullah’s Remembrance
Boasts a modest amount of CRIT DMG and high Base ATK, but its Normal Attack DMG% and ATK SPD buffs are largely insignificant for Yanfei.

A Thousand Floating Dreams
Gives Yanfei an unmatched amount of EM as well as some Elemental DMG% buffs. Also provides some EM to the rest of the team.

Skyward Atlas
This weapon gives a large amount of ATK% and an unconditional Elemental DMG% Bonus. However, its value diminishes slightly with external ATK buffers.

Memory of Dust
Similar performance to Skyward Atlas especially with consistent shielding. Greatly diminishes in value when used with external ATK buffers.

Flowing Purity
This craftable option works well in Vaporize playstyles and is her best free-to-play weapon for Mono Pyro teams. This weapon’s performance improves in teams with strong healers.

Dodoco Tales
Good free-to-play weapon for those who have it, with a consistent buff to her Charged Attacks.

Solar Pearl
Useful CRIT Rate stat, but its passive does not buff her Charged Attacks, making refinements somewhat underwhelming.

Mappa Mare
Decent free-to-play weapon option especially with high refinements. Its EM stat is useless in Mono Pyro teams.

Overload/Burgeon DPS

Artifact Stats


Sands

Goblet

Circlet
EMEMEM

Substats:
EM >> ER%

For an on-field Transformative Reaction DPS, Elemental Mastery should be prioritized as it is the only stat that contributes to Overloaded and Burgeon DMG. 

Energy Recharge substats can still have value since Yanfei’s Burst still provides an additional instance of Pyro application, reduced Charged Attack Stamina consumption, invincibility frames, and a shield at C4+. CRIT Rate stats can actually be detrimental since unwanted A4 procs can cause Pyro to overtake other auras, reducing the frequency of Yanfei’s reactions.

It is also possible to use a hybrid build similar to that of Pyro DPS Yanfei, but with more emphasis on EM. This can be more convenient than farming another set, but will typically result in lower damage output, particularly in AoE.

Artifact Sets


4pc Gilded Dreams
Her general Best-in-Slot for this playstyle. Provides a large amount of EM as Yanfei is often the sole Pyro character in her Transformative Reaction teams.

4pc Flower of Paradise Lost
A marginal improvement over Gilded Dreams for Burgeon teams, but is worse outside of them. Not recommended to farm specifically for Yanfei.

2pc combinations of EM/EM
2-Piece combinations may be easier to obtain as EM main stat artifacts can be rare. Avoid using Instructor pieces due to the lower stats.

4pc Crimson Witch of Flames
Gives a decent boost to Overloaded and Burgeon, but still worse than Gilded Dreams. Not recommended to farm.

4pc Thundering Fury
Provides a similar bonus to Crimson Witch for Overloaded, but does not benefit Burgeon DMG. The Skill cooldown reduction effect is largely irrelevant. Not recommended to farm.
Deepwood Memories
4pc Deepwood Memories
Can be used on Yanfei if no other teammates are already holding it, but reduces Yanfei’s potential EM.

Weapons


A Thousand Floating Dreams
Best-in-Slot for Yanfei’s Transformative Reaction builds. Provides an unmatched amount of EM. Also provides some EM to her team.

Sacrificial Fragments
Has the second highest EM stat of all Catalysts. Additional Skill uses can be helpful for reducing her Stamina consumption, but otherwise do not greatly affect this playstyle.

Wandering Evenstar
This weapon provides less EM than Magic Guide, but can provide a substantial permanent ATK buff to teammates like Fischl or Yae Miko.

Magic Guide
Third highest EM stat while being very cheap to level.

Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers
Reduces Yanfei’s reaction damage in favor of buffing a single powerful off-field DPS such as Beidou. Slightly increases her C4 shield HP.

Hakushin Ring
Provides an Elemental DMG% buff for Electro teammates and enables more frequent Bursts at the cost of reaction damage.

Shield Support

Artifact Stats


Sands

Goblet

Circlet
Energy Recharge or HP%HP%HP% or CRIT Rate (if Favonius)

Substats:
ER% (until requirement) > HP% > Flat HP > CRIT Rate (if Favonius)

For shielder builds, Energy Recharge is vital to ensure access to her Burst. Afterwards, HP stats should be prioritized to increase her shield’s durability. CRIT Rate is only relevant if using Favonius Codex. Any other stats are inconsequential, as Yanfei contributes negligible damage in this role.

Artifact Sets


2pc combinations of HP%/ER%
Effective options for meeting Yanfei’s high ER requirements and/or increasing her shield’s toughness, but provide no team buffs.

4pc Noblesse Oblige
Has reduced shield durability compared to HP% sets, but provides a handy ATK% buff to the team.

4pc Instructor
Instructor can grant a teamwide EM buff, but its 4-star stats further weaken Yanfei’s shield and make it difficult to meet her ER requirements.

Weapons


Prototype Amber
The preferred weapon for shielder builds, alleviating much of Yanfei’s ER requirements especially at R5, while also bolstering her shield. It also provides minor teamwide healing.

Favonius Codex
A potential option for reducing teamwide ER requirements. However, it regenerates less Energy than Prototype Amber for Yanfei and provides weaker shields. It can be difficult to trigger its passive without substantial amounts of CRIT Rate.

Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers
An incredibly niche option.

While its ATK buff can be impactful and its HP stat is appreciated, it doesn’t help Yanfei recharge her Burst at all and heavily restricts rotations. This weapon cannot be used in VV Vape setups as she will waste the ATK buff on the team’s Anemo unit.

This weapon is only realistically used in teams that have numerous Pyro characters with good particle generation.

Teams

This is not a comprehensive list of teams. The inclusion or exclusion of any given team does not reflect its power level.

Team-Building

  • Yanfei as an on-field DPS works best with a mix of buffers and off-field damage dealers. She works particularly well with teammates that consistently apply Elemental auras for Yanfei to trigger reactions such as Vaporize or Overloaded. 
  • Shielders (or her C4) may be helpful in allowing Yanfei to perform her attack strings at closer range without interruption.
  • Yanfei greatly appreciates a second Pyro character to lower her Energy requirements and enable Pyro Resonance. Bennett is the optimal choice for this role.

Vaporize

Yanfei’s personal damage is best improved with fast off-field Hydro application (Xingqiu, Yelan, or both) to help her consistently Vaporize her Charged Attacks, which are the bulk of her damage.

Notable Teammates


Xingqiu, Yelan, Kokomi
Xingqiu offers off-field Hydro application with his Burst and orbitals, interruption resistance, damage reduction, and minor healing. His damage reduction notably increases the effectiveness of shields created by Yanfei or her teammates.

Yelan offers a ramping DMG% buff which synergizes well with Yanfei’s extended field time. Her lack of on-contact Hydro application can make Double Swirl set ups more consistent.

Both Xingqiu and Yelan can be paired together to reduce each other’s ER requirements and deal potent single-target damage.

Kokomi cannot sustain a Hydro aura by herself, but she can supplement it with a second Hydro, especially in AoE. She also brings healing and buffs via TTDS and Tenacity of the Millelith (ToTM).

Bennett
While not strictly mandatory, Bennett is highly recommended, as he provides healing, Pyro particles, Pyro Resonance, and a substantial ATK buff on his Burst, all of which are incredibly valuable for Yanfei. 

The Burst’s self Pyro application can cleanse debuffs and allow for Double Swirl setups with Kazuha.

Sucrose, Kazuha, Heizou
Each Anemo option provides grouping and RES Shred through 4-Piece Viridescent Venerer (4VV), along with various buffs such as TTDS or Kazuha’s A4 Passive. Avoid absorbing Pyro with their Bursts, as they can steal reactions from Yanfei.

Fischl, Yae Miko
Fischl and Yae Miko offer good off-field Electro DMG. Electro application can allow for an Electro-Charged aura to exist on enemies, upon which Yanfei can trigger both Overloaded and Vaporize simultaneously, an interaction also known as ‘Overvape’.

Zhongli
Zhongli provides immense survivability and Interruption Resistance, allowing Yanfei to execute her combos at close range easily.

Also provides RES Shred for all Elements, and can proc certain artifact sets such as 4pc ToTM, Archaic Petra, or Instructor.

Diona
Yanfei’s Charged Attacks and Skill trigger Shatter when used on Frozen enemies, dealing paltry damage and preventing either Melt or Vaporize from triggering.

Because of this, you should not use Cryo units in Yanfei’s Vaporize teams.

Diona can still be a decent shielder for Yanfei if desired, but should only be used as a last resort. Avoid using her Burst for the reasons stated above, even with her C6 EM buff.
Yanfei – Xingqiu – Bennett – Kazuha

In this VV Vape team, Kazuha Swirls both Pyro and Hydro to apply RES Shred and activate his A4 buff for both Elements. Avoid contacting enemies during setup, as Xingqiu’s Rain Sword orbitals may remove Pyro aura before it can be Swirled.

Sample Rotation: Xingqiu EQ N1 > Bennett E N1 Q N1 > Kazuha hEP N1 > Yanfei Combo

Yanfei – Xingqiu – Yelan – Zhongli

Zhongli should hold either 4pc Archaic Petra to buff Xingqiu and Yelan (assuming he can pick up the Hydro Shard), or 4pc Instructor to buff Yanfei; if not equipping either set, use Zhongli’s Hold Skill at the start of the rotation.

Sample Rotation: Xingqiu QE (catch particles) > Yelan EQ > Zhongli hE > Yanfei Combo

Yanfei – Yelan – Bennett – Fischl

Bennett buffs both Yanfei and Fischl, as the latter’s Skill can snapshot. Fischl provides off-field damage and Electro application that allows Yanfei to trigger Overvape.

Sample Rotation: Yelan EQ > Bennett EQ > Fischl E/Q > Yanfei Combo

Mono Pyro

Yanfei teams can choose to ignore reactions altogether by instead opting for synergistic supports to stack buffs or focus on dealing non-reactive off-field damage. These teams have the benefit of simpler gameplay as there is no need to manage Elemental auras, and can also permit more frequent swapping as Yanfei does not require as much continuous field time.

Notable Teammates


Bennett, Xiangling
The Bennett-Xiangling core is a staple duo inclusive of high off-field damage, buffing, and healing. The abundance of Pyro particles reduces ER needs for all characters.

Sucrose, Kazuha, Jean, Heizou, Sayu
VV setups are easily performed due to the lack of conflicting Elemental auras. Kazuha and Sucrose can freely absorb Pyro with their Bursts, as there are no reactions to manage.

Kazuha’s DMG% buff gains greater value in comparison to other Anemo units, and he offers good AoE damage along with excellent grouping.

Sucrose’s EM buff is wasted, but she can still bring value with her grouping, TTDS, and her C6. Heizou has weaker grouping but higher personal damage.

Jean and Sayu bring additional party healing, and off-field Swirl DMG.

Zhongli, Albedo
Geo characters can easily trigger Pyro Crystallize for the 4pc Archaic Petra set bonus.

Zhongli provides strong shielding and hassle-free RES Shred.

Albedo deals respectable off-field damage and pairs well with Zhongli to provide Geo Resonance. However, he does not benefit from ATK buffs nor does his EM buff have any use in this team. Avoid using his Burst, as the EM buff is useless in this archetype.
Yanfei – Bennett – Xiangling – Kazuha

Overloaded/Burgeon DPS

With sufficient off-field application of Electro, Hydro, or Dendro, it is possible for Yanfei to trigger numerous instances of Transformative Reactions for AoE damage. Care must be taken so that Pyro does not overtake as an aura, especially with Burning. If Burning is triggered,it maintains a Pyro aura that greatly interferes with other reactions until it is extinguished. Teams in this archetype can be subdivided into either Overload or Burgeon.

This archetype is best used in multi-target content for several reasons:

  • Burgeon and Overloaded have sizable AoEs, allowing damage to scale with more targets.
  • Reaction ICD is specific to each enemy — this allows for more reactions to be triggered by alternating which enemies are attacked, leading to more total damage.
  • Switching targets can also help prevent Yanfei’s Normal Attacks from applying too much Pyro onto any single enemy. If a Pyro or Burning aura does occur, prioritize attacking other enemies to trigger more reactions before extinguishing existing Pyro auras.
    • AoE Hydro appliers become more valuable in this regard, as they can apply Hydro to enemies that aren’t being targeted by Yanfei.

These teams can afford to swap off Yanfei more often to cast teammates’ Skills, as Yanfei is not reliant on her Burst or other buffs for her damage.

Notable Teammates


Fischl, Beidou, Yae Miko, Kuki Shinobu
Fischl provides strong single-target damage and fast Electro application from Oz, her A4 Passive and her C6. Her immense particle generation combined with Electro Resonance greatly reduces the ER requirements of other Electro teammates.

Beidou and Yae Miko offer additional Electro application and off-field damage. Beidou excels in multi-target and can use her Skill frequently to counter damage and generate particles, whereas Yae functions better in single-target and packs front-loaded damage on her Burst.

Kuki consolidates healing alongside Electro application. She also functions as an excellent Hyperbloom trigger in Burgeon teams.

Xingqiu, Yelan, Kokomi
Xingqiu offers additional Hydro application on contact, Interruption Resistance, DMG Reduction, and minor healing.

Yelan’s ramping DMG% buff is unable to buff Yanfei’s Transformative Reactions, but her shorter cooldowns can allow for faster rotations. She also has more freedom to use her Skill on cooldown in these teams.

Both Xingqiu and Yelan can be paired together to reduce each other’s ER requirements for potent single-target damage.

Kokomi consolidates AoE Hydro application (albeit too slowly to generate many Cores by herself) with strong healing that counteracts Burgeon self-damage. She can refresh the duration of her Skill by using her Burst or equipping Sacrificial Fragments.

Sucrose, Kazuha, Jean, Sayu, Venti, Heizou
Offers VV Shred and other buffs for off-field DPS units.

Anemo units are still useful in Overload teams for increasing the damage of Yanfei’s off-field teammates via VV Shred. They also provide other utilities such as grouping, healing, and additional team buffs.

Avoid absorbing Pyro with Bursts as these may steal some reactions from Yanfei or cause Burning. Pyro has top priority order for these Bursts’ Elemental Absorption, so it is essential to first infuse their Bursts with another Element before Yanfei takes the field.

Bennett
Bennett gives potent ATK buffs and healing with his Burst, as well as Pyro Resonance. In this archetype, his ATK buff is more useful to off-field teammates who can snapshot it, such as Beidou and Fischl, than to Yanfei herself.

Zhongli
Provides survivability, Universal RES Shred (which boosts Overloaded and Burgeon DMG), Interruption Resistance, and other buffs such as 4pc ToTM, Archaic Petra, Instructor, or even DW.

Nahida, Dendro Traveler, Collei, Yaoyao, Baizhu, Kirara
Dendro units who apply their Element off-field and provide buffs and/or defensive utility. They are often holders of the 4pc Deepwood Memories set, which is crucial for shredding enemy Dendro RES.

Nahida is the best Dendro applier due to her peerlessly consistent AoE Dendro application. She can freely swap in to mark enemies with her Skill as needed, and her EM buff boosts Yanfei’s reaction damage.

Dendro Traveler and Collei can act as alternatives to Nahida, but with more constraints on their Dendro application. Dendro Traveler’s Burst should be transfigured with Hydro to prevent it from being destroyed by Yanfei’s Pyro application. Collei’s Dendro application is more mobile and she is a good carrier of Elegy for the End.

Yaoyao and Baizhu consolidate much-needed healing and off-field Dendro application, while Kirara can act as a flex shielder. However, their application methods are much less effective than the aforementioned options; if bringing these units, pair them up with Nahida, Dendro Traveler, or Collei to make up for their poorer off-field application.
Yanfei – Fischl – Beidou – Zhongli

If using Archaic Petra on Zhongli, pick up Electro Shards with Zhongli before deploying Oz and Beidou’s Burst so they snapshot the Electro DMG% buff.

Yanfei – Kokomi – Nahida – Xingqiu

Kokomi’s AoE Hydro application and healing make this team quite comfortable to play; her Skill duration can be refreshed with either her Burst or Sacrificial Fragments, the latter of which also provides the benefit of repositioning her Skill if needed. Yanfei’s C4 further increases survivability, as the shield created benefits from both Hydro Resonance and Xingqiu’s damage reduction.

Yanfei – Xingqiu – Nahida – Kuki Shinobu

Kuki’s Skill has a 1.5s delay between procs, which causes excess Dendro Cores to accumulate. This can lead to “wasted” damage — while Kuki can trigger numerous Hyperblooms simultaneously, targets only take damage from Bloom reactions up to two times every 0.5s. Yanfei can detonate Dendro Cores that would otherwise be wasted for additional AoE damage.

Kuki’s Electro application also causes Quicken and Electro-Charged auras, which potentially allows more Blooms to be triggered. It can also minimize Burning and remove Pyro aura by triggering Overloaded.

Shield Support

Yanfei’s C4 shield is best used in teams that appreciate Pyro Resonance and Pyro application for VV Vape setups. Her lack of off-field application is actually an upside, as this prevents her from stealing Vaporize and other reaction procs from the team’s damage dealer.  As such, teams centered around Pyro DPS units are shielder Yanfei’s best use cases.

For VV Vape setups, Yanfei can use any combination of Charged Attack, Skill, or Burst so long as it removes Hydro aura and applies a Pyro aura before she swaps out. 

While it is still possible to use “Shieldfei” outside of these teams, her extremely high ER requirements and lack of utility make her subpar compared to other shielders.

Notable Teammates


Lyney
Lyney is a damage dealer who appreciates shielding to prevent his special Charged Attacks from getting interrupted. As a Pyro unit, Yanfei contributes towards Lyney’s A4 Passive, which improves his damage. In teams with very high particle generation, it is possible to run TTDS to further buff Lyney.

However, her Burst cooldown forces the team to run a 20s rotation.

Hu Tao
Hu Tao is relatively vulnerable when on-field due to her HP drain, and, at C0, her high Stamina consumption prevents frequent dodging. Yanfei is notable for shielding in VV Vape teams while also not stealing any Vaporizes from Hu Tao; this allows a pre-C2 Yelan to maintain Hydro aura more consistently.

However, there is some anti-synergy if using Prototype Amber, as its healing can delay the activation of Hu Tao’s A4 Passive.

Ganyu
Ganyu is reliant on her Charged Attacks in Melt playstyles. Yanfei acts as a serviceable shielder, with her high ER requirements somewhat mitigated by Pyro Particles generated by Bennett and Xiangling.

Yoimiya
Yoimiya wants to perform her Normal Attack string without interruption from neither enemy hits nor dodging; Yanfei prevents this with her shield, while also activating Pyro Resonance.
Yanfei – Lyney – Bennett – Kazuha

This team has different rotations depending on Yanfei’s weapon.

Sample Rotations:
TTDS Variation: Bennett EQ > Kazuha tEP > Yanfei EQ > Lyney 3[C] Q E > Bennett E > Lyney C

Prototype Amber Variation: Lyney E (first rotation) > Kazuha tEPQ > Yanfei EQ > Bennett EQ > Kazuha tEP > Lyney 4[C] Q/C E

Yanfei – Hu Tao – Yelan – Sucrose

Sample Rotation: Yelan EQ N1 > Yanfei N1 QE > Sucrose N2 E > Hu Tao Combo

Credits

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