Genshin Impact Artifact Optimization Guide

Figuring out the best way to manage artifacts in Genshin Impact can feel a bit overwhelming, especially once you start building multiple characters for different teams. With all the different sets, main stats, and endless substat rolls, it’s easy to wonder whether you’re really making the most of your resources. Even longtime players sometimes find themselves questioning which pieces are worth keeping or leveling. Taking a closer look at artifact optimization can help make character builds smoother, combat more satisfying, and grinding a lot less stressful.

How Artifact Set Bonuses Work

Artifacts come in sets of five: Flower, Feather, Sands, Goblet, and Circlet. Each artifact belongs to a set, and equipping characters with multiple pieces from the same set grants special bonuses. The most common set bonus thresholds are 2-piece and 4-piece. Some sets offer straightforward stat increases, while others unlock unique effects that are only active if you have four pieces equipped.

Every artifact set is themed around a particular element, stat, or playstyle. The trick is figuring out when it’s best to use two of one set, four of one set, or a hybrid combination.

2-Piece Bonuses

A 2-piece bonus is always active if the character wears at least two artifacts from the same set. These bonuses usually give a flat boost to stats like ATK%, HP%, Elemental Mastery, or an elemental damage bonus (like +15% Pyro DMG for the Crimson Witch of Flames). This bonus is simple: you equip two artifacts and instantly get the benefit—no strings attached.

2-piece bonuses are great if you want to mix and match to hit certain stat targets or if you’re still working on getting that perfect 4-piece set.

4-Piece Bonuses

The 4-piece bonus becomes active when a character has four artifacts from the same set. Some of these bonuses are straightforward, like doubling down on a stat boost, while others grant unique effects—maybe an extra buff after using an Elemental Skill, or a bonus that activates after triggering a certain elemental reaction. For example, the full Viridescent Venerer set not only increases Anemo damage by 15%, but the 4-piece effect also shreds enemies' elemental resistance after a Swirl reaction.

Some sets, like Gladiator's Finale, simply reinforce the 2-piece bonus (+18% ATK from 2-piece, and then a Normal Attack DMG boost from the 4-piece). Others, like Emblem of Severed Fate, tie the bonus to how much Energy Recharge your character has.

Popular Artifact Sets and Their Bonuses

Gladiator's Finale

• 2-piece: +18% ATK
• 4-piece: Normal Attack DMG +35% (for sword/ claymore/ polearm users)

Great for characters who rely heavily on Normal Attack chains (like Razor or Yoimiya).

Noblesse Oblige

• 2-piece: +20% Elemental Burst DMG
• 4-piece: Using an Elemental Burst increases all party members' ATK by 20% for 12s (does not stack)

Common pick for supports like Bennett or Mona, especially in co-op.

Shimenawa's Reminiscence

• 2-piece: +18% ATK
• 4-piece: Losing 15 Energy after using an Elemental Skill, increases Normal/Charged/Plunging Attack DMG by 50% for 10s. Can’t activate if you don’t have enough Energy.

Favored by characters with fast-paced attack combos.

Viridescent Venerer

• 2-piece: +15% Anemo DMG
• 4-piece: Swirl reactions lower enemy Elemental RES to the element infused by Swirl by 40% for 10s.

Essential for most Anemo supports like Sucrose and Kazuha.

Emblem of Severed Fate

• 2-piece: +20% Energy Recharge
• 4-piece: Elemental Burst DMG increases by 25% of Energy Recharge. The bonus can go up to 75%.

Excellent for Burst-reliant characters needing lots of Energy Recharge, like Raiden Shogun.

Crimson Witch of Flames

• 2-piece: +15% Pyro DMG Bonus
• 4-piece: Increases Overloaded/Burning/Burgeon DMG by 40%, increases Vaporize/Melt by 15%. Using an Elemental Skill increases the 2-piece Pyro bonus by 50% for 10 seconds (max 3 stacks).

A core pick for Pyro DPS or reaction-focused characters.

Tenacity of the Millelith

• 2-piece: +20% HP
• 4-piece: When an Elemental Skill hits, increases all party members' ATK and Shield Strength by 20% for 3s.

Best used on shielders and off-field supports.

Mixing and Matching: Hybrid Set Bonuses

When you don’t have the perfect four artifacts for a single set, it’s totally valid to mix two 2-piece bonuses. For example:

• 2-piece Blizzard Strayer + 2-piece Noblesse Oblige: Used for Cryo Burst supports.
• 2-piece Gladiator’s Finale + 2-piece Shimenawa’s Reminiscence: Easy way to stack a big ATK% bonus.
• 2-piece Emblem of Severed Fate + 2-piece Noblesse Oblige: High Burst DMG and Energy Recharge for sub-DPS.

Some late-game players intentionally use hybrid sets to reach stat goals or optimize their characters’ damage output, especially if their substats on artifacts are better than those in a complete 4-piece set.

How to Pick the Right Set Bonus

Start by thinking about your character’s role. Are they a main DPS focused on normal or charged attacks? A burst spammer? A healer? Supports often pick 4-piece sets for their unique buffs, while DPS characters choose based on stats and bonus effects.

If you don’t have a completed set with strong substats, don’t be afraid to use double 2-piece sets for a while. Substats can make a bigger difference than set bonuses, especially early on.

Set Bonus Shortcuts

• Main DPS: Usually wants ATK% or their elemental damage set (e.g., Gladiator, Lavawalker, Shimenawa, or Crimson Witch)
• Support/Utility: Benefits a lot from 4-piece utility sets (e.g., Noblesse Oblige, Viridescent Venerer)
• Healers: Look for Maiden Beloved (healing bonus) or Ocean-Hued Clam (healing -> DMG)
• Elemental Reaction/Swirl: Use sets that boost reaction damage or lower resistances (e.g., Viridescent Venerer, Crimson Witch)

Key Takeaways

Understanding set bonuses is a big part of making your teams shine. Whether you commit to a full 4-piece or make use of two 2-pieces, experiment with artifacts as your collection grows. Don’t stress about always having the “best-in-slot” set right away! Prioritize good substats and use what you have—that’s often better than chasing the perfect theoretical bonus. Over time, as you farm and your arsenal of artifacts grows, assembling those ideal sets becomes much easier.

Main Stat Guide

Artifacts aren't just about set bonuses—each piece comes with a "main stat," which acts as the biggest stat boost you get from that artifact. Unlike substats, the main stat is always locked in and way stronger, so picking the best one for each artifact slot makes a huge difference for your character’s performance. Let’s break down which main stats go on which pieces, why some options matter more for certain characters, and how to avoid rookie mistakes.

Main Stat Basics: What Goes Where

Each artifact slot can roll only a specific group of main stats:

• Flower of Life: Always gives flat HP. No exceptions.
• Plume of Death: Always gives flat ATK. No exceptions.
• Sands of Eon: Can be ATK%, DEF%, HP%, or Energy Recharge, plus sometimes Elemental Mastery.
• Goblet of Eonothem: Can be ATK%, DEF%, HP%, Elemental Mastery, or bonus Elemental Damage (like Pyro DMG Bonus), and Physical DMG Bonus.
• Circlet of Logos: Can be ATK%, DEF%, HP%, Elemental Mastery, Crit Rate, Crit Damage, or Healing Bonus.

For most characters, your choices on Flower and Plume are non-negotiable, but Sands, Goblet, and Circlet are where things get spicy.

Sands of Eon: The “Multiplier Piece”

Sands is often where you choose your biggest offensive stat. Here’s what usually works best:

• ATK% Sands: Best for most main DPS and sub-DPS whose damage scales off ATK (ex: Tartaglia/Childe, Diluc, Keqing).
• Elemental Mastery Sands: Amazing for characters dedicated to triggering reactions (ex: Sucrose, Kazuha, Nahida for Dendro teams).
• Energy Recharge Sands: Go-to pick for characters that struggle to use their Burst on cooldown (ex: Raiden Shogun, Xingqiu, Xiangling, Mona).
• HP% or DEF% Sands: Picked for characters whose healing or shields scale with those stats (ex: Zhongli [HP%], Noelle [DEF%], Kokomi [HP%]).

Energy Recharge is often slept on—if your Burst isn’t available quickly, missing out on your character’s strongest move can really drag down your damage. On the flip side, stacking too much Energy Recharge hurts your raw numbers. Strive for balance!

Goblet of Eonothem: The “Damage Type Booster”

Goblet is a huge deal because it’s often the only way to get a high bonus to your main damage type.

• Elemental DMG Bonus (like Pyro DMG Bonus, Hydro DMG Bonus, etc): Essential for DPS whose hits all match their element (ex: Hu Tao = Pyro, Ayaka = Cryo).
• Physical DMG Bonus: Rarely used except by basic attackers like Eula or Razor who lean into physical attacks.
• ATK%/DEF%/HP% Goblet: Usually for certain supports (ex: Kokomi with HP%, Albedo with DEF% for his Skill scaling) or if you somehow can’t get a good Elemental Goblet.
• Elemental Mastery Goblet: Niche, used if a character is non-stop reaction-driven.

Quick tip: Getting the right Elemental DMG Goblet with good substats is one of the biggest pain points in artifact farming. Keep any decent ones you find—even if the set isn’t perfect, sometimes any decent Pyro/Cryo/Hydro/Electro goblet is better than a matching but bad-set “mainstat” goblet.

Circlet of Logos: The “Crit Head”

Circlet is the only slot that can roll Crit Rate, Crit Damage, or Healing Bonus.

• Crit Rate Circlet: Use if your crit rate is low (aim for around 50-70% crit rate overall on main DPS).
• Crit Damage Circlet: If you already have solid crit rate from weapons/artifacts, go for Crit Damage—especially for big-hit mains like Ganyu or Hu Tao.
• ATK%/DEF%/HP% Circlet: Used for supports or when healing/shield scaling beats crit stats.
• Healing Bonus Circlet: Only for main healers whose output scales with this (ex: Qiqi, Kokomi, Barbara).
• Elemental Mastery Circlet: Great if reaction damage is all you care about (ex: Anemo supports built for Swirl).

The Crit Ratio: A Balance Act

Most DPS characters want to keep a Crit Rate:Crit DMG ratio close to 1:2 (e.g., 60% Crit Rate and 120% Crit DMG). If your crit rate is too low, you’ll barely see your big crit numbers. If your crit damage is too low, your crit rate won’t matter much.

If you mainly use weapons that add crit stats (like the Blackcliff or The Black Sword), you can lean more into Crit Damage on your Circlet. If not, get Crit Rate first, then pile on Crit DMG as you farm.

Picking Main Stats for Different Roles

Here are some quick main stat combos for popular character types:

Main DPS (Ex: Ayaka, Diluc)

• Sands: ATK%
• Goblet: Elemental DMG Bonus (Cryo/Pyro/whatever fits)
• Circlet: Crit Rate or Crit Damage

Reaction DPS (Ex: Sucrose, Kazuha, Nahida)

• Sands: Elemental Mastery
• Goblet: Elemental Mastery or Elemental DMG Bonus (depends)
• Circlet: Elemental Mastery or Crit (if you proc Swirl/Spread/Bloom often)

Support/Utility (Ex: Bennett, Mona)

• Sands: ER% or HP% (depends on scaling)
• Goblet: HP%/ER%/Elemental as needed
• Circlet: HP%/Healing Bonus

Healer (Ex: Kokomi, Barbara, Qiqi)

• Sands: HP%
• Goblet: HP%
• Circlet: Healing Bonus

Remember, these are just starting points—always look at what your character scales with!

Don’t Forget Substats

Main stats are huge, but substats (like extra Crit, ER%, EM, etc.) add up and can actually carry a less-than-perfect main stat. Sometimes, your best-in-set main stat artifact has awful substats, while a mismatched set has amazing substats. Weigh your options and don’t be afraid to use a “stat-sticked” mismatched piece, especially if you’re in the early or mid-game!

Main Stat Farming Priorities

Early on, aim for the right main stats even if the set isn’t perfect. Once you can reliably clear artifact domains, you can start chasing for both main stat and set. But above all:

• DPS characters: Always prioritize a good elemental Goblet and Crit Circlet.
• Support/Healer: Focus on HP%/ER%/Healing Bonus as needed.
• Substats matter, but don’t ignore your core main stats.

Main stat choices make or break a character’s output, and understanding each slot’s options will save you a ton of resin and frustration. Focus on the stats your favorite character wants and upgrade as you find better pieces—the right main stats will unlock your best clears!

Substat Guide

So, you’ve rolled the main stats you want on each artifact—now it’s time to talk about substats. These hidden bonuses often separate a good build from a true monster, and they're what keep artifact grinding addictive (and occasionally soul-crushing). Here’s how to make sense of substats, which ones to hunt for, and how they can turbo-charge your favorite Genshin Impact characters.

What Are Substats?

Each artifact above 3★ rarity comes with substats—extra stat increases besides the main stat. At the lowest rarity, you start with one or two substats. Four-star artifacts can start with up to three; five-star artifacts always have at least three and can roll a fourth after the first upgrade.

Substats increase based on “rolls” every 4 levels. A random substat gets boosted, or, if your artifact only had three to start, the fourth gets unlocked. Each stat roll is randomly determined, so it’s entirely possible (and tragic) to have an artifact dump all of its upgrades into flat HP.

Every Substat (and What They Do)

Here’s the full breakdown of substats you can get:

• Flat HP: Adds a set amount of HP.
• Flat ATK: Adds a set amount of ATK.
• Flat DEF: Adds a set amount of DEF.
• % HP: Increases max HP by a percentage.
• % ATK: Increases ATK by a percentage.
• % DEF: Increases DEF by a percentage.
• Energy Recharge%: Fills your elemental burst quicker.
• Elemental Mastery: Boosts reaction damage.
• Crit Rate%: Higher chance to crit.
• Crit DMG%: Higher damage from crits.

You’ll never get Elemental DMG Bonus, Healing Bonus, or similar “main stats” as substats—they’re exclusive to their respective main stat slots.

Best Substats for Each Role

Not all substats are equal—what’s best for a main DPS is usually wasted on a healer. Let’s break it down by role:

Main DPS

• Top Tier: Crit Rate%, Crit DMG%, % ATK (or % Element for scaling characters), Energy Recharge% (if Burst is important)
• Nice to Have: Elemental Mastery (for reaction teams)
• Skip: Flat stats, %DEF/HP (unless character scales with those)

A strong DPS piece will pile on as much Crit and %ATK as possible. For example, a perfect Diluc artifact might have Crit Rate, Crit DMG, %ATK, and Energy Recharge.

Reaction DPS/Support (e.g. Sucrose, Kazuha, Yae)

• Top Tier: Elemental Mastery, Energy Recharge%, Crit stats (if relevant)
• Situational: %ATK
• Skip: Flat stats, %DEF/HP (unless uniquely scaling)

If you’re running someone who swirls or triggers blooms and aggravates, Elemental Mastery trumps Crit.

Healers/Shields (e.g. Kokomi, Noelle, Diona)

• Top Tier: %HP (or %DEF for Noelle), Energy Recharge%
• Nice to Have: Flat HP/DEF
• Ignore Always: Crit stats (unless using shielder who can deal burst damage like Diona C6)

A healer that scales with HP will ignore Crit or EM substats. For shielders or burst healers, ER% can also help guarantee uptime.

Hybrid/Sub-DPS

• Mix and match based on what you actually use. For off-field bursters (e.g. Xingqiu), ER% can be essential. For some (Xiangling), stacking Crit and ER% both matter. Check your character’s abilities and scale accordingly.

Are Flat Stats Useless?

Flat stats get a bad rap, but they aren’t always garbage. Early on, or for shielders and niche builds (like defense scaling Albedo), a bit of flat DEF can be okay. In general, though, % increases scale way harder, especially as your base stat goes up from level and ascension. By late-game, flat stats are almost always worse than % rolls.

Energy Recharge vs. Crit: Picking Priorities

Sometimes you get the perfect main stat, but all the substats dumped themselves into a weird mix—maybe you ended up with tons of Energy Recharge on an artifact meant for a crit DPS. Energy Recharge is never fully “wasted” for anybody, but on “selfish” main DPS who don’t rely on burst damage (like Yoimiya), ER’s benefit quickly drops off after about 120-140%. By contrast, Crit substats always improve your output for any carry.

General rule: Any DPS wants Crit > %ATK/Elemental Mastery > ER%/the rest. Supports and healers want %HP/DEF/ER, sometimes EM.

Rolling Artifacts: How Upgrades Work

Upgrading artifacts at level 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 will always “roll” one substat—either unlocking a new one (on that first upgrade) or adding points to an existing one. This is where heartbreak happens: your +20 artifact can, and sometimes will, invest everything into flat HP. Celebrate when the rolls go into Crit or other meaningful stats for your build.

Tip: When leveling early artifacts, feel free to stop at +8 or +12 if the first rolls don’t go where you want. Save your resources (and sanity) for pieces that look promising.

The Pursuit of “God Rolls” and Realistic Goals

“God roll” artifacts often have all four top-tier substats and feed most upgrades into those stats. These are rare, and most players run good-but-not-perfect pieces for months. Unless you’re a heavy spender (or extremely lucky), aim for artifacts that hit two or three priority substats with most of their rolls, rather than waiting for perfection.

• Aim early on: Two good substats at +0, three by +4 or +8, then go further if the artifact keeps rolling right.
• Mismatched sets are fine if the substats on non-set pieces outclass set pieces (especially for that right Goblet or Circlet).

Example: Substat Priorities by Character

• Hu Tao/Yelan/Ayaka (Main DPS): Crit Rate, Crit DMG, %ATK/Elemental DMG, ER%
• Kazuha (Support/Reaction): EM, ER%, Crit (if running hybrid)
• Bennett (Battery/Healer): ER%, %HP, %ATK
• Noelle (Geo/DEF shielder): %DEF, Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ER%

If a substat doesn’t synergize with your character’s kit, it’s usually not worth sacrificing other stats for. Plan your farming and upgrades around the characters you actually use, not just generic “meta” priorities.

Final Thoughts

Substats are the “secret sauce” of endgame builds—sometimes, they matter even more than the set bonus. Chasing great substats can take time, but it’s what brings out the best in your characters. Prioritize upgrades on artifacts with strong substat potential, don’t get discouraged by bad rolls, and remember—a few great Crit rolls can transform an okay artifact into a keeper. Happy farming! Whether you’re aiming to break through a damage ceiling or just keep your Resin from rotting in your pocket, knowing when, where, and how to farm artifact domains can save you months of wasted effort. Here’s a breakdown to help you farm domains smarter in Genshin Impact—no more endless runs for trash pieces and empty Resin tanks.

Understanding Domains: What, Why, and When

Before you burn valuable Resin, let’s clarify what domains actually offer. Artifact domains are the main source of 5-star (and high-rarity 4-star) artifacts, the backbone of late-game stats. Each domain focuses on two specific artifact sets, and these sets are tied to certain playstyles or characters.

Domains reset daily, but rewards are limited by Original Resin—so every run counts. Domains aren’t just for artifacts, though; early on, you’ll use Talent or Weapon domains for upgrades.

Recommended Adventure Rank for Farming

• Early-game (AR < 35): Don’t waste Resin chasing 5-star artifacts. Focus on leveling and using easily obtained 4-star gear.
• Mid-game (AR 35–44): Start dipping into domains for 5-star artifact drops. Be picky—prioritize sets that directly fit your team.
• Late-game (AR 45+): All domain bosses guarantee 5-star artifacts. This is when true min-maxing begins.

Don’t rush. Burning all your Resin on artifact domains too early leaves you underleveled elsewhere.

Domain Location: Target the Right Sets

Every domain in Teyvat drops two unique sets:

• Valley of Remembrance: Maiden Beloved, Viridescent Venerer
• Hidden Palace of Zhou Formula: Crimson Witch of Flames, Lavawalker
• Clear Pool and Mountain Cavern: Archaic Petra, Retracing Bolide
• …and so on across Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, and Fontaine.

Before you farm, check:

• Which set matches your main DPS/support needs?
• Is it universally useful? (e.g., Emblem of Severed Fate for Energy Recharge; Noblesse Oblige for supports.)
• Are new sets outclassing old ones? Keep up with patch changes.

Always double-check drop tables so you don’t waste Resin chasing outdated gear.

How to Farm Efficiently

Resin Use

• Condensed Resin: Doubles your rewards, halves your time. Always convert fragile Resin or daily allotments, unless prepping for a new set.
• Daily Cap: Don’t go Resin-negative chasing perfect rolls every day. 20–60 Resin a day is sustainable for most players.
• When to Marathon: Save big swathes of Resin for double-drop events or when a set gets buffed/your meta shifts.

Solo vs Co-op

Running domains in Co-op Mode can speed up clears, especially on harder floors or if your artifacts are weak. Matching with friends (or randoms) brings new team benefits and can soften the sting of multi-boss domains. Just remember to distribute resin use fairly.

Prioritize Main Stats & Set Bonuses

Artifacts have multiple slots but not all are equally valuable. Target hard-to-get main stats (Goblet for Elemental DMG/HP%, Circlet for Crit Rate/DMG) first. Don’t get baited farming for the “perfect” set bonus if a mixed set with top main stats outperforms.

If you land, for example, a Crit DMG headpiece from a “wrong” set, use it until you eventually gather better matching pieces.

Domain Mechanics: Make Each Run Count

Team Building for Domains

Build a team tailored for fast domain clears, not full overworld utility.

Tips

• Pack strong AOE damage or reaction combos (Childe + Xiangling, Kazuha with Pyro, etc.).
• Bring shields or healing for domains with punishing mechanics.
• Avoid characters heavily penalized by domain modifiers (e.g., Electro Slimes require Pyro/Cryo/Anemo, not Electro DPS).
• Food and potions can speed up slow clears, saving time long-term.

Understanding Domain Gimmicks

Pay attention to domain modifiers—some boost or punish elements, heal enemies, or apply debuffs. Read the entrance screen every run, not just the first time. Adjust your comp and strategy accordingly.

When to Stop: Know When You’re Done

Don’t dig yourself into a bottomless pit for “god rolls.” Here’s a good rule of thumb:

• 2–3 decent substats on a main-stat piece is usable—don’t bench your character indefinitely for a dream artifact.
• Once you have set bonuses on all your team’s key slots (at least 1–2 main stats and 2+ useful substats per piece), consider shifting to other domains or starting to upgrade your next character.
• Revisit the domain later when your priorities switch or a new set releases that matches your needs.

Extra Tips: Burning Out Avoidance

• Limit runs per day to avoid Resin fatigue.
• Run domains when you need a break from bosses or the overworld.
• Accept that RNG means bad streaks happen—track your best pieces, and celebrate incremental progress.

Conclusion

Artifact domain farming is a long-haul project in Genshin Impact, but knowing how to target your Resin, when to switch sets, and how to build fast-clearing teams makes a world of difference. Focus your efforts, keep expectations in check, and upgrade what works for you as you move toward those elusive god rolls. The road can be rocky, but solid planning ensures you always walk away with improvements, not just disappointment. Good luck!

Artifact Tier List

Choosing which artifacts to aim for can get overwhelming, especially with so many sets dropping from various domains. Not all artifacts hold equal value—some sets consistently boost meta teams, while others feel niche or outdated. This tier list breaks down the strongest, most widely-used artifact sets in Genshin Impact, with explanations on when and why they shine.

Tier S: Universal Powerhouses

These sets are almost always a good investment. They fit on a wide range of characters and stay strong across many updates.

• Emblem of Severed Fate

  • Location: Momiji-Dyed Court (Inazuma)
  • Best on: Raiden Shogun, Xiangling, Yelan, Mona, almost any Energy Recharge-scaling burst DPS
  • Why: Massive synergy for characters relying on Elemental Burst DMG. Its bonus ER to burst scaling is unmatched.

• Viridescent Venerer

  • Location: Valley of Remembrance (Mondstadt)
  • Best on: Almost every Anemo support (Kazuha, Sucrose, Venti, Heizou, etc.)
  • Why: Shreds enemy Elemental RES, boosting team DPS. Essential for swirl supports in reaction-focused teams.

• Noblesse Oblige

  • Location: Clear Pool and Mountain Cavern (Liyue)
  • Best on: Team-wide supports (Bennett, Diona, Kokomi, Mona)
  • Why: Increases Burst DMG and offers a party-wide ATK bonus. Always valuable for support builds.

• Deepwood Memories

  • Location: Spire of Solitary Enlightenment (Sumeru)
  • Best on: Dendro applicators (Nahida, Baizhu, Collei)
  • Why: Shreds Dendro RES, absolutely critical for Dendro teams, especially for reaction drivers.

Tier A: Top Tier—But More Niche

Still top picks, but usually best for a specific class of DPS or support. Great for hyper-invested teams, but not always “every character” sets.

• Crimson Witch of Flames

  • Location: Hidden Palace of Zhou Formula (Liyue)
  • Best on: Pyro DPS (Diluc, Klee, Yanfei, Yoimiya)
  • Why: Stacks Pyro DMG, especially strong for heavy Overload/Melt/Vaporize teams.

• Gilded Dreams

  • Location: Spire of Solitary Enlightenment (Sumeru)
  • Best on: EM-focused characters, particularly in Dendro teams (Alhaitham, Kuki Shinobu, Tighnari)
  • Why: Offers huge EM or ATK depending on team comp, perfect for “spread,” “hyperbloom,” and other Dendro-based reactions.

• Heart of Depth

  • Location: Peak of Vindagnyr (Dragonspine)
  • Best on: Hydro DPS (Tartaglia, Ayato)
  • Why: Increases Hydro DMG and normal/charged attack potential, but outpaced in teams needing more supportive substats.

• Golden Troupe

  • Location: Denouement of Sin (Fontaine)
  • Best on: Off-field Electro skill DPS (Fischl, Yae Miko, Beidou)
  • Why: Significantly amplifies skill DMG when off-field, carving a spot in the meta for Electro teams.

• Tenacity of the Millelith

  • Location: Ridge Watch (Liyue)
  • Best on: Shielders and HP-scaling supports (Zhongli, Kokomi, Yaoyao)
  • Why: Boosts party ATK and offers extra survivability, core to shield+reaction teams.

Tier B: Good Secondary Picks

Reliable, but often overshadowed by newer or more versatile choices. Useful as stopgaps, for mixed sets, or on lesser-used characters.

• Blizzard Strayer

  • Location: Peak of Vindagnyr (Dragonspine)
  • Best on: Cryo DPS reliant on Crit Rate (Ganyu, Ayaka)
  • Why: Raises Crit Rate vs frozen enemies—a must for permafrost teams, but situational outside those comps.

• Shimenawa’s Reminiscence

  • Location: Momiji-Dyed Court (Inazuma)
  • Best on: Non-burst-focused ATK DPS (Yoimiya, Hu Tao)
  • Why: Bumps up personal DPS at the cost of Elemental Burst—useful only for very specific rotations.

• Pale Flame + Bloodstained Chivalry

  • Location: Ridge Watch (Liyue)
  • Best on: Physical DPS (Eula, Razor)
  • Why: Physical DMG is niche in the current meta, but this remains best in slot for those rare builds.

• Husk of Opulent Dreams

  • Location: Slumbering Court (Inazuma)
  • Best on: DEF-scaling Geo (Itto, Albedo, Noelle)
  • Why: Best for DEF-scaling Geo units, but limited outside that group.

• Vourukasha’s Glow

  • Location: Molten Iron Fortress (Sumeru)
  • Best on: HP-scaling, self-damaged units (Dehya, soon more?)
  • Why: Strong set for roles that benefit from self-healing and HP stacking, but only a handful of users right now.

Tier C: Serviceable or Niche Only

Use these mostly in early game, or if you have no better options. Sometimes outperformed by off-set combos.

• Maiden Beloved

  • Location: Valley of Remembrance (Mondstadt)
  • Best on: Healers only
  • Why: Direct healing boost, but HP/EM main-stats with off-set bonuses can outperform with proper substats.

• Retracing Bolide

  • Location: Clear Pool and Mountain Cavern (Liyue)
  • Best on: Shielded carries
  • Why: Boosts damage while shielded, but most top DPS prefer newer or more flexible sets.

• Lavawalker/Martial Artist/Berserker/Exile/etc.

  • Location: Various early domains and bosses
  • Best on: Very early game or as stat sticks
  • Why: Outclassed beyond AR 45. Only worth using if you get a god-rolled piece while leveling.

Main Stat & Substat Expectations

Regardless of set, always prioritize strong main stats:

• Sands: ATK%, HP%, DEF%, Energy Recharge, Elemental Mastery (depends on character need)
• Goblet: Elemental DMG Bonus, Physical DMG Bonus, HP% (role-specific)
• Circlet: Crit Rate, Crit DMG, Healing Bonus

Even the best set can flop with flat DEF or bad substat rolls. A mixed set with top main stats often outperforms a full 4-piece bonus on a “bad” set, especially if it lets you hit Crit Rate/Crit DMG thresholds.

When Should You Switch to a New Set?

Stay up to date as new artifacts hit the game. MiHoYo regularly introduces sets that flip the meta, like Emblem of Severed Fate did for burst DPS and Deepwood Memories for Dendro. If your core team relies on old sets like Gladiator’s Finale, consider a few test runs with new options—you might see serious gains.

Summary Table

Here’s a quick look for reference:

| Tier | Set Name | Best Users | Use Case | |-------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | S | Emblem of Severed Fate | Raiden, Xiangling, Yelan, Mona | Burst DPS, ER scaling | | S | Viridescent Venerer | Kazuha, Sucrose, Venti, Heizou | Swirl/Support Anemo | | S | Noblesse Oblige | Bennett, Kokomi, Diona | Support, team-wide buffs | | S | Deepwood Memories | Nahida, Baizhu, Collei | Dendro support | | A | Crimson Witch of Flames | Diluc, Klee, Yoimiya | Pyro DPS | | A | Gilded Dreams | Alhaitham, Kuki, Tighnari | Dendro, EM-based | | A | Heart of Depth | Tartaglia, Ayato | Hydro DPS | | A | Golden Troupe | Fischl, Yae, Beidou | Off-field Electro | | A | Tenacity of Millelith | Zhongli, Kokomi, Yaoyao | Shield/ATK support | | ... | ... | ... | ... |

Final Thoughts

The top artifact sets change as the meta evolves and new characters arrive. Focus on the S and A-tier sets unless your main favorite benefits from something more specialized. Remember: good substats can carry bad sets, but bad substats ruin even the best ones. Prioritize pieces with strong main stats while gradually working toward ideal set bonuses for each character. Take breaks from grinding, experiment, and keep an eye out for the next game-changing domain.