Introduction: Why Vaporize is Still King



Welcome, fellow Travelers, to the ultimate deep dive into one of Genshin Impact's most consistently powerful and satisfying elemental reactions: Vaporize. If you've ever watched a character's damage numbers tick up into the hundreds of thousands and wondered, "How did they do that?", chances are, they were riding the wave of a perfectly executed Vaporize reaction.



Vaporize (Hydro + Pyro) isn't just a reaction; it’s the reaction for peak single-target damage in the current meta. While reactions like Hyperbloom and Aggravate offer fantastic AoE and ease of use, nothing quite matches the sheer, explosive power of a well-built Vaporize core.



This comprehensive Genshin Guide will break down everything you need to know about constructing, optimizing, and mastering your Vaporize team compositions, from the absolute beginner setup to the most intricate five-star rotations. Get ready to set the Spiral Abyss ablaze!



Understanding the Mechanics: Vaporize Multipliers



Before we dive into team building, we need to understand why Vaporize is so potent. Vaporize is a multiplicative reaction, meaning it adds a percentage multiplier based on the triggering element to the initial damage instance.



There are two types of Vaporize:



1. Hydro Triggered by Pyro (Forward Vaporize): This deals 2.0x damage. This is the more common and often higher-damage scenario, typically involving a Pyro DPS triggering off a Hydro application.

2. Pyro Triggered by Hydro (Reverse Vaporize): This deals 1.5x damage. This is common when using Hydro enablers like Xingqiu or Yelan, where their Hydro application is consistently ready for the main Pyro DPS to trigger.



The key takeaway? Maximizing your damage means stacking Crit Rate, Crit DMG, Elemental Mastery (EM), and ensuring you consistently hit the 2.0x multiplier whenever possible.



The Core Pillars of a Vaporize Team



Every successful Vaporize team needs three crucial components:



1. The Main Pyro DPS (The Trigger)



This character is responsible for dealing the majority of the on-field damage and applying Pyro frequently enough to trigger the reaction.



Hu Tao (The Unrivaled Queen): Often considered the gold standard for single-target Vaporize damage. Her Charged Attacks (CAs) apply Pyro rapidly, and her kit naturally favors HP scaling, making her synergy with Hydro shielder/healers perfect.

Yoimiya (The Ranged Pyro Specialist): Excellent for continuous, rapid-fire Vaporize triggers during her Skill duration. She requires consistent off-field Hydro application to maximize her output.

Diluc (The Classic Powerhouse): While slightly overshadowed by newer units, Diluc remains a highly viable Vaporize DPS, especially when utilizing his powerful Burst followed by skill rotations.

Klee (The Explosive Catalyst User): Klee excels at CAs, but managing the cooldowns and energy requirements can be trickier than Hu Tao.



2. The Hydro Enabler (The Applicator)



This is arguably the most critical slot. The Hydro enabler must apply Hydro consistently off-field to set up the Vaporize reaction for your Pyro DPS.



Xingqiu (The Undisputed King): His Burst provides coordinated Hydro attacks on every Normal Attack, making him the perfect enabler for characters like Hu Tao and Yoimiya. High uptime and Hydro application frequency are unmatched.

Yelan (The Hydro Buffer): Offering massive off-field Hydro application and significant DMG buffs to the on-field DPS, Yelan is often paired with Xingqiu or used as a replacement if you need a different Hydro resonance.

Furina (The New Hydro Maestro): While she needs careful management of HP drain, Furina’s Burst provides massive team-wide damage buffs, and her Skill offers impressive off-field Hydro application, especially when paired with a strong healer.

Mona (The OG Buffer): Her Burst provides a unique, powerful damage buff, though her off-field Hydro application is less consistent than Xingqiu/Yelan.



3. The Anemo Support (The Shredder/Buffer)



Anemo characters are essential for two reasons: grouping enemies and reducing enemy resistance.



Kazuha (The Elemental Master): The best choice for grouping and swirling Pyro. He dramatically increases the team's overall damage through his Elemental Skill talent scaling and provides a massive Elemental DMG Bonus boost.

Sucrose (The Free-to-Play Gem): An excellent alternative to Kazuha. She groups well and, crucially, her A4 passive provides crucial Elemental Mastery sharing to the team, which directly boosts Vaporize damage.

Venti (The Crowd Controller): Excellent for smaller, lighter enemies, but often struggles against larger bosses where Kazuha shines.



4. The Flex Slot (Sustain or Buffer)



This last slot is flexible, dedicated to either ensuring survivability or squeezing out extra damage.



Shielders (Zhongli): Necessary for Hu Tao to safely perform CAs without interruption or losing HP unnecessarily. Also helps maintain field time.

Healers (Bennett, Kokomi, Baizhu): Bennett is often too competitive for a slot in a standard Vaporize team unless you are running a non-HP-scaling DPS (like Diluc). Baizhu offers Dendro application (which we avoid) but provides excellent shielding and healing, making him viable in certain Hydro-centric comps.

Off-Field Sub-DPS (Xiangling, Fischl): Sometimes, adding a dedicated sub-DPS can further boost overall damage, although this often dilutes the pure Vaporize focus.



Meta Vaporize Team Comps: Configurations That Dominate



Now let's assemble these pieces into proven, high-performing teams.



Team Comp 1: The Hu Tao Double Hydro Vaporize (The Benchmark)



This is widely considered the highest sustained single-target Vaporize damage composition in the game.



The Lineup: Hu Tao | Xingqiu | Yelan | Zhongli (or Kazuha)



Why it works:



Double Hydro Resonance: Increases Max HP by 25%, directly buffing Hu Tao’s damage.

Xingqiu & Yelan: Provide overlapping, near 100% Hydro application, ensuring every Hu Tao CA Vaporizes (often achieving 2.0x Forward Vaporize).

Zhongli: Provides the strongest shield in the game, allowing Hu Tao to stay safely in the low HP range without interruption.

Rotation Focus: Set up Zhongli shield, swap to Yelan skill/burst, swap to Xingqiu skill/burst, enter Hu Tao. Maintain CAs until stamina/Hydro runs out, refresh supports.



Flexibility Note: If you are highly skilled at dodging or facing non-boss enemies, replace Zhongli with Kazuha. Kazuha will buff Pyro damage significantly through Viridescent Venerer (VV) shred and his A4 passive, often out-damaging the HP bump from Hydro Resonance in AoE situations.



Team Comp 2: Yoimiya Fireworks Vaporize (The Consistent Trigger)



Yoimiya needs rapid, sustained Hydro application during her 10-second Skill window.



The Lineup: Yoimiya | Yelan/Xingqiu | Fischl/Beidou | Bennett/Zhongli



Why it works:



Hydro Application: You need consistency. Yelan and Xingqiu together can sometimes provide too much Hydro, leading to potential Overload with Bennett, so careful choice is needed. A single strong Hydro applicator like Yelan often suffices alongside a buffer/shielder.

Fischl/Beidou: Adding an Electro unit allows for Overload triggers, which can feel inconsistent but adds AoE pressure. However, for pure Vaporize, slotting in Bennett for attack buffs and healing is usually superior.

Rotation Focus: Bennett Burst > Yelan Burst > Yoimiya Skill + Normal Attacks. This setup maximizes Yoimiya’s NAs with massive ATK buffs and Hydro application.



Team Comp 3: Reverse Vaporize (Diluc/Klee Focused)



This setup uses a Hydro on-field character to trigger the 1.5x Vaporize reaction off the Pyro DPS’s skills.



The Lineup: Diluc/Klee | Xingqiu/Yelan | Kazuha | Bennett



Why it works:



Pyro Damage Buffer: Bennett's Burst is the primary focus here, providing massive flat ATK.

Reverse Vaporize Consistency: Since Xingqiu/Yelan provide consistent Hydro, the Pyro DPS (like Diluc’s skills) will consistently trigger the 1.5x reaction. This is often easier to manage than the 2.0x trigger when using high-cooldown Bursts.

Rotation Focus: Bennett Burst first. Then, use Diluc's skills/burst, ensuring the hits land while Hydro is active. Kazuha swirls Pyro for resistance shred and damage amplification.



Artifacts and Weaponry: Optimizing Your Damage Ceiling



Mastering Vaporize is as much about gear as it is about rotations. Here’s what you need to prioritize for your key roles.



Main Pyro DPS (Hu Tao, Yoimiya, Diluc)



Artifact Sets:



1. Crimson Witch of Flames (4pc): The absolute best set for Hu Tao and Klee due to the Pyro DMG bonus stacking and Hydro/Pyro reaction damage increase.

2. Shimenawa's Reminiscence (4pc): Excellent damage ceiling for Yoimiya and C1+ Hu Tao, providing a massive 50% Normal/Charged/Plunge ATK buff, but drains energy.

3. Emblem of Severed Fate (4pc): Viable for Burst-focused DPS like Diluc or an EM-focused Hu Tao who relies on her Burst frequently.



Key Stats:

Sands: HP% (Hu Tao) or ATK% (Yoimiya/Diluc).

Goblet: Pyro DMG Bonus.

Circlet: Crit Rate or Crit DMG (aim for a 1:2 ratio).

Substats: Crit > EM (for Hu Tao) / ATK% > HP% (for Yoimiya).



Hydro Enablers (Xingqiu, Yelan)



These characters focus almost entirely on getting their Bursts up as fast as possible while maximizing Hydro application.



Artifact Sets:



1. Emblem of Severed Fate (4pc): Mandatory for both. It converts their high Energy Recharge needs into massive Burst DMG.

2. Noblesse Oblige (4pc): Viable if no one else on the team runs it, providing a team-wide ATK buff.



Key Stats:

Energy Recharge Focus: Aim for 200%+ ER on Xingqiu and Yelan (less if using Favonius weapons).

Sands: ER% or ATK% (if ER requirements are met).

Goblet: Hydro DMG Bonus.

Circlet: Crit Rate (essential for Favonius weapons).



Weapon Note: Favonius Sword/Bow is often preferred on these units to generate energy for the entire team, especially for Hu Tao teams where she struggles to regain energy between rotations.



Anemo Support (Kazuha, Sucrose)



Their goal is to group enemies, shred resistance, and buff the Pyro DPS.



Artifact Sets:



1. Viridescent Venerer (4pc): Non-negotiable. It shreds Pyro RES by 40% after swirling Pyro.

2. Instructor (4pc): A strong alternative for Sucrose if you need more EM sharing, but VV shred is usually prioritized.



Key Stats:

Focus on Elemental Mastery (EM): Aim for 800+ EM if possible.

Weapon: Sacrificial Sword/Catalyst for better energy/EM sharing.



Mastering Rotations and Uptime: The Art of Forward Vaporize



The difference between a good Vaporize team and a great one lies in the flawless execution of the rotation. For the dominant Hu Tao/Yelan/Xingqiu setup, the goal is 100% uptime on all Hydro applications during Hu Tao's active window.



The Hu Tao Vaporize Rotation Example



Setup Phase (Off-Field):



1. Zhongli Skill: Hold E to drop the shield.

2. Yelan Skill/Burst: Use Skill (if needed for energy/setup) then Burst (Q).

3. Xingqiu Skill/Burst: Use Skill (E) then Burst (Q). Ensure both Hydro Bursts are active.



Damage Phase (On-Field):



1. Swap to Hu Tao: Immediately use her Skill (E). This is crucial as her C1 allows infinite Charged Attacks while her Skill is active.

2. Execute CAs: Perform a sequence of 3-4 Charged Attacks (CA) followed by a Normal Attack (NA) to reset stamina and interrupt recoil. Repeat this sequence until her Skill duration is ending or stamina is depleted.

3. Burst (Q): Use her Burst near the end of the rotation or when the boss is low, as the massive damage window benefits from all active buffs (Yelan’s DMG increase, VV shred, etc.).



The Goal: Every single Hu Tao Charged Attack during the Skill window must hit for 2.0x Vaporize damage. This requires the Hydro application from Xingqiu and Yelan to overlap perfectly.



Elemental Mastery Management in Vaporize



Because Vaporize is a multiplicative reaction, Elemental Mastery (EM) offers diminishing returns unless you are managing a highly specific split between Forward and Reverse Vaporize.



For Hu Tao (2.0x Forward Vaporize Focus):

Hu Tao primarily benefits from high Crit/DMG%/HP%. Aim for a baseline of 100-200 EM. If you struggle to reach high Crit stats, using EM weapons (like Staff of Homa vs. Dragon's Bane) or stacking EM substats can push damage further, but generally, focus on Crit ratio first.



For Sucrose/Reactions Focused Teams (Reverse Vaporize):

If you are using Sucrose or a unit whose main role is to trigger the reaction (e.g., a standard Pyro DPS with a Hydro Burst trigger), stack EM as high as possible (600-1000 EM). The base reaction damage scales aggressively with EM in these scenarios.



Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting Your Vaporize Team



If your Vaporize team isn't hitting the big numbers you expect, you are likely running into one of these common errors:



Problem 1: Hydro Application Isn't Consistent Enough



Symptom: You see a mix of 1.5x, 2.0x, and 1.0x (non-Vaporized) hits on your Pyro DPS.



Fix: You need more Hydro uptime.

Ensure Xingqiu/Yelan have sufficient Energy Recharge (200%+).

If using Yoimiya, ensure the Hydro applicator is using their Burst first, as Skill damage alone might not keep up with her rapid Normal Attacks.

Consider using a second Hydro unit (Double Hydro Resonance) for a safety net of Hydro application, even if it sacrifices a DPS buffer like Kazuha.



Problem 2: Over-Applying Hydro (The Electro Problem)



Symptom: You are running Bennett with Hydro units and notice reactions are inconsistent or your Pyro DPS is getting "Electro-Swirled" by an accidental Electro unit somewhere.



Fix: Vaporize has a cooldown on the target element. If you apply Hydro, the target is tagged Hydro. If you apply Pyro, it triggers Vaporize and tags the target Pyro. If you apply Hydro again before the Pyro DPS hits, the Hydro will "stick," and your next Pyro hit will only be 1.5x (Reverse Vaporize), or worse, leave the enemy ready for an Electro reaction if you have Fischl/Beidou.



Rule of Thumb: In Hu Tao/Yelan/Xingqiu teams, the Hydro application should happen before Hu Tao's CA, and Pyro should only be applied by Hu Tao.



Problem 3: Resistance Shred is Missing



Symptom: Your damage is high, but it stalls significantly against high-HP enemies or bosses.



Fix: You MUST incorporate Viridescent Venerer (VV) shred.

Ensure your Anemo support (Kazuha/Sucrose) has a 4pc VV set.

Confirm they successfully Swirled Pyro during the rotation before the main DPS field time begins. If Kazuha swirls Cryo or Electro first, the Pyro shred will not apply.



Problem 4: Energy Starvation



Symptom: You cannot use your powerful Bursts (Xingqiu/Yelan/Hu Tao) on cooldown, forcing longer rotations.



Fix:

Prioritize Favonius weapons on supports (especially Xingqiu/Yelan) to feed particles directly to the on-field DPS.

Ensure the Anemo unit is running Sacrificial Sword/Catalyst for extra particles.

* If using an R1 Staff of Homa Hu Tao, she often requires a dedicated Pyro battery like Bennett (despite sacrificing the 2.0x Vaporize multiplier on her own hits) to guarantee her Burst uptime.



The Future of Vaporize: New Synergies



While the classic Hu Tao/Xingqiu duo remains dominant, the introduction of new characters continually opens up new, powerful Vaporize avenues.



Furina Synergy



Furina’s massive team damage buff combined with off-field Hydro application makes her an excellent Hydro enabler for Pyro DPS units who don't rely on HP manipulation (like Diluc or Yoimiya). When paired with an intense healer (like Jean or Baizhu), the HP drain mechanic becomes negligible while the damage output skyrockets. This often requires replacing Zhongli for a dedicated healer to manage the fanfare generation.



Vaporize + Overload Hybrid Teams



While purely focused on Vaporize, sometimes adding a reliable Electro unit like Fischl or Beidou allows for a hybrid team that leverages Overload for mobility/grouping while maintaining a strong Vaporize core. This is generally less efficient for pure single-target DPS checks but excels in open-world exploration or clearing clustered chambers quickly.



Conclusion: Why Vaporize Endures



Vaporize is more than just a reaction; it’s a cornerstone of high-end damage optimization in Genshin Impact. It requires precision, character synergy, and careful resource management (HP, EM, and Crit), but the payoff—watching massive Pyro numbers ignite Hydro-applied foes—is unmatched in terms of pure satisfaction.



By understanding the 2.0x and 1.5x multipliers, selecting the correct Hydro enabler for your Pyro trigger, and mastering the rotation uptime, you have everything you need to build a world-class Vaporize team. Use this Genshin Guide, experiment with your artifact builds, and go forth to conquer Teyvat with the power of steam!

Home page: https://genshin.guide/