Chongyun, Liyue's resident exorcist in Genshin Impact
Chongyun, Liyue's resident exorcist in Genshin Impact

Chongyun is an interesting character in “Genshin Impact.” He’s a claymore-wielding Cryo user with a unique Elemental Skill that many players consider counter-intuitive or “anti-synergy.” This skill turns many players off from using him, but with proper knowledge of how to play with his abilities, Chongyun can be a very good Cryo carry.

Here are some general tips as well as a few of the best ways to build Chongyun for players who are looking for a strong Cryo character to play with.

How To Play Chongyun

Chongyun is best played as a damage dealer because of how his abilities work.

His Elemental Skill, Chonghua’s Layered Frost, deals a decent amount of damage on-cast and leaves a Cryo field that converts all melee attack damage into Cryo damage. Due to this damage conversion, players tend to dismiss Chongyun as the ability messes up Elemental Reaction combos.

Chongyun's Elemental Skill leaves behind a damage-converting Cryo field

Chongyun's Elemental Skill leaves behind a damage-converting Cryo field Photo: Genshin Impact

However, players can capitalize on this ability’s effect by investing heavily into the Bonus Cryo DMG stat on Chongyun or other Cryo characters like Rosaria or Kaeya. This can make Chongyun a viable main DPS or off-field buff support character. Players will still need to play around positioning, though.

His Elemental Burst, Cloud-Parting Star, deals massive damage on a low cooldown and low energy cost, making Chongyun a reliable sub-DPS character when in a Cryo-centric party.

Best Chongyun Builds

DPS Chongyun works best with Noblesse Oblige and Blizzard Strayer so he can stack Cryo and Elemental Burst damage. In contrast, Support Chongyun is better with a full Noblesse Oblige set instead so he can buff his team’s damage output after casting his Elemental Burst.

Stacking as much ATK and Cryo DMG on Chongyun’s artifacts is ideal. If he’s to be used as a DPS carry, add CRIT stats to his build. For Support Chongyun, it’s better to have Energy Recharge instead of CRIT.

Chongyun’s Weapon Choices

Any claymore that boosts Chongyun’s ATK is a viable choice, but players should avoid those with Phys DMG bonuses like Skyrider Greatsword or Snow-Tombed Starsilver.

For Support Chongyun, either the Sacrificial Greatsword or Favonius Greatsword will do nicely because of their passive effects. Skyward Pride is also an excellent option for a hybrid DPS/Support role.