Beginner’s Guide to Elemental Reactions in Genshin Impact

Himel Mahmud
By Himel Mahmud
8 Min Read
Credit: HoYoverse

Elemental reaction is the core combat mechanic of Genshin Impact. Here is a comprehensive guide to understanding how elemental reaction works in the game.

Genshin Impact is currently one of the world’s most popular action role-playing games. It has many unique aspects, although one of the most important ones stands out is the combat. When you explore the world of Teyvat in Genshin Impact, you may encounter many enemies and need to fight them to get rewards.

In this game, the combat is mainly based on characters and elemental reactions. Elemental reactions in Genshin Impact occur when characters with different elemental effects interact, producing new effects and damage.

Read More: Navia Build Guide – Changing the Geo Meta in Genshin Impact

Elemental Reactions Explained

There are seven elements in Genshin Impact: Anemo, Geo, Electro, Pyro, Hydro, Cryo, and Dendro. When two or more of the seven elements interact with others, it will cause strong elemental reactions. Here is a guide to understand more about elemental reactions in Genshin Impact.

Pyro Reactions

Pyro Attacks in Genshin Impact
Pyro Attacks in Genshin Impact
ReactionsElementsEffect
OverloadedPyro + ElectroOverloaded occurs when Pyro comes into contact with Electro, causing an explosion that deals AoE Pyro damage to enemies.
BuringPyro + DendroWhen Pyro comes into contact with Dendro, it will cause the Burning effect, which will deal Pyro damage over time.
VaporizePyro + HydroWhen Pyro is applied to Hydro-affected enemies, it will create a Vaporize reaction. This reaction will cause 1.5 times more Pyro damage to enemies.
MeltPyro + CryoMelt reaction will occur when Pyro reacts with Cryo. When Pyro is applied on Cryo-affected enemies, it will cause 2 times more damage.
BurgeonDendro + Hydro + PyroWhen a Dendro core is hit with Pyro, the core will explode and cause Burgeon reaction which will deal AoE damage to nearby enemies.
Pyro Reactions in Genshin Impact

Read More: Best Pyro Characters in Genshin Impact – A Complete Pyro Tier-List

Cryo Reactions

Cryo Attacks in Genshin Impact
Cryo Attacks in Genshin Impact
ReactionsElementsEffect
SuperconductCryo + ElectroSuperconduct reaction happens when Cryo interacts with Electro. Superconduct will reduce an enemy’s Physical resistance and deal AoE Cryo damage.
FrozenCryo + HydroEnemies are Frozen when Cryo is applied to Hydro-affected enemies. Frozen reactions will freeze enemies in place and immobilize them for a short duration. When frozen enemies are attacked, it will cause the enemies to shatter, which deals more damage.
MeltCryo + PyroWhen a Pyro-affected enemy is hit with a Cryo attack, it will cause a Melt reaction. This reaction will cause 1.5 times more damage to enemies.
Cryo Reactions in Genshin Impact

Hydro Reactions

Hydro attacks in Genshin Impact
Hydro attacks in Genshin Impact
ReactionsElementsEffect
VaporizeHydro + PyroWhen Hydro reacts with Pyro-affected enemies, it will cause Vaporize reactions. When Hydro is applied on enemies with Pyro effect, it will deal 2 times more damage.
FrozenHydro + CryoWhen Hydro is applied to Cryo-affected enemies, a frozen reaction occurs, and enemies are frozen for a short duration. When frozen enemies are attacked, it will cause the enemies to shatter, which deals more damage.
Electro-ChargedHydro + ElectroElectro-Charged is triggered by inflicting Electro on a target already affected by Hydro. This reaction deals Electro damage over time to both the Electro-Charged target and any nearby wet enemies.
Electro Reactions in Genshin Impact

Anemo Reactions

Anemo Swirls in Genshin Impact
Anemo Swirls in Genshin Impact
ReactionsElementsEffect
SwirlAnemo + Pyro/Cryo/Hydro/ElectroWhen Anemo comes in contact with another element(Pyro, Hydro, Cryo, or Electro), it will trigger a Swirl reaction. Swirl reaction will absorb either Pyro, Hydro, Cryo, or Electro, spread it, and amplify the damage of the swirled element.
Anemo Reactions in Genshin Impact

Notes: Anemo reactions in the game will involve Anemo interacting with other elements. However, Anemo will not react with Geo and Dendro elements in any capacity. Swirl reactions are powerful in combat because they can buff elemental effects and deal more damage to enemies. Anemo has a great synergy with the elements mentioned earlier and can benefit a lot because Anemo can group up enemies in a close circle to create Swirl reactions for more damage.

Electro Reactions

Electro attacks in Genshin Impact
Electro attacks in Genshin Impact
ReactionsElementsEffect
OverloadedElectro + PyroOverloaded occurs when Pyro comes into contact with Electro, causing an explosion that deals AoE Pyro damage to enemies.
Electro-ChargedElectro + HydroElectro combined with Hydro will result in Electro-Charged reactions. Electro-Charged reaction will continuously damage affected enemies over a short duration and spread the damage to nearby enemies.
SuperconductElectro + CryoWhen a Cryo-affected enemy is hit with Electro, it will cause Superconduct. This reaction will deal AoE Cryo damage and reduce the Physical resistance of the enemies by 40% for 12 seconds.
QuickenElectro + DendroWhen enemies are first hit with Dendro and then Electro, it will create a Catalyze reaction and put the enemies in the ‘Quickened’ state.
Electro Reactions in Genshin Impact

Dendro Reactions

Dendro attacks in Genshin Impact
Dendro attacks in Genshin Impact
ReactionsElementsEffect
BurningDendro + PyroWhen a Dendro-affected enemy is hit with Pyro attacks, it will cause a Burning reaction which will deal damage over a short period of time.
BloomDendro + HydroWhen a Dendro core is hit with Hydro, it will drop Dendro cores on the ground. When they explode, they will deal Dendro damage to nearby enemies.
HyperbloomDendro + Hydro + ElectroWhen a Dendro core is hit with Electro, it will cause a Hyperbloom reaction. When Hyperbloom is triggered, the Dendro core will explode and create a homing projectile to track the nearby enemy and deal Dendro damage.
CatalyzeDendro + ElectroQuicken is triggered by inflicting Dendro on a target already affected by Electro or vice-versa.
When enemies are in a Quickend state and if they are hit again with either Electro or Dendro, it will cause Spread or Aggravate reactions.
Dendro Reactions in Genshin Impact

Geo Reactions

Geo attacks in Genshin Impact
Geo attacks in Genshin Impact
ReactionsElementsEffect
CrystallizeGeo + Cryo/Pyro/Hydro/ElectroWhen Geo interacts with another element(Cryo, Hydro, Electro, or Pyro), it will create Crystallize reactions. Crystallize reactions will generate a crystal shard of the infused element, granting players a temporary shield from that element.
Geo Reactions in Genshin Impact

Notes: Geo does not resonate well with Anemo and Dendro but has strong Crystallize reactions with other elements.

Read More: Best Support Characters You Should Build Right Now in Genshin Impact

By Himel Mahmud Guide Writer
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Himel Mahmud is a Staff Writer and Social Media Manager at GameRiv. A former FIFA Professional, Himel has been playing video games forever. He plays video games passionately, loves football and an avid music listener.