Lan Yan Build Guide – Strongest Shield in Genshin Impact?

Asil Ahsan
By Asil Ahsan
8 Min Read
Credits: Hoyoverse

Want to build your Lan Yan to her max potential? Then this guide is the one you are looking for!

Lan Yan is the latest 4-star character to join the Genshin Impact roster. She is an Anemo shielder and support unit, with a unique kit that combines shielding with Swirl-based elemental shredding. While she may not outperform premier shielder or Swirl support options, she brings a blend of utility and flexibility that can slot into a variety of team comps.

And if you really want to go all out then her shielding capabilities can even rival the strongest shielders in the game. But there are some certain factors you will need to keep in mind. Don’t worry as I will go over all of them in this Lan Yan guide.

Quick Look: Lan Yan Build Guide

Lan Yan
Lan Yan
KitFocus On
AttributeATK%, Energy Recharge, Elemental Mastery
WeaponsMemory of Dust, Starcaller
Artifacts4-piece Viridescent Venerer
TalentElemental Skill > Elemental Burst > Normal Attack
Team RoleSupport, Shielder, Sub-DPS
Lan Yan Build Guide

Lan Yan Talents

Lan Yan Talents

Normal Attack: Gusting Blade

  • Normal Attack: Performs up to 4 consecutive slashes, dealing Anemo DMG.
  • Charged Attack: Consumes stamina to unleash a powerful slash that deals AoE Anemo DMG.
  • Plunging Attack: Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground, dealing AoE Anemo DMG upon impact.

Elemental Skill: Protective Whirl

Lan Yan summons a swirling shield that absorbs damage and adapts to the first Swirlable element it comes into contact with, reducing incoming damage of that type. The shield deals Anemo DMG to nearby enemies upon cast.

So, in short, you tap the elemental skill and if the opponent is currently infused with any of the PECH elements then you will get that element as your shield. PECH stands for Pyro, Electro, Cryo and Hydro.

Do keep in mind that you won’t be getting any elemental shield if Lan Yan is the one who is infused with an element like Pyro from Bennet’s circle. Her Shield is based on overall ATK.

  • Cooldown: 12s
  • Shield Duration: 8s

Elemental Burst: Cyclonic Aegis

Creates a powerful Anemo vortex that pulls in nearby enemies, dealing Anemo DMG in pulses. The burst also strengthens her shield if it is active during cast.

  • Energy Cost: 60
  • Cooldown: 15s

Constellations of Lan Yan

Lan Yan Constelattions
Lan Yan Constelattions
ConstellationNameEffect
C1As One Might Stride Betwixt the CloudsAfter triggering Elemental Absorption from the Passive Talent “Four Sealing Divination Charms,” this instance of Lan Yan’s Elemental Skill produces another Feathermoon Ring.
C2Dance Vestments Billow Like Rainbow JadeWhile the Swallow-Wisp Shield is active, normal attacks from the active party member restore 40% of the Shield’s damage absorption, up to its original max. Can occur every 2 sec.
C3On White Wings Pierce Through Cloud and FogIncreases the Level of Lan Yan’s Elemental Skill by 3, up to a maximum upgrade level of 15.
C4With Drakefalcon’s Blood-Pearls AdornedAfter Lan Yan uses her Elemental Burst, all nearby party members’ Elemental Mastery increases by 60 for 12 seconds.
C5Having Met You, My Heart is GladdenedIncreases the Level of Lan Yan’s Elemental Burst by 3, up to a maximum upgrade level of 15.
C6Let Us Away on Sylphic Wing, the Silvered Ornaments to RingSwallow-Wisp Pinion Dance gains one additional charge.
Lan Yan Constellations

Lan Yan Playstyle

She excels as a support and shielder with situational sub-DPS potential. Her shield mitigates damage and enables Swirl reactions, making her a versatile addition to reaction-heavy teams. She is a good alternative to Sucrose but you will get a slight damage reduction. But you will also be getting a shield that can negate incoming damage significantly.

How to Get the Most Out of Lan Yan Shield

Lan Yan Shield Damage Block
Credits: iWintoLose Gaming

As mentioned earlier, Lan Yan’s shield is based on the total ATK of your Lan Yan. Using Bennet’s ULT will significantly increase the durability of her shield. If you unlock her C3 then her shield without any elemental infusion should protect around 50k damage. Now if you can get elemental infusion, then you will be able to protect yourself from similar elemental attack up to 125k damage.

This is the highest damage blockage you can get from any character in the current Genshin Impact roster. Do keep in mind that to reach this tremendous number you will need to attack with Lan Yan’s normal attack to refresh the shield.

Best Weapons for Lan Yan

Lan Yan Best Weapon
Lan Yan Best Weapon

Top Picks

  1. Memory of Dust (5-star): Increases Shield Strength and scales with ATK.
  2. Starcaller’s Watch (4-star): Grants Elemental Mastery and boosts Swirl-related DMG.

F2P Options

  • Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers: Buffs team ATK upon switching.
  • Flowing Purity: Provides Elemental DMG Bonus and shield sustainability.
  • Wandering Everstar: Provides Elemental Mastery

Best Artifact Sets for Lan Yan

Lan Yan Best Artifacts
Lan Yan Best Artifacts
  1. 4-piece Viridescent Venerer
    • 2-piece: +15% Anemo DMG Bonus.
    • 4-piece: Increases Swirl DMG by 60% and reduces enemy Elemental RES by 40%.
  2. Hybrid ATK Sets
    • 2-piece Gladiator’s Finale + 2-piece Shimenawa’s Reminiscence: +36% ATK for maximizing shield strength.

Artifact Main Stats

  • Sands: ATK% or Energy Recharge.
  • Goblet: ATK%.
  • Circlet: ATK% or Elemental Mastery (if focused on Swirl).

Substats

  • ATK%, Energy Recharge, Elemental Mastery, Crit Rate/Damage (optional).

Team Compositions for Lan Yan

Lan Yan shines in teams that value shielding and Swirl reactions. Here are some recommended setups:

Electro-Charged Teams

  • Ayato + Ororon + Lan Yan + Xingqiu
  • Neuvillette + Ororon + Lan Yan + Furina

Vaporize Teams

  • Hu Tao + Xingqiu + Lan Yan + Yelan
  • Tartaglia + Xiangling + Lan Yan + Bennett

Swirl and Freeze Teams

  • Ayaka + Shenhe + Xingqiu + Lan Yan
  • Wriothesley + Shenhe + Furina + Lan Yan

Lan Yan’s utility as a shielder and Swirl unit makes her a flexible addition to a variety of compositions, ensuring both defensive stability and reaction-based DPS boosts.

Read More: Everything We’ll Get in Genshin Impact’s Lantern Rite Event in 5.3

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By Asil Ahsan Guide Writer
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Asil Ahsan is a Genshin Impact writer at GameRiv. Asil is an avid gamer and book reader. He primarily focuses on AAA tittles and Gacha games and loves to watch anime and eat food!