The best builds for Shenhe in Genshin Impact

How to make the most of this five-star Cryo hero.

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Looking for the best build for Shenhe in Genshin Impact? This Cryo polearm-wielder is one of the game’s newest characters, arriving alongside Yun Jin in the2.4 update. So if you bypassed bothArataki IttoandGorou’s banners in the hope of snagging this new five-star Cryo hero, you might also want to know the best way to build her.

Shenhe comes from a branch family of a clan of exorcists, and the Cloud Retainer has taken her on as a disciple. We’ve also listed all of her skills and Ascension materials. So if you’re ready to dive in, here’s the best build for Genshin Impact’s Shenhe.

Builds

The best Genshin Impact Shenhe build

One of Shenhe’s strengths is that she can buff other Cryo characters with the Icy Quill effect from her Elemental Skill, Spring Spirit Summoning. She can also help reduce both physical and Cryo damage to other party members.

Cryo Support

This five-star polearm drops alongside Shenhe in the 2.4 update. It boasts an attack percentage boost, increases Elemental Damage after using an Elemental Skill, and, most importantly, grants all characters stacks of Consummation. Each stack increases ATK by 3.2% up to a maximum of six, and the effect is doubled when the character is not on the field.

An alternative to this is the four-star Lithic Spear. This also increases attack damage and while you won’t be buffing other characters with it, Shenhe will gain an ATK and CRIT buff from other party members that hail from Liyue.

The first set is fairly self-explanatory. The Blizzard Strayer two-set gives you a flat 15% buff to your Cryo damage. The four-set could also work but pairing it with the Noblesse Oblige two-set gives you a generous 20% damage buff to your Elemental Burst.

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An alternative is to pair Blizzard Strayer with Gladiator’s Finale. Shenhe’s Icy Quill is buffed by her attack, and this artifact’s two-piece gives you a not-too-shabby 18% attack buff.

How to unlock

How to get Shenhe in Genshin Impact

Shenhe’s banner is now live with the release of the 2.4 update. The Transcendent One Returns is expected to run until January 25 so you have a few weeks to wish for her. She’s joined byYun Jin, the four-star Cryo character also new in 2.4, Ningguang, and Chongyun.

Abilities

Shenhe’s abilities

Ascension materials

Shenhe’s Ascension materials

Character

To level up Shenhe you’ll need to find specific Ascension materials. TheShivada Jadeitems are dropped by Cryo Hypostases and Regisvines, whileQingxinis a flower found growing on high stone peaks, either around Jueyun Karst or Guyun Stone Forest. You’ll also need:

TheDragonheir’s False Finis dropped from the level 30+ Bathysmal Vishap Herd boss in Enkanomiya. Meanwhile, theNectaritems are dropped by whopperflower enemies.

Talents

Likewise, you’ll need specific items to level up Shenhe’s talents. These are:

TheProsperity itemscan be pilfered from the Taishan Mansion domain on Mondays and Thursdays, and, as mentioned above, theNectar itemsare dropped from whopperflower enemies. TheHellfire Butterflyis a reward for defeating the weekly boss La Signora at level 70 or above. Lastly, theCrown of Insightis a reward for upgrading the Frostbearing Tree in Dragonspine or the Sacred Sakura in Inazuma. You can also get it from various seasonal activities, like Midsummer Island Adventure or Thunder Sojourn.

Sarah started as a freelance writer in 2018, writing for PCGamesN, TechRadar, GamingBible, Red Bull Gaming and more. In 2021, she was offered a full-time position on the PC Gamer team where she takes every possible opportunity to talk about World of Warcraft and Elden Ring. When not writing guides, most of her spare time is spent in Azeroth—though she’s quite partial to JRPGs too. One of her fondest hopes is to one day play through the ending of Final Fantasy X without breaking down into a sobbing heap. She probably has more wolves in Valheim than you.

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