Guide to Valessa in Genshin Impact: Builds, Team Compositions, and Advanced Strategies

Valessa, the 5-star Electro character introduced in Genshin Impact Version 5.5, excels as a plunging attack-focused DPS with unique mechanics tied to her "Blazing Passion" state and elemental synergy. This guide covers her optimal builds, team roles, and strategies to maximize her potential in both overworld exploration and endgame content.  

1. Role and Core Mechanics  

Role  

Valessa is a plunging attack-oriented Electro DPS with strong single-target damage and flexible team synergy. Her playstyle revolves around triggering "Blazing Passion" to enhance her plunging attacks and managing her "Night Soul" gauge for sustained damage.  

Key Mechanics  

- Plunging Attacks: Valessa’s primary damage source. Her plunging attacks gain increased AoE and damage multipliers in "Blazing Passion" mode.  

- Elemental Skill (E):  

  - Short Press: Grants "Pursuit" state (near-stagger resistance) and enables a fast "charged attack + plunging attack" combo.  

  - Long Press: Used for traversal, allowing gliding over terrain and immunity to liquid Pyro (e.g., Natlan’s environmental hazards).  

- Elemental Burst (Q): Activates "Blazing Passion" directly or enhances damage when triggered after plunging attacks.  

2. Optimal Builds  

Artifacts  

- Best-in-Slot:  

  - Oath of the Long Night (4pc): Boosts plunging attack damage by up to 100% (stacks with each plunge).  

  - Blackcliff Grimoire (4pc): Provides 15% DMG bonus and 40% CRIT Rate during "Night Soul" states (easier to farm).  

- Main Stats:  

  - Sands: ATK%  

  - Goblet: Electro DMG%  

  - Circlet: CRIT DMG/CRIT Rate (prioritize 1:2 ratio).  

Weapons  

- Signature Weapon: Radiant Heart (highest damage ceiling).  

- Alternatives:  

  - Cashflow Supervision (CRIT DMG + ATK scaling)  

  - Kagura’s Verity (skill DMG boost)  

  - The Widsith (burst-oriented, RNG-dependent).  

3. Talent Priority and Rotation  

Talent Leveling  

- Priority: Normal Attack > Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill.  

- Rotation:  

  - 0–1 Constellation: E > Plunge x2 > E > Plunge x2 > Q.  

  - C2+: E > Plunge > Q > E > Plunge > Q (exploits energy refund from C2).  

4. Team Compositions  

Overload Team (Budget-Friendly)  

- Valessa + Chevrouse + Iansan + Bennett  

  - Chevrouse reduces enemy Electro RES and triggers Overload.  

  - Bennett provides healing and ATK buffs.  

  - Tip: Use Bennett’s skill off-field to maintain Pyro application.  

Electro-Charged/Bloom Team (High Investment)  

- Valessa + Furina + Baizhu + Iansan  

  - Furina and Baizhu enable healing and Electro-Charged/Bloom reactions.  

  - Iansan provides consistent Dendro application for Aggravate/Spread.  

Exploration Team  

- Valessa + Xianyun + Kazuha  

  - Xianyun boosts plunging attack damage, while Kazuha groups enemies and buffs Electro DMG.  

5. Constellation Breakdown  

- C2: Limitless Skyward Drive (Core):  

  - Grants energy refund (11.5 per plunge) and enhances stagger resistance, enabling smoother rotations.  

- C4: Courage to Face the Path:  

  - Boosts plunging attack DMG by up to 20,000 (scaling with ATK) or Q DMG by 100%.  

- C6: Triumph of the Just Hero:  

  - Restores 30 energy, grants 10% CRIT Rate/100% CRIT DMG, and removes Night Soul management.  

6. Advanced Tips  

1. Energy Management: Prioritize C2 to reduce ER requirements (~120% ER suffices at C2).  

2. Animation Canceling: Use her E > plunge combo immediately after a charged attack to maximize DPS.  

3. Exploration Utility: Her long-press E allows traversal over water and hazardous terrain in Natlan.  

7. Artifact and Weapon Alternatives for Early Game  

- Artifacts: 2pc Thundering Fury + 2pc ATK% sets (transitional).  

- Weapons: Solar Pearl or Blackcliff Agate (CRIT-focused 4-star options).