Table of contents
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Ayaka

Cryo

Cryo

Weapon-class-sword-icon-(1)-1

Sword

Emblem_Inazuma

Inazuma

Guides

Ascension

Builds

Weapons

Team Comp

Constellation

Player Mistakes

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Ayaka has been long-awaited since the CBT of Genshin Impact. Finally, after almost one year, fans can try their luck in obtaining Ayaka. Genshin Impact 2.0 is the most exciting update so far. Not only that it’s bringing Ayaka and several other characters, but it also brings the new region, Inazuma.

RELATED: Ayaka's Unique Kit Brings a New Playstyle to Genshin Impact

Ayaka is the daughter of the Kamisato Clan, which makes her one of the most influential people in Inazuma. The common folks love her, earning Ayaka the title of Shirasagi Himegimi. She's also a fan favorite. But even so, some may misuse her. So, here are some examples of common mistakes players make when using the Ice Princess.

Updated on November 30, 2021, by Nahda Nabiilah: It has been three versions since Ayaka was released. Now, many Travelers deeply understand the potential of the Cryo Princess. Initially, she's often frowned upon for her awkward Elemental Burst and mediocre Normal Attacks. But now, she's part of the meta.

In Spiral Abyss, Ayaka made it to the list of the most used units. Either as the main DPS or Sub-DPS, there's no doubt that Miss Kamisato will greatly perform against tough enemies, both old and new. For example, Ayaka is the perfect counter for the new World Boss released on Genshin Impact 2.1.

10 Not Using Ayaka As A Sub-DPS

Ayaka with fire

Ayaka is amazing as a Sub-DPS. Her Elemental Burst packs outstanding damage without her taking much field time. As for the Elemental Skill, it generates a good amount of energy for her team while dealing mediocre damage.

Ayaka can work well with many characters as a Sub-DPS. With Pyro users, Ayaka can enable Melt by applying Cryo to enemies, giving Pyro characters a great opening for some big numbers. The Cryo Princess may steal the Melt at times, but it won't matter as she'll deal high damage all the same.

As for Hydro users, the AOE of Ayaka’s Elemental Burst and her ability to apply Cryo 100% of the time will help them trigger Frozen on a large group of enemies. If paired with the right Hydro characters, the combo can keep enemies frozen permanently.

9 Not Utilizing Ayaka Against Certain Enemies

Abyss Herald

As the updates continue rolling in, one thing is for sure: enemies are getting stronger. At a certain point, Genshin Impact introduced two new enemies; Abyss Lectors and Abyss Heralds.

Both of these enemies cast a strong shield after reaching critically low HP, where it requires a good chunk of Elemental reaction to take the shields out. While Pyro is the best Element to defeat the Electro Lector, Cryo is the go-to for Hydro Herald.

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Ayaka's numerous hits of her Elemental Burst will quickly shred Abyss Herald's Hydro shield. She can also apply Cryo with her Normal Attack and Alternate Sprint. Furthermore, the Cryo + Hydro reaction will cause the Herald to be permanently frozen.

Other than that, the new Inazuman boss, Hydro Hypostasis, can heal itself by summoning Hydro Slimes around it. If players didn’t deal with those Slimes in time, they would continuously heal the boss, prolonging the battle. Luckily, the summoned Slimes are weak to Cryo. One hit of Ayaka's Elemental Skill will destroy them.

8 Not Building Her On Cryo

Ayaka with 4 set of Blizzard Strayer

As a Cryo unit, Ayaka’s fans would think that building her to deal Physical damage is viable, Usually, Cryo and Electro units are great Physical DPS as they can easily trigger Superconduct. However, Ayaka’s attacks are infused with Cryo after her Alternate Sprint, so building her on Physical will minimize her potential.

RELATED: Genshin Impact: Mistakes Players Make When Using Bennett

Instead, players should maximize Ayaka’s damage by building her with Cryo. Doing so will enhance her whole kit; Normal attack, Elemental Skill, and Elemental Burst. Cryo build will also allow Ayaka to take the Sub-DPS role any time.

7 Not Utilizing Her Alternate Sprint

Ayaka's beautufl visuals

Ayaka’s Sprint is like Mona’s. Initially, some players would prefer not to use the Alternate Sprint. The animation is too slow, and there’s no real benefit from using it. However, after Genshin Impact 2.0, miHoYo buffed the Alternate Sprint animations and made them more useful in combat.

Ayaka’s Alternate Sprint switches her Normal attacks from Physical to Cryo, but that's not all it can do. The Sprint is useful in the open world too. Ayaka can sprint above the water like Mona. But, unlike Mona where she starts swimming after her Sprint is over, Ayaka will create a small ice area under her feet. This will allow her to regenerate stamina, and sprint endlessly on water.

6 Not Using A Freeze Comp

Ayaka next to a Frozen enemy

Cryo units can freeze their opponents. A very good crowd control reaction that has no negatives. Frozen enemies are still considered affected by Cryo and players can still use other reactions on them. Because Ayaka has an amazing Cryo application, freezing foes is trivial for the Princess.

RELATED: Genshin Impact: Every Playable Cryo User, Ranked

In addition, if there are 2 Cryo units in one party, Ayaka will gain a 15% Critical Rate on enemies affected by Cryo or Frozen. Furthermore, if Ayaka has 4-Blizzard Strayer artifacts, she will gain 40% more Critical Rate if enemies are Frozen. That's a free 55% Critical Rate just for freezing the opponents.

5 Focusing On Crit Rate

Ayaka Crit Rate artifact

Since Ayaka with a 4-set of Blizzard Strayer can get a 55% Critical Rate, players should not focus on building Critical Rate on her. If players reach above 50% Critical Rate on Ayaka, the effects of Blizzard and Cryo Resonance will go to waste.

Instead, players should take this opportunity and build more Critical Dmg% on Ayaka. Her Critical is so high it will allow players to add much more Critical Dmg% without worrying about Critical Rate. However, if players are not using 4-Blizzard Strayer, then they need to focus on Critical Rate as much as Critical Dmg.

4 Being Too Far Before Casting Skill

Ayaka missing her target

Ayaka's skill has both a positive and a negative. Unlike the typical skills that are cast in front of the character, Ayaka's has a very poor range.

Actually, the AOE of the Ice Princess's skill is decent, but the area is cast around her (instead of in front of her). Because of this, players should ensure that Ayaka is sticking to the enemy before casting the skill. Otherwise, it will not hit. Luckily, this negative is compensated with decent damage, especially if accompanied by a Pyro character for a Melt reaction.

3 Underestimating Her Burst

Ayaka using her Elemental burst

Ayaka's Elemental Burst can easily miss enemies. It can be frustrating at times to cast the Burst just to find it not hitting anyone. That being said, players should not underestimate it.

RELATED: Most Common Mistakes Made By New Genshin Impact Players

Ayaka’s Elemental Burst can deal massive damage if done right. Especially if paired with Mona. Mona will boost her damage and freeze the enemies, so the skill will keep dealing massive damage over and over again. Mastering Ayaka’s Elemental Burst requires an understanding of the game's targeting system. Once players master it, Ayaka will devastate her opponents.

2 Using 4-Shimenawa's Reminiscence

Shimewana's Showcase

Ayaka’s kit can deal amazing damage. Her Charge attack has the highest multiplier between sword users, and this may lead players to believe that 4-Shimenawa's Reminiscence is good for her. While Shimenawa's Reminiscence is not bad, it is not her best artifact set. Her best artifact set is, without a doubt, 4-Blizzard Strayer. It is a huge loss to sacrifice a 40% Critical Rate to gain 50% more damage.

Shimenawa's Reminiscence also hurt Ayaka's Elemental Burst usage. It will keep delaying the Burst based on how much Energy Recharge Ayaka has. Considering Ayaka's Elemental Burst deals a lot of damage, this will be an even bigger loss.

1 Using The Wrong Weapon

Ayaka's weapon in the Character menu

Ayaka has the second-highest base attack in Genshin Impact. She has the same base attack as the Vengeance Queen, Eula. Because of this, Ayaka should use weapons that can enhance her high attack. Other than that, Ayaka's potential with Critical also makes Critical weapons vital for her.

Of course, 5-star weapons would be amazing for her. But for the 4-star, players should use weapons like Blackcliff Longword or Black Sword. Ayaka can also use weapons with Atk% substat, like Amenoma Kageuchi or The Flute. Currently, Amenoma Kageuchi is Ayaka's best F2P weapon and is obtainable by forging.

However, another hidden jewel Travelers may miss are her Sub-DPS weapons. For this role, the Cryo Princess can highly utilize Energy Recharge gears. For example, the free sword of Version 1.2, Festering Desire. As a Sub-DPS, Ayaka can practically benefit more from Festering Desire than she would with the Battle Pass Sword.

Black Sword buffs Normal and Charged attack, something Sub-DPS Ayaka won't utilize much. Meanwhile, Festering Desire will help Ayaka gain more Energy. Miss Kamisato will contribute more to the team if she can use her Burst as often as possible.

Genshin Impact is now available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.