Learn how to put together the best possible Ayato build in Genshin Impact
Want to learn how to create the best build for Kamisato Ayato in Genshin Impact?Kamisato Ayato joinedGenshin Impact’s playable roster in Version 2.6, as the long-awaited head of Inazuma’s Kamisato clan and older brother to popular characterAyaka. As a Hydro sword wielder he’s basically a 5-star version ofXingqiu, who himself has the distinction of being one of the game’s best 4-star characters, suitable to take on a variety of roles. Ayato is similarly versatile, capable of carrying off a DPS or support role with equal aplomb.
On this page, we’ll go over our best build for Ayato that can be adapted for either DPS or elemental support, since these are his two strongest roles in a party.
Best Genshin Impact Kamisato Ayato build for DPS or Hydro support
Alternative:The Black Sword
Ayato’s strongest base talent is his Elemental Skill, but equip him with the right sword and he becomes a dab hand in normal melee combat as well. As is often the case with new characters, his ideal weapon is theHaran Geppaku Futsu, a new 5-star sword which debuted along with Ayato himself in Version 2.6. This sword could have been (and, realistically, probably was) designed with Ayato’s kit in mind: while he has it equipped, any character in the party using their Elemental Skill will stack Wavespike on Ayato for up to two stacks. Then, when Ayato useshisskill, Wavespike will be consumed to grant Rippling Upheaval, the effects of which will increase his normal attack DMG on a sliding scale for the next 8 seconds. Furthermore, Ayato will gain an across-the-board Elemental Damage bonus of at least 12% while he has this sword equipped.
Desirable though the Haran Geppaku Futsu is, it’s an admittedly tall order to equip a brand-new 5-star character with a brand-new 5-star weapon. While it’s nowhere near as flashy,The Black Swordmakes for a far more obtainable 4-star alternative. With it equipped, Ayato’s normal and charged attacks will deal at least 20% more damage; and upon scoring a critical hit, he’ll regenerate his health to the tune of at least 60% of his attack stat. Not a bad deal by any means.
Set bonuses:
There’s a clear winner for Ayato’s best artifact set, sinceHeart of Depthfeeds into his talents beautifully for increased damage that will basically remain in effect for as long as he’s on the field. If you can’t get hold of four pieces of the set straight away, however, the next best alternative is to stick on as many as you have alongside two pieces from any set that boosts normal attack (e.g.Gladiator’s FinaleorEchoes of an Offering, both of which add 18% ATK as their two-piece set bonuses).
Unsurprisingly, you’ll want to prioritise many of the same areas when choosing which stats and substats you want to see on Ayato’s artifacts:
Secondary:Kamisato Art - Korobi (Normal Attack)
It’s really worth developing all of Ayato’s talents, as there isn’t a dud in the bunch. However, I’ve recommended this priority based on the fact that this build focuses on his Elemental Burst a little bit less; although, if you’re leaning fully into his capacities as a Hydro support character, you can definitely put his Burst ahead of his Normal attack without sacrificing any of his strength. That being said, Ayato is one character I’d be quite happy to take the time and effort to triple crown.
Here’s a full list of Ayato’s talents and what they do:
5-star alternative:Kamisato Ayaka replacing Rosaria as DPS
Whether you’re choosing to have him focus on DPS or support, it’s frankly a waste of Ayato’s Hydro element not to pair him with a Cryo character somewhere on his team, since by working together they can Freeze enemies (one of the most powerfulelemental reactionsin the game). There is, of course, something deeply satisfying about pairing him up with his little sisterAyaka, a Cryo character who’s quite her brother’s equal and can join him in a narratively appropriate joint-DPS capacity, or as DPS to Ayato’s Hydro support. However, as Ayaka is also a 5-star character, your odds of pulling them both aren’t great; and what’s more, 4-star Cryo characters are relatively rare and can be hard to build. Of the limited pool of candidates,Rosariais the best 4-star Cryo character for pure DPS, so she’s my recommended replacement if you don’t have access to any of Genshin’s seeming army of excellent 5-star Cryo characters.
I swear I’m not being swept up in theming here: it’s just that the Genshin devs are getting pretty good at making Inazuma characters who fit well into a party with their canonical mates. That’s my excuse, anyway, for recommendingThomaas Ayato’s sub-DPS. In-story, Thoma is the Kamisato clan’s top retainer and close pal of Ayaka; but crucially, when partied up with Ayato, the pair can trigger the Vaporize elemental reaction, which debuffs affected enemies and forces them to take extra damage. Furthermore, Thoma can trigger the similarly devastating Melt reaction with the Cryo DPS. He is also, genuinely, one of the best 4-star Pyro characters in the mix, not to mention the only 4-star Pyro sub-DPS specialist; and it’s always a good idea to have a Pyro character in your team for utility, particularly if Hydro and/or Cryo are represented too.
Finally, since this team composition is heavily focused on aggression, I recommend rounding it out with a strong defence in the form ofBarbaraas your healer. Barbara is an extremely easy-to-obtain free-to-play character and one of the best healers in the game. What’s more, pairing her with fellow Hydro character Ayato will trigger the Soothing Waters elemental resonance, which passively increases incoming healing by 30% (and, as an added bonus, reduces the time all party members are affected by Pyro debuffs by 40%).
To fully ascend Kamisato Ayato, you’ll need the following materials:
To gather all of these materials you’ll need to put your game face on and get ready to do a lot of fighting, because most of them are dropped by various enemies: Dews of Repudiation from Hydro Hypostases at Lvl 30+; Handguards from various Nobushi type enemies (including Kairagi) native to Inazuma; and Varunada Lazurite pieces from both normal and weekly bosses (or via Alchemy, if you want a break). Fortunately, when you want to just chill out and harvest some sakura blooms, you can go to Narukami Island and do just that without having to draw your sword. Probably.
Crowning a single talent of Ayato’s will take the following materials:
I’ve already said above that I’d recommend crowning all three of Ayato’s talents if you can, which means collecting all of this three times over. I can only apologise. Still, you can gather the Handguards from the same Nobushi type enemies as for Ayato’s Ascension Materials, which at least allows you to collect for both types of levelling at once. Ayato’s books can be picked up at the Violet Court domain (Tuesday/Friday/Sunday only), while Mudras of the Malefic General are awarded for defeatingRaiden Shogunin her boss form as part of the Guardian of Eternity trounce domain at Lvl 70+. Finally, Crowns of Insight can be obtained through limited-time events or by making offerings to the Frostbearing Tree and the Sacred Sakura.
Because Ayato is a time-limited 5-star character, the likelihood of most players ever seeing his Constellations is extremely low. However, they are there and theoretically obtainable, even if I could never in good conscience advise you to spend the money you’d need to get all of them. Luckily, characters in Ayato’s position tend to have Constellations that are nice to have but far from an essential component to their build. Here’s the full list, just for fun:
If you’re looking to pull Ayato during his next rerun, check out our guide ongetting charactersto learn the best ways to prep, or ourcodes listto get some freePrimogems!
Believe it or not, Ayato is the 48th playable character added in just 18 months since Genshin Impact launched! That’s a lot of units to choose from when deciding who to wish for. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with our page onhow to get more characters in Genshin Impact, as well as ourGenshin Impact best characters tier list.
