Overview
Quick Build
Artifacts
Crimson Witch of Flames
4-Piece recommended
Sands
ATK%
Main stat
Goblet
DMG%
Main stat
Circlet
CRIT Rate
Substats
CRIT Rate/DMG > ATK% > ER%
Strengths
- Guide to Afterlife increases damage and interruption resistance.
- Spirit Soother deals damage and heals for the first 5 enemies it hits.
- Gives Main DPS coverage that shows up in both Abyss and Theater when built.
- Posts S-tier Spiral Abyss and S in Imaginary Theater on our content ratings strip.
Weaknesses
- Energy planning matters — skimping on ER makes Hu Tao's Burst feel inconsistent.
- Signature weapon and premium supports still move the needle more than most 4★ kits.
Talent Priority
Crown priority on Hu Tao: Normal Attack. Most of their value scales here.
On Hu Tao, Elemental Skill is the second stop — take it to 8–10 once the primary talent is online.
Hu Tao's Elemental Burst can sit low; it barely moves clear times versus their other talents.
Substat Priority
Cast Skill then Burst each rotation.
Follow the recommended rotation for optimal Hu Tao performance.
Weapons
5-star Weapons
4-star Weapons
Artifact Sets
Crimson Witch of Flames however Shimenawa's Reminiscence is a viable option if played with healers, such as in Furina teams because you will not have the same survivability from your Elemental Burst.
Sands
ATK%
Goblet
DMG%
Circlet
CRIT Rate
Shimenawa's Reminiscence is a viable option if played with healers, such as in Furina teams because you will not have the same survivability from your Elemental Burst.
Sands
ATK%
Goblet
DMG%
Circlet
CRIT Rate
Team Compositions
Hu Tao
Main DPS
Xingqiu
Support
Furina
Support
Citlali
Sustain
Hu Tao's best team compositions involve having 2 Hydro characters so that there is enough elemental application to consistently vaporize. Xingqiu and Yelan can often be used interchangeably however Furina needs a healer outside of higher constellation gameplay.
Hu Tao utilizes her low-HP mechanics and high-scaling Charged Attacks to trigger massive Vaporize damage. She benefits from the consistent Hydro application and HP buffs provided by the Double Hydro core.
Xingqiu provides essential Hydro application and damage reduction, ensuring Hu Tao can Vaporize every hit reliably. His minor healing and interruption resistance are crucial for Hu Tao's survivability at low HP.
Furina provides a massive team-wide DMG buff and consistent off-field Hydro damage. Her presence enables Hydro Resonance, increasing Hu Tao's HP and total damage output significantly.
Citlali provides shielding to protect Hu Tao from lethal hits while she remains at low HP. Her Cryo application can occasionally allow Hu Tao to trigger even stronger Melt reactions alongside Vaporize.
Talents & Constellations
Talents
Hu Tao performs a sequence of Polearm-based Normal Attacks.
- Costs 30% of your HP. Infuses your weapon with Pyro, increases damage and interruption resistance. - When using charged attacks you apply Blood Blossom dealing damage and applying Pyro every 4 seconds.
Pyro AoE which deals damage and heals for the first 5 enemies it hits. Deals increased damage and healing if your HP is at 50% or below.
Constellations
While in a Paramita Papilio state activated by Guide to Afterlife, Hu Tao's Charged Attacks do not consume Stamina.
Is it worth getting?
Situational for Hu Tao's Crimson Bouquet: While in a Paramita Papilio state activated by Guide to Afterlife, Hu Tao's Charged Attacks do not consume Stamina. Take it if you already own earlier constellations.
- Increases the Blood Blossom DMG by an amount equal to 10% of Hu Tao's Max HP at the time the effect is applied. - Additionally, Spirit Soother will also apply the Blood Blossom effect.
Is it worth getting?
Worth getting on Hu Tao — Ominous Rainfall. - Increases the Blood Blossom DMG by an amount equal to 10% of Hu Tao's Max HP at the time the effect is applied.
- Increases the Level of Guide to Afterlife by 3. - Maximum upgrade level is 15.
Is it worth getting?
Pure talent bump on Hu Tao's Guide to Afterlife. Pick it up after the nodes that change the rotation, not before.
Upon defeating an enemy affected by a Blood Blossom that Hu Tao applied herself, all nearby allies in the party (excluding Hu Tao herself) will have their CRIT Rate increased by 12% for 15s.
Is it worth getting?
Situational for Hu Tao's Garden of Eternal Rest: Upon defeating an enemy affected by a Blood Blossom that Hu Tao applied herself, all nearby allies in the party (excluding Hu Tao herself)…. Take it if you already own earlier constellations.
- Increases the Level of Spirit Soother by 3. - Maximum upgrade level is 15.
Is it worth getting?
Pure talent bump on Hu Tao's Spirit Soother. Pick it up after the nodes that change the rotation, not before.
- Triggers when Hu Tao's HP drops below 25%, or when she suffers a lethal strike - Hu Tao will not fall as a result of the DMG sustained.
Is it worth getting?
Worth getting on Hu Tao — Butterfly's Embrace. - Triggers when Hu Tao's HP drops below 25%, or when she suffers a lethal strike - Hu Tao will not fall as a result of the DMG sustained.
You don't need constellations to use Hu Tao. Guide to Afterlife increases damage and interruption resistance.
Alternatives to Hu Tao
Not sure Hu Tao is right for you? Compare against other characters to find your best pull.
Gaming answers with Bestial Ascent (this Plunging Attack is Pyro DMG and Gaming will consume HP while doing his Plunging Attack). Competes with Hu Tao for the same seat; the better fit is the kit your roster already feeds.
Klee answers with Jumpy Dumpty (when thrown, Jumpy Dumpty bounces thrice, igniting and dealing AoE Pyro DMG with every bounce). Direct peer to Hu Tao — pick whoever already matches your supports and comfort animations.
Lyney answers with Card Force Translocation (summons a Grin-Malkin Hat on the field and consume a portion of Lyney's HP (if he is above 60% HP)). Competes with Hu Tao for the same seat; the better fit is the kit your roster already feeds.
Diluc answers with Searing Onslaught (deals Pyro DMG). Competes with Hu Tao for the same seat; the better fit is the kit your roster already feeds.