Zhongli Build Guide — Best Weapons, Artifacts & Teams

Overview

Quick Build

Weapon

CRIT Hits have a 60% / 70% / 80% / 90% / 100% chance to generate a small amount of Elemental Particles, which will regen

Artifacts

Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City

After the equipping character triggers a reaction related to their Elemental Type, all nearby party members gain a 12% E

Sands

HP %

Main stat

Goblet

HP %

Main stat

Circlet

HP %

Substats

HP % > HP > Energy Recharge

Strengths

The strongest shield in the game.
Shield gives a universal 20% resistance shred increasing DPS for the team.
Incredibly flexible, can be used in a large range of team compositions.
Elemental Burst petrifies enemies providing CC.

Weaknesses

Shields have no impact on corrosion attacks.
Elemental Burst can result in a DPS loss due to its long animation.
Low energy generation.

Talent Priority

Dominus LapidisPriority: Max (10)

Start Zhongli's talent materials on Dominus Lapidis; it's what you actually press every rotation.

Planet BefallPriority: High (8-10)

Level Zhongli's Planet Befall after the priority talent; it smooths rotations and secondary damage.

Normal AttackPriority: Low (1-6)

Zhongli's Normal Attack can sit low; it barely moves clear times versus their other talents.

Substat Priority

SandsHP %

GobletHP %

CircletHP %

SubstatsHP % > HP > Energy Recharge

HP45,000-55,000

ATK900-1,200

CRIT Rate30-50%

Zhongli Standard Rotation

Standard

Zhongli's main role is to provides one of the strongest shields in the game. In most teams, his rotation is an extremely simple: hold his Elemental Skill, Dominus Lapidis, to create a Jade Shield before swapping to your main DPS. His shield also reduces nearby enemy resistance, making Zhongli useful not

See build guide

Zhongli's main role is to provide one of the strongest shields in the game. In most teams, his rotation is an extremely simple: hold his Elemental Skill, Dominus Lapidis, to create a Jade Shield before s...

Weapons

5-star Weapons

Favonius LanceSBIS

Energy Recharge 30.6% · Base ATK 565

CRIT Hits have a 60% / 70% / 80% / 90% / 100% chance to generate a small amount of Elemental Particles, which will regenerate 6 Energy for the character. Can only occur once every 12s / 10.5s / 9s / 7.5s / 6s. Favonius Lance is Zhongli's best support weapon in most teams.

Dialogues of the Desert SagesABIS

HP 41.3% · Base ATK 510

When the wielder performs healing, restore 8 / 10 / 12 / 14 / 16 Energy. This effect can be triggered once every 10s and can occur even when the character is not on the field. Dialogues of the Desert Sages is another strong HP-focused option for Zhongli.

Rightful RewardB

HP 27.6% · Base ATK 565

When the wielder is healed, restore 8 / 10 / 12 / 14 / 16 Energy. This effect can be triggered once every 10s, and can occur even when the character is not on the field. Rightful Reward can be used as an accessible HP% weapon option.

Staff of HomaB

CRIT DMG 66.2% · Base ATK 608

HP increased by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40%. Additionally, provides an ATK Bonus based on 0.8% / 1% / 1.2% / 1.4% / 1.6% of the wielder's Max HP. When the wielder's HP is less than 50%, this ATK Bonus is increased by an additional 1% / 1.2% / 1.4% / 1.6% / 1.8% of Max HP.

Lumidouce ElegyB

CRIT Rate 33.1% · Base ATK 608

ATK increased by 15% / 19% / 23% / 27% / 31%. After the equipping character triggers Burning on an opponent or deals Dendro DMG to Burning opponents, the DMG dealt is increased by 18% / 23% / 28% / 33% / 38%. This effect lasts for 8s, max 2 stacks.

Primordial Jade Winged-SpearB

CRIT Rate 22.1% · Base ATK 674

On hit, increases ATK by 3.2% / 3.9% / 4.6% / 5.3% / 6% for 6s. Max 7 stacks. This effect can only occur once every 0.3s. While in possession of the maximum possible stacks, DMG dealt is increased by 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24%.

Skyward SpineB

Energy Recharge 36.8% · Base ATK 674

Increases CRIT Rate by 8% / 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% and increases Normal ATK SPD by 12%. Additionally, Normal and Charged Attacks hits on opponents have a 50% chance to trigger a vacuum blade that deals 40% / 55% / 70% / 85% / 100% of ATK as DMG in a small AoE.

Calamity QuellerB

ATK 16.5% · Base ATK 741

Gain 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% All Elemental DMG Bonus. Obtain Consummation for 20s after using an Elemental Skill, causing ATK to increase by 3.2% / 4% / 4.8% / 5.6% / 6.4% per second. This ATK increase has a maximum of 6 stacks.

4-star Weapons

Black TasselAF2P Best

HP 46.9% · Base ATK 354

Increases DMG against slimes by 40% / 50% / 60% / 70% / 80%. Black Tassel is Zhongli's strongest pure shield option due to its HP% stat. It is an extremely easy to obtain and is ideal when your only goal is maximizing the strength of his Jade Shield.

Artifact Sets

SScroll of the Hero of Cinder CityBest in Slot

2pcWhen a nearby party member triggers a Nightsoul Burst, the equipping character regenerates 6 Elemental Energy.

4pcAfter the equipping character triggers a reaction related to their Elemental Type, all nearby party members gain a 12% Elemental DMG Bonus for the Elemental Types involved in the elemental reaction for 15s. If the equipping character is in the Nightsoul's Blessing state when triggering this effect, all nearby party members gain an additional 28% Elemental DMG Bonus for the Elemental Types involved in the elemental reaction for 20s. The equipping character can trigger this effect while off-field, and the DMG bonus from Artifact Sets with the same name do not stack.

Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City is generally Zhongli's best support artifact set when his team can consistently trigger Crystallize reactions.

Sands

HP %

Goblet

HP %

Circlet

HP %

AArchaic Petra

2pcGain a 15% Geo DMG Bonus.

4pcUpon obtaining an Elemental Shard created through Crystallize or triggering a Lunar-Crystallize reaction, all party members gain a 35% DMG Bonus for that particular element for 10s. Only one form of Elemental DMG Bonus can be gained in this manner at any one time.

Archaic Petra is a strong supportive option that allows Zhongli to provide an Elemental DMG Bonus after picking up Crystallize shards. It can be powerful, but it requires more attention to shard pickup and team rotation.

Sands

HP %

Goblet

HP %

Circlet

HP %

BTenacity of the Millelith

2pcHP +20%

4pcWhen an Elemental Skill hits an opponent, the ATK of all nearby party members is increased by 20% and their Shield Strength is increased by 30% for 3s. This effect can be triggered once every 0.5s. This effect can still be triggered even when the character who is using this artifact set is not on the field.

Tenacity of the Millelith is another strong support option for Zhongli. His Stone Stele can trigger the set effect, providing an ATK buff and additional Shield Strength for the team.

Sands

HP %

Goblet

HP %

Circlet

HP %

Team Compositions

Arlecchino

Main DPS

Yelan

Support

Zhongli

Support

Bennett

Sustain

This team maximizes Arlecchino's personal damage through constant Vaporize triggers and significant ATK buffs. Zhongli's shield provides the necessary protection for Arlecchino's health-restricted kit while simultaneously lowering enemy elemental resistance.

Character Synergy

ArlecchinoMain DPS

Arlecchino is one of the best DPS characters to pair with Zhongli. Since Arlecchino cannot be healed normally during combat, Zhongli's strong shield becomes extremely valuable for keeping her safe during her damage window. Zhongli also provides 20% Pyro RES Shred and can hold Tenacity of the Millelith to further increase her damage.

YelanSupport

Her Elemental Burst applies consistent off-field Hydro, allowing Arlecchino to trigger Vaporize for amplified damage.

ZhongliSupport

His Jade Shield protects Arlecchino from interruption and reduces enemy Elemental RES by 20%, directly increasing her output.

BennettSustain

His Elemental Burst creates a field that grants a massive flat ATK buff, significantly scaling Arlecchino's damage during her attacks.

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Talents & Constellations

Talents

Normal AttackRain of Stone

Performs up to 6 consecutive spear strikes.

Normal Attack

1st Ascension PassiveResonant Waves

When the Jade Shield takes DMG, it will Fortify: - Fortified characters have 5% increased Shield Strength. Can stack up to 5 times, and lasts until the Jade Shield disappears.

Passive

4th Ascension PassiveDominance of Earth

Zhongli deals bonus DMG based on his Max HP: - Normal Attack, Charged Attack, and Plunging Attack DMG is increased by 1.39% of Max HP. - Dominus Lapidis' Stone Stele, resonance, and hold DMG is increased by 1.9% of Max HP. - Planet Befall's DMG is increased by 33% of Max HP.

Passive

Utility PassiveArcanum of Crystal

Refunds 15% of the ore used when crafting Polearm-type weapons.

Passive

Constellations

C1Rock, the Backbone of EarthPull Target

Increases the maximum number of Stone Steles created by Dominus Lapidis that may exist simultaneously to 2.

Is it worth getting?

Worth getting on Zhongli — Rock, the Backbone of Earth. Increases the maximum number of Stone Steles created by Dominus Lapidis that may exist simultaneously to 2.

C2Stone, the Cradle of Jade

Planet Befall grants nearby characters on the field a Jade Shield when it descends.

Is it worth getting?

Zhongli's C2 (Stone, the Cradle of Jade) helps when you lean into that part of the kit: Planet Befall grants nearby characters on the field a Jade Shield when it descends.

C3Jade, Shimmering through Darkness

Increases the Level of Dominus Lapidis by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.

Is it worth getting?

C3 levels Dominus Lapidis by 3 for Zhongli. Solid for mains; skippable if you only needed earlier breakpoints.

C4Topaz, Unbreakable and Fearless

Increases Planet Befall's AoE by 20% and increases the duration of Planet Befall's Petrification effect by 2s.

Is it worth getting?

Situational for Zhongli's Topaz, Unbreakable and Fearless: Increases Planet Befall's AoE by 20% and increases the duration of Planet Befall's Petrification effect by 2s. Take it if you already own earlier constellations.

C5Lazuli, Herald of the Order

Increases the Level of Planet Befall by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.

Is it worth getting?

C5 levels Planet Befall by 3 for Zhongli. Solid for mains; skippable if you only needed earlier breakpoints.

C6Chrysos, Bounty of Dominator

When the Jade Shield takes DMG, 40% of that incoming DMG is converted to HP for the current character. A single instance of regeneration cannot exceed 8% of that character's Max HP.

Is it worth getting?

Nice-to-have on Zhongli — Chrysos, Bounty of Dominator: When the Jade Shield takes DMG, 40% of that incoming DMG is converted to HP for the current character. Not a must-pull breakpoint for most accounts.

At C0, Zhongli already delivers: the strongest shield in the game.

Alternatives to Zhongli

Not sure Zhongli is right for you? Compare against other characters to find your best pull.

IllugaGeoSupport

Illuga's Dawnbearing Songbird summons the trusty messenger bird, Aedon. That's a Support answer, while Zhongli is built as a Shield Support.

Read Comparison

GorouGeoSupport

Gorou's Inuzaka All-Round Defense deals AoE Geo DMG and sets up a General's War Banner. That's a Support answer, while Zhongli is built as a Shield Support.

Read Comparison

XilonenGeoSupport

Where Xilonen goes hard is Yohual's Scratch: it generates different Soundscapes based on her other party members' Elemental Types, decreasing. Different job than Zhongli's Shield Support slot — compare teams before swapping.

Read Comparison

Yun JinGeoSupport

Yun Jin's Opening Flourish deals a simple Geo DMG strike. Pick Yun Jin when you want Support duty instead of Zhongli's Shield Support pattern.

Read Comparison