Genshin Impactoffers players a wide range of characters and elements to choose from, and with this variety comes the ability to create unique team compositions. While many players focus on creating offensive teams that can deal massive amounts of damage, there are also those who prefer to focus on creating defensive teams that can withstand even the toughest enemies. Defensive teams are especially useful in certain situations, such as when facing enemies with high attack power or when attempting challenging content like Spiral Abyss or certain bosses. With the right characters and strategies, defensive teams can outlast opponents and emerge victorious.
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Defensive teams typically rely on characters with high survivability, like those with shield-generating abilities or high base HP and DEF. Additionally, healers are crucial for maintaining the team’s health and keeping characters alive. In some cases, defensive teams may also include characters with crowd control abilities or damage reduction abilities, which can further enhance the team’s survivability. With the right mix of characters and strategies, defensive teams can provide a solid foundation for players to tackle even the most challenging content inGenshin Impact.
5Ayato + Nahida + Thoma + Kazuha
Although not a popular choice,Burgeon Dendro reactioncan be a fun and unique option for players looking to experiment with their team compositions inGenshin Impact. Burgeon reaction functions similarly to the Hyperbloom reaction, but with Pyro replacing Electro. With characters like Thoma available, players can easily build a team around the Burgeon reaction. Thoma’s Pyro application is ideal for a Burgeon composition due to its slow but consistent intervals, and he also serves as a great shielder, filling both the enabling and shielding roles. Even without a dedicated healer, this team can be quite effective thanks to Thoma’s shield, which can help protect against damage from the Dendro cores. For players who prefer a more defensive approach that utilizes a healer, they can swap out Jean for Kazuha.
Regardless of whether Jean or Kazuha is chosen, the team combo remains the same. Ayato and Nahida will generate Dendro cores, which can then be grouped by Kazuha or Jean, making it easier for Thoma to activate them. While not the most defensive team out there, the ability of Thoma to protect against excessive damage while enabling an otherwise less frequently used reaction makes this a great option for players looking for a unique and fun defensive team composition. With the right build and strategy, players can effectively utilize Burgeon and showcase the potential of this often-overlooked reaction.
4Xiao + Zhongli + Faruzan + Bennett
Xiao has long been known as thestrongest Anemo DPS characterinGenshin Impact, but the release of Wanderer has given players an alternative option. However, for those who still prefer Xiao, a powerful defensive and offensive team composition is available. Xiao can utilize both Zhongli and Bennett to their fullest potential, making it one of the best Xiao compositions available. This is because during Xiao’s Elemental Burst, he loses a percentage of his HP and requires consistent healer support to mitigate this damage. Bennett can provide not only healing but also acts as a battery and buffer since Xiao’s DMG scales with the ATK value. In addition, Zhongli’s shielding ability can prevent Xiao from taking additional damage over his HP loss intervals while also debuffing enemies.
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The addition of Faruzan to this team has only made it stronger. As a niche Anemo support character, her high buff and debuff uptime effectively helps Xiao. She is highly useful for any Anemo DPS team, especially if players haveher sixth constellation, which buffs Anemo DMG significantly. Alternatively, players can opt for Albedo as the fourth spot to go for the Geo Resonance and have an even more defensive team.
3Hu Tao + Xingqiu + Albedo + Zhongli
Hu Tao is ahighly sought-after Pyro characterinGenshin Impactbecause of her ability to deal high amounts of damage with both her Elemental Skill and Burst. However, as she performs best at low HP, pairing her with strong shielders is recommended to not only provide high defensive capabilities but also to enhance her offensive capabilities. While there are many options for team compositions, for the most defensive choice, players should consider pairing Hu Tao with Xingqiu, Albedo, and Zhongli.
Having two Geo characters in the team not only increases the shield strength but also buffs the team’s overall damage due to Geo resonance.
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Zhongli’s ability to provide the strongest shield in the game while also being able to debuff enemies and further buff team members make him the most desired option. Albedo’s strength lies in being an off-field sub-DPS character and while he can generate crystallize for even more shield potential, he won’t disrupt the Vaporize reaction when it reacts with either of the elements. For the Hydro application, players can choose between Yelan and Xingqiu, but Xingqiu is the more defensive option, providing more utility to the team in terms of damage reduction and healing. With this team composition, Hu Tao can consistently and reliably do Vaporize reactions without worrying about taking damage or needing excessive healing.
2Ayaka + Shenhe + Xingqiu + Layla
Similar to the Burgeon team composition, this perma-freeze team composition doesn’t require any Geo character or healer for defense. Instead, it relies on constant Cryo and Hydro application to freeze enemies, rendering them unable to deal damage. Ayaka provides the most consistent Cryo application with her Cryo-infused sword, while Xingqiu’s off-field Hydro application is also very strong. Together, these two characters can maintain the permanent freeze reaction on enemies.
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In case players get hit, Xingqiu’s damage reduction and small healing potential can come in handy to make the team more defensive. Additionally, Shenhe or Rosaria can further boost the Cryo application and damage, while Layla can provide shielding, making this team an offensive powerhouse with a formidable defense. However, if players prefer a shielder and healer, they can replace Layla withDiona for her battery, shielding, and healing utilities.
1Arataki Itto + Albedo + Gorou + Jean
Geo characters are often associated with defensive play, but Itto provides a balance ofstrong offense and defense when grouped with at least two Geocharacters, such as Albedo and Gorou. In addition to the Geo resonance that increases shield strength and team damage, Itto benefits from the particle generation of other Geo characters. Gorou’s team buffs are most effective with at least three Geo characters, and Albedo benefits greatly from the DEF buff provided by Gorou. With Albedo’s consistent off-field damage and battery potential, he is an excellent choice as the third Geo character.
As for the fourth slot, the best choice depends on the player’s preference and the enemy. Some players prefer a mono-Geo team with Zhongli, but he may be better utilized in other compositions. Jean is an ideal choice as she can heal the team if the enemy can bypass the shield, and herC2 can increase the team’s movement and attack speed, making her a valuable buffer. Alternatively, players may add a specific elemental character to the team to break through the shields of certain enemies, such as Abyss Mages or Abyss Heralds.
Genshin Impactis now available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.
