As Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, Genshin Impact’s Kaeya is highly respected by the people of Mondstadt. He’s a four-star Cryo sword wielder, known for being extremely charming, and having a certain passion for sipping wine (we don’t blame him). In this Genshin Kaeya build guide we take a look at his skills, weapons, artifacts, and more. So what are you waiting for? Cool it, and come along.
Need some extra Primogems to wish for new characters? Take a look at our regularly updated Genshin Impact codes list. We also have a Genshin Impact tier list, too.
Genshin Impact Kaeya
BuildWeaponsArtifactsSkillsConstellationsAscension materialsTalent materials
What’s the best Genshin Impact Kaeya build? Kaeya is a gifted unit in the early game and a versatile sub-DPS reaction enabler throughout. He has low energy recharge requirements, provides consistent Cryo application, and is free to all new players, making him a reliable staple in your roster from the start.
He excels most in freeze comps which make the most of his A4 Glacial Heart passive, first constellation (if you have it), cryo resonance, and Blizzard Strayer artifact set buff. He synergises well with Genshin Impact’s Chongyun and hits his highest personal damage ceiling in said freeze teams.
Naturally, he doesn’t compare with some of the stronger, five-star cryo DPS units especially with Genshin Impact’s Ayaka and Genshin Impact’s Ganyu being two of the strongest damage dealers in the game. He can also struggle to beat out his main competition, Genshin Impact’s Rosaria, when it comes to general attack and her synergy with melt teams.
However, he’s still an extremely useful unit, offering a substantial amount of energy recharge through his ascensions, affordable build options, and more. Plus, he’s smooth talking, handsome, and charming. What’s not to love?
What are the best Genshin Impact Kaeya weapons? As a sub-DPS, the rankings for his best weapons rely heavily on his artifacts, team comps, buffs, and more. To get a full breakdown of all the different weapons and which is best for your build, either check out the Keqingmains Kaeya guide or to get all technical, run your stats through the Genshin Optomizer.
However, for a more general selection, here are our recommendations. Mistsplitter Reforged is the best weapon for Kaeya’s personal damage under the right circumstances, though it can be tricky to gain stacks for its passive without Chongyun. It’s also highly contested, and may be better used on other characters.
Freedom Sworn is another great option, especially in reverse melt teams, due to its elemental mastery stat. It also offers a valuable team buff that comes in handy as long as Kaeya is the one triggering reactions. If you’re struggling to meet energy recharge requirements, Skyward Blade is a good choice due to its high ER boost, allowing you to run more offensive artifacts.
When it comes to four-star options, The Black Sword is a good crit stat stick, though its passive is relatively useless for sub-DPS Kaeya. Alternatively, The Alley Flash or Lion’s Roar are great for reverse melt teams.
Weapon Effect
Mistsplitter Reforged Base stat: CRIT damage Skill: Gain a 12% elemental damage bonus for all elements and receive the might of the Mistsplitter’s Emblem. At stack levels 1/2/3, Mistsplitter’s Emblem provides a 8/16/28% elemental damage bonus for the wielder’s elemental type. The wielder gains one stack of Mistsplitter’s Emblem when a normal attack deals elemental damage (stack lasts five seconds), upon casting an elemental burst (stack lasts ten seconds), and when their energy is less than 100% (stack disappears when their energy is full). Each stack’s duration is calculated independently
Freedom Sworn Base stat: Elemental Mastery Skill: Increases damage by 10%. When the wielder triggers elemental reaction, they gain a Sigil of Rebellion. This effect can trigger once every 0.5 seconds, even when the character is not on the field. When they possess two sigils, both are consumed and all nearby party members obtain ‘Millennial Movement: Song of Resistance’ for 12 seconds, which increases normal, charged, and plunging attack damage by 16%, and attack by 20%. Once this effect triggers, you don’t gain another sigil for 20 seconds. Buffs of the same type don’t stack
Skyward Blade Base stat: Energy Recharge Skill: Crit hit rate is increases by 4%. The wielder gains Skypiercing Might when an elemental burst is used, this increases movement and attack speed by 10% and increases the damage of normal and charged attacks by 20% for 12 seconds
The Black Sword Base stat: Crit rate Skill: Increases damage dealt by normal and charged attacks by 20%. Also regenerates 60% of attack as HP when normal and charged attacks score a crit hit. This effect can occur once every five seconds
Favonius Sword Base stat: Attack Skill: CRIT Hits have a 60% chance to generate a small amount of Elemental Particles, which will regenerate 6 Energy for the character. Can only occur once every 12s.
Lion’s Roar Base stat: Attack Skill: Increases damage against enemies affected by pyro or electro by 20%
What are the best Genshin Impact Kaeya artifacts? In a freeze team, Blizzard Strayer is the best option for Kaeya without a doubt. It offers a nice boost to his Cryo damage and pushes his crit rate even higher, which synergises perfectly with the Cryo resonance bonus.
However, if you’re hoping to put him in anything but a freeze team (i.e. reverse melt, or a team that doesn’t rely on either melt or freeze), a full set of Emblem of Severed Fate pulls ahead of the pack, offering a boost to energy recharge and burst damage.
Alternatively, combining two pieces of Blizzard Strayer with two pieces of Noblesse Oblige is a flexible option if you’re struggling to get a full set with decent stats.
Artifact set Effect
Blizzard Strayer
Two equipped: 15% Cryo damage bonus Four equipped: Crit rate is increased by 20% when attacking an enemy affected by Cryo. If the enemy is frozen, crit rate is increased by an additional 20%
Emblem of Severed Fate
Two equipped: energy recharge +20%
Four equipped: increases elemental burst damage by 25% of energy recharge. You can obtain a maximum of 75% bonus damage in this way
Noblesse Oblige
Two equipped: Elemental burst damage is increased by 20% Four equipped: Using an Elemental Burst increases all party members’ ATK by 20% for 12s. This effect cannot stack.
Artifact stat recommendations for Kaeya builds Freeze Kaeya main DPS stats:
Sands – ATK % Goblet – Cryo damage bonus Circlet – CRIT damage
Freeze Kaeya sub-DPS stats:
Energy recharge to requirements Crit damage Attack% Crit rate (aim for around 45%)
Reverse-melt Kaeya main DPS stats:
Sands – ATK % or energy recharge Goblet – Cryo damage bonus Circlet – Crit rate or crit damage (try to maintain a 1:2 ratio overall)
Reverse-melt Kaeya sub-DPS stats:
Energy recharge to requirements Crit rate/crit damage Attack% Elemental mastery
What are Genshin Impact Kaeya’s skills? Let’s take a look at what Kaeya can do with his kit, including combat (active) talents, and other benefits he provides off field (passive).
Active skills:
Skill Effect
Ceremonial Bladework Perform five strikes
Ceremonial Bladework (charged) Consume stamina to unleash two fast sword swings
Ceremonial Bladework (plunging) Plunge from mid-air to deal AoE damage on impact with the ground
Frostgnaw Deals AoE Cryo damage
Glacial Waltz Summon three icicles that follow Kaeya, dealing Cryo damage to enemies
Passive skills:
Skill Effect
Cold-Blooded Strike Frostgnaw also regenerates HP to Kaeya equal to 15% of his attack
Glacial Heart Enemies frozen by Frostgnaw will produce elemental particles
Hidden Strength Decreases sprinting stamina by 20% for the party
What are Genshin Impact Kaeya’s constellations? You can level up Kaeya’s constellations if you receive him as a duplicate when making a wish. Here’s every bonus you receive as you level up.
Constellation Effect
Excellent Blood Normal and charged attacks critical hit rate against enemies affected by Cryo is increased by 15%
Never-Ending Performance When Glacial Waltz defeats an enemy, its duration is increased by 2.5 seconds for a maximum of 15 seconds
Dance of Frost Increases the level of Frostgnaw by three
Frozen Kiss The following effects are triggered automatically when Kaeya’s HP falls below 20%:
A shield is created that absorbs damage equal to 30% of Kaeya’s Max HP and lasts for 20 seconds. The shield absorbs cryo damage with 250% efficiency This can only occur once every 60 seconds
Frostbiting Embrace Increases the level of Glacial Waltz by three
Glacial Whirlwind An additional icicle is summoned when Glacial Waltz is used. It will also regenerate 15 energy when cast
What are Genshin Impact Kaeya’s ascension materials? Here’s how much Mora and what items you need to fully ascend Kaeya to level 80 and above:
Required level Mora Materials
20 20,000 Shivada Jade Sliver, three Calla Lily, three Treasure Hoarder Insignia
40 40,000 Three Shivada Jade Fragments, two Hoarfrost Core, ten Calla Lily, 15 Treasure Hoarder Insignia
50 60,000 Six Shivada Jade Fragments, four Hoarfrost Core, 20 Calla Lily, 12 Silver Raven Insignia
60 80,000 Three Shivada Jade Chunks, eight Hoarfrost Core, 30 Calla Lily, 18 Silver Raven Insignia
70 100,000 Six Shivada Jade Chunks, 12 Hoarfrost Core, 45 Calla Lily, 12 Golden Raven Insignia
80 120,000 Six Shivada Jade Gemstones, 20 Hoarfrost Core, 60 Calla Lily, 24 Golden Raven Insignia
What are Genshin Impact Kaeya’s talent materials? Last but not least, here is the list of items you’ll need if you want to upgrade Kaeya’s talents (which we highly recommend). Like his ascension, he needs Treasure Hoarder and Raven Insignias, as well as Ballad talent books from the Forsaken Rift domain. The weekly boss drop he needs is the Spirit Locket of Boreas, dropped by Andrius, the Wolf of the North. Oh, and you’ll need a handful of Crowns of Insight to top it off if you fancy crowning his skills!
Level Mora Materials
Two 12,500 Six Treasure Hoarder Insignia, three teachings of Ballad
Three 17,500 Three Silver Raven Insignia, two guides to Ballad
Four 25,000 Four Silver Raven Insignia, four guides to Ballad
Five 30,000 Six Silver Raven Insignia, six guides to Ballad
Six 37,500 Nine Silver Raven Insignia, nine guides to Ballad
Seven 120,000 Four Golden Raven Insignia, four philosophies of Ballad, one Spirit Locket of Boreas
Eight 260,000 Six Golden Raven Insignia, six philosophies of Ballad, one Spirit Locket of Boreas
Nine 450,000 Nine Golden Raven Insignia, 12 philosophies of Ballad, two Spirit Locket of Boreas
Ten 700,000 12 Golden Raven Insignia, 16 philosophies of Ballad, two Spirit Locket of Boreas, one Crown of Insight
If you want to keep up with all the Genshin goings-on, check out our Genshin Impact banner schedule, and Genshin Impact events page for what’s coming up next! Plus, check out our Genshin Impact Eide guide to learn a bit more about the future of Kaeya’s story.
As Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, Genshin Impact’s Kaeya is highly respected by the people of Mondstadt. He’s a four-star Cryo sword wielder, known for being extremely charming, and having a certain passion for sipping wine (we don’t blame him). In this Genshin Kaeya build guide we take a look at his skills, weapons, artifacts, and more. So what are you waiting for? Cool it, and come along.
Need some extra Primogems to wish for new characters? Take a look at our regularly updated Genshin Impact codes list. We also have a Genshin Impact tier list, too.
Genshin Impact Kaeya
Kaeya is a gifted unit in the early game and a versatile sub-DPS reaction enabler throughout. He has low energy recharge requirements, provides consistent Cryo application, and is free to all new players, making him a reliable staple in your roster from the start.
What are the best Genshin Impact Kaeya weapons?
As a sub-DPS, the rankings for his best weapons rely heavily on his artifacts, team comps, buffs, and more. To get a full breakdown of all the different weapons and which is best for your build, either check out the Keqingmains Kaeya guide or to get all technical, run your stats through the Genshin Optomizer.
In a freeze team, Blizzard Strayer is the best option for Kaeya without a doubt. It offers a nice boost to his Cryo damage and pushes his crit rate even higher, which synergises perfectly with the Cryo resonance bonus.
Two equipped: 15% Cryo damage bonus
Two equipped: energy recharge +20%
Two equipped: Elemental burst damage is increased by 20%
Artifact stat recommendations for Kaeya builds
Freeze Kaeya main DPS stats:
Freeze Kaeya sub-DPS stats:
Reverse-melt Kaeya main DPS stats:
Reverse-melt Kaeya sub-DPS stats:
Let’s take a look at what Kaeya can do with his kit, including combat (active) talents, and other benefits he provides off field (passive).
Passive skills:
What are Genshin Impact Kaeya’s constellations?
You can level up Kaeya’s constellations if you receive him as a duplicate when making a wish. Here’s every bonus you receive as you level up.
- A shield is created that absorbs damage equal to 30% of Kaeya’s Max HP and lasts for 20 seconds.
- The shield absorbs cryo damage with 250% efficiency
- This can only occur once every 60 seconds
Here’s how much Mora and what items you need to fully ascend Kaeya to level 80 and above:
What are Genshin Impact Kaeya’s talent materials?
Last but not least, here is the list of items you’ll need if you want to upgrade Kaeya’s talents (which we highly recommend). Like his ascension, he needs Treasure Hoarder and Raven Insignias, as well as Ballad talent books from the Forsaken Rift domain. The weekly boss drop he needs is the Spirit Locket of Boreas, dropped by Andrius, the Wolf of the North. Oh, and you’ll need a handful of Crowns of Insight to top it off if you fancy crowning his skills!
If you want to keep up with all the Genshin goings-on, check out our Genshin Impact banner schedule, and Genshin Impact events page for what’s coming up next! Plus, check out our Genshin Impact Eide guide to learn a bit more about the future of Kaeya’s story.
