Best Kaeya Genshin Impact build: Artifacts, weapons, more

Cassidy Stephenson
Kaeya official artwork

Kaeya is an OG Genshin Impact character who is helpful on Freeze teams. Check out our recommended Artifacts, weapons, and more for Kaeya.

Kaeya serves as the Cavalry Captain of Mondstadt’s Knights of Favonius. He was adopted by Diluc’s dad and became the Pyro character’s younger brother.

In terms of combat, Kaeya is recognized for his quick cooldowns that assist in applying Cryo onto enemies. While his Elemental Burst remains active after switching, his Elemental Skill cannot affect far-away opponents.

If you’re looking to add Kaeya to your team, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about effectively building him.

Contents

Kaeya abilities in Genshin Impact

Kaeya in Genshin Impact

Normal Attack: Ceremonial Bladework

  • Normal Attack: Performs up to 5 rapid strikes.
  • Charged Attack: Consumes a certain amount of Stamina to unleash 2 rapid sword strikes.
  • Plunging Attack: Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact.

Elemental Skill: Frostgnaw

Unleashes a frigid blast, dealing Cryo DMG to opponents in front of Kaeya.

Elemental Burst: Glacial Waltz

Coalescing the frost in the air, Kaeya summons 3 icicles that revolve around him. These icicles will follow the character around and deal Cryo DMG to opponents in their path for the ability’s duration.

Kaeya Constellations in Genshin Impact

Kaeya's Genshin Impact Constellations

If you manage to pull multiple copies of Kaeya, here are the buffs you can expect from his Constellations:

  • Level One – Excellent Blood: The CRIT Rate of Kaeya’s Normal and Charged Attacks against opponents affected by Cryo is increased by 15%.
  • Level Two – Never-Ending Performance: When Glacial Waltz is in effect, for each opponent defeated, its base duration is increased by 2.5s, up to a maximum of 15s.
  • Level Three – Dance of Frost: Increases the Level of Frostgnaw by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
  • Level Four – Frozen Kiss: Triggers automatically when Kaeya’s HP falls below 20%: Creates a shield that absorbs damage equal to 30% of Kaeya’s Max HP. Lasts for 20s. This shield absorbs Cryo DMG with 250% efficiency. Can only occur once every 60s.
  • Level Five – Frostbiting Embrace: Increases the Level of Glacial Waltz by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
  • Level Six – Glacial Whirlwind: Glacial Waltz will generate 1 additional icicle, and will regenerate 15 Energy when cast.

Best Kaeya Artifacts in Genshin Impact

We highly suggest running the 4-piece Blizzard Strayer set to increase Kaeya’s Cryo DMG as a Main DPS. The 4-piece bonus also improves Kaeya’s CRIT Rate by 40% if the enemy is both affected by Cryo and Frozen, making it a great option for a Freeze team.

If you want to use Kaeya as a Physical Support, you can combine a 2-piece Blizzard Strayer and a 2-piece Noblesse Oblige. This will both increase Kaeya’s Cryo DMG Bonus and his Elemental Burst DMG.

ArtifactSet Bonuses
Blizzard StrayerBlizzard Strayer2-piece: Cryo DMG Bonus +15%
4-piece: When a character attacks an enemy affected by Cryo, their CRIT Rate is increased by 20%. If the enemy is Frozen, CRIT Rate is increased by an additional 20%.
Noblesse Oblige FlowerNoblesse Oblige2-piece: Elemental Burst DMG +20%
4-piece: Using an Elemental Burst increases all party members’ ATK by 20% for 12s. This effect cannot stack.

Best Kaeya weapons in Genshin Impact

The best weapon choice for Kaeya is the 5-star Mistsplitter Reforged to increase his Elemental DMG by several stacks. You can raise the number of stacks received by using Normal Attacks with Elemental DMG, his Elemental Burst, and having less than 100% Energy.

Another option is the 5-star Primordial Jade Cutter to provide Kaeya with an ATK bonus based on 1.2% of his HP in addition to increasing his HP by 20%.

If you don’t have either 5-star weapon, we recommend running the Favonius Sword on Kaeya. If he deals a CRIT Hit to an enemy, there is a chance that Kaeya will restore Energy after regenerating a small amount of Elemental Particles.

Weapon Details
Mistsplitter Reforged sword in Genshin Impact
Mistsplitter Reforged
Gain a 12% Elemental DMG Bonus for a character’s Elemental Type. At stacks 1/2/3, Elemental DMG is further increased by 8/16/28%. Each stack has an individual duration and are gotten through:
• Normal Attacks with Elemental DMG (duration 5s)
• Casting an Elemental Burst (duration 10s)
• Having less than 100% Energy (disappears at full Energy)
Primordial Jade Cutter sword in Genshin Impact
Primordial Jade Cutter
HP increased by 20%. Additionally, provides an ATK Bonus based on 1.2% of the wielder’s Max HP.
A screenshot of Favonius Sword
Favonius Sword
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.

Kaeya Talent Level-up and Ascension Materials

The following tables contain what materials you’ll need to gather to level up Kaeya’s Talents and fully ascend the character:

Ascension LevelMora CostMaterials
120000Shivada Jade Silver x1Treasure Hoarder’s Insignia x3Calla Lily x3
240000Shivada Jade Fragment x3Treasure Hoarder’s Insignia x15Hoarfrost Core x2Calla Lily x10
360000Shivada Jade Fragment x6Silver Raven Insignia x12Hoarfrost Core x4Calla Lily x20
480000Shivada Jade Chunk x3Silver Raven Insignia x18Hoarfrost Core x8Calla Lily x30
5100000Shivada Jade Chunk x6Golden Raven Insignia x12Hoarfrost Core x12Calla Lily x45
6120000Shivada Jade Gemstone x6Golden Raven Insignia x24Hoarfrost Core x20Calla Lily x60
Talent level-up materials
Talent level-up materialsTeachings of Ballad x9Guide to Ballad x63Philosophies of Ballad x114
Common Ascension MaterialsSlime Condensate x18Slime Secretions x66Slime Concentrate x93
Boss MaterialsSpirit Locket of Boreas x18

Kaeya Genshin Impact trailer

Genshin Impact posted a character trailer featuring Kaeya way back in March 2020. You can check out the video below:

Best Kaeya team comp in Genshin Impact

An image of Xingqiu in Genshin Impact.
Xingqiu makes a great sub DPS alongside Kaeya.

We highly recommend you place Kaeya on a team focused on the Freeze Elemental Reaction. He will particularly excel in combat if used alongside Xingqiu, Shenhe, and Kazuha. Both Xingqiu and Kaeya will be able to apply Hydro and Cryo with off-field abilities.

Additionally, Kazuha, with the Viridescent Venerer set, can reduce an opponent’s Cryo RES. This will immensely help Shenhe and Kaeya’s attacks. You could also replace Shenhe with Chongyun if you don’t have a copy of the 5-star unit.

That’s everything you need to know about effectively building Kaeya. If you want to build more Genshin Impact characters, check out our guides below:

Best Yae Miko build | Best Shenhe build | Best Albedo Build | Best Hu Tao build | Best Childe Build | Best Kokomi build | Best Raiden Shogun build | Best Ayaka build | Best Aloy build | Best Ganyu build | Best Diluc build | Best Yoimiya build | Best Klee build | Best Eula build

About The Author

Cassidy graduated from Concordia University Chicago in 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Media Communication. She's an expert in all things Pokemon, and her favorite games include Pokémon Crystal, Genshin Impact, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses. You can contact her at cassidy.stephenson@dexerto.com.