Genshin Impact Ayato Talents: A Complete Guide

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the world of Kamisato Ayato's talents in Genshin Impact. If you're looking to maximize your Ayato's damage and make him a powerhouse on your team, understanding his talents is absolutely crucial. We'll break down each of his unique abilities, from his Normal Attack to his Elemental Burst, and discuss how to best level them up. Get ready to become an Ayato master!

Understanding Ayato's Combat Style

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of his talents, let's talk about Ayato's combat style. He's a Hydro-infused sword user, and his gameplay revolves around his unique state called "State of the Sword-Touched." This state is activated by his Elemental Skill, and it's where he really shines. When he's in this state, his Normal Attacks are converted to Hydro DMG, and they gain increased range and damage. This is the core of his kit, and understanding how to seamlessly transition into and out of this state is key to playing him effectively. Ayato is a fantastic main DPS character, capable of dishing out consistent Hydro damage, especially when paired with characters that can trigger Vaporize or Bloom reactions. His flexibility also allows him to fit into various team compositions, making him a valuable addition to any player's roster. We'll explore how his talents synergize with this playstyle, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck when investing in his character.

Normal Attack: The Blurring Blade

Let's kick things off with Ayato's Normal Attack, the Blurring Blade. This is your bread and butter for consistent damage. When not in his special state, his Normal Attacks are standard sword swings. However, the real magic happens when he enters the State of the Sword-Touched. In this state, his Normal Attacks become powerful Hydro slashes that can hit multiple enemies. The damage scales significantly with his talents, so leveling this up is a priority for any Ayato main. You'll be spamming these Hydro slashes during his Elemental Skill's duration, so ensuring they hit hard is paramount. Remember, the key here is to chain these attacks effectively with his Elemental Skill. Don't just mash the attack button; learn the rhythm and timing to maximize your Hydro application and damage output. Experiment in different combat scenarios to find the optimal attack string that works best for you. His charged attack in this state also unleashes a flurry of Hydro strikes, which can be great for hitting enemies in a wider area or finishing off weakened foes. The sheer number of hits Ayato can land in this state is impressive, contributing to both his damage potential and his ability to apply Hydro for elemental reactions. It’s also worth noting that his Normal Attacks in this state consume Suiyu, a unique resource generated by his Elemental Skill. Managing Suiyu is crucial for sustained damage output, and we'll touch on that more later.

Elemental Skill: Tidal Reflection

Now, onto Ayato's Elemental Skill, Tidal Reflection. This is what enables his signature playstyle. Upon activation, Ayato gains the State of the Sword-Touched and performs a dash forward. This dash deals Hydro DMG to enemies he passes through. While in the State of the Sword-Touched, his Normal Attacks are converted to Hydro DMG and gain increased range. Crucially, this skill also generates 4 'Suiyu' stacks. These stacks are consumed when Ayato uses his Normal Attacks in this state, and each stack increases the damage of his Normal Attacks. This is the core mechanic that buffs his Normal Attacks, so understanding how to generate and utilize Suiyu is vital. The duration of the State of the Sword-Touched is 5 seconds, and its cooldown is 16 seconds (with a 9-second effect time for the state itself). This means there's a slight downtime where Ayato reverts to his normal attacks, so timing your skill usage is important. The dash itself is also useful for repositioning or escaping dangerous situations. Mastering the timing of this skill allows you to constantly apply Hydro and deal significant damage. Don't forget to use the dash to your advantage in combat, whether it's to get closer to enemies, dodge an incoming attack, or simply to position yourself optimally for your Hydro slashes. The more you practice with Tidal Reflection, the more fluid your Ayato gameplay will become, leading to higher damage numbers and a more enjoyable combat experience. The generation of Suiyu is tied to his HP, so having a build that incorporates HP can indirectly boost his damage output through this skill. It's a subtle but important synergy to keep in mind for optimizing his performance.

Elemental Burst: Harumon Kagura

Ayato's Elemental Burst, Harumon Kagura, is a devastating AoE Hydro attack. When activated, Ayato unleashes a Towering Blade Rain that deals Hydro DMG in a large AoE. After the initial burst, it continues to rain down blades within the marked area, dealing Hydro DMG at intervals. This is fantastic for consistent AoE damage and Hydro application over a wide area. The Burst's damage is significant, and it's especially useful for clearing out groups of enemies or applying Hydro for reactions like Electro-Charged or Vaporize. The duration of the Burst is 15 seconds, with a cooldown of 18 seconds. This means there's a small window where you won't have your Burst active, so coordinating its use with your team's rotations is important. This ability is a game-changer for controlling the battlefield and setting up powerful elemental reactions. The large AoE coverage means you can often hit multiple enemies, maximizing its utility. It’s a great tool for setting up elemental reactions, especially when paired with characters who can apply other elements consistently. For instance, using Ayato's Burst before a Pyro character unleashes their ultimate can lead to massive Vaporize damage. The sheer scale of the damage and the wide area of effect make Harumon Kagura a staple in many Ayato team compositions. Don't underestimate the power of this ability; it can easily turn the tide of battle. The energy cost for his Burst is 80, so ensuring you have enough energy recharge on Ayato or that your team can generate enough energy particles is crucial for consistent Burst uptime. This is a key consideration when building your Ayato.

Ascension Talents: Key Passive Abilities

Ayato has two crucial Ascension Talents that significantly boost his capabilities. The first, Affirmation of Purity, is unlocked at Ascension 1. When Ayato's HP is above 80%, his Suiyu acquisition rate is increased by 30%. This directly buffs his Elemental Skill by allowing him to gain Suiyu stacks faster, leading to more empowered Normal Attacks. This talent synergizes perfectly with his kit, as maintaining high HP is often beneficial for him. The second key talent, Wrath of the Watatsumi, is unlocked at Ascension 4. When Ayato uses his Elemental Skill, his Normal Attack DMG is increased based on his Max HP. This bonus is capped, but it's a significant damage boost, especially for players who build HP on Ayato. This passive makes HP a highly valuable stat for him, as it not only increases his survivability but also directly boosts his offensive capabilities. Together, these two talents make HP a cornerstone of Ayato's build and emphasize the importance of keeping his HP high for optimal performance. These passive talents are what truly elevate Ayato from a good character to a great one, rewarding players who invest in his HP and playstyle. They encourage a proactive approach to combat, where maintaining his HP is key to unlocking his full potential. Remember to always check these talents when building Ayato, as they are integral to his overall effectiveness.

Talent Leveling Priority

So, what's the talent leveling priority for Ayato, guys? Based on his kit and how he functions, the general consensus is: Elemental Skill > Elemental Burst > Normal Attack. Why this order? Well, his Elemental Skill is what enables his Hydro-infused Normal Attacks and generates Suiyu. The damage scaling on his Normal Attacks during the State of the Sword-Touched is directly tied to this skill. Next, his Elemental Burst provides massive AoE Hydro damage and utility, making it a high priority for team-wide damage. Finally, while his Normal Attacks are crucial, the damage boost they receive from the Elemental Skill and the HP scaling from his Ascension talent make leveling the Normal Attack talent itself slightly less critical initially. However, once his Skill and Burst are well-leveled, you'll definitely want to max out his Normal Attacks to maximize his overall damage output. Prioritizing his Skill and Burst first ensures you're getting the most impactful damage increases early on. This strategic leveling ensures that your Ayato is contributing significantly to your team's damage output as efficiently as possible. Remember that talent levels are a significant source of his power, so don't neglect them! Consider your team composition and playstyle when making final decisions on talent levels.

Conclusion: Mastering Ayato's Talents

In conclusion, understanding and prioritizing Ayato's talents is key to unlocking his full potential in Genshin Impact. From his Hydro-infused Normal Attacks enabled by his Elemental Skill to the devastating AoE damage of his Elemental Burst, each talent plays a crucial role. By focusing on leveling his Elemental Skill, then his Elemental Burst, and finally his Normal Attack, you'll be well on your way to making Ayato a top-tier DPS. Don't forget the importance of his HP-scaling Ascension talents, which make him a unique and powerful character. Keep practicing his combos, managing his Suiyu resource, and synergizing him with your team, and you'll be a true Ayato master in no time! Invest in his talents wisely, and he will undoubtedly reward you with incredible damage and consistent Hydro application. Happy adventuring, and may your Ayato always crit! His flexibility and damage output make him a worthwhile investment for any player looking to add a strong Hydro DPS to their team. Keep experimenting and have fun with him!