In SuperaTom’s latest video, the long-standing Cryo DPS Kamisato Ayaka receives a much-needed update in light of Genshin Impact’s evolving meta. While once sidelined due to the declining relevance of Freeze teams, Ayaka has surged back into the spotlight thanks to new support options—especially Escoffier. This article covers Ayaka’s best builds, teams, weapon choices, and how she stands in the current meta compared to newer units like Skirk.

Ayaka Overview: Simple, Reliable, and Still Strong

Ayaka remains one of Genshin Impact’s most straightforward and reliable Cryo DPS characters. Her kit is simple:

  • Special dash infuses her attacks with Cryo and buffs her Cryo DMG.
  • Elemental Skill (E) deals solid damage and buffs her normal and charged attacks.
  • Elemental Burst (Q) unleashes a devastating AoE Cryo storm—her primary source of damage.

The main drawback of her burst is that enemies can move out of its AoE, resulting in lost damage. This makes Freeze or grouping mechanics essential in high-DPS Ayaka teams.

Pros and Cons of Ayaka in Today’s Meta

✅ Pros:

  • High Cryo DMG potential, especially with Freeze synergy.
  • Simple rotations and low skill ceiling.
  • Flexible with both free-to-play and premium teams.
  • Recently revitalized with new support options like Escoffier.

❌ Cons:

  • Heavy Energy Recharge (ER) demands to maintain burst uptime.
  • Relies on enemy immobilization (via Freeze or grouping) to maximize burst.
  • Lacks flexibility against unfreezable bosses unless in alternate teams.

Best Artifact Sets for Ayaka (5.6+)

❄️ Blizzard Strayer (4-piece)

  • Still her best-in-slot for Freeze teams.
  • Boosts Crit Rate by 40% against frozen enemies.
  • Top choice for most Ayaka players, especially in Escoffier or Mona teams.

🌊 Marechaussee Hunter (4-piece)

  • Good for Ayaka with Furina teams (HP-draining synergy).
  • Increases Normal and Charged Attack DMG by 15%.
  • Adds 36% Crit Rate when HP fluctuates—great for aggressive rotations.

🔷 Emblem of Severed Fate (4-piece)

  • Best for burst-focused builds.
  • Increases burst damage based on ER, helping solve her energy issues.
  • A strong option if Ayaka doesn’t spend much time on-field.

🔥 Lavawalker’s Set (4-piece)

  • Niche option for Ayaka melt teams.
  • Boosts damage against enemies affected by Pyro.
  • Not recommended for standard Ayaka teams, but fun for experimentation.

🧩 2-piece Mix Sets

  • If you lack good 4-piece sets: try 2pc Blizzard + 2pc ATK% or 2pc Emblem + 2pc Blizzard.

Best Weapons for Ayaka

⭐ 5-Star Options

  • Mistsplitter Reforged – Best-in-slot weapon; massive Crit DMG and passive boost to Elemental DMG.
  • Primordial Jade Cutter – Strong alternative; boosts Crit Rate and HP.
  • Haran Geppaku Futsu – Works well in Ayaka’s fast-paced combos.
  • Light of Foliar Incision – Viable but not optimized for Cryo scaling.

🛠️ Free-to-Play Options

  • Finale of the Deep – Strong Fontaine craftable sword; high base stats and passive.
  • Amenoma Kageuchi – Great ER regeneration; smoothens burst rotation.
  • Harbinger of Dawn – Solid early-game 3-star for high Crit Rate if you can stay above 90% HP.

🧪 Event Weapon: Calamity of Eshu

  • Requires Ayaka to be shielded.
  • High synergy with characters like Zhongli or Layla.
  • Offers bonus Crit Rate and Normal/Charged Attack DMG—great in teams with off-field shielding.

Updated Ayaka Teams in 5.6+

💎 Premium Freeze Team (Meta)

Ayaka + Escoffier + Shenhe + Furina

  • Escoffier offers unmatched Cryo RES shred (55%) and team-wide buffs.
  • Shenhe boosts Cryo DMG and Icy Quill buffs.
  • Furina increases DMG while synergizing with Marechaussee sets.

This is Ayaka’s strongest team post 5.6 and makes her competitive even in Skirk-dominated Cryo comps.

💠 Pre-Escopier Freeze Teams

Ayaka + Shenhe + Shilan + Mona/Furina

  • Still strong without Escoffier.
  • Shilan (Shenhe variant) offers healing and grouping.
  • Mona for burst damage buff, or Furina for HP-drain and Marechaussee synergy.

🌬️ Budget/F2P Teams

Ayaka + Sucrose + Xingqiu + Rosaria

  • Low-cost team for Freeze uptime and group control.
  • Works surprisingly well in Abyss and open-world.

🔥 Ayaka Melt Team

Ayaka + Xiangling + Bennett + Zhongli

  • Utilizes reverse melt via Pyro application.
  • High DPS but inconsistent due to Cryo-Pyro timing.
  • Best used if you dislike Freeze comps or want to experiment.

Constellation Recommendations

  • C0 Ayaka is fully functional and strong.
  • C2: Boosts burst effectiveness and ensures enemies stay within AoE—very helpful.
  • C4: Adds DEF shred, further amplifying damage.
  • C6: Overkill for most players; not needed for full value.

💡 Tip: Instead of pushing Ayaka constellations, consider Escoffier or Furina constellations—they benefit multiple teams, not just Ayaka.

Is Ayaka Still Worth Building in 2025?

Absolutely. Ayaka remains a top-tier Cryo DPS for players who enjoy Freeze playstyles. While Skirk may technically out-damage her in optimal scenarios, Ayaka is far more accessible, reliable, and team-friendly.

Thanks to the introduction of Escoffier, her viability and damage potential have reached new heights. Players who already own Ayaka can confidently invest in her without concern for power creep.

Explore more Ayaka builds, team guides, and Genshin theorycrafting at ExploreGenshin.gg

Frequently Asked Questions about Ayaka Builds