As Genshin Impact evolves, so too does the definition of a “valuable” character. The recent introduction of the Stygian Onslaught mode—a brutal, time-constrained, three-boss gauntlet—has fundamentally changed what endgame difficulty looks like. In this context, Emilie, a character previously seen as balanced and versatile, now faces an uncomfortable question: Is she still worth pulling for?

Emilie vs. Stygian Onslaught

Stygian Onslaught has become the benchmark for late-game content, boasting tougher DPS checks than Spiral Abyss 12. Each of its three bosses demands a full, unshared team with no artifact or character overlap. Add in short timers, no shared time across teams, and specialized boss mechanics, and you’re looking at a mode that heavily favors optimized hypercarry teams—particularly ones built for the specific bosses at hand.

In this mode, Emilie’s utility is limited. She can contribute to faster bar break phases—especially in the Lava Dragon fight where burning is key—but even then, she’s rarely required. Most burn-reliant teams can already meet the break conditions without her, and the damage increase she brings is modest compared to what more specialized buffers or sub-DPS units offer.

Balanced Design in an Unbalanced Meta

Emilie’s design is solid—maybe too solid. Her power level is well-balanced, and she performs consistently across multiple teams. But in the age of powercreep, where characters like Skirk and Inifa introduce high-value utility or extreme DPS, balance often equates to being underwhelming.

For example, Emilie’s damage is comparable to Esafier, but unlike Esafier, she brings no healing or team buffs. Inifa, another recently released character, does more damage and brings a shield—making her a more efficient team slot overall. That’s The Crux of Emilie’s issue: She’s outclassed not because she’s bad, but because she doesn’t offer enough.

Emilie’s Signature Weapon: Worth the Pull?

One bright spot in Emilie’s kit is her signature weapon. It provides a substantial crit rate bonus and significantly reduces her energy recharge needs—especially helpful given the weird mechanics of her burst. However, this value is heavily dependent on your artifacts. If your current build already provides solid ER stats, the weapon’s value diminishes.

For players lacking in natural ER on their artifacts, the signature polearm becomes a worthwhile investment. But for those already close to burst-per-rotation thresholds, her C1 constellation may be the better upgrade.

Team Flexibility and Limitations

Emilie does find value in certain niche scenarios. She can enable burning in teams where that otherwise wouldn’t be easy—such as Arlecchino comps—allowing for quicker bar breaks. She also synergizes moderately well with Kenich teams, where she provides uninterrupted burning uptime that helps Kenich perform his unique 5-hit combo more reliably.

However, she’s not essential to any of these teams. You can replace her with other units—Sucrose, Kazuha, even four-star options like Amber or Fischl—without losing much efficiency. This flexibility is a blessing for players who don’t have her, but a curse for those hoping she’d be irreplaceable.

Weapon Alternatives and Set Options

While Emilie’s best-in-slot weapon is powerful, other five-stars fall far behind. Additionally, most players won’t be crafting a dedicated Reverie artifact set for her unless they also run a Bond of Life set, making Deepwood Memories her go-to build for simplicity and reliability.

When it comes to supportive builds like Noblesse Oblige or Tenacity of the Millelith, Emilie just doesn’t benefit enough to justify using them. These are better held by other teammates while Emilie maintains Deepwood for her own damage output.

Future Viability: Can She Shine Later?

Could future characters make Emilie better? Possibly. If a new pyro DPS is released with mechanics that rely on a revamped burning reaction, Emilie could easily become that character’s best support. But that potential remains speculative, and even then, Hoyoverse would likely rerun Emilie when the synergy becomes relevant, giving players a chance to pick her up later.

Final Verdict: Should You Pull for Emilie?

No, unless you really love her.

Emilie is well-designed, but that’s not enough in Genshin’s current meta. She offers modest improvements in teams that already function well without her, and she doesn’t bring enough to justify her primogem cost—especially with newer characters offering more raw value and flexibility. Even her niche strengths in the burning archetype don’t make her essential, since the teams she empowers already have alternatives.

In a time where the game is increasingly focused on high-pressure, high-damage content, Emilie’s place is becoming less secure. She’s usable. She’s functional. But she’s not a game-changer.

If she’s your favorite character, you’ll find ways to make her work. But if your goal is building an account that’s competitive in high-end content like Stygian Onslaught, your primogems are likely better spent elsewhere.

For more in-depth Genshin analysis, visit ExploreGenshin.gg

Source: Zajef77 – YouTube Video

Frequently Asked Questions about Emilie

Is Emilie a must-pull character?

No. While she is balanced and functional, she isn’t crucial to any meta teams or boss strategies and is outclassed by other units in both damage and utility.