Shenhe ⇒ Best Build, Abilities & Teams in Genshin Impact

Shenhe is a fascinating and enigmatic character in Genshin Impact, introduced in Version 2.4 on January 5, 2022. A five-star Cryo character wielding a polearm, she serves as a powerful support unit, specializing in enhancing her team’s Cryo damage. Beyond her combat prowess, Shenhe’s lore is deeply captivating—her past is filled with tragedy, leading her to be raised by the Adepti rather than among humans. She struggles with emotions and has a unique perspective on society due to her upbringing. This article explores Shenhe’s background, personality, abilities, best builds, relationships, and more, offering a deep dive into everything you need to know about her in Genshin Impact.

Source : Genshin Impact

Shenhe – Background and Lore

Shenhe originates from a family of exorcists, specifically from a branch of the same clan as Chongyun, making her his aunt. Her early life was marred by tragic events. Shenhe’s father, devastated by the loss of his wife, attempted a dangerous ritual called “Fate Transference” in a desperate effort to bring her back. This required a sacrifice, and Shenhe became the unfortunate target. He lured her into a cave and left her to be consumed by a monstrous black “Seelie.”

Despite being a mere child, Shenhe fought back against the terrifying entity. Her survival instincts kicked in, and her latent potential was awakened. A Cryo Vision granted her the strength to resist and ultimately slay the being. However, the trauma changed her forever. She was later discovered by the Adeptus Cloud Retainer, who took her in as a disciple and raised her in the mountains, away from human society. Over time, Shenhe honed her skills and became an exceptionally powerful figure, leading many to mistake her for an Adeptus herself.

Shenhe – Personality and Behavior

Shenhe embodies an icy, withdrawn demeanor that often leads to misconceptions about her nature. Many assume she is an Adeptus due to her calm and detached presence, but in reality, she is purely human. However, her upbringing in the mountains by Adepti has profoundly influenced her worldview and emotional disposition.

Due to her childhood trauma and training, Shenhe’s emotions are heavily repressed. To control her innate bloodlust and violent tendencies, Cloud Retainer bound her soul with mystical red ropes, which suppress her extreme reactions and make her emotionally distant. While this control prevents her from becoming a threat to humans, it also cuts her off from many simple experiences of joy and sorrow.

Despite her indifference to most human emotions, Shenhe is not a cold-hearted person. She has a pure mind and a straightforward nature, often acting with logical precision. Intriguingly, she relies on both calculated insight and instinctive action, making her an unpredictable yet reliable ally.

Shenhe – Abilities and Combat Role

In gameplay, Shenhe shines as a Cryo support unit, bolstering her team’s damage output through unique buffs and debuffs. Her abilities revolve around amplifying Cryo damage and reducing enemies’ resistances, making her a must-have for Cryo-centric teams.

Basic Attacks

Normal Attack – Dawnstar Piercer: Performs up to five consecutive polearm strikes.
Charged Attack: Consumes a certain amount of Stamina to perform a lunging attack.
Plunging Attack: Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, dealing AoE damage.

Elemental Skill – Spring Spirit Summoning

Shenhe’s Elemental Skill has two variations:

Press: Shenhe dashes forward and summons a Talisman Spirit that deals Cryo damage to enemies in its path.
Hold: Shenhe summons a stronger Talisman Spirit, dealing additional Cryo damage and lasting longer.

Both forms of her skill apply the Icy Quill effect to all nearby allies. This buff increases the Cryo damage dealt by the party based on Shenhe’s own Attack stat. The Icy Quill effect makes her invaluable in teams focused on Cryo-centric damage dealers.

Elemental Burst – Divine Maiden’s Deliverance

When Shenhe unleashes her Elemental Burst, she conjures a powerful field that deals continuous Cryo damage over time. This ability also decreases the Cryo and Physical resistance of all enemies within its range, further amplifying the damage output of Cryo DPS characters like Ayaka and Ganyu.

Best Build for Shenhe

Recommended Weapons

Engulfing Lightning: Best-in-slot weapon for Shenhe, as it boosts her Attack based on Energy Recharge.
Calamity Queller: A strong alternative, offering a direct Attack boost.
Favonius Lance: Provides Energy Recharge, helping Shenhe use her skills more frequently.

Best Artifact Sets

Gladiator’s Finale (4-piece): Increases Attack, which further amplifies Shenhe’s buffs.
Noblesse Oblige (4-piece): Enhances Burst damage while providing a party-wide Attack buff.
Blizzard Strayer (2-piece) + Noblesse Oblige (2-piece): A balanced set, boosting Cryo damage and Burst effectiveness.

How to Use Shenhe Effectively

Activate her Elemental Skill: Ensure your team gets the Icy Quill buff before dealing Cryo damage.
Unleash Elemental Burst: Apply AoE Cryo damage while reducing enemies’ Cryo and Physical resistance.
Switch to Cryo DPS characters: Maximize the damage potential of Ganyu, Ayaka, or Eula with Shenhe’s buffs.
Keep Shenhe’s Energy Recharge high: Use suitable weapons and artifacts to maintain uptime on Elemental Burst.

Shenhe – Relationships and Interactions

One of Shenhe’s most notable relationships is with Cloud Retainer, who raised her after rescuing her from certain doom. She deeply respects the Adeptus and follows her teachings rigorously.

Another significant character linked to Shenhe is Chongyun, her nephew. Despite their shared lineage, Shenhe’s isolated upbringing means they have little interaction.

Shenhe – Fate and Destiny

According to Adeptus Moon Carver’s divination, Shenhe is fated for calamity, carrying the “solitary star” and “disastrous evil” destinies. These foretell a life of loneliness and danger, marked by violent tendencies that could make her a threat to herself and others. The mystical red ropes that bind her are meant to suppress these darker aspects of her fate, allowing her to exist harmoniously among humans.