Sub-Stats in Genshin Impact: Priority and Optimization

Sub-stats are one of the most critical parts of artifact optimization in Genshin Impact. While main stats define the overall direction of a build, sub-stats determine its final effectiveness. Properly prioritized sub-stats can drastically increase damage, survivability or support utility depending on the character’s role. Understanding which sub-stats matter most is essential for achieving top-tier performance.

The Value of Critical Stats

Critical Rate and Critical Damage are generally the strongest sub-stats for damage dealers. Balanced Crit distribution allows consistent damage output, while high Crit Damage boosts peak potential. Most DPS characters aim for an approximate ratio of 1:2 between Critical Rate and Critical Damage, though exceptions exist depending on weapon and team synergy.

Because Crit rolls are rare and highly impactful, artifacts with multiple Crit rolls often become instant upgrades regardless of other stats.

Attack Percentage and Flat Attack

Attack Percentage is a key sub-stat for characters whose damage scales directly with Attack. It synergizes with main stat bonuses and weapon Attack values. Flat Attack is less valuable overall but can still be useful in early stages or on artifacts with extremely strong primary rolls in other sub-stats.

DPS characters typically prioritize Attack Percentage after Crit stats, especially when their abilities scale well from it.

Elemental Mastery

Elemental Mastery is crucial for reaction-focused builds. Characters who rely on Bloom, Hyperbloom, Burgeon, Swirl, Melt or Vaporize benefit greatly from EM rolls. Certain units, such as Anemo supports or Dendro triggers, prioritize Elemental Mastery above all other sub-stats.

Even hybrid DPS units may require some EM if their damage distribution depends heavily on reaction multipliers.

Energy Recharge

Energy Recharge is essential for characters who rely on frequent Burst usage. Without sufficient ER, rotations fall apart and overall performance drops significantly. Support units and Burst-dependent DPS characters prioritize ER until they reach their required threshold, after which offensive stats become more valuable.

ER is especially important for units with high Burst costs or those who do not generate particles reliably on their own.

HP% and DEF%

While generally secondary for DPS characters, HP% and DEF% become high-priority sub-stats for certain specialized units. HP-scaling characters and DEF-scaling characters rely on these stats for both damage and survivability. Shields, healing and special scaling formulas turn these defensive stats into key performance modifiers.

For supports, HP% and DEF% enhance durability and consistency during long fights.

Balancing Sub-Stats for Different Roles

The priority of sub-stats depends on the character’s function within the team. DPS units focus on Crit, Attack Percentage and Elemental Mastery, while supports aim for Energy Recharge and role-specific defensive stats. Reaction-based characters prioritize Elemental Mastery, and Burst-reliant units balance ER with offensive sub-stats.

Understanding these priorities allows players to evaluate artifacts properly and decide which pieces are worth leveling.

Conclusion

Sub-stats define the final strength of any artifact build. By focusing on the correct priorities—Crit for DPS, Elemental Mastery for reactions, Energy Recharge for Burst reliance and HP or DEF for specialized scalers—players can maximize their team’s output with precision. Proper sub-stat optimization often makes a greater difference than simply equipping high-rarity items, making it a core part of advanced gameplay.