Shenhe: Cryo Support and Team Buffing Guide
Shenhe is one of the strongest dedicated Cryo support characters in Genshin Impact, designed to amplify the damage of Cryo-focused teams through her unique Icy Quill mechanic. Instead of dealing the main damage herself, Shenhe empowers allies by enhancing their Cryo attacks, increasing Burst damage and improving team rotation efficiency. Her kit offers a rare combination of flat damage buffs, Cryo RES shred and valuable utility that transforms any Cryo DPS into a top-tier threat.
How Shenhe’s Buffs Work
The core of Shenhe’s support identity is her Icy Quill effect. When activated, it adds bonus Cryo damage to the party’s Cryo hits based on Shenhe’s Attack stat. This turns characters like Ganyu, Ayaka and Wriothesley into devastating damage dealers capable of overwhelming enemies with enhanced Cryo output.
Shenhe can apply Icy Quill through her Skill in two forms: a tap for fast rotation buffs, or a hold for longer-lasting team-wide benefits. Each buff has limited triggers depending on the character generating the Cryo hit, encouraging optimized rotations and correct timing of skills.
Skill and Burst Utility
Her Elemental Burst creates a field that deals Cryo damage over time while providing additional bonuses such as Cryo DMG increase and Cryo RES reduction at higher constellations. The Burst field supports both Freeze and Melt teams by maintaining consistent Cryo application, helping control enemy movement and preparing large damage windows.
Because the Burst scales with Attack, investing into Shenhe’s ATK stat benefits both her supportive buffs and her personal damage, though the primary focus remains team amplification.
Best Builds and Artifacts
Shenhe’s builds emphasize Attack, Energy Recharge and supportive utility. The best artifact set is typically a combination that maximizes Attack or supports team damage. The 4-piece Noblesse Oblige set is a common choice thanks to its party-wide Attack buff, while 2-piece mixed sets with +18% Attack are equally effective when optimizing Icy Quill bonuses.
Main stats generally prioritize ATK% on Sands, Cryo DMG or ATK% on Goblet and ATK% or Crit on Circlet. High Attack weapons maximize the team’s Cryo damage and help ensure consistent Burst uptime.
Weapons
Shenhe performs best with weapons that increase her Attack. Calamity Queller is her signature, offering massive ATK boosts and unmatched synergy with Icy Quill scaling. Wavebreaker’s Fin and Favonius Lance are strong alternatives—one for pure Attack scaling, the other for team utility and energy generation.
Players focusing on Burst rotation stability may prefer Energy Recharge weapons, while those maximizing buff power should aim for high-ATK options.
Best Team Synergies
Shenhe excels in teams that rely heavily on Cryo damage. She is a cornerstone support for characters like Ayaka and Ganyu, amplifying their charged attacks, Bursts and constant Cryo application. Freeze teams benefit from her buffs combined with Hydro supports, enabling near-permanent enemy lockdown.
Additionally, she performs well in Melt teams that leverage Cryo hits for powerful reactions. Her flexibility allows her to fit into any Cryo-focused composition, whether burst-oriented or sustained DPS.
Rotation Tips
Optimal Shenhe gameplay focuses on timing Icy Quill correctly. Players typically start rotations by placing her Burst field, applying her Skill for buffs and then switching to the main Cryo DPS to take advantage of the enhanced attacks. Efficient energy generation ensures her Burst remains active every rotation, maintaining pressure and maximizing team output.
Conclusion
Shenhe is one of the most impactful Cryo supports in the game, offering unmatched team buffs that significantly elevate the performance of Cryo DPS units. Her Icy Quill mechanic, Burst utility and powerful Attack scaling make her essential for Freeze, Burst and Melt team compositions. With the right build and rotation, Shenhe transforms Cryo-based teams into unstoppable forces capable of clearing any content in Genshin Impact.