Azhdaha: Weekly Boss Mechanics and Battle Strategy

Azhdaha is one of the most challenging weekly bosses in Genshin Impact, known for his multi-phase elemental transformations, high damage output and large area-of-effect attacks. Located in the Beneath the Dragon-Queller domain in Liyue, he serves as a demanding test of survivability, positioning and elemental counterplay. Understanding his mechanics is essential for minimizing damage taken and clearing the encounter efficiently each week.

Battle Structure and Phases

Azhdaha’s fight is divided into several phases, each defined by a different elemental infusion. At the beginning of the battle, he appears in his base Geo form, using powerful stomps and wide-sweeping attacks that can easily stagger players. As his health drops, he transitions into two additional elemental phases, chosen from Pyro, Electro, Cryo or Hydro. These transformations significantly change the fight, affecting both his attack patterns and the environmental hazards in the arena.

Because each week features a different set of elemental combinations, players must adapt their strategy. Some element infusions create damaging ground effects, while others increase the radius or frequency of his attacks.

Geo Attacks and Arena Hazards

During the initial Geo phase, Azhdaha unleashes tremor waves, tail strikes and massive shockwaves. These attacks deal high damage and can easily interrupt the player’s movement. Geo eruptions may also appear beneath the player’s feet, requiring quick repositioning to avoid heavy hits.

Using a shielder during this phase increases survivability dramatically. Characters like Zhongli, Layla or Diona can protect the team from constant chip damage.

Elemental Transformations

After losing roughly one-third of his HP, Azhdaha gains his first elemental infusion. Each infusion adds new mechanics:

• Pyro — explosive eruptions appear across the battlefield, dealing sustained Pyro damage.
• Electro — pulsating shockwaves and charged strikes increase burst damage potential.
• Cryo — freezing ground patches and slow-moving icicles create dangerous zones.
• Hydro — water geysers and persistent Hydro fields reduce mobility.

Each variant forces players to adjust positioning. Staying mobile and using invulnerability frames during dashes reduces the risk of taking heavy hits.

Shield-Breaking Mechanics

During elemental infusions, Azhdaha periodically summons protective shields. These shields must be broken quickly to prevent him from unleashing devastating arena-wide attacks. Elemental reactions and high-frequency hits are extremely effective for breaking his barrier.

Bringing characters with fast attacks or high elemental application—such as Xiangling, Raiden Shogun or Ayato—helps clear shield phases quickly.

Recommended Characters and Team Building

Teams built for survivability and sustained damage work best. Strong shielders like Zhongli are extremely valuable due to the frequency and power of Azhdaha’s AoE attacks. Healers such as Kokomi, Bennett or Jean improve consistency throughout the fight.

Main DPS choices depend on the elemental cycle of the week, but on-field damage dealers like Hu Tao, Eula, Yoimiya, Itto or Ayaka perform well in most scenarios. Avoid units overly dependent on long setup times, as the frequent interrupts can disrupt combos.

Positioning and Evasion

Staying close to Azhdaha’s hind legs reduces the likelihood of being hit by some of his sweeping frontal attacks, though it increases the risk of tail strikes. Learning his wind-up animations is crucial for avoiding damage: stomp attacks, breath attacks and elemental eruptions all have clear telegraphs.

Environmental hazards created during elemental phases require constant awareness. The safest strategy is to rotate around the arena’s edges while maintaining consistent attack uptime.

Rewards

Defeating Azhdaha grants weekly boss rewards, including character ascension materials, talent books, billets and artifacts. His unique drops are used to ascend several Liyue and Inazuma characters, making him an essential part of weekly farming.

Conclusion

Azhdaha is a demanding weekly boss that rewards knowledge, mobility and strong defensive tools. By learning his attack patterns, managing elemental transformations and taking advantage of shielders and healers, players can handle his powerful attacks and complete the domain consistently every week.