Hilichurls: Types and Attack Patterns in Genshin Impact
Hilichurls are the most common enemy faction in Genshin Impact, appearing across nearly every region of Teyvat. Although they seem primitive at first glance, Hilichurls have structured tribes, varied combat roles and a surprising range of attack behaviors. Understanding their types and patterns makes exploration safer and helps players handle large enemy groups more efficiently.
Basic Hilichurls
Standard Hilichurls fight with melee strikes, shields or simple weapons. Their basic attacks include short lunges, club swings and quick punches. Despite their simplicity, they often attack in groups, creating pressure through numbers rather than individual strength.
Variants include shield-wielding Hilichurls, who absorb incoming hits, and torch-bearing Hilichurls, who inflict Pyro damage through burning attacks.
Hilichurl Archers
Hilichurl archers attack from a distance using elemental arrows. Their projectiles include Pyro, Cryo, Electro or Dendro-infused shots depending on the region. They relocate often to maintain distance, forcing players to chase or use ranged abilities.
Some archers can ignite grass, freeze water surfaces or apply elemental auras that enable reactions, making them more dangerous when paired with melee units.
Samachurls
Samachurls serve as the shamans and casters of Hilichurl tribes. Each type specializes in an element—Anemo, Geo, Hydro, Cryo, Electro or Dendro. They summon elemental projectiles, shields, healing fields and area-of-effect hazards.
Samachurls stay behind the frontline, buffing allies or disrupting the player with immobilizing or slowing abilities. Their utility makes them priority targets in mixed enemy groups.
Mitachurls
Mitachurls are large, heavily armored warriors that lead Hilichurl forces. Their high HP and strong attacks make them mini-boss style enemies during early and mid-game exploration.
Variants include axe-wielders who perform sweeping Pyro-infused strikes, shield carriers with immense defensive power and Mitachurls accompanied by wooden shields that require elemental reactions to break efficiently.
Lawachurls
Lawachurls are rare elite variants with powerful elemental armor. Geo and Electro Lawachurls are the most common, each capable of generating shields and delivering devastating charging attacks. Their ground slams create large shockwaves that can stagger players unprepared for their heavy hits.
Breaking their elemental armor with corresponding reactions significantly weakens them and opens windows for counterattacks.
Elemental Hilichurl Variants
In later regions, Hilichurls take on more elemental characteristics influenced by their environment. Cryo-infused Hilichurls in Dragonspine slow players with freezing attacks, while Hydro variants in Watatsumi Island create water-infused strikes.
These environmental adaptations improve their durability and make them more dangerous when terrain effects such as freezing, burning or electrified water are involved.
Tribal Behavior and Group Attacks
Hilichurl groups often coordinate attacks. Frontline melee units distract the player while archers, Samachurls and Mitachurls apply pressure from mid- and back-line positions. Their drums, war cries and alert animations signal incoming reinforcements.
Understanding their formation helps players prioritize threats—Samachurls and archers first, followed by shielded or high-damage melee enemies.
Combat Tips
To handle Hilichurls efficiently, players should use crowd control abilities, target casters immediately and exploit elemental reactions to break shields. Charged attacks and plunging strikes are effective for disrupting archers and shamans.
Mitachurls and Lawachurls benefit from poise-breaking abilities such as Claymore attacks, Geo constructs or heavy burst damage. Dodging their telegraphed swings and slams minimizes danger while maximizing safe attack windows.
Conclusion
Although Hilichurls are the earliest enemies players encounter in Genshin Impact, their variety and combat roles make them a core part of the game’s enemy ecosystem. From basic melee fighters to elite Lawachurls and elemental shamans, each variant offers unique challenges that encourage players to adapt tactics and reaction strategies throughout Teyvat.
