Catalysts: Pure Elemental Damage in Genshin Impact

Catalysts are the only weapon type in Genshin Impact that deal pure elemental damage with every hit. Whether performing normal attacks, charged attacks or plunging attacks, Catalyst users apply their respective element directly, making them powerful tools for reaction-based playstyles, off-field damage and continuous elemental pressure. Understanding how Catalyst mechanics work is essential for maximizing both DPS and support potential.

Elemental Identity of Catalysts

Unlike other weapon types, Catalysts do not deal physical damage. Their attacks automatically adopt the user’s element—Pyro, Hydro, Electro, Cryo, Dendro, Geo or Anemo. This makes Catalyst characters extremely consistent appliers for triggering reactions such as Vaporize, Electro-Charged, Aggravate, Bloom and more. Because of this elemental consistency, Catalyst users can dominate reaction-focused team compositions.

Normal and Charged Attacks

Catalyst normal attacks typically consist of ranged projectiles or magical blasts that apply element with each strike. Charged attacks vary widely between characters: some deliver explosive AoE damage, others fire continuous beams or multi-hit bursts. Charged attacks often form the core of a Catalyst user’s kit, enabling high DPS windows or rapid reaction triggering depending on the character.

Scaling and Build Priorities

Because Catalyst attacks are elemental by default, Elemental Mastery, Elemental Damage Bonus and Crit stats are primary scaling points. This makes Catalysts highly adaptable: players can build pure EM for transformative reactions like Hyperbloom or Vaporize, or prioritize Crit builds for traditional DPS roles. The versatility of Catalyst scaling allows each character to fit multiple playstyles depending on team needs.

Role Variety Among Catalyst Users

Catalyst characters cover a wide spectrum of roles. Some serve as on-field damage dealers with strong normal and charged attack strings. Others excel as off-field supports, applying their element through skills and bursts while contributing buffs or debuffs. Many Catalyst users also specialize in reaction triggers, maintaining constant elemental application for teams focused on transformative or amplifying reactions.

Advantages of Catalyst Weapons

Catalysts offer reliable elemental application, long-range attacks and strong synergy with reaction-heavy teams. Their kits often provide consistent damage patterns, making them easy to use in exploration and Abyss rotations. Thanks to elemental scaling, Catalyst users remain effective even with modest investments, especially in EM-focused builds.

Drawbacks and Limitations

Because Catalysts lack physical damage, they are less effective against enemies with high elemental resistance. Many Catalyst users have slower animations or limited mobility during charged attacks, requiring careful positioning. Some builds depend heavily on energy regeneration or external buffs to maintain peak performance.

Best Use Cases

Catalysts shine in teams built around Vaporize, Electro-Charged, Hyperbloom, Aggravate and Spread. Their consistent application enables stable rotation planning and reaction uptime. They also perform well as exploration tools, offering ranged attacks, AOE options and frequent elemental procs to break shields and solve puzzles.

Conclusion

Catalyst weapons deliver pure elemental damage, making them one of the most versatile and reaction-friendly weapon types in Genshin Impact. Whether acting as primary DPS, reaction triggers or powerful supports, Catalyst users excel in teams that rely on elemental synergy. Their unique mechanics ensure that they remain essential to both early progression and high-level content.