Best Artifacts for DPS Characters in Genshin Impact
Artifacts are the backbone of every strong DPS character in Genshin Impact. A five-star weapon might look cool and a maxed talent might sound good, but if your artifact set isn’t supporting the build, you’re missing out on serious damage. A well-rolled Gladiator’s Finale piece or a full Crimson Witch of Flames set with top-tier substats can change your entire playstyle. I’ve tested, farmed, cursed at bad rolls and celebrated rare god-tier pieces—all to find what really works in actual combat.
Before we get into the rankings, let me say this: farming artifacts isn’t just time-consuming, it’s Resin-draining and unforgiving. If you’re stuck farming domain after domain with no luck on substats or main stats, services like ChaosBoost can help. ChaosBoost helps players by letting them skip the Resin sink while still progressing through artifact domains, especially when trying to complete full sets like Shimenawa’s Reminiscence or Emblem of Severed Fate. It’s a real time-saver when the RNG gods just won’t cooperate. Let’s break down the best sets for main DPS roles, how to optimize your substats and what mistakes to avoid when spending your Mora and Resin.
Meta Sets That Define Main DPS Characters
The meta in Genshin constantly changes with new regions and characters, but some artifact sets remain strong for main DPS builds. These are sets that not only boost flat damage but also synergize with character abilities and playstyles. Choosing the right set doesn’t just amplify damage—it defines how a DPS works in combat. Here’s a table of the most used main DPS artifact sets in current Genshin meta, categorized by bonus type and use cases:
| Artifact Set | 2-Piece Bonus | 4-Piece Bonus | Best Used On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimson Witch of Flames | +15% Pyro DMG | Buffs Overloaded, Burning, Vaporize, and Melt damage + boosts skill damage stacking | Hu Tao, Diluc, Xiangling |
| Blizzard Strayer | +15% Cryo DMG | +40% Crit Rate against Frozen enemies | Ayaka, Ganyu, Rosaria |
| Pale Flame | +25% Physical DMG | Increases ATK when Elemental Skill hits; boosts Physical DMG | Eula, Razor |
| Emblem of Severed Fate | +20% Energy Recharge | Burst DMG increases based on ER (up to 75%) | Raiden, Xiangling, Mona |
| Shimenawa’s Reminiscence | +18% ATK | After skill, +50% Normal/Charged/Plunge DMG, consumes 15 energy | Yoimiya, Heizou, Childe (normal attack) |
These sets are the foundation of most top-tier DPS builds. For example, Crimson Witch takes any Pyro DPS to the next level by synergizing with reaction-based kits. Blizzard Strayer almost guarantees crits with freeze teams which is essential when using Cryo DPS with Hydro supports. Emblem is required for burst-focused units that rely on Elemental Burst uptime for their primary damage.
No matter your favorite character, matching their elemental identity and damage window to a set like these will give you a noticeable boost in overall performance. DPS sets aren’t just about numbers—they define how you structure your rotation, your support units and your team synergy.
5-Star Artifact Sets Worth Farming
Once you reach AR 45+, farming for 5-star artifacts is your primary way to increase damage. These high-end sets have stronger main stats and are available from elite domains. Not all 5-star sets are created equal—some have better synergy with meta characters and burst windows.
Here’s a list of top-tier 5-star DPS artifact sets to farm:
- Crimson Witch of Flames – Core for reaction-based Pyro characters. Amplifies Overloaded/Vape/Melt damage significantly. 4-piece bonus is stackable so you can play with Elemental Skill usage.
- Emblem of Severed Fate – Converts Energy Recharge into burst DMG. Essential for Raiden’s kit; also good on Mona, Xiangling and Yelan.
- Shimenawa’s Reminiscence – Good for sustained attackers who focus on Normal/Charged attacks. Tricky to use due to energy cost but pays off if you can build around it.
- Pale Flame – High Physical DMG scaling with conditional ATK buff. Eula benefits from both the raw damage and synergy with her skill.
- Blizzard Strayer – Freeze team core. Ganyu and Ayaka crit almost every hit with this set paired with Hydro applicators like Mona or Kokomi.
Farming these sets takes Resin, patience and a lot of artifact XP fodder. I recommend focusing on one domain at a time especially when you need multiple pieces with ideal main stats like CRIT DMG, CRIT Rate or ATK%.
Getting the right stats on these sets makes a bigger difference than the set bonus itself. A poorly rolled 4-piece set might be outperformed by a mixed 2-piece combo if the substats are stronger. Always keep that in mind when sorting through drops.
Underrated 4-Star Sets for Early Game DPS
In early AR (below 40) it’s hard to find well-rolled 5-star gear. This is where 4-star artifact sets shine. They’re easier to farm, cost less to level and still provide solid buffs for early DPS characters. These sets can carry you through story content and world bosses until you’re ready for high-tier domains.
Here’s a table of reliable 4-star sets that are still worth using:
| Artifact Set | 2-Piece Bonus | 4-Piece Bonus | Best Used On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berserker | +12% CRIT Rate | +24% CRIT Rate under 70% HP | Any crit-reliant DPS |
| Martial Artist | +15% Normal/Charged DMG | Extra +25% DMG for 8s after skill use | Razor, Ningguang, Noelle |
| Brave Heart | +18% ATK | +30% DMG vs enemies with >50% HP | Early burst-focused characters |
| Resolution of Sojourner | +18% ATK | +30% CRIT Rate on Charged Attacks | Amber, Ningguang, Catalyst users |
I cleared mid-game Spiral Abyss floors with just a +16 Berserker set on Razor. If you’re not at AR 45 yet don’t burn your resources trying to farm 5-star domains. Use those Resin refreshes to build characters or level weapons.
Some 4-star sets drop randomly from elite mobs and quests so explore the world thoroughly. Every artifact counts when you’re climbing your way to the late game.
Substats That Actually Matter for Damage
The difference between an average DPS and a good DPS is often down to substats. Even with the right set, if your pieces roll into flat DEF or HP instead of CRIT or ATK, you’ll suffer. Knowing which stats matter most is key.
Here’s a quick rundown of the best substats for DPS builds:
| Substat | Effect on DPS |
|---|---|
| CRIT Rate | Increases frequency of critical hits; aim for 50–70% CR with most DPS units |
| CRIT DMG | Boosts the damage of crits; target at least 100–150% CD for scaling |
| ATK% | Improves all attack-based damage; core stat for most DPS kits |
| Energy Recharge | Useful for burst uptime; 120–150% is optimal for characters relying on bursts |
| Elemental Mastery | Raises reaction damage; key for Vape/Melt comps (100–200 EM is standard) |
I try to aim for a 1:2 Crit Rate to Crit DMG ratio as a general rule. If you’re running a Cryo character with Blizzard Strayer, the set’s bonus allows you to build more CRIT DMG instead of CRIT Rate. Substats like flat HP, flat DEF or DEF% should generally be avoided unless your DPS scales with them (e.g., Itto).
Artifact upgrades roll randomly into one of the substats so sometimes a near-perfect piece turns into a brick. Still, if you get 3+ good substats on a main-stat-correct piece, it’s worth upgrading to +20.
Mistakes to Avoid When Building DPS Characters
Even experienced players fall into traps when building DPS units. I did some of these myself early on and it slowed me down. Avoid these mistakes and you’ll save Resin, Mora and frustration in the long run.
Here’s a list of artifact-related mistakes to watch out for:
- Focusing too much on set bonus – A mixed 2-piece build with great substats will often outperform a poorly rolled 4-piece bonus.
- Ignoring main stats – Always match Goblet to the character’s element or Physical DMG. Don’t settle for HP% Goblets unless your DPS scales on HP (e.g., Hu Tao).
- Not upgrading enough – Artifacts should be +16 or +20 to work as intended. Half-upgraded is not enough.
- Using flat stats – Avoid flat ATK, flat DEF and flat HP substats unless you have no choice.
- Not building CRIT – DPS units should always stack CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG. If you’re only building ATK% you’re missing a huge chunk of their power.
Artifacts might seem like just another gear system but in Genshin Impact they’re everything. Taking the time to understand them and farm them properly is what separates a good DPS from a broken one.
