Kaeya Frostwind Swordsman Captain of the knights of Favonius

Comprehensive Kaeya Guide

Quick Tips for Playing Kaeya

• Use his Elemental Skill frequently: Short cooldown makes it great for energy generation and reactions
• Pair with Electro characters: Excels in Superconduct teams to reduce enemy Physical RES
• Tall Character:Movement is slighlty faster than shorter characters
• Energy Recharge focus: Low-cost Burst benefits from high uptime

Lore and Story Significance

Kaeya Alberich, the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, hides a mysterious past. Though raised by the Ragnvindr family, he originates from the fallen nation of Khaenri'ah. His complex relationship with Diluc stems from this hidden heritage, making him one of Mondstadt's most intriguing characters.

Role and Damage Profile

Kaeya is a versatile Cryo sword user who can fulfill multiple roles:

• Main DPS: Focus on normal/charged attacks with Cryo application
• Sub-DPS: Excellent off-field Cryo damage through Glacial Waltz
• Support: Consistent Cryo application for elemental reactions

Best Artifact Builds

Set	Effect	Best For
Blizzard Strayer (4)	+15% Cryo DMG, +20-40% CRIT Rate	Freeze teams
Emblem of Severed Fate (4)	+20% ER, Burst DMG boost	Burst-focused sub-DPS
Noblesse Oblige (4)	+20% Burst DMG, team ATK buff	Support role

Ascension Materials

• Shivada Jade: 1 Sliver, 9 Fragments, 9 Chunks, 6 Gemstones
• Hoarfrost Core: 46 (from Cryo Regisvine)
• Calla Lily: 168 (found in Mondstadt)
• Treasure Hoarder Insignias: 18/30/36 (Basic/Silver/Gold)
• Mora: 420,000 total

Team Compositions

Team Type	Members	Synergy
Freeze	Kaeya + Hydro + Cryo + Anemo	Crowd control with permafreeze
Superconduct	Kaeya + Electro + Healer + Shielder	Physical DPS boost
F2P Beginner	Kaeya + Lisa + Barbara + Traveler	Early-game accessible

Tips and Tricks

• Prioritize Freeze (Hydro) or Superconduct (Electro) reactions
• Use his Skill frequently for energy particles
• His sprint covers slightly more distance than most characters
• Constellations C1, C2, and C6 provide significant power spikes

Quick Tips for Playing Kaeya

• Use Kaeya's Elemental Skill frequently: His short cooldown Cryo skill is excellent for generating energy and triggering elemental reactions.
• Pair him with Electro characters: Kaeya excels in Superconduct teams, reducing enemy Physical RES and boosting physical DPS output.
• Explore Dragonspine with ease: As a Cryo character, Kaeya is immune to Sheer Cold, making him ideal for cold-weather exploration.
• Focus on Energy Recharge: Kaeya's Burst has strong Cryo application and low energy cost, so keeping it up frequently enhances his utility in any team.

Detailed Introduction: Kaeya's Lore and Archon Quest Relevance

Kaeya Alberich, the charming and cunning Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, is far more than meets the eye. Although raised as an adopted son of the prestigious Ragnvindr family, Kaeya hails from the fallen nation of Khaenri'ah — a truth he guards closely. Entrusted by his birth father with a hidden mission, Kaeya wrestles with conflicting loyalties between his origins and his home in Mondstadt. His strained relationship with Diluc, his adoptive brother, stems from a painful revelation and confrontation regarding his true heritage. Throughout the Archon Quests, Kaeya serves as a reliable ally to the Traveler, often appearing at key moments to offer strategic insight or subtle guidance. His backstory, laced with secrets and internal conflict, makes him one of the most intriguing characters in Mondstadt and a potential linchpin in Teyvat’s unfolding saga.

Kaeya's Role and Damage Profile

Kaeya is a Cryo sword-wielder with flexible utility across various team compositions. His ability set allows him to function effectively as a main DPS, sub-DPS, or elemental support, depending on your team’s structure.

• Main DPS: Relies on fast normal and charged attacks combined with Cryo application to deal sustained damage.
• Sub-DPS: His Elemental Burst (Glacial Waltz) delivers off-field Cryo damage, allowing him to support the primary damage dealer.
• Support: Applies Cryo consistently for reactions like Freeze or Superconduct, and generates energy with his Elemental Skill.

Primary Damage Sources:

• Frostgnaw (Skill): Unleashes a frontal burst of Cryo damage, ideal for particle generation and setting up reactions.
• Glacial Waltz (Burst): Summons rotating icicles that deal Cryo damage to nearby enemies, persisting even if Kaeya leaves the field.
• Normal/Charged Attacks: Scales with physical or elemental builds depending on your artifacts and team synergy.

Best Artifact Builds

• Blizzard Strayer (4-piece)
  • +15% Cryo DMG Bonus
  • +20% CRIT Rate against enemies affected by Cryo
  • +40% CRIT Rate against Frozen targets
  • Ideal for Freeze teams with consistent Hydro application
• Emblem of Severed Fate (4-piece)
  • +20% Energy Recharge
  • Boosts Burst DMG by 25% of Energy Recharge (up to 75%)
  • Best for Burst-centric sub-DPS roles
• Noblesse Oblige (4-piece)
  • +20% Elemental Burst DMG
  • Using Burst increases party ATK by 20% for 12 seconds
  • Solid support option for teamwide damage amplification
• 2-piece Blizzard Strayer + 2-piece Gladiator’s Finale
  • +15% Cryo DMG Bonus
  • +18% ATK
  • Great hybrid setup for mixed Cryo and physical output

Main stat priorities:

• Sands: ATK% or Energy Recharge
• Goblet: Cryo DMG Bonus
• Circlet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG

Ascension Materials and Elemental Resistance

Kaeya’s ascension increases his base stats and Cryo DMG Bonus, while his Cryo typing provides slight resistance to cold-based environments.

Elemental Resistance Overview

• Base Resistance: 10% to all elements and physical damage (standard for all characters)
• Cryo Resistance: Immunity to Sheer Cold environmental effects; no special Cryo RES boost
• Enhanced Survivability: Pairing Kaeya with Cryo shields like Diona’s improves elemental defense

Ascension Material Breakdown

• Shivada Jade Sliver/Fragment/Chunk/Gemstone: Cryo Regisvine, Cryo Hypostasis, Wolf of the North
• Hoarfrost Core (x46): Dropped by Cryo Regisvine (Mondstadt elite boss)
• Calla Lily (x168): Found near water sources like Starfell Lake; sold by Flora in Mondstadt
• Treasure Hoarder Insignias:
  • 18 Treasure Hoarder Insignias
  • 30 Silver Raven Insignias
  • 36 Golden Raven Insignias
• Mora: 420,000 total for full ascension

How to Unlock Kaeya

Kaeya is one of the free characters given early in the game. You'll unlock him by completing the “Crash Course” quest in Mondstadt. He is also part of the Standard Wish pool, though his constellations are relatively rare unless specifically targeted via event banners or starglitter exchanges.

Tips and Tricks for Playing Kaeya

• Trigger Elemental Reactions: Use Kaeya’s Cryo skills to enable Freeze (Hydro) or Superconduct (Electro) for extra damage or debuffs.
• Energy Generation: His low cooldown on Frostgnaw makes him a consistent particle generator for Cryo teammates.
• Mobility Advantage: Kaeya's sprint animation allows slightly longer dashes, great for exploration.
• Constellations: Constellation 1 restores energy, while C2 and C6 greatly enhance Cryo damage potential.

Team Compositions That Work Well with Kaeya

• Freeze Team:
  • Kaeya (Cryo DPS)
  • Xingqiu or Yelan (Hydro applicator)
  • Diona or Layla (Cryo shield/support)
  • Kazuha or Sucrose (Anemo crowd control & Cryo swirl)
• Superconduct Physical Team:
  • Kaeya (Physical DPS)
  • Fischl or Raiden Shogun (Electro trigger)
  • Bennett (ATK buffer/healer)
  • Zhongli (Shield/support)
• F2P Beginner Team:
  • Kaeya (Cryo main DPS)
  • Lisa (Electro support)
  • Barbara (Healer)
  • Traveler (Anemo or Geo support)
• High-End Freeze Team:
  • Kaeya (Sub-DPS)
  • Ayaka (Main DPS)
  • Kokomi or Mona (Hydro enabler)
  • Kazuha (Elemental shred & grouping)

Ascension Materials and Stats

Ascending Kaeya unlocks enhanced stats and increases his Cryo DMG Bonus, which scales with each ascension phase. To raise him from level 1 to 90, you'll need a mix of boss drops, local specialties, and common enemy loot. Below is a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need and how to get it.

Elemental Resistance Overview

• Base Resistance: Like all characters, Kaeya starts with 10% resistance to all elemental and physical damage types.
• Synergy with Shields: Pairing him with Cryo shield characters (e.g., Diona or Layla) can increase survivability by reducing incoming elemental damage.
• Superconduct Advantage: Kaeya works well in teams built around the Superconduct reaction, which reduces enemy physical resistance — a great match for physical DPS setups.

Materials Required for Each Ascension Phase

• Shivada Jade (Sliver, Fragment, Chunk, Gemstone):
  • Dropped by Cryo-based bosses such as the Cryo Regisvine, Cryo Hypostasis, and the Wolf of the North (Andrius).
  • Higher-tier versions can be crafted from lower tiers using alchemy benches.
• Hoarfrost Core (46 total):
  • Exclusive drop from the Cryo Regisvine, located in Mondstadt.
  • Each fight costs 20 Original Resin to claim rewards.
• Calla Lily (168 total):
  • Mondstadt’s local specialty, found near freshwater sources — especially around Springvale, Starfell Lake, and near the Dawn Winery.
  • Can also be purchased in limited quantities from Flora in Mondstadt.
• Treasure Hoarder Insignias:
  • Earned from defeating Treasure Hoarders throughout Teyvat.
  • Required in the following quantities:
    • Treasure Hoarder Insignia ×18 (Lv. 1+)
    • Silver Raven Insignia ×30 (Lv. 40+)
    • Golden Raven Insignia ×36 (Lv. 60+)
  • Higher-tier insignias can be crafted from lower-tier ones at any crafting bench.

Total Ascension Materials for Level 1–90

• Mora: 420,000
• Shivada Jade: 1 Sliver, 9 Fragments, 9 Chunks, 6 Gemstones
• Hoarfrost Core: 46
• Calla Lily: 168
• Treasure Hoarder Drops: 18 Insignias, 30 Silver Ravens, 36 Golden Ravens

Elemental Resistance Overview

While Kaeya doesn’t possess any innate resistance bonuses beyond the standard values shared by all characters, his Cryo element offers subtle advantages in specific environments and team setups. Here’s a breakdown of how his elemental resistances work:

• Base Resistance: Like all characters in Genshin Impact, Kaeya starts with a default 10% resistance to Physical and all elemental damage types (Pyro, Hydro, Electro, Cryo, Geo, Anemo, and Dendro).
• No Additional Cryo RES: Kaeya does not gain increased Cryo resistance from leveling up or through passive talents. His survivability against Cryo damage depends on gear, team buffs, or shields.
• Shield Synergy: When paired with Cryo shield characters like Diona or Layla, Kaeya benefits from improved durability against incoming Cryo and elemental attacks due to shield absorption mechanics.
• Reaction Utility: Kaeya shines in Superconduct-based teams. This reaction — triggered by combining Cryo with Electro — reduces enemy Physical RES, making it especially useful if Kaeya is built as a physical DPS.