Kinich is an exciting new Dendro 5-Star character introduced in Genshin Impact 5.0. As an on-field DPS unit, he scales effectively off ATK, positioning him as a viable damage dealer that is easy to build. Kinich is the second 5-star character from Natlan to be released and can be found on his banner during the latter half of version 5.0, alongside the rerun of Raiden Shogun’s banner.
Hailing from the Scions of the Canopy tribe, known for their exceptional hunting and exploration skills, Kinich excels in traversal. His grappling hook allows him to cover vast distances quickly, making him an ideal character for exploration.
This article will cover the best ways to play Kinich, highlighting his optimal stats and rotations to maximize his potential.
Playing Kinich in Genshin Impact
Overview of Kinich’s Kit
As a 5-Star Dendro character, Kinich takes on the role of an on-field DPS. Similar to other Natlan characters, the Nightsoul mechanics are crucial to his kit, enhancing his damage capabilities.
1) Elemental Skill
Kinich’s primary damage source comes from his elemental skill, which functions in two distinct ways. If activated without nearby enemies, he uses his grappling hook to swing through the air, allowing for rapid map traversal. If he has enough Phlogiston, a second swing in mid-air can be performed before he lands.
When used near enemies, Kinich attaches his grappling hook to them and instantly enters the Nightsoul’s Blessing state with zero points. In this state, all normal attacks become Loop Shots, dealing Dendro DMG and generating Nightsoul points for Kinich.
Once the Nightsoul points are maxed out (visible on the Nightsoul bar next to the active character), Kinich can use his Elemental Skill again to aim and unleash a cannon blast at the enemy, inflicting significant Dendro DMG.
Additionally, he has a passive ability that allows enemies affected by Burning or Burgeon to generate extra Nightsoul points while Kinich is in the Nightsoul’s Blessing state, making him an excellent choice for Burning/Burgeon teams.
2) Elemental Burst
Activating Kinich’s Elemental Burst summons the Almighty Dragonlord, K’uhul Ajaw, dealing immediate AoE Dendro DMG. For the next 15 seconds, Ajaw will continue to deal AoE Dendro DMG at set intervals. If Kinich is already in the Nightsoul’s Blessing state when using the Elemental Burst, the duration of this state is extended.
Kinich’s Playstyle and Rotations
Kinich’s damage chiefly derives from the cannon shot of his Elemental Skill performed with max Nightsoul points, so your primary goal should be to regenerate these points efficiently. He starts at zero Nightsoul points upon using his Elemental Burst and can earn them through:
- Two Nightsoul points per second
- Three Nightsoul Points for each normal attack
- Seven Nightsoul Points for attacking enemies under the effects of Burning/Burgeon
Thus, the optimal way to play is to use his Elemental Skill to connect to a nearby enemy, then follow up with normal attacks to generate Nightsoul points. Once the points are maxed (the bar to his left is full), activate the Elemental Skill to fire a cannon shot.
Note that if enemies are affected by Burning/Burgeon, Kinich will regenerate Nightsoul points at an accelerated pace, allowing for more frequent cannon shots. In a Burning/Burgeon team, ensure to trigger these reactions to restore Nightsoul points rapidly.
When Kinich’s energy is full, use his Elemental Burst to summon Ajaw, who inflicts continuous AoE Dendro DMG over the next 15 seconds. Deploy his Elemental Burst while in the Nightsoul Blessing’s state to extend its duration by 1.7 seconds.
Kinich’s Ideal Stats: Artifacts, Main Stats, and Talents
The best artifact set for Kinich is the 4-piece Obsidian Codex. As a DPS unit, this new Natlan artifact set maximizes his damage output. Equip artifacts with the following main stats:
- Sands: ATK%
- Goblet: Dendro DMG Bonus
- Circlet: Crit Rate/Crit DMG
Focus on substats such as ATK% and Elemental Mastery to further enhance his abilities. As a character reliant on ATK scaling, prioritize increasing his overall ATK.
Since Kinich’s Elemental Skill serves as his primary damage source, level up his talents in this order:
Elemental Skill > Elemental Burst > Normal Attack
For more insights, check out these Genshin Impact articles:
Leave a Reply