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Arguably, Genshin Impact built Shenhe with a full Cryo team in mind. She operates best as a Cryo Support since she provides the most amount of buffs to Cryo characters. Her Constellation is the Crista Doloris. From Latin, it roughly translates to Crest of Sorrow.
Genshin Impact: How to Ascend Shenhe | Genshin Impact: How to Build Dehya | Genshin Impact: How to Ascend Kamisato Ayaka
Shenhe’s best Constellation is C2, so you don’t need to completely whale and get her to C6. C2 increases enough of Shenhe’s Support effects that it’s worth stopping there. However, you can also stop at C1 for the additional charge to her Elemental Skill.
C1 – Clarity of Heart
Shenhe’s Elemental Skill gains another charge. This functions like Yelan and Xiao’s Elemental Skills. You’ll see two diamonds on Shenhe’s Skill button, representing the number of times you can use it consecutively. For Shenhe, this means she can apply Icy Quills more frequently, so you can inflict Cryo DMG more often. Keep in mind that pressing and holding Shenhe’s Skill give different results.
C2 – Centered Spirit
Shenhe’s Elemental Burst lasts for 6 more seconds. Without C2, Shenhe’s Burst stays on the field for 12 seconds. So this Constellation boosts her Burst duration by 50%, bringing the total time up to 18 seconds.
Additionally, active characters within the Burst’s field deal 15% more Cryo CRIT DMG. Treat this like the field Ganyu creates during her Burst – keep your active character within Shenhe’s field in order to take advantage of the Cryo CRIT DMG.
C3 – Seclusion
Upon activation, Shenhe’s Elemental Skill – Spring Spirit Summoning – gains 3 levels. Its maximum upgrade level becomes 15.
C4 – Insight
When characters under the effect of Icy Quill, applied by Shenhe’s Elemental Skill, trigger its DMG Bonus effects, Shenhe will gain a Skyfrost Mantra stack. When Shenhe uses her Elemental Skill again, she will consume all Skyfrost Mantra stacks, which increase her Skill’s DMG by 5% for each stack. Shenhe can gain a maximum of 50 stacks. Each stack lasts for 60 seconds.
C4 starts to take Shenhe out of a Support role and into Sub-DPS land, and C6 takes it even further beyond. Shenhe can still be used as a Support at C4 and still has everything that makes her a good Support, but C4 now gives you the option to experiment. However, if you have a character like Kamisato Ayaka or Ganyu, it’s a little redundant to try and build up Shenhe’s DMG. Whatever you do to increase Shenhe’s DMG will probably result in a lower damage output compared to Ayaka or Ganyu.
C5 – Divine Attainment
Upon activation, Shenhe’s Elemental Burst – Divine Maiden’s Deliverance – gains 3 levels. Its maximum upgrade level becomes 15.
C6 – Mystical Abandon
When characters trigger Icy Quill’s effects using Normal and Charged Attack DMG, it does not count toward the Trigger Quota. Basically, this means that Icy Quill can stay in play longer and deal more damage.
This ties in with C1 and C4 well, as all three Constellations focus on enhancing Shenhe’s Elemental Skill. The extra charge means that Icy Quills will be on the field more frequently, and C6 helps extend their duration. However, not many Normal or Charged Attacks deal Cryo DMG. Again, Ayaka or Ganyu would be best here. If you don’t have either of those characters, it may not be worth going this far.
