A tall man with dark hair and amber eyes, working at the "Vanshen" ritual bureau. Zhong Li is calm, composed, and has excellent manners. His knowledge of history and geology adds an additional charm to his character, which is directly related to the plot (let's avoid spoilers). In battle, he uses a spear and relies on the Geo element. Such a set is perfect for support, but other variations are also possible.

Pros and Cons of Zhong Li

Like any other character in Genshin Impact, Zhong Li has strengths and weaknesses. Let's start by considering his advantages:

• Short cooldown on the shield, which ensures almost constant protection;
• His Geo ultimate covers a significant area;
• Enemies hit by the ultimate turn into statues, blocking their movement and inflicting stun;
• One of his skills allows him to extract the Geo element from enemy units, which is particularly useful in certain locations.

The balance is achieved by some drawbacks of the character:

• Normal attacks deal low damage;
• The particles of the used element accumulate at a slow rate;
• Dependency on the placement of Stone Steles;
• When near Stone Steles, the character may accidentally climb on them if the sprint button is pressed.

The last drawback can be nerve-wracking as precious seconds are lost at critical moments.

Active and Passive Abilities

The choice of talent leveling method will determine whether he becomes a support or a damage dealer. For the support role, priority should be given to leveling up the ultimate. If you want him to be a damage dealer, focus on his basic attacks. In either case, the elemental skill will come in handy. It's optimal to level up Planet Befall to at least level 6.

Active Abilities

Zhong Li uses Dominus Lapidis as his main attack. In the normal variant, it consists of 6 consecutive strikes. During charged attacks, the character performs a lunge, creating a rain of copies of his element. As for the plunging attack, Zhong Li, like other polearm users, performs a standard move that deals AoE damage to all enemies within the area of effect.

The skill associated with the used element is Planet Befall. With a short press of the corresponding button, the character can create a Stone Stele. With a long press, the character gains:

• A Stone Stele (if the maximum number hasn't been reached yet);
• A Jade Shield that absorbs damage based on the current HP;
• AoE Geo damage to enemies;
• Extraction of the Geo element from corresponding enemies (limitation: a maximum of 2 targets with this element).

The extraction of the element doesn't deal any damage. There's not much point in using short presses since they don't replenish the shield. Typically, experienced players limit themselves to long presses only.

Summoning Stone Stele allows Zhong Li to deal Geo damage in an area. While the Stele exists on the field, enemies lose health. Additionally, all Geo constructs, if placed at a certain distance, enter resonance and begin to pulsate.

Furthermore, the Stone Stele can provide a tactical advantage as they can be climbed. If placed next to an inaccessible area, the Stele can be used as an improvised ladder or stepping stone. Characters can hide behind it to avoid ranged attacks, which is useful when facing certain bosses and for avoiding damage in certain locations.

There is a limitation on the number of summoned Stone Steles. Initially, Zhong Li can create only one construct. There is also a limit of 3 earth constructs that can be erected (this limitation applies even in co-op mode when multiple characters create constructs simultaneously). However, this limitation doesn't apply to the Geo Traveler's abilities.

For protection, Zhong Li uses the Jade Shield, which reduces the damage taken by the character (both physical and elemental damage). When the ability is activated, it accelerates the reduction of enemies' resistance to all attacks. However, this effect only works at a short range, so you need to be at the right distance from the enemies. Similar effects do not stack.

His ultimate ability is Planet Befall. The character summons a massive meteorite that deals significant elemental damage to opponents. The splash damage is accompanied by a stun effect, which is very useful in most situations. Enemies affected by "Petrification" status cannot attack or move.

Passive Abilities

First and foremost, there is the passive ability called Rock-Paper-Scissors. When the shield is active, all damage Zhong Li takes increases his protection. In other words, when taking damage, the character gains an additional 5% defense. This ability has progression. The maximum reinforcement is 25%, which lasts as long as the Jade Shield is active.

The talent Dominance of Earth is directly related to the character's HP. In this case, normal, charged, and plunging attacks deal 1.39% more damage based on the maximum amount of health. For damage from the Stele, Resonance, and a long press, the percentage is increased to 1.9% (also calculated based on maximum HP). Planet Befall deals 33% more damage (calculated based on maximum HP).

Another passive talent is Stone, the Cradle of Jade. The character receives a kind of cashback in the form of 15% of the ore spent on forging polearm weapons. Its usefulness is questionable.

Most Useful Constellations

This section will be interesting to those who plan to invest real money in the game. The first two constellations (The Enduring Rock and Jade, Shimmering through Darkness) are noteworthy. Increasing the number of Stone Steles plays a crucial role in battles as they enter resonance, which increases the chance of creating elemental particles. As for the second constellation, it is vital for those who constantly forget to refresh the Jade Shield. When the ultimate is activated, the shield is automatically applied to all party members.

The activation of the sixth constellation (Topaz, Unbreakable and Fearless) will be the most pleasant bonus, but it requires a lot of effort to obtain. The character can regenerate HP when taking damage. With the Jade Shield active, 40% of the damage is converted into HP. It would be the ultimate overpowered ability if not for the limitation: a maximum of 8% HP regeneration per instance.

Best Weapons for Zhong Li

Since there are two development paths for the character, the weapons will differ in terms of usefulness. Let's start by considering the option of being a damage dealer.

Weapons for Damage Dealer

If the focus is on basic attacks, the best weapon would be Crescent Pike. It can be crafted for free. It stands out for its pleasant passive bonus and physical damage. If elemental particles have been collected, this weapon provides a significant increase in damage for normal and charged attacks for 5 seconds (increases damage up to 40%).

There are many fan art illustrations where Zhong Li is depicted with the Vortex Vanquisher. However, acquiring the polearm in the actual game world is quite difficult. Its usefulness cannot be overstated, as it increases the strength of the shield up to 40%. When taking damage, the attack's power automatically increases by a maximum of 8% (duration: 8 seconds). The effect can stack up to 5 times (maximum 1 stack increase every 0.3 seconds). To obtain the maximum attack power bonus, you can only do so while under the protection of the shield.

The beautiful golden polearm Staff of Homa increases both critical damage and maximum HP. When combined with the basic talent, you can expect even greater damage. The strength of the attack depends on the character's HP level (bonus damage based on maximum HP and increased damage when HP falls below 50%). This bonus is quite specific since intentionally lowering HP below the required threshold is risky in later stages of the game (it requires playing without a shield for a certain amount of time). However, it cannot be denied that the Staff of Homa is one of the best weapons for Zhong Li.

When purchasing a Battle Pass, players will be able to obtain Deadly Battle, the main advantage of which is an increased chance of critical hits and attack power if the character is surrounded by a certain number of enemies. The weapon is the best spear in the entire purple segment, provided that it deals a lion's share of damage with skills.

Another interesting option is the Stone Spear, especially if most of the characters in the team are from the Liyue Kingdom. The key is the increase in attack power and chances of landing a critical hit (7-11% and 3-7% respectively) for each character when the aforementioned condition is met. It is worth noting that Zhongli himself is from Liyue.

Support Weapons

Blue weapons are usually only used in the early and mid stages of the game. However, Zhongli can effectively operate with a three-star Black Tassel in his arsenal. The significant increase in maximum health (the maximum bonus can provide almost 50% more HP) is the key factor.

Since Zhongli's support build involves using his elemental burst frequently, the choice of weapon depends on the current need for energy regeneration. If there is a constant shortage, it is recommended to use the Favonius Lance, which significantly increases energy recharge rate (up to 30%). An additional advantage is the ability to generate more elemental particles with critical hits.

You can also craft the Prototype Starglitter yourself, which also helps in faster energy regeneration (up to 45.9%). The additional passive ability of the weapon is practically useless for a support role, as it increases damage from normal or charged attacks under certain conditions.

Another decent option is the Jade Winged-Spear. The weapon stands out with a good base damage stat. It also provides a bonus that increases the critical hit rate against enemies and adds damage to skills. As for the passive bonus, it is absolutely useless for a support role.

For characters who have no issues with energy regeneration, there is an opportunity to use weapons suitable for damage dealers (Deadly Battle, Staff of Homa).

Artifacts for Damage Dealers and Supports

The options for artifact sets differ significantly depending on the desired playstyle. For damage dealers, critical damage, critical hit chance, and percentage of attack are important (in that order). For supports, the first two priorities are the same, while the third is split between percentage of attack and percentage of HP. Energy recharge rate comes next.

Artifacts for Damage Dealers

To achieve the best balance, it is better to combine pieces from the Bloodstained Chivalry and Gladiator's Finale sets (2 pieces each). This way, you can achieve optimal bonuses to physical damage and attack power (25% and 18% respectively). Variations are also possible if you have pieces from the Pale Flame set, which will further increase physical damage by a quarter.

It is permissible to use the entire set of Bolide, which will increase shield strength (35%) plus damage from normal and charged attacks (40%) when the shield is active. When choosing the goblet, only the bonus to physical damage is important. The hourglass should provide a bonus to attack power. The headpiece, in turn, is responsible for critical damage and critical chance (optimal ratio is 1:2).

Artifacts for Support

The best choices for increasing skill damage are the Archaic Petra and Noblesse Oblige sets (2+2 pieces from each set). The combination of increased Geo damage and damage from the burst ability will yield the best results. Variations are possible by replacing some pieces with parts of the Retracing Bolide set, which will increase shield strength and therefore the damage of the special ability.

Another good option is to use almost the entire Retracing Bolide set. The developers added it with the intention that Zhongli would specifically use it. This variation will increase the attack power and shield strength of all characters in the party through the support elemental skill. The duration is only 3 seconds, but continuous use of the elemental skill extends the effect. The viability of this strategy is due to the fact that the set owner may not even be on the battlefield, as the Stone Steles will refresh the effect themselves.

When choosing artifacts for support, the gear of other party members plays a significant role. If no character in the party has a complete Noblesse Oblige set, it can be equipped on Zhongli. The four-piece bonus provides a 20% attack increase for the entire group as soon as the burst is used.

Pieces from the Archaic Petra set can be used to increase elemental damage. The effect will be applied to all party members under certain conditions. In this equipment setup, it is important to always be attentive, as the bonus is only applied to 1 element. And only Zhongli should collect the shard.

For the goblet slot, it is important to use something that increases Geo damage or increases the percentage of HP. The hourglass should increase attack power, percentage of HP, or recharge energy (only in extreme cases when there is a catastrophic shortage of energy for spamming the burst). The headpiece, similar to the setup for damage dealers, should provide critical damage and critical chance (optimal ratio is 1:2). Variations are possible for increasing maximum HP. In the early game, all artifacts that increase health will be suitable in order to have a powerful shield.

Choosing Companions

One of Zhongli's main advantages is the ability to add him to any team. In doing so, he is always useful, as reducing any resistance by 20% is not something to be overlooked (only when the Jade Shield is active). The character's usefulness is evident even without taking into account the bonuses from full artifact sets that provide damage boosts to the entire party.

If you're assembling a team for Zhongli, Geo resonance plays an important role, providing the group with an additional 15% shield strength and damage dealt. And of course, don't forget about reducing Geo resistance when dealing damage.

There is an unwritten rule that it is not recommended to use more than two Geo characters in a team. However, the combination of Albedo, Ningguang, and Geo Traveler will provide the highest number of Geo constructs, which will accelerate energy accumulation for the burst. An additional bonus will be an increase in the group's damage. For example, Ningguang will increase Geo damage with one of her abilities. Other characters will focus on improving their elemental skills and critical chance.

When using Zhongli as a damage dealer, you can add Keqing, Fischl, and Lisa to the team, as they can create the Superconduct reaction (pairing with Cryo is important). This significantly reduces the physical resistance of the targets (40%). The character needs to apply the corresponding effect to the enemies and then retreat. This tactic is also well-suited for Diona and Kaeya.

The combination of Zhongli and Xiao allows Xiao to deal primary damage while using shields for protection. The passive effect that lowers the resistance of all enemies is of particular importance. This character combination is highly advantageous, as no existing set can reduce Anemo damage like Zhongli does, significantly increasing overall damage.

A popular combination of characters is Diluc, Xinyan, and any character with the element of Earth. Of course, the list of playable options is not limited to this, as hybrid builds are also possible. If you want to create a unique combination, constant experimentation and testing of new synergies is required.