Zhongli, the Geo Archon, is one of the most unique and powerful characters in the world of Teyvat. Whether you run him as a main DPS, a steadfast shield bot, or a potent Sub-DPS, optimizing his build is crucial to unlocking his full potential. And what’s the key to unlocking potential in Genshin Impact? Artifacts, of course!
Choosing the right set and sub-stats can be the difference between a shield that breaks in one hit and one that lets you face-tank Azhdaha without breaking a sweat. This in-depth Genshin Guide will break down the absolute best artifact sets for Zhongli, catering to every playstyle you might prefer.
Understanding Zhongli’s Scaling: Why Artifact Choices Matter
Before diving into the sets, it’s essential to understand what Zhongli primarily scales off of. His power is split across three main components:
- The Shield (Dominus Laresi): This scales entirely off his maximum HP. More HP equals a stronger shield.
- Elemental Burst (Planet Befall): This scales primarily off his ATK, but if you have high HP, the burst gains significant base damage too.
- Elemental Skill (Jade Reign): The pulsing damage scales with ATK, but the primary function—the shield—scales with HP.
This dual scaling (HP for defense, ATK/HP for offense) makes artifact selection flexible but requires careful consideration based on your team composition.
The Best Artifact Sets for Zhongli (Shield Focus)
If your primary goal is to make Zhongli’s shield unbreakable, then maximizing his HP is your priority. This build is perfect for players who want a comfortable exploration experience or need maximum survivability in Abyss runs.
- Tenacity of the Millelith (4-Piece) – The Unofficial Signature Set
This set is almost tailor-made for the supportive Zhongli build.
Set Bonuses:
2-Piece: Increases HP by 20%. (Directly buffs the shield!) 4-Piece: After hitting an opponent with an Elemental Skill, the ATK of all nearby party members is increased by 20% and the Shield Strength of characters nearby is increased by 30% for 3 seconds. This effect can be triggered every 3.5 seconds.
Why it’s great:
The combination of a 20% HP boost and a 30% Shield Strength boost (which further enhances your base HP scaling) makes this arguably the strongest defensive choice. Furthermore, the 20% ATK buff for the team when his skill hits provides fantastic passive support without requiring him to be on-field much.
Recommended Stats for Shield Bot Zhongli:
Sands: HP% (Over ATK%) Goblet: HP% (Over Geo DMG Bonus) Circlet: HP% or Healing Bonus (if using a healing-focused team, but HP% is usually safer)
- Bolide Artifacts (4-Piece – Archaic Petra Substitute)
While less common now due to Tenacity, the Noblesse Oblige and Archaic Petra sets used to be the go-to. Archaic Petra used to be the standard for Geo Resonance teams, but its reliance on picking up the crystal mechanic makes Tenacity generally superior for sustained support.
If you are running a Geo-Main DPS Zhongli (which we will discuss later), the Retracing Bolide set can offer utility, but generally, the focus should remain on Tenacity for pure shielding.
The Best Artifact Sets for Zhongli (Sub-DPS/Burst Focus)
If you want Zhongli to drop massive Meteor damage while still maintaining a very sturdy shield, you need to balance HP with ATK and Crit stats.
- Noblesse Oblige (4-Piece) – Burst Powerhouse Support
This classic set is fantastic for any character whose Elemental Burst is a core part of their rotation, and Zhongli’s 40 Energy Burst certainly qualifies.
Set Bonuses:
2-Piece: Increases Elemental Burst DMG by 10%. 4-Piece: Using an Elemental Burst increases the ATK of all party members by 20% for 12 seconds. This effect cannot stack.
Why it’s great:
It boosts the damage of his Meteor (Burst) and provides an ATK buff to the entire team, making it a superb rotational support option. Because the Burst scales significantly with ATK, this set pairs well if you build him with ATK main stats on the Sands.
Caveat: If you already have another burst DPS running Noblesse (like Bennett or Xingqiu), stacking this set might be redundant.
- Emblem of Severed Fate (4-Piece) – The Energy Solution
If you struggle to get Zhongli’s Burst off cooldown consistently (especially at C0), Emblem is an excellent solution that also boosts his Burst damage significantly.
Set Bonuses:
2-Piece: Energy Recharge +20%. 4-Piece: Increases Elemental Burst DMG by 25% of Energy Recharge. (Max increase is 75%).
Why it’s great:
Zhongli benefits immensely from high Energy Recharge (ER) because it gets his huge Meteor back faster. The 4-piece bonus turns that necessary ER into direct Burst damage, effectively compensating for the lack of raw ATK or Crit stats found in other sets.
Recommended Stats for Burst Zhongli:
Sands: ATK% or Energy Recharge (If ER is below 180-200%) Goblet: Geo DMG Bonus (If focusing on sustained Geo damage from his Skill pulses) or ATK% Circlet: Crit Rate or Crit DMG
The Artifact Sets for Main DPS Zhongli (The Unorthodox Path)
While most players opt for support roles, some dedicated players love using Zhongli as an on-field Geo damage dealer, often utilizing Geo Resonance with a secondary Geo unit (like Albedo or Itto).
- Husk of Opulent Dreams (4-Piece) – Geo Specialist
If you are determined to make Zhongli a dedicated on-field Geo damage dealer, this is the uncontested best choice, as it maximizes his Geo damage output.
Set Bonuses:
2-Piece: Geo DMG Bonus +15%. 4-Piece: Grants the Wondrous Light stack whenever an Elemental Skill hits an opponent, or when off-field. Each stack lasts 6 seconds and can stack up to 4 times. Each stack grants 6% DEF and 6% Geo DMG Bonus. (At 4 stacks, gains an additional 24% DEF and 24% Geo DMG Bonus).
Why it’s great:
This set massively boosts both his DEF (which translates indirectly to shield strength if you are using a hybrid build) and his Geo damage output from his pulsing skill.
Crucial Note: To maximize this set, Zhongli must use his Elemental Skill frequently to maintain the stacks. This means more time on-field tapping his skill.
Recommended Stats for Main DPS Zhongli:
Sands: ATK% Goblet: Geo DMG Bonus Circlet: Crit Rate or Crit DMG
Mixing and Matching: The 2/2 Split
If you can’t farm a perfect 4-piece set or want to hit specific stat breakpoints, a 2-piece combination can be highly effective, especially for transitional builds.
- Tenacity of the Millelith (2pc) + Emblem of Severed Fate (2pc)
Benefit: +20% HP (Shield) + 20% Energy Recharge (Burst uptime). Use Case: Excellent for players who are slightly lacking in HP or ER but want a balanced approach that favors shielding slightly more than pure Emblem.
- Tenacity of the Millelith (2pc) + Husk of Opulent Dreams (2pc)
Benefit: +20% HP (Shield) + 15% Geo DMG Bonus (Damage). * Use Case: Perfect for a hybrid build where you want a very strong shield but still need a decent boost to the damage output of your skill pulses.
The Critical Artifact Sub-Stats Breakdown
No matter which 4-piece set you choose, the main stats on your timepiece, goblet, and circlet are vital. The sub-stats you hunt for are even more critical.
Priority Sub-Stats (General Order)
- Crit Rate / Crit DMG: Always aim for a 1:2 ratio. For DPS Zhongli, these are king. For support builds, they are secondary to HP/ER.
- HP%: Essential for Shield-Bot builds. Even for DPS builds, an HP% sub-stat is highly valuable as it boosts both shield strength and burst damage slightly.
- Energy Recharge (ER): Aim for at least 130% ER for comfortable rotations, but Shield-Bots can often get away with less (around 110%) if they are running a strong battery. Burst-focused Zhongli should aim for 160%+ ER.
- DEF%: Only truly valuable if you are running the Husk of Opulent Dreams set as a Main DPS. Otherwise, it’s the lowest priority.
What to Avoid: Flat Stats
Avoid Flat ATK and Flat DEF substats almost universally. Because Zhongli’s main scaling (for support) is based on percentages (HP%), flat substats provide minimal benefit compared to their percentage counterparts.
Final Artifact Recommendations Based on Playstyle
To summarize this comprehensive Genshin Guide into actionable advice:
| Playstyle | Best 4-Piece Set | Main Stats (Sands/Goblet/Circlet) | Key Sub-Stat Priority | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Unbreakable Shield Bot | Tenacity of the Millelith | HP% / HP% / HP% | ER, Crit Rate/DMG | | Sub-DPS/Burst Support | Noblesse Oblige OR Emblem of Severed Fate | ATK% / Geo DMG / Crit | ER (High Priority), Crit | | On-Field Geo DPS | Husk of Opulent Dreams | ATK% / Geo DMG / Crit | Crit, DEF%, ER |
Zhongli is incredibly forgiving, meaning even if your artifact rolls aren't perfect, he will likely still perform well due to his inherent Geo application and team utility. However, by focusing on the synergy between the chosen set and your desired role—whether it’s the Tenacity shield fortress or the Husk damage dealer—you can truly elevate the Geo Archon to godly status! Good luck farming, Travelers! Home page: https://genshin.guide/