Introduction: The Icy Grip of Control



Welcome, fellow Travelers, to the realm of ultimate crowd control in Teyvat! If you’ve ever been overwhelmed by a swarm of Hilichurls or found yourself constantly dodging relentless enemy attacks, it’s time to introduce yourself to the Freeze team composition in Genshin Impact. This strategy isn't just about dealing damage; it’s about absolute battlefield domination. By locking enemies in place with the elemental reaction Freeze (Hydro + Cryo), you create pockets of vulnerability, turning chaotic fights into strategic masterclasses.



This comprehensive Genshin Guide will dive deep into everything you need to know about building, optimizing, and mastering your Freeze team, from core mechanics to character synergy and artifact choices. Get ready to make your enemies wish they’d stayed home!



Understanding the Freeze Reaction: More Than Just Stun Locks



Before we assemble our frosty phalanx, we must understand the bedrock of this team: the Freeze reaction.



How Freeze Works



Freeze is triggered when a Hydro status is applied to an enemy already affected by Cryo, or vice versa. The resulting state immobilizes the enemy, preventing them from moving, attacking, or using certain abilities.



Crucially, Freeze does not deal damage directly. Its power lies in the setup it provides for massive damage amplification from your main DPS.



The Limitations: Shatter and Immunity



1. Shatter: If you hit a Frozen enemy with a heavy Claymore attack or an Anemo skill that causes Swirl, the Freeze status is instantly broken, resulting in the Shatter reaction. While Shatter deals decent damage, it disrupts the Freeze lock, so careful execution is key.

2. Bosses and Immunity: Most major bosses (like the Stormterror or Azhdaha) and certain highly-resistant enemies (like Cryo Slimes or enemies already afflicted with Freeze by an environmental hazard) cannot be Frozen. Freeze teams excel against groups of non-boss enemies.



The Core Components of a Successful Freeze Team



A balanced Freeze team typically requires four key roles to function optimally: the Primary Cryo Applicator, the Hydro Applicator, the Main DPS (Cryo or Anemo), and the Support/Utility slot.



1. The Hydro Enabler (The Water Source)



You need reliable, consistent Hydro application to maintain the Freeze status. This often means having Hydro on the field or applying it off-field.



Mona: A top-tier choice. Her Elemental Skill (Mirror Reflection) applies consistent Hydro aura off-field. Her Burst provides a massive damage buff when Shatter is involved or used just before the main DPS attacks.

Kokomi (Sangonomiya Kokomi): The queen of Hydro application and healing. Her Bake-Kurage (Elemental Skill) maintains persistent Hydro application while providing excellent AoE healing, which is crucial since Freeze teams often lack dedicated shielders.

Barbara: A solid budget option. Her Elemental Skill applies Hydro constantly but also inflicts the player with Wet status, which can sometimes interfere with other reactions if not managed.

Ayato/Childe (As Main DPS/Enablers): While typically used as on-field damage dealers, their Hydro application during their Burst or Skill phases can set up the Freeze instantly.



2. The Cryo Driver (The Icy Touch)



You need consistent Cryo application to react with the Hydro. This character often doubles as the main damage dealer or the primary utility provider.



Ganyu (Cryo DPS/Enabler): Her Charged Shots are phenomenal for triggering Freeze consistently over a wide area. She can also provide valuable off-field Cryo via her Burst.

Kaeya: Excellent for energy generation and consistent off-field Cryo application with his Burst. His low energy cost makes him very accessible.

Rosaria: Provides Cryo application and a crucial team CRIT Rate buff for the entire party when her constellations are unlocked.

Qiqi: Primarily a healer, but her rapid normal attacks can apply Cryo quickly if she is on-field.



3. The Anemo Crowd Controller (The Vortex)



This slot is non-negotiable for superior Freeze teams. Anemo characters are essential for grouping enemies together and spreading the elements.



Venti: The undisputed king of grouping small to medium-sized enemies. His Burst sucks everything into one spot, allowing multiple instances of Freeze to occur simultaneously.

Kazuha (Kaedehara Kazuha): Provides excellent grouping, elemental damage buffs (via Ascension Talents), and the ability to Swirl Cryo or Hydro for rapid application. He offers slightly better AoE than Venti for larger/heavier targets.

Sucrose: A fantastic alternative. She groups enemies, provides EM sharing, and her fast skill/burst casts can rapidly apply the necessary elements.



The Role of Viridescent Venerer (VV Shred): When the Anemo character Swirls Cryo or Hydro, they can utilize the 4-piece Viridescent Venerer set, which shreds the corresponding element resistance (Cryo or Hydro) of the affected enemies, leading to massive damage increases for your DPS.



4. The Utility/Buffer Slot (The Final Polish)



This slot fills in the gaps: healing, shielding, energy regeneration, or significant damage buffs.



Shenhe: If you are running a Cryo DPS like Ganyu or Ayaka, Shenhe offers monumental Cryo DMG bonuses and scaling support.

Diona: Provides a necessary shield, healing, and a small amount of Cryo application/energy regeneration. A great defensive choice.

Zhongli: While his shield doesn't directly buff Freeze, it provides unparalleled interruption resistance, ensuring your DPS can maintain their attack sequences without being knocked back.



Archetypal Freeze Team Setups



The general template is: Hydro Enabler + Cryo Applicator/DPS + Anemo CC + Utility/Buffer. Here are the most popular and effective variations:



Team A: The Classic Permafreeze (Ganyu/Ayaka Focus)



This team aims for 100% uptime on the Freeze reaction against groups of enemies.



DPS: Ganyu or Ayaka (the primary damage dealer)

Hydro: Kokomi or Mona (consistent off-field Hydro)

Anemo: Kazuha or Venti (grouping and VV Shred)

Utility: Shenhe (if using Ayaka/Ganyu) or Diona (for shield/heal)



Rotation Example (Ayaka Focus):

1. Kokomi Skill/Burst (Apply Hydro)

2. Kazuha Skill/Burst (Swirl Cryo/Hydro, VV Shred)

3. Shenhe Skill/Burst (Cryo Buffs)

4. Ayaka Burst/Skill (Massive Freeze-enabled damage)



Team B: The Riptide Freeze (Mona/Kokomi Focus)



This setup often uses characters who benefit from the downtime of Freeze or who can provide high base damage during the freeze window.



DPS: Freeze-focused Ganyu or a Hydro DPS like Ayato (who can benefit from Hydro Resonance).

Hydro: Mona (Burst for massive setup damage).

Anemo: Sucrose or Venti.

Utility: Zhongli (for shield and resistance shred).



Why this works: Mona’s Burst (Celestial Illumination) synergizes incredibly well. When the enemy is Frozen, you can shatter the freeze with a strong hit (like Ganyu’s final charged shot or Ayato’s Burst combo) to trigger the massive damage multiplier on Mona’s Burst, followed immediately by reapplying Hydro to re-Freeze.



Team C: The Budget-Friendly Freeze



You don't need 5-star characters to achieve significant control.



DPS: Kaeya or Lisa (if running triple Cryo/Hydro)

Hydro: Barbara or Xingqiu (Xingqiu requires careful management to avoid prioritizing Vaporize over Freeze)

Anemo: Sucrose (easily obtainable via events/standard banner)

Utility: Diona (if obtained) or Layla (for cheap shields).



Genshin Guide Tip: For budget teams, focus heavily on Energy Recharge for your Hydro and Cryo applicators so you can constantly refresh their skills and bursts to maintain the elemental aura overlap.



Artifact Sets and Stat Priorities



The effectiveness of your Freeze team hinges on maximizing uptime, minimizing downtime, and ensuring your main damage dealer hits hard during the immobilized window.



1. Main DPS (Ganyu/Ayaka) Artifacts



Blizzard Strayer (4-Piece): The undisputed best set for Freeze DPS. It grants a massive boost to CRIT Rate when attacking enemies affected by Cryo or Frozen, allowing you to stack Crit DMG substats instead of focusing heavily on Crit Rate.

Stats Priority: Crit DMG > Crit Rate (up to 40% base, as Blizzard Strayer provides the rest) > ATK% > Energy Recharge (if needed).



2. Anemo CC (Kazuha/Venti/Sucrose) Artifacts



Viridescent Venerer (4-Piece): Mandatory. This set shreds the Cryo resistance of enemies afflicted by Cryo Swirl, which is the core of your team’s damage amplification.

Stats Priority: EM (Elemental Mastery) > Energy Recharge (if needed) > ATK%. Focus on getting EM on all pieces if possible.



3. Hydro Enablers (Kokomi/Mona) Artifacts



The focus here is less on raw damage and more on enabling the DPS and keeping the rotation smooth.



Tenacity of the Millelith (4-Piece): Excellent for support characters like Kokomi or Mona, boosting the ATK of the entire team when their Skill hits an enemy.

Ocean-Hued Clam (4-Piece): Great on Kokomi for passive healing-based damage, allowing her to contribute offensively while healing.

Stats Priority: Energy Recharge > HP% (for survivability and scaling) > Healing Bonus (if applicable).



Weapons and Constellations: Pushing the Limits



While good rotations can carry you far, optimized gear makes a world of difference.



Weapon Synergy



1. Cryo DPS:

Ayaka: Mistsplitter Reforged (Best) or the craftable Amenoma Kageuchi (excellent for Burst uptime).

Ganyu: Amos' Bow (Best) or Prototype Crescent (F2P option, synergizes well with enemies locked in place).

2. Hydro Enablers:

Mona: Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers (massive ATK buff for the next DPS) or Prototype Amber (for self-sustain).

Kokomi: Everlasting Moonglow (best) or Thrilling Tales/Prototype Amber.

3. Anemo Support:

Kazuha: Freedom-Sworn or Iron Sting (high EM weapons).

Venti: Elegy for the End or Sacrificial Bow (for extra Skill casts).



Constellation Importance in Freeze Teams



Freeze teams are generally more flexible regarding constellations than Melt or Vaporize teams, but certain C-levels are powerful:



Ganyu C1: The reduced charge time on her arrows significantly increases her application rate, making Freeze more reliable.

Ayaka C1: Further enhances her damage output, speeding up the kill time during the Freeze window.

Diona C1/C6: C1 helps with energy, and C6 provides a valuable EM buff after her shield triggers, boosting the Anemo character’s Swirl damage.



Advanced Tactics: Mastering the Flow



Permafreeze isn't just about skill spam; it’s about sequencing.



1. Maintaining Hydro Aura vs. Cryo Aura



The core challenge is managing which element is applied last. If your Hydro application is too heavy, you might apply Hydro status to an enemy already Cryo’d, but if you apply Cryo over a sustained Hydro aura, you maintain the Freeze.



Rule of Thumb: If using a short Hydro application (like Mona’s burst window), ensure your DPS applies the final element to trigger the reaction. If using continuous Hydro (like Kokomi’s jellyfish), your Anemo support can often trigger the Swirls, refreshing the Freeze state.



2. Interrupt Resistance and Shielding



Freeze prevents movement, but it does not prevent stagger from heavy attacks or when the Freeze status breaks. If enemies are frozen for too long, their internal timers might allow them to resist the next application briefly.



Always prioritize a defensive utility slot (Zhongli or Diona) if your main DPS requires uninterrupted casting time (like Ayaka’s Burst animation).



3. Dealing with High-HP/Bosses



When facing enemies immune to Freeze, the team composition shifts slightly:



Anemo Focus: Maximize the VV shred on the element your DPS uses (usually Cryo).

Utility Shift: Replace the Hydro enabler with a strong dedicated buffer or secondary DPS (e.g., replacing Kokomi with Shenhe or even an off-field Pyro unit for Vaporize setups if the primary DPS supports it).

* Genshin Guide Insight: Even against bosses, the Cryo application from Freeze teams is excellent for setting up Cryo Resonance (+15% CRIT Rate against enemies affected by Cryo), which is still beneficial even if the Freeze itself breaks.



Conclusion: The Reign of Ice and Water



The Freeze team composition remains one of the most satisfying and dominant strategies in Genshin Impact. It rewards players who prioritize good energy management, smooth rotations, and strategic grouping. By carefully selecting your Hydro, Cryo, and Anemo components, stacking the right artifacts (hello, Blizzard Strayer!), and mastering the timing of your bursts, you can create an unassailable fortress of ice where your enemies stand helpless. Go forth, Traveler, and enjoy the satisfying sound of absolute control!

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