As the long-awaited 5-Star Yoimiya approaches with the upcoming second half of Genshin Impact’s 2.0 update, many players are likely to pull on her banner. Besides Yanfei and Ningguang, Yoimiya’s banner will also feature the game’s first 4-Star from Inazuma: Sayu.
Sayu is an Anemo Clayore user whose abilities suggest she’ll be a solid support unit. For players looking to build a new support character, the adorable ninja of the Shiyuumatsu-Ban seems like she’ll be a great option for those who pull her. Sayu’s abilities focus on a balance between dealing Anemo damage and healing the party. Here are all of her abilities (as she hasn’t been officially released, it’s possible these are subject to slight change), and how they work:
How to Build Sayu in Genshin Impact
Normal Attack: Shuumatsuban Ninja Blade
- Sayu performs up to 4 consecutive strikes. When charged, she performs a continuous spinning attack against all nearby opponents.
Elemental Skill: Yoohoo Art: Fuuin Dash
- Sayu enters a windwheel state, rolling forward (dealing Anemo DMG to any enemies hit) a short distance, before using a whirlwind kick that deals AoE Anemo DMG. When held, Sayu rolls continuously in this form, has increased resistance to interruption, and can trigger Elemental Absorption.
Elemental Burst: Yoohoo Art: Mujina Flurry
- Sayu deals Anemo DMG to nearby opponents and heals all party members, then summons a Daruma. If the HP of nearby characters is above 70%, the Daruma will attack a nearby opponent, dealing Anemo DMG. If there are active characters with 70% or less HP, it will heal the character with the lowest HP%. If there are no more enemies, the Daruma will heal nearby characters regardless of HP.
Since players are likely to use Sayu as a support for her ultimate ability rather than as a standard on-field damage dealer, players should focus on leveling her Elemental Burst first. Next would be her Elemental Skill, and then finally her Normal Attack.
For artifacts, players currently believe a 4-Piece Viridescent Venerer Set will work best on her. This set increases Anemo DMG by 15%, and increases Swirl DMG by 60%, along with reducing enemies' resistance to Swirl by 40%. Sayu’s abilities focus on dealing Anemo DMG, and the healing in her ultimate increases based on her ATK, so her artifacts focus more on damage than most support units in the game. For Main Stats, players should use an ATK% Hourglass, Anemo DMG Bonus or ATK% Cup, and ATK% Hat. This focus on ATK will allow players to maximize Sayu’s healing potential, as well as provide a nice damage boost for when she’s on the field.
For her sub-stats, it’s important to remember that Swirl reactions can’t crit, so players may want to focus less on Crit Rate and Crit DMG than most other units (although these sub-stats will still provide a nice boost for Sayu’s normal Anemo and physical DMG). ATK% bonus is great for that increased healing, and Energy Recharge is great for getting Sayu’s Burst back faster. Elemental Mastery will also help increase any Swirl damage Sayu deals.
For weapons, Sayu’s best-in-slot claymore is believed to be the Skyward Pride. This 5-Star increases all DMG dealt by 8%, and creates a vacuum blade that does 80% of ATK as DMG to nearby opponents. In addition, the weapon’s additional stat is Energy Recharge, making it a great support Claymore. For players without this weapon, the Prototype Archaic is a craftable weapon with an ATK% additional stat, further increasing Sayu’s healing potential. Players can also use a Favonius Greatsword, which provides Energy Recharge like the Skyward Pride.
As an Anemo healer and damage dealer, Sayu is likely to work well in a variety of team compositions. As she hasn’t officially been released yet, it’s up to players who pull her to test her out and see which situations she works best in.
Genshin Impact is available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Mobile.