Zhongli, the Geo Archon of Liyue, is one of the most beloved and powerful 5-Star characters in Genshin Impact. Wielding a polearm and the power of Geo, he’s known for his nearly unbreakable shields, elegant combat animations, and his ability to petrify enemies. Whether you want him as a main DPS, burst support, or the ultimate shielder, Zhongli’s versatility makes him a top-tier character even years after his debut.
Zhongli Overview
- Element: Geo
- Weapon Type: Polearm
- Rarity: ★★★★★
- Best Role: Shield Support / Sub-DPS
- Constellation: Lapis Dei
- Birthday: December 31
- Affiliation: Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
Zhongli’s kit revolves around his Jade Shield, which offers unmatched durability and a universal resistance reduction, allowing any team to deal more damage. Combined with his powerful Elemental Burst, Zhongli brings both protection and control to any composition.
Zhongli Talents and Playstyle
Normal Attack – Rain of Stone
Performs up to six polearm strikes.
- Charged Attack: Consumes stamina to lunge forward, creating a line of Geo damage.
- Plunge Attack: Strikes the ground, causing AoE Geo damage.
Elemental Skill – Dominus Lapidis
This ability defines Zhongli’s role as a shielder and support.
- Press: Summons a Stone Stele that deals AoE Geo damage and resonates with nearby Geo constructs.
- Hold: Creates a Jade Shield that scales with Zhongli’s Max HP, reduces nearby enemies’ Physical and Elemental RES by 20%, and deals Geo damage.
Tip: The Jade Shield scales entirely with HP — the more HP you build, the stronger the shield becomes.
Elemental Burst – Planet Befall
Zhongli summons a massive meteor that deals heavy Geo damage and petrifies enemies, immobilizing them for a short duration. It’s excellent for crowd control and setting up team combos.
Passive Talents
- Resonant Waves: Each time the Jade Shield takes damage, it strengthens by 5%, stacking up to 5 times.
- Dominance of Earth: Increases damage of normal, charged, and burst attacks based on Max HP.
- Arcanum of Crystal: Refunds 15% of ores when crafting polearms.
Talent Upgrade Priority
Depending on your build, prioritize talents differently:
Support Build
- Elemental Skill (Shield Strength)
- Elemental Burst (Crowd Control)
- Normal Attack
Sub-DPS Build
- Elemental Burst
- Elemental Skill
- Normal Attack
Zhongli Talent Materials
To fully level one talent, you’ll need the following materials:
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Teachings / Guide / Philosophies of Gold | 3 / 21 / 38 |
| Slime Condensate / Secretions / Concentrate | 6 / 22 / 31 |
| Tusk of Monoceros Caeli (Childe Weekly Boss) | 6 |
| Crown of Insight | 1 |
| Mora | 1,652,500 |
Upgrading all three talents requires 4.95 million Mora and three times the above materials.
Zhongli Ascension Materials
To raise Zhongli to Level 90, you’ll need the following:
| Material | Total Quantity |
|---|---|
| Prithiva Topaz (Silver/Fragment/Chunk/Gemstone) | 1 / 9 / 9 / 6 |
| Basalt Pillar (from Geo Hypostasis) | 46 |
| Cor Lapis | 168 |
| Slime Condensate / Secretions / Concentrate | 18 / 30 / 36 |
| Mora | 420,000 |
Cor Lapis is found abundantly in Liyue’s mountains, especially near Mt. Hulao and Qingce Village.
Zhongli Constellations – Lapis Dei
Each constellation enhances his shield or utility further:
| Constellation | Effect |
|---|---|
| C1: Rock, the Backbone of Earth | Allows two Stone Steles to exist simultaneously. |
| C2: Stone, the Cradle of Jade | Planet Befall grants a Jade Shield to nearby allies. |
| C3: Jade, Shimmering through Darkness | Increases Dominus Lapidis level by 3. |
| C4: Topaz, Unbreakable and Fearless | Expands Burst AoE by 20% and petrification duration by 2s. |
| C5: Lazuli, Herald of the Order | Increases Planet Befall level by 3. |
| C6: Chrysos, Bounty of Dominator | 40% of shield damage converts into healing for the active character. |
Best Constellations: C2 and C4 provide the most value — they improve comfort and crowd control.
Best Zhongli Builds
1. Shield Support Build (Recommended for Most Players)
- Weapon: Black Tassel ★★★ (HP%) or Rightful Reward ★★★★
- Artifacts: 4-Piece Tenacity of the Millelith
- Main Stats: HP% (Sands, Goblet, Circlet)
- Sub-Stats: HP% → Energy Recharge → ATK%
Tenacity’s HP bonus increases shield durability and boosts team ATK when Zhongli’s skill hits enemies. Black Tassel is a great low-rarity option, providing high HP% scaling.
2. Burst Support / Sub-DPS Build
- Weapon: Staff of Homa ★★★★★ / The Catch ★★★★
- Artifacts: 2-Piece Archaic Petra + 2-Piece Noblesse Oblige
- Main Stats: HP% / Geo DMG / CRIT DMG
- Sub-Stats: CRIT Rate → CRIT DMG → ATK%
This build maximizes Planet Befall’s burst damage while maintaining respectable shields. Use it if you prefer Zhongli as an active damage dealer.
Best Zhongli Weapons
| Weapon | Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Tassel (3★) | HP% | Support | Best F2P choice for pure shield builds. |
| Staff of Homa (5★) | CRIT DMG | Hybrid DPS | Boosts both HP and damage output. |
| Vortex Vanquisher (5★) | ATK% | DPS | Signature weapon; stronger with active shields. |
| Rightful Reward (4★) | HP% | Support | Restores Energy when healed. |
| Favonius Lance (4★) | Energy Recharge | Utility | Helps team generate Energy quickly. |
Best Zhongli Artifacts
| Artifact Set | Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Tenacity of the Millelith (4-Piece) | +20% HP; hitting enemies increases ATK & Shield Strength | Support |
| Archaic Petra (2-Piece) | +15% Geo DMG Bonus | DPS / Burst |
| Noblesse Oblige (2-Piece) | +20% Elemental Burst DMG | Sub-DPS |
| Vourukasha’s Glow (2-Piece) | +20% HP | Alternative for shield builds |
Best Zhongli Team Comps
Zhongli fits into nearly any team, but he excels in teams that rely on charged attacks or sustained DPS. Here are some strong examples:
1. Hypercarry Teams
- Main DPS: Hu Tao / Ganyu / Tighnari / Lyney
- Support: Zhongli
- Sub DPS: Xingqiu / Yelan
- Buffer: Bennett / Kazuha / Furina
Zhongli’s shield ensures DPS characters aren’t interrupted during charged attacks, maximizing their output.
2. Mono-Geo Team
- Itto (Main DPS)
- Gorou (Geo Buffer)
- Albedo or Chiori (Sub-DPS)
- Zhongli (Shield Support)
Geo Resonance increases damage and resistance — a perfect fit for Zhongli.
3. Vaporize / Freeze Comps
Zhongli provides protection for reaction-based DPS like Kamisato Ayaka, Hu Tao, or Diluc, enabling uninterrupted combos.
Zhongli Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Best shield in Genshin Impact.
- Universal RES shred benefits every DPS type.
- Flexible — works in nearly all team comps.
- Can petrify enemies for crowd control.
- Scales off HP, making him easy to build.
Weaknesses
- Long Burst animation can reduce DPS uptime.
- Weak against corrosion enemies (Rifthounds).
- Low energy particle generation.
How to Play Zhongli Efficiently
- Hold Elemental Skill to summon the Jade Shield.
- Switch to DPS characters to attack safely under shield protection.
- Use Elemental Burst to petrify enemies and set up combos.
- Refresh shield every 12 seconds to maintain uptime.
Pro Tip: Zhongli’s shield not only absorbs damage — it also reduces enemy resistances, making every hit from your main DPS stronger.
Zhongli remains one of the strongest and most comfortable supports in Genshin Impact. His unbreakable shield, universal resistance shred, and versatile builds make him invaluable for both new and veteran players. Whether you use him as a dedicated shielder or a burst nuker, Zhongli’s calm authority and reliability truly embody the title of Geo Archon. Play Now!
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