Genshin Impact 5.7 introduces a new permanent challenge mode called Stygian Onslaught, offering some of the game’s toughest combat trials to date. Players face three powerful bosses—Hydro Tulpa, Lava Dragon Statue, and the Overseer Device—across a range of escalating difficulty tiers. This guide walks you through the mode’s structure and provides fully detailed, stage-specific team compositions to help you clear every level, from Normal to Dire.
How the Mode Works
Stygian Onslaught features six difficulty levels:
- Normal
- Advancing
- Hard
- Menacing
- Fearless
- Dire (bonus stage)
In the first three levels, you can reuse characters across all stages. However, starting at Menacing, each battlefield requires its own unique team. This means you’ll need at least 12 fully built characters to challenge higher tiers.
Each stage also introduces different boss mechanics and Ley Line disturbances, which enhance the enemies and punish poor team compositions. Understanding elemental resistances and building your teams accordingly is key.
Rewards scale with difficulty and include:
- 150 Primogems
- 100,000 Mora
- 5 Hero’s Wit
- Dust of Enlightenment (on Menacing and above)
To unlock the mode, complete the quest “Tumult Subduer” from Liyue and access it through the Events tab.
Battlefield 1 – Hydro Tulpa
This battlefield pits you against the Hydro Tulpa, which periodically summons Half-Tulpas. If not destroyed or frozen quickly, these are absorbed to heal the boss and increase its attack power. In Fearless and Dire modes, the Tulpa also deploys a Ward that must be destroyed rapidly. If the Ward remains intact, the boss unleashes Torrential Flurry, an unavoidable one-shot.
Key Mechanics:
- Immune to Hydro; weak to Pyro and Freeze (Cryo)
- Two Half-Tulpas spawn regularly from Fearless onwards
- Ward phase refreshes cooldowns and energy for all party members
Best Team Compositions by Difficulty
Hard:
Diluc / Lyney / Yoimiya + Bennett + Xiangling + Zhongli
- Great for Hydro Tulpa. Pyro resonance boosts damage; Xiangling’s off-field Pyro works well with Bennett’s healing and buffs. Zhongli provides crucial shields to avoid interruption during Ward and Half-Tulpa phases.
Dendro Traveler + Yaoyao / Collei + Ororon + Kuki Shinobu
- Hyperbloom team effective against Tulpa’s minions. Kuki triggers Electro reactions; Yaoyao offers healing and Dendro cores. Works well if timed reactions hit both boss and Half-Tulpas.
Navia + Zhongli + Xiangling + Bennett
- Navia shines when shielded (Zhongli). Xiangling and Bennett set up Pyro resonance and reactions. Best used for Tulpa or Lava Statue where rapid burst is needed after Ward or stagger window.
Menacing:
Nahida + Kuki + Baizhu + Collei
- Bloom and Hyperbloom mix team. Nahida marks all enemies, Collei adds Dendro spread, and Kuki triggers Electro. Baizhu helps sustain during Tulpa or Lava Statue pressure phases.
Nilou + Nahida + Baizhu + Dendro Traveler
- Full Bloom synergy. Strong against Hydro Tulpa if you can handle healing without interruption. Baizhu protects Bloom cores from being interrupted mid-chain.
Raiden Shogun + Kujou Sara + Nahida + Baizhu
- A hybrid Hyperbloom + burst team. Raiden handles AoE and burst rotations; Sara boosts ATK. Best suited for Lava Dragon with high Pyro uptime from supports.
Fearless:
Mavuika + Citlali + Xilonen + Iansan or Bennett
- Core Cryo team for Automaton or Hydro Tulpa. Citlali and Xilonen freeze Half-Tulpas instantly; Mavuika and Iansan handle AoE. Bennett replaces Iansan if more sustain is needed.
Arlecchino + Bennett + Xiangling + Xilonen or Zhongli
- Strong single-target burst for all bosses. Arlecchino benefits from Pyro support (Xiangling/Bennett), while Xilonen or Zhongli helps with cryo utility or shields during flow phases.
Hu Tao + Citlali + Xiangling + Xilonen
- Riskier team for skilled players. Hu Tao needs careful HP management, but Citlali and Xilonen control mobs well. Xiangling boosts Vaporize potential.
Important Notes:
Freeze Half-Tulpas immediately with Cryo (Citlali, Layla, Rosaria):
- Each absorbed Half-Tulpa heals 20% HP and powers up the Hydro Tulpa. Cryo instantly removes them, avoiding dangerous boss buffs.
Use shielders (Zhongli, Beidou) to reduce interruption during Ward phases.
- Especially important in Fearless difficulty where boss patterns are faster and heavier. Without interruption resistance, you may lose your damage window.
Timing your bursts after the Ward appears is critical—cooldowns and energy are refreshed.
- Tulpa’s Ward resets skill cooldowns and fills energy gauges when it spawns. Don’t hold back your bursts—use them immediately to break the Ward or suffer an instant KO from Torrential Flurry.
Avoid Hydro or Cryo attacks against the Lava Dragon Statue.
- These elements cause it to revert to its high-RES Geohuman form. Always focus on Burning with Dendro + Pyro to trigger Overburn and immobilize the boss.
Automaton’s Flow Momentum rises fast—apply Cryo consistently.
- Only Cryo reduces Flow Momentum. When low enough, the Automaton stops attacking and reduces its All RES, making it vulnerable. Chain Cryo hits to force Counterstrike Mode and disable it further.
Battlefield 2 – Lava Dragon Statue
This boss begins in Geohuman form, with high resistance to all elements. After a set number of Pyro hits, it shifts into Molten Dragon form, lowering all resistances except Pyro. Continued Pyro damage will trigger Overburn, stunning the boss and allowing for massive damage.
Key Mechanics:
- Must use frequent Pyro to shift and Overburn
- Hydro/Cryo hits revert the boss to Geohuman form (avoid this)
- Burning (Dendro + Pyro) reactions are optimal
Best Team Compositions by Difficulty
Hard:
Bennett + Xiangling + Dendro Traveler + Fischl
Core Burning/Overload team. Dendro Traveler + Fischl ensures continuous reaction triggers (Burning and Overload), while Bennett and Xiangling form the classic Pyro support backbone. Fischl’s Electro procs also help clear minions and maintain energy. This comp is effective at consistently pushing the Lava Dragon into Molten Dragon form for damage windows.
Menacing:
Xiangling + Iansan + Chevreuse + Fischl
- This setup focuses heavily on Overload and Burning reactions. Iansan passively buffs Pyro damage; Chevreuse enhances Overload uptime. Fischl ensures Electro triggers, while Xiangling keeps Pyro fielded for rapid form switches.
Arlecchino + Chevreuse + Fischl + Bennett
- Arlecchino acts as the main on-field DPS. Chevreuse buffs Electro damage for Overload, Fischl maintains Electro uptime, and Bennett boosts ATK while healing. Great for staggering the Lava Dragon during Molten state.
Arlecchino + Baizhu + Nahida + Fischl
- Hybrid Burning/Overload comp. Nahida enables AoE Dendro tagging, Fischl handles Electro triggers, and Baizhu keeps Arlecchino alive during aggressive rotations. Works especially well during Fearless stage’s Pyro gauge pressure.
Alhaitham + Thoma + Nahida + Zhongli
- A solid Dendro core comp. Alhaitham applies fast Dendro, Thoma adds Pyro for sustained Burning, Nahida tags all targets, and Zhongli ensures unbroken combos with shielding. Effective at triggering Burning without knockback disruption.
Raiden Shogun + Nahida + Kujou Sara + Xiangling
- High-energy Overload team. Raiden’s Burst and Energy Recharge helps sustain rotations; Kujou Sara buffs ATK, and Nahida handles Dendro tagging. Xiangling’s off-field Pyro is essential for quick form shifting and applying Pyro over time.
Fearless:
Kinich + Xiangling + Bennett + Emilie
- Emilie enables consistent Dendro reactions; Kinich acts as a front-liner with high single-target damage. Xiangling and Bennett provide Pyro uptime and healing. Excellent for forcing Lava Dragon into Overburn state quickly, allowing uninterrupted DPS.
Mavuika + Xilonen + Nahida + Bennett or Iansan
- Mavuika delivers strong burst potential, while Xilonen adds Cryo support (if needed in hybrid comps). Nahida manages Dendro application, and Bennett or Iansan provide Pyro buffing. Use Bennett for survivability, or Iansan for offensive Pyro boosts.
Important Notes:
Avoid Cryo/Hydro characters entirely unless you’re aiming for burst kills.
- Lava Dragon returns to its high-RES Geohuman form if hit by Cryo or Hydro. This resets your progress and increases the number of Pyro hits needed to re-stagger the boss.
Plan your rotations to align with Overburn windows for maximum burst damage.
- Once the Lava Dragon enters its Molten form, time your full skill/burst rotation right as it hits Overburn and becomes immobilized. This is your primary damage window, usually occurring twice per run.
In co-op, assign Dendro and Pyro applicators per player to keep Burning active.
- Overlapping reactions from multiple Pyro or Dendro units can cause internal cooldown clashing. Instead, designate who applies each element and alternate rotations to sustain Burning chains effectively.
Battlefield 3 – Overseer Device (Secret Source Automaton)
This automaton enters Sweeper Mode immediately. Its Flow Momentum increases over time, powering up attacks and boosting defenses. Cryo attacks reduce this momentum, eventually pausing the automaton and lowering its RES. Nightsoul’s Blessing enables Forced Counterstrike Mode, further decreasing resistances but triggering stronger counterattacks.
Key Mechanics:
- Cryo application is critical to lower Flow Momentum and defenses
- Avoid damage downtime—apply Cryo constantly
- Counterstrike Mode offers bigger debuffs but higher risk
Best Team Compositions by Difficulty
Hard:
Gaming + Bennett + Rosaria + Layla
- Gaming leads the offense while Rosaria and Layla provide steady Cryo application to reduce Flow Momentum. Bennett enhances damage and healing. Layla’s shield also helps mitigate Sweeper Mode attacks. This team is a balanced option to survive the Automaton’s early aggression.
Menacing:
Wriothesley or Ganyu + Nahida + Xiangling + Emilie
- Wriothesley or Ganyu handles consistent Cryo pressure; Nahida assists with AoE tagging and EM buffs. Xiangling and Emilie provide Pyro for Overload or Bloom follow-ups during downtime between sweeps. This setup works well due to Wriothesley’s self-sustain and Ganyu’s AoE bursts during forced immobility.
Wriothesley + Xingqiu + Kazuha + Shenhe
- Xingqiu and Kazuha support reaction uptime and group control, while Shenhe boosts Cryo DMG for Wriothesley. Ideal for chaining Freeze or RES shred during Cryo windows. Kazuha’s swirl spreads Cryo more efficiently in rotations, especially as the Automaton regains Flow Momentum quickly on Menacing+.
Fearless:
Skirk + Escoffier + Furina + Yelan
- Skirk and Escoffier provide rapid Cryo hits and RES shred. Furina boosts team damage and HP handling during Burst phases. Yelan gives off-field Hydro application and boosts Skirk’s damage output. This team excels at triggering Forced Counterstrike mode quickly and keeping it active longer.
Skirk + Kokomi + Furina + Citlali
- Kokomi adds healing and Hydro for Freeze reactions. Citlali provides consistent Cryo application, while Skirk and Furina handle front-loaded burst damage. Freeze chaining is critical here to break Flow Momentum before the Automaton spins out of control.
Ayaka + Ayato + Furina + Shenhe
- Full Freeze comp with Ayaka burst as the centerpiece. Shenhe buffs Ayaka’s Cryo output, Ayato provides Hydro for constant Freeze uptime, and Furina further boosts overall DPS. Particularly strong for Sweeper phases, where Freeze stun can open massive DPS windows.
Mavuika + Citlali + Xilonen + Furina
- Mavuika delivers burst DPS after each Cryo break phase. Citlali and Xilonen manage Cryo uptime for suppressing Flow Momentum. Furina enables flexible support whether offensive or healing-focused depending on HP status. Strong during transition phases between Counterstrike and normal modes.
Important Notes:
Choose fast Cryo applicators (Skirk, Escoffier, Shenhe) to control Flow Momentum.
- Automaton enters Sweeper Mode immediately and gains Flow Momentum with every attack. You must apply Cryo consistently to lower Flow and enter stagger state, where the boss halts and reduces all RES, opening your DPS window.
Plan team rotations around the 15–20s normal attack phase between sweeps.
- Once Flow Momentum is broken, the Automaton switches to a regular pattern. This short phase is the best time to prep rotations and regenerate energy before the next Sweeper Mode kicks in. Be ready with Cryo bursts at the start of each new spin.
In Co-Op, have at least two Cryo sources to ensure uptime.
- Cryo downtime can lead to full Flow Momentum buildup, which increases boss rotation speed and damage. Designate two players with reliable Cryo units to apply pressure continuously and prevent boss recovery.
Dire Difficulty Notes
Dire mode is the final tier and functions as a high-end DPS check. Players have only 120 seconds per stage and 180 seconds total to clear all three. This is best suited for players with high Constellation and weapon refinement (C3R3 or above).
Note: Dire’s final reward is a limited-time weapon skin—not permanent.
Suggested Dire Comps
Battlefield 1:
- Mavuika + Citlali + Xilonen + Iansan / Bennett
- Arlecchino + Citlali + Xilonen + Bennett / Xiangling
- Skirk + Ganyu or Xilonen + Shenhe + Escoffier
Battlefield 2:
- Kinich + Xiangling + Bennett + Emilie
- Mavuika + Xilonen + Nahida + Iansan / Bennett / Kazuha
- Arlecchino + Nahida + Iansan / Bennett / Kazuha + Xiangling
Battlefield 3:
- Skirk + Escoffier + Furina + Shenhe
- Mavuika + Citlali + Xilonen + Ayaka / Iansan / Bennett
Final Thoughts
Stygian Onslaught is more than just a stat check—it rewards smart strategy, reaction timing, and team flexibility. Players should aim to build at least one strong team for Cryo, Pyro, and Dendro, with proper support, healing, and survivability.
While Dire mode favors heavy spenders, Fearless is accessible with well-built 4-star teams and smart reaction play. Remember to adjust for Ley Line disturbances and boss mechanics—sometimes controlling the fight is more important than maximizing damage.
Take your time, learn each boss’s rhythm, and optimize your teams around mechanics. That’s the key to mastering Genshin’s hardest content to date.
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