Best characters for Shattering Ice (Cryo) Elemental Resonance in Genshin Impact

If you’re looking for a way to slow down the flow of combat or immobilize enemies, Cryo characters do a fantastic job. They’re extremely useful in combat, being able to slow down or even completely freeze enemies through Elemental Reactions, along with being capable of dealing some heavy damage. These cool, composed fighters will even gain a frosty buff when other Cryo characters are present on your team—the Shattering Ice Elemental Resonance.

Cryo pairs

Shattering Ice is a buff that focuses on dealing hefty amounts of damage to Frozen enemies, allowing you to stop opponents in their tracks before crushing them. This helpful buff can only be utilized through the Elemental Resonance mechanic, however, which means that you’ll need to include two or more Cryo users on your team to benefit from the following effects:

• Affected by Electro for 40 percent less time
• Crit Rate against enemies that are Frozen or affected by Cryo is increased by 15 percent

There are a total of nine playable Cryo characters that can currently be obtained as of Genshin Impact's 2.4 Update, giving you a few options for turning enemies into living ice sculptures. While each one is strong in their own right, two pairs of characters stand out from the rest when wielding the power of ice.

Related: Best characters for Enduring Rock (Geo) Elemental Resonance in Genshin Impact

Shenhe and Chongyun

The first two Cryo wielders on this list are Shenhe and Chongyun, the distantly-related exorcists of Liyue. These two act as a fantastic Main Damage-per-Second and Support combo, with Shenhe acting as the primary damage dealer, swiftly moving around the field to freeze enemies. Chongyun's Elemental Skill provides some great support to Shenhe's unique battle mechanics, allowing this pair to deal massive damage.

• Character info: Shenhe, Chongyun

Shenhe's Elemental Skill deals Cryo Damage to enemies and grants a buff called Icy Quill. This buff allows the active character to deal extra damage whenever Attacks, Elemental Skills, or Elemental Bursts deal Cryo Damage. Icy Quill scales with Shenhe's attack, so you should focus on investing in that stat to maximize her potential. Additionally, her Elemental Burst reduces opponents' Cryo and Physical Resistances within its radius, quickly overwhelming any opposition.

Chongyun’s Elemental Skill, on the other hand, creates an Area-of-Effect that deals Cryo Damage to enemies within its field. This field will also infuse the weapons of all Sword, Claymore, and Polearm-wielding characters with Cryo for a short period of time, meaning that Shenhe’s Icy Quill buff will be continually triggered while you’re within the radius of Chongyun’s Skill.

Related: Best characters for Impetuous Winds (Anemo) Elemental Resonance in Genshin Impact

Ganyu and Kaeya

Ganyu and Kaeya are up next, a pair of characters who excel in keeping some distance between you and your enemies. They fill the role of Support best, though Ganyu can easily be built as a Main Damage-per-Second. Ganyu provides a distraction to nearby opponents by using her Elemental Skill in this combo, while Kaeya's Elemental Burst will push back any enemies who get a little too close for comfort.

• Character info: Ganyu, Kaeya

Ganyu's Elemental Skill summons an Ice Lotus that will taunt nearby enemies, drawing them in and providing a distraction for its duration. Once the Skill ends or the Ice Lotus is destroyed, it will deal Area-of-Effect Cryo Damage and apply the Cryo status to any enemies within its radius. Her Elemental Burst calls upon a massive Sacred Cryo Pearl, continuously raining shards of ice down on opponents and dealing Cryo Damage in an Area-of-Effect.

Kaeya's Elemental Skill inflicts Cryo Damage and has a short Cooldown, meaning you'll be able to frequently generate enough Elemental Particles to use Ganyu's Burst. Additionally, his passive ability allows him to regenerate Health when using his Skill. Kaeya's Elemental Burst, however, summons three floating icicles that will follow the active character around, dealing Cryo Damage to any enemies that try to get up close and personal.

Either of these pairs can work nicely on any team combination, so all you have to do is pick the one that’s the right fit for you. And remember, these are just our picks from the characters currently available, so be sure to check back in as more Cryo characters are released for future updates!

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