Genshin Impact: Is Yanfei Good? (Pros & Cons)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. (Learn more).

Yanfei is generally just a viable character. She’s slightly below the average DPS unit. She will definitely work against easier content, but she’s not a meta character when it comes to content like Spiral Abyss.

She’s especially good against opponents that fight at a distance like Thundering Manifestation. Plus it’s relatively easy to play her compared to other main DPS units.

However, her damage isn’t remarkable — she’s not among the strongest units in-game.

Still, this is based on meta only. So if you like Yanfei regardless of her power level, don’t let this stop you from playing her.

 

Pros & Cons

Strengths Weaknesses
  • Long-range attacks great for more frustrating opponents — like Thundering Manifestation and Spectres
  • Relatively easy to build
  • Good on-field Pyro application
  • Can be used as a shielder
  • Lackluster personal damage
  • Needs stamina management to some extent
  • Better Pyro units exist
  • Stronger shielders also exist
 

Yanfei Strengths

 
1. Long-Range Attacks
 
Yanfei’s normal attack range / Genshin Impact
Yanfei’s normal attack range
 

Yanfei’s long-range attacks are among the best highlights of her kit.

This makes her especially good against mobile or flying opponents — such as Thundering Manifestation, Spectres, and Fungi among many others.

She’s also one of the few units that work well against these more frustrating enemies.

 
2. Easy to Build
 
Yanfei with Dodoco Tales R5 / Genshin Impact
Yanfei with Dodoco Tales R5
 

Yanfei has plenty of build options to choose from — both in terms of artifact sets and weapons.

The damage difference between her best artifact sets isn’t that big, so you’re free to use whichever pieces and sets you already have.

Her best sets include:

  • 4pc. Crimson Witch of Flames
  • 4pc. Wanderer’s Troupe
  • 4pc. Shimenawa’s Reminiscence
  • Any 2pc./2pc. mix of those artifact sets

Additionally, Yanfei has multiple weapon options — most of which are really free-to-play friendly. Some of her best 4-star weapons include:

  • The Widsith
  • Solar Pearl
  • Dodoco Tales R5

Of course, 5-star DPS weapons are her best options, but her 4-star ones are also really good — especially The Widsith with refinements.

 
3. Good On-field Pyro Application
 
Yanfei breaking a Cryo Abyss Mage’s shield / Genshin Impact
Yanfei breaking a Cryo Abyss Mage’s shield
 

Yanfei has good on-field Pyro Application thanks to her being a catalyst user.

So she can consistently enable Pyro-related reactions for teammates. For instance, her Pyro application is enough to enable Melt reactions for off-field units like Rosaria or Kaeya.

This is also great for breaking the Cryo and Electro shields of opponents.

 
4. Can be Used as a Shielder
 
Yanfei’s C4 shield / Genshin Impact
Yanfei’s C4 shield
 

Yanfei’s 4th constellation creates a shield upon casting her burst. This makes her a viable shielder for some niche teams — like VV Hu Tao.

It basically adds another utility and role to her kit.

 

Yanfei Weaknesses

 
1. Lackluster Personal Damage
 
Yanfei’s normal attack talent multipliers / Genshin Impact
Yanfei’s normal attack talent multipliers
 

Yanfei’s multipliers simply aren’t that good — or at least far behind other stronger DPS units.

Because of this, she may struggle against harder content and opponents with higher HP. This is also why she’s not a meta unit.

Other better units exist, so there’s no meta reason to use Yanfei.

 
2. Needs Stamina Management
 
Yanfei’s charged attack / Genshin Impact
Yanfei’s charged attack
 

Yanfei’s playstyle relies on her charged attacks that consume stamina.

Although her kit reduces the need for managing her stamina, it’s still needed — especially without a shielder or C4.

This means that you have to actively watch her stamina. She must have enough to perform charged attacks and dodge when needed.

 
3. Better Pyro Units
 
Other Pyro units: Xiangling, Hu Tao, and Klee / Genshin Impact
Other Pyro units: Xiangling, Hu Tao, and Klee
 

Yanfei is at the weaker end of Pyro DPS units — better ones simply exist.

The two main ones are Xiangling for AOE and Hu Tao for single-target. Xiangling is a free 4-star unit, while Hu Tao is a limited 5-star unit.

This weakness is also true as a Pyro applicator.

Although Yanfei has good Pyro application, there are units that are far better. This includes Klee, Xiangling, and Pyro-infused swirls by Anemo units.

 
4. Stronger Shielders
 
Other shielders: Zhongli, Diona, and Layla / Genshin Impact
Other shielders: Zhongli, Diona, and Layla
 

Although Yanfei can work as a shielder, better ones also exist. And they’re almost always the better option.

These other shielders include Zhongli, Diona, and Layla.

Plus Diona and Layla are both 4-star units, so they’re equally as accessible as Yanfei.

 

Are Yanfei’s Constellations Good?

 
Yanfei’s constellation screen / Genshin Impact
Yanfei’s constellation screen
 

Yanfei has decent constellations. None of them are needed to make her work, and they’re just relatively small buffs.

So it’s not recommended to actively pull for her constellations. Instead, you’ll get them naturally while pulling in any gacha banners.

However, if you’re planning to play VV Hu Tao, C4 can be worth considering. This gives Yanfei an additional utility as a shielder and increases her entire team’s survivability.

Otherwise, don’t waste your banner pity.

 

C1: The Law Knows No Kindness

When Yanfei performs a charged attack, each existing Scarlet Seal reduces its stamina cost by 10% and increases her resistance to interruption during.

This makes Yanfei a bit more comfortable to play. Plus slightly reduces the need for stamina management.

It’s a nice constellation to have.

 

C2: Right of Final Interpretation

Increases Yanfei’s charged attack CRIT Rate by 20% against opponents below 50% HP.

C2 is a good constellation and unconditional damage increase. Plus it increases her chances of triggering the additional damage from her Blazing Eye ascension passive.

 

C3: Samadhi Fire-Forged

Increases her elemental skill talent level by 3.

This increases her skill multipliers — it’s a small damage increase.

 

C4: Supreme Amnesty

Upon casting Yanfei’s burst, she creates a shield with up to 45% of Yanfei’s max HP. This absorbs Pyro damage 250% more effectively.

This is a quality-of-life buff that increases team survivability.

It’s not a damage gain, but situationally good in teams without shields or in teams like VV Hu Tao.

 

C5: Abiding Affidavit

Increases her elemental burst talent level by 3.

Like her C3, this is a small and direct damage gain — but not a significant one.

 

C6: Extra Clause

Increases the maximum number of Scarlet Seals by 1.

The additional Scarlet Seal basically further reduces her stamina consumption and increases her charged attack damage.

This is more valuable in Vaporize teams, but all her playstyles still benefit from C6.

Browse: Video Games

Maeri Mgdrg

Maeri is an avid gacha player currently in the clutches of Genshin Impact. She mainly focuses on character analyses, underlying game mechanics, and occasionally reading game code. She also yearns for the day that Dainsleif is finally playable.