So, you're diving into the world of Genshin Impact and Kazuha has caught your eye, huh? Awesome choice! He's not just a pretty face with a maple leaf motif; he's a versatile character that can seriously amp up your team. But here's the big question that everyone seems to be asking: should you build Kazuha for Elemental Mastery or go full-on DPS? Let's break it down, guys, in a way that's easy to understand.

Understanding Kazuha's Talents

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of builds, let's quickly recap Kazuha's talents. This will help you understand why he's so flexible and why both EM and DPS builds can be viable.

• Normal Attack: Garyuu Bladework: This is your standard attack sequence. Nothing too fancy here, but it's still part of his overall damage output, especially if you're considering a DPS build.
• Elemental Skill: Chihayaburu: This is where Kazuha starts to shine. He leaps into the air, dealing Anemo DMG and launching opponents. What's crucial here is that if you plunge attack after using this skill (Midare Ranzan), it deals even more Anemo DMG in a larger AoE. This skill is a significant source of his damage and crowd control.
• Elemental Burst: Kazuha Slash: Kazuha creates a field of autumnal gale that deals Anemo DMG. But here's the kicker: if the field comes into contact with Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, or Electro, it absorbs that element and deals additional elemental DMG of that type. This is HUGE for reaction-based teams.
• Passive Talent: Soumon Swordsmanship: Using Chihayaburu will grant Kazuha an Anemo Infusion for a short period. Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attacks deal additional Anemo DMG. Again, great for a DPS focus.
• Passive Talent: Poetics of Fuubutsu: This is the talent that makes Elemental Mastery so appealing. Upon triggering a Swirl reaction, Kazuha grants teammates a DMG Bonus to the element Swirled, based on his own Elemental Mastery. The higher the EM, the bigger the damage boost. This is the cornerstone of an EM build.

Elemental Mastery (EM) Build: The Support God

Okay, so let's dive into the Elemental Mastery build. Elemental Mastery is the name of the game here, and for good reason. Kazuha's Poetics of Fuubutsu passive talent is what makes this build so powerful. By stacking EM, you're essentially turning Kazuha into a walking, talking, damage-boosting machine for your team. The higher his EM, the larger the elemental damage bonus he provides to your teammates whenever he triggers a Swirl reaction. Think of it this way: you're not necessarily focusing on Kazuha's personal damage output, but rather on amplifying the damage of your main DPS character. For example, if you have a Pyro DPS like Diluc or Hu Tao, Kazuha can Swirl the Pyro element and significantly boost their Pyro damage. This is why an EM build is often considered the optimal choice for support-oriented Kazuha players. When you prioritize Elemental Mastery you are maximizing the damage bonus provided to the team. Elemental Mastery builds are amazing for buffing your team.

Stats and Substats for EM Build

When building Kazuha for Elemental Mastery, your primary focus should be on, you guessed it, Elemental Mastery. Aim for EM on his Sands, Goblet, and Circlet. Don't worry too much about Crit Rate or Crit DMG in this build, as your main goal is to buff your teammates' damage. For substats, continue to prioritize Elemental Mastery, but also look for Energy Recharge to ensure Kazuha can consistently use his Elemental Burst. A little bit of ATK% wouldn't hurt either, but EM is king here.

Weapon Choices for EM Build

For weapons, there are several excellent options for an EM Kazuha:

• Freedom-Sworn: This is Kazuha's signature weapon and the BiS (Best in Slot) for an EM build. It provides a massive amount of Elemental Mastery and further buffs your team's damage when Kazuha triggers Elemental Reactions.
• Iron Sting: This is a craftable weapon that provides a good amount of Elemental Mastery. It's an excellent F2P (Free-to-Play) option and is often considered the next best thing after Freedom-Sworn.
• Dark Iron Sword: This is a 3-star weapon. While it is a 3-star weapon, its passive is very good for EM Kazuha, which is to increase ATK. It is also very easy to get since you only need to talk to an NPC in Liyue to get it.
• Other Options: Other weapons that provide Elemental Mastery or Energy Recharge can also work, such as the Alley Flash.

Artifact Sets for EM Build

The best artifact set for an EM Kazuha is undoubtedly the Viridescent Venerer set. The 4-piece bonus is crucial, as it decreases the opponent's Elemental RES to the element infused in the Swirl reaction by 40% for 10 seconds. This is a massive damage boost for your team. If you don't have a full 4-piece set yet, you can mix and match with other sets that provide EM, such as the Wanderer's Troupe.

DPS Build: The Anemo Main

Now, let's switch gears and talk about the DPS build. While Kazuha excels as a support character, he can also be built as a respectable DPS. This build focuses on maximizing Kazuha's personal damage output, making him a strong on-field damage dealer. The DPS build capitalizes on Kazuha's high base attack and his ability to deal consistent Anemo damage with his Elemental Skill and Burst. DPS builds are amazing if you want to use him as a main damage dealer. If you wanna see those big numbers coming directly from Kazuha himself, then the DPS build is the way to go.

Stats and Substats for DPS Build

When building Kazuha for DPS, you'll want to focus on the standard DPS stats: ATK%, Crit Rate, Crit DMG, and Anemo DMG Bonus. Aim for ATK% on his Sands, Anemo DMG Bonus on his Goblet, and Crit Rate or Crit DMG on his Circlet, depending on your Crit Ratio. You want to aim for a Crit Rate of at least 60-70% and a Crit DMG of 120% or higher. For substats, prioritize Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, and Energy Recharge.

Weapon Choices for DPS Build

For weapons, there are several excellent options for a DPS Kazuha:

• Freedom-Sworn: While primarily used for EM builds, Freedom-Sworn can still be a decent option for DPS Kazuha due to its high base attack and damage-boosting passive.
• Primordial Jade Cutter: This weapon provides a high amount of Crit Rate and increases HP, which in turn increases ATK. It's an excellent choice for a DPS Kazuha.
• Mistsplitter Reforged: This is one of the best swords in the game for DPS characters. It provides a high Crit DMG and a passive that increases Elemental DMG Bonus.
• Blackcliff Sword: This is a more accessible option that provides a good amount of Crit DMG.
• The Black Sword: This weapon is obtained through the Battle Pass and provides Crit Rate and increases Normal and Charged Attack DMG.

Artifact Sets for DPS Build

There are a few viable artifact sets for a DPS Kazuha:

• 2-Piece Viridescent Venerer + 2-Piece Gladiator's Finale/Shimenawa's Reminiscence: This is a good general-purpose set that provides both Anemo DMG Bonus and ATK%.
• 4-Piece Viridescent Venerer: If you have another Anemo character in your party, then giving Kazuha the 4-piece Viridescent Venerer set can reduce enemy resistance to the element being swirled.
• 4-Piece Emblem of Severed Fate: This set is good if you are having trouble with Energy Recharge. It will allow Kazuha to use his Elemental Burst more often.

Team Compositions

No matter which build you choose, Kazuha shines in teams that focus on Elemental Reactions. Here are a few examples:

EM Build Teams

• National Team: Kazuha, Xiangling, Bennett, Xingqiu. This team is a powerhouse of Vaporize and Swirl reactions.
• Taser Team: Kazuha, Fischl, Beidou, Xingqiu. This team focuses on Electro-Charged reactions.
• Mono Pyro: Kazuha, Bennett, Xiangling, and a flex spot (another Pyro, or defensive support).

DPS Build Teams

• Kazuha Main DPS, Bennett, Xiangling, Zhongli/ প্রতিরive support: Kazuha takes the field with support from Bennett, Xiangling, and Zhongli. Team focuses on consistent damage output.
• Kazuha, Xingqiu, Fischl, Bennett: A well-rounded team that allows Kazuha to deal damage with the help of Fischl and Xingqiu.

So, Which Build Should You Choose?

Ultimately, the best build for Kazuha depends on your team composition and playstyle. If you want to maximize your team's overall damage output and have a strong main DPS, then the Elemental Mastery build is the way to go. If you want Kazuha to be a strong on-field damage dealer, then the DPS build is a viable option. Both builds are fun and effective, so experiment and see which one you enjoy more!

Final Thoughts

Kazuha is a versatile character that can fit into a variety of team compositions. Whether you choose to build him for Elemental Mastery or DPS, he will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to your team. So go out there, experiment with different builds, and have fun! Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the game and play the way that you find most fun.