Hey there, fellow Genshin Impact enthusiasts! Today, we're diving deep into the whirlwind that is Kazuha, everyone's favorite wandering samurai. Specifically, we're gonna break down the age-old question: Elemental Mastery (EM) or pure Damage Per Second (DPS)? Which build reigns supreme for our maple-leaf-wielding friend? Get ready for a comprehensive guide where we'll explore both playstyles, their strengths, weaknesses, and how to build the ultimate Kazuha for your team! Let's get started, shall we?

Understanding Kazuha's Versatility

Alright, before we get our hands dirty with the nitty-gritty of builds, let's appreciate the core of Kazuha's power. He's not just a pretty face; he's a highly versatile Anemo character, which means he can fit into almost any team composition. Kazuha's primary strength lies in his ability to Swirl elements, a reaction that spreads elemental damage and decreases enemy resistance. This makes him an invaluable support character. However, his kit also packs a punch, making him a viable DPS option. Kazuha's elemental skill, Chihayaburu, pulls enemies in, and his elemental burst, Kazuha Slash, deals consistent Anemo damage and can absorb other elements for additional Swirl reactions. The beauty of Kazuha is his scaling: his damage from swirls scales off Elemental Mastery, and his personal damage scales with Attack, Crit Rate, Crit Damage, and Anemo Damage Bonus. This inherent flexibility allows for two main build paths: one focusing on maximizing Swirl damage (EM) and the other on maximizing personal damage output (DPS).

Let's get one thing straight: Kazuha isn't just about damage; he is about supporting the whole team. His passive talents are where he shines. His passive "Poetics of Fuubutsu" grants a damage bonus to the element he swirls, depending on his Elemental Mastery. That is just like a battery for the team! His other passive "Autumn Whirlwind" reduces the stamina consumption of the sprinting team. When built with Elemental Mastery, Kazuha becomes a support powerhouse, boosting the team's overall damage through his swirls and resistance shred. DPS Kazuha, on the other hand, can act as a more self-sufficient damage dealer, potentially carrying the team if other characters need support. Therefore, building him depends on the team composition and your desired playstyle. This versatility makes him a top-tier character for most players.

Now, let's explore the builds in detail.

The Elemental Mastery Build: The Swirl Master

Kazuha's Elemental Mastery (EM) build is all about maximizing Swirl reactions. This build focuses on equipping Kazuha with artifacts and weapons that increase his EM stat, which in turn enhances the damage dealt by his Swirls and the damage bonus he provides to his team through his passives. This playstyle is all about support and helping your main DPS characters dish out massive damage. The primary goal is to maximize Swirl damage and amplify elemental reactions for your team. This is the most popular way to build Kazuha, as he provides the greatest utility to most teams.

For artifacts, the Viridescent Venerer set is a must-have. A full set of Viridescent Venerer provides a significant Anemo damage bonus and decreases the elemental resistance of the swirled element by 40%. The recommended stats on the artifacts are: Elemental Mastery on the Sands, Goblet, and Circlet. The substats should prioritize Elemental Mastery, Energy Recharge, and some Crit Rate/Crit Damage if you plan on using him for some personal damage. The main objective is to have as much EM as possible. For weapons, Freedom-Sworn, a weapon designed specifically for Kazuha, grants a huge Elemental Mastery boost and buffs team damage after triggering elemental reactions. Other excellent choices are Xiphos' Moonlight, which further increases his EM and provides Energy Recharge, and Iron Sting, a craftable sword that provides Elemental Mastery. The ideal stats to aim for are at least 800-1000 Elemental Mastery, with a good amount of Energy Recharge to keep his burst up consistently. The benefit of an EM build is its high value in a wide variety of team compositions. Even with a lower personal damage output, the overall team damage will be increased significantly by his Swirl reactions and the Viridescent Venerer set effect.

This build focuses on Kazuha's support capabilities. It may not get the highest numbers for personal damage, but it's invaluable for those who are running a hyper-carry team where the main damage dealers are of other elements. The damage will come from the main DPS, such as Hu Tao, Ganyu, Raiden Shogun, etc.

The DPS Build: The On-Field Samurai

The DPS Kazuha build, on the other hand, aims to increase Kazuha's personal damage output. This build prioritizes attack, critical rate/damage, and Anemo damage bonus, focusing on maximizing damage from his skill, burst, and normal attacks. This playstyle is all about personal damage. While it can be more gear-dependent, the reward is a Kazuha who can dish out some serious damage while still providing excellent support through Swirl reactions and the Viridescent Venerer set bonus. This build requires more investment in artifacts and weapons to achieve optimal results.

For artifacts, the best option is to use the combination of 2-piece Viridescent Venerer and 2-piece Gladiator's Finale or Vermillion Hereafter. This gives you an Anemo damage bonus and increases Attack, both of which will increase Kazuha's damage output. You can also mix other sets as long as you're able to keep the stats. The main stats for this build should be Attack% on the Sands, Anemo Damage Bonus on the Goblet, and Crit Rate or Crit Damage on the Circlet. Prioritize Crit Rate and Crit Damage in substats, with Attack% and Energy Recharge also being beneficial. For weapons, you will need a sword that provides Critical Stats, such as the Primordial Jade Cutter or the Mistsplitter Reforged. These swords give high Crit Rate or Crit Damage, helping Kazuha deal more damage. Other great options are the Black Sword, a battle pass weapon, which provides Crit Rate, and the Blackcliff Longsword, which increases attack after defeating enemies. Focus on getting a high Crit Rate/Crit Damage ratio, around 60/120 is a good starting point. You will also need a good amount of Attack to increase damage. With the right artifacts and weapons, DPS Kazuha can deal significant damage on the battlefield. Not only that, he still provides excellent support and resistance shred.

The DPS build is viable in a variety of team compositions. However, it requires a lot of investment to outperform the Elemental Mastery build in terms of overall damage. This build allows Kazuha to be a self-sufficient damage dealer while still providing support to the team. This build is very fun because you are able to use Kazuha frequently.

Which Build Should You Choose?

So, which Kazuha build is best for you? The answer depends on your team composition, playstyle, and available resources. Here's a quick guide:

• If you want maximum support and team damage, go for the Elemental Mastery build. This is the most popular and generally the best choice for maximizing overall team damage and ensuring compatibility with various team compositions. You don't need to worry too much about your individual damage output, and the damage comes from the swirls and support to other characters. This build is easier to gear and provides the best value.
• If you want to see big numbers on Kazuha's attacks and enjoy a more active playstyle, opt for the DPS build. This is ideal if you enjoy seeing Kazuha dish out damage and want to use him as a carry. However, this build requires more investment in artifacts and weapons. It is also more restricted, as the team compositions are more specific.

Ultimately, the best build is the one you enjoy most and that fits your team's needs. Kazuha is a versatile character, and both builds can be effective in different scenarios. Also, remember that you can always experiment and switch between builds as needed.

Team Composition Considerations

Both Kazuha builds excel in different team compositions, so let's check some examples:

• For EM Kazuha: Consider teams that can take advantage of his Elemental Mastery buffs. Vaporize teams (with characters like Hu Tao or Xiangling), Freeze teams (with characters like Ganyu or Ayaka), and Electro-Charged teams (with characters like Raiden Shogun or Fischl) are great choices. In these teams, Kazuha will swirl the relevant elements, boosting their damage and shredding enemy resistance. The EM build shines in teams that rely on elemental reactions, which allows you to amplify the overall damage of the team.
• For DPS Kazuha: You can pair DPS Kazuha with characters that can provide off-field damage or support. For example, you can combine him with Xingqiu for vaporize, or Fischl for electro-charged reactions. Any team where Kazuha is the main damage dealer works with this build.

Conclusion: The Versatile Maple-Leaf Samurai

In conclusion, Kazuha is a versatile character with two powerful build options: Elemental Mastery and DPS. The EM build offers the best support and overall team damage, while the DPS build focuses on personal damage output. Choose the build that best suits your playstyle and team composition, and enjoy the whirlwind of power that Kazuha brings to the battlefield! No matter which build you choose, you can not go wrong. He is one of the best characters in the game, and he is a blast to play. Have fun with Kazuha, guys! Happy gaming, and may your swirls always hit hard!