There are quite a few character types in Genshin Impact that are essential to your team. One of these is a shield user who can protect your team from damage. Zhongli is one of the best characters for negating damage in the game, especially when you use the right build. So use this guide for information on the best Zhongli build for weapons, artifacts, and more in Genshin Impact.

Genshin Impact best Zhongli build

Zhongli is the Geo Archon and a polearm user who is a great support unit for your team. He is able to erect a pillar that pulses Geo damage while simultaneously casting a shield that protects the on-field character. To get the full effects of his shield, you’ll need to raise Zhongli’s HP in your build.

Best Artifacts for Zhongli in Genshin Impact

While you could use Retracing Bolide, the four piece Tenacity of the Millelith Artifact set was designed for Zhongli to emphasize his elemental skill and shield. HP is obviously important to this build and should be prioritized as a main stat and sub-stat. Once you’ve reached 30,000+ HP, however, your shield will scale high enough to take a hit from just about anything, so feel free to use a Geo damage goblet or CRIT rate circlet if you’ve already reached that threshold with your weapon, flower, feather, and sands.

Best Weapons for Zhongli in Genshin Impact

Zhongli can use five-star weapons like the Primordial Jade Winged Spear or the Vortex Vanquisher (his unique five-star weapon), but it doesn’t feel like a five-star weapon is necessary for building him. One of the best weapons for a support Zhongli is the three-star Black Tassel, because it further increases Zhongli’s HP. This allows you to use other artifacts that boost his damage or send his HP through the roof, your choice.

Zhongli’s skills in Genshin Impact

Rain of Stone

  • Normal AttackPerforms up to six consecutive spear strikes.Charged AttackConsumes a certain amount of stamina to lunge forward, causing stone spears to fall along his path.Plunging AttackPlunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE damage upon impact.

Dominus Lapidis

  • Commands the power of earth to create a Stone Stele.HoldCauses nearby Geo energy to explode, causing the following effects:If their maximum number hasn’t been reached, creates a Stone Stele.Creates a shield of jade. The shield’s damage absorption scales based on Zhongli’s Max HP.Deals AoE Geo damage.If there are nearby targets with the Geo element, it will drain a large amount of Geo element from a maximum of 2 such targets. This effect does not cause damage.Stone SteleWhen created, deals AoE Geo damage.Additionally, it will intermittently resonate with other nearby Geo constructs, dealing Geo damage to nearby opponents.The Stone Stele is considered a Geo construct that can be climbed and used to block attacks.Only one Stele created by Zhongli himself may initially exist at any time.Jade ShieldPossesses 150% damage Absorption against all Elemental and Physical damage.Characters protected by the Jade Shield will decrease opponents’ Elemental Resistance and Physical Resistance in a small AoE by 20%. This effect cannot be stacked.

Planet Befall

  • Brings a falling meteor down to earth, dealing massive Geo damage to opponents caught in its AoE and applying the Petrification status to them.PetrificationOpponents affected by the Petrification status cannot move.

Passive Skills

  • Arcanum of CrystalRefunds 15% of the ore used when crafting polearm-type weapons.Resonant WavesWhen the Jade Shield takes damage, it will Fortify:Fortified characters have a 5% increased Shield Strength.It can stack up to five times and lasts until the Jade Shield disappears.Dominance of EarthZhongli deals bonus DMG based on his Max HP:Normal Attack, Charged Attack, and Plunging Attack damage is increased by 1.39% of Max HP.Dominus Lapidis’ Stone Stele, resonance, and hold damage is increased by 1.9% of Max HP.Planet Befall’s DMG is increased by 33% of Max HP.

Zhongli’s Constellations in Genshin Impact

  • Rock, the backbone of Earth: Increases the maximum number of Stone Steles created by Dominus Lapidis that may exist simultaneously to two.Stone, the Cradle of Jade: Planet Befall grants nearby characters on the field a Jade Shield when it descends.Jade, Shimmering through Darkness: Increases the level of Dominus Lapidis by three. The maximum upgrade level is 15.Topaz, Unbreakable and Fearless: Increases Planet Befall‘s AoE by 20% and increases the duration of Planet Befall’s Petrification effect by two seconds.Lazuli, Herald of the Order: Increases the level of Planet Befall by three. The maximum upgrade level is 15.Chyrsos, Bounty of the Dominator: When the Jade Shield takes damage, 40% of that incoming damage is converted to HP for the current character. A single instance of regeneration cannot exceed 8% of that character’s Max HP.

What you need to Ascend Zhongli in Genshin Impact

Check here for our handy Zhongli farming guide.

  • Performs up to six consecutive spear strikes.

  • Consumes a certain amount of stamina to lunge forward, causing stone spears to fall along his path.

  • Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE damage upon impact.

  • HoldCauses nearby Geo energy to explode, causing the following effects:If their maximum number hasn’t been reached, creates a Stone Stele.Creates a shield of jade. The shield’s damage absorption scales based on Zhongli’s Max HP.Deals AoE Geo damage.If there are nearby targets with the Geo element, it will drain a large amount of Geo element from a maximum of 2 such targets. This effect does not cause damage.Stone SteleWhen created, deals AoE Geo damage.Additionally, it will intermittently resonate with other nearby Geo constructs, dealing Geo damage to nearby opponents.The Stone Stele is considered a Geo construct that can be climbed and used to block attacks.Only one Stele created by Zhongli himself may initially exist at any time.Jade ShieldPossesses 150% damage Absorption against all Elemental and Physical damage.Characters protected by the Jade Shield will decrease opponents’ Elemental Resistance and Physical Resistance in a small AoE by 20%. This effect cannot be stacked.

  • Causes nearby Geo energy to explode, causing the following effects:If their maximum number hasn’t been reached, creates a Stone Stele.Creates a shield of jade. The shield’s damage absorption scales based on Zhongli’s Max HP.Deals AoE Geo damage.If there are nearby targets with the Geo element, it will drain a large amount of Geo element from a maximum of 2 such targets. This effect does not cause damage.

  • If their maximum number hasn’t been reached, creates a Stone Stele.Creates a shield of jade. The shield’s damage absorption scales based on Zhongli’s Max HP.Deals AoE Geo damage.If there are nearby targets with the Geo element, it will drain a large amount of Geo element from a maximum of 2 such targets. This effect does not cause damage.

  • When created, deals AoE Geo damage.Additionally, it will intermittently resonate with other nearby Geo constructs, dealing Geo damage to nearby opponents.The Stone Stele is considered a Geo construct that can be climbed and used to block attacks.Only one Stele created by Zhongli himself may initially exist at any time.

  • Possesses 150% damage Absorption against all Elemental and Physical damage.Characters protected by the Jade Shield will decrease opponents’ Elemental Resistance and Physical Resistance in a small AoE by 20%. This effect cannot be stacked.

  • PetrificationOpponents affected by the Petrification status cannot move.

  • Opponents affected by the Petrification status cannot move.

  • Refunds 15% of the ore used when crafting polearm-type weapons.

  • When the Jade Shield takes damage, it will Fortify:Fortified characters have a 5% increased Shield Strength.It can stack up to five times and lasts until the Jade Shield disappears.

  • Fortified characters have a 5% increased Shield Strength.It can stack up to five times and lasts until the Jade Shield disappears.

  • Zhongli deals bonus DMG based on his Max HP:Normal Attack, Charged Attack, and Plunging Attack damage is increased by 1.39% of Max HP.Dominus Lapidis’ Stone Stele, resonance, and hold damage is increased by 1.9% of Max HP.Planet Befall’s DMG is increased by 33% of Max HP.

  • Normal Attack, Charged Attack, and Plunging Attack damage is increased by 1.39% of Max HP.Dominus Lapidis’ Stone Stele, resonance, and hold damage is increased by 1.9% of Max HP.Planet Befall’s DMG is increased by 33% of Max HP.

Best Party Members For Zhongli in Genshin Impact

Zhongli is an excellent choice for any main DPS character that needs a strong shield. Think Hu Tao, Yoimiya, or Arataki Itto. He’ll do an even better job of supporting your main DPS if you also include Geo sub DPS or support characters in your team: Albedo, Ningguang, and Gorou are all good choices for this.

For more Genshin Impact content, check out Best Xiao build in Genshin Impact – Weapons, Artifacts, and more! or Best Tighnari build in Genshin Impact – weapons, Artifacts, & more! on Pro Game Guides.