Yanqing Guide and Best Builds

Introductions

Yanqing is a 5-Star character with the Ice element who follows the Path of The Hunt. Yanqing specialises in single-target damage. By enhancing his own Crit Rate and Crit DMG through his Ultimate and Talent, Yanqing excels at eliminating targets with powerful, consistent attacks. His Talent also provides the occasional follow-up attacks that further increase his damage while applying debuffs to enemies.
Our Yanqing Build Guide will show you the best Light Cones, Relics, and Team Compositions to help you build Yanqing.

Yanqing's Best Light Cone

Listed below are our recommended Light Cones for Yanqing.

In the Night

Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 18.0 / 21.0 / 24.0 / 27.0 / 30.0%. While the wearer is in battle, for every 10 SPD that exceeds 100, increases DMG dealt by Basic ATK and Skill by 6.0 / 7.0 / 8.0 / 9.0 / 10.0%. At the same time, increases the CRIT DMG of Ultimate by 12.0 / 14.0 / 16.0 / 18.0 / 20.0%. This effect can stack up to 6 time(s).

Sources: Event Warp (limited)

In the Night is Yanqing's BiS light cone currently. This light cone increases his Crit Rate and for every 10 SPD exceeding 100 his basic attack and skill damage is increased. During this, his Crit DMG from his ultimate is also increased. This works especially well for Yanqing since he benefits from higher SPD in his kit, and with his already solid base SPD, reaching higher thresholds for the full damage bonuses is very achievable.

Baptism of Pure Thought

Increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 20.0 / 23.0 / 26.0 / 29.0 / 32.0%. For every debuff on the enemy target, the wearer's CRIT DMG dealt against this target additionally increases by 8.0 / 9.0 / 10.0 / 11.0 / 12.0%, stacking up to 3 times. When using Ultimate to attack the enemy target, the wearer receives the "Disputation" effect, which increases DMG dealt by 36.0 / 42.0 / 48.0 / 54.0 / 60.0% and enables their Follow-Up ATKs to ignore 24.0 / 28.0 / 32.0 / 36.0 / 40.0% of the target's DEF. This effect lasts for 2 turns.

Sources: Event Warp (limited)

Baptism of Pure Thought is another great choice for Yanqing. Increasing his Crit DMG while also ignoring part of the enemy's DEF therefore improving Yanqing's overall DPS. This works best when Yanqing is in a team with other allies that can apply debuffs to increase the Light Cone's effect.

Swordplay
S5

For each time the wearer hits the same target, DMG dealt increases by 8.0 / 10.0 / 12.0 / 14.0 / 16.0%, stacking up to 5 time(s). This effect will be dispelled when the wearer changes targets.

Sources: Stellar Warp

Swordplay increases the damage dealt by Yanqing each time he hits the same enemy, stacking up to 5 times. This Light Cone is single-target-focused, making it a great fit for Yanqing as a single-target-focused DPS. Its effect applies to all damage that he deals, including his Ultimate.

The Hell Where Ideals Burn

Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 16.0 / 20.0 / 24.0 / 28.0 / 32.0%. When entering combat, if the allies' Skill Points limit is 6 or higher, increases the wearer's ATK by 40.0 / 50.0 / 60.0 / 70.0 / 80.0%. After each use of the wearer's Skill, increases the wearer's ATK by 10.0 / 12.5 / 15.0 / 17.5 / 20.0%, stacking up to 4 time(s).

Sources: Event Warp (limited)

The Hell Where Ideals Burn is another strong option for Yanqing but moreso if built with a focus on ATK % over CRIT. To fully benefit from the ATK buff, Yanqing needs an ally who can increase the team's maximum SP limit to at least 6.

See You at the End
S5

Increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 24.0 / 28.0 / 32.0 / 36.0 / 40.0%. The Skill DMG and Follow-Up ATK DMG dealt by the wearer increase by 24.0 / 28.0 / 32.0 / 36.0 / 40.0%.

Sources: Nameless Glory

See You at the End is a 4-star Light Cone that increases Yanqing's Crit DMG, as well as his Skill and follow-up attack damage, by up to 40% at S5. This Crit DMG increase is great for him, as it strengthens each of his Crit hits. Since Yanqing will use his Skill often, this 40% increase is also very welcome.

Sleep Like the Dead

Increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 30.0 / 35.0 / 40.0 / 45.0 / 50.0%. When the wearer's Basic ATK or Skill DMG does not result in a CRIT Hit, increases their CRIT Rate by 36.0 / 42.0 / 48.0 / 54.0 / 60.0%, lasting for 1 turn(s). This effect can only trigger once every 3 turn(s).

Sources: Stellar Warp

Sleep Like the Dead works well for Yanqing. It increases his Crit DMG while also increasing his Crit Rate when his Skill or Basic ATK does not result in a Crit hit.

Cruising in the Stellar Sea

Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 8.0 / 10.0 / 12.0 / 14.0 / 16.0%, and increases their CRIT Rate against enemies with HP percentage 50.0% or less by an extra 8.0 / 10.0 / 12.0 / 14.0 / 16.0%. When the wearer defeats an enemy, their ATK is increased by 20.0 / 25.0 / 30.0 / 35.0 / 40.0% for 2 turn(s).

Sources: Herta's Store

Cruising in the Stellar Sea increases Yanqing's Crit Rate, and when an enemy is defeated, it also increases Yanqing's ATK by 20%.

Only Silence Remains
S5

Increases the wearer's ATK by 16.0 / 20.0 / 24.0 / 28.0 / 32.0%. If there are 2 or fewer enemies on the field, increases wearer's CRIT Rate by 12.0 / 15.0 / 18.0 / 21.0 / 24.0%.

Sources: Stellar Warp

Only Silence Remains is a 4-star Light Cone that increases Yanqing's ATK. When there are 2 or fewer enemies, his Crit Rate also increases.

Best Relics and Planar Ornaments for Yanqing

Best Relics for Yanqing

These are the best Relic Sets to build for Yanqing.

Scholar Lost in Erudition

2-Piece Set: Increases CRIT Rate by 8.0%.

4-Piece Set: Increases DMG dealt by Skill and Ultimate by 20.0%. After using Ultimate, additionally increases the DMG dealt by the next Skill by 25.0%.

Scholar is Yanqing's 4-piece BiS Relic Set. The 2-piece increases his Crit Rate by 8%, while the 4-piece increases the damage from his Skill and Ultimate by 20%. After Yanqing uses his Ultimate, the damage from his next Skill is increased by 25%. The additional Crit Rate helps him reach his target while increasing the overall damage output from his two main sources of damage.

The Wind-Soaring Valorous

2-Piece Set: Increases ATK by 12.0%.

4-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 6.0%. After the wearer uses a Follow-Up ATK, increases DMG dealt by Ultimate by 36.0%, lasting for 1 turn(s).

The Wind Soaring Valorous is another good 4-piece option for Yanqing. The 2-piece increases his ATK, while the 4-piece increases his Crit Rate and the damage dealt by his Ultimate after he uses a follow-up attack. Since his Ultimate is his primary source of damage, this works well, as it increases his Ultimate damage by 36%. As Yanqing scales with ATK, this also increases all his sources of damage.

Hunter of Glacial Forest

2-Piece Set: Increases Ice DMG by 10.0%.

4-Piece Set: After the wearer uses their Ultimate, their CRIT DMG increases by 25.0% for 2 turn(s).

Hunter of Glacial Forest increases Yanqing's Ice damage by 10%, and when he uses his Ultimate, his Crit DMG is increased by 25%.

Best Planar Ornaments

Firmament Frontline: Glamoth

2-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's ATK by 12.0%. When the wearer's SPD is equal to or higher than 135/160, the wearer deals 12.0%/18.0% more DMG.

Firmament Frontline Glamoth is Yanqing's best Planar Ornament. It increases his ATK by 12%, which increases all his sources of damage. When his SPD is 135/160 or higher, he will also deal an additional 12%/18% damage. As Yanqing wants a high amount of SPD, you should be able to gain the full effect.

Rutilant Arena

2-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 8.0%. When the wearer's current CRIT Rate reaches 70.0% or higher, DMG dealt by Basic ATK and Skill increases by 20.0%.

Rutilant Arena is another usable option for Yanqing. This Planar Ornament increases his Crit Rate by 8%, and when his Crit Rate is 70% or more, the damage dealt by his Basic ATK and Skill is increased by 20%. Yanqing will use his Skill frequently, so he benefits greatly from the additional damage.

Space Sealing Station

2-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's ATK by 12.0%. When the wearer's SPD reaches 120 or higher, the wearer's ATK increases by an extra 12.0%.

Inert Salsotto

2-Piece Set: Increases the wearer's CRIT Rate by 8.0%. When the wearer's current CRIT Rate reaches 50.0% or higher, the DMG dealt by the wearer's Ultimate and Follow-Up ATK increases by 15.0%.

Yanqing's Stat Priority

Body

CRIT DMG

Feet

SPD

ATK%

Planar Sphere

Ice DMG Boost

Link Rope

ATK%

Stat Priority

CRIT Rate

CRIT DMG

ATK%

SPD

Recommended Endgame Stats for Yanqing

3000+

DEF

1000+

ATK

2500+

SPD

160+

CRIT Rate

30%

CRIT DMG

170%

Traces Priority

Skills Priority

Ultimate > Talent > Skill > Basic

Major Traces Priority

Icing on the Kick> Gentle Blade> Frost Favors the Brave

Yanqing Build Comments

Character Overview

Yanqing is a 5-star Ice Hunt character focused on strong single-target damage. His kit revolves around Soulsteel Sync, a self-buff that grants a large amount of Crit Rate and Crit DMG, allowing him to hit hard against priority targets. While active, Soulsteel Sync also enables follow-up attacks with a chance to Freeze enemies, and his Ultimate further boosts his Crit potential for burst damage.

The downside is that a lot of what Yanqing does depends on keeping Soulsteel Sync active. He gains the buff through his Skill, but it immediately disappears if he takes HP damage. In endgame content where enemies frequently use Blast and AoE attacks, maintaining the buff can be difficult. When Soulsteel Sync is removed, Yanqing loses a significant amount of his damage output and has to spend more time setting everything up again.

Because Yanqing needs to avoid taking HP damage to maintain Soulsteel Sync, he relies heavily on his teammates. Shielders are especially valuable, since they can prevent damage from breaking Soulsteel Sync, while supports that provide cleansing or protection from crowd control also help keep his turns consistent. With the right team, he remains a capable damage dealer, particularly against Ice-weak enemies. Without that support, his performance can feel much less reliable than many newer DPS characters.

Ultimately, Soulsteel Sync shows both Yanqing's strengths and weaknesses. When a team can keep the buff active, he delivers strong single-target damage. When it cannot, his output becomes inconsistent, making him one of the more demanding DPS characters to build and play around, despite his potential strength.

Yanqing's Best Teams

To learn all about Yanqing's synergies and best team compositions, check our dedicated Yanqing team page below:

Yanqing Teams

Yanqing's Best Eidolons

E1 – Yanqing deals additional Ice damage equal to 60% of his ATK when he attacks a Frozen enemy.
E2 – Energy Regeneration Rate is increased by 10% when Soulsteel Sync is active.
E4 – Yanqing's Ice RES PEN increases by 12% when his HP is 80% or more.
E6 – When the buffs from Soulsteel Sync or his Ultimate are active as an enemy is defeated, their durations are extended by 1 turn.

Holster

Guide Author

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Holster is a passionate gacha gamer who spends her time exploring the worlds of Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. Whether she's pulling for her favorite characters, building new team comps or exploring what the game has to offer.