In Genshin Impact, there is a common trend for some elements to take the spotlight over others. For example, Pyro and Cryo often receive more hype than Electro. However, one character has remained a fan-favorite in Electro from the game's very release – Keqing.
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The original five-star Electro character, Keqing features a massive playstyle of fast-paced slashing and Electro-infusion. Even to this day, few characters offer the elemental DPS that the Liyue Qixing's Yuheng can. Nonetheless, many players in the Genshin Impact community suffer from common mistakes and build inefficiency with Keqing; some of the best builds can improve Keqing's gameplay.
Overview
Keqing is a five-star Electro sword-user. Naturally, with talents that infuse with Electro energy, one of the only five-star Electro users makes for either a feisty DPS character or an endearing enabler.
For the DPS build, players will tend to veer to the elemental DPS side. Given that her elemental skill, Stellar Restoration, makes for an easy infusion of Electro energy, she makes for a good Electro DPS. That said, building Keqing as a physical DPS character is also a possibility.
Of course, on the other hand, her infusion makes her one of the best characters for enabling. Therefore, as a support character, players are going to want to focus on using her as a catalyst for elemental reactions, rather than for crowd control.
DPS Build
For Keqing, the DPS build is probably the easiest build to make. Her damage scales make for high damage, and her quick-paced attacks, make for consistent reactions. Nonetheless, players will need to choose between two distinct builds: Electro DPS and Physical DPS.
Electro DPS
The Electro DPS build is likely the easiest Keqing build to consider. Focusing on using both Keqing's elemental skill, burst, and normal attack for damage, players should focus on building all of Keqing's talents evenly.
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As for weapons, the Primordial Jade Cutter makes for Keqing's best weapon regardless of build. The weapon acts to increase both the player's HP and attack, which will increase Keqing's damage output. That said, the Black Sword can act as an adequate substitute for Keqing's Electro DPS build.
Artifact-wise, players will find the best results in using a Gladiator's Finale and Thundering Fury combo. These sets will offer a bonus towards Electro damage and attack. On the other hand, a full Thundersoother set will also help an Electro DPS build.
Physical DPS
Building for Physical DPS with Keqing will be a little bit different. Unlike the Electro DPS build, talents should not be upgraded evenly; because Keqing's Physical DPS primarily derives from her charged attacks, players should prioritize her normal attack talents.
As for weapons, Keqing is going to want a weapon that doesn't target her elemental abilities. Once again, the Primordial Jade Cutter will bring about the best results. For replacements, either the Black Sword or the Prototype Rancour will do.
For artifacts, a Gladiator's Finale and Bloodstained Chivalry combination will help to increase the strength of Keqing's charged attacks. These sets yield a bonus increase in both physical damage and attack.
Support Build
Keqing's support build makes to be very similar to her Electro DPS build (in fact some would argue that it's more efficient to just go with the Electro DPS build.) However, the strategy for her support build centers around enabling reactions rather than sparking them. As such, there exist a few differences to better add this. Like Electro DPS build, both elemental skill and burst should be focused on evenly (perhaps with more priority for her elemental skill but this is ultimately up to preference.)
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Weapon-wise, swords that focus on energy recharge will be the most beneficial. This allows Keqing to use her elemental burst more often, allowing for a small increase in Electro application. For this, the Favonius Sword can work very well. Alternatively, most swords with the energy recharge sub stat will do, like the Skyward Blade and Sacrificial Sword.
The same artifacts as the Electro DPS build will work perfectly for the support build. However, players may want to think about increasing the amount of energy recharge stats.
Team Composition
When building a team around Keqing, there will be an intuitive difference depending on the specific build the player chooses to use. Most commonly, with the Electro DPS build, players are going to want a good enabler in either Pyro, Hydro, or Cryo: these may include characters like Xingqiu or Xiangling. The last support position will depend heavily on preference, but players are advised in general about the benefits of having a good shield character in this position. As always, a good healer will yield the best results.
Physical DPS builds do not require an enabler. Because their damage plays entirely off of direct damage, a good strategy would be to replace this position with a booster character like Bennett or Xingqiu.
For the support build, players will require a compatible DPS. Like the Electro DPS build, these include Pyro, Hydro, Cryo, as well as Anemo characters with swirl damage. Good choices include Diluc and Rosaria, given that Keqing's playstyle will keep the player in close-quarters combat.
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