The past few updates in Genshin Impact have been quite a riot. The game’s META (most effective tactics available) has been shaken by an earthquake. Well, that’s what happens when the developers release three top-tier DPS characters consecutively. First was Ganyu who claimed the top spot, then Xiao who put some surprising numbers at the cost of his own health, and finally, Hu Tao. She gave Diluc a run for his Mora.
Or did she? That’s the raging debate right now among those who love their pyro main characters in Genshin Impact. After all, Diluc has often been the main metric for DPS characters as he’s the Golden Boy of pyro damage. Now, all that might change with Hu Tao. So how exactly does she threaten Diluc’s spot as the best pyro DPS in the game? Let’s find out by pitting Teyvat’s resident embalmer waifu against pyromaniac Batman.
10 Flexibility: Diluc
First off is a measure between the two pyro character’s usefulness in their party or to the players. Sure, a top-tier DPS is nice but them being a one-trick pony makes them a bit of a nuisance in a game where switching out party members can get annoying fast.
On that front, Diluc is a bit better than Hu Tao due to being a claymore user. He destroys Abyss Mage shields faster and also deals with geo shields easily. Polearms simply aren’t that useful outside of jabbing an enemy with open defenses.
9 Burst Damage: Hu Tao
By burst damage, we mean the highest numbers a character can output in one instance. That means a ton of setup is needed for this such as hydro or cryo application, food, proper party members, and even domain buffs.
One of the highest recorded damage numbers for Hu Tao comes in at a whopping 1.7 million that’s under the most optimal and luckiest conditions. Meanwhile, Diluc players are more modest with numbers playing around 300,000 for the first hit of his Dawn Elemental Burst.
8 Sustained Damage: Diluc
Then again, those playing Diluc setting him up only for big Dawn numbers are doing it wrong. His sustained DPS is actually higher since he tends to rely more on his Elemental Skill, Searing Onslaught, which has a suspiciously low cooldown.
As high as Hu Tao’s damage numbers might be, she isn’t dealing a sum of 500,000+ damage every six seconds even under the most optimal conditions. In fact, after Hu Tao’s big damage, she goes on a considerably long cooldown where other characters can provide better party damage output. One could argue, however, that Hu Tao doesn’t need sustained damage due to her nuke capabilities so Diluc winning this one doesn’t account for much. Hu Tao’s overall damage numbers are still higher.
7 Artifact Synergy: Diluc
Both characters use the Crimson Witch artifact set as their best-in-slot gear as their focus is dealing pyro damage. Still, Diluc wins this one narrowly since the Crimson Witch set was more or less made for him.
He’s the only 5-star character who can maximize the effects of the Crimson Witch’s 4-piece bonus. Of course, that doesn’t mean much when Hu Tao readily deals higher numbers but Genshin Impact’s balancing can always change in the near future.
6 Weapon Synergy: Hu Tao
The trailers and even the weapon’s stats themselves confirm it, the Staff of Homa was made for Hu Tao. The two were released nearly at the same time so that’s already a given. So with a weapon clearly made for her, it’s easy to see why Hu Tao deals way higher spike damage than Diluc.
Meanwhile, Diluc’s best weapon is only Wolf’s Gravestone and while that matches his aesthetics, it’s not on the same level as the Staff of Homa; it wasn’t made with Diluc in mind. Diluc users can only hope for a claymore with the same main stats as the Staff of Homa.
5 Party Synergy: Tie
A pyro DPS is often only as powerful as their support will allow. That’s why both characters need their own specialized party composition. So which among the two come out as better team players? Both.
Both of them deal pyro damage anyway so Diluc’s party composition works just as well for Hu Tao. While Hu Tao might need a healer more so than Diluc, she makes up for the DPS loss by providing CRIT Rate for other party members.
4 Availability: Diluc
Oh sure, players might be enjoying the 50/50 pity pulling with Hu Tao right now but a few more weeks and there she goes. Suffice to say, most of the people who probably got Hu Tao are those who spent considerable amounts of money on her.
Her banner is limited. Diluc, on the other hand, is everywhere— even on the weapon banners, albeit with a low chance. Still, this is a rather important factor if one is looking to raise up their pyro main’s constellations without being forced to spend on a limited banner.
3 Simplicity: Diluc
Let’s not discount a significant gameplay factor here. Hu Tao’s 1.7 million damage might look might juicy but behind the scenes is complex micromanagement of her HP. To that end, she’s similar to Xiao who does big damage but not with peace of mind.
Diluc, on the other hand, is content with doing the triple fire bonk before releasing a firebird that also bonks. His DPS has no consequences and is the most straightforward in the game. That’s also why he’s the comparison metric whenever a new DPS comes out.
2 Fun Factor: Hu Tao
Diluc’s simple gameplay might not be for everyone. This one’s similar to the Xiao versus Ganyu conundrum where the latter deals tons of damage but is boring while the former is high-risk, high-reward.
Hu Tao, again, is akin to Xiao. Her playstyle is more fun once you get the hang of managing her HP to maximize damage. Of course, being on alert at all times in order to not let Hu Tao die also adds more thrill to her gameplay.
1 Winner: Diluc
As flashy as Hu Tao is, there’s more to being DPS than high numbers. Other factors like ease-of-use, more straightforward damage and better tools make Diluc difficult to drop as a pyro DPS.
Hu Tao’s numbers are bigger, sure, when it comes to practicality in-game, Diluc still takes it as a pyro DPS. Especially if one factors in his larger area of effect. If you do happen to have both characters then no debate is needed, just go away before you offend everyone with your obscene luck.
NEXT: Genshin Impact: 10 Things You Only Know If You Played Honkai Impact First
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