Updated for Version “Luna IV”
Illuga is a 4-star Geo Polearm character in Genshin Impact who buffs direct Lunar-Crystallize and Geo damage. Learn about Illuga’s best builds, best weapons, best artifacts, and best teams in this quick guide.
Note that the information given may change if new discoveries are made. More extensive testing is in progress.
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Table of Contents
Infographic
Credits to: acerbus114, cegewinne
Character Overview
Pros
- Simple gameplay and build options.
- Strong buffs to direct Lunar-Crystallize damage (Zibai).
- 15s Skill and Burst cooldowns that fit shorter team rotations.
Cons
- Weak personal damage and lack of utility beyond buffs.
- Inability to enable Lunar-Crystallize himself.
- Limited uptime on 4pc Silken Moon’s Serenade set effect prior to C2.
Playstyles
Illuga is an off-field buffing support for Zibai and other Geo DPS units. He briefly takes the field to use his Skill and Burst before swapping to his teammates. His low personal damage prevents a viable DPS-focused playstyle in end-game content.
Zibai Support
Illuga’s buffs greatly enhance direct Lunar-Crystallize damage, which caters to teams with Zibai. His Burst generates Nightingale’s Song stacks, which offer an Additive Base DMG Bonus like Shenhe’s Icy Quill buff. Illuga’s A1 Passive, A4 Passive, C4, and C6 also greatly enhance Zibai’s damage.
Geo DPS Support
Illuga offers some buffs to Geo DPS units like Itto, Navia, and Noelle. His Nightingale’s Song stacks still buff Geo damage but not as much as for direct Lunar-Crystallize damage. He strongly prefers teams with Geo Constructs (from Talents or Moondrifts enabled by Columbina) to maximize his buffs.
Lunar-Crystallize
Illuga cannot enable Lunar-Crystallize by himself. As of Version Luna IV, Columbina and Zibai are the only characters who can enable Lunar–Crystallize. Furthermore, he does not buff Lunar-Crystallize reaction damage — he only buffs Geo damage and direct Lunar-Crystallize damage. For the purposes of this guide, direct Lunar-Crystallize damage refers to that which originates from characters’ Talents and Constellations, while all other uses of “Lunar-Crystallize damage” should be assumed to refer to the damage resulting from said reaction.
Lunar-Crystallize Moondrifts count as Geo Constructs, which enables additional Nightingale’s Song stacks and teammate abilities, e.g. Chiori’s Geo Construct requirement and Zhongli’s stele AoE Geo damage. Moondrifts also enable Geo Resonance, allowing the team to forgo a dedicated shielder.
For more information on Lunar-Crystallize, please see the Lunar Reaction Guide.
Talents
Level and Talent Priority
Burst > Character Level
Illuga’s Nightingale’s Song buff improves with Burst Talent levels, so prioritize his Burst. Illuga should ascend to 80/90 to maximize his EM. At C2, being at Lv. 90 is incentivized to increase Illuga’s personal damage through his C2 and Lunar-Crystallize damage. Otherwise, levelling him after 80/90 does not do much. His Skill deals negligible damage and does not need to be levelled either.
Talent Overview
Normal Attack | Oathkeeper’s Spear
Talent Description
Normal Attack
Performs up to 4 consecutive spear strikes.
Charged Attack
Consumes a certain amount of Stamina to lunge forward, dealing damage to opponents along the way.
Plunging Attack
Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact.
A standard set of Polearm attacks. In Illuga’s support playstyle, his Normal Attacks are only used to ensure Favonius procs.
Elemental Skill | Dawnbearing Songbird
Talent Description
Summons the trusty messenger bird, “Aedon.” Different effects are produced depending on whether the skill is Tapped or Held.
Tap
Aedon dashes towards enemies in front, dealing Geo DMG to enemies it comes into contact with.
Hold
Enter aiming mode, and command Aedon to dash towards opponents being aimed at, dealing Geo DMG to opponents it comes into contact with.
Illuga uses his Skill primarily to generate 4–5 Geo particles and activate artifact set effects.
His Skill can be tapped or held, with the Tap Skill variation being generally faster. His Hold Skill can be used to reach enemies outside his Tap Skill’s range.
Elemental Burst | Shadowless Reflection
Talent Description
Light the lamp, dealing AoE Geo DMG, and gain Haunted Night’s Oriole-Song effect for 20s. When this effect is active, Illuga gains 21 stacks of Nightingale’s Song. When Normal Attacks, Charged Attacks, Plunging Attacks, Elemental Skills, and Elemental Bursts of nearby active party members deal Geo DMG to opponents, 1 stack of Nightingale’s Song is consumed to increase the DMG dealt. Increase in DMG is based on Illuga’s Elemental Mastery. If DMG is inflicted by Lunar-Crystallize, DMG dealt will increase further.
When Geo DMG dealt in this manner hits multiple opponents, multiple stacks of Nightingale’s Song will be consumed, depending on how many opponents are hit.
Additionally, if there are Geo Constructs created by nearby party members on the battlefield while Illuga unleashes his Elemental Burst, or when nearby party members create Geo Constructs while Haunted Night’s Oriole-Song is active, every Geo Construct on the battlefield will allow Illuga to gain 5 additional stacks of Nightingale’s Song. Within 20s after unleashing his Elemental Burst, Illuga can gain a maximum of 15 additional stacks of Nightingale’s Song this way.
When all stacks of Nightingale’s Song have been consumed, or when the state’s duration ends, the Haunted Night’s Oriole-Song effect will end.
Illuga’s Burst is the core of his kit. Upon cast, it activates the Haunted Night’s Oriole-Song effect for up to 20s or until all Nightingale’s Song stacks are consumed. Nightingale’s Song stacks provide Additive Base DMG Bonus to Geo damage and direct Lunar-Charged damage from Talents. Each instance of damage by the active character consumes a stack, i.e. 1 instance of AoE Geo damage against 3 enemies consumes 3 Nightingale’s Song stacks.
His Burst grants 21 Nightingale’s Song stacks; however, each Geo Construct (including Lunar-Crystallize Moondrifts) present at Burst cast or created within the Burst’s duration grants 5 additional Nightingale’s Song stacks (up to 15). It is fairly easy to generate 3 Lunar-Crystallize Moondrifts with Zibai or Columbina, so each Burst cast effectively grants 36 Nightingale’s Song stacks.
Ascension 1 Passive | Torchforger’s Covenant
Talent Description
After unleashing Elemental Skill Dawnbearing Songbird or Elemental Burst Shadowless Reflection, other nearby party members will gain the Lightkeeper’s Oath effect for 20s: For Geo DMG dealt to opponents, CRIT Rate increases by 5% and CRIT DMG increases by 10%.
Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam
Party members affected by the Lightkeeper’s Oath effect have their Elemental Mastery increased by 50.
Illuga’s A1 Passive grants 5% CRIT Rate and 10% CRIT DMG to the team’s Geo DMG (including Lunar-Crystallize damage) for 20s after he uses his Skill or Burst. With Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam, it also buffs the on-field character’s EM by 50 while Nightingale’s Song stacks are available.
At C6, his A1 Passive provides 10% CRIT Rate, 30% CRIT DMG, and 80 EM instead.
Ascension 4 Passive | Demonhunter’s Dusk
Talent Description
Nightingale’s Song‘s effects are enhanced: When there are 1/2/3 Hydro or Geo characters in the party, Nightingale’s Song will further increase DMG. Increase in DMG is equal to 7%/14%/24% of Illuga’s Elemental Mastery. If this aforementioned DMG is inflicted by a Lunar-Crystallize reaction, increase in DMG is equal to 48%/96%/160% of Illuga’s Elemental Mastery.
Illuga’s A4 Passive buffs his Nightingale’s Song effect, scaling with his EM. Illuga himself counts towards the Hydro or Geo quota, so he only needs 2 teammates to be either Hydro or Geo.
Moonsign Benediction | Unwithering in Winter
Talent Description
When Illuga is in the party, the party’s Moonsign will increase by 1 level.
Illuga increases the team’s Moonsign level by 1. He does not enable Lunar-Crystallize.
Constellations
Illuga’s C2 is his most important Constellation, as it allows him to maintain full uptime on 4pc SMS’s set effect. His C6 is his most impactful Constellation damage-wise thanks to its buff to his A1 Passive.
Constellation 1 | Vigilant Sentinel
Constellation Description
After Illuga triggers a Geo-related Reaction on the field, he will regain 12 Elemental Energy. This effect can be triggered at most once every 15s.
Illuga’s C1 lowers his ER requirements as long as there is a PHEC aura (Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo aura) on the enemy when he casts his Skill or Burst.
Constellation 2 | Elk With Fanged Antlers
Constellation Description
When Elemental Burst Shadowless Reflection‘s Haunted Night’s Oriole-Song effect is active, for every 7 stacks of Nightingale’s Song consumed, Illuga will summon Aedon, dealing a single instance of Geo DMG to 1 nearby opponent. The DMG dealt is based on 400% of Illuga’s Elemental Mastery and 200% of his DEF. This DMG is considered Elemental Burst DMG.
Illuga’s C2 allows him to maintain practically full uptime on 4pc Silken Moon’s Serenade set effect. It also provides a boost to his personal damage by directly dealing damage and allowing him to trigger Lunar-Crystallize more frequently.
Constellation 3 | Earthshaking Maw
Constellation Description
Increases the Level of Elemental Burst Shadowless Reflection by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.
Illuga’s C3 improves his Nightingale’s Song effect via additional Burst Talent levels.
Constellation 4 | Solarhunting Wolf
Constellation Description
When Elemental Burst Shadowless Reflection‘s Haunted Night’s Oriole-Song effect is active, nearby active party members will have their DEF increased by 200.
Illuga’s C4 provides a nice bonus to Zibai, Itto, Noelle, and Albedo (as he can snapshot the buff) for their DEF scaling. Since it only benefits the on-field character, it doesn’t help off-field units who cannot snapshot buffs like Chiori or Kachina.
Constellation 5 | Hurricane Steed
Constellation Description
Increases the Level of Elemental Skill Dawnbearing Songbird by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.
Illuga’s C5 buffs his Skill damage, which is a minor team DPS increase.
Constellation 6 | Nightmare Orioles
Constellation Description
Enhances the Lightkeeper’s Oath effect of the Ascension Talent Torchforger’s Covenant: For Geo DMG dealt to opponents, CRIT Rate is increased by 10%, CRIT DMG is increased by 30%.
Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam:
When characters are affected by Lightkeeper’s Oath, Elemental Mastery is increased by 80.
You must first unlock the Ascension Talent “Torchforger’s Covenant.”
Illuga’s C6 buffs his A1 Passive, which now provides 50 CRIT Value to the team’s Geo damage. With Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam, his A1 Passive provides an additional 30 EM. This is by far Illuga’s most impactful Constellation in terms of team DPS.
Combos
Combo Notation
- N = Normal Attack
- C = Charged Attack
- A = Aimed Shot
- P = Plunging Attack
- hP = High Plunge
- lP = Low Plunge
- E = Elemental Skill
- tE = Tap Skill
- hE = Hold Skill
- Q = Elemental Burst
- D = dash (cancel)
- J = jump (cancel)
- W = walk (cancel)
- > = switch character
- ( ) = these actions are optional; please refer to the notes below
- [ ] = repeat these actions the specified number of times
Illuga generally uses his Tap Skill since it results in lower field time, but his Hold Skill can be used if enemies are out of his Tap Skill’s range.
| EQ | Illuga’s standard combo to self-funnel Geo particles and activate his Burst. |
| Q E | Illuga can funnel his Skill’s Geo particles to the following character to lower their ER requirements. This is also the combo required if Illuga holds Kitain Cross Spear. |
Artifacts
ER Requirements
Assumptions:
- Illuga absorbs his own particles; Illuga’s ER requirements are higher if he funnels particles to the Geo DPS.
- Geo Traveler, Kachina, Gorou, Zhongli, Xilonen carry Favonius weapons.
- Noelle holds Favonius Claymore and triggers its passive twice in teams where she has high ER requirements.
| Geo DPS | Double Geo | Triple Geo | ||
| C0 | C1+ | C0 | C1+ | |
| Zibai | 165–185% | 135–150% | 155–175% | 125–140% |
| Navia | 160–185% | 130–150% | 125–160% | 100–130% |
| Itto | 160–165% | 130–135% | 145–160% | 120–130% |
| Noelle | 175–195% | 140–155% | 145–180% | 120–145% |
| Ningguang | 190–210% | 155–170% | 180–185% | 145–150% |
Favonius Lance reduces Illuga’s ER requirements by 15–30%.
Illuga has around no more than 160% ER requirements with R5 Kitain Cross Spear at C0, and no more than 115% ER requirements at C1.
Use the Energy Recharge Calculator to determine exact requirements for your team and rotation. For more details on how Favonius weapons will affect your team, please use Ac1d’s Favonius Mastersheet.
Artifact Stats
 Sands |  Goblet |  Circlet |
| EM or ER | EM | EM or CRIT Rate |
Stat Priority: ER until requirement > EM > CRIT > DEF% > Flat DEF
EM main stats and substats should be prioritized for his Nightingale’s Song buff after reaching his ER requirement. If Illuga holds Favonius Lance, then CRIT Rate helps trigger its passive more consistently.
Artifact Sets
 4pc Silken Moon’s Serenade (SMS) | 4pc SMS is one of Illuga’s most notable sets with Zibai. At C0–C1, Illuga only maintains 8s of uptime on 4pc SMS’s buff since he deals only two instances of on-field damage with his Skill and Burst. However, at C2, he deals off-field Geo damage, so he can maintain full uptime on 4pc SMS’s set effect. |
 2pc Set Combos | Set Bonuses: EM, ER 2pc set combos can be used while farming for 4pc SMS or there’s already a better 4pc SMS holder in the team. 2pc EM + 2pc EM maximizes his Nightingale’s Song stacks, but 2pc ER can be used to help reach his ER requirements. |
 4pc Instructor | 4pc Instructor is an alternative to 4pc SMS, but it shares the same buff uptime limitations as 4pc SMS with C0–C1 Illuga since its set effect can only be triggered while Illuga is on-field. Moreover, its 4-star stat line limits Illuga’s EM-scaling buffs and makes it more difficult to reach his ER requirements. Nonetheless, 4pc Instructor usually appears on Illuga or another teammate in teams with Zibai. |
 4pc Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City | 4pc Scroll can be used if the team already has good 4pc SMS or 4pc Instructor holders. Illuga can consistently trigger Lunar-Crystallize in most rotations, which buffs Geo and Hydro DMG by 12% for 15s. |
 4pc Noblesse Oblige (NO) | 4pc NO buffs ATK-scaling Geo DPS units. This is Illuga’s default set for Geo DPS units if another teammate cannot hold it. |
 4pc The Exile | 4pc Exile helps the team meet their ER requirements. It can be used if other teammates hold 4pc NO and 4pc Scroll. |
 4pc Tenacity of the Millelith (TotM) | 4pc TotM is an extremely niche option since Illuga’s Skill only deals 1 instance of damage. It can only be used if both 4pc NO and 4pc Scroll are already held by teammates, no one else can hold it, and the Geo DPS can snapshot its buff. |
Weapons
 Dragon’s Bane | Dragon’s Bane provides the most EM of any Polearm, so it helps maximize Illuga’s EM-scaling buffs. |
 Favonius Lance | Favonius Lance is a great option thanks to its particle generation and ER secondary stat. However, if Illuga and his team can meet their ER requirements otherwise, Dragon’s Bane becomes the better choice. |
 Kitain Cross Spear | Kitain Cross Spear is Illuga’s best freely accessible Polearm for its EM secondary stat and Energy regeneration passive. However, it provides less EM than Dragon’s Bane, and its Energy regeneration only benefits Illuga as opposed to Favonius Lance’s particle generation. Illuga can use his Burst after his Skill before the Energy drain happens. If the execution is slow, use his Burst before Skill. This, however, increases his ER requirements a little. |
Teams
Rotation Notation
- N = Normal Attack
- C = Charged Attack
- A = Aimed Shot
- P = Plunging Attack
- E = Elemental Skill
- tE = Tap Skill
- hE = Hold Skill
- Q = Elemental Burst
- D = dash (cancel)
- J = jump (cancel)
- W = walk (cancel)
- > = switch character
- ( ) = these actions are optional; please refer to the notes below
- [ ] = repeat these actions the specified number of times
Teambuilding
- Zibai or Columbina are required to enable Lunar-Crystallize.
- Without Lunar-Crystallize, teammates who create Geo Constructs are desired to increase his Nightingale’s Song stacks.
- Illuga requires at least 2 Geo or Hydro teammates to maximize his A4 Passive.
Zibai Support
Illuga is tailor-made for Zibai. He buffs both Geo and direct Lunar-Charged damage, and his 15s cooldowns easily fit into any team rotation. Columbina is the ideal Hydro slot, but another off-field Hydro applier can work. The last slot can be another Geo character, a Hydro character, or a defensive support with a low rate of Elemental application.
Columbina’s typical free-to-play weapon choice is Prototype Amber, which provides supplemental teamwide healing. As such, a dedicated defensive teammate may not be necessary with careful gameplay. However, a shielder usually prevents Zibai’s HP from decreasing, which allows her to make full use of R5 Harbinger of Dawn, her best free-to-play Sword for personal damage.
Notable Teammates
 Zibai ★ | Illuga buffs Zibai’s Geo-infused Normal Attacks and Lunar-Crystallize Skill and Burst. Illuga’s A1 Passive, A4 Passive, C4, and C6 also greatly enhance Zibai’s damage. Zibai and Columbina form a great Lunar-Crystallize core, but Zibai can play with other off-field Hydro characters if Columbina is unavailable. |
Hydro
A Hydro character with off-field Hydro application is required for Zibai to trigger Lunar-Crystallize, which enables her enhanced Skill casts.
 Columbina ★ | Columbina provides great off-field Lunar-Crystallize damage and Hydro application. She typically holds 4pc Aubade of Morningstar and Moon if (C2+) Illuga already uses 4pc SMS. One of her best free-to-play weapons is R5 Prototype Amber, which lets Zibai forgo a dedicated defensive teammate. |
 Aino | As a solo Hydro teammate, Aino holds 4pc SMS and provides enough Hydro application for Zibai to consistently trigger Lunar-Crystallize. Aino becomes a significantly stronger option at C6, but she still falls well behind Columbina as the solo Hydro applier for Zibai. |
Geo
A Geo character provides Geo particles, which lowers Illuga and Zibai’s ER requirements. The best Geo teammate options provide DEF, Geo DMG%, or EM buffs, or have high personal damage.
 Gorou ★ | Gorou is a fantastic option for Zibai, especially if he has unlocked his C6. Zibai teams tend to have rotations that last less than 20s. This means Gorou only Burst every other rotation. He typically holds 4pc Instructor and Favonius Warbow, but Elegy for the End can also be used. |
 Zhongli ★ | Zhongli shreds Geo RES, which buffs Zibai’s Geo and Lunar-Crystallize damage. Additionally, his Stone Stele’s resonance attacks radiate with Lunar-Crystallize Moondrifts. This increases resonance damage and Geo application, which in turn trigger more Lunar-Crystallize reactions for the team. Zhongli’s shield lets Zibai maintain uptime on Harbinger of Dawn’s passive, resulting in higher DPS over R5 Flute of Ezpitzal. He typically holds 4pc Instructor and Favonius Lance. |
 Chiori ★ | C0 Chiori places 2 dolls on-field since Lunar-Crystallize Moondrifts count as Geo Constructs. She only benefits from Illuga’s A1 Passive, but her high personal damage with 2 dolls is already enough. |
 C2 Xilonen ★ | Xilonen is only outstanding in Triple Geo teams at C2+. At C2, she provides permanent Geo RES Shred as well as the full effect of 4pc Scroll, which still decently benefits the team even though Lunar-Crystallize is not affected by Geo DMG% buffs. |
Flex
Players can play shielders or healers whose Elemental application does not inhibit Lunar-Crystallize uptime with Columbina, whose Hydro application is not relatively fast.
 Ineffa | Ineffa can be used to deal formidable Lunar-Charged damage and provide a high-uptime shield for Zibai while still allowing consistent Lunar-Crystallize reactions with her well-paced Electro application. However, a good Geo teammate is still preferred once Zibai receives vertical investment on her or her supports (e.g. Illuga’s C6). |
 Jahoda | Jahoda is a decent healer and off-field Hydro applier with a sizable 100 EM buff from A4 Passive, and a C6 that gives 5% CRIT Rate and 40% CRIT DMG to all Moonsign teammates. However, her Skill’s off-field Hydro application and her C6’s effect require long field time to activate, which undesirably extends Zibai teams’ rotations. |
Example Teams
This is not a comprehensive list of teams. The inclusion or exclusion of any given team does not necessarily reflect its power level.
These teams are among Zibai’s highest-performing options with Columbina as the sole Hydro teammate. C6 Gorou performs similarly to Zhongli and Chiori, and is worse than them without his C6. C2 Xilonen is by far the best option for team DPS if you have her.
Use Prototype Amber on Columbina to sustain the team as needed. Zhongli’s shield allows Columbina to use Sacrificial Jade or Widsith and Zibai to use Harbinger of Dawn, her best F2P weapon.
Sample Rotation (Zhongli)
Columbina E (Q)¹ > Illuga EQ > Zhongli² hED > Zibai combo
¹Can Burst every other rotation
²Zhongli’s Burst is typically a DPS loss.
Sample Rotation (Chiori)
Columbina E Q > Illuga EQ > Chiori¹ 2[E] > Zibai combo
¹Chiori’s Burst is typically a DPS loss.
Sample Rotation (Gorou)
Columbina E Q > Illuga EQ > Gorou (Q)¹ E > Zibai combo
¹Burst every other rotation.
Sample Rotation (C2 Xilonen)
Columbina E Q > Xilonen E N2 > Illuga EQ > Zibai combo
Yelan and Aino provide supplemental off-field damage or additional utility. They also help lower Columbina’s ER requirements.
Sample Rotation (Yelan)
Columbina E Q > Illuga EQ > Yelan EQ N1 > Zibai combo
Sample Rotation (Aino)
Aino E > Columbina E Q > Illuga EQ > Aino Q > Zibai combo
Aino functions as an off-field Hydro applier for Zibai, especially at C6 for the 35% Lunar-Crystallize DMG buff. Illuga should hold 4pc Instructor, Aino should hold 4pc SMS, and Zhongli should hold 4pc Scroll to maximize Zibai’s DPS.
Sample Rotation
Zhongli hED > Aino E N1 > Illuga EQ > Aino Q N1 > Zibai combo
Limited Roster Alternatives
These teams are meant for newer players whose limited roster prevents them from using the teams above; as such, the teams below result in lower damage output.
Xingqiu’s minor healing and damage mitigation lets the team forgo a dedicated healer or shielder since Zibai has a high DEF stat and interruption resistance. He also forces a 21s rotation with 2-3s of downtime that can be filled with Zibai’s Burst, Geo Traveler’s second Skill charge, or an additional Favonius proc by Gorou. The rotation can run smoother if Xingqiu’s Skill is not dash-cancelled.
If players have C6 Aino, she is a better option than Xingqiu for team DPS. However, a C0–C5 Aino still performs worse damage-wise without the added defensive utility.
Sample Rotation (Gorou)
Xingqiu EQ N1 > Illuga EQ N1 > Gorou EQ N1 > Zibai combo > Gorou N2¹
¹To trigger Favonius if applicable.
Sample Rotation (Traveler)
Xingqiu EQ N1 > Illuga EQ N1 > Traveler EQ N1 > Zibai combo > Traveler E
C0 Aino is a permanently free option that pairs well with another Hydro character. Her short cooldowns fit Zibai’s preferred 18s rotation length. Dahlia and Ningguang (with Prototype Amber) provide defensive utility.
Illuga can hold 4pc Instructor, and Aino can hold 4pc SMS.
Sample Rotation (Dahlia)
Dahlia EQ > Illuga EQ > Aino EQ > Zibai combo
Sample Rotation (Ningguang)
Ningguang EQ > Illuga EQ > Aino EQ > Zibai combo
Geo DPS Support
Illuga can support other on-field Geo DPS units thanks to his Geo damage buffs (and C4 DEF% buff). Columbina enables Lunar-Crystallize Moondrifts to maximize his Nightingale’s Song stacks; however, teammates who create Geo Constructs can permit other alternatives. A Hydro teammate isn’t entirely necessary as Illuga still functions with 1-2 Geo teammates.
Notable Teammates
Geo On-Field DPS
These on-field DPS units benefit from Illuga’s Nightingale’s Song stacks and A1 Passive.
Hydro
A Hydro character maximizes Illuga’s A4 Passive; however, they aren’t entirely necessary as Illuga still functions with 1-2 Geo teammates and 0 Hydro teammates.
 Columbina ★ | Columbina enables Lunar-Crystallize Moondrifts, which permits constant uptime on Geo Resonance even without a shield. Her shorter cooldowns and long uptime allow her to slot into any rotation 17s or longer. She should hold 4pc Aubade of Morningstar and Moon, with R5 Prototype Amber being her best free-to-play option. |
Geo
These Geo characters provide buffs to the on-field Geo DPS or deal complementary off-field damage.
 Gorou ★ | Gorou is the premier support for Geo DPS units. His buffs combined with Illuga’s result in high personal damage for the on-fielder. He can hold 4pc NO, 4pc Scroll, or 4pc Exile, depending on what the rotation permits and what the on-fielder needs. He typically holds Favonius Warbow, but Elegy for the End is also a good option. |
Example Teams
This is not a comprehensive list of teams. The inclusion or exclusion of any given team does not necessarily reflect its power level.
Columbina enables Lunar-Crystallize, which permits constant uptime on Geo Resonance even without a shield. Healing from Gorou’s C4 and Columbina’s R5 Prototype Amber should be enough to withstand most content, but it does open up Itto to being hit, which can reset Serpent Spine’s stacks. Illuga or Gorou can funnel their particles to Itto.
Sample Rotation (Gorou)
Columbina E Q > Illuga EQ > Gorou Q E > Itto combo
Sample Rotation (Zhongli)
Columbina E Q > Zhongli hED > Illuga Q E > Itto combo
Illuga (and Columbina) fit neatly into Navia’s 18s team rotations. These teams lack a dedicated healer or shielder, but Columbina on R5 Prototype Amber is typically enough defensive utility. Illuga interrupts Navia’s field time to trigger Favonius again, if applicable.
Note that Navia uses her Tap Skill in Lunar-Crystallize teams since there are no shards to gather with her Hold Skill.
Sample Rotation (Yelan 1E ~18s)
Navia Q > Columbina E Q > Illuga EQ > Yelan EQ N1 > Navia tE N3D N2 > Illuga N3 > Navia tE N3D N2
Sample Rotation (Yelan 2E ~21s)
Navia Q > Columbina E Q > Yelan Q N1 E N1 > Illuga EQ N1 > Navia tE N3D N2 > Yelan E N1 > Navia tE N3D N2 > Illuga N3
Sample Rotation (Chiori)
Columbina E Q > Chiori 2[E] > Illuga EQ > Navia Q tE N3D N2 > Illuga N3 > Navia tE N3D N2
Noelle and Furina form a strong core, which Illuga and Columbina can complement. Illuga’s Geo damage buffs (and C4 DEF% buff) boost Noelle’s damage. Noelle also uniquely has no ICD on her Geo-converted Normal Attacks, so she can deal a significant amount of Lunar-Crystallize damage. Illuga interrupts Noelle’s field time to trigger Favonius again, if applicable.
Sample Rotation
Furina ED Q > Columbina E Q > Illuga EQ > Noelle EQ 2[N3D N3] > Illuga N3 > Noelle 2[N3D N3]
Limited Roster Alternatives
These teams are meant for newer players whose limited roster prevents them from using the teams above; as such, the teams below result in lower damage output.
This team focuses on Noelle’s personal damage, with Xingqiu as an off-field DPS. Geo Traveler is a freely accessible option who creates Geo Constructs and deals fine personal damage, but Gorou (especially C6) provides stronger buffs to Noelle’s personal damage.
Sample Rotation (Traveler)
Xingqiu EDQ N1 > Illuga Q N1 > Traveler Q E N1 > Noelle EQ N3D N3 > Illuga E N1 > Noelle 2[N2D] N3 > Traveler E N1 > Noelle N3
Sample Rotation (Gorou)
Xingqiu EDQ N1 > Gorou EQ N1 > Illuga Q N1 > Noelle EQ N3D N3 > Gorou E N1 > Noelle 2[N2D] N3 > Illuga E > Noelle N3
This team focuses on DPS Ningguang with a 15s rotation. Illuga buffs Ningguang’s Geo damage, while Bennett provides her with a huge Flat ATK buff. Ningguang’s Skill cast also generates 3 additional Nightingale’s Song stacks.
Dahlia provides a shield for Geo Resonance, allows Ningguang to perform an additional Normal Attack from his A4 Passive’s Attack SPD buff, and enables Illuga’s full A4 Passive. Fischl provides strong off-field damage and good particle generation, which compensates for Illuga’s lower A4 Passive buff.
Sample Rotation (Dahlia)
(Bennett E)¹ > Illuga EQ > Bennett (QE)¹ / EQ > Dahlia EQ > Ningguang N1 ED N1C Q N1C > Bennett E > Ningguang N2C N1
¹First rotation only if Illuga is C1+.
Sample Rotation (Fischl)
(Fischl E)¹ > Illuga EQ > Bennett EQ > Fischl E/Q > Ningguang N1 ED N1C Q C > Bennett E > Ningguang N2C
¹First rotation only if Illuga is C1+.
Credits
Writer(s): irokei, acerbus114
Contributors: luke_260, idkanonymized, rezmir
Team images made with the KQM portrait generator.