Zhongli Build Guide: Best Artifacts, Weapons & Teams

Liyue’s Geo Archon, Zhongli, continues to be one of the most valuable characters in Genshin Impact. With the power to summon durable shields, debuff enemies, and control the battlefield with a massive meteor, Zhongli brings both safety and strength to any lineup. His presence allows teams to stay protected and deal more damage, all while maintaining a calm rhythm in combat. For players looking for stability and utility in their party, Zhongli remains a top-tier choice in the current meta.

Zhongli's Abilities in Genshin Impact

Zhongli specializes in two things: creating powerful shields and manipulating enemies using Geo energy. His Elemental Skill, Dominus Lapidis, can be tapped to summon a stone pillar that deals AoE Geo damage. When the skill is held, Zhongli creates a Jade Shield that scales with his max HP. This shield is one of the strongest in the game and also reduces enemy resistance to both physical and elemental damage.

His Elemental Burst, Planet Befall, summons a massive meteor that crashes down on enemies. The impact deals heavy Geo damage and petrifies targets, leaving them immobile for a short duration. This makes his Burst excellent for interrupting enemy actions and setting up high-damage follow-ups from teammates. Zhongli’s ability to both protect his team and control enemy movement gives him a unique edge in many combat scenarios.

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Genshin Impact: Best Artifact Sets for Zhongli

The most effective artifact set for Zhongli largely depends on the role you want him to fulfill. For those building him as a full support unit, the Tenacity of the Millelith set is the most consistent option. It increases his HP and grants a team-wide attack boost whenever his Elemental Skill hits an enemy. The Jade Shield created by Zhongli’s skill will keep triggering this buff during its duration, making it reliable in long fights.

If you want Zhongli to contribute more damage through his Elemental Burst, the Noblesse Oblige set is a great fit. It increases his Burst damage and provides an additional attack bonus to the whole party after he uses it. Another option for Burst-focused builds is the Emblem of Severed Fate set, which increases Energy Recharge and converts it into more Burst damage. This is especially useful if you're pairing Zhongli with energy-hungry characters.

Deepwood Memories is not a popular choice for Zhongli, but in teams that rely on Dendro reactions, it can serve a niche role. While Zhongli does not benefit directly from the Dendro damage boost, he can still help reduce enemy resistance if no one else on the team is using the set.

As for stats, focus on HP% for support builds, Geo Damage Bonus on the Goblet, and CRIT Rate or CRIT Damage for sub-DPS setups. Substats like HP%, Energy Recharge, and CRIT can further enhance Zhongli's performance based on your chosen role.

Also Read: Kazuha Genshin Impact Guide: Best Builds, Weapons & Team Comps

Best Zhongli's Weapon Choices in Genshin Impact

Zhongli’s weapons determine how much value he can bring to your team. For players focused on maximizing their shielding strength, the Black Tassel stands out as a top choice. Despite being a 3-star polearm, it provides a significant boost to HP, which directly improves the strength of the Jade Shield. This is especially effective in support builds where damage is not the priority.

If your team needs more energy generation, the Favonius Lance is another strong option. Its ability to generate energy particles helps Zhongli recharge his Burst more quickly, allowing for more frequent crowd control and Geo damage. In teams that rely on consistent Burst rotations, this weapon can smooth out energy flow.

For those who want Zhongli to deal more damage, Blackcliff Pole and Wavebreaker’s Fin offer offensive stats like CRIT Damage and Burst scaling. These are good picks if you are using him as a secondary damage dealer.

Vortex Vanquisher, his signature weapon, is tailored for Zhongli’s hybrid build. It increases shield strength and provides an ATK bonus while shielded, making it a balanced choice for both protection and output. Some players also use the Staff of Homa, a 5-star weapon that boosts HP and CRIT Damage. While it works well with Zhongli’s HP-scaling abilities, it is often better suited to damage-focused characters like Hu Tao. In most support situations, the Black Tassel or Vortex Vanquisher provide more practical value.

Zhongli's Constellations Upgrades in Genshin Impact

Zhongli’s constellation upgrades add solid enhancements, especially for players who use him as a primary support. His first constellation allows you to have two stone steles active at the same time, improving Geo resonance and adding more consistent AoE damage.

His second constellation is widely considered the most impactful. It grants a Jade Shield to all nearby characters when Planet Befall is used, allowing for instant team-wide protection during crucial moments.

The third and fifth constellations are straightforward level boosts to his skill and Burst, improving their scaling and effectiveness. The fourth constellation increases the area of effect of Planet Befall and extends the duration of the Petrify effect, making it easier to control larger groups of enemies.

His sixth constellation introduces a healing component. When the Jade Shield absorbs damage, 40 percent of that damage is converted into healing for the active character. Each healing instance is capped at 8 percent of their max HP. This turns Zhongli into a more complete support, offering both protection and sustain.

While all constellations add value, most players find C2 to be the most meaningful upgrade without requiring full investment.

Best Teams Featuring Zhongli

Zhongli fits into many team compositions because of his shielding, resistance shred, and flexibility. In Hu Tao teams, he protects her while she plays at low HP. His shield prevents interruptions, allowing Hu Tao to stay aggressive without the risk of being knocked out of animation.

For Xiao hyper-carry setups, Zhongli provides the protection needed during Xiao’s Burst. Since Xiao cannot easily dodge while using plunge attacks, having a stable shield allows him to focus fully on output.

Zhongli also works well in Ganyu Melt or Freeze teams. His shield allows Ganyu to safely charge her shots while standing still, which is essential for her optimal playstyle. The shield also helps apply Cryo consistently without being interrupted.

In Mono Geo teams, Zhongli pairs well with characters like Arataki Itto, Albedo, and Ningguang. His resistance shred enhances the team’s overall Geo damage output, and his pillar adds steady Geo application for resonance effects.

You can also use him in double Geo setups with flexibility in the remaining elements. His low field time and durable shield make him compatible with many playstyles.

Also Read: Genshin Impact Multiplayer: How to Unlock and Play Co-Op Mode?

Showcasing Zhongli's Strength in Game

Zhongli’s true strength lies in how much he simplifies high-level content. His shield is strong enough to withstand boss attacks and constant pressure in the Spiral Abyss. For players who struggle with enemy crowd control or need more breathing room during rotations, his presence is a game-changer.

With talents leveled and a proper build, Zhongli becomes a reliable anchor in your lineup. His Elemental Burst can stop enemy movement and open up combos, while his shield allows your main damage dealers to focus on their rotations without dodging constantly.

He requires minimal attention during combat, which makes him especially helpful for players who prefer stable, low-maintenance team members that offer long-term value.

Final Words

Zhongli remains one of the most dependable characters in Genshin Impact. His ability to provide powerful shields, reduce enemy resistances, and control fights with Petrify makes him a consistent and rewarding unit to build. His flexibility in weapon and artifact choices means you can tailor him to your team’s needs with ease.

Constellations can improve his performance, but he performs extremely well even at C0. If you unlock C2, you will see an immediate upgrade in team survivability. Whether you're exploring, clearing Abyss, or tackling world bosses, Zhongli offers both comfort and strength at every level of the game.

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