Hu Tao, the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, was once one of the most popular Pyro DPS characters in Genshin Impact. Her ability to deal massive damage made her a must-have for many players. However, with the release of new characters like Arlecchino, players have started to question whether Hu Tao is still worth pulling. This article dives into Hu Tao's playstyle, her best weapons, and ideal team compositions, along with her current place in the 2024 meta.
Please note that this article includes a personal perspective as a Hu Tao player. So, let's get into it!
Hu Tao's Playstyle: Tips to Maximize Damage
Hu Tao has a somewhat complex playstyle, especially for beginners. Her main damage sources are her Elemental Skill, Charged Attack, and her CRIT Rate and CRIT Damage ratios. Here are some important points on how to play Hu Tao effectively:
- Using Elemental Skill "Guide of Afterlife"When activating her Elemental Skill, Hu Tao sacrifices a portion of her HP, boosting her overall ATK for a limited time. This skill provides a temporary ATK boost, and once it ends, all team members (except Hu Tao) gain a 12% CRIT Rate bonus for 8 seconds.
- Leveraging Her Passive "Sanguine Rouge"When Hu Tao’s HP is below 50%, she gains a 33% Pyro Damage Bonus. This makes her more effective when her HP is low, which is why she isn’t ideal in teams with too much healing. The lower her HP, the higher her potential damage output.
- Managing Stamina for Charged Attacks and Jump CancelsHu Tao’s playstyle involves frequent Charged Attacks while her skill is active. However, this consumes stamina, so players need to manage it carefully to avoid running out, especially since stamina is also needed for dodging enemy attacks. The “jump cancel” technique—using a Charged Attack followed by a jump to cancel the animation—can help conserve stamina. If you have Hu Tao’s C1 (first constellation), managing stamina becomes much easier.
Best Weapon for Hu Tao: Staff of Homa and Alternatives
Staff of Homa is Hu Tao’s best weapon due to its high CRIT Damage stat and its effect that increases ATK when HP is below 50%, perfectly complementing her passive. Additionally, this weapon is versatile enough to be used by other DPS characters like Raiden Shogun, Arlecchino, or even 4-star characters like Chevreuse.
If you don’t have Staff of Homa, here are some alternatives for Hu Tao:
- Blackcliff Pole – This weapon increases CRIT Damage, making it a solid choice for boosting Hu Tao’s damage output.
- Deathmatch – A good budget option for Battle Pass users, as it adds CRIT Rate.
- Black Tassel – Despite being a 3-star weapon, it provides a significant HP boost, enhancing Hu Tao’s HP-based passive skills.
Best Team Compositions for Hu Tao: Vaporize Team and Alternatives
To achieve optimal damage, Hu Tao is often played in a Vaporize team, especially since her best artifact set is Crimson Witch of Flames, which increases Vaporize reaction damage. Here are some effective team compositions for Hu Tao:
Vaporize Team with Xingqiu and Double Hydro
Xingqiu is Hu Tao’s main partner in Vaporize teams, providing consistent Hydro application for reactions. To maximize Vaporize damage, adding another Hydro character like Yelan or Furina is ideal. The final character can vary, but it’s generally recommended to have a shielder, such as:- Zhongli – For the best shield, ideal for players who want a safer playstyle without worrying about taking damage.
- Thoma or Diona – More budget-friendly shielders who still provide solid protection for Hu Tao.
- Plunge Team with Xianyun
The addition of Xianyun, a new adeptus character in Genshin Impact, has introduced a fresh variation in Hu Tao’s gameplay. If you have Xianyun, you can build a Plunge Attack-focused Hu Tao team, minimizing stamina management. The rest of the team can include off-field sub-DPS characters, buffers/debuffers, shielders, or even a healer. - Pyro Resonance TeamUsing two Pyro characters in the same team provides an additional ATK boost. Here, an extra Pyro character like Bennett or Thoma can increase Hu Tao’s ATK and offer additional flexibility.
Is Hu Tao Still Worth Pulling in 2024?
Despite the arrival of more Pyro DPS characters, Hu Tao remains one of the best damage dealers when played optimally. Her strong weapon and versatile team options keep her relevant in the current meta. The addition of new characters like Xianyun also provides fresh ways to play Hu Tao, making her more flexible.
However, whether or not to pull for Hu Tao ultimately comes down to personal preference. Do you enjoy a character with an intense playstyle that requires a bit of practice, or do you prefer something simpler? For those who love a challenge and high damage, Hu Tao is highly rewarding.
In conclusion, while Hu Tao remains a solid choice, be sure to consider your own playstyle and team needs. This guide serves as a reference, not a definitive rule. Remember, the most important part of playing Genshin Impact is to enjoy the game!