Yelan Build Guide

Updated: May 2026 Version 6.0 Role: Hydro Sub-DPS
Quick Summary
  • Yelan is an elite Hydro sub-DPS who deals off-field damage via her Burst's coordinated attacks and provides a ramping DMG bonus to the active character.
  • Her best artifact set is Emblem of Severed Fate (4-pc), converting ER into Burst DMG — perfect since her Burst is her most important ability.
  • As an HP-scaling character, 30,000+ HP and 180-200% Energy Recharge are your primary stat targets before CRIT.
  • Yelan is often compared to Xingqiu — she offers higher personal damage and a ramping DMG buff, while Xingqiu provides defensive utility and interruption resistance.

Best Weapons for Yelan

Weapon Rarity Main Stat Notes
Aqua Simulacra 5★ CRIT DMG Signature weapon. Massive 88.2% CRIT DMG, HP% passive, and universal DMG bonus. BiS by a considerable margin.
Favonius Warbow 4★ Energy Recharge Best 4-star and F2P option. Solves ER needs entirely while generating energy for the team. Enables smoother rotations.
Slingshot 3★ CRIT Rate Surprisingly good 3-star option. 31.2% CRIT Rate is valuable stat compression if your ER needs are met elsewhere. Passive is irrelevant for Yelan.

Best Artifacts for Yelan

Artifact Set Piece Combination Notes
Emblem of Severed Fate 4-pc Undisputed BiS. Converts ER into Burst DMG (up to 75% at 300% ER). Since you build 180%+ ER anyway, this set is unbeatable for Yelan's Burst-centric playstyle.

Best Team Comps

Double Hydro Hu Tao

Hu Tao / Yelan / Xingqiu / Zhongli — Double Hydro provides Hydro resonance (25% HP for all) and ensures consistent Vaporize for Hu Tao. Yelan's A4 passive gives Hu Tao ramping DMG bonus throughout her field time. Extremely high single-target damage.

Hyperbloom

Yelan / Nahida / Kuki Shinobu / Flex — Yelan applies Hydro for Bloom core generation, Nahida provides Dendro, and Kuki triggers Hyperbloom with full EM build. The flex slot can be another Hydro, Dendro, or a shielder. Very strong and easy to play.

Raiden National

Raiden Shogun / Yelan / Xiangling / Bennett — Yelan replaces Xingqiu in the classic Rational team for higher damage. Raiden's Burst recharges energy for the team. Xiangling provides off-field Pyro for Vaporize. Bennett heals and buffs ATK.

Talent Priority

Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill > Normal Attack

Yelan's Burst is her primary contribution — crowning it is highly recommended. Her Skill provides good damage and energy generation, so level it to at least 8. Normal Attack can be left at level 1 unless you are using Yelan on-field at C6.

Recommended Stats

Artifact Slot Main Stat Substat Priority
Sands HP% (or ER%) CRIT, HP%, ER
Goblet Hydro DMG Bonus CRIT, HP%, ER
Circlet CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG CRIT, HP%, ER

Target stats: 30,000+ HP, 180-200% Energy Recharge (lower if running double Hydro or Raiden), and a 70/140+ crit ratio. Meeting ER requirements is your top priority — a Yelan who can't Burst on cooldown does zero damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Yelan vs Xingqiu — which one should I use?

Both are excellent. Yelan offers higher personal damage and a ramping DMG buff. Xingqiu provides damage reduction, minor healing, and interruption resistance. In teams needing defensive utility (e.g., Hu Tao without Zhongli), Xingqiu is preferable. In teams that already have a shielder/healer, Yelan's higher damage ceiling wins out. Running both together (Double Hydro) is often the best option.

Q: Is Aqua Simulacra worth pulling?

Aqua Simulacra is one of the best bows in the game and Yelan's BiS, providing a massive damage spike. However, it only outperforms Favonius Warbow if you can still meet your ER requirements through artifacts. A Yelan with Favonius who Bursts every rotation out-damages a Yelan with Aqua who cannot.

Q: What are Yelan's ER requirements?

In solo Hydro teams: 200-220% ER. In double Hydro (with Xingqiu): 180-200% ER. With Raiden: 160-180% ER. With C1 (extra Skill charge): subtract roughly 20% from these ranges. Favonius Warbow can cover most of these requirements, allowing you to use an HP% sands.

Q: What is the best F2P weapon for Yelan?

Favonius Warbow is the best F2P weapon. It provides ER and team utility. The Stringless is a decent option if your ER is already met. Slingshot (3-star) is a niche option for CRIT Rate if you have high ER from substats. Always prioritize ER over damage stats on your weapon.

Q: Is Yelan good at C0?

Yes, Yelan is an S-tier character at C0. Her C1 provides an extra Skill charge which helps with energy and overworld mobility, but it is a convenience upgrade, not a necessity. C2 adds additional Hydro application that can enable some new team comps, but C0 Yelan is already a top-tier pull.