A new Dendro-type character has arrived in Genshin Impact with the claymore user Kinich who can stand among the game’s best DPS units with a good build and artifact combination.
Kinich is the second 5-star character from the newly introduced Natlan region following the debuts of Kachina and Mualani. As per his lore, Kinich is a Saurian Hunter from the Scions of Canopy, and he is one of the warriors designated to destroy the Night Kingdom. But if players create the proper build for him, Kinich can also destroy other enemies along the way, and he has the potential to be a part of some meta teams centered around the Dendro element and its reactions.
Though Kinich is new, Genshin Impact players have already figured out the best builds to turn him into a deadly DPS. Using the right artifacts, weapons, and team compositions for Kinich can bring out the best in him when it comes to combat.
Full Kinich build guide
How to play Kinich in Genshin Impact
Kinich is best played as a main DPS unit with an artifact build and weapon that steer into his Dendro and damage potential.
Kinich’s elemental skill called Canopy Hunter: Riding High is his primary source of damage. He uses a grappling hook to swing mid-air, making him move swiftly from one area to another if there is no nearby enemy. When there is a nearby target, Kinich will attach his grappling hook to an enemy and will enter the Nightsoul’s Blessing state. While in this form, he will gain Nightsoul Points each time he deals damage to enemies.
The elemental burst of Kinich is known as Hail to the Almighty Dragonlord. He unleashes the power of his dragon companion, K’uhul Ajaw, dealing AoE Dendro damage to enemies upon use and additional damage for 15 seconds. If this ability is activated while Kinich is in the Nightsoul’s Blessing state, the duration is extended.
Kinich becomes stronger as he gains more Nightsoul points. Prioritize dealing damage to enemies to maximize his DPS. Spamming Kinich’s attacks, especially his elemental skill can be a catalyst of a damage barrage, especially if he is used to trigger the Burning or Burgeon reactions. Both of these give more Nightsoul points to Kinich, making his attacks more devastating in the process.
All the best Kinich artifact builds and sets
For Kinich, the best artifact builds are Obsidian Codex or Unfinished Reverie. These allow Kinich to make the most of his Nightsoul’s Blessing power-ups, bringing the most out of his DPS potential.
Four-piece Obsidian Codex
With the Nightsoul system being the main combat mechanic introduced in the region of Natlan, using the Obsidian Codex is ideal. Kinich can gain a handful of buffs by using this artifact while in the Nightsoul Blessing state.
Since Kinich is best used as a main DPS unit, increasing his damage output while taking advantage of the Nightsoul Blessing state is a powerful combination. This is applicable when four pieces of the artifact are being used. Collecting four Obsidian Codex could be challenging, but it can potentially deal a lot of damage to enemies, especially if the 40% buff on Kinich’s critical strike rate is active.
Four-piece Unfinished Reverie
If players can’t farm enough Obsidian Codex for Kinich, using Unfinished Raverie would be a great second option. Not only can it increase the maximum damage output of Kinich, but using four pieces of this artifact can grant a damage bonus if the Burning reaction is active.
Since triggering the Burning reaction is essential to gain more Nightsoul points for Kinich, the four-piece Unfinished Raverie can kill two birds in one stone. It isn’t necessarily the best artifact build for Kinich, but it’s a very strong alternative.
The best weapons for Kinich in Genshin Impact
The best weapons that can be equipped to Kinich are Fang of the Mountain King, Beacon of the Reed Sea, Earth Shaker, and Serpent Spine. One of these weapons is the signature weapon option for the character, but there are some decent four-star or five-star alternatives. Once again, the priority is boosting Kinich’s DPS and Dendro potential.
Fang of the Mountain King (5-star)
As Kinich’s signature weapon, Fang of the Mountain King is naturally the best choice for him. When he uses this, it allows Kinich to gain Canopy stacks when attacking or triggering either the Burning or Burgeon reactions. The stacks increase the damage of his elemental skill and burst by 10% for six seconds. Kinich can have a maximum of six stacks, increasing his damage even further.
Beacon of the Reed Sea (5-star)
If players can’t manage to get the Fang of the Mountain King, using the Beacon of the Reed Sea is a solid alternative for Kinich. It increases both the damage output and max HP of Kinich when used. This defensive boost can help in particularly tough battles.
Serpent Spine (4-star)
Just like the Fang of the Mountain King, the Serpent Spine gives stacks to Kinich that allow him to increase his damage over time. It may not be as powerful as the damage bonus given by the Canopy stacks, but it is still a decent option that players can use.
Earth Shaker (4-star)
Rejoice, free-to-play players! The Earth Shaker can be used for Kinich. That’s because of the weapon’s damage bonus whenever its user’s team triggers Pyro-type reactions. This is quietly one of the best weapon options for Kinich, but it’s also something that requires a proper team composition.
Best team compositions for Kinich
Team compositions that focus on triggering the Burning or Burgeon reactions are ideal for Kinich. Aside from the steady damage that these fractions provide to enemies, the bonus damage Kinich can give as a main DPS unit courtesy of the Nightsoul points can be punishing for enemies.
Burning Hypercarry – Kinich, Emilie, Xiangling, and Bennett
This team relies on the Burning reaction to increase the damage output of both Kinich and Emilie. They are backed by the proven support duo of Xiangling and Bennett. The former deals off-field Pyro damage to make the Burning reaction as continuous as possible. As for the latter, his damage buff and healing are essential to keep the whole team’s offense and defense consistent for a long period.
Burgeon Vaporize – Kinich, Furina, Baizhu, and Xiangling
The Burgeon reaction is also helpful to increase the damage of Kinich. Combining it with Vaporize can be interesting since it means that more damage can be dealt to enemies. Furina is the main catalyst for both reactions, while Baizhu’s healing prowess is a reliable defensive and sustain engine for the team.
Burgeon Heavy – Kinich, Nahida, Xinqiu, and Dehya
A team that focuses on Burgeon is a viable option for Kinich, but a bit inconsistent compared to the Burning Hypercarry build above. Still, a team using Kinich with the Dendro Archon, Nahida, alongside Xinqiu and Dehya is a solid option to provide off-field damage and shield to decrease the damage the team will receive from enemies.
