[Genshin Impact] Best Cyno Build: Artifacts, Weapons & Team Guide

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Background

Cyno is a 5-star polearm user from the region of Sumeru. He is first introduced when the Traveler travels to the desert area of Sumeru. Cyno was also seen in the Genshin manga where he helps Collei with her sickness.

As the General Mahamatra of the Matras, Cyno hunts down anyone who violates the rules of the Akademiya. He is skilled in combat and is known to be observant and concise in his duties. Cyno will discipline those who get in his way and is known to be ruthless when hunting down his enemies.

Cyno also likes to tell jokes to lighten the mood, but those tend to be overcomplicated with poor execution. He usually has to explain his jokes in detail to anyone that doesn’t get it.

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Cyno Skill Talents

Cyno is a main DPS character that utilizes his burst to infuse his normal attack with Electro DMG and upgrade the damage and cooldown of his elemental skill when under his burst’s effect. The uptime of his burst is critical to Cyno’s kit.

Cyno’s normal attack, Invoker’s Spear, performs up to 4 strikes with his polearm. The third will hit 2x, while the fourth will deal the most damage. For his charge attack, Cyno will lunge forward to deal damage to enemies in exchange for stamina. Under the effects of his burst, Cyno’s normal attack converts into Electro DMG, boosts his damage multipliers, and adds an extra attack to his chain.

His elemental skill, Secret Rite: Chasmic Soulfarer, rapidly thursts Cyno’s polearm at the enemy to deal Electro DMG. If Cyno is affected by his burst effect, he will instead unleash a Mortuary Rite to strike at enemies and deal AoE Electro DMG, while also extending the duration of his burst by 4 seconds. The Mortuary Rite has a cooldown of 3 seconds with his regular elemental skill having a cooldown of 7.5 seconds. The damage output of Cyno’s elemental skill depends on if he has his burst active due to its short cooldown.

Cyno’s elemental burst, Sacred Rite: Wolf’s Swiftness, calls forth a divine spirit to grant him the power to enter the Pactsworn Pathclearer state. While in this state, all of Cyno’s normal attacks will be converted into Electro DMG that can not be overridden. Cyno also gains increased elemental mastery, resistance to interruption, and is immune to Electro-charge damage. The Pactsworn Pathclearer adds 1 more attack to Cyno’s attack chain. Cyno’s burst has a basic duration of 10 seconds with an energy of 80. It has a cooldown of 20 seconds. Cyno’s burst boosts his damage output by converting his normal attack into Electro DMG. It is important to note that casting his burst does not damage the enemy. Any buffs that increase burst damage will not affect Cyno’s damage as his burst only buffs and infuses Cyno’s normal attack. Cyno’s burst will be canceled when he leaves the field or when its duration is over. Cyno’s elemental skill can extend the duration of Cyno’s burst when it is used, but his burst can only last a total of 18 seconds.

Cyno’s main role in co-op will be as a damage dealer while under the influence of his elemental burst.

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Cyno Passive Talents

Cyno’s passive grants him more rewards when he is sent on expeditions in Sumeru. His ascension talents buff the damage of both his elemental skills and burst effect.

Cyno’s passive talent, The Gift of Silence, increases the rewards gained when he is sent on expeditions in Sumeru, allowing you to gain more items in the same amount of time.

At ascension 1, Cyno gains the talent Featherfall Judgment. This talent allows Cyno to enter the Endseer Stance at certain intervals during the duration of his burst. This will be marked by an iris that will show up on the screen. When Cyno triggers his elemental skill when the Endseer Stance is active, Cyno will deal increased elemental skill damage and fire off Duststalker Bolts at the enemy. This overall talent increases the damage output of his elemental skill while his burst is active and the Endseer Stance takes effect. The Duststalker Bolts count as elemental skill damage. The cooldown of the Endseer Stance is 2.5 seconds.

At, Ascension 4, Authority Over the Nine Bows, Cyno gains increased damage based on his elemental mastery stat.This increase affects both his burst’s normal attack damage and the Duststalker Bolt damage from his elemental skill. The higher Cyno’s elemental mastery, the more damage buff he gains from this talent.

Cyno gains increased Crit DMG based on his ascension rank.

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Cyno Constellations

Cyno’s constellation mainly improves the damage of his normal attack, improving his overall usefulness as a Main DPS.

At C1: Ordinance: Unceasing Vigil, Cyno gains increased normal attack speed after using his elemental burst for 10 seconds. The duration of this constellation is refreshed if Cyno uses his elemental skill during the effects of the ascension talent Featherfall Judgment. This constellation allows Cyno to attack more rapidly during his regular normal attack, and while the effects of his elemental burst are active.

C2: Ceremony: Homecoming of Spirits increases Cyno’s Electro DMG when his normal attack hits an enemy. This can be triggered up to 5 times every .1 second. This constellation boost the power of both his skill and norma attack damage from his burst’s effect.

C4: Austerity: Forbidding Guard – Extinction of Suffering provides elemental energy nearby party member after Cyno triggers an Electro reaction while in his elemental burst state. This effect can be triggered up to 5 times, for up to 15 energy. The energy does not apply to Cyno so this constellation is more of a supportive buff to provide energy for the rest of the party.

At C6: Raiment: Just Scales, Cyno gains 4 stacks of “Day of the Jackal” effect after using his elemental burst or by triggering Judication effect from his ascension talent. Cyno will consume 1 stack after hitting an enemy with his normal attack to fire off 1  Duststalker Bolt at the enemy. 1 Bolt can be triggered every .4 seconds and all remaining stacks will disappear once Cyno’s burst is over. A stack of Day of the Jackal will only last for 8 seconds, but more can be obtained by triggering the Judication effect during his burst’s duration. This constellation is helpful to deal additional damage to the enemy.

Constellation Levels	Effects
C1: Ordinance: Unceasing Vigil	After using Sacred Rite: Wolf’s Swiftness, Cyno’s Normal Attack SPD will be increased by 20% for 10s. If the Judication effect of his Passive Talent Featherfall Judgment is triggered during Secret Rite: Chasmic Soulfarer, the duration of this increase will be refreshed. You need to unlock the Passive Talent “Featherfall Judgement.”
C2: Ceremony: Homecoming of Spirits	When Cyno’s Normal Attacks hit opponents, his Electro DMG Bonus will increase by 10% for 4s. This effect can be triggered once every 0.1s. Max 5 stacks.
C3: Precept: Lawful Enforcer	Increases the Level of Sacred Rite: Wolf’s Swiftness by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
C4: Austerity: Forbidding Guard – Extinction of Suffering	When Cyno is in the Pactsworn Pathclearer state triggered by Sacred Rite: Wolf’s Swiftness, after he triggers Electro-Charged, Superconduct, Overloaded, Quicken, Aggravate, Hyperbloom, or an Electro Swirl reaction, he will restore 3 Elemental Energy for all nearby party members (except himself.) This effect can occur 5 times within one use of Sacred Rite: Wolf’s Swiftness.
C5: Funerary Rite: The Passing of Starlight	Increases the Level of Secret Rite: Chasmic Soulfarer by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
C6: Raiment: Just Scales	After using Sacred Rite: Wolf’s Swiftness or triggering the Judication effect of the Passive Talent “Featherfall Judgment,” Cyno will gain 4 stacks of the “Day of the Jackal” effect. When he hits opponents with Normal Attacks, he will consume 1 stack of “Day of the Jackal” to fire off one Duststalker Bolt. “Day of the Jackal” lasts for 8s. Max 8 stacks. It will be canceled once Pactsworn Pathclearer ends. A maximum of 1 Duststalker Bolt can be unleashed this way every 0.4s. You must first unlock the Passive Talent “Featherfall Judgment.”

Recommended Builds

Cyno Electro DPS Build

This build for Cyno utilizes the Thundering Fury set along with Cyno’s ability to deal rapid strikes Electro DMG to the enemy with his burst and trigger increased damage from Electro reactions. Triggering Electro reactions will also decrease his elemental skill cooldown. For this build, you will want to level up Cyno’s burst and elemental skill to boost their overall damage. Cyno’s normal attack is changed when he uses his burst, so leveling it up is less viable to his success as a Main DPS character.

For his teammates, Cyno will want to use other characters that will buff his reaction damage over help him trigger reactions passively. Both Yelan and Xingqiu can deal passive Hydro DMG with their elemental burst to attack alongside Cyno and apply Hydro to enemies for Electro-charge. Cyno is also immune to Electro-charge damage while his burst is active, allowing him to reliably trigger it to deal Dendro DMG to the enemy and trigger Quicken or Aggravate. The Hydro and Dendro elements will also produce a Dendro core when they react together. Applying Electro to this core will trigger Hyperbloom to deal increased Dendro DMG to the enemy. This team composition for Cyno heavily focuses on elemental reactions. Xingqiu or Yelan can be swapped with Barbara as a healer or another support character like Sucrose to increase the reaction damage of the team. The Dendro Traveler can be replaced with Collei who also has a field burst that applies Dendro to enemies.

Cyno’s signature weapon, Staff of the Scarlet Sands, increases Crit Rate and provides increased ATK based on Cynos Elemental Mastery stat. When his elemental skill hits an enemy, Cyno will gain the Dream of the Scarlet Sands effect for 10 seconds. This can stack up to 3 times and provides Cyno another ATK buff based on his Elemental Mastery stat. This weapon is Cyno’s best 5-star weapon, but other 5-star weapons like the Staff of Homa or Primordial Jade Winged-Spear work as well. They all focus on raising his Crit DMG or Crit Rate.

Cyno’s recommended 4-star weapon is the Deathmatch from the battle pass. This weapon increases Crit Rate and raises ATK and DEF based on the number of enemies that are currently around the party. If you do not have access to the battle pass, then the Blackcliff Pole or the craftable Kitain Cross Spear will work as well. The Blackcliff Pole raises Crit DMG, but it does have a downside as its ATK buff only triggers when an enemy is defeated. The Kitain Cross Spear increases Elemental Mastery and Elemental Skill DMG. Cyno is also able to generate Energy overtime when his elemental skill hits an enemy. The craftable Moonpiercer can work in this team and increases Elemental Mastery. Triggering a Dendro reaction will drop a Leaf of Revival that will grant the character an ATK buff if they pick it up. Lastly, the event weapon Missive Windspear is also great for Cyno and boosts ATK in its passive stat. It’s skill raises ATK and Elemental Mastery after he triggers a reaction.

The 3-star weapon White Tassel works for Cyno in the early game and also in the late game as well. This weapon raises Crit Rate and normal attack damage. Although it does have a low base attack, but its normal attack buff can more than makeup for it.

Cyno’s recommended artifact set is the 4-piece Thundering Fury. This set increases his Electro DMG and increases the power of his Electro reactions. Triggering Electro reactions will also shorten the cooldown of Cyno’s elemental skill. This set is great for Cyno to boost his Electro DMG and also allows him to use his elemental skill more quickly, especially when under the effects of his elemental burst. The main advantage of this set is the Electro reaction damage increase it provides him. It is also accessible in Mondstadt. Another good option is the Gilded Dreams to increase Cyno’s Elemental Mastery and buff his ATK and Elemental Mastery depending on the number of elemental types in the party. The Gladiator’s Finale can also work to increase ATK and his normal attack damage. In the early game, use the Martial Artist to raise Cyno’s normal and charged attack damage.

Artifact stats for Cyno:

• Sands: Elemental Mastery
• Goblet: Electro DMG Bonus
• Circlet: Crit DMG or Crit Rate

For his sub-stats, look for Crit DMG, Crit Rate, ATK, and Elemental Mastery. Energy Recharge is decent, but Cyno does not need a lot of it as he will be generating more Electro particles during his elemental skill when his burst is active.

Cyno Main DPS Build

This build is similar to the first build, but focuses on increasing Cyno’s attack and elemental mastery after triggering a reaction with the gilded Dreams artifact set. The buff depends on the number of different elements that are on the team. Like the first build, Cyno will be using his burst to deal rapid Electro strikes to the enemy. His normal attack is not necessary as Cyno’s burst will empower it.

Cyno’s teammate for this build will be Fischl to deal passive Electro DMG and Collei to trigger Dendro reactions. Collei can be replaced with the Dendro Traveler since they both have wide-field bursts. Cyno works well with other characters that can deal passive damage as his burst effect requires him to be on the field or the effects will disappear. Sayu will act as the healer and can spread and reduce the Electro defenses of the enemy with the Viridescent Venerer artifact set. She can be replaced with Kazuha to serve as crowd control and boost the elemental damage of the team.

Cyno’s best weapon will still be the same as the first build. His signature weapon, Staff of the Scarlet Sands, is his best in slot, but any 5-star weapon will suffice on him. For craftable weapons, both the Moonpiercer and Kitain Cross Spear increase Elemental Mastery, which boosts the damage buff his ascension 4 talent provides him. Other good weapons are the Deathmatch, White Tassel, and the Missive Windspear.

Cyno’s artifact set is the Gilded Dreams to further increase his elemental mastery. The 4-piece set provides Cyno with an ATK buff for any character with the same element as him on the team and an EM buff for any character of a different element from him. The Gladiator’s Finale will also suffice and is the standard DPS artifact set that is easy to farm.

Artifact stats for Cyno:

• Sands: Elemental Mastery
• Goblet: Electro DMG Bonus
• Circlet: Crit DMG or Crit Rate

For his sub-stats, look for Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK, and Elemental Mastery.

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Recommended Party Members

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Advantages	Disadvantages
Quick and rapid attacks	Relies on his burst to deal damage
Burst upgrades both his normal attack and skill	Elemental burst drains his HP
Elemental Mastery increases his damage	His burst ends if he leaves the field

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Conclusion

Cyno is a powerful Electro DPS character that uses a polearm in battle. His burst proves him a powerful buff that infuses his normal attack with Electro and upgrades the power of his elemental skill. He does require to be on the field while his burst is active so characters that can feal damage off the field will work best in a team for him.

What do you think of Cyno? Is there anything I missed? Let us know in the comments below! You can also reach out through our Twitter or my Discord handle Seyfrid#2589.

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Other useful links:

• Cyno Wiki

*Images of gameplay owned by miHoYo