Introduction: Facing the Old Beast of Liyue



Welcome, Travelers, to the heart of Liyue's ancient history and a true test of your combat prowess: the formidable Azhdaha! This massive geovishap, once a protector and later a devastating threat, resides deep within the Domain of Guyun. Defeating Azhdaha is not just about flexing your character builds; it’s about understanding elemental mechanics, mastering positioning, and timing your dodges perfectly. This comprehensive Genshin Guide will break down everything you need to know to conquer this challenging weekly boss, ensuring you walk away with those precious Ascension Materials.



Who is Azhdaha? Understanding the Lore and Threat



Before diving into the mechanics, a quick nod to the lore: Azhdaha, whose name means "Great Toad" in ancient Liyue, was the first ruler of Liyue, serving the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis. Betrayed and corrupted, he became a force of chaos. Now, as a weekly boss, he serves as a challenging gatekeeper to essential character materials—specifically those needed for powerful characters like Hu Tao, Zhongli, and Xiao.



Preparation is Key: Before You Engage



Azhdaha is a pure Geo damage dealer, but his threat level comes from his constant elemental infusions. Proper preparation can mitigate 80% of the difficulty.



Elemental Resonance and Team Composition



Since Azhdaha cycles through four different elemental attunements (Pyro, Hydro, Electro, Cryo), running a Mono-Geo team can be tempting but ultimately risky unless your shields are flawless.



Shielding is Non-Negotiable: Azhdaha hits hard. Having a reliable, long-lasting shield (Zhongli is the undisputed king here, but Noelle or even a well-built Diona works) is crucial for surviving his heavy AoE slams.

Healing vs. Shielding: While healing is useful, strong shielding prevents you from taking damage in the first place, which is always preferable against this boss.

Elemental Coverage: You need a character who can consistently apply an element to interrupt his final phase, but more importantly, your main DPS needs to fit within the elemental restrictions. If your DPS relies heavily on one element (e.g., a Vaporize or Melt focused team), you might need to swap them out depending on Azhdaha’s current infusion.



Artifacts, Talents, and Weapon Levels



Treat Azhdaha like an Abyss Floor 12 boss.



1. Level 90: If you are struggling, leveling your main DPS and supports to 90 provides a tangible boost to survivability and damage output.

2. Talents: Aim for at least Level 8 on your primary DPS talents.

3. Artifacts: Aim for reasonable substats. You don't necessarily need perfect artifacts, but ensuring your team has adequate Crit Rate/DMG and Energy Recharge (ER) is vital for quick rotations.



The Fight Breakdown: Phase by Phase Mastery



The battle against Azhdaha is divided into three distinct phases, with the final phase being the most dynamic due to the elemental shifts.



Phase 1: Initial Assault (100% to ~70% HP)



This phase is relatively straightforward, focusing on physical and Geo damage.



Key Attacks:

Ground Pound/Stomp: Azhdaha raises a massive claw and slams it down, creating a small Geo AoE. Dodge sideways just as the claw begins its descent.

Triple Slam Combo: He performs a quick three-hit sequence. The first two are easy to dodge, but the third often has a delayed hitbox—wait until the visual effect fully detonates before moving.

Tail Sweep: A wide-angle physical attack. Back away or dash through him to get behind his legs for counter-attacks.



Strategy: Use your burst windows here. Since there are no elemental hazards, this is your safest time to build energy and deal high, consistent damage. Stay close to his legs, as this often minimizes exposure to his wider sweeps.



Phase 2: The Elemental Infusion Begins (Transition at ~70% HP)



Azhdaha will roar, dive into the ground, and emerge moments later, glowing with one of four elements. This is where the true challenge begins.



Understanding the Elemental Cycles



Azhdaha cycles through the elements in a set pattern: Pyro -> Hydro -> Electro -> Cryo. The cycle repeats, but critically, he retains the element you successfully break him out of.



The Key Mechanic: Elemental Overload



To damage Azhdaha significantly in this phase, you must successfully apply the element he is currently infused with to break his resistance.



1. Infusion: Azhdaha glows with an element (e.g., Red for Pyro).

2. Projectile Spawning: He will summon three elemental projectiles around the arena that eventually home in on your position.

3. Breaking the Shield: You must use the correct element to detonate these projectiles. Detonating a projectile with the matching element deals massive shield damage, staggering Azhdaha and ending the infusion early.



Elemental Matching Cheat Sheet:



| Azhdaha Infusion | Required Element to Break Shield |

| :--- | :--- |

| Pyro (Red) | Hydro or Cryo |

| Hydro (Blue) | Pyro or Electro |

| Electro (Purple) | Hydro or Cryo |

| Cryo (White/Light Blue) | Pyro or Electro |



Crucial Tip: If you fail to break the shield in time, the projectiles will detonate, leaving behind massive pools of elemental damage on the ground that persist for several seconds. Do not stand in the pools!



Phase 3: The Unstable Core and Final Assault (Below ~40% HP)



Once Azhdaha’s HP dips low enough (or after two full elemental cycles), he enters his most aggressive state, often skipping the projectile phase and rapidly cycling through infusions mid-fight, or simply unleashing massive AoE elemental attacks.



Rapid Shifts: He might slam down as Pyro, then instantly slam again as Hydro. You must react instantly to the color change.

Elemental Slam: Instead of summoning projectiles, he might just slam down, leaving a lingering elemental hazard on the ground (e.g., spreading Hydro puddles or lingering Electro sparks).



Strategy for Phase 3: This phase demands maximum reaction speed. If you have Zhongli, his shield strength is paramount here. If you are running a DPS that is weak to the current infusion (e.g., a Pyro DPS facing a Hydro phase), focus entirely on survival and generating energy until he shifts to a safer element.



The Unstoppable Strategy: Leveraging Zhongli and Geo Resonance



For many players, Azhdaha is the ultimate litmus test for a well-built Zhongli. If you have him, use him.



1. Pillar Placement: Place your Geo Traveler/Zhongli’s pillar near Azhdaha’s legs but slightly to the side. The resonance damage contributes to breaking the elemental shields, and the constant Geo application can help generate particles.

2. Shield Upkeep: Ensure your shield is active before Azhdaha slams. A timely shield refresh can interrupt his animation slightly, though this is inconsistent.

3. Geo Resonance: The added shield strength and damage bonus from Geo Resonance are incredibly valuable for surviving the sustained elemental onslaught.



Building a Successful Team: Archetypes and Examples



Finding the right four characters for this fight is the core of any successful Genshin Guide. Here are three viable team archetypes:



1. The Unbreakable Fortress (Shield Focus)



This team prioritizes minimizing damage taken over maximizing damage dealt.



Main DPS: Flexible (e.g., Ayaka, Ganyu, Raiden Shogun)

Support/Shielder 1: Zhongli (Essential)

Support/Shielder 2: Diona/Thoma (For added shield uptime or Pyro Resonance)

Healer/Buffer: Bennett or Kokomi (Depending on needs—Bennett offers huge attack boosts but minimal healing if his shield is down).



Why it works: You absorb most of the elemental damage outright, allowing your DPS to maintain consistent output regardless of Azhdaha's phase.



2. The Elemental Reaction Team (Risk/Reward)



This team uses specific elements to reliably counter two or three of Azhdaha's phases, relying on strong shields for the remaining two.



Main DPS: Hu Tao (Excellent Cryo/Electro counter potential)

Support 1 (Hydro): Xingqiu/Yelan (Necessary for Vaporize windows and Hydro application for Pyro/Electro breaks)

Support 2 (Shield): Zhongli

Flex/Buffer: Thoma (For Pyro resonance and extra shielding) or Fischl (For Electro breaks).



Why it works: You actively exploit the elemental counters when possible, turning Azhdaha’s shields into massive damage opportunities.



3. The Hypercarry Geo Team (Advanced/Zhongli Essential)



Only recommended if you have an extremely powerful Zhongli shield and high burst damage windows.



Main DPS: Itto or Ningguang

Shielder/Support: Zhongli

Support: Gorou (Massive Geo DMG/DEF buff)

Flex/Battery: Albedo or any strong Geo battery.



Why it works: You benefit from Geo Resonance constantly. The strategy here is to use Zhongli's shield to survive the elemental phase entirely, relying on raw burst power to kill him before the elemental damage overwhelms the shield. This is the riskiest strategy if your shield breaks mid-cycle.



Troubleshooting Common Azhdaha Failures



If you’re consistently failing, review these common pitfalls:



Problem 1: "My shield keeps breaking during the elemental phase!"



Solution: You are likely either:

a) Not refreshing the shield before a major slam.

b) Not breaking the elemental projectiles in time, leading to massive residual elemental AoE damage stacks that deplete your shield too quickly. Focus on hitting those projectiles with the correct element!



Problem 2: "I can't break the shield fast enough!"



Solution: You are using the wrong element, or your application rate is too low. If Azhdaha is Pyro, and you are using a slow application like Geo Traveler's skill, you will struggle. Use fast Hydro application (Xingqiu burst) or rapid Cryo application (Kaeya burst) to detonate the projectiles quickly.



Problem 3: "I run out of time and the weekly limit is reached!"



Solution: You are prioritizing damage when you should be prioritizing survival. Azhdaha does not grant rewards unless he is defeated. Spend one or two attempts focusing only on perfect dodging and shield maintenance without worrying about your DPS rotation. Once you survive three full elemental cycles comfortably, incorporate your damage back in.



Final Rewards and Weekly Rotation Notes



Upon defeating Azhdaha, you earn materials necessary for:



Hu Tao (Cleansing Heart of the Storm)

Zhongli (Basalt Pillar)

Xiao (Vajrada Amethyst)

And various talent/weapon ascension materials.



Remember, this is a weekly boss, meaning you can only claim rewards once per week across all world levels. If you are farming for multiple characters, it’s best to wait until you have high-level teams capable of clearing him reliably in under 5 minutes.



Mastering Azhdaha requires patience, precise timing, and a healthy respect for Liyue’s ancient, scaly landlord. Equip your strongest shields, choose your counters wisely, and claim those valuable materials! Good luck, Traveler!

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