Game Guides

You want to know who holds the crown as the True Pyro DPS Queen in Genshin Impact right now? This guide from Bahomu breaks down the battle between Hu Tao and Arlecchino. Most players still put Hu Tao at the top. She shines with huge single-target damage, especially when you keep her HP low. You see her paired with Hydro teammates like Yelan for even bigger numbers. Arlecchino brings high AoE potential and new team options, but her rankings and best builds keep shifting after Version 6.0. Your choice depends on what matters most—damage, team fit, or investment.

Overview

DPS Roles

When you look at Pyro DPS characters in Genshin Impact, you see that they fill some of the most important spots on your team. Pyro DPS characters like Hu Tao and Arlecchino usually take the main stage. You use them as your main damage dealers. They hit hard and fast, and you want them on the field as much as possible.

Here’s what Pyro DPS characters do for your team:

• They act as your main source of damage.

• They trigger powerful elemental reactions like Vaporize and Melt, especially when you pair them with Hydro or Cryo teammates.

• They work well with support characters who boost their damage, like Bennett.

You can also see their roles in this table:

You want to build your team around these roles. When you pick Hu Tao or Arlecchino, you think about how they fit into these spots.

Key Differences

Now, let’s talk about what sets Hu Tao and Arlecchino apart. You might notice these differences right away:

• Damage Focus: Hu Tao shines in single-target fights. She melts bosses with huge hits. Arlecchino, on the other hand, brings more AoE power. She clears groups of enemies faster.

• Playstyle: Hu Tao needs you to manage her HP. You keep her health low for big numbers. Arlecchino uses her Bond of Life mechanic, which changes how you play and heal.

• Team Building: Hu Tao loves Hydro teammates for Vaporize. She also works great with buffers like Yelan and Xingqiu. Arlecchino often needs Bennett for buffs, but she can fit into more team types as you unlock her constellations.

Tip: If you want big boss damage, Hu Tao is your go-to. If you want to clear mobs quickly, Arlecchino might be your pick.

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Who Is the True Pyro DPS Queen?

Single Target vs. AoE

Let’s see who is better in battle. Hu Tao is great when you fight one strong enemy. She does a lot of damage if her HP is low. Her Paramita Papilio stance and Spirit Soother burst help her beat bosses fast. She is the best for single-target fights.

Arlecchino is different. She is strong against groups of enemies. Her Blood-Debt Directive and Balemoon Rising skills help her hit many foes at once. Her damage spreads out, so she is great for AoE fights. Many players say she is easy to use. You can start doing damage right away.

Here is a table about their roles and skills:

Hu Tao is still strong in single-target fights, even with new characters. Arlecchino does high damage and is simple to play. You do not need to learn hard combos. Bennett is on many teams. His support skills help both Hu Tao and Arlecchino.

If you want to beat bosses, pick Hu Tao. If you want to defeat many enemies, Arlecchino is better.

Constellation Impact

Constellations make both characters stronger. At C0, Hu Tao is the top Pyro DPS for most people. Her single-target damage is the best. You do not need to spend more to see big numbers. Build her, add Hydro supports, and she will do well.

Arlecchino is good at C0, but gets much better with more constellations. Her AoE damage grows a lot at higher constellations. She can join more team types and fight both bosses and mobs. She moves up in DPS rankings, especially at C6.

Players argue about who is the real Pyro DPS Queen. Some say Hu Tao is best because she is always strong in single-target fights. Others think Arlecchino is better at high constellations because of her AoE power. You see these talks in forums and tier lists.

• Hu Tao is best for single-target fights at C0 and stays strong with more upgrades.

• Arlecchino gets better with constellations, giving top AoE and team choices.

• Community rankings put Hu Tao first for bosses, but Arlecchino wins for fighting groups.

You get to pick who matches your style. If you want easy boss damage with little cost, choose Hu Tao. If you like fighting many enemies and want a character who gets stronger with constellations, Arlecchino is a good choice.

Damage Comparison

Hu Tao Damage

You want to see big numbers, and Hu Tao delivers. In the Spiral Abyss, her single-target Vaporize combos hit hard. Her Charged Attacks can deal around 34,000 damage each when you trigger Vaporize. Even without reactions, you still see over 15,000 per hit. When you use her Elemental Burst, the damage can spike up to almost 70,000. These numbers make her a top pick for boss fights or any time you need to focus on one enemy.

• Hu Tao’s Charged Attack (Vaporize): ~34,353 damage

• Charged Attack (no reaction): ~15,508 damage

• Elemental Burst: up to 69,955 damage

You do not need high constellations to see these results. At C0, Hu Tao already feels strong and reliable.

Arlecchino Damage

Arlecchino brings a different kind of power. She shines when you face groups of enemies. Her skills let you hit many targets at once, and her damage grows fast with constellations. At C1, you get a 20-25% boost in damage and better interruption resistance. C2 takes her even further, giving you up to a 40% increase in damage and more critical hits. You notice her numbers climb as you invest more.

• C1: Damage output rises by 20-25%

• C2: Up to 40% more damage and higher CRIT stats

• Great for AoE situations

You see her true potential when you unlock these constellations.

Head-to-Head

Let’s put them side by side. Hu Tao wins for single-target damage, especially at C0. She is easy to build and works well with common supports. Arlecchino starts strong, but her real power comes with constellations. If you want the True Pyro DPS Queen for bosses, Hu Tao is your best bet. If you love clearing mobs and plan to invest in constellations, Arlecchino can take the crown.

Tip: Choose Hu Tao for easy, high single-target damage. Pick Arlecchino if you want to invest and love AoE fights.

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Consistency and Playstyle

Hu Tao Consistency

When you use Hu Tao, you notice her damage can swing up and down. She hits the hardest when you set up Vaporize or Melt reactions. If you build a team with two Hydro characters, you get the best Vaporize results. Sometimes, you might use Cryo teammates for Melt, but that is less common. You can also try double Geo teams for more shields and a bit more damage.

• Hu Tao shines in teams that trigger Vaporize or Melt.

• Double Hydro teams give her the biggest numbers.

• Double Geo teams help with shields and boost her output.

• If you do not keep her HP low, her damage drops.

• She does not work well in Freeze or Electro-Charged teams.

You need to watch her health and keep her in the right teams. If you miss the right reaction or let her HP get too high, her numbers fall fast. She feels amazing when everything lines up, but you must pay attention.

Arlecchino Consistency

Arlecchino gives you steady damage in almost any team. She works best in Melt teams, where Cryo support boosts her Normal Attacks. You do not need a perfect setup every time. Even if you change her supports, she still does her job as the main DPS. Her kit lets you keep hitting hard, no matter the team. Citlali helps, but you do not need her to see good results.

• Arlecchino shines as the main DPS in Melt teams.

• Cryo support makes her Normal Attacks even stronger.

• She stays strong even if you swap out some supports.

You can count on her to deliver, whether you fight bosses or mobs. Her numbers stay high, and you do not have to worry much about team changes.

Ease of Use

You might wonder which character feels easier to play. Here is a quick look:

Hu Tao asks you to juggle her HP, reactions, and quick moves. She rewards skill, but you need to practice. Arlecchino feels smoother, but her Bond of Life can punish mistakes. If you want a simple playstyle, Arlecchino might feel better. If you like a challenge, Hu Tao keeps you on your toes.

Team Synergy

Hu Tao Teams

You get the most out of Hu Tao when you build the right team around her. Here at Bahomu, we've seen she works best with Hydro characters who help trigger Vaporize for huge damage. Furina stands out as a top pick. When you pair Hu Tao with Furina, you unlock a 75% damage bonus and a 25% HP boost. This combo lets Hu Tao hit numbers that leave other teams behind. You can also add Yelan or Xingqiu for more Hydro application and extra buffs. Shields from Zhongli or healing from Baizhu keep Hu Tao safe while she stays at low HP.

Here’s a quick look at some of the best Hu Tao teams:

Tip: If you want to see Hu Tao at her best, try her with Furina and Yelan. You will notice a big jump in her damage.

Arlecchino Teams

Arlecchino brings a different flavor to team building. She shines in Melt teams, especially with key units like Citlali. You can also try Vaporize or Overload setups. Bennett often feels like a must-have for her. He gives healing and buffs, but Arlecchino’s unique mechanics mean she cannot get healed by just anyone. This limits your choices and makes Bennett even more important. Mono-Pyro teams work if you want something simple, but they do not reach the same damage heights.

Note: You will see the best results with Arlecchino when you build around Bennett, but this can make your team choices feel limited.

Flexibility

Hu Tao gives you more freedom in team building. You can mix and match Hydro, Geo, or Anemo supports. She fits into many team styles and does not force you to use one specific character. Arlecchino, on the other hand, locks you in. You almost always want Bennett for his buffs and healing. Her kit also means she cannot get healed by most other characters, so you lose out on some options.

• Hu Tao fits well with many buffers and enablers.

• Arlecchino needs Bennett for top performance.

• Arlecchino can try different reactions like Melt, Vaporize, or Overload, but her best teams still look similar.

If you want to experiment and swap teammates, Hu Tao feels more flexible. If you do not mind sticking with a set group, Arlecchino can still shine.

Value and Investment

Building Hu Tao

You want Hu Tao to hit hard, so you need to invest in her gear. The best weapon for her is the Staff of Homa. This 5-star polearm boosts her damage and helps you manage her HP. If you do not have it, the Jade Spear or a 4-star weapon with crit or elemental mastery works too.

For artifacts, you should look for the Crimson Witch of Flames set. This set gives you a big Pyro damage bonus and boosts her reaction damage. Here’s what you want:

• Flower: Witch’s Flower of Blaze (HP)

• Feather: Witch’s Ever-Burning Plume (ATK)

• Sands: Witch’s End Time (HP%)

• Goblet: Witch’s Heart Flames (Pyro DMG%)

• Circlet: Witch’s Scorching Hat (CRIT Rate)

The 2-piece set gives you a 15% Pyro DMG bonus. The 4-piece set makes your Overloaded, Burning, Vaporize, and Melt reactions much stronger.

Building Arlecchino

Arlecchino needs a strong weapon and the right artifacts to shine. You can use the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear for its stacking ATK bonus, or the Staff of Homa for high crit damage and HP scaling. For artifacts, you have two main choices:

You want ATK% on Sands (or EM for Vaporize teams), Pyro DMG on the Goblet, and CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG on the Circlet. For substats, focus on CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, then ATK%. Try to get a 75:150 CRIT ratio. Level her Normal Attack talent to 10 first, then work on her Skill and Burst.

Worth the Investment?

Hu Tao gives you top value at C0. You do not need rare weapons or high constellations to see big numbers. Her artifact set is farmable, and she fits many teams. Arlecchino needs more investment to reach her peak. She shines with top gear and high talent levels, but her best teams can feel limited. If you want a strong Pyro DPS with less hassle, Hu Tao is the better deal. If you love her playstyle and plan to invest, Arlecchino can become a powerhouse.

Tip: Go for Hu Tao if you want easy returns. Pick Arlecchino if you enjoy building and optimizing your team for big AoE damage.

You probably want to know who really deserves the title of True Pyro DPS Queen. For most players, Hu Tao takes the crown with her strong single-target damage and easy team building. Arlecchino shines if you love AoE fights or plan to invest in constellations. Here’s a quick tip:

• Pick Hu Tao if you want top damage with less effort.

• Choose Arlecchino if you enjoy building teams and clearing mobs.

Think about your playstyle and team needs before you decide.

FAQ

Can you use Hu Tao and Arlecchino on the same team?

You can put both on one team, but it’s not recommended. They both want field time and support. You’ll see better results if you build separate teams around each character.

Which character is better for free-to-play players?

Hu Tao works great at C0 with common supports. You don’t need rare weapons or high constellations. Arlecchino needs more investment to reach her peak, so Hu Tao is the easier choice for free-to-play.

Do you need Bennett for Arlecchino teams?

You almost always want Bennett with Arlecchino. He boosts her damage and helps her heal. Without Bennett, you lose a lot of power. Most top Arlecchino teams include him.

What weapon should you use if you don’t have Staff of Homa?

Try the Dragon’s Bane or Deathmatch for Hu Tao. For Arlecchino, use the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear or Deathmatch. These weapons give good stats and help you reach high damage.