Key Takeaways:

1. Versatile Cryo Support: Citlali excels as a shielder and elemental resistance shredder, boosting Pyro and Hydro teammates’ damage.
2. Best Teams: She thrives in Freeze and Melt teams, making her an invaluable support for Cryo-Pyro synergy.
3. Optimal Build: Elemental Mastery-focused weapons and artifacts maximize her shield strength and reaction potential.

Meet Citlali: A Unique Cryo Shielder and Support

After a year without a new Cryo character, Citlali brings a refreshing take on support roles in Genshin Impact. As a 5-star Cryo catalyst user introduced in Version 5.3, her playstyle revolves around creating shields, applying Cryo, and enhancing elemental reactions.

Her standout feature is her ability to reduce elemental resistance for Hydro and Pyro, making her a key player in Freeze and Melt teams. Her Elemental Mastery scaling enables powerful shields and reaction damage, providing both offense and defense.

Citlali’s Abilities Breakdown

Elemental Skill: Opal Shield and Itzpapa

• Conjures an Opal Shield that protects allies.
• Summons Itzpapa, an entity that generates AoE Cryo DMG (Frostfall Storm) when 50 Nightsoul points are accumulated.

Elemental Burst: Nightsoul Explosion

• Unleashes AoE Cryo DMG and restores Nightsoul points.
• Summons Spiritvessel Skulls that explode, dealing additional AoE Cryo DMG.

Citlali’s kit synergizes well with Cryo application and Melt reactions, boosting team damage while keeping allies shielded.

Building Citlali: Weapons and Artifacts

Best Weapons for Citlali

1. Starcaller’s Watch (Best 5-star): Offers massive Elemental Mastery and a Mirror of Night effect that increases damage after shield creation.
2. A Thousand Floating Dreams (5-star alternative): Enhances Elemental Mastery and provides team-wide bonuses based on party composition.
3. Wandering Evenstar (Best 4-star): Converts Elemental Mastery into ATK for both Citlali and her teammates.
4. Sacrificial Fragments (4-star alternative): Grants high Elemental Mastery and resets her Elemental Skill cooldown occasionally.
5. Mappa Mare (F2P option): Boosts Elemental DMG after triggering reactions, though its stats are weaker compared to premium options.

Best Artifacts for Citlali

1. Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City (4-piece):
   • 2-piece bonus: Restores Elemental Energy when reactions occur.
   • 4-piece bonus: Provides a significant Elemental DMG Bonus for allies after reactions.
2. Gilded Dreams (4-piece):
   • 2-piece bonus: Grants 80 Elemental Mastery.
   • 4-piece bonus: Buffs ATK or Elemental Mastery based on allies’ elements.

Stat Priorities

1. Elemental Mastery: Maximizes reaction damage and shield strength.
2. Energy Recharge: Ensures consistent Burst uptime.
3. CRIT Rate/DMG & Cryo DMG Bonus: Secondary options for increased damage output.

Skill Priority

1. Elemental Skill: Enhances shield strength and Cryo application.
2. Elemental Burst: Fuels Skill efficiency and AoE damage.
3. Normal Attacks: Can be skipped as Citlali primarily functions off-field.

Citlali’s Best Team Compositions

1. Melt Team

• Citlali (Cryo Support): Reduces Pyro resistance and applies Cryo.
• Mavuika or Arlecchino (Pyro DPS): Deals explosive Melt damage.
• Rosaria or Xilonen (Sub-DPS): Adds extra Cryo or Geo utility.
• Bennett (Pyro Support): Boosts attack and heals the team.

Why it works: Citlali’s Cryo application and Pyro resistance shred amplify Melt reactions, resulting in devastating damage.

2. Freeze Team

• Citlali (Cryo Support): Triggers Freeze reactions and reduces Hydro resistance.
• Neuvillette or Mualani (Hydro DPS): Locks enemies in place with Freeze.
• Rosaria (Sub-DPS): Supports with extra Cryo damage.
• Kokomi or Barbara (Hydro Healer): Ensures constant Hydro application and healing.

Why it works: Perfect for controlling the battlefield, Freeze teams maximize Citlali’s Cryo utility.

3. F2P Team

• Citlali (Cryo Support): Shields and enables reactions.
• Kaeya or Gaming (Cryo/Pyro DPS): Budget-friendly main DPS options.
• Xingqiu (Hydro Sub-DPS): Adds Hydro application for reactions.
• Bennett (Pyro Support): A staple for healing and damage buffs.

Why it works: A solid, low-cost team that can handle most content with proper synergy.

Citlali’s Playstyle and Tips

1. Shield First: Start fights by activating Citlali’s Elemental Skill to shield allies and set up Cryo application.
2. Trigger Reactions: Pair her with Pyro or Hydro characters to trigger Melt or Freeze reactions for maximum damage.
3. Rotate Skills: Use her Burst frequently to maintain Nightsoul points and amplify reactions.

FAQs About Citlali in Genshin Impact

1. Is Citlali worth pulling?

Yes, Citlali offers excellent support for Freeze and Melt teams, making her a valuable addition to teams relying on Cryo and elemental reactions.

2. What are the best stats for Citlali?

Focus on Elemental Mastery to enhance her shields and reaction damage, followed by Energy Recharge to maintain her Burst uptime.

3. Can Citlali work in non-Freeze or Melt teams?

While she shines in Freeze and Melt comps, Citlali can function in generalist teams. However, her Pyro and Hydro resistance shred may go unused.