The way Genshin Impact allows its characters to perform well in multiple roles gives players the ability to create some unusual but highly effective builds. In one such build, which we like to call “Killer Melody”, you can unlock the dormant DPS potential of Barbara, the Deaconess of the Church of Favonius.
Now, to help you unleash the full potential of Mondstadt’s top idol, here’s how to build Barbara as a top Elemental DPS in Genshin Impact.
Is DPS Barbara Viable?
A common saying in the Genshin Impact community is that, with enough effort, love, and resources, any build is possible. True to that, Barbara can indeed be used as a situational top-tier Hydro main DPS, but doing so will require a very specific rotation and build.
Best Artifacts for DPS Barbara
To build Barbara as a DPS you will need three things. First, you need to equip her with either a 4-piece Shimenawa’s Reminiscence (top-pick), a 4-piece Heart of Depth, or a 4-piece Wanderer’s Troupe artifact set.
The reason for that lies in the way that all sets will massively increase Barbara’s charged attack damage (which will be her main weapon as a DPS given her massive scaling). Shimenawa’s Reminiscence and Hearth of the Depth will offer a 50% and 35% increase after she performs her Skill, respectively, while Wanderer’s Troupe will provide her with a 30% increase.
You can check out the best main stats for each Barbara artifact piece below, no matter if you choose Heart of Depth, Shimenawa’s Reminiscence, or Wanderer’s Troupe. Substat-wise, I recommend that you prioritize CRIT Rate/DMG and ATK.
- Flower of Life: HP%
- Plume of Death: ATK%
- Sands of Eon: ATK%
- Goblet of Eonothem: Hydro Damage Bonus
- Circlet of Logos: CRIT Rate%/CRIT DMG% (Depending on your weapon of choice).
Related: Best Genshin Impact Kokomi DPS Build
Although an avid player, it took me a long time to get Artifacts with the right stats/substats for Barbara. If you find yourself in the same situation, just keep at it and use the best ones at your disposal while keeping in mind that this is where you eventually want to get to make the best Barbara DPS build. When building Barbara as a DPS, you need to prioritize her normal/charged attacks when ascending her skills.
The Best Weapons for Main DPS Barbara
The second must-have for our DPS Barbara build is a catalyst capable of buffing her damage. We recommend using either the 5-star Catalyst Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds, the 5-star Catalyst Skyward Atlas, or the 4-star Catalyst The Widsith (R3 to R5).
These Catalysts are my main picks as they will either offer her a high amount of CRIT Rate and DMG (Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds and The Widsith, respectively) or provide a massive amount of ATK while also increasing her overall Elemental DMG (Skyward Atlas). Cashflow Supervision and Tome of the Eternal Flow are also guaranteed hits for Barbara given their massive buffs in Charged Attack.
The Must-Have Teams for DPS Barbara
The third must-have for those looking to use Barbara as a DPS is a C1+ Bennett equipped with a full Noblesse Oblige set. While Bennett will be true to his title as the game’s best overall buffer, the set will further enhance his already massive ATK increase.
Using an Anemo character (ideally either Kaedehara Kazuha or Sucrose) equipped with a 4-piece Viridescent Venerer set is also a must, given the way they will allow you to, by using the set’s 4-piece effect alone, increase Barbara’s damage by decreasing the defense of all enemies by 40% after a Swirl reaction. Using Jean for the role can also work, but she will not be able to offer any team-focused buffs apart from the set’s 4-piece effect.
Related: The Best Kazuha Support Build in Genshin Impact: Weapons, Artifacts, and Talents
For the fourth party member slot, we recommend the use of a Shielder like Albedo or Zhongli, or that of either a Charged Attack buffer or a Pyro Sub-DPS. Our top picks for the latter roles would be Shenhe and Xiangling respectively. Making use of characters like Fischl or Beidou to add the Electro-Charged reaction to the mix for an increase in damage can also do well.
Among the above picks, Xiangling will offer the biggest overall DPS by a massive margin if equipped with either a 4-piece Crimson Witch of Flames or a 4-piece Emblem of Severed Fate set.
To reiterate, here is what is required to make the best DPS Barbara build in Genshin Impact:
- A 4-piece Shimenawa’s Reminiscence, Heart of Depth, or Wanderer’s Troupe set.
- A catalyst focused on increasing her damage. Prioritize those who offer increases in either CRIT Rate or DMG.
- A team featuring a C1 Bennett with a full Noblesse Oblige set and an Anemo character equipped with a full Viridescent Venerer set.
Recommended Rotations
The best rotation for an Elemental DPS Barbara will in my opinion use her, an Anemo VV user, and Bennett, as well as either a shielder (Albedo/Zhongli) or Xiangling, who will work as she does in the Raiden National composition or its Childe variant (by enabling reactions and dealing high amounts of Pyro DMG).
When on the field, begin the rotation by shielding your party (if possible) and then applying Hydro with Barbara before switching and using your Anemo character of choice to generate Swirl. After that, change to Bennett and use his Elemental Burst, before sending Barbara again to the field to perform her skill and then send a wave of non-stop charged attacks. If Xiangling is your pick instead of a shielder, use her Burst before putting Barbara on the field for the second time.
Related: All Standard Banner Characters in Genshin Impact 4.3
How to Play DPS Barbara
When playing Barbara as a DPS, the key lies in being able to perform sequential Charged Attacks without interruption. Although those using a shielder will have a way easier time doing that given the invulnerability offered by them, you will be able to excel without them by staying well placed in the field. To make the best out of Barabra in both scenarios, focus on avoiding attacks by jumping and only performing dodges when in do-or-die situations, as you will need to conserve your Stamina to perform her Charged Attacks.
Is Barbara Better as a Healer or as a DPS?
Barbara can be considered a better healer than she is a DPS. The reason for that lies in the fact that, although she will be able to excel in optimal scenarios if you use our recommended build, she can effortlessly work a way wider array of teams and scenarios as a dedicated healer.
Once at C6, she becomes even more vital for those struggling, as she will be able to revive 1 team member every 15 minutes. While performing her designed role, Barbara can also fill in as an excellent reaction trigger, given her ability to constantly apply Hydro.