So, you’ve pulled Lan Yan in Genshin Impact, or maybe you’re just thinking about adding her to your roster, right? Lan Yan is a 4-star Anemo Catalyst character introduced during the Lantern Rite event, and she’s got a lot going for her. Whether you’re a casual player or a min-maxing pro, her ability to shield, deal damage, and swirl elements makes her a solid pick. But here’s the thing—sometimes even the most straightforward characters have a few tricks up their sleeves that can trip you up if you’re not paying attention.
In this guide, I’m diving into some of the most common mistakes players make with Lan Yan and how you can avoid them to make sure you’re getting the most out of this versatile hero. Let’s jump right in!
1. Underestimating or Overestimating Her Shielding
Lan Yan’s shield is a bit of a sleeper pick. At first glance, it might not seem like she’s up there with the big names like Zhongli when it comes to defense. But don’t be too quick to judge her shield, either!
The Mistake:
Some players underestimate her shield, thinking it’s just another flimsy defense that won’t hold up in tougher fights. On the flip side, there are players who overestimate it, expecting Lan Yan’s shield to rival Zhongli’s, which is a bit of a stretch unless you build her right.
Why It Happens:
At lower constellation levels, Lan Yan’s shield won’t hold up as well in high-damage scenarios, especially without the right build. This is where people get confused—her shield is great, but only if you know how to maximize it.
The Fix:
If you want her to shine in the defensive role, make sure you’re focusing on her defensive stats, especially HP and Defense. If you’re lucky enough to unlock her second and sixth constellations, you’ll see a noticeable improvement in her shield’s absorption and refresh mechanics. These upgrades make her shield much stronger and more reliable in battle. And remember, she can be a top-tier shielder, but only if you manage her rotations and stats effectively.
A Quick Tip:
If you’re trying to run a more shield-heavy build, consider artifact sets like Retracing Bolide for an extra boost to shield strength. This way, you’ll really feel the difference in tougher content.
2. Ignoring Elemental Absorption with Her Elemental Skill
Lan Yan’s Elemental Skill, Swallow-Wisp Pinion Dance, is more than just a dash attack. It’s where some of her real potential comes through. When she activates this skill, she generates a shield—but the cool part is that the shield’s elemental absorption can drastically improve if you apply a certain elemental status to enemies beforehand.
The Mistake:
It’s easy to forget that Lan Yan’s shield works even better when it absorbs a specific elemental status, like Hydro or Pyro. Many players just activate her Elemental Skill and rush into battle, forgetting to apply an elemental status first. This misses out on some major damage mitigation and the ability to maximize her support role.
Why It Happens:
It’s an easy oversight, especially when you’re focused on managing multiple characters. Lan Yan’s skill looks simple on paper, but the elemental absorption mechanic can easily be overlooked if you’re not thinking ahead.
The Fix:
Before activating Lan Yan’s Elemental Skill, apply a specific element to your target (Pyro, Cryo, Electro, or Hydro) with another character. This lets Lan Yan’s shield absorb that element and boosts its efficiency by 250%. This isn’t just useful for defense; it also helps you deal more converted damage via Swirl, especially if you’re using a set like Viridescent Venerer for increased elemental damage.
Pro Tip:
If you’ve got Pyro characters on your team, setting up a Pyro status before using Lan Yan’s skill can trigger huge shield absorption. Plus, she’ll be able to swirl the element to increase overall team damage!
3. Comparing Lan Yan to Sucrose
Lan Yan and Sucrose might both be Anemo Catalyst users, but they’re not exactly the same in terms of what they bring to the table. Yes, they both have crowd control and can trigger Swirl, but comparing them directly just doesn’t do either of them justice.
The Mistake:
A lot of players get the idea that Lan Yan is just a cheaper version of Sucrose—especially when it comes to boosting Elemental Mastery and reactions. But that’s a mistake. Sucrose is the queen of reactions, whereas Lan Yan shines in other ways.
Why It Happens:
Both characters share some similarities, which leads players to assume they serve the same role. It’s true that they both have abilities that revolve around Swirl, but their overall team synergy and roles are different.
The Fix:
If you want a reaction-focused support, then Sucrose is your girl. She’s built to boost Elemental Mastery and spread reactions across your team. But if you need someone who can provide a mix of damage potential and survivability, Lan Yan is the better choice. Her shielding abilities and the option to go full main DPS in certain team comps make her an excellent pick for a more defensive setup, especially when you can’t afford to sacrifice survivability.
A Quick Note:
For teams that already have Sucrose or another reaction amplifier, Lan Yan can slot in nicely as a secondary support with shields, making her a great pick for a balanced team.
4. Building Her Incorrectly
Building characters in Genshin Impact isn’t always straightforward, and Lan Yan is no exception. With her diverse skill set, it’s easy to get lost when deciding what stats to prioritize and which artifacts to equip.
The Mistake:
One common mistake players make is focusing too much on one aspect of her kit, like damage or defense, and neglecting the other. You might be building her for damage but forget that she’s also one of the best shielders in the game if you know what to focus on. Or, you might go all-in on defense and miss out on her offensive potential.
Why It Happens:
With so many different build possibilities, it’s hard to figure out which one suits your team best. Plus, people often default to what works for other characters without considering what’s unique to Lan Yan’s kit.
The Fix:
First, figure out what role you want her to play in your team. If you’re going for offensive support, an Elemental Mastery build with Viridescent Venerer is the way to go. If you’re leaning toward a more defensive playstyle, focus on ATK% and HP for maximum shield strength. You’ll also want to consider weapons that align with your chosen build. For example, if you’re building her for damage, The Widsith is an excellent weapon, while Prototype Amber works better for shield-based builds since it regenerates energy.
Build Tip:
Don’t forget to balance Energy Recharge. Lan Yan needs to trigger her Elemental Burst to truly shine, so make sure you’re not running into energy issues.
5. Forgetting to Maximize Elemental Skill + Normal Attack Combo
Lan Yan’s Elemental Skill isn’t just a dash. When you activate it, pressing it again or performing a Normal Attack will trigger the Feathermoon Rings, which deal extra damage and trigger additional Swirl reactions.
The Mistake:
A lot of players activate her Elemental Skill and just move on, forgetting that there’s a follow-up mechanic. If you don’t trigger the Feathermoon Rings, you’re losing out on a ton of damage potential.
Why It Happens:
It’s easy to rush through her abilities, especially since she’s usually not on the field for long. But that second press or Normal Attack is a key part of her damage output.
The Fix:
After activating Swallow-Wisp Pinion Dance, make sure to press it again or perform a Normal Attack. This will unleash the Feathermoon Rings, which can do a significant amount of Anemo damage and further help you swirl elemental reactions. This is especially useful when fighting multiple enemies, as it increases the chances of hitting different elemental statuses and reducing their resistances.
Conclusion
Lan Yan’s flexibility makes her a fantastic addition to many teams, but to truly unlock her potential, you need to avoid these common mistakes. Whether it’s optimizing her shielding, taking full advantage of her elemental absorption, or making sure her Elemental Skill combo is on point, Lan Yan has a lot to offer if you play her right.
So, how’s your Lan Yan build looking? Have you been making any of these mistakes? Let me know your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re using her in your teams!