Genshin Impact’s Version 6.0 introduced Aino, the game’s very first Hydro Claymore wielder aside from Lauma which is the Catalyst Dendro. At first glance, she looks like another quirky four-star character you can grab for free, but her true potential is more surprising than many players expected.
While she may not headline a banner at launch (she debuts in the second half on Flins’s banner), she still has a lot to offer even at Constellation 0. So, how strong is Aino really, and is she worth pulling for? Let’s break down her skills, playstyle, builds, and team synergy in detail.
Aino’s Playstyle & Basic Attacks
Unlike some support-oriented characters like Dori, Aino actually swings her claymore herself for the first part of her normal combo. Her Basic Attack chain consists of two slashes followed by a quirky tail-and-tongue strike, which gives her some flair but only modest damage output.
While her normal attacks won’t be her main source of power, it’s refreshing to see a Hydro Claymore character finally added to the roster, giving players new team-building options.
Elemental Skill – Muse Catcher
Aino uses her lizard-like tail gadget to lunge forward, striking enemies twice:
- The first hit applies Hydro with a very low damage multiplier.
- The second hit deals more damage but doesn’t apply Hydro.
This odd design makes her skill less effective for forward-vape setups but increases her chances to trigger Favonius Greatsword’s particle generation due to its double-hit nature. In practice, Muse Catcher is more about utility and Hydro application than raw damage.
Elemental Burst – Precision Hydronic Cooler
This is the centerpiece of her kit. Aino summons Ducky, a mechanical companion that attacks enemies over time.
- With Nascent Gleam (1 Moonsign character): Ducky attacks every 1.5s, applying Hydro every 3s (5 Hydro applications total).
- With Ascendant Gleam (2 Moonsign characters): Ducky speeds up to attack every 0.7s, applying Hydro every 2.1s (7 Hydro applications total) with increased AoE.
Damage scales off Aino’s ATK and Elemental Mastery, but the raw numbers are low. The real value lies in her consistent Hydro application and Moonsign support buffs.
The Moonsign Mechanic Explained
Aino’s strength is tied to the new Moonsign system introduced in 6.0.
- With one Moonsign character, you gain Nascent Gleam.
- With two, you unlock Ascendant Gleam, which boosts Hydro uptime, improves team buffs, and unlocks stronger lunar reactions.
Aino automatically provides one Moonsign level just by being on the team, making her an excellent enabler for reaction-heavy comps like Lunar Bloom or Lunar Charge.
Best Weapons for Aino
Since her damage isn’t the priority, focus on utility and support value:
- Favonius Greatsword – Best-in-slot early on thanks to energy generation.
- Forest Regalia – Great for Bloom teams, adds extra buffs.
- Sacrificial Greatsword – Gives another skill use for more Hydro uptime.
- Wolf’s Gravestone (if available) – Adds extra team ATK buff potential.
Best Artifacts for Aino
- Silken Moon’s Serenade (New Set) – Perfect synergy with Moonsign teams, grants Elemental Mastery and buffs tied to Ascendant Gleam.
- Noblesse Oblige – Standard option for extra Burst support and team ATK boost.
- Emblem of Severed Fate – If you’re struggling with Energy Recharge while building hybrid support DPS.
Main Stats Recommendation:
- Sands: Energy Recharge / Elemental Mastery
- Goblet: HP% or Hydro DMG% (depending on role)
- Circlet: Crit Rate (if Favonius) or HP%
Aino’s Constellations (Key Breakpoints)
- C1: +80 Elemental Mastery to the active character – big boost for reaction teams.
- C2: More Hydro applications during Burst, making her a stronger enabler.
- C6: +10–35% Lunar Reaction DMG – major late-game support scaling.
For free-to-play players, even C0 Aino is usable, but her constellations noticeably improve her consistency and team impact.
Team Synergies
Aino shines when paired with other Moonsign or reaction-based characters:
- Lunar Bloom Teams (Dendro + Hydro + Electro): Works as a side-grade to Nahida, boosting EM and Hydro uptime.
- Lunar Charge DPS Teams (e.g., Ana, Flins): Buffs crit rate, EM, and shortens rotations, making her a natural partner.
- Double Hydro + Pyro (Hu Tao, Arlecchino): Increases consistency for Vape setups while buffing the DPS.
- Dendro Core (Alhaitham, Nilou): Provides Hydro support while boosting Bloom DMG through Ascendant Gleam.
She struggles in Taser (Electro-Charged) teams, as her Hydro application isn’t fast enough on its own.
Should You Pull Aino?
At Constellation 0, Aino is not a powerhouse damage dealer, but she fills an important niche:
- A free Hydro Claymore character (unique weapon/element combo).
- Provides Moonsign buffs that empower Lunar teams.
- Offers consistent Hydro application in the right setups.
On the downside, she:
- Relies heavily on Ascendant Gleam to feel impactful.
- Doesn’t do much outside of Hydro support at C0.
- Could easily be power crept by a future five-star Hydro Moonsign character.
If you enjoy reaction-based teams or plan to use upcoming characters like Flins, Aino is absolutely worth trying. She won’t carry your account solo, but she’s a surprisingly strong support pick for Lunar reactions, especially for free-to-play players.
Aino may not look like much at first, but her hidden power lies in her synergy with the Moonsign system. She’s a quirky, free, and surprisingly effective Hydro support who can slot into a variety of teams.
While her personal damage is low, the buffs she enables make her a valuable pick—especially for players experimenting with Lunar Bloom or Lunar Charge comps.
If you’re on the fence, keep an eye on her synergy with Flins in the second half of the patch—this duo could be one of the most accessible yet effective team cores for free-to-play travelers.