The Stygian Onslaught has finally arrived in Genshin Impact’s Version Luna 1, bringing a new level of challenge with multiple bosses, shifting mechanics, and the need for flexible team builds. This guide breaks down the mechanics of each boss, the best strategies to counter them, speedrun tips, and recommended teams to help you clear faster and smoother.
What is Stygian Onslaught?
Stygian Onslaught is a high-difficulty combat event where players face a gauntlet of powerful bosses. Each boss comes with unique mechanics, resistance changes, and punishing attacks that require proper planning. Unlike standard domains, this mode tests both damage output and mechanical mastery, making it a mix of gear check and skill check.
Boss Mechanics Breakdown
1. Aeonblight Drake
- Changes elemental resistances at 75%, 50%, and 25% HP.
- Gains resistance to the element that dealt the most damage in the previous phase.
- Can fly, removing weak points and wasting time if not staggered.
Strategy:
- Bring at least two strong elements (e.g., Hydro + Cryo, Electro + Pyro) to bypass resistance swaps.
- Aim to burst damage during HP thresholds before resistance kicks in.
- Don’t let it stay airborne—time rotations to keep it grounded.
2. Battle-Scarred Rock Crab
- Summons mushrooms that must be destroyed to break its shield.
- Using Pyro on mushrooms can cause instant one-shots to your characters.
- Failing to destroy mushrooms leads to lethal attacks.
Strategy:
- Bloom and Hyperbloom teams excel here by triggering mushroom explosions.
- Llama’s Lunar Bloom can instantly clear mushrooms for quick shield breaks.
- Avoid Pyro triggers; stick to Dendro + Hydro synergies.
3. Battle-Hardened Fireblade Shock Trooper
- Deploys three electro-based shields that constantly heal themselves.
- Shields resist most elements but take heavy damage from Electro and Electro-Charged reactions.
- Failure to break shields triggers a devastating lightning storm.
Strategy:
- Use Electro DPS like Skirk, Varessa, or Fischl.
- Electro-Charged and Lunar-Charged mechanics deal bonus damage to shields.
- Once shields are down, it’s a straightforward high-HP burn fight.
Best Teams for Stygian Onslaught
Recommended Lineups:
- Mualani + Mavika (Dual DPS) – Great for rotating elements against Aeonblight Drake.
- Llama Bloom Teams – Llama, Nahida, Nilou, or Alhaitham setups shred the Rock Crab.
- Electro-Centric Teams – Skirk, Varessa, Fischl, Yae Miko for shield-breaking Fatui.
- Hybrid DPS Teams – Hydro + Electro or Cryo + Dendro duos to adapt to resistances.
F2P Options:
- Hyperbloom Core (Nahida + Fischl + Xingqiu + Dendro MC) works well across bosses.
- Freeze Setup (Kaeya + Barbara + Lisa + Dendro MC) for safe control.
Tips and Tricks for Faster Finish:
- HP Threshold Exploits: Boss resistances don’t activate instantly—burst damage can push multiple thresholds at once.
- Mushroom Bloom Abuse: Use bloom damage to multiply output against the Rock Crab’s shield.
- Rotation Optimization: Adjust order of skills (e.g., Skirk combos, Nahida burst timing) to save seconds.
- Energy Recharge Builds: Prioritize ER on supports to ensure bursts are always available for each boss phase.
Some players have already achieved world top-10 speedrun rankings, with clear times under 1 minute by optimizing rotations and focusing on dual-DPS setups.
So, Don’t feel pressured to clear the hardest difficulties—Stygian Onslaught is designed as both a gear and roster check. Co-op Mode is available for tougher stages if you’re struggling solo. Focus on mechanics first, then refine damage rotations for faster clears. With the right approach, even free-to-play teams can secure rewards and enjoy the challenge of this new content.