Shields are used as defensive barriers of enemies in Genshin Impact. This guide includes how to break shields, elemental weaknesses, claymore attacks & enemies that use shields.
Check Out The Beginner's Guide & TipsHow To Break Shields
Use Elemental Weakness Attacks
The fastest way to destroy shields is by using attacks with elements that are strong against that element's shields. For example, Cryo shields can easily be melted away using Pyro attacks while Pyro shields can be destroyed fast against Hydro attacks.
Check Out Elemental Combos & Reaction ChartStrong Even When Character Is Low Level
Even a level 1 character can do a lot of damage against shield so long as they use elemental attacks that shield is weak against. Damage to shields is not affected by DMG, but rather Elemental effects.
Check Out How To Level Up CharactersClaymores Great Against Geo Shields
With no elemental weakness, Geo shields are hard to break. The best way to deal with them is by using Claymore-wielding characters when fighting against them.
Check Out The All Character ListElemental Shield & Effective Elements
Elemental Shields & Their Weakness
Elemental Shield Is Very Weak To Elemental Attacks
These elemental shields can be broken using elemental attacks, and each elemental shield has its own respective elemental weaknesses.
Immune To The Same Element
Using the same element will be useless, for example, if you use a Pyro character breaking a Pyro shield will really do nothing at all. Avoid attacking them and breaking their shields using the same element since they are immune to them.
Geo Elemental Shield Is Different
Geo elemental shield is the only elemental shield where you can use the same element to destroy any Geo barriers or shields compared to the other elemental shields in the game. You can also use any Claymore character to break the Geo shields as well.
Anemo Element Gives Minimal Shield Damage
You can still use the anemo element to destroy shields, however, you cannot break shields faster compared to its weakness where you can quickly shatter elemental shields easier.
Other Notable Enemy Shields
Shieldwall Mitachurls
| Enemy | Elemental Weakness |
|---|---|
| Wooden Shieldwall Mitachurl | Pyro |
| Rock Shieldwall Mitachurl | Geo |
| Ice Shieldwall Mitachurl | Pyro |
Faster To Destroy With Overload
Overload will make breaking the shields faster, regardless of its element. Since it's explosive damage, it will deal a lot more damage compared to just setting it on fire.
Bomb Attacks Break Shield Easier
Klee's attacks and Amber's element skill create blast or explosive damage (Blunt Attacks) that can deal a lot more damage. They are especially effective in breaking shields as well.
Stonehide Lawachurl
| Enemy | Elemental Weakness |
|---|---|
| Stonehide Lawachurl | Geo |
Use Geo Or Claymore Attacks
The Ironhide Lawachurl's shield can be destroyed by dealing a lot of damage by either using Geo attacks or with a Claymore. Some explosive skills by characters like Amber and Klee are also effective against it.
Frostarm Lawachurl
| Enemy | Elemental Weakness |
|---|---|
| Frostarm Lawachurl | Pyro |
Shield Is Weak Against Pyro Attacks
The Frostarm Lawachurl and its shield are both weak to Pyro attacks, making it a necessity to have a Pyro character with you when fighting it.
Damage Before Shield Is Up
Deal as much damage as you can before the Frostbite Lawachurl puts up its shield! You can even beat the Frostbite Lawachurl before it puts up its shield if you keep up high damage.
Fatui Skirmishers
| Enemy | Elemental Weakness |
|---|---|
| Fatui Skirmisher - Electrohammer Vanguard | Cryo |
| Fatui Skirmisher - Cryogunner Legionnaire | Pyro |
| Fatui Skirmisher - Hydrogunner Legionnaire | Electro |
| Fatui Skirmisher - Pyroslinger Bracer | Hydro |
| Fatui Skirmisher - Geochanter Bracer | Geo |
Use Elemental Attacks Shield Is Weak To
Similar to the Abyss Mages, you will need to use elements that the shields are directly weak to in order to break them. As soon as they build shields, switch to the character that can use their elemental weakness against them.
Deal As Much Damage Before They Put Up Shield
Initially, Fatui Skirmishers will not have shields, allowing you to directly damage their health. Take advantage of this and deal as much damage as you can before they build their shields.
Can Still Damage Health Even With Health
Even if a Fatui Skirmisher's shield is up, you can still damage its health when attacking it. It's small chip damage, only taking in 80% to 90% of the actual damage number.
Fatui Skirmisher - Anemoboxer Vanguard
| Enemy | Elemental Weakness |
|---|---|
| Fatui Skirmisher - Anemoboxer Vanguard | No Weakness |
Has No Shield, But Has Swirlable Counterattack
The Fatui Skirmisher - Anemoboxer Vanguard has no elemental shield, however, this enemy conducts a shield-like attack, but actually, it is not a shield instead it is a powerful charge attack. It is best to use a Dendro or Geo elemental attack since the Anemoboxer absorbs elements through its swirlable counterattack.
Fatui Cicin Mages
Shield Is Used When Health Is Low
The Electro Cicin Mage will put up the shield once it gets to a certain point in its health. If you can deal finishing attack before the shield is up, you can defeat her without needing to deal with the shield.
Both Cicin Mage Shield/s Are Weak Against Pyro Attacks
The shield of the Cryo Cicin Mage can be damaged highly by using the Pyro element against it. Before entering a battle against the Electro or Cryo Cicin Mage, make sure to have a Pyro character in your party first or it will be a long battle.
Cryo Cicin Mage Can Create Multiple Shields During A Fight
Unlike the Electro Cicin Mage that only creates a shield when her HP is down, the Cryo Cicin Mage will keep creating shields regardless of her health. You might need to destroy a few shields before actually beating her.
Use Blunt Attacks To Weaken Shields
You can also use Klee charge attack or Amber's elemental skill to conduct an explosive attack that will weaken the shield, thus it will drastically decrease the durability of the enemy's shield.
Abyss Heralds & Lectors
| Enemy | Elemental Weakness |
|---|---|
| Abyss Herald Wicked Torrents | Cryo |
| Abyss Herald: Frost Fall | Pyro |
| Abyss Lector Violet Lightning | Pyro Cryo Dendro |
| Abyss Lector Fathomless Flames | Hydro |
Catalyst Are Good Against Abyss Lectors & Heralds
When facing any of the Abyss Heralds and Lectors, it is important to be mindful of the frequent elemental reaction since this will help you to strategize your attacks and defeat the Lectors and Heralds more easily. It is recommended to use Catalyst characters of the Element they are weak on since they can deal elemental damage without the use of Skill or Burst.
