Diluc build guide

Diluc functions as a hypercarry DPS character that specializes in dealing pyro damage. His kit is pretty straightforward in which Elemental Skill (E) makes him do a slash that does pyro damage and can be used 3 times before going into cooldown. Meanwhile, his Elemental Burst (Q) releases a phoenix dealing AOE pyro damage and knocking back enemies before exploding. After using his Burst, his normal attacks would be infused with pyro for 8s. With his 4th Ascension Passive, the infusion duration would be increased to 12s and also Diluc will also gain 20% pyro DMG bonus during the duration.

Maximize Diluc

To maximize Diluc, you’ll want to run him with someone who can help him Vape or Melt all of his attacks. As it currently stands, only Xingqiu is able to provide this. Additionally, someone like Albedo, Sucrose or Diona C6 can provide an Elemental Mastery (EM) buff so his Vape or Melt reaction damage will be much higher. Also highly consider running Bennett with him as it helps boost his damage and also he is one of the few who can utilize Bennett C6.

Diluc’s weakness

Diluc biggest weaknesses is with Genshin’s current meta. As the meta currently stands, Genshin currently favors burst DPS characters. Take a step back and look at all the DPS characters that had been released since launch, Hutao, Ayaka, Yoimiya, Itto, etc. Everyone of them are considered as burst DPS where they deal a huge amount of their overall damage in a small window. For Ayaka it comes from her Q whereas for Hutao its when she sacrificed her HP% for damage from her E.

And what about Diluc? Well, he is considered as a “sustain DPS” where his damage is spread out in consistent manner meaning there won’t be spikes or drops in his damage graph. This wouldn’t be such a big deal if the abyss difficulty remain the same but post Inazuma we are seeing enemies with more than a million HP%, chambers with multiple phases and enemies with stall mechanics. Hence why, it is much harder to play Diluc at least from a meta standpoint.

More about Diluc:

EM has a higher priority than ATK% if you’re running Vape or Melt comp. Its also worth noting that Diluc’s constellations boost his Elemental Skill’s damage, so talent prioritization can vary depending on his constellations. You also can interweave Normal Attacks using his Elemental Skill. *NA = Normal Attack

E -> NA -> NA -> E -> NA -> NA -> E -> NA -> NA

Optimal combo

Regarding Weapon Choices:

Redhorn Stonethresher: Depending on the amount of ATK% buffs you’re getting, this weapon can overtake Wolf’s Gravestone in personal damage.
Serpent Spine: Because Diluc’s [C2] requires you to get hit to gain the ATK buff, it can potentially lead to a damage loss due to losing Serpent Spine stacks. However, when paired with Zhongli, the shield allows you to gain the [C2] buff while not losing any stacks – running Zhongli with [C2] Diluc is highly recommended.
Blackcliff Slasher: This weapon has excellent DPS potential when facing against crowds, but at the same time it’s potential will not be utilized at single target situations.
Rainslasher: For obvious reasons, this weapon is only recommended when Diluc is in a team comp where he can consistently proc vaporize (i.e. when paired with Xingqiu). Rainslasher will also outperform Skyward Pride at [R3+]. Due to its EM mainstat, it is recommended to go ATK% sands instead.

Regarding Artifact Sets:

Crimson Witch of Flames (4): Generally the best go to set for Diluc due to how easily Diluc can stack the Pyro Damage effect, while his burst imbues his Normal/Charged Attacks with Pyro.
Gladiator’s Finale (4): For those who are still reluctant on farming for Crimson Witch of Flames (Pre-AR 45), this will still provide it a fairly decent increase in DPS as he still relies on his Normal Attacks mostly.

Regarding Main Stats Choice:

If Diluc is run alongside Xingqiu where he can trigger vaporize very often, you can run EM sands as an alternative to ATK sands. EM boosts Diluc’s reaction damage by a lot after all. Note that when Diluc’s Pyro imbued basic attack is active, he can trigger Vaporize every 2 basic attacks due to internal cooldown.