Introduction

Genshin Impact Lyney, a five-star Pyro bow user from Fontaine, takes the stage as a powerful damage dealer, primarily through his enhanced Charged Attacks and the strategic deployment of his magical props. His gameplay revolves around building stacks of “Prop Surplus” by using Charged Attacks, which he then consumes with his Elemental Skill to unleash significant Pyro damage and heal himself. Lyney truly shines when leading a team composed primarily of Pyro characters, capitalizing on his passive talent that significantly boosts his damage against Pyro-affected enemies.

Understanding Lyney’s Talents

Normal Attack: Card Force TranslocationBewildering LightsWondrous Trick: Miracle Parade

Normal Attack: Card Force Translocation Lyney can perform up to four consecutive shots with his bow. However, his true potential lies in his Charged Attack. A Level 2 Charged Attack fires off a Prop Arrow that deals Pyro damage and, upon hitting an opponent, summons a Grin-Malkin Hat. This hat taunts nearby enemies, drawing their attention.

If Lyney’s HP is above 60% when firing a Prop Arrow, he will consume a portion of his HP to gain one Prop Surplus stack, up to a maximum of five stacks. The Grin-Malkin Hat will also fire off a Pyrotechnic Strike at a nearby opponent, dealing Pyro damage, when destroyed or when its duration expires. Notably, Lyney is a Pneuma-aligned unit, and at certain intervals, his Prop Arrow hits will cause a Spiritbreath Thorn to descend, dealing additional Pneuma-aligned Pyro damage.

Bewildering Lights (Elemental Skill) Lyney performs a flourish with his hat, unleashing a firework surprise. When used, this skill clears all current Prop Surplus stacks and deals AoE Pyro damage to opponents in front of him. The damage dealt is increased based on the number of stacks consumed. Additionally, Lyney regenerates HP based on his Max HP for each stack consumed. If a Grin-Malkin Hat created by Lyney is on the field, using this skill will cause it to immediately explode, dealing AoE Pyro damage equal to that of a Pyrotechnic Strike, and this damage is considered Charged Attack damage.

Wondrous Trick: Miracle Parade (Elemental Burst) Lyney transforms himself into a Grin-Malkin Cat that can move around quickly for a short duration. While in this form, the Grin-Malkin Cat deals one instance of Pyro damage to nearby enemies it gets close to. When the duration ends, Lyney dismisses the cat and ignites fireworks that deal significant AoE Pyro damage, summon one Grin-Malkin Hat, and grant himself one Prop Surplus stack. You can also end the Grin-Malkin Cat’s duration early by pressing the skill button.

Passive Talents

  • Perilous Performance: If Lyney consumes HP when firing off a Prop Arrow and the summoned Grin-Malkin Hat hits an opponent, Lyney will restore 3 Energy and increase the damage dealt by 80% of his ATK.
  • Conclusive Ovation: The damage Lyney deals to opponents affected by Pyro is increased by 60%. Furthermore, each Pyro party member other than Lyney will cause this damage to increase by an additional 20%, up to a maximum of 100% increased damage. This passive strongly encourages building a team with at least two other Pyro characters.
  • Trivial Observations: Displays the location of nearby resources unique to Fontaine on the mini-map, making him a helpful character for exploration.

Talent Priority Since Lyney’s primary source of damage comes from his Charged Attacks, you should prioritize leveling his Normal Attack: Card Force Translocation talent. Following that, equally leveling his Bewildering Lights (Elemental Skill) and Wondrous Trick: Miracle Parade (Elemental Burst) is recommended, as both contribute significantly to his overall damage output.

Crafting the Best Builds for Lyney

Best Artifact Sets for Lyney

Lyney’s best artifact set in Genshin Impact is the 4-piece Marechaussee Hunter, which perfectly complements his HP-fluctuating, Charged Attack-focused Pyro DPS playstyle.

Hunter’s BroochMasterpiece’s OvertureMoment of JudgmentForgotten VesselVeteran’s Visage

4-Piece Marechaussee Hunter

  • 2-piece bonus: +15% Charged Attack DMG.
  • 4-piece bonus: Gain 12% Crit Rate for 5s when HP increases or decreases, stacking up to 3 times (36% max).
  • Synergizes perfectly with Lyney’s Prop Arrow HP cost and Elemental Skill healing, maintaining consistent Crit Rate.

Alternative Artifact Sets

Lavawalker’s ResolutionLavawalker’s TormentLavawalker’s SalvationLavawalker’s WisdomLavawalker’s Epiphany
  • 4-piece Lavawalker:
    • +35% DMG to Pyro-affected enemies.
    • Ideal in Mono-Pyro teams with Lyney’s A4 passive.
Flowering LifeFeather of Nascent LightSolar RelicMoment of the PactThundering Poise
  • 4-piece Vermillion Hereafter:
    • Increases ATK after Elemental Burst and when HP is lost (common with Charged Attacks).
Witch’s Flower of BlazeWitch’s End TimeMoment of JudgmentForgotten Vesselany that would help the stats
  • 2-piece Combos:
    • Crimson Witch of Flames + Marechaussee Hunter – Pyro DMG + Charged Attack DMG.
    • 2-piece ATK +18% + Charged Attack DMG or Pyro DMG – Solid transitional option.

Artifact Main Stats and Substats

Maximize Lyney’s potential by focusing on high Crit DMG, ATK%, and Pyro DMG Bonus, especially with his self-synergizing artifact set.

Main Stats

  • Sands: ATK%
  • Goblet: Pyro DMG Bonus
  • Circlet: Crit DMG (Crit Rate if needed to balance ratio)

Substat Priority

  1. Crit DMG
  2. Crit Rate
  3. ATK%
  4. Energy Recharge – Helps maintain Burst uptime, especially with low external ER support.

Best Weapons for Lyney

Lyney thrives with weapons that boost Charged Attack DMG, Crit DMG, and ATK%, especially within Mono-Pyro compositions.

WeaponRarityEffect SummaryWhy It Works for Lyney
The First Great Magic (Best-in-slot)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐High Crit DMG substat. Boosts Charged Attack DMG and grants ATK% per Pyro party member.Best synergy with Lyney’s Charged Attack and Mono-Pyro playstyle.
Aqua Simulacra⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Massive Crit DMG, increases damage when near enemies.Strong raw damage, ideal for burst-focused play.
Thundering Pulse⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐High Crit DMG, increases ATK and Normal Attack DMG.Solid stat stick; ATK boosts help overall output.
Skyward Harp⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Crit Rate bonus, with additional AoE Crit DMG burst.Balanced Crit stats and consistent AoE bonus damage.
Amos’ Bow⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Significantly boosts Normal and Charged Attack DMG.Good for Charged Attack scaling, but lower synergy than signature bow.

5-Star Weapons

  • The First Great Magic(Best-in-slot):
    • High Crit DMG substat.
    • Boosts Charged Attack DMG and grants ATK% per Pyro party member.
  • Aqua Simulacra:
    • Massive Crit DMG, bonus damage when near enemies.
  • Thundering Pulse:
    • High Crit DMG, increases ATK and Normal Attack DMG.
  • Skyward Harp:
    • Crit Rate + AoE Crit DMG burst.
  • Amos’ Bow:
    • Increases Normal and Charged Attack DMG significantly.
WeaponRarityEffect SummaryWhy It Works for Lyney
Scion of the Blazing Sun (Battle Pass)⭐⭐⭐⭐Boosts Crit Rate, generates a Sunfire Arrow for bonus DMG and Heatsearer stacks.Great synergy with Charged Attacks and Mono-Pyro teams.
Prototype Crescent (R5)⭐⭐⭐⭐ATK% buff on weak point hits.F2P option, great for Charged Attack damage boost.
Song of Stillness⭐⭐⭐⭐Boosts ATK and Charged Attack DMG after healing. Easily triggered by Lyney’s Elemental Skill.Ideal for F2P builds, offering synergy with healing mechanics.
Blackcliff Warbow⭐⭐⭐⭐High Crit DMG, ATK bonus after defeating enemies.Spiral Abyss-friendly, benefits from defeating enemies to increase damage.
Hamayumi⭐⭐⭐⭐ATK substat, boosts Charged Attack DMG, especially when Energy is full.Perfect for Charged Attack builds when Energy management is optimized.
Sacrificial Bow⭐⭐⭐⭐Resets Elemental Skill cooldown, useful for faster Prop Surplus stacking and healing.Useful for more frequent Elemental Skill use, increasing damage uptime.
Slingshot (3-Star)⭐⭐⭐Crit Rate weapon with fast-hit damage boost on Charged Attacks.Great early-game option, helps with quick Charged Attacks and Crit Rate.

4-Star Weapons

  • Scion of the Blazing Sun(Battle Pass):
    • Boosts Crit Rate, generates a Sunfire Arrow for bonus DMG and Heatsearer stacks.
  • Prototype Crescent (R5):
    • Great F2P bow with ATK% buff on weak point hits.
  • Song of Stillness:
    • Boosts ATK and Charged Attack DMG after healing, easily triggered by Lyney’s Skill.
  • Blackcliff Warbow:
    • High Crit DMG, ATK bonus after defeating enemies (Spiral Abyss-friendly).
  • Hamayumi:
    • ATK substat, boosts Charged Attack DMG, especially when Energy is full.
  • Sacrificial Bow:
    • Resets Elemental Skill cooldown, useful for faster Prop Surplus stacking and healing.
  • Slingshot(3-Star):
    • Early-game Crit Rate weapon with fast-hit damage boost on Charged Attacks.

Assembling the Best Team Compositions

BennettXianglingKazuhaLynetteZhongli

Mono-Pyro Teams Lyney truly excels in Mono-Pyro teams, typically consisting of three Pyro units and a flexible fourth slot. This maximizes his “Conclusive Ovation” passive, granting him a substantial damage bonus. Core members of a Mono-Pyro Lyney team often include:

  • Bennett: Provides invaluable ATK buffs and healing, significantly enhancing Lyney’s damage and survivability.
  • Xiangling: A strong off-field Pyro DPS who deals consistent AoE damage and provides Pyro application. Her constellations further enhance her support capabilities. She is also a free character obtained through the Spiral Abyss.
  • The fourth slot can be flexible depending on the situation and your preference:
    • Kazuha: As an Anemo support, Kazuha can shred enemy Pyro resistance with the Viridescent Venerer artifact set and provide further Pyro damage bonuses through his passive, as well as offering excellent crowd control.
    • Lynette: Lyney’s sister, Lynette, is another Anemo option who can also use the Viridescent Venerer set to shred Pyro resistance and provide a taunt to help protect Lyney. Her Burst can also provide an ATK buff based on the number of unique elements in the party.
    • Zhongli: A Geo support who provides a strong shield that protects Lyney from interruptions, which is crucial for his Charged Attack playstyle. His shield also shreds all elemental and physical resistance of nearby enemies.
    • Other Pyro characters: You can also opt for another Pyro character like Dehya for interruption resistance and off-field Pyro application, or Xinyan for shields (though her shield might be less reliable than Zhongli’s).

Reaction-Based Teams While it might be tempting to build Lyney for Vaporize or Melt reactions, his kit, particularly his passive and signature weapon, are less effective in such setups. His Charged Attack playstyle can also make it challenging to consistently trigger reactions. Therefore, focusing on Mono-Pyro teams is generally the most effective way to utilize Lyney’s full potential.

Mastering Lyney’s Gameplay

  • Charged Attack and Prop Surplus Management: Lyney’s core gameplay loop involves using Level 2 Charged Attacks to fire Prop Arrows, summon Grin-Malkin Hats, and gain Prop Surplus stacks. Remember that you need to maintain above 60% HP to gain stacks from Charged Attacks, so having a reliable healer like Bennett is crucial. It’s often recommended to perform around three to four Charged Attacks before using your Elemental Skill.
  • Elemental Skill Timing: Once you have accumulated a sufficient number of Prop Surplus stacks (ideally five), use Lyney’s Elemental Skill to consume them, dealing significant AoE Pyro damage and healing him. If a Grin-Malkin Hat is present, the Skill will also cause it to explode.
  • Elemental Burst Usage: Use Lyney’s Elemental Burst to deal Pyro damage, summon a Grin-Malkin Hat, and gain an additional Prop Surplus stack. You can cancel the Burst early by pressing the Skill button once you’ve hit the desired enemies, allowing you to quickly return to using Charged Attacks and your Skill.
  • Rotation Example (Mono-Pyro): A typical rotation in a Mono-Pyro team might involve starting with your supports to apply buffs and debuffs (e.g., Bennett’s Skill and Burst, Xiangling’s Skill and Burst, Kazuha’s Skill and Burst), and then switching to Lyney to perform a sequence of Charged Attacks to build Prop Surplus, followed by his Elemental Burst (cancelled early), and finally his Elemental Skill to consume the stacks and deal massive damage. Repeat this cycle, adjusting based on energy regeneration and enemy status.
  • Considerations for Multiple Enemies: While Lyney’s Charged Attacks and Prop Arrow hits have a small AoE, he excels more in single-target or tightly grouped small enemy scenarios. For dealing with spread-out groups, the AoE from Xiangling’s Pyronado and Kazuha’s abilities in a Mono-Pyro team will be beneficial.
  • Advanced Techniques: The YouTube source mentions some advanced tricks, such as quickly pressing ‘R’ after a Charge Attack to start the next one almost instantly (though this will lock you into aiming mode after the second charge). Dodging or using the Skill are quick ways to exit aiming mode. Also, remember Lyney can cancel his burst with a skill press, which is often beneficial to maximize DPS. Be aware that his burst has two damage instances, the initial hits while passing near enemies (each enemy takes damage only once) and the final AoE. If you are close to the enemy, cancelling the burst quickly after the initial hits allows you to fit in a Skill for high DPS.

A Glimpse at Lyney’s Constellations

Here’s a clean and easy-to-read table summarizing Lyney’s key constellation effects and their benefits:

ConstellationEffectBenefitC1 – Whimsical WondersAllows 2 Grin-Malkin Hats on the field and grants 1 extra Prop Surplus stack.Boosts Prop Arrow uptime and overall damage potential.C2 – Loquacious CajolingWhile on the field, Lyney gains a Crit DMG bonus every 2s, up to 60%.Grants scaling Crit DMG, significantly enhancing Charged Attack output.C4 – Well-Versed, Well-RehearsedEnemies hit by Lyney’s Pyro Charged Attacks have their Pyro RES reduced.Amplifies team-wide Pyro damage, especially valuable in Mono-Pyro comps.

While Lyney is already a strong character at C0, his constellations offer further enhancements, primarily focusing on increasing his damage output. For example, C1 allows two Grin-Malkin Hats to be present simultaneously and grants an extra Prop Surplus stack, while C2 provides a significant Crit DMG bonus while on the field. C4 decreases the Pyro resistance of enemies hit by his Pyro Charged Attack, further boosting his damage in Pyro-centric teams.

Lyney’s Strengths and Weaknesses

StrengthsDetailsHigh Pyro DamageExcels in Mono-Pyro teams, with strong Charged Attack scaling.Non-Reaction ReliantConsistent damage output without needing elemental reactions.Self-HealingHis Elemental Skill restores HP, improving survivability.Built-in TauntGrin-Malkin Hat distracts enemies, offering crowd control.Good F2P Weapon OptionsMultiple 4-star and craftable bows work well with his kit.Simple Team BuildingMono-Pyro comps are accessible with core units like Bennett and Xiangling. WeaknessesDetailsHigh InvestmentRequires leveling all talents for optimal performance.Team RestrictionNeeds 2+ Pyro teammates to unlock full passive potential.Aiming DependenceRelies on Charged Shots, which can be difficult on mobile or under pressure.Squishy and InterruptibleCan lose DPS if staggered or interrupted during Charged Attacks.

Strengths:

  • Deals great Pyro damage, especially in Mono-Pyro teams.
  • His damage doesn’t heavily rely on elemental reactions.
  • Has self-healing through his Elemental Skill.
  • His Grin-Malkin Hat provides a useful taunt.
  • Has good free-to-play weapon options.
  • His best team composition (Mono-Pyro) is relatively straightforward to play and build, with accessible core units like Bennett and Xiangling.

Weaknesses:

  • Can be expensive to build as he utilizes all of his skills for damage.
  • Maximizing his passive requires at least two other Pyro characters, limiting team compositions.
  • His gameplay relies heavily on aiming Charged Attacks, which might not be preferred by all players, especially on mobile.
  • He is relatively squishy and can lose significant damage if interrupted during his Charged Attacks.

Should You Summon Lyney?

Lyney is a strong Pyro DPS character who excels in dedicated Pyro teams. If you enjoy his playstyle and are looking for a powerful Pyro damage dealer, particularly if you intend to build a Mono-Pyro team, then Lyney is a worthwhile character to pull for. He offers a unique gameplay experience centered around Charged Attacks and strategic resource management.

However, if you already have well-built Pyro DPS characters and prefer reaction-based teams, he might be a less essential addition to your roster. Make sure to consider your current team composition and your playstyle preferences before wishing for him. Remember that Fontaine also offers his 4-star Anemo sister, Lynette, for free upon reaching a certain Adventure Rank, who can be a valuable support unit for various teams, including Lyney’s.