Zhongli vs Arlecchino in Genshin Impact 2025: In-Depth Build and Pull Guide
Genshin Impact players often face tough decisions when choosing between top-tier 5-star characters with very different styles. Zhongli and Arlecchino are two such favorites, each excelling in unique ways. This detailed comparison guides you through every critical factor you need to consider before investing your Primogems and time.
Damage Multipliers and Skill Rotations
Zhongli’s Key Multipliers
- Elemental Skill (Dominus Lapidis): Sets up Jade Shield and creates a stone pillar dealing Geo DMG. Multipliers scale with HP for shield strength and with Geo Damage Bonus for AoE damage.
- Elemental Burst (Planet Befall): Massive AoE Geo damage with a petrifying effect. Multiplier scales with his HP and Geo Damage Bonus.
- Damage Rotation: Zhongli excels by deploying his skill first to generate shields, followed by his burst for AoE damage and petrify control. Players alternate shield uptime and burst to manage defensive and offensive phases.
Arlecchino’s Key Multipliers
- Elemental Skill (All Is Ash): Marks enemies and increases Bond of Life, which powers her Pyro damage conversion.
- Empowered Normal and Charged Attacks: Once Bond of Life conditions are met (>30%), her Normal, Charged, and Plunging attacks convert to Pyro DMG with greatly increased multipliers.
- Elemental Burst (Balemoon Rising): High multiplier AoE Pyro damage with healing proportional to damage dealt.
- Damage Rotation: Requires managing charge attacks after applying Blood-Debt Directive marks, maintaining Bond of Life for empowered Pyro damage, and timely bursts for healing and AoE.
Constellation Breakdown
| Constellation | Zhongli Benefits | Arlecchino Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Reduced interruption for skill | Increased resistance to disruption |
| C2 | Increased shield strength and AoE damage | Enhanced charged attack damage and healing |
| C3 | Talent level boost (Skill or Burst) | Talent level boost (Skill or Normal Attack) |
| C4 | Increased burst energy regen | Reduced cooldown for Skill |
| C5 | Talent level boost | Talent level boost |
| C6 | Extended shield duration and increased petrify range | Enhanced Pyro conversion and damage |
Zhongli’s constellations focus on survivability and control improvements, while Arlecchino’s empower her offensive burst and sustain.
Artifact Substats and Stat Priorities
- Zhongli: Prioritize HP% (main stat on Sands), Geo DMG Bonus on Goblet, and Crit Rate/Damage on Circlet. Substats should include HP%, Crit Rate, and Energy Recharge to maintain burst uptime.
- Arlecchino: Focus on ATK% (main stat Sands), Pyro DMG Bonus (Goblet), and Crit Rate/Damage (Circlet). Substats should prioritize CRIT, ATK%, and minimal ER (to meet thresholds).
Team Synergy Roles
- Zhongli: Acts as a frontline shield support and burst buffer, synergizes best with high burst DPS who need protection and attack buffs, such as Hu Tao, Xiao, or Raiden Shogun. Teams requiring elemental shielding and petrify control value him highly.
- Arlecchino: Functions primarily as a main DPS focused on continuous Pyro damage, benefits from strong healing and Pyro resonance teams, for example, with Bennett and Zhongli or Xilonen for shield and healing backup.
Energy Requirements and Energy Recharge (ER) Thresholds
- Zhongli: Requires around 180%-200% ER to maintain burst uptime, especially pre-C4. His burst energy cost is 60. Prioritize some ER substats but balance with HP and Crit stats.
- Arlecchino: Moderate ER needs; her burst cost is 80 but burst uptime depends on managing Bond of Life duration and charged attacks. ER threshold is around 130%-150% to maintain rotation without energy bottlenecks.
Damage Comparisons
- Zhongli delivers substantial AoE Geo burst and superior team survivability through his shields and buffs but does not compete as a main DPS.
- Arlecchino’s damage output is higher on single-target and short burst windows, favoring players looking for aggressive, Pyro-based DPS with strong elemental damage.
Free-to-Play (F2P) Team Options
- Zhongli: Easily integrates with F2P-friendly picks such as Noelle for shield synergy and Xiangling for Pyro resonance, making him accessible for free players needing durable shields.
- Arlecchino: F2P options include Bennet for buffs and healing, and Xuanling or Kaeya for elemental support, though her weapon dependency can make her harder to fully optimize without 5-star gear.
Pros and Cons Summary
| Character | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Zhongli | Best shields, team buffs, petrify crowd control, wide synergy | Low personal DPS, requires proper team to shine |
| Arlecchino | Explosive Pyro damage, burst healing, unique empowered attacks | Complex rotation, no strong base shield, weapon dependent |
Best Weapons Ranked
| Zhongli | Rank | Arlecchino | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primordial Jade Cutter | S | Crimson Moon’s Semblance | S |
| Black Tassel | A | Staff of Homa | A |
| Crescent Pike | B | Deathmatch | B |
| Lithic Spear | B | Ballad of the Fjords | C |
Infographic-Style Summary (for Visual Aid)
| Element | Zhongli | Arlecchino |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Shield/Tank/Support | Pyro DPS/ Burst Damage |
| Playstyle | Defensive, Rotational | Aggressive, Rotation-based |
| Key Stats | HP%, Geo DMG, Crit | ATK%, Pyro DMG, Crit |
| Recommended Weapon | Primordial Jade Cutter | Crimson Moon’s Semblance |
| Energy Recharge Needs | 180-200% | 130-150% |
| Best Artifact Sets | Noblesse Oblige/Nob.+Petra | Fragment of Harmonic Whimsy |
| F2P Friendly? | Yes | Moderate (weapon reliant) |
| Survivability | Excellent | Moderate (burst healing) |
Final Thoughts: Which Should You Pull in 2025?
- Choose Zhongli if you want unmatched survivability, utility, and team shielding. He is an investment in longevity, particularly for players tackling Spiral Abyss or difficult content requiring crowd control.
- Opt for Arlecchino if you crave a high-risk, high-reward Pyro DPS with unique gameplay mechanics, willing to learn complex rotations and manage her Bond of Life for explosive damage output.
Both are strong characters with different niches—your choice depends on your team makeup, playstyle preferences, and gear availability. Optimize your pulls accordingly, and you’ll dominate Genshin Impact’s evolving meta.
FAQ
Q: Who is better Zhongli or Arlecchino in 2025?
A: It depends. Zhongli is premium shield/support with exceptional survivability and team utility; Arlecchino is a high single-target Pyro DPS. Read the “TL;DR” section for punchline recommendations based on your playstyle and spending habits.
Q: Should I pull for Arlecchino if I already have Zhongli?
A: If you need single-target Pyro damage and have the right pyro supports, Arlecchino can be worth pulling. If you value survivability and universal utility, Zhongli is rarely a bad pick.
Q: Is Zhongli worth using as main DPS?
A: No — Zhongli is best used as shield/support; using him as main DPS is suboptimal compared to dedicated DPS characters