As Genshin Impact continues to expand its elemental combat system, players have more choices than ever in how they build their teams. The introduction of Dendro reactions has brought two unique elemental interactions into the spotlight: Quicken and Aggravate. These reactions offer exciting new mechanics that reward precision, speed, and synergy between Electro and Dendro characters. However, many players still find it difficult to fully grasp the difference between Quicken and Aggravate, how they work, and which one is best suited for different team compositions. Understanding the full impact of these reactions can transform the way you play Genshin Impact.
Understanding the Quicken Reaction
What Is Quicken?
Quicken is the base reaction that occurs when Dendro and Electro elements interact. Unlike other reactions that immediately deal damage or apply an effect, Quicken creates a status on enemies that enables future enhanced reactions. When an enemy is affected by Quicken, they enter a state that can be further manipulated by applying either Electro or Dendro again.
This makes Quicken a unique reaction it doesn’t do damage by itself but sets the stage for more powerful follow-up reactions like Aggravate or Spread. Think of it as a trigger or primer for further elemental damage enhancements.
How to Trigger Quicken
- Apply Electro to a target already affected by Dendro
- Apply Dendro to a target already affected by Electro
Once the reaction occurs, the target will be in a ‘Quickened’ state, and the icon for the status will appear on the enemy.
Exploring the Aggravate Reaction
What Is Aggravate?
Aggravate is the damage-dealing follow-up to Quicken that occurs when you apply Electro again to a target in the Quickened state. This reaction increases the damage of the triggering Electro attack with an added flat bonus that scales with Elemental Mastery and other factors.
Aggravate enhances Electro damage specifically, making it especially useful for Electro-focused characters. This means characters like Keqing, Fischl, or Cyno can benefit greatly when paired with a Dendro support character like Collei or Nahida to keep enemies Quickened.
How Aggravate Works
Once an enemy is Quickened:
- Applying Electro again triggers Aggravate
- Aggravate increases the base damage of the Electro hit
- Bonus damage is affected by the attacker’s Elemental Mastery and level
Unlike transformative reactions like Overloaded or Superconduct, Aggravate is considered an additive bonus, meaning it scales well with crit and Electro damage bonuses.
Quicken vs Aggravate: What’s the Difference?
Core Mechanics
The main difference lies in the function and purpose:
- Quickenis a preparatory reaction that enables enhanced Electro or Dendro follow-ups.
- Aggravateis a damage-focused reaction that occurs after Electro is applied to a Quickened target.
In other words, Quicken sets up the battlefield, while Aggravate executes a stronger strike using the Electro element.
Reaction Scaling
Aggravate damage scales with:
- Elemental Mastery of the Electro attacker
- Character level
- Electro damage bonus and crit stats
Meanwhile, Quicken itself doesn’t deal damage but persists on the enemy for a limited time, giving players a window to react accordingly.
Best Characters for Quicken and Aggravate Teams
Electro DPS Characters
Characters that consistently deal Electro damage will benefit the most from Aggravate. These include:
- Keqing: With fast Electro-infused Normal and Charged Attacks, she can constantly trigger Aggravate reactions.
- Cyno: As an Electro main DPS, he thrives in teams built around Aggravate and scales well with Elemental Mastery.
- Fischl: Her Oz summon allows for sustained Electro application, making her a powerful off-field Aggravate enabler.
Dendro Support Characters
Dendro characters that can keep enemies consistently Quickened are key. These include:
- Collei: Her burst applies Dendro in a wide area and sets up Quicken easily.
- Nahida: Her skill applies Dendro to multiple enemies and scales with EM, perfect for elemental reactions.
- Traveler (Dendro): A free option who can enable Quicken reactions with their elemental skill and burst.
Team Composition Tips
Building an Aggravate Team
An effective Aggravate team usually includes:
- 1 Electro DPS (Cyno, Keqing)
- 1 Dendro enabler (Nahida, Collei)
- 1 Electro sub-DPS or battery (Fischl, Lisa)
- 1 Flex support or healer (Kuki Shinobu, Zhongli)
Focus on boosting Elemental Mastery and Electro damage, along with Energy Recharge if your Electro characters rely on bursts.
Artifacts and Weapons
To maximize Aggravate damage:
- Use Gilded Dreams or Thundering Fury artifact sets
- Equip EM-scaling weapons like Sacrificial Fragments or Iron Sting
- Look for main stats like EM, Crit Rate, Crit Damage, and Electro DMG Bonus
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Elemental Mastery
Elemental Mastery plays a huge role in Aggravate damage scaling. Many players focus too much on ATK and Crit, ignoring EM entirely. For Aggravate teams, a balance is key, but don’t overlook EM especially for characters triggering the reaction.
Not Maintaining Quicken
Because Aggravate can only occur on Quickened targets, it’s vital to keep Dendro application consistent. Gaps in Dendro uptime will reduce your reaction frequency and lower overall DPS. Use characters who can apply Dendro both on-field and off-field.
Using the Wrong Characters
Some Electro characters are better suited for Overloaded or Electro-Charged reactions. For example, Yae Miko can work in Aggravate teams but may shine more in other setups depending on her build. Ensure your chosen characters have the right synergy for Quicken and Aggravate reactions.
Quicken and Aggravate have added new layers of depth to Genshin Impact’s elemental system. Understanding how to set up Quicken and how to trigger Aggravate effectively can significantly boost your damage output in Electro-Dendro teams. These reactions not only introduce exciting mechanics but also create fresh opportunities for team building, artifact optimization, and creative strategies. With the right team, gear, and timing, Aggravate becomes a powerful tool for both casual and competitive players. Mastering these reactions ensures you’ll be ready for whatever Teyvat throws your way.