Quick Take: Alhaitham, that sharp 5-star Dendro sword wielder who dropped on January 18, 2023, thrives on his Chisel-Light Mirrors for infusing attacks and unleashing Projection Attacks as his main damage dealers. This guide breaks down the 0-mirror (Burst-first) and 2-mirror (Skill-first) openers, plus particle gen (one per Projection hit, 7-8 over 12 seconds), and ER sweet spots (130-160% for most setups). Aim for 100% Burst uptime—skip Bursting at 3 mirrors if you're sub-C6 to snag 20% more field time and better energy flow.
Getting a Grip on Alhaitham's Kit: Mirrors, Particles, and That Tricky Energy Game
Ever wonder why Alhaitham feels like a puzzle wrapped in a sword swing? His Elemental Skill spits out up to 3 Chisel-Light Mirrors, each hanging around for 4 seconds, turning your Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attacks into Dendro damage while firing off Projections. At Lv.10, a single Projection hits for 121% ATK + 242 EM, doubling or tripling with more mirrors—spaced 1.6 seconds apart, with a 1U ICD (that's 12 seconds for 2 hits). Swap out, and the mirrors vanish, but they refresh on their own for about 12 seconds of uptime.
In a solid rotation, kick off with zero mirrors: Burst eats none, then after a 2-second delay, you regen all three for full infusion right away. That Burst lays down a 4-second field (219% ATK + 175 EM per tick at Lv.10, up to 10 instances with 3 mirrors), and you follow with N1-N5 (98-166% ATK) to trigger those Projections.
Particles? He drops one Dendro Particle per Projection (on a 1.5-second CD), so you're looking at 4-6 in a 20-second rotation from Alhaitham alone—doubles with Nahida in the mix. It all feeds his 70-Energy Burst cost, and double Dendro resonance tacks on +15 Energy per particle. Mess up your mirror handling, though, and you lose 14% Projection frequency and infusion uptime sub-C6. (As an editor who's farmed way too many domains, I'd say prioritize 12-16 seconds on-field with 3 mirrors—lean into that 4th Ascension Passive for a 0.1% DMG boost per EM, capping at 100% with 1000 EM in reaction-heavy builds.)
Breaking Down the Chisel-Light Mirror System
These mirrors max out at 3. Fire off the Skill with zero, and you get 2 right away; at 1-2, it's just 1 more. The passive chimes in with an extra one every 12 seconds on Charged or Plunging Attacks. Each mirror juices your attacks with 4 seconds of Dendro infusion. Burst gobbles them up to stretch the field (+2 seconds per mirror) and regen them in reverse (consume 3, get 3 back).
Picture a 12-second cycle with 3 mirrors: Projections pop every 1.6 seconds on infused hits, dishing AoE Dendro (67% ATK + 134 EM per mirror at Lv.1). Sub-C6, dodge Bursting at max mirrors to avoid zero regen; C6 throws in +10% CRIT Rate and +70% CRIT DMG for 6 seconds.
Here's how to nail it:
Tap or hold the Skill (hold for aiming) at zero mirrors—bam, 2 instant ones (193% ATK + 155 EM on the rush at Lv.1, 18-second CD).
Chase with a Charged Attack (109% ATK ×2 at Lv.10, 20 Stamina) to grab the third via passive.
Refresh with Skill before the first fades (about 4 seconds post-gen) to keep those timers rolling.
How Projection Attacks Work and Apply Dendro
Projections slather on Dendro with a 1U ICD (2.5 seconds for 3 hits on Normal/Charged), cranking out particles and scaling damage by mirror count. They snapshot your stats and get a kick from EM (0.1% per point on Projections and Burst). Stack 3 mirrors, and a Normal string (up to 5 strikes, 68%×2 on N3) unleashes 3 Projections per hit—netting 7-8 particles in 12 seconds while holding Quicken for Spread or Hyperbloom.
Run it like this:
Set up a Quicken aura before diving in (Dendro Traveler's Skill does the trick).
Infuse with mirrors, then chain N1-N4 (around 468% ATK equivalent including Projections).
Plunge for 126% ATK low/316% high at Lv.10—generates a mirror if the passive is ready—for clumped enemies.
Particles: Skill vs. Burst Breakdown
The Skill pumps out 1 particle per Projection; Burst doesn't make any but sets up the field for extra Projections. In double Dendro, each particle's worth 3 Energy base +15 from resonance. That 1.6-second interval? It means 7-8 particles in a 12-second 3-mirror window. C1 cuts Skill CD, bumping flow by 14%.
Try these steps:
Line up Projections inside the Burst field (4 seconds base +6 with 3 mirrors =10 seconds total).
Steer clear of swaps to hoard 20-30 Energy per rotation.
Team up with Nahida's Burst (3 particles) for Burst uptime every single rotation.
Why Nail Your Openers to Hit Alhaitham's DPS Peak
Openers aren't just flair—they control mirror regen and particle stream, straight-up deciding if your 70-Energy Burst stays online and Projections keep firing (20% field time boost in 0-mirror plays). Sub-C6, Bursting at 3 mirrors gives zero regen, slashing infusion by 4 seconds; 10 seconds versus 8 on-field? That's a 20% DPS jump.
Steps to follow:
Eyeball team particles before the fight (Yelan's Burst for 2-3 Hydro ones).
Go 0-mirror for AoE sweeps, 2-mirror for single-target bosses.
Run tests in Spiral Abyss to lock in 100% uptime at 140% ER.
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The 0-Mirror Opener: Kick Off with Burst
Drop Burst at zero mirrors—it consumes zilch, spins up a 4-second field (122% ATK +97 EM per instance at Lv.1, up to 4 base +6 from mirrors), and regens 3 after 2 seconds for a full 10-second field. Spam NAs, and you're generating 7 particles; sub-C6, this edges out 2-mirror by ~20% DPS in groups.
Here's the flow:
Lead with Burst (18-second CD, 70 Energy) for the field and that 2-second wait.
NA away until mirrors pop (N1-N3, about 3 seconds), Projections every 1.6 seconds.
Hit 3 mirrors? Skill to refresh (adds 1), Charged if needed for passive, stretching to 12 seconds.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Burst > pause 2 seconds > N3 Dash Cancel > Skill > N4 Charged Attack > NA spam till swap. Breakdown: 0-2 seconds for field setup, 2-6 seconds Projections (4 particles), 6-12 seconds refresh (3 more). In a Nahida squad, her E/Q funnels 3 particles—Alhaitham Bursts at full, instant 3-mirror regen.
Particle Timeline and Energy Checks
At 0 seconds: Burst (zero particles). 2 seconds: Mirrors + Projections (1 every 1.6 seconds). By 10 seconds: 7 total, ~21 Energy base. ER snapshots on Burst cast; double Dendro piles +15 per particle for 140% ER to cover you. Tally attacks (~1 second each) to drop Skill on the 4th NA before the first mirror dips.
Top Teams for 0-Mirror Plays
Nahida + Kazuha + Dendro Traveler: Kazuha's Burst upfront for EM sharing, 130% ER. Hyperbloom twist: Yelan + Kuki—her Burst during the delay for cores, Kuki's E mid-field to speed mirrors. Perfect for AoE domains with 10-second clears.
Upsides and Downsides: When It Shines
Upsides: Full regen, 14% DPS bump sub-C6. Downsides: That 2-second lag hurts single-target. Save it for fight closers (Burst at 3 for the finisher) or Raiden battery setups.
For more on team vibes, dive into our Alhaitham Best Teams guide.
The 2-Mirror Opener: Lead with Skill
Start at zero mirrors with Skill for 2 instant ones (348% ATK +279 EM at Lv.10), then NA to Projections and build to 3 via passive—immediate infusion, no waiting. Setup's quicker (3-4 seconds to full), 4 particles in the first 6 seconds, but sub-C6 it's ~14% lower DPS from shorter regen; suits 16-second rotations better.
Steps:
Skill (tap for rush) for 2 mirrors and opening damage.
NA 3-4 hits (~4 seconds) for Projections and the passive mirror.
Charged before the first expires (resets 4-second timer), then Burst for 8-10 seconds field.
Full Rotation with Timings
Skill > N1-N4 (4 seconds, 2 particles) > Charged (1 mirror, 1 particle) > Burst (2-second delay, 3 regen) > N3 Cancel > Skill refresh. All in: 12-16 seconds, 6-8 particles. For Spread, Kazuha's E before Skill for VV shred, 130% ER Burst every go.
Handling Mirror Stacks in the Opener
Post-Skill, NA till 3 (~4 seconds); at 2-1 stack, Skill adds 1 without waste. C4 bumps +30 EM per party member per consumed mirror (15 seconds), juicing Projections. Peek the visual timer every 3 seconds; hold off swaps till 12 seconds.
Energy Tips and Pre-Funnel Moves
Funnel ahead with Fischl's Oz (1 particle every 5 seconds) or Raiden Burst (20-30 refund); aim 140% ER. Solo Dendro? 240%+ for every-other Burst. Math it: 70 Energy / (5 particles ×3 base + team) × ER% = uptime.
When 2-Mirror Really Works
Bosses or quickbloom (Yelan + Kuki) with instant Projections for fast reactions. Less finicky timing than 0-mirror.
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Deep Dive into Particle Generation
Infused hits trigger Projections for 1 Dendro Particle each (1.5-second CD, 1.6-second interval); 3 mirrors max it at 7-8 in 12 seconds uptime. Skill nets 5-6 via Projections; Burst sets up 4-5 in its 10-instance field. C2 adds +50 EM per mirror (max 200, 8 seconds), upping particle value 14% in reactions.
Steps:
Lock 3 mirrors for triple Projections per hit.
Stretch 12 seconds on-field to snag them all (NA during Burst).
Pair with Nahida for double Dendro (+15 Energy per particle).
Skill Particle Stats (5-6 Per Cast)
Rush + 2-3 Projections (1 each), 5-6 in 4 seconds total. Hold for aim in openers. Hyperbloom? Cores for Kuki to pop.
Burst Particles and Refunds
Zero direct from Burst, but 10-instance field means 4-5 Projections (4 particles). No refund; C6 guarantees 3 regen. Burst after NAs to snapshot peak EM.
How Battery Characters Chip In
Nahida: 3 per Burst; Raiden: 20-30 refund; Fischl: 1 every 5 seconds. Drops ER to 120-130% in battery crews. Double Dendro: +15 per, so 4 Alhaitham particles = 60 Energy. Quickbloom: Yelan 2-3 + Kuki 1 = every-rotation Burst at 140% ER.
Counting Particles in Live Rotations
Spot one per Projection glow. 20-second cycle: 4-6 from Alhaitham + team = 100% uptime. Practice mode's your friend for timing.
ER Benchmarks by Team Type
His 70-Energy Burst needs 130-160% ER for every rotation—stack ER subs before EM/Crit till you hit it. Double Dendro (Nahida): 140-160% (130% with Favonius); solo: 240%+ every, 120-150% every other. Quickbloom: 140%; Spread: 130%; Hyperbloom: 160%.
Steps:
Base 100% + sands (46%) + subs (20-30%) = your goal.
Favonius on supports for bonus particles.
Tweak: 210%+ sans Nahida for double Dendro every time.
For ER breakdowns, hit our Alhaitham Build Guide.
120-130% ER: Heavy Battery Teams (Raiden, Fischl)
Raiden refund + Fischl Oz handles 70 Energy with 5 particles/rotation ×3 + refund. ER circlet if subs are skimpy; test 16-second cycles.
130-145% ER: Classic Quicken/Hyperbloom Setups
Nahida/Yelan: 130-145% off 4-6 particles. Hyperbloom: 145% for EM focus. Formula: (70 / generated Energy) × ER% = 100% uptime.
145-160% ER: Solo Dendro or Sparse Particle Groups
Solo: 145-160% every other, 240%+ every. Low-particle? Slap on ER weapon like Favonius Codex. ER > EM; Iron Sting for EM but chase ER subs.
How We Test and Assume Rotations
20-second cycles, 12 seconds on-field; Abyss runs with full loops. Post-patch checks (2025 reruns June 5-25).
0-Mirror vs. 2-Mirror: DPS Face-Off
0-mirror pulls ahead in DPS (10-second regen, 20% extra field time) despite the 2-second hitch; 2-mirror's instant but risks 4-second decay, 14% lower sub-C6.
From the data:
DPS: 0-mirror 20% higher in AoE (10s vs. 8s infusion); 2-mirror 14% less, 4 vs. 2 particles in first 4s.
Energy: 0-mirror 7 post-regen; 2-mirror 6, faster Burst.
Uptime: Both 100% at 140% ER; 0-mirror shines with Nahida (130% ER).
0-mirror: 10s field, 20 Projections (DPS +20%); 2-mirror: 8s, 14 Projections (quicker 67% ATK per mirror). 0-mirror: 21 Energy after delay; 2-mirror: Early stream, +4s field from Burst at 2. 0-mirror stretches Spread DPS; 2-mirror slots into quickbloom swaps for 16s rotations.
Pick based on spot:
Domains/AoE: 0-mirror.
Bosses: 2-mirror.
Abyss: Mix it (0 with Nahida).
Tailoring Openers to Your Team
Spread loves 0-mirror for Quicken hold; Hyperbloom digs 2-mirror for cores. Quickbloom: 140% ER, half on-field; Spread: 130% ER, Kazuha pre-Burst.
Steps:
Pre-apply aura (Dendro Traveler E).
Tune for EM: C4 +30 per party in 0-mirror.
Nahida Q > Alhaitham 0-mirror > Kazuha Q > swap.
Grab full comps in Alhaitham Best Teams.
Hyperbloom Tweaks for EM Builds
2-mirror: Yelan Burst > Skill > Plunge (1 mirror) > Projections for cores > Burst at 0; 160% ER, 1000 EM caps reactions at 100% boost. Kuki E in Burst for instant 3 mirrors.
Spread: Locking in Quicken
0-mirror: Support Burst (Kazuha) > Alhaitham Burst > NA till 3 > Skill; 130% ER, aura stays put. NA 3-4s in delay.
Quickbloom Hybrid: Juggling Reactions
Nahida E/Q > Yelan Burst > Alhaitham Skill > Plunge > Burst > half NA > Kuki refresh > back; 140% ER.
Sample Rotations for Meta Top 5
Nahida/Kazuha/Fischl: 0-mirror, 16s cycle, 130% ER.
Yelan/Kuki/Traveler: 2-mirror, fast cores, 160% ER.
Raiden/Bennett/Zhongli: Battery 0-mirror, 120% ER.
Solo Dendro: 2-mirror every other, 240% ER.
Hyperbloom EM: 2-mirror, C4 for +30 EM.
Pro Tips: Animation Cancels and Advanced Plays
N3 Dash cancels squeeze 10-15% more DPS; Burst > N3 Dash Cancel (post-2s) > Skill > N4 CA for 12s 3-mirror lock. Low ping? Mid-swap for 100% uptime.
Steps:
Drill N3 > Dash after Burst.
CA for passive mirror (12s CD).
Jump cancels for Plunges in downtime.
More on this in our Mirror Management Guide.
Cancel Spots on Skill Animation
Hold Skill > NA cancel ASAP; no ICD on rush, instant Projections.
Optimizing Normal Attack Chains
Full N1-N5 (~468% ATK equiv infused); N3 cancel for support E weave.
Dash vs. Jump Cancels in Openers
Dash: Quicker for teams (Kazuha Q slot), 10% DPS up; Jump: Safer solo, keeps flow.
Nailing Frame-Perfect Timing
~1s per attack; Burst delay exactly 2s. Sub-C6? It's unforgiving—practice pays.
Pitfalls in Openers and Fixes
Bursting at 3 mirrors? Zero regen sub-C6, 4s infusion gone—switch to 0-mirror. Botched Skill timing? Drops below 3 mirrors, 2-3 fewer particles; overcapping wastes gens.
Steps:
Skip max-mirror Burst unless finishing.
Count NAs: Skill after 4th, 4 more > CA.
Skill before Charged (saves 20 Stamina).
Overcapping Mirrors: Lost Projections
C6 only for overcap; sub-C6, Skill at 2 adds 1. Refresh at 3s left.
Burst Timing Goofs and Energy Leaks
Low-energy Burst resets to zero; counter with Nahida's 3 particles funnel, 140% ER.
Mismanaging Skill CD
18s base; C1 shortens. Save for refresh, not if passive's up.
Wonky Team Orders
No pre-aura? Fix: Supports first (Kazuha Burst), then Alhaitham.
Crunching ER Numbers and Build Strategies
Figure ER as (70 / rotation Energy) × % for full uptime; sands if under 140%, subs otherwise. Particles: 1 per Projection ×3 base (+15 double Dendro) + team; 210% no Nahida; Favonius swings 6-12 Energy.
Steps:
Base 100% + sands 46% + circlet 16.7% + subs 20% = 140%.
Weapons: Favonius for ER drought, Sacrificial for 40% CD reset.
Balance: ER to benchmark, then Crit/EM (Dendro DMG 28.8% at Lv.90).
See Alhaitham Artifacts Guide and Alhaitham Weapons Comparison.
ER Subs or Sands: The Switch Point
Subs if base >120%; sands must if below. 100% base? Sands for 146%.
Weapon ER Boosts (Favonius, Sacrificial)
Favonius: Crit particles; Sacrificial: Extra Skill/mirrors.
Team Energy Calc Approach
Alhaitham 5/rotation + Nahida 3 + resonance = 70 at 140% ER; 20s cycles, full field.
Weighing ER Against Crit and EM
ER first (130-160%), EM next (1000 for 100% passive), Crit for Projections. Gilded Dreams shares EM.
Full tweaks in our Alhaitham Complete Guide.
Dial in these openers, particle tricks, and ER targets to unleash Alhaitham's full potential.
FAQ
Best opener for Alhaitham?
0-mirror (Burst-first) shines for 10s field in AoE Nahida teams at 130-140% ER—7 particles, 20% DPS up. 2-mirror (Skill-first) for instant Projections in quickbloom/single-target, 14% less sub-C6 but smoother timing.
Mirrors before Burst?
Zero sub-C6 for 3 regen post-2s, 10s infusion, 100% uptime at 140% ER in double Dendro. At 3? Only killshots; C6 always regens 3, 1 particle per Projection.
Alhaitham's ER needs?
130-160%: 130% Spread with Nahida (4-6 particles + resonance), 140% Quickbloom (Yelan/Kuki), 160% Hyperbloom, 240%+ solo. (70 / generated per rotation) × ER%; Favonius drops to 120% with Raiden battery.
Enough particles for Burst?
Yep—1 per Projection (7-8 in 12s 3-mirror), 20-30 Energy base/rotation, 60+ with Nahida/resonance. 4-6 from him in 20s backs 70 Energy at 140% ER; Fischl seals it.
0-mirror or 2-mirror opener?
0 for 20% field/full regen in AoE/Nahida (Burst > NA delay > Skill). 2 for early particles/quick swaps/Hyperbloom (Skill > NA 4 > Charged > Burst), 14% less sub-C6. 0 for Spread, 2 for cores.
Hyperbloom vs. Spread opener differences?
Hyperbloom (Yelan/Kuki): 2-mirror for quick cores (Skill > Plunge > Projections > Burst at 0), 160% ER, EM heavy. Spread (Nahida/Kazuha): 0-mirror for 10s Quicken, 130% ER, double Dendro particles. Both 5-7 particles; Hyperbloom early apps, Spread long field.
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