Kamisato Ayato remains a top-tier versatile Hydro DPS in 2025, with Haran Geppaku Futsu and Primordial Jade Cutter performing nearly identically as his best weapons. He excels in Hyperbloom, Vaporize, and Freeze teams at C0, requiring only proper artifact optimization and team synergy to clear all endgame content effectively.
Ayato Character Overview and Meta Position 2025
Here's the thing about Ayato – he's what I'd call the Swiss Army knife of Hydro DPS characters. His Elemental Skill transforms those basic Normal Attacks into rapid AoE Hydro slashes for 6 seconds, and honestly? It never gets old watching enemies melt under that flurry.
At Level 90, you're looking at 13,715 HP, 299 ATK, 769 DEF, with a solid 38.4% CRIT DMG ascension stat. Not groundbreaking numbers, but here's where it gets interesting – his kit grants 4 Namisen stacks at C0, each one boosting damage based on Max HP while keeping you interruption-resistant. That HP scaling is more important than most people realize.
His meta position? Still rock-solid, and I'd argue even stronger than last year. Why? Two words: Furina synergy. The introduction of newer supports has only made Ayato more flexible, and he adapts to Hyperbloom, Vaporize, Freeze, and Electro-Charged teams without being locked into any single archetype. Sure, he's not the absolute best-in-slot for any one team type, but that versatility is his strength.
The Marechaussee Hunter artifact set was practically designed for Ayato-Furina combinations – it's created some of his strongest team setups to date. Plus, his AoE capabilities continue to shine in multi-target Spiral Abyss scenarios with consistently high clear rates.
C0 gives you everything you need. Full stop. Higher constellations are nice-to-haves: C2 bumps Namisen stacks to 5, C3 enhances Skill levels, C4 provides 15% Normal Attack speed buffs. But these are luxury investments, not necessities.
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Best Weapons for Ayato: Complete Tier List
5-Star Weapon Rankings
Tier 1 (Best-in-Slot):
Let me be blunt – the eternal debate between Haran Geppaku Futsu and Primordial Jade Cutter is honestly overblown. Both weapons perform within 2-3% of each other, which means your artifact rolls matter way more than your weapon choice.
Haran Geppaku Futsu: 608 Base ATK, 33.1% CRIT Rate, 12% Elemental DMG + 40% Normal Attack DMG bonus
Primordial Jade Cutter: 542 Base ATK, 44.1% CRIT Rate, 20% HP increase + ATK bonus (1.2% Max HP)
Haran excels when you're running skill-heavy rotations and want pure Normal Attack optimization. Jade Cutter? That superior CRIT Rate makes artifact building a breeze, plus it synergizes beautifully with HP-scaling mechanics.
Tier 2 (Excellent Alternatives):
Mistsplitter Reforged: 674 Base ATK, 44.1% CRIT DMG – though maintaining 3 stacks can be a pain
Light of Foliar Incision: Surprisingly strong with EM team buffs
Uraku Misugiri: Solid choice if you're running Geo teammates
4-Star and F2P Options
The Black Sword absolutely dominates the 4-star category. 510 Base ATK, 27.6% CRIT Rate, and 20% Normal/Charged Attack damage increase – it's basically tailor-made for Ayato. Here's a pro tip: R1 to R5 refinements only give you 6-7% DPS gains, so don't stress about maxing it out.
Other solid 4-star picks:
Kagotsurube Isshin: High ATK% with bonus damage instances (grab it from Kazuha's Story Quest if you haven't)
Finale of the Deep: Massive ATK% buffs, but you'll need healer support
Amenoma Kageuchi: Energy Recharge support for smoother rotations
And here's something that might surprise you – Harbinger of Dawn (yes, the 3-star weapon) actually matches Black Sword R1 performance when you maintain 90%+ HP. Totally viable with strong defensive support.
Haran Geppaku Futsu vs Primordial Jade Cutter: Deep Comparison
Performance Analysis
I've run the numbers countless times, and the damage calculations consistently show minimal practical differences between these weapons. Haran provides that juicy 40% Normal Attack DMG bonus when passive conditions activate, plus 12% Elemental DMG for all abilities. Meanwhile, Jade Cutter's 44.1% CRIT Rate (compared to Haran's 33.1%) and HP-scaling ATK bonus (typically 200-300 additional ATK) create comparable output.
With Furina teams using Marechaussee Hunter artifacts, Jade Cutter's higher CRIT Rate lets you focus heavily on CRIT DMG. We're talking 200%+ CRIT DMG builds that would be impossible otherwise. Haran performs better in teams with fewer external CRIT Rate buffs and multiple Elemental Skill users.
Passive Mechanics
Haran requires some team coordination – gaining Wavespike stacks from nearby party Elemental Skills, then consuming those stacks when Ayato activates his Skill. Sounds complicated, but it integrates naturally into rotations where supports use abilities before Ayato's field time.
Jade Cutter? Set it and forget it. Consistent HP and ATK bonuses with zero rotation timing requirements. That simplicity is perfect for players still learning optimal rotations while maintaining competitive damage.
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Optimal Artifact Sets and Substats
Primary Set Recommendations
Here's something that might shock newer players – multiple 4-piece sets perform within 5% of each other. Your substat quality matters way more than set selection:
Heart of Depth: 15% Hydro DMG + 30% Normal/Charged Attack damage (most consistent choice)
Gladiator's Finale: 18% ATK + 35% Normal Attack damage (easily accessible through bosses)
Nymph's Dream: 15% Hydro DMG with stacking ATK%/Hydro DMG% bonuses
Echoes of an Offering: 18% ATK + 36% chance for 70% ATK bonus (avoid if you have high ping – it's unreliable)
Marechaussee Hunter with Furina
This is where things get spicy. 4-piece Marechaussee Hunter becomes Ayato's absolute best set when paired with Furina. Furina's HP drain triggers up to 36% CRIT Rate plus Normal/Charged Attack bonuses, enabling those insane 200%+ CRIT DMG builds I mentioned earlier. Just remember – Ayato's Burst snapshots stats on cast, so rotation timing matters.
Substat Priorities
Energy Recharge (until requirement): 120-140% with Hydro teammates, 140-160% solo Hydro
CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG: Target 80-90% CRIT Rate, 160-180% CRIT DMG
ATK%: Consistent damage scaling
HP%: Minor Namisen stack benefits
Pro tip: Each Favonius weapon proc reduces ER needs by 10-15%. Double Hydro teams can get away with 120-135% ER, Triple Hydro allows 100-120%.
Best Team Compositions for C0 Ayato
Hyperbloom Teams
Optimal Setup: Ayato + Nahida + Kuki Shinobu + Flex
This is probably my favorite Ayato team right now. The rotation flows beautifully: Ayato Q → Nahida E Q → Kuki E → Ayato E + Normal Attacks. Kuki provides healing while triggering Hyperbloom reactions, and that flex slot gives you options – Xingqiu/Yelan for more Hydro, Fischl for Electro, or Zhongli for comfort.
Alternative: Ayato + Nahida + Raiden + Kazuha
Superior Hyperbloom damage potential, but you'll need to manage HP carefully since there's no dedicated healer. Kazuha's grouping and Elemental DMG buffs make up for it though.
Vaporize Compositions
Standard Team: Ayato + Xiangling + Bennett + Kazuha
Classic setup that just works. Rotation: Ayato Q → Bennett E Q → Kazuha E Q → Xiangling Q E → Ayato E. Bennett buffs both DPS characters, Kazuha amplifies both elements. Just watch your energy management – Xiangling's 80-cost Burst can be demanding.
Freeze Teams
Premium Setup: Ayato + Furina + Kazuha + Shenhe
This utilizes 4pc Marechaussee Hunter for maximum CRIT Rate potential. Furina provides massive DMG% buffs, Shenhe adds Skill damage buffs – it's Ayato's highest damage potential, period.
Budget Alternative: Ayato + Furina + Rosaria + Jean
More accessible with similar core synergies. Rosaria shares CRIT Rate, Jean provides VV support and healing. Not quite as powerful as the premium version, but still excellent.
Electrocharged Setups
Standard Taser: Ayato + Fischl + Beidou + Kazuha
Fischl handles single-target Electro application, Beidou scales with AoE scenarios. The key is maintaining both Electro Bursts during Ayato's field time – easier said than done, but incredibly satisfying when executed properly.
Talent Priority and Building Guide
Leveling Order
Here's where a lot of people mess up:
Elemental Skill: Level 9-10 first (this is 70-80% of your total damage)
Elemental Burst: Level 6-8 for utility
Normal Attack: Leave at Level 1 – and I cannot stress this enough, it provides ZERO benefit
Ayato's Skill-state attacks scale from Elemental Skill talent, not Normal Attack talent. I've seen too many players waste resources on Normal Attack levels. Don't be that person.
Resource Requirements
Ascension 1-90: 420,000 Mora, Varunada Lazurite materials, 46 Dew of Repudiation, 168 Sakura Bloom, Handguards (18 Old, 30 Kageuchi, 36 Famed)
Single Talent 1-10: 1,652,500 Mora, Elegance books, Handguards, 6 Mudra of Malefic General, 1 Crown
Level 90 ascension is actually worth it for Ayato due to those HP-scaling damage components. Not always the case for other characters, but definitely recommended here.
Rotation Guides and Gameplay
Universal Rotation Framework
Ayato Elemental Burst (snapshots buffs – timing is crucial)
Support setup (Bennett Q, Kazuha E Q, etc.)
Ayato Elemental Skill + 15 Normal Attacks
Support maintenance during downtime
Energy Management
Ayato's 80-cost Burst requires careful planning, but his A4 passive helps – it provides 2 energy/second when off-field below 40 energy. Try to use Skill twice per rotation when possible (6s duration, 12s cooldown). Position team members to catch particles efficiently.
Common Mistakes
Early Skill cancellation through character swapping (so frustrating!)
Leveling Normal Attack talent (waste of resources)
Poor energy management in team building
Inadequate CRIT Rate leading to inconsistent damage
Quick tip: Hold the Normal Attack button during Skill state for automatic execution. Cast Burst before support buffs to snapshot those benefits.
Spiral Abyss Performance
Ayato absolutely shines in multi-target chambers where his AoE capabilities provide maximum value. His performance scales directly with enemy density – the more grouped opponents, the better he looks.
Optimal Applications:
Multi-target chambers: Hyperbloom and Taser teams dominate
Single-target bosses: Freeze and Vaporize teams excel
Hydro shield breaking against Pyro enemies (obviously)
Usage statistics consistently show Ayato in the 80-90% clear rate bracket. His flexibility allows adaptation to chamber requirements rather than forcing specific strategies – that's the mark of a well-designed character.
FAQ
What's the best weapon for Ayato in 2025? Honestly? Both Haran Geppaku Futsu and Primordial Jade Cutter perform within 2-3% of each other. Haran gives you 40% Normal Attack damage bonus, while Jade Cutter offers 44.1% CRIT Rate for easier building. Pick based on your artifact situation.
Is Haran actually better than Jade Cutter? Neither is definitively superior – that's the truth. Haran excels with skill-heavy rotations, Jade Cutter works better with Furina teams using Marechaussee Hunter artifacts due to that higher CRIT Rate.
Best teams for C0 Ayato? Hyperbloom (Ayato/Nahida/Kuki/Flex), Vaporize (Ayato/Xiangling/Bennett/Kazuha), Freeze (Ayato/Furina/Kazuha/Shenhe). All work effectively at C0 – no constellations required.
What artifacts should I use for Ayato? Heart of Depth, Gladiator's Finale, Nymph's Dream all perform similarly – choose based on substats. With Furina, definitely use 4pc Marechaussee Hunter. Target 80-90% CRIT Rate, 160-180% CRIT DMG.
Can Ayato main DPS at C0? Absolutely. C0 provides 95%+ of his maximum potential with proper weapons and artifacts. No constellations required for optimal performance – that's what makes him such a solid investment.
Best 4-star weapons? Black Sword from Battle Pass is optimal with 27.6% CRIT Rate. For F2P options: Kagotsurube Isshin, Finale of the Deep, or Amenoma Kageuchi if you need energy support.