Kaeya shines as an off-field Freeze Sub-DPS, layering Cryo for those satisfying reaction chains. In Freeze squads, Blizzard Strayer's 4-piece set crushes Marechaussee Hunter by 20-30%, thanks to that juicy +40% CRIT Rate on Frozen foes and a flat +15% Cryo DMG boost. Dial in ATK% Sands, Cryo Goblet, CRIT DMG Circlet, and aim for 120-140% ER in lineups like Ayaka-Kaeya-Kokomi-Kazuha. Marechaussee Hunter fits better for hybrid NA/CA setups with Furina, but it misses the mark on pure Freeze elemental synergy.
Diving into Kaeya's Role in Freeze Teams
What Makes Kaeya Tick in Freeze Comps
Picture this: Kaeya at C0, dishing out off-field Cryo through his 6-second Skill cooldown and an 8-second Burst that locks in Freeze with any Hydro buddy. At Level 90, he's packing 11,636 HP, 223 ATK, and 792 DEF. His Frostgnaw Skill? It slams 191% Cryo DMG at Level 1 in an 8m frontal cone (that's 2.2m tall), churning out an average of 2.67 particles—and jumping to 4.67 when enemies are Frozen, courtesy of his A4 Passive. That nets you 46.7 particles per minute. Slap on a Favonius Sword with its 61.3% ER substat, and your rotation goes like this: 1. Fire off the Skill whenever it's ready (2U per cast). 2. Drop the Burst (60 Energy cost, 77.6% DMG per tick across 15 hits over 8 seconds on a single target). 3. Get in and out in under 5 seconds to keep Freeze at 100% uptime.
Ever wonder why Kaeya feels so reliable yet underrated? It's that consistent application without stealing the spotlight—pure Sub-DPS magic.
Why Bother Pitting Blizzard Strayer Against Marechaussee Hunter?
Blizzard Strayer hit the scene back in Version 1.0 on September 28, 2020, and it's been a Cryo powerhouse ever since, amping up elemental synergy. The 4-piece bonus? It delivers 123% relative damage in Freeze scenarios (factoring full VV shred, no other buffs, 2 Skills, and 14 Burst ticks), outpacing other sets by 23%. Then there's Marechaussee Hunter from Version 4.0 in August 2023, which stacks +36% CRIT Rate through 3 HP fluctuations—but it leans hard on Furina to trigger those, leaving off-field Kaeya stuck at a measly 100% baseline without Freeze perks.
To test this yourself: 1. Grind Blizzard Strayer pieces from Peak of Vindagnyr (AR 45+ required). 2. Mock up Marechaussee stacks in the Denouement of Sin domain by tweaking HP. 3. Crunch the numbers focusing on Cryo-affected fights (+40% CRIT Rate that stacks with +15% Cryo Resonance for a whopping 70% total).
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Breaking Down the Blizzard Strayer Set
How the Bonuses Actually Work
Start simple: The 2-piece gives +15% Cryo DMG Bonus. The 4-piece? +20% CRIT Rate against Cryo-affected enemies, doubling to +40% if they're Frozen. Stack that with Cryo Resonance, and you're looking at +55% CRIT Rate in mono-Cryo crews. Version 6.0 tier lists slot Kaeya as a B-tier Sub-DPS with this gear, bumping his DPS 23% over a 2-piece Blizzard + 2-piece Noblesse Oblige mix in prime Freeze runs.
Put it to use: 1. Rock the full 4-piece for that +40% CRIT pop in Frozen states. 2. Team him with Hydro like Kokomi to nail constant Freeze. 3. Snapshot your Burst stats right after VV shred (-40% RES from Kazuha) for 121% damage when wielding Mistsplitter Reforged.
(Quick editor note: I've farmed Dragonspine domains way too many times—Blizzard pieces drop like they know you're suffering, but the payoff? Chef's kiss for Kaeya.)
Substats That Make or Break Your Build
Go for ATK% Sands (it ties into his A1 healing per Skill hit at 15%), Cryo DMG Goblet, and CRIT DMG Circlet to hit a 1:2 CRIT Ratio (50% base Rate +40% from the set gets you to 90%, with 200%+ DMG). Substats wise: ER first (120-140% for smooth 2-Skill rotations), then ATK%, CRIT DMG, and extra CRIT Rate if you're undercapped. Upgrade every 4 levels to snag those percentage gains, pushing output to 123%.
Fine-tune it: 1. Plug into an ER calculator to nail 130% with Favonius procs (6 Energy on a 60% CRIT chance). 2. Hunt CRIT DMG subs for 200%+ totals. 3. Run Abyss tests to dodge overcapping CRIT Rate sans the set bonus.
Unpacking Marechaussee Hunter for Sub-DPS Duty
What It Brings to Kaeya's Table
The 2-piece nets +15% Normal/Charged Attack DMG. The 4-piece stacks +12% CRIT Rate per HP fluctuation (up to 3 for +36%, lasting 5 seconds). For Kaeya, this clicks in quick-swap NA/CA scenarios outside Freeze—like Reverse Melt—but keeping stacks off-field is tricky without Furina. It edges out +15% on NA/CA in HP-volatile teams, yet lags Blizzard by 20-30% in straight Cryo focus.
Get it rolling: 1. Farm from Denouement of Sin in Fontaine. 2. Leverage the 2-piece for NA boosts in N1CD cancels (equivalent to 109.994% of an N2C). 3. Build stacks with Furina's Q in 150%+ ER squads.
The Nitty-Gritty of Stacking and HP Ties
Triggers come from HP shifts (Furina's drain or incoming heals), but off-field Kaeya tops out at 2-3 stacks. Main stats stay ATK% Sands, Cryo Goblet, CRIT DMG Circlet. Subs: CRIT DMG/Rate over ATK%, then ER. Max it out: 1. Buddy up with Furina for effortless HP swings. 2. Lean into NA/CA during 5-second field time for the 2-piece kick. 3. Try a hybrid 2-piece Blizzard + 2-piece Marechaussee for +15% Cryo and +15% NA/CA.
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Head-to-Head: Blizzard Strayer Takes on Marechaussee Hunter
CRIT Rate Showdown vs. NA/CA Damage
Blizzard Strayer delivers a passive +40% CRIT Rate in Freeze (70% total with Resonance, assuming 200%+ CRIT DMG investment), plus +15% Cryo DMG from the baseline and a 23% DPS uplift. Marechaussee Hunter counters with +36% CRIT from HP changes (capping at +24% off-field) and +15% NA/CA. Downsides? Blizzard flops outside Cryo, and Marechaussee demands Furina. Pick your poison: 1. Sim CRIT in Freeze (Blizzard hits 123% vs. 100%). 2. Trial Marechaussee stacks sans Freeze. 3. Go hybrid with 2pc each for blended perks.
Based on the data I've crunched, Blizzard's edge feels like a no-brainer for dedicated Freeze—it's not just numbers; it's that seamless flow.
How They Stack Up in Freeze Lineups
Blizzard catapults Kaeya to A-tier niche status with +40% CRIT and Cryo harmony, plus 4.67 particles from A4 on Frozen enemies for 110-120% ER when co-Skilling with Rosaria. Marechaussee trails by 20-30% without those elemental extras; it's stronger for Physical or Superconduct plays. Take an Ayaka team: Blizzard piles on +55% total CRIT, while Marechaussee needs on-field NA to build stacks. Sharpen it: 1. Lock 100% Freeze with Hydro like Xingqiu. 2. Stick to off-field Burst (15 hits over 8s). 3. Flip to Marechaussee only if Furina's in for +36% CRIT.
Simulated Damage Breakdowns
Kaeya with Mistsplitter and Blizzard? 121% relative DPS (full 4pc, 130% ER, C0). That's versus 106% with Primordial Jade Cutter or a flat 100% Marechaussee in non-Freeze. C6 throws in +45.6% baseline (+133.3% with extensions), supercharging Blizzard's CRIT. Marechaussee hovers around 100% in HP-drain off-field spots. Try it: 1. Feed 9 particles from 3 Skills into your calculator. 2. Chase that 1:2 CRIT Ratio. 3. Abyss benchmark: Blizzard owns waves (especially with C2's +15s Burst).
Crafting Your Kaeya with Blizzard Strayer
Artifact Farming and Setup Walkthrough
Hit up Peak of Vindagnyr in Dragonspine (AR 45, 3:1 Mystic Offering ratio). 1. Full 4-piece: +15% Cryo DMG from 2pc, +40% CRIT from 4pc in Freeze. 2. Mains: ATK% Sands, Cryo DMG Goblet, CRIT DMG Circlet. 3. Subs: ER (target 130%), CRIT DMG/ATK%. 4. Push to 20/20/20 for +123% output; mix in 2pc + ATK sets for flexibility.
Weapons and Talent Priorities
Top pick: Mistsplitter Reforged (674 ATK, 44.1% CRIT DMG, +12-44.1% Elemental DMG stacks). Solid backups: Favonius Sword (61.3% ER for particle gen) or Fleuve Cendre Ferryman (45.9% ER, +8% Skill CRIT). Talents: Max Burst to 10 (165% DMG), Skill to 8+; F2P folks, grab Amenoma Kageuchi (+6 ER per stack). Grind it: 1. Burst/Skill levels via 114 Philosophies, 18 Spirit Locket, and 4,957,500 Mora. 2. Infuse NAs with Chongyun for Cryo flair. 3. Drill rotations for 100% uptime.
Fine-Tuning Kaeya for Marechaussee Hunter
Balancing HP and ER Demands
Shoot for 150%+ ER (190-220% outside Freeze) using ATK% Sands, Cryo DMG Goblet, CRIT DMG Circlet; load subs with CRIT for the +36% set boost. Furina handles stacks through her drain; the 2pc +15% NA/CA helps Reverse Melt pops. Roadmap: 1. Link with Furina for HP flux. 2. Favonius cuts ER needs by 10%. 3. Breakpoint calc: 160-190% alongside Xiangling/Bennett.
Team Buffs That Synergize Best
It pops in HP-drain crews like Kaeya-Rosaria-Xiangling-Bennett (Reverse Melt central), snapshotting buffs pre-Burst for 1.5x multipliers; 2pc amps quick-swap NA/CA. Assemble: 1. 4pc with Furina's Q live. 2. Hone NA (N4 at 140.1% L10). 3. Mesh with Rosaria's A4 (+CRIT share) for +18.5-61.5% DPS.
Pitfalls to Dodge When Building Kaeya
Messing Up Substat Rolls
Stacking CRIT Rate too high without Blizzard? Total waste—lean on the 4pc for +40%, then pour into 200%+ CRIT DMG. Skip ER funneling, and Burst goes dark; counter with A4's 4.67 Frozen particles and 9 per rotation. Watch for flat stats over % on upgrades—bump every 4 levels for real gains. Fix it: 1. Audit your 1:2 Ratio. 2. Confirm VV shred. 3. Domain test runs.
Energy Woes in Sub-DPS Mode
ER spikes in non-Freeze (no A4 boost); solve with Favonius procs + particle funnel, or C6's +15 refund. Burst whiffs in vertical scraps—time it post-jump. Sort it: 1. Hit 110-120% with Rosaria help. 2. Aim for 2.5m icicle reach. 3. C2 extends Burst to +15s for wave clears.
Team Ideas and Real-World Examples
A Classic Permafreeze Setup with Kaeya
Ayaka as Main DPS, Kaeya Sub-DPS, Kokomi on Hydro, Kazuha for Anemo: Kaeya juices Ayaka's battery while slinging off-field Cryo. Rotation flows: Ayaka Dash > E N1 CA > Kazuha E/Q > Kaeya E/Q > Kokomi E > Loop. Blizzard on Kaeya nets +40% CRIT and +61.3% DPS from C2. F2P twist: Kaeya-Chongyun-Xingqiu-Diona; Chongyun Cryo-infuses NAs, Diona layers Resonance (+15% CRIT).
Applying It in Abyss Floors
Kaeya + Rosaria tag-team covers application (Kaeya's mobility, Rosaria's AoE), hitting 110-120% ER on synced CDs. Real talk: In waves, Blizzard lifts to A-tier; Marechaussee niches into Furina HP-drain. Mono-Cryo like Kaeya-Ayaka-Layla-Diona? 150-180% ER, +55% CRIT. Roll it out: 1. Stagger Bursts per wave. 2. Funnel particles to your DPS. 3. C2 test for staying power.
Tools, Metrics, and Keeping Up with Patches
Leveraging Build Planners
Feed in team particles and weapon procs for 100% Burst uptime in 20s rotations; pit BS vs. MH—Blizzard owns Freeze CRIT at 70%, MH baselines NA/CA at 100%. Do it: 1. Key 130% ER, Mistsplitter. 2. DPS benchmark (121% for BS). 3. Tweak for C6 (+45.6%).
Key DPS Metrics to Track
Blizzard clocks 123% output (4pc, VV/NO); Marechaussee sits at 100% non-Freeze. Watch 46.7 particles/min and 15 Burst hits/8s. Version 6.0 locks B-tier, with Cryo links like Escoffier shining.
How Patch Notes Shake Things Up
Kaeya's untouched; Blizzard stays Freeze core, Marechaussee carves a 4.0+ niche. Looking ahead: 6.0+ might remix Dendro-Freeze hybrids (but no reactions there yet).
Wrapping Up: Your Next Moves
The Verdict on Sets
For Kaeya Freeze Sub-DPS, Blizzard Strayer rules with 20-30% DPS superiority through Cryo/CRIT magic; save Marechaussee for Furina HP-drain mixes. At C0, go 4pc BS, Mistsplitter, 130% ER—Abyss-ready.
Dig Deeper
Talent order: Burst > Skill > Normal. Ascension: 168 Calla Lily, 46 Hoarfrost Core.
FAQ
What's the top artifact set for Kaeya as Freeze Sub-DPS?
Blizzard Strayer 4-piece takes it: +15% Cryo DMG, +40% CRIT Rate in Freeze for 70% total with Resonance, hitting 123% DPS. Farm Peak of Vindagnyr; chase CRIT DMG subs for 200%+ in Ayaka-Kokomi squads.
Blizzard Strayer or Marechaussee Hunter—which wins for Kaeya?
Blizzard pulls ahead 20-30% in Freeze via passive +40% CRIT and Cryo perks for off-field work. Marechaussee (+36% CRIT from HP stacks, +15% NA/CA) fits Furina teams but maxes at 100% without synergy.
How do you build Kaeya as a Freeze Carry in Genshin?
Gear 4pc Blizzard Strayer (ATK% Sands, Cryo Goblet, CRIT DMG Circlet), Mistsplitter or Favonius Sword; Burst to 10, Skill to 8. Nail 120-140% ER with A4 particles (4.67 on Frozen); rotate E > Hydro E/Q > Anemo > Burst for 121% DPS.
Does Marechaussee Hunter gel with Kaeya?
It works in Furina HP-drain for +36% CRIT stacks and +15% NA/CA, but it's subpar for Freeze (20-30% DPS dip, zero Cryo bonuses). Hybrid 2pc options; mains ATK%/Cryo/CRIT DMG, ER 150%+ for Burst.
Blizzard Strayer effects on Cryo chars?
2-piece: +15% Cryo DMG. 4-piece: +20% CRIT Rate vs. Cryo-affected (+20% Frozen, total +40%), plus +15% Resonance for 55-70% CRIT. It amps Kaeya's off-field Burst (15 hits/8s) by 23% DPS in Freeze.
Kaeya's Sub-DPS rotation in Freeze teams?
Quick swap: Kaeya E (191% DMG, 2U Cryo) > Hydro E/Q (Kokomi) > Anemo E/Q (Kazuha VV) > Cryo E (Rosaria) > Kaeya Q (77.6%/tick, snapshot buffs) > Loop. Under 5s field time, 9 particles/rotation for 110-120% ER and full Freeze lock.