Looking for the best Genshin Impact Kuki Shinobu build? This four-star Electro sword-wielder was first revealed alongside Yelan, and is the second new character to arrive with the 2.7 update.
This four-star Electro sword-wielder is the Deputy Leader of the Arataki Gang in Inazuma, alongside Arataki Itto. But unlike Itto, she does her best to keep the gang out of trouble.
We've got a good idea of how she'll play, and this guide should help you figure out if she's a good fit for your team. This Genshin Impact Kuki Shinobu build guide details her abilities and Ascension materials, as well as a theorycrafted build for this Electro support character.
Build
The best Genshin Impact Kuki Shinobu build
Support
- Weapon: Freedom-Sworn Sword
Kuki Shinobu's best weapon is this five-star sword. The Freedom-Sworn Sword not only allows her to boost the attack power of other players, but thanks to her Sanctifying Ring Elemental Skill, it can proc when she's not on the field.
If you don't want to waste a five-star weapon on a support character, or you need an alternative until you can get your hands on one, the Iron Sting isn't a bad secondary choice. It has a high Elemental Mastery stat and its passive, Infusion Stinger, increases damage by 6 to 12%.
- Artifact: Tenacity of the Millelith
Tenacity of the Millelith's four-piece bonus is what makes this a great artifact set for Kuki Shinobu. The attack bonus applies to other party members, allowing you to activate her skill, before switching out for your main DPS character. The HP increase from the two-piece shouldn't be overlooked either, as this will boost her overall healing and damage.
Stats-wise, you want to prioritise HP percentage and Crit, with Elemental Mastery and Energy Recharge as secondaries. If you're having trouble getting your hands on the four-piece, the Noblesse Oblige artifact set is a similar—but overall weaker—alternative.
How to unlock
How to get Kuki Shinobu in Genshin Impact
Kuki Shinobu has arrived with phase two of the Genshin Impact 2.7 update. She's part of Arataki Itto's banner, Oni's Royale, which runs from June 21 through to July 12. As well as Kuki and Itto, you can also wish for Chongyun and Gorou.
Abilities
Kuki Shinobu's abilities
We have a good idea of Kuki Shinobu's abilities, thanks to Honey Hunter. Since she hasn't released yet, these may not be final, but I'll keep this guide updated in case of any changes.
| Normal | Perform up to 4 rapid strikes. |
| Charged | Consumes a certain amount of Stamina to unleash 2 rapid sword strikes. |
| Plunging | Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact. |
| Sanctifying Ring | Creates a Grass Ring of Sanctification at the cost of part of her HP, dealing Electro DMG to nearby opponents. |
| Grass Ring of Sanctification | Follows your current active character around. Deals Electro DMG to nearby opponents every 1.5 seconds and restores HP for the active character within the ring based on Kuki Shinobu's Max HP. The HP consumption from using this skill can only bring her to 20% HP. |
| Stabs an evil-excoriating blade into the ground, creating a barrier that cleanses the area of all that is foul, dealing continuous Electro DMG to opponents within its AoE based on Shinobu's Max HP. If Shinobu's HP is less than or equal to 50% when this skill is used, the barrier will last longer. |
| Protracted Prayers | Gains 25% more rewards when dispatched on an Inazuma Expedition for 20 hours. |
| Breaking Free | When Shinobu's HP is not higher than 50%, her Healing Bonus is increased by 15%. |
| Heart's Repose | Sanctifying Ring's abilities will be boosted based on Shinobu's Elemental Mastery: Healing amount will be increased by 75% of Elemental Mastery, DMG dealt is increased by 25% of Elemental Mastery. |
| To Cloister Compassion | Gyoei Narukami Kariyama Rite's AoE is increased by 50%. |
| To Forsake Fortune | Grass Ring of Sanctification's duration is increased by 3 seconds. |
| To Sequester Sorrow | Increases the Level of Sanctifying Ring by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15. |
| To Sever Sealing | When the Normal, Charged, or Plunging Attacks of the character affected by Shinobu's Grass Ring of Sanctification hit opponents, a Thundergrass Mark will land on the opponent's position and deal AoE Electro DMG based on 9.7% of Shinobu's Max HP. This effect can only occur once every 5 seconds. |
| To Cease Courtesies | Increases the level of Gyoei Narukami Kariyama Rite by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15. |
| To Ward Weakness | When Kuki Shinobu takes lethal DMG, this instance of DMG will not take her down. This effect will automatically trigger when her HP reaches 1 and will trigger once every 60 seconds. When Shinobu's HP drops below 25%, she will gain 150 Elemental Mastery for 15 seconds. This effect will trigger once every 60 seconds. |
Ascension materials
Kuki Shinobu's Ascension materials
Character
You need to collect specific Ascension materials to level up Kuki Shinobu. The Vajrada Amethyst items are dropped by Electro Hypostases and Thunder Manifestations. Runic Fangs are dropped by level 30+ Ruin Serpents found in the Chasm in Liyue. You'll also need:
- Spectral Husk/Heart/Nucleus
- Naku Weed
The Spectral items are dropped from Specter enemies found in Inazuma. And lastly, Naku Weed is gathered from the wilds of Inazuma, most often on Kannazuka Island.
Talents
You need these materials if you want to level up Kuki Shinobu's talents:
- Teachings/Guide/Philosophies of Elegance
- Spectral Husk/Heart/Nucleus
- Tears of the Calamitous God
- Crown of Insight
Elegance items are rewarded for completing the Violet Court domain on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, and Spectral items are dropped by Specters. Meanwhile, Tears of the Calamitous God is a drop from the Guardian of Eternity weekly challenge in Inazuma.
The Crown of Insight is a reward from various seasonal activities, such as Midsummer Island Adventure or Thunder Sojourn. You can also get it as a one-off reward by upgrading the Frostbearing Tree in Dragonspine or the Sacred Sakura in Inazuma.
