Understand Kaeya
Useful when…
- Applying Cryo in front of Kaeya with Frostgnaw.
- Keeping Glacial Waltz’s orbiting icicles near the active character.
- Recovering some of Kaeya’s HP when Frostgnaw hits.
- Reducing sprinting Stamina consumption during exploration.
How do his abilities work?
Frostgnaw releases a frigid blast at opponents in front of Kaeya. It has a six-second cooldown, and every hit restores HP equal to 15% of his ATK. Glacial Waltz summons three icicles that revolve around him, follow the active character, and deal Cryo damage to opponents they pass through. Its listed duration is eight seconds, with a 15-second cooldown and 60 Energy cost. Kaeya’s ordinary sword attacks are physical by default in the supplied description; the provided kit does not describe an attack infusion.
When is he useful?
Frostgnaw is suited to applying Cryo to targets in front of him and can recover Kaeya’s HP when it hits. If Frostgnaw freezes an opponent, Glacial Heart makes that opponent drop additional Elemental Particles, up to two additional particles per use. Glacial Waltz continues to deal Cryo damage around the active character, so its effect can remain useful after Kaeya leaves the field. His passive reduces sprinting Stamina consumption for the party by 20%; it does not stack with another passive that provides the exact same effect.
Where should investment go?
Kaeya’s skill and burst are distinct talent tracks. Raise Frostgnaw if its frontal hit and healing are a priority; raise Glacial Waltz if you want to improve its icicle damage. His normal-attack track is relevant when he spends time using sword attacks. Character ascension proceeds through six stages; the supplied examples list Shivada Jade, Calla Lily, Insignias, and Hoarfrost Cores. The final example for a talent track, level 9 to 10, costs 700,000 Mora plus materials, a weekly talent item, and a Crown of Insight, so the expense is best reserved for a track you have chosen to invest in.
What should you watch for?
Frostgnaw’s healing applies to Kaeya and scales from his ATK; it is not described as party healing. The extra particles require Frostgnaw to freeze an opponent, and each use can generate no more than two extra particles. Glacial Waltz’s listed eight-second duration is shorter than its 15-second cooldown.
Limitations and tradeoffs
- Glacial Waltz costs 60 Energy and has a 15-second cooldown for an eight-second duration.
- Frostgnaw’s particle bonus requires Freeze and is capped at two extra particles per use.
- His listed healing restores Kaeya’s HP rather than the party’s.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting Frostgnaw’s healing to restore another character’s HP.
- Counting on extra particles when Frostgnaw does not Freeze an opponent.
- Treating Glacial Waltz as continuously active through its entire cooldown.