Theorylytics

Arcane vs Estella

Arcane vs Estella — two damage Operators (Nature vs Cryo) competing for the same roster slot.

TL;DR — Quick Pick

Pick Arcane if…

  • You need a Nature DPS Operator and Arcane's kit matches your account gap.
  • You prefer Arcane's Nature Infliction + Corrode identity over Estella's Cryo Infliction + Lift.
  • Pull Arcane if you want one Operator who can carry two jobs.

Pick Estella if…

  • You need a Cryo DPS Operator and Estella's kit matches your account gap.
  • You prefer Estella's Cryo Infliction + Lift identity over Arcane's Nature Infliction + Corrode.
  • Estella can bridge Cryo and Physical in Yvonne-centered teams, but Monument rankings do not treat her as load-bearing.
Verdict

Arcane and Estella are both DPS investments that answer different account needs across Nature and Cryo. Arcane shines when Pull Arcane if you want one Operator who can carry two jobs. Estella is the better commit when Estella can bridge Cryo and Physical in Yvonne-centered teams, but Monument rankings do not treat her as load-bearing. Compare signature builds, team requirements, and your existing supports before pulling either.

At a Glance

Arcane
Stat
Estella
Nature
Element
Cryo
DPS (Flex DPS)
Role
DPS (Sub DPS)
Caster
Class
Guard
Arts Unit
Weapon
Polearm
6★Winner
Rarity
4★
Damage: A · Team Utility: A · Ease of Use: AWinner
Endgame ratings
Damage: C · Team Utility: A · Ease of Use: A
Intellect
Scaling focus
Will
Nature Infliction + CorrodeWinner
Playstyle
Cryo Infliction + Lift
Moderate
Team flexibility
HighWinner
Tangtang / Xaihi / Akekuri
Best support shell
Chen Qianyu / Xaihi / Gilberta
Stanza of Memorials — Since Arcane is always meant to be an off-element member
F2P weapon
Aggeloslayer — For a 4-Star Option, Aggeloslayer will work well. HoweveWinner
Excellent
P0 viability
Excellent

Strengths & Weaknesses

Arcane

Strengths
  • Battle Skill "Jadecrushing Grid" — SKILL DESCRIPTION: Creates a Jadecrushing Grid that deals Nature DMG and applies Nature Infliction to enemies within the area of effect. Intellect (N) ≥ Will (N
  • Combo Skill "Yinglung Stance IV" — Intellect (N) ≥ Will (N), Array Arcana: INT is ACTIVE. COMBO TRIGGER: When Nature Infliction or at least 2 stacks of non-Nature Arts Infliction are applied on a
  • Ultimate "Gloompurge" — SKILL DESCRIPTION: Arcane creates a Gloompurger Array that immediately deals Nature DMG to enemies within the area of effect (AOE). When hitting an enemy within
Weaknesses
  • Needs the right element pairing — off-element squads leave Arcane's kit half-used.
  • Investment cost is real before the kit feels smooth in longer fights.

Estella

Strengths
  • Battle Skill "Onomatopoeia" — SKILL DESCRIPTION: A lance thrust that fires a stream of freezing sound waves that deal Cryo DMG and apply Cryo Infliction to all enemies along its straight pat
  • Combo Skill "Distortion" — COMBO TRIGGER: When an enemy suffers Solidification. SKILL DESCRIPTION: Quickly moves to the enemy's side to deal Physical DMG and forcibly Lift enemies in a sm
  • Ultimate "Tremolo" — SKILL DESCRIPTION: Estella expends all her strength to unleash a powerful slam of the spear shaft, dealing Physical DMG to all enemies in a circular area around
Weaknesses
  • Needs the right element pairing — off-element squads leave Estella's kit half-used.
  • Investment cost is real before the kit feels smooth in longer fights.

Shared Team Members

With Arcane

Xaihi is the Cryo/Arts buffer seat — Amp from Battle Skill and team Cryo/Nature amp from Ultimate so Arcane's damage windows are actually buffed.

With Estella

Xaihi is the Cryo/Arts buffer seat — Amp from Battle Skill and team Cryo/Nature amp from Ultimate so Estella's damage windows are actually buffed.

With Arcane

Gilberta applies Arts Susceptibility and Nature enablement, then amps the dump with her Ultimate. She is the premium Arts support seat next to Arcane.

With Estella

Gilberta applies Arts Susceptibility and Nature enablement, then amps the dump with her Ultimate. She is the premium Arts support seat next to Estella.

Best Builds (Signature)

Arcane

Weapon

Type 42: Solemn Phalanx

Gear set

Hot Work

Main stats

Body Intellect · Hands CRIT / Nature DMG · Kits Arts Intensity / Nature DMG

Substats

Intellect > Arts Intensity > HP%

Estella

Weapon

JET

Gear set

Type 50 Yinglung

Main stats

Body Will · Hands CRIT / Cryo DMG · Kits Arts Intensity / Cryo DMG

Substats

Will > Arts Intensity > HP%

Who Should You Pull?

Arcane
Pull Arcane if…
  • You need a Nature DPS Operator and Arcane's kit matches your account gap.
  • You prefer Arcane's Nature Infliction + Corrode identity over Estella's Cryo Infliction + Lift.
  • Pull Arcane if you want one Operator who can carry two jobs.
  • INT form is a top-end Nature/Cryo damage engine — especially on the second Ultimate — while WILL form groups enemies, applies Nature and Cryo Susceptibility, and plugs into existing Monument teams as an enabler.
  • Arcane is a stronger general pull priority for your roster.
Arcane Full Guide
Estella
Pull Estella if…
  • You need a Cryo DPS Operator and Estella's kit matches your account gap.
  • You prefer Estella's Cryo Infliction + Lift identity over Arcane's Nature Infliction + Corrode.
  • Estella can bridge Cryo and Physical in Yvonne-centered teams, but Monument rankings do not treat her as load-bearing.
  • She helps early Cryo clears and certain infliction routes, then loses slot wars to stronger enablers.
  • Battle Skill "Onomatopoeia" — SKILL DESCRIPTION: A lance thrust that fires a stream of freezing sound waves that deal Cryo DMG and apply Cryo Infliction to all enemies along its straight pat.
Estella Full Guide