Overview
Quick Build
Weapon
5★ · EM scaling converts directly to bonus ATK; best in slot for Spread teams
Artifacts
Gilded Dreams
4-Piece · EM buffs and ATK increase based on team composition
Sands
Elemental Mastery
Main stat
Goblet
Electro DMG%
Main stat
Circlet
CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG
Substats
CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG > EM > ATK% > ER%
Strengths
- Extremely high damage ceiling within his extended Burst window via Spread reactions
- Self-contained Electro Infusion — no external infusion support needed
- Long 18-second Burst window allows extended on-field carry time
- Scales well with Elemental Mastery for Spread amplification
- Teams are synergistic with universally strong Dendro supports like Nahida
Weaknesses
- Massive Energy requirements (80 cost) demand heavy ER investment or a battery
- Almost no contribution outside his Burst window — dead weight between rotations
- Long on-field requirement locks out other DPS units for the full Burst duration
- C6 dependent for top-tier performance — C0 is noticeably weaker than peers
- Outperformed by Alhaitham in most Quicken/Spread scenarios at C0
Talent Priority
Main source of damage or utility. Level to 10.
Level to 6–8 for meaningful gains.
Level minimally or skip.
Substat Priority
Fischl's Oz generates substantial Electro particles that funnel to Cyno. 140% ER is typically sufficient.
Without Fischl or another Electro unit funneling particles, ER requirements climb. Use Staff of the Scarlet Sands to compensate with EM.
A Favonius weapon on Nahida or a support generates off-element particles, reducing Cyno's personal ER needs.
Cyno's rotation is heavily Burst-centric. Ensure your Dendro applicators apply Quicken before Cyno enters his Burst state to immediately trigger Spread on his first Skill cast.
Weapons
5-star Weapons
4-star Weapons
Artifact Sets
Sands
Elemental Mastery
Goblet
Electro DMG%
Circlet
CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG
Sands
Elemental Mastery
Goblet
Electro DMG%
Circlet
CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG
Sands
ATK%
Goblet
Electro DMG%
Circlet
CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG
Team Compositions
Cyno
Main DPS
Nahida
Dendro Support
Fischl
Electro Sub-DPS
Baizhu
Healer / Dendro
The premier Cyno team. Nahida seeds Quicken aura off-field and shares EM via her A4 passive; Fischl provides Electro resonance and off-field particles; a flex healer/support rounds out the team. Cyno triggers Spread on each Electro hit during his extended Burst window for massive amplified damage.
Triggers Spread repeatedly during 18s Burst window. Needs Quicken aura maintained by Nahida to consistently proc Spread.
Best Dendro applicator for Cyno. Her A4 shares EM with the on-field character, directly boosting Cyno's Spread damage.
Off-field Electro resonance and Oz particle generation battery for Cyno. Reduces ER requirements significantly.
Dendro resonance (+50 EM for the team) and on-field healing without competing with Cyno's Burst window.
Talents & Constellations
Talents
5-hit polearm combo. During Pactsworn Pathclearer (his Burst state), all Normal Attacks are infused with Electro and gain bonus DMG multipliers. Level for secondary gains during his Burst window.
Cyno lunges forward dealing Electro DMG. During Pactsworn Pathclearer, using the Skill grants Judge stacks (max 3) that enhance the Skill's damage and extend his Burst duration via A1. This Skill is the primary damage dealer during his Burst window.
Cyno enters the Pactsworn Pathclearer state for up to 18 seconds (further extended by A1 via Judge stacks). In this state he gains: Electro Infusion on Normal Attacks, greatly increased Elemental Skill DMG, bonus ATK SPD, and enhanced AoE range. He cannot use other Elemental Bursts during this state. The core of his entire damage kit.
When Cyno is in the Pactsworn Pathclearer state and uses his Elemental Skill while Judge stacks are at maximum, the duration of Pactsworn Pathclearer is extended by 4 seconds (max 6 additional seconds total). This passive is critical — it makes his Burst window effectively up to 24 seconds in optimal play.
Cyno's DMG dealt by Pactsworn Pathclearer's Normal Attacks and Elemental Skill is increased by 35% of his Elemental Mastery. This directly incentivizes stacking EM for his Spread build and makes EM a true offensive stat for him.
Constellations
Increases Normal Attack SPD by 20% after casting his Burst. Makes his infused Normal Attack string faster and smoother during the Pactsworn Pathclearer window.
Is it worth getting?
Nice QoL and a moderate DPS increase. Not a must-pull, but welcome if you naturally obtain it.
Builds up to 40% Electro DMG Bonus during his Burst window via Normal Attacks. Solid sustained DPS increase over C0.
Is it worth getting?
Good incremental improvement. Adds meaningful Electro DMG Bonus over the course of his extended Burst.
Increases the talent level of Secret Rite: Chasmic Soulfarer by 3. Since his Skill is his main damage dealer in Burst state, this is a meaningful multiplier increase.
Is it worth getting?
Strong C3 for a DPS character since the Skill is the primary damage source. Notable improvement.
Creates a field with Cyno's enhanced Skill hits that buffs teammates' Electro reaction damage. Situationally useful in team compositions with other Electro dealers.
Is it worth getting?
Niche. Only relevant if teammates benefit from the field. Not a reason to pull.
Increases Sacred Rite: Wolf's Swiftness level by 3. Improves his Burst state multipliers and infused Normal Attack scaling.
Is it worth getting?
Solid. Higher Burst talent level improves his state's overall effectiveness.
Gives Cyno persistent Judge stacks that stack All DMG Bonus up to 32%. Additionally allows Electro infusion to persist slightly outside the Burst. Massive DPS upgrade that elevates C6 Cyno into one of the strongest Electro DPS units.
Is it worth getting?
The constellation that makes Cyno truly competitive at the top tier. Pull if you love the character and want to maximize his potential — it's a substantial upgrade.
C0 Cyno is fully functional in Quicken/Spread teams but noticeably weaker than Alhaitham at the same investment level. Enjoyable to play if you like his burst-centric style.
Alternatives to Cyno
Not sure Cyno is right for you? Compare against other characters to find your best pull.
Outperforms Cyno in most Quicken/Spread scenarios at C0 — Dendro Spread is generally stronger than Electro Spread due to element multipliers.
Different role — Raiden is an Electro burst DPS and universal battery. Raiden teams offer more team energy support; Cyno offers longer on-field carry potential.
Not a replacement — Fischl is best run alongside Cyno as a battery and off-field Electro applicator, not instead of him.