Theorylytics
Kinich
DendroClaymoreNatlan★★★★★

Kinich

Published Jul 17, 2026 · Updated v6.7
Content Tier List
Spiral AbyssS
Imag. TheaterS
OverworldA
Should You Pull?YES

Kinich is one of the strongest Dendro Main DPSs in the current meta and worth pulling for most players. Kinich has high mobility during combat due to the mechanics of his Elemental Skill. Keep in mind that blind Spot mechanic causes unpredictability during gameplay which requires more understanding of enemy attack patterns than most other characters as well as creating variances that lead to not necessarily having a set rotation.

Kinich is a 5-star Dendro Claymore character in Genshin Impact who acts as a Main DPS dealing damage through his Elemental Skill "Riding High" which provides a unique gameplay experience. Read our detailed Kinich guide to optimize their performance.

ClaymoreDendroMain DPS

Overview

Quick Build

Weapon

Fang of the Mountain King

Gain 1 stack of Canopy's Favor after hitting an opponent with an Elemental Skill. This can be triggered once every 0.5s.

Artifacts

Obsidian Codex

After the equipping character consumes 1 Nightsoul point while on the field, CRIT Rate increases by 40% for 6s. This eff

Sands

ATK %

Main stat

Goblet

Dendro DMG > ATK %

Main stat

Circlet

CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG

Substats

CRIT Rate/DMG > ATK % > Energy Recharge

Strengths

  • Kinich has high mobility during combat due to the mechanics of his Elemental Skill.
  • Elemental Skill makes combat with ranged enemies easier than most claymore characters due to the automatic targeting and grappling.

Weaknesses

  • Blind Spot mechanic causes unpredictability during gameplay which requires more understanding of enemy attack patterns than most other characters as well as creating variances that lead to not necessarily having a set rotation.
  • Poor performance in AoE scenarios due to being heavily single-target focused.

Talent Priority

1
Canopy Hunter: Riding HighPriority: Max (10)

Primary source of damage or support. Level to 10 first.

2
Hail to the Almighty DragonlordPriority: High (8-10)

Important for damage or support value. Level second.

3
Nightsun StylePriority: Low (1-6)

Lowest priority. Level last or skip unless you have spare resources.

Substat Priority

1Sands
2Goblet
3Circlet
4Substats
5HP
6ATK
7CRIT Rate
Kinich Standard Rotation
Standard

Kinich is a Nightsoul-based character whose entire kit revolves around generating Nightsoul points and consuming them to deal Dendro damage. When you press his Elemental Skill, he enters the Nightsouls Blessing state. During this state, triggering Burning generates Nightsoul points for Kinich. Once

See build guide

Kinich is a Nightsoul-based character whose entire kit revolves around generating Nightsoul points and consuming them to deal Dendro damage.

Weapons

5-star Weapons

1
Fang of the Mountain King

CRIT Rate 11.0% · Base ATK 741

2
Serpent Spine

CRIT Rate 27.6% · Base ATK 510

3
Beacon of the Reed Sea

CRIT Rate 33.1% · Base ATK 608

4
Redhorn Stonethresher

CRIT DMG 88.2% · Base ATK 542

5
Wolf's Gravestone

ATK 49.6% · Base ATK 608

6
Verdict

CRIT Rate 22.1% · Base ATK 674

7
Blackcliff Slasher

CRIT DMG 55.1% · Base ATK 510

8
Talking Stick

CRIT Rate 18.4% · Base ATK 565

9
The Unforged

ATK 49.6% · Base ATK 608

Artifact Sets

Obsidian Codex
SObsidian CodexBest in Slot
2pcWhile the equipping character is in Nightsoul's Blessing and is on the field, their DMG dealt is increased by 15%.
4pcAfter the equipping character consumes 1 Nightsoul point while on the field, CRIT Rate increases by 40% for 6s. This effect can trigger once every second.
Obsidian Codex is currently Kinichs best-in-slot artifact set and is practically designed around his kit.

Sands

ATK %

Goblet

Dendro DMG > ATK %

Circlet

CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG

Marechaussee Hunter
AMarechaussee Hunter
2pcNormal and Charged Attack DMG +15%
4pcWhen current HP increases or decreases, CRIT Rate will be increased by 12% for 5s. Max 3 stacks.
Marechaussee Hunter is Kinichs second-best artifact option. It provides up to 36% CRIT Rate, which is extremely strong.

Sands

ATK %

Goblet

Dendro DMG > ATK %

Circlet

CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG

Unfinished Reverie
BUnfinished Reverie
2pcATK +18%.
4pcAfter leaving combat for 3s, DMG dealt increased by 50%. In combat, if no Burning opponents are nearby for more than 6s, this DMG Bonus will decrease by 10% per second until it reaches 0%. When a Burning opponent exists, it will increase by 10% instead until it reaches 50%. This effect still triggers if the equipping character is off-field.
Unfinished Reverie is another excellent option that synergizes very well with Kinichs Burning-focused playstyle.

Sands

ATK %

Goblet

Dendro DMG > ATK %

Circlet

CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG

Team Compositions

Kinich

Kinich

Main DPS

Mavuika

Mavuika

Support

Emilie

Emilie

Support

Bennett

Bennett

Sustain

This team maximizes Kinich's personal damage by maintaining consistent Burning uptime via Mavuika and Emilie, providing constant Nightsoul point generation. Bennett rounds out the squad by providing a flat ATK buff that significantly amplifies Kinich's Skill damage.

Character Synergy
Kinich
KinichMain DPS

He consumes Nightsoul points generated by Burning to trigger 'Riding High,' dealing massive Dendro damage.

Mavuika
MavuikaSupport

She applies continuous off-field Pyro to sustain the Burning reaction needed for Kinich's Nightsoul accumulation.

Emilie
EmilieSupport

She capitalizes on the Burning reaction to deal high off-field Dendro damage, effectively boosting overall team DPS.

Bennett
BennettSustain

His Burst provides a flat ATK buff that scales Kinich's primary damage output, which relies heavily on high ATK values.

Talents & Constellations

Talents

Normal AttackNightsun Style

Performs up to 3 rapid strikes.

Normal Attack
Elemental SkillCanopy Hunter: Riding High

Kinich uses his big-game hunting skills to either move swiftly or attack his opponent. When there is an opponent or object that can be attacked nearby, he will attach a grappling hook to the target and enter Nightsoul's Blessing with 0 Nightsoul points. If neither is nearby, he fires a grappling hook forward and swings in mid-air, and this Skill's CD is decreased by 60%. This skill can be Held to release. When it is Held, Kinich can aim the grappling hook. Nightsoul's Blessing: Kinich Kinich's Nightsoul's Blessing lasts 10s and generates 2 Nightsoul points every second. In this state, Kinich will hook onto a nearby opponent and perform a variable attack: ·When using a Normal Attack, Kinich will fire Loop Shots as he loops around the grappled target based on his current movement direction, dealing Nightsoul-aligned Dendro DMG and generating 3 Nightsoul points. Loop Shot DMG is considered Elemental Skill DMG. ·When Nightsoul points are at max, he can use the Elemental Skill "Scalespiker Cannon": Consume all Nightsoul points to deal Nightsoul-aligned Dendro DMG. When "Scalespiker Cannon" is Held, Kinich can aim this shot. After firing the Cannon, Kinich will try to grapple to its target. While in Nightsoul's Blessing, after grappling an opponent or firing "Scalespiker Cannon," a Blind Spot will be generated next to the opponent. When Kinich enters this Blind Spot, it will disappear and he will generate 4 Nightsoul points. If the grapple connection should snap due to exceeding the maximum distance or some other reason, using a Normal Attack will establish a new connection with a nearby opponent before performing Loop Shots. "All things come with a cost. I suggest you make a suitable offer... What? No, I don't do installments."

Elemental Skill
Elemental BurstHail to the Almighty Dragonlord

Unleashes the power of the Almighty Dragonlord, K'uhul Ajaw (on a limited, conditional, restricted, contractual, partial, temporary basis), dealing Nightsoul-aligned AoE Dendro DMG. Ajaw will unleash his Dragon Breath at intervals, dealing Nightsoul-aligned AoE Dendro DMG. If Kinich is in Nightsoul's Blessing when this is used, this Blessing's duration is extended by 1.7s. "Yes, yes! You stand before K'uhul Ajaw the Almighty Dragonlord! Come forward, then! Kneel, and kiss our feet!"

Elemental Burst
1st Ascension PassiveThe Price of Desolation

When Kinich is in Nightsoul's Blessing state, opponents hit by his Elemental Skill will enter the Desolation state, and when affected by Burning or Burgeon reaction DMG, they will restore 7 Nightsoul points to him. Nightsoul points can be gained this way once every 0.8s. The Desolation state will persist until this instance of Kinich's Nightsoul's Blessing state ends.

Passive
4th Ascension PassiveFlame Spirit Pact

After a nearby party member triggers a Nightsoul Burst, Kinich will gain 1 stack of Hunter's Experience that lasts 15s. Max 2 stacks. When Kinich uses Canopy Hunter: Riding High's Scalespiker Cannon, all stacks of Hunter's Experience will be consumed, with each stack consumed increasing the DMG dealt by this Cannon shot by 320% of Kinich's ATK.

Passive
Utility PassiveNight Realm's Gift, Repaid in Full

When Kinich is in the air following Canopy Hunter: Riding High's mid-air swing, he can consume 10 Phlogiston points to perform another mid-air swing. While in an area with Phlogiston Mechanics within Natlan, he can use Nightsoul Transmission: Kinich. When the current active character is sprinting, in movement states that result from specific Talents, or in the air, when you switch to Kinich: Kinich will perform one of the following actions depending on the conditions met: ·When facing a Coilgrass Sigil that can be interacted with: He will fire a grappling hook towards it to move; ·When there are nearby opponents and you are in combat: Kinich will use Canopy Hunter: Riding High in the direction of the opponents; Otherwise, Kinich will fire a grappling hook and swing, prioritizing valid Coilgrass Sigils as grapple targets. Nightsoul Transmission can be triggered once every 10s by your own party. When interacting with Coilgrass Sigils and other items that Yumkasaurs can interact with, "Canopy Hunter: Riding High" will be converted to "Yumkasaur Mimesis," which causes interactions with such items to follow rules applicable to Yumkasaurs, and which will not put Canopy Hunter: Riding High on CD.

Passive

Constellations

1
C1
2
C2
3
C3
4
C4
5
C5
6
C6
C1Parrot's BeakPull Target

After Kinich lands from Canopy Hunter: Riding High's mid-air swing, his Movement SPD will increase by 30% for 6s. Additionally, Scalespiker Cannon's CRIT DMG is increased by 100%.

Is it worth getting?

Meaningful upgrade worth targeting. | Constellation | % of C0 | % From Previous Constellation |.

C2Tiger Beetle's PalmPull Target

When Kinich's Elemental Skill hits an opponent, it will decrease their Dendro RES by 30% for 6s. Additionally, the first Scalespiker Cannon Kinich fires after entering Nightsoul's Blessing has increased AoE, and its DMG increases by 100%.

Is it worth getting?

Large power spike strongly recommended if you play this character regularly.

C3Protosuchia's ClawPull Target

Increases the Level of Canopy Hunter: Riding High by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.

Is it worth getting?

Large power spike strongly recommended if you play this character regularly.

C4Hummingbird's FeatherPull Target

When in Nightsoul's Blessing, Kinich will restore 5 Energy after using his Loop Shots or after unleashing the Scalespiker Cannon. Energy can be regenerated this way once every 2.8s. Additionally, Hail to the Almighty Dragonlord deals 70% more DMG.

Is it worth getting?

Large power spike strongly recommended if you play this character regularly.

C5Howler Monkey's TailPull Target

Increases the Level of Hail to the Almighty Dragonlord by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.

Is it worth getting?

Large power spike strongly recommended if you play this character regularly.

C6Auspicious Beast's ShapePull Target

After Scalespiker Cannon hits an opponent, it will bounce between opponents once, dealing 700% of Kinich's ATK as Dendro DMG. If this Scalespiker Cannon triggers the buffs that Ascension Talent "Flame Spirit Pact" or the Constellation "Tiger Beetle's Palm" grant to the Cannon, the bouncing attack will also obtain the relevant buffs.

Is it worth getting?

Large power spike strongly recommended if you play this character regularly.

C0 Kinich is fully functional. Kinich has high mobility during combat due to the mechanics of his Elemental Skill.

Alternatives to Kinich

Not sure Kinich is right for you? Compare against other characters to find your best pull.

Alhaitham
AlhaithamDendroMain DPS

Another Dendro Main DPS. Compare their weapon and artifact requirements, team synergies, and playstyle to decide which suits your roster better.

Read Comparison
Lauma
LaumaDendroSub-DPS

Another Dendro Sub-DPS. Compare their weapon and artifact requirements, team synergies, and playstyle to decide which suits your roster better.

Read Comparison
Nefer
NeferDendroMain DPS

Another Dendro Main DPS. Compare their weapon and artifact requirements, team synergies, and playstyle to decide which suits your roster better.

Read Comparison
Albedo
AlbedoGeoSub-DPS

A Geo Sub-DPS that fills a similar slot with different elemental reactions. Compare team requirements to decide which fits your roster better.

Read Comparison
Theorylytics — Not affiliated with HoYoversev6.7