Freeze

Lore & Background

Scholars in Sumeru and Fontaine have long studied how elements interact to alter states of matter. The Freeze reaction represents the ultimate suspension of kinetic energy, a moment where time seems to hold its breath as an adversary becomes encased in a crystalline shell. While the Cryo Archon's domain is often associated with preservation, the application of this reaction in battle turns that preservation into a tactical advantage, freezing foes in their tracks so they may be studied or dispatched at leisure.

Reader's Guide

Freeze is triggered instantly when an enemy with Hydro applied to it takes Cryo damage, or vice versa. This reaction does not consume the elements entirely; instead, it creates a persistent state that lasts until the ice shatters. To break a Freeze effect, players can use Pyro, Electro, or Geo attacks, which will deal normal damage and restore the enemy's mobility immediately. Weapon choice matters less for triggering the reaction than for maintaining element application.

However, characters with abilities that apply Hydro or Cryo consistently over time are preferred to ensure enemies remain frozen. Catalyst users like Ganyu or Kazuha (with specific builds) can provide wide area coverage, while swords and polearms often allow for faster follow-up attacks once the ice breaks. Optimal team compositions usually feature a dedicated Cryo applicator paired with a Hydro user. Teams often include characters who benefit from enemies being stunned, such as those dealing high single-target damage or setting up follow-up reactions like Melt. A common setup involves a main DPS who can exploit the immobility to land precise hits without fear of retaliation.

Did You Know?

• Enemies frozen in ice are immune to most crowd control effects while the status persists, as they cannot move or attack anyway.
• The duration of Freeze can be extended by increasing a character's Elemental Mastery, though it does not scale with damage stats.