Genshin Impact: Keqing's Electro Queen build
The Keqing's ElectroQueen build aims to maximise electro damage from normal and charged autoattacks, Stellar Restoration, and Starward Sword.
When the ElectroQueen build performs well
The enemy is not immune to electro damage.
There are many non-stationary enemies such that a single charged attack cannot hit everything.
There are many attacks/mechanics from enemies such that you need to remain mobile to deal damage effectively.
When the electro elemental resistance stat is low on the enemy, or the enemy can have their resistance reduced (eg Venerer set).
Related articles:
Artifact set selection
Let’s preface this section by acknowledging the fact that similar to how both the AutoKeq and ElectroQueen builds perform well in different conditions, different artifact sets will also be considered BiS (best in slot) depending on the circumstances.
The following discussion will be a semi-deep dive into each viable set followed by my recommendation for sets with accompanying justifications. We have done extensive theorycrafting and empirical analysis for the discussed builds.
The following sets are in alphabetical order.
Quick summary
Use 4 set Thundersoother for solo focused content.
Use 4 set Thundering Fury for coop focused content.
Use 2 set Gladiator’s and 2 set Thundering Fury for equal performance in both solo and coop content.
4 set Berserker’s
Set effects
+12% crit rate.
When HP <70%, +24% crit rate (36% total maximum).
Advantages
Gaining 36% crit from set effects can allow you to dedicate more of your gear primary and/or substats to critdmg%.
Disadvantages
Berserker’s set does not drop as a 5* piece. This means that the maximum possible stats are always at 25% less than any 5* equivalent.
Maintaining <70%HP playstyle can be tricky.
Considerations
Generally not recommended in the late game primarily because it doesn’t exist as a 5* set.
Both the 2 and 4 set pieces can be considered as a transitory set in the early endgame, when you have just reached AR-40 and do not have the prerequisite pieces to complete a recommended set.
4 set Bloodstained Chivalry
Set effects
Physical damage +25%.
After defeating an opponent, increases Charged Attack damage by 50%, and reduces its Stamina cost to 0 for 10s.
Advantages
Keqing’s optimal attack combo involves spamming charged attacks. The stamina reduction may be beneficial when there are multiple weaker enemies.
Disadvantages
ElectroQueen does not benefit from %physdmg.
The 4 set effect only affects charged damage, but a large portion of ElectroQueen DPS comes from usage of Stellar Restoration and Starward Sword.
Not useful for boss fights because the 4 set effect cannot be activated.
Considerations
Generally not recommended for ElectroQueen because the set effects do not synergise well with the optimal playstyle.
4 set Gladiator’s Finale
Set effects
ATK +18%.
If the wielder of this artifact set uses a Sword, Claymore, or Polearm, increases their Normal Attack damage by 35%.
Advantages
Keqing is a Sword user and she applies normal attacks at an incredibly fast rate.
You get free pieces throughout normal game progression.
Disadvantages
%atk is generally less valuable in the endgame because there are so many sources. Other stats such as %dmg, crit%, and critdmg% will generally have a bigger impact on DPS.
Hard to farm as it is only obtainable from weekly bosses and map bosses (at low rate and high cost of resin).
Considerations
Revisiting the earlier topic on %atk being less valuable, let’s do a bit of math. This applies even more for Electro Keqing since the maximum %electrodmg bonus that can be obtained without a Lion’s roar and set effects is 46.6%.
In the endgame, the ideal ratio of stats is 1:1:1 for %totalatk : %dmg : %totalcritdmg. You can easily reach over 70% atk from just one primary stat %atk and about 4-5 substats worth of %atk. Therefore, if you can select for either %atk or %electrodmg in a set effect, %electrodmg generally gives a larger increase to DPS.
In addition to this, ElectroQueen playstyle definitely does involve weaving as many charged attacks as possible. Not having the 35% bonus apply to charged attacks means that the 4 set effect becomes largely ineffective.
Generally, this set is not optimal for electro because of the decreased value of %atk in the late game as well as it’s dmg bonus being restricted to normal attacks.
2 set Gladiator’s/Sojourner/Bravery + 2 set Thundering Fury
Set effects
+18% atk.
+15% electro dmg.
Advantages
ElectroQueen wants to stack as much %electrodmg as possible because the majority of your DPS is electro damage.
Potentially easier to farm than 4 set gladiator’s.
Disadvantages
Refer to the 4 set gladiator’s explanation for why %atk is not an optimal set effect in the endgame.
%electrodmg bonuses are rendered ineffective by innate electro mobs like Electroslime and Electro Hypostasis.
Sojourner’s and Bravery do not exist as 5* sets. Refer to the Berserker explanation.
Considerations
Again, the 18% atk makes this set a less valuable contender for true endgame min/maxing.
This set is also reasonably hard to farm.
Gladiator’s not available in domains.
TF set lower drop rate than TS set at AR40 (rates for AR45+ are unknown at this time).
I consider this combination to be a transitory set that will carry you through early endgame (AR40-45) as you farm the pieces for other sets.
4 set Martial Artist
Set effects
Increases Normal Attack and Charged Attack damage by 15%.
After using Elemental Skill, increases Normal Attack and Charged Attack damage by 25% for 8s.
Advantages
Keqing can theoretically maintain 100% uptime on the 4 set effect.
Disadvantages
This set doesn’t drop at 5*.
This set isn’t easily obtainable in early-midgame and is a waste of resin to obtain in the endgame.
No effect on Keqing Stellar Restoration and Starward Sword which comprise a large portion of ElectroQueen DPS.
Considerations
If you were incredibly lucky in the early-midgame with random martial artist pieces, you can use this as a transitory set before switching into recommended endgame sets.
Do not try to use this set for true endgame as 5* pieces have 25% more primary star 4* equivalents.
This set is only listed because there’s a tiny chance that someone might have it from early-midgame. If you don’t already have this set, ignore it completely.
4 set Thundering Fury
Set effects
Electro damage Bonus +15%.
Increases damage caused by Overloaded, Electro-Charged, and Superconduct damage by 40%. Triggering such effects decreases Elemental Skill CD by 1s. Can only occur once every 0.8s.
Advantages
If Keqing can proc reactions, she will be able to gain increased use of Stellar Restoration for a significant increase in electro dps.
%electrodmg is very valuable for the ElectroQueen build since we only normally have one source of it through the goblet (and 20% possible from Lion’s Roar).
Disadvantages
The electro bonus is lost vs innate electro enemies like Electroslimes.
Keqing’s Stellar Restoration is about equivalent to a charged attack.
The biggest issue regarding 4TF is Keqing’s ability to reliably proc reactions. As Keqing has a high rate of inflicting electro on the enemies, we find that supports are the ones triggering reactions. If Keqing does not trigger the reaction, the reactions do not gain the 40% dmg bonus.
It is important to note that this issue is relatively mitigated in a coop experience where others are constantly adding in elements as well, but in a solo PvE scenario, Keqing is unlikely to proc reactions frequently.
Relatively hard to farm since it’s the rarest set in Midsummer Courtyard.
Considerations
A normal rotation in the electro playstyle revolves around using the Stellar Restoration downtime to switch to supports to setup the next round of elemental reactions. Even though Stellar Restoration becomes available quicker, that time window is normally reserved for support swapping, so this may not be optimal.
If Keqing cannot trigger elemental reactions, then she cannot benefit from the cooldown reduction effect either.
With what’s been stated above, a significant portion of the 4 set effect becomes ineffective. This calls into question the benefit of going 4 set TF in the first place.
In order for a 4TF to perform well, Keqing must be able to reliably proc elemental reactions. If this condition is not fulfilled, then there is no point in running 4TF.
4 set Thundersoother
Set effects
Electro RES increased by 40%.
Increases damage against enemies affected by electro by 35%.
Advantages
In the ElectroQueen build, we have limited sources of %electrodmg. 4TS offers a whopping 35% increase in all damage dealt to enemies affected by electro. This stat is considered an additive increase in the general %dmg category.
Flexible: This set can flex in between ElectroQueen and AutoKeq by simply substituting the goblet for the appropriate dmg% bonus in the primary line. Remember that the 4 set effect increases all damage instead of just electro damage.
Relatively easy to obtain compared to Thundering Fury. At AR40, the drop rate of TS > TF. You are likely to obtain TS pieces with optimal stats before TF equivalent.
Disadvantages
You lose the 35% bonus against innate elemental enemies that cannot be debuffed by electro (Anemo Hypostasis, Cryo/Pyro slimes, etc).
The 2 set effect doesn’t help you deal any more damage which is important in a DPS role.
In the ElectroQueen playstyle, you will trigger many reactions with supports. After an overload triggered by pyro, there is a ~0.5s time window where electro cannot be reapplied. You may lose possible DPS in this window. In addition, the first hit/skill that reapplies electro will not have the 35% bonus.
Considerations
The 4TS effect affects all damage including Starward Sword, Stellar Restoration, and autoattacks.
If you are unable to maintain 100% uptime on electro, you will inevitably lose DPS because you will be applying hits that do not have the 35% bonus damage.
With a pyro support, you cannot maintain 100% uptime on the electro debuff.
With a hydro support, you can maintain 100% uptime on the electro debuff.
This set is easier to farm than 4TF.
In coop, it may be harder to ensure that the enemy is always electro-debuffed.
The best set for the ElectroQueen build
Let me first state that testing is still ongoing, but we have enough theoretical and empirical data to make certain claims about each set in different scenarios.
Best solo sets
In solo, ranked from most recommended to least:
4 set Thundersoother.
2 set Gladiator’s / 2 set Thundering Fury.
4 set Thundering Fury.
4 set Thundersoother
4TS is the most recommended due to its versatility and large source of %dmg to all attacks/skills.
In solo play, it is reasonably easy to maintain 100% electro debuff uptime by making use of swirls and support swaps. The only circumstance when 4TS suffers is when electro cannot be reliably applied to the enemy.
In addition, Keqing normally suffers against electro-innate enemies. 4TS allows for ElectroQueen to still deal a greater degree of physical damage than compared to a 2 Glad / 2 TF setup. If you already know you will be fighting innate electro-mobs, it is recommended to pre-emptively swap your %electrodmg goblet for %physdmg. Then, you would switch to the AutoKeq playstyle.
2 set Gladiator’s / 2 set Thundering Fury
2 set Gladiator’s / 2 set Thundering Fury suffers because of the decreased impact of %atk on endgame DPS. In addition, 2TF %electro bonus makes ElectroQueen “all-in” on the electro element so to speak. If you encounter any electro innate mobs, you will perform poorly. In this sense, 4TS has greater versatility than the 2G/2TF set.
The only advantage that the 2G/2TF set has over 4TS is that when facing pyro and cryo innate enemies, the 2TF 15% electro damage is effective while 4TS 35%dmg is lost. However, 4TS can make up for this difference by switching to a %physdmg goblet.
Recall that the maximum amount of %physdmg possible on a goblet is 58.3% whereas the maximum amount of %electrodmg possible on a goblet is 46.6%. The 11.7% difference in %dmg makes the 15% electrodmg advantage that 2TF has over 4TS insignificant. This minor difference in damage is outweighed by the fact that 4TS is much more versatile in switching between ElectroQueen or AutoKeq. Thus, 4TS is recommended over 2G/2TF in solo play.
4 set Thundering Fury
4TF is not recommended in solo play for two main reasons:
First, as your main DPS, Keqing does not proc reactions very often in solo play, causing the entire 4 set effect to become inconsistent.
Second, the 15% electrodmg bonus is outweighed by the versatility and ability of 4TS to switch goblets. 4TF is not recommended over 2G/2TF because 18%atk is arguably more beneficial than the unreliable 4TF set effect in solo play.
Best coop sets
In coop, ranked from most recommended to least:
4 set Thundering Fury.
2 set Gladiator’s / 2 set Thundering Fury.
4 set Thundersoother.
4 set Thundering Fury
4TF becomes the top recommendation because with multiple active party members, Keqing has a higher chance of proccing electro reactions and benefiting from the 4TF effect.
Everytime Keqing attacks with electro or lands an electro skill, there is a high chance that there is a pre-existing element applied from another player. She can benefit a lot from both the increased reaction damage and Stellar Restoration cooldown reduction.
2 set Gladiator’s / 2 set Thundering Fury
2G/2TF is not recommended because of the earlier statements regarding %atk.
4 set Thundersoother
4TS suffers in coop because the enemies cannot be reliably debuffed with electro. The 4TS becomes inconsistent in the same manner that 4TF is inconsistent in solo play. You can’t achieve the conditions required to have consistent benefit from the 4 set effect.
Note: Because TF becomes the top recommended set, it may be reasonable to invest in Elemental Mastery in some form. We do not have sufficient testing and data to make a specific statement at this time.
Special Notes:
For F2P and casual players, our top recommendation is the 4TS set because of the huge emphasis in solo play content at the moment.
If more comprehensive and competitive coop content is released, the 2G/2TF set can be considered because it performs equally well in both solo and coop play. This is of course assuming that you would like to take Keqing into both scenarios.
More Genshin Impact articles:
Disclaimer: This guide is a work in progress and may be updated in the future.
Credit to Doug#8888 who provided the information for this article. He is a theorycrafter in the r/KeqingMains subreddit and Discord.gg/Keqing server. - Images: miHoYo
