The best Genshin Impact Arataki Itto build

Want to learn how to create the best build for Arataki Itto in Genshin Impact? Introduced in Genshin Impact's December 2021 update, Itto has the distinction of being the buffest dude yet to appear in Teyvat, and for many players the fact that he has elected to dress in a rare male variant on bikini top armor is the basis of his appeal. And hey, you'll get no judgement from me for that. But if you want to know a bit more about how this 5-star Geo Claymore wielder functions as a playable character — includinag best builds, party compositions, level-up requirements, and more — then read on below.

Character Demo - "Arataki Itto: Make Way for the One and Oni!" | Genshin Impact

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How to build Arataki Itto as your main DPS in Genshin Impact

Itto is perfectly positioned to take on the main DPS role in your Genshin Impact party. While most Geo characters are better fitted for support roles, Itto comes kitted out with some absolutely blistering Normal Attacks that make up for the shortcomings associated with his elemental vision. Quite appropriate for a character who canonically refuses to cede the limelight, even once it's become apparent to everyone else that his self-described brilliant powers are mostly just brute force and bluster.

Best weapon: Redhorn Stonethresher

Alternative: Whiteblind

The Redhorn Stonethresher is far and away the best weapon in the game for Itto's DPS build. It grants a massive increase to DEF, and then increases both Normal and Charged Attack DMG by scaling off of that DEF. As a Geo DPS, Itto will be leading with his weaponry far more than his elemental skills, so this focus on DEF and Normal Attack DMG is ideal.

However, if the 5-star Redhorn Stonethresher is out of your reach for the time being, a strong 4-star alternative is the Whiteblind. With this claymore equipped, Itto's Normal or Charged hits will increase his base ATK and DEF for 6 seconds, an effect which can stack up to four times. It's not quite as spectacular as the top choice, but it still gives a desirable bump to all the important stats.

Best artifacts: Husk of Opulent Dreams

Set bonuses:

• 2-piece bonus: DEF +30%
• 4-piece bonus: Itto obtains 6% increases to both DEF and Geo DMG after hitting an opponent with a Geo attack (maximum once every 3 seconds). This stacks up to four times, and continues to stack every 3 seconds when Itto is off the field. The buff then loses one stack for every 6 seconds of inactivity.

Alternative: Retracting Bolide/Archaic Petra

As with weaponry, there is a clear choice of artifact set for Itto: the Husk of Opulent Dreams. Equipping just two pieces lends a hugely desirable 30% increase to Itto's DEF, while the four-piece set allows you to put his tricky elemental skills to good use by stacking increases to DEF and Geo DMG when he lands a hit with Geo.

The second choice is less clear-cut, but I recommend either going all-in on the Retracting Bolide set, or mixing it with pieces from the Archaic Petra set. The Retracting Bolide increases shield strength by 35% at two pieces; and, more importantly, at 4 pieces it lends a 40% increase to Itto's Normal and Charged Attack DMG when he's protected by that shield — probably the most desirable effect from his secondary artifact choices. On the other hand, Archaic Petra at 2 pieces grants a very helpful 15% Geo DMG bonus, but its 4-piece effects aren't all that useful for a DPS build and are best ignored in Itto's case.

Since equipping a Plume of Death will always add to Itto's all-important base ATK, artifact stat priority should focus on his DEF, Crits, and Geo DMG as follows:

• Circlet of Logos: Crit DMG or CRIT Rate
• Sands of Eon: DEF%
• Goblet of Eonothem: Geo DMG Bonus
• Substats: DEF% or ATK

Talent Priority: Fight Club Legend (Normal Attack)

Alternative: Royal Descent - Behold, Itto the Evil! (Elemental Burst)

Itto's physical strength is his main source of power as a DPS, so focussing on his Fight Club Legends Normal Attack first and foremost is a high priority, especially since it allows him to stack his Superlative Superstrength effect the quickest. If you've been following this build and have some Geo DMG bonuses from the artifact set, the secondary priority should be his Behold, Itto the Evil! Elemental Burst, which converts his (by now hopefully very powerful) Normal Attacks to unavoidable Geo elemental damage for its duration.

Here's a full list of Itto's talents and what they do:

• Normal Attack: Fight Club Legend
• Normal Attack: Itto performs up to four consecutive strikes. When the 2nd and 4th strikes hit opponents, Itto will gain 1-2 stacks of Superlative Superstrength, respectively (max 5 stacks). Triggering this effect will refresh the current duration of any existing stacks. Additionally, Itto's Normal Attack combo does not immediately reset after sprinting or using his Elemental Skill.
• Charged Attack: When holding to perform a Charged Attack, Itto unleashes a series of Arataki Kesagiri slashes without consuming Stamina. Instead, each Arataki Kesagiri slash consumes 1 stack of Superlative Superstrength. When the final stack is consumed, Itto delivers a powerful final slash. If no stacks of Superlative Superstrength are available, Itto will perform a single Saichimonji Slash.
• Plunging Attack: Itto plunges from mid-air to strike the ground, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact.
• Elemental Skill: Masatsu Zetsugi - Akaushi Burst! — Hurls Ushi (the young akaushi bull and auxiliary member of the Arataki Gang), dealing Geo DMG to opponents on hit. When Ushi hits opponents, Itto gains 1 stack of Superlative Superstrength. Ushi will remain on the field and provide support by taunting opponents to draw their attacks; inheriting HP based on a percentage of Itto's Max HP; granting Itto 1 stack of superlative strength every time Ushi takes DMG (max every 2 seconds); and granting a final stack of Superlative Superstrength when forced to flee the field at 0 HP or when its duration ends. Holding adjusts the throwing angle when deploying Ushi, who is considered a Geo Construct; and Itto can only deploy one Ushi on the field at any one time.
• Elemental Burst: Royal Descent - Behold, Itto the Evil! — Itto lets his inner Raging Oni King emerge using his Oni King's Kanabou in battle. During this state Itto's Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attacks will be converted to Geo Damage that cannot be overridden. The first and third combos of his Normal Attack will grant Itto himself 1 stack of Superlative Superstrength when they hit opponents. While in Raging Oni King state his Elemental and Physical Resistance drop, but his Attack will be increased based on his Defense and his Normal Attack Speed will also be increased.
• 1st Ascension Passive: Arataki Ichiban — When Itto uses consecutive Arataki Kesagiri, he obtains 10% increased ATK SPD on his next slash, and max ATK SPD is increased by 30%. His resistance to interruption is also increased. The effects will be cleared once he stops performing consecutive slashes.
• 4th Ascension Passive: Bloodline of the Crimson Oni — Arataki Kesagiri DMG is increased by 35% of Itto's DEF.
• Utility Passive: Woodchuck Chucked — When Itto is in your party, you will have a chance to obtain an additional log of wood when using your attacks to collect wood from a tree.

Party composition

• Main DPS: Itto
• Sub DPS: Bennett
• Support: Gorou
• Shield and Heal: Noelle

5-star alternative: Zhongli replacing Noelle on shield support

Since it can be hard (but very rewarding) to build a party around a Geo DPS, it's important to put someone powerful in the sub DPS role. Bennett is a top-tier choice here: with careful management he can double up as a strong sub DPS and team healer, which can come in handy depending on your choice of shield support character (see below). Furthermore, his Pyro powers will react with Itto's Geo element to trigger Crystallise, raising a shield that in turn will play a crucial role in enabling Gorou's support abilities.

Quite pleasingly, Itto's banner mate Gorou makes for excellent DEF support in his party. His mere presence alongside fellow Geo character Itto will trigger the Enduring Rock elemental resonance, raising the party's interruption resistance when a shield is up. Having Gorou on the team can also increase Itto's highly important DEF stats.

Itto works very well in a team that is almost entirely composed of Geo characters, so you should choose a Geo shield support if you can. Noelle is an excellent choice, since she's all but free-to-play and can heal the entire party when her shield is active. However, if you have a powerful 5-star Geo shield character like Zhongli on hand, his impressive stats make him a better choice of shield support for Itto; just make sure you have another character (like Bennett) on hand to pick up the slack on healing the party.

How to level up Arataki Itto in Genshin Impact

Ascension Materials

To fully ascend Itto you need the following materials:

Slimes are the easiest materials to get hold of for Itto's ascensions, as you can simply pick them up from any defeated Slime enemies of increasing difficulty. Onikabuto are beetles found exclusively in Itto's native Inazuma in areas of high Electro concentration, while Riftborn Regalias are dropped by Lvl 30+ Golden Wolflords who make their hom in the region's Tsurumi Island area. Finally, Prithiva Topaz pieces are obtainable through a number of means, primarily by defeating Normal or Weekly Geo bosses, gaining commission rewards, or buying them from the shopkeeper characters in either Mondstadt or Liyue.

Talents

To fully level up one of Itto's talents, you'll need the following materials. If you choose to triple crown all three of his talents, you'll need to collect all of this three times over.

Slimes are gained from Slime enemies in the same way they are for Ascension materials. You can pick up the books required for Itto's talents at the Forsaken Rift domain (Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday only), while Ashen Hearts are awarded for completing the Narukami Island: Tenshukaku trounce domain at Lvl 70+. Finally, Crowns of Insight can be obtained through limited-time events or by making offerings to the Frostbearing Tree and the Sacred Sakura.

Constellations

As a 5-star character, you're unlikely to collect many of Itto's constellations, and fortunately they're not really essential to his build. Nevertheless, below is a full list of Itto's Constellations if you're lucky enough to pull him multiple times from the gacha:

• Stay a While and Listen Up (Lvl 1): After using Royal Descent - Behold, Itto the Evil!, Itto gains 2 stacks of Superlative Superstrength. After 1 second, Itto will gain 1 stack of Superlative Superstrength every 0.5 seconds for a total of 3 stacks over 1.5 seconds.
• Gather 'Round, It's a Brawl! (Lvl 2): After using Royal Descent - Behold, Itto the Evil!, each party member whose Element is Geo will decrease that skill's cooldown by 1.5 seconds and restore 6 Energy to Arataki Itto. Cooldown can be decreased by up to 4.5 seconds in this manner. A maximum of 18 Energy can be restored in this manner.
• Horns Lowered, Coming Through (Lvl 3): Increases the level of Masatsu Zetsugi - Akaushi Burst! by 3 (maximum upgrade level is 15).
• Jailhouse Bread and Butter (Lvl 4): When the Raging Oni King state caused by Royal Descent - Behold, Itto the Evil! ends, all nearby party members gain 20% DEF and 20% ATK for 10 seconds.
• 10 Years of Hanamizaka Fame (Lvl 5): Increases the level of Royal Descent - Behold, Itto the Evil! by 3 (maximum upgrade level is 15).
• Arataki Itto, Present! (Lvl 6): Itto's Charged Attacks deal +70% Crit DMG. Additionally, when he uses Arataki Kesagiri, he has a 50% chance to not consume stacks of Superlative Superstrength.

How to get Arataki Itto in Genshin Impact

Itto is a 5-star event-exclusive character, which means he's only available at certain times. His Character Event Wish banner debuted in December 2021, and he saw reruns in June and December 2022. Given his popularity and the unusual regularity of his reruns, he's almost certain to appear at least once in 2023, so watch this space if you're hoping to wish for him next time he's available.

That's everything you need to know about putting together a powerful DPS build for Arataki Itto, Genshin Impact's highly-anticipated buff oni character! To see where he stands in comparison to the game's many other playable characters, check in with our Genshin Impact character tier list to gauge the competition!