Arlecchino, the enigmatic 5-star Pyro Polearm wielder, is a formidable force in Genshin Impact's roster. First introduced in version 4.6, she quickly became a fan-favorite for her high-risk, high-reward playstyle. With her elegant yet deadly moves and unique mechanics, Arlecchino thrives as a Main DPS character and is a powerhouse when built right. Her unique mechanics and dynamic playstyle revolve around the "Bond of Life" system, making her both a challenge and a joy to master.

Whether you’re drawn to her story or her DPS potential, this guide will help you build Arlecchino to unleash her full potential. From weapons and artifacts to team compositions and talent priorities, here’s everything you need to know about this fan-favorite Harbinger.

Arlecchino, also known as "The Hearthfire," hails from Fontaine and plays a pivotal role in Genshin Impact's evolving narrative. As a Harbinger with a fiery demeanor, her story quest reveals her complex motivations and loyalty to those under her protection. In combat, Arlecchino's ability to manage her Bond of Life makes her a high-risk, high-reward character who thrives on precision and timing.

Arlecchino’s Talents: What to Level Up First

Normal Attack (Highest Priority):

Empowers her combos and allows her to deal sustained damage. This is her bread and butter for damage. Focus on maxing this first, aiming for level 10 before prioritizing other talents

Elemental Skill:

Used frequently in her rotation to manage Bond of Life and trigger artifact passives.

Elemental Burst:

Provides a powerful finisher for rotations, best used after setting up reactions. While powerful, her Burst is more situational, often used for healing. Prioritize it after her Skill.

Best Weapons for Arlecchino

1. Crimson Moon’s Semblance(Best-in-Slot)

This is Arlecchino’s signature weapon and the ultimate choice for maximizing her damage output. The weapon is tailor-made to enhance her Bond of Life mechanic, ensuring both her elemental and physical damage scale effectively.

Base ATK: 674 (Highest among polearms).
Bonus Stat: CRIT Rate +22.1%.
Effect: When a Charged Attack hits an opponent, grants a Bond of Life equal to 25% of Max HP. Additionally, increases DMG bonuses based on the value of Bond of Life.

The Bond of Life mechanic directly synergizes with this weapon, granting massive DMG bonuses proportional to its value. The high base ATK and CRIT Rate bonus ensure strong consistent DPS, making it unparalleled for Arlecchino’s kit.

When to Use:
Ideal if you have the resources to pull for her signature weapon. Pair it with artifacts that prioritize CRIT DMG, ATK%, and Energy Recharge for optimal results.

2. Staff of Homa(Best-in-Class Alternative)

The Staff of Homa is an exceptional alternative to her signature weapon, offering unparalleled offensive stats and synergy with HP-scaling characters like Arlecchino.

Base ATK: 608.
Bonus Stat: CRIT DMG +66.2%.
Effect: Increases HP by 20%. Additionally, provides an ATK bonus based on Max HP. If HP is less than or equal to 50%, the ATK bonus is further increased by 1%.

The weapon’s HP boost increases her survivability and enhances her damage output due to her HP-scaling mechanics. The CRIT DMG bonus is one of the highest among all weapons, allowing her to deliver devastating hits when paired with CRIT Rate from artifacts or other sources.

When to Use:
Perfect for high-damage builds where survivability is also important. The synergy with Arlecchino’s HP scaling makes it a strong contender for her best weapon if you don’t own her signature polearm.

3. Primordial Jade Winged-Spear(Reliable Premium Alternative)

The Primordial Jade Winged-Spear is a versatile weapon with consistent damage boosts through its stacking mechanic.

Base ATK: 674 (Tied with Crimson Moon’s Semblance for the highest).
Bonus Stat: CRIT Rate +22.1%.
Effect: On hit, increases ATK by 3.2% for 6 seconds (max 7 stacks). At full stacks, DMG dealt is further increased by 12%.

This weapon’s CRIT Rate substat helps achieve an optimal CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG ratio, while the stacking ATK buffs provide consistent boosts during sustained fights. It’s particularly effective in scenarios where Arlecchino is the main on-field DPS.

When to Use:
Choose this weapon if you already have a balanced build and need a reliable source of CRIT Rate and ATK buffs.

4. Deathmatch(Best 4-Star Option for CRIT-Focused Builds)

Available through the Battle Pass, Deathmatch is an excellent choice for players looking for a cost-effective weapon that provides strong offensive stats.

Base ATK: 454.
Bonus Stat: CRIT Rate +36.8%.
Effect: Increases ATK and DEF by 16% when there are at least 2 enemies nearby. If there’s only 1 enemy, increases ATK by 24%.

The high CRIT Rate substat makes it easier to balance her CRIT stats without relying heavily on artifacts. The conditional ATK bonus ensures consistent damage whether fighting single enemies or groups.

When to Use:
Ideal for players who have purchased the Battle Pass or want a reliable weapon for CRIT-focused builds.

White Tassel(Early-Game Choice)

A free 3-star polearm that boosts Normal Attack DMG, making it an excellent choice for early-game players.

Base ATK: 401.
Bonus Stat: CRIT Rate +23.4%.
Effect: Increases Normal Attack DMG by 48%.

The CRIT Rate substat is valuable for achieving balance in her stats, while the Normal Attack DMG boost ensures consistent damage output during early progression.

When to Use:
Use this weapon as a placeholder while farming for stronger 4-star or 5-star options.

Weapon Selection Tips for Arlecchino

CRIT Balance: Always maintain a 1:2 ratio between CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG. Choose weapons with CRIT Rate if artifacts focus on CRIT DMG, and vice versa.
HP Scaling: Weapons that enhance HP (e.g., Staff of Homa) are great for amplifying her Bond of Life mechanic.
Flexibility: While her signature weapon is the best, other options like Staff of Homa or Primordial Jade Winged-Spear are nearly as effective.

By selecting the right weapon and pairing it with optimal artifacts, you’ll unlock Arlecchino’s full potential as a powerful DPS character.

Best Artifact Sets for Arlecchino

1. Fragment of Harmonic Whimsy(Best-in-Slot)

The Fragment of Harmonic Whimsy is Arlecchino's best artifact set due to its exceptional synergy with her Bond of Life mechanic. The set amplifies her damage output by leveraging the effects of Bond of Life changes, which occur during combat, allowing her to hit harder with every interaction.

2-Piece Bonus: ATK +18%.
4-Piece Bonus: When the value of a Bond of Life changes, gain an 18% DMG increase for 6 seconds (max 3 stacks).

The 4-piece effect directly complements Arlecchino’s playstyle by turning her unique mechanic into consistent damage amplification. With proper uptime on the Bond of Life changes, the set achieves up to 54% DMG bonus, making it her strongest option.

When to Use:
Use this set when you have access to a fully leveled set with ideal main stats and substats. It’s worth prioritizing farming this set if you want to maximize Arlecchino's potential in both single-target and AoE damage scenarios.

2. Gladiator’s Finale or Echoes of an Offering(Transitional Set)

Both of these sets work as a solid placeholder option while farming the Fragment of Harmonic Whimsy. They focus on increasing her ATK and improving Normal Attack performance, which is a staple of Arlecchino’s damage output.

2-Piece Bonus: ATK +18%.
4-Piece Bonus (Gladiator’s Finale): Increases Normal Attack DMG by 35% when using a Sword, Claymore, or Polearm.
4-Piece Bonus (Echoes of an Offering): Normal Attacks have a 36% chance to trigger Valley Rite, increasing Normal Attack DMG by 70% of ATK. This effect lasts for 0.05s and resets every 0.2s.

While these sets don’t directly benefit from her Bond of Life mechanic, they provide strong ATK scaling and consistent Normal Attack damage boosts. Gladiator's Finale is easier to obtain from boss drops, while Echoes of an Offering provides a slightly better damage ceiling if proc conditions are met.

When to Use:
These are ideal as transitional sets while you farm for the Fragment of Harmonic Whimsy, or if you want a less resource-intensive setup for Arlecchino.

3. Crimson Witch of Flames(Specialized Elemental Build)

This set shines in scenarios where Arlecchino is triggering Pyro reactions like Overload, Vaporize, or Melt, and is a strong alternative for players focusing on reaction-based damage.

2-Piece Bonus: Pyro DMG Bonus +15%.
4-Piece Bonus: Increases Overload and Burning DMG by 40%. Increases Vaporize and Melt DMG by 15%. Using an Elemental Skill increases 2-piece set bonus by 50% for 10 seconds (max 3 stacks).

The 4-piece effect rewards frequent Elemental Skill usage, amplifying reaction damage while maintaining a steady boost to Pyro DMG. It’s especially effective in teams focused on high Elemental Reaction uptime.

When to Use:
This is the go-to option if Arlecchino is played in a reaction-heavy team composition, particularly in setups with Hydro or Cryo units to maximize Vaporize or Melt procs.

Main Stats & Substats Priority

Main Stats

Sands: ATK% (Best for consistent scaling with her kit).
Goblet: Pyro DMG Bonus (Essential for maximizing elemental damage).
Circlet: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG (Choose based on weapon and existing stats).

Substats Priority

CRIT Rate: Aim for a balanced CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG ratio (1:2).
CRIT DMG: Maximize her burst and overall DPS potential.
ATK%: Boosts her base damage across all skills.
Energy Recharge: Useful if her Elemental Burst uptime feels inconsistent.

Tips for Optimizing Arlecchino's Artifacts

Balance CRIT Stats: Use weapons and substats to maintain a CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG ratio close to 1:2. For example, if CRIT Rate is 60%, aim for CRIT DMG around 120%.
Energy Needs: If running Arlecchino as the main DPS, consider a teammate with energy generation or a weapon/artifact substat providing Energy Recharge.
Flexibility with Substats: A slightly lower CRIT DMG can be offset with stronger ATK% or Pyro DMG bonuses.

Team Compositions for Arlecchino

Arlecchino is incredibly versatile and works well in teams focusing on Overload and Vaporize reactions, but she can also shine in Mono Pyro setups. Her unique Ascension Passive, "The Balemoon Alone May Know," prevents her from being healed directly, as she instead heals herself. This makes shielders or utility-based healers who don’t focus on her an ideal choice for her teams.

1. Vaporize Team

Main DPS: Arlecchino

Sub-DPS: Xingqiu or Yelan (Hydro application)

Support: Bennett (ATK boost and healing)

Utility: Zhongli (Shielding)

Vaporize teams leverage the powerful reaction between Pyro and Hydro for massive damage multipliers. Yelan is Arlecchino’s best Hydro partner, providing exceptional off-field Hydro application and boosting overall team DPS. Xingqiu is another fantastic option, offering reliable Hydro application alongside damage reduction for added survivability.

For additional support, Zhongli pairs well with Chiori due to their strong synergy. Alternatively, Zhongli can simply provide sturdy shields while allowing Bennett to enhance Arlecchino’s damage with his buffs.

2. Overloaded Team

Main DPS: Arlecchino

Sub-DPS: Fischl or Yae Miko (Electro application)

Support: Thoma (Shielding)

Utility: Chevreuse (additional Pyro application)

Overload teams emphasize the explosive synergy between Pyro and Electro. For Arlecchino, maintaining Bennett's ATK buffs is crucial, as it boosts her damage significantly. However, Bennett’s buffs require staying inside his circle, which can sometimes make gameplay tricky due to mobile enemies or knockback effects caused by Overload reactions.

If managing Bennett’s buffs becomes challenging, alternatives like Thoma or Dehya are excellent. Thoma provides shielding, while Dehya grants interruption resistance, both ensuring smoother gameplay. Beidou is another strong option, as she offers Electro shields and additional burst damage.In this setup, Fischl is highly valuable for consistent Electro application and her battery utility, while Chevreuse amplifies both Pyro and Electro damage for maximum efficiency.

3. Mono Pyro Team

Main DPS: Arlecchino

Sub-DPS: Xiangling

Support: Kazuha (Elemental Mastery buff)

Utility: Bennett

Mono Pyro teams focus entirely on amplifying Pyro damage. While Lyney is the ideal option for Mono Pyro synergy, Arlecchino can still thrive with other characters. Xiangling contributes excellent off-field Pyro damage, while Bennett continues to serve as a reliable buffer. Kaedehara Kazuha fits perfectly here by reducing enemy Pyro resistance and amplifying elemental damage, but Zhongli is a viable alternative, offering resistance shredding and shields for better survivability.

4. Burn Team

Main DPS: Arlecchino

Sub-DPS: Nahida (Dendro application)

Support: Xiangling or Emilie (additional Pyro DMG)

Utility: Bennett

Team Tips:

For Overload teams, prioritize characters who enhance reaction uptime and provide shields to counter knockback effects.

In Vaporize teams, focus on consistent Hydro application to maximize reaction damage.

For Mono Pyro teams, ensure strong synergy between Pyro characters while balancing survivability and buffs.

With the right team, Arlecchino can truly dominate the battlefield, showcasing her fiery strength and unique mechanics to the fullest.

Ascension Materials:

Pyro Gemstones: Agnidus Agate Slivers, Fragments, Chunks, and Gemstones

Specialty: Rainbow Rose ×168

Enemy Drops: Recruit's Insignia, Sergeant's Insignia, Lieutenant's Insignia

Boss Drop: Fragment of a Golden Melody ×46

Talent Materials:

Enemy Drops: Recruit's Insignia, Sergeant's Insignia, Lieutenant's Insignia

Books: Teachings, Guide, and Philosophies of Order

Weekly Boss Drop: Fading Candle ×18

Crown of Insight: ×3

Strengths:

High Damage Potential: Her kit is packed with high raw scaling and buffs, allowing her to deal consistent damage with minimal downtime.

Self-Sufficiency: Arlecchino can self-sustain using her Bond of Life, reducing reliance on healers.

Versatility in Teams: Her Pyro application is excellent for Vaporize, Overload, and Mono Pyro teams.

Simplified Combos: Intuitive combos make her accessible to both beginners and veterans.

Weaknesses:

High-Risk Playstyle: Arlecchino’s inability to be healed by external sources makes her reliant on shielders or precise play.

Constellation Dependency: Her effectiveness increases significantly at C1, making her a more expensive investment for F2P players.

Stamina Management: Frequent use of charged attacks can quickly drain stamina, especially in exploration.

Tips for Playing Arlecchino

Master Combos: Utilize her charged attacks effectively to maximize DPS.

Use Shielders: Characters like Zhongli or Thoma ensure survivability.

Artifact Farming: Focus on maximizing CRIT stats and farming her ideal set for optimal results.

Team Buffs: Build teams that complement her self-sufficient playstyle, emphasizing Pyro resonance or Vaporize reactions.

Energy Recharge Requirements:

Arlecchino’s Energy needs depend on her team setup. If you use Pyro teammates, her C4, or Favonius weapons, her requirements drop significantly. For example:

C4 Active: Reduce Energy needs by 35%.

Favonius Weapon in Team: Reduce by 10-15%. If healing isn’t necessary, skipping her Burst can save Energy for other abilities, especially in DPS-focused builds.

Mastering Arlecchino’s Bond of Life Mechanic:

The Bond of Life system makes Arlecchino unique. Instead of receiving healing, she gains a Bond that absorbs healing effects. This Bond is consumed to boost her Normal Attacks and Elemental Burst healing.

Use All Is Ash to mark enemies and generate Bond through Blood-Debt Directive. Charged Attacks or defeating marked foes increase her Bond of Life value and the Crimson Moon’s Semblance weapon further supports this mechanic, generating Bond with Charged Attacks.

Arlecchino’s Best Combos and Rotations

A standard rotation:

All Is Ash (Elemental Skill)

Switch to supports for buffs or setup reactions.

Use Charged Attack.

Follow up with Normal Attack combos.

Repeat Skill and finish with Balemoon Rising (Elemental Burst) if healing is needed.

To maximize damage, use combos like 3 N5D (Normal Attack x5, Dash Cancel) or 4 N4D (Normal Attack x4, Dash Cancel). Dash canceling after the fifth hit prevents delays caused by her slower sixth attack.

Conclusion

Arlecchino is an exciting addition to your team! With her high-damage output and unique Bond of Life mechanic, she excels as a Main DPS for players seeking a powerful Pyro character. Whether you’re diving into Spiral Abyss or exploring Teyvat, Arlecchino promises to deliver thrilling and rewarding gameplay.

Invest in her talents, equip the best artifacts and weapons, and pair her with synergistic teammates to unleash her full potential. Wish you all good luck with building her and may she burn bright in your party!

Cheers!