Citlali, a 5-star Cryo Catalyst from Natlan, emerges in Genshin Impact 5.7 as a premier Freeze and Melt Support character. With her shield mechanics, off-field Cryo application, and team-wide Elemental Mastery boosts, she shines as a tactical support in elemental reaction-heavy comps.
Citlali Overview
- Element: Cryo
- Weapon: Catalyst
- Role: Cryo Support / Reaction Enabler
- Rarity: ★★★★★
Best Used In:
- Melt Teams with Pyro DPS
- Freeze Teams with Hydro DPS
- Exploration Utility for interacting with Natlan’s Phlogiston mechanics
Best Citlali Builds
🧱 1. Cryo Shield Support Build (EM Focused)
| Priority Stats | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Sands | Elemental Mastery |
| Goblet | Elemental Mastery |
| Circlet | Elemental Mastery |
| Substats | Energy Recharge > EM |
Best Weapon:
- ⭐ Starcaller’s Watch (EM + shield DMG buff)
Alternatives:
- A Thousand Floating Dreams
- Wandering Evenstar
- Sacrificial Fragments
- Mappa Mare (F2P)
Best Artifact Set:
- 4-Piece Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City
- DMG Bonus for reactions
- Energy regeneration on Nightsoul triggers
Alternative Sets:
- 4-pc Tenacity of the Millelith (shield/ATK buff)
- 4-pc Gilded Dreams (Elemental Mastery)
- 4-pc Instructor (early game)
❄️ 2. Cryo Hybrid Support (EM + CRIT)
| Priority Stats | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Sands | Elemental Mastery |
| Goblet | EM or Cryo DMG Bonus |
| Circlet | EM or CRIT Rate/DMG |
This build balances personal Cryo damage with support potential. Only farm this if you’re heavily invested in Citlali.
Talent Priority
- Elemental Skill – Boosts shield and Cryo application
- Elemental Burst – AoE Cryo nuke with Nightsoul regen
- Normal Attack – Skip for support role
Best Citlali Teams
🔥 Melt Comps
1. Standard Melt
- Main DPS: Arlecchino / Mavuika
- Cryo Sub-DPS: Rosaria / Xilonen
- Support: Citlali + Bennett
2. Freeze-to-Melt Teams
- Add a Hydro (e.g., Furina, Yelan) to Freeze → Melt with Pyro
3. Plunge Melt (Gaming)
- Gaming + Xianyun + Citlali + Bennett
- Use for timed plunges with Melt triggers
💧 Freeze Teams
1. Hydro-Centric Freeze
- Main DPS: Neuvillette / Kokomi
- Cryo Applicator: Citlali
- Support: Furina / Kazuha / Mona
Citlali enables AoE control and resistance shred for Hydro carries via Freeze reactions.
Constellation Breakdown
| Constellation | Effect Summary | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Buffs team DMG based on Citlali’s EM | ★★ |
| C2 | RES shred + team EM buff + AoE shielding | ★★★ (Best) |
| C4 | Huge EM-scaling Cryo DMG explosion | ★★ |
| C6 | Grants full uptime on buffs and scaling | ★★ |
Best Stop: C2 – Great support value, especially in Co-Op play.
Ascension & Talent Materials
- Boss Drop: Juvenile Fang, Seasoned Fang, Tyrant’s Fang
- Local Specialty: Quenepa Berry
- Talent Books: Teachings/Guide/Philosophies of Kindling
- Weekly Boss: Denial and Judgment
- Crown Needed: 3
- Mora Needed: ~5M for talents, ~420k for ascension
Elemental Skill – Dawnfrost Darkstar
- Creates Opal Shield based on Elemental Mastery
- Summons Itzpapa, a Cryo spirit that deals off-field Cryo DMG
- Needs 50+ Nightsoul Points for Itzpapa’s Opal Fire mode
- Shield is effective vs Cryo (250% absorption)
Elemental Burst – Edict of Entwined Splendor
- AoE Cryo nuke
- Summons Spiritvessel Skulls on enemies
- Each Skull explodes for AoE Cryo DMG + restores Nightsoul Points
Exploration Utility
- Can interact with Nightspirit Graffiti in Natlan
- Leaps via Phlogiston mechanics
- Helps reach hidden zones like Ororon’s areas
Citlali Tips & Notes
- Always maintain over 50 Nightsoul Points for uptime
- Pair with Melt/Frozen proccers like Bennett, Furina, or Rosaria
- Shield refreshes duration when cast again – keep it active
- Don’t rely on her for Cryo RES shred – only Pyro & Hydro get that bonus
Final Thoughts
Citlali isn’t your traditional shielder or Cryo applicator—she’s a hybrid reaction enabler, resistance shredder, and AoE sub-DPS. With proper EM stacking and rotations, she boosts team-wide elemental reaction damage while ensuring solid defense. Her synergy with Melt and Freeze comps makes her a staple support in many Natlan-based team strategies.
Recommended for: Players who love reaction-heavy gameplay, Cryo-Pyro combos, and unique support kits.
