Aino, an upcoming character from Genshin Impact’s Nod-Krai, is much more than just a skilled inventor; she embodies a heartwarming tale of resilience, found family, and the power of emotional connection. Her narrative centers on her deep bond with her mechanical creations, particularly an android named Ineffa, as she navigates a world that has often dismissed her genius.

A Creator’s Emotional Journey

Aino’s story is a poignant exploration of loneliness and rejection. As an inventor, she has faced constant belittlement, especially from a character named Ner, who frequently undermined her work. Despite these painful experiences, Aino’s spirit remains unbroken. She pours her heart and soul into her inventions, seeing them not just as machines, but as her true family—a source of comfort and companionship in a world that often made her feel isolated.

The emotional core of her story lies in her fervent efforts to awaken Ineffa. Aino treats Ineffa with the tenderness and devotion one would show a beloved family member, desperate for a reciprocal connection. The climax arrives when Ineffa, initially silent and unresponsive, finally awakens and warmly declares, “This is my home now.” This profound moment signifies Ineffa’s acceptance of Aino and the unexpected, yet powerful, bond they share, highlighting that family can be found in the most unconventional forms.

Aino’s narrative, notably featured in a trailer for the Song of the Welkin Moon update, beautifully showcases her vulnerability, determination, and evolving understanding of what it means to belong. It’s a testament to her resilience and the new definitions of family she forges through love and perseverance.

Unveiling Aino’s Kit: A Hydro Claymore Support

Beyond her compelling lore, Aino is anticipated to be a formidable Hydro Claymore user, affiliating with the Clink-Clank Krumkake Craftshop. Leaks suggest she will be a reaction-based support character, bringing a unique Hydro application style and invaluable team utility.

Here’s a glimpse into her potential abilities:

• Normal Attack: Percussive Repair Method
  • Performs up to three consecutive claymore strikes.
  • Charged Attack: Spins continuously, ending with a powerful slash.
  • Plunging Attack: Deals AoE damage upon landing.
• Elemental Skill: Thoughtcatcher
  • Aino throws a gadget, pulling herself to a target location and dealing AoE Hydro Damage. This skill can be aimed by holding the button.
• Elemental Burst: Precision Water-Cooling Device
  • Aino deploys “Chill Out Duck,” creating a Targeted Water-Cooling Zone.
  • While active, it fires Hydro projectiles at nearby enemies, dealing AoE Hydro DMG.
  • This Burst scales significantly with Aino’s Elemental Mastery, indicating her strong focus on elemental reactions.

Passive Talents for Enhanced Support

Aino’s passive talents further solidify her role as a reaction-focused support:

• Modular High-Efficiency Operation: This talent provides effects based on the team’s “Lunar Phase Crescent.” If the Lunar Phase is at least Crescent, her Burst is enhanced, firing projectiles faster with increased AoE damage. It also improves the team’s Lunarity level while Aino is active.
• Structured Power Boost: This talent directly boosts Aino’s Elemental Burst DMG by 50% of her Elemental Mastery, making her an excellent choice for amplifying transformative reactions.

Constellations: Unleashing Full Potential

Aino’s constellations promise to unlock even greater support capabilities:

• C1: Theory of Ash and Field Equilibrium: Grants 80 Elemental Mastery for 15 seconds after using her Skill or Burst.
• C2: Gear Differential Carryover Principle: “Chill Out Duck” fires an extra projectile while Aino is off-field (scales with EM, 5s CD).
• C3: Cake and Mechanical Repair Arts: Increases Elemental Burst level by 3.
• C4: Butter, Cats, and Energy Supply Law: Restores 10 Energy when her Elemental Skill hits (CD: 10s).
• C5: Immortal Turbine of Metal and Light: Increases Elemental Skill level by 3.
• C6: Genius as a Construct’s Fate: After Elemental Burst, the active character gains 15% reaction DMG for certain reactions for 15 seconds. With Lunar Phase Crescent, this boost increases by an extra 20% for those reactions.

Playstyle Insights

Aino’s kit strongly suggests she will be an ideal fit for teams that capitalize on transformative reactions. Her Elemental Mastery scaling and Hydro application style enable versatile team compositions, particularly Hydro-core setups. She is expected to synergize well with other characters from Nod-Krai and those who benefit from reaction damage amplification.

In essence, Aino’s story and potential kit portray a character who is both emotionally profound and strategically valuable. She promises to be a cherished addition to the Genshin Impact roster, bringing a narrative that resonates with themes of love and acceptance, alongside a kit that empowers unique team compositions.