ATK Orb Vs Phys DMG Orb A Comprehensive Guide For Genshin Impact

Deciding whether to keep an ATK Orb or farm for a Physical DMG Orb is a common dilemma faced by many Genshin Impact players. The optimal choice hinges on several factors, including the character's kit, team composition, and the specific enemy being faced. This comprehensive guide delves into the nuances of both options, providing you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and maximize your damage output.

Understanding ATK and Phys DMG

Before diving into the specifics, it's crucial to understand the difference between ATK and Physical DMG. ATK, or Attack, is a fundamental stat that influences all damage dealt by a character, including both Physical and Elemental. It's a general damage multiplier that directly affects the base damage calculation of all attacks. A higher ATK stat translates to higher damage across the board, making it a valuable asset for any character.

Physical DMG, on the other hand, is a more specialized stat that specifically boosts the damage output of a character's Physical attacks. These attacks are those that deal damage without any Elemental infusion, such as normal attacks, charged attacks, and plunging attacks when not infused with an Element. Physical DMG Bonus is particularly important for characters who primarily rely on their Physical attacks for damage, as it directly amplifies their main source of damage. Understanding the distinct roles of ATK and Physical DMG is the first step in determining which Orb is best suited for your character and playstyle.

For characters who deal a significant portion of their damage through Physical attacks, a Physical DMG Bonus Goblet can provide a substantial damage increase. This is because the Physical DMG Bonus is applied directly to the Physical damage dealt, effectively amplifying the character's main source of damage output. However, for characters who deal a mix of Physical and Elemental damage, or those who primarily rely on Elemental Reactions, the choice between an ATK Goblet and a Physical DMG Bonus Goblet becomes more nuanced. The specific character's kit, team composition, and the enemies being faced all play a role in determining the optimal choice.

When to Keep an ATK Orb

There are several scenarios where keeping an ATK Orb might be the more advantageous option.

• Early Game: In the early stages of Genshin Impact, artifact options are limited. An ATK Orb with good substats can be a valuable asset, especially if you haven't yet obtained a suitable Physical DMG Orb. The general damage boost provided by ATK can be beneficial for clearing content and progressing through the game. It's often more practical to use a well-rolled ATK Orb than a poorly-rolled Physical DMG Orb, as the substats can significantly impact overall damage output.

• Characters with Balanced Damage: Some characters have kits that deal a mix of Physical and Elemental damage. For these characters, an ATK Orb can provide a more balanced damage increase across their entire kit. This is particularly true for characters who weave Elemental Skills and Bursts into their attack patterns, as the ATK bonus will apply to both their Physical and Elemental damage. For example, a character who deals Physical damage with their Normal Attacks but also has a powerful Elemental Burst might benefit more from the general damage boost of an ATK Orb.

• Team Compositions with ATK Buffs: If your team composition already provides significant ATK buffs, such as through Bennett's Burst or Sara's Skill, the diminishing returns on additional ATK might make a Physical DMG Orb more valuable. When a character's ATK stat is already high, adding more ATK through an Orb will have a smaller impact on their overall damage output compared to adding a direct Physical DMG Bonus. In these situations, the Physical DMG Orb can provide a more substantial damage increase by targeting the character's specific damage type.

• Substat Considerations: The substats on your artifacts play a crucial role in determining their overall value. An ATK Orb with excellent substats, such as CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and Energy Recharge, can often outperform a Physical DMG Orb with poor substats. Substats provide valuable secondary stats that can significantly enhance a character's damage output and consistency. It's important to consider the overall package of stats an artifact provides, not just the main stat.

When to Farm for Phys DMG Orb

In contrast, there are situations where farming for a Physical DMG Orb is the optimal choice.

• Physical DMG Carries: Characters who primarily deal Physical damage, such as Razor, Eula, and Fischl (when built as a Physical DPS), greatly benefit from a Physical DMG Orb. These characters rely on their Normal Attacks, Charged Attacks, and Skills to deal consistent Physical damage, making the Physical DMG Bonus a direct and significant damage amplifier. For these characters, a Physical DMG Orb is often considered a core part of their optimal build.

• High Base ATK: Characters with inherently high base ATK values might see more substantial gains from a Physical DMG Orb. This is because the Physical DMG Bonus is applied after the base ATK is calculated, meaning that a higher base ATK will result in a larger damage increase from the Physical DMG Bonus. Characters with high base ATK can effectively leverage the Physical DMG Bonus to maximize their damage output.

• Team Compositions without ATK Buffs: If your team composition lacks significant ATK buffs, a Physical DMG Orb can provide a more substantial damage increase for your Physical DPS character. In the absence of external ATK buffs, the Physical DMG Bonus becomes even more valuable, as it directly amplifies the character's Physical damage output without relying on other team members. This can be particularly important in team compositions that focus on single-target damage or those that prioritize Elemental Reactions over ATK buffs.

• Endgame Content: As you progress to the endgame content of Genshin Impact, such as the Spiral Abyss, optimizing your character builds becomes increasingly important. A Physical DMG Orb is often a key component of an optimized build for Physical DPS characters, allowing them to deal maximum damage against challenging enemies. The Spiral Abyss, in particular, often features enemies with high Physical resistance, making the Physical DMG Bonus even more valuable.

The Substat Factor

As mentioned earlier, substats play a pivotal role in artifact evaluation. A Physical DMG Orb with poor substats might be less effective than an ATK Orb with excellent substats. The ideal substats for a DPS character typically include CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK%, and Energy Recharge. These substats contribute significantly to a character's damage output and consistency.

• CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG: These substats are essential for maximizing damage potential. CRIT Rate determines the frequency of critical hits, while CRIT DMG determines the magnitude of critical hit damage. A healthy balance between these two stats is crucial for consistent damage output.

• ATK%: This substat provides a percentage-based increase to the character's ATK, further amplifying their overall damage. ATK% is a valuable substat for both ATK Orbs and Physical DMG Orbs, as it complements the main stat and contributes to higher damage numbers.

• Energy Recharge: This substat allows characters to regenerate Energy more quickly, enabling them to use their Elemental Bursts more frequently. Energy Recharge is particularly important for characters who rely on their Bursts for damage or utility.

When choosing between an ATK Orb and a Physical DMG Orb, carefully consider the substats on each artifact. An artifact with superior substats can often outperform one with a more optimal main stat but inferior substats.

Character-Specific Considerations

Ultimately, the decision of whether to keep an ATK Orb or farm for a Physical DMG Orb depends on the specific character you are building. Here are some character-specific considerations:

• Eula: Eula is a prime example of a character who almost always benefits from a Physical DMG Orb. Her kit is heavily focused on Physical damage, and her Burst deals massive Physical DMG. A Physical DMG Orb is essential for maximizing Eula's damage output.

• Razor: Razor is another Physical DPS character who greatly benefits from a Physical DMG Orb. His Elemental Burst infuses his Normal Attacks with Electro, but his primary damage source remains his Physical attacks. A Physical DMG Orb is a core part of Razor's optimal build.

• Fischl (Physical DPS): While Fischl is often used as an off-field Electro DPS, she can also be built as a Physical DPS. When built as such, a Physical DMG Orb is crucial for maximizing her damage output with her Normal Attacks.

• Kaeya (Physical DPS): Kaeya can be built as Physical DPS character, so Physical DMG is crucial for maximizing his damage output with his Normal Attacks.

• Characters with Elemental Infusion: Characters who frequently infuse their attacks with an Element, such as Diluc or Hu Tao, might benefit more from an Elemental DMG Bonus Orb. These characters rely on Elemental Reactions and consistent Elemental damage, making Elemental DMG Bonus a more valuable stat than Physical DMG Bonus.

• Support Characters: Support characters generally do not prioritize Physical DMG Bonus. Their artifact choices should focus on stats that enhance their support capabilities, such as Energy Recharge, HP, or Elemental Mastery.

Testing and Experimentation

The best way to determine whether an ATK Orb or a Physical DMG Orb is better for your character is to test and experiment. Equip both options and compare your damage output against different enemies. Pay attention to your average damage numbers, as well as your damage consistency.

Consider testing against both single-target and multi-target scenarios, as the optimal choice might vary depending on the situation. For example, a Physical DMG Orb might be more effective against a single, high-HP enemy, while an ATK Orb might provide more consistent damage against a group of enemies.

Use a damage calculator or spreadsheet to track your results and make informed decisions based on your findings. Experimentation is key to optimizing your character builds and maximizing your damage potential.

Conclusion

The decision of whether to keep an ATK Orb or farm for a Physical DMG Orb is a complex one that depends on various factors. Consider your character's kit, team composition, substats, and the specific content you are tackling. By understanding the nuances of both ATK and Physical DMG, you can make informed decisions and optimize your character builds for maximum effectiveness. Remember to test and experiment to find the best option for your specific situation, and don't be afraid to adjust your approach as your characters and teams evolve. Ultimately, the goal is to create a build that complements your playstyle and allows you to conquer the challenges of Teyvat.