Okay, let's talk about Ifa – Natlan’s legendary Saurian Vet! As someone who’s spent hours optimizing characters, I’m obsessed with how he blends pet companionship into combat. Seriously, who doesn’t love a character that rolls up with a scaly buddy? Ifa’s not just a healer for dinosaurs; he’s a field dominator who thrives in chaos, zipping around enemies with Anemo projectiles like a tornado on caffeine. But here’s the twist: he’s glued to Electro-charged reactions. Forget using him in freeze or vaporize teams – he’s a one-trick pony, but oh boy, what a trick! Now, why does this matter? Because building him wrong feels like bringing a spoon to a sword fight. You need to amplify those Swirls and Electro-charged bursts, or he’ll just tickle the enemies. Ready to turn him into a Natlan nightmare? Let’s dive in! 😤⚡️
🔥 Ifa’s Playstyle: Mizuki’s Wild Cousin
Ifa’s Elemental Skill is where the magic happens – he dashes around, unleashing Anemo shots like Mizuki, but here’s the kicker: he’s shackled to Electro-charged. No Hydro + Electro? He’s basically a fancy wind machine. I tested him in pure Pyro teams, and it was tragic. His damage plummeted because Swirl needs elements to play with, and Electro-charged is his soulmate. Think of it as a dance – Ifa Swirls, triggers reactions, and the whole team benefits. But why Electro-charged specifically? It’s messy, persistent, and spreads like gossip, letting him hit multiple enemies while his pet distracts. 🌀✨
🧩 Artifacts: Viridescent Venerer or Bust
For artifacts, Viridescent Venerer (VV) is non-negotiable. Period. I tried mixing Gilded Dreams or EM sets, and it felt... lacking. VV does two critical things:
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Shreds enemy resistance to Swirled elements (hello, 40% damage boost!).
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Buffs Swirl damage by 60%, which is Ifa’s bread and butter.
Building him full Elemental Mastery (EM) is key – every Swirl and Electro-charged pop scales off it. I’m talking 800+ EM for those juicy 20K reaction hits. Alternatives? Sure, two EM sets give 160 EM, but you lose the resistance shred. It’s like wearing flip-flops to a marathon – functional but not winning any races.
⚔️ Weapons: EM All the Way
Weapons are all about stacking EM. Sunny Morning Sleep-In Catalyst is my top pick – its sub-stat dumps EM on you, and the passive? More EM as you fight! At R5, it’s a beast, turning Ifa into a walking reaction nuke. Runner-up? R5 Hakushin Ring. It buffs Electro and Hydro damage by 20% after triggering Electro-charged, which synergizes perfectly with his team comps. But what if you’re F2P or unlucky? Here’s a quick tier list:
| Weapon | EM Sub-stat | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny Morning Sleep-In | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Passive boosts EM further |
| R5 Hakushin Ring | ⭐⭐⭐ | Buffs team Electro/Hydro |
| Sacrificial Fragments | ⭐⭐⭐ | Resets Skill sometimes |
| A Thousand Floating Dreams | ⭐⭐ | EM share for team |
Starcaller’s Watch is decent too, but honestly, anything without EM feels like a waste. I even tested damage with non-EM catalysts, and Swirls hit like wet noodles. 🍜💔
🌟 Final Thoughts & Team Synergy
Pair Ifa with Electro and Hydro units – think Fischl for off-field Electro or Kokomi for healing + Hydro application. His rotations are simple: drop supports’ skills, swap to Ifa, then go wild with his Skill. It’s chaotic fun! But here’s my hot take: VV’s resistance shred makes him a support-DPS hybrid, elevating the whole squad. Is he meta? In Electro-charged teams, absolutely. Outside? Nah. Still, mastering him feels rewarding – like conducting a lightning orchestra. ⚡🎻
So, what’s your dream team for Natlan’s scaly superstar? Do you go all-in on EM or mix in some crit? Let’s debate!