On the Teyvat continent of Genshin Impact, Cryo characters have always been the focus of player discussions due to their high burst damage, strong control abilities, and diverse elemental reactions. Among them, Ganyu and Eula, two Cryo characters with vastly different styles, have become the ‘Goddesses of Frost’ in the hearts of players. One is a graceful ranged sniper and the incarnation of a Liyue qilin, while the other is a fierce avenger from Mondstadt, a rebellious melee burst damage dealer. This article will provide a comprehensive comparison of their unique traits, focusing on character design, backstory, and skill mechanics.
Character Design: Two Aesthetic Expressions of Cryo Elements
Ganyu: The Celestial Guardian of Liyue
Appearance Design:
Ganyu’s design is inspired by the “Qilin,” a mythical celestial beast. Her white hair and gradient blue skirt reflect the purity of the Cryo element, while the qilin horns on her head and the bell detail on her waist hint at her semi-divine heritage. The overall design is light and ethereal, fitting the “immortal” imagery in Liyue culture while maintaining a gentle, youthful beauty.
Skill Design:
Her core skill, Frostflake Arrow (Charged Shot), releases an area-of-effect ice explosion, while her Elemental Burst, The Guardian’s Wrath (Elemental Burst), summons an area that continuously drops ice shards. This combination of single-target burst and crowd control makes her a typical ranged main DPS character.
Eula: The Sword of Vengeance with Nordic Mythology Flair
Appearance Design:
Eula’s silver-white armor and golden hair embody the cold and fierce spirit of a Nordic Valkyrie. The ice crystal patterns on her skirt and the magnificent design of her greatsword, Song of the Frostpine, enhance the visual impact of her “Vengeful Knight” persona.
Notably, Genshin Impact has crafted a detailed 1:7 scale Eula figure, faithfully bringing this legendary character to life. In the figure, Eula stands tall and strong, holding her greatsword aloft in a pose full of power and dynamic beauty—undoubtedly a precious art piece sought after by collectors.
Skill Design:
Her Elemental Skill, Icetide Vortex, stacks the “Grim Heart” effect, while her Elemental Burst, Glacial Light Sword, unleashes a charged slash that triggers a burst of light sword energy, dealing massive physical damage. Her playstyle leans more toward melee burst, emphasizing peak damage output over a short time.
Backstory: A Dual Narrative of Responsibility and Redemption
Ganyu: The Human Struggle of the Millennium Watcher
As the secretary of the Liyue Qixing, Ganyu is not only a symbol of the coexistence between immortals and humans, but her image is also beloved by the people, as reflected in various merchandise, especially Ganyu plush. These plushies, based on her unique design, are delicate and adorable, capturing Ganyu’s gentleness and resilience in one form. Having experienced the Archon War, Ganyu has faced alienation in human society due to her semi-divine nature, yet she has never given up on finding a sense of belonging. Her storyline focuses on “guardianship” and “belonging” as she chooses to integrate into Liyue as a mortal, becoming a bridge between the two worlds of immortals and humans. Players often describe her story as “gentle yet tragic,” perfectly embodying the balance between “divinity” and “humanity.”
Eula: Self-Awakening Under the Weight of Noble Chains
Eula hails from Mondstadt’s old noble Lawrence family, burdened with the sins of her ancestors and the prejudices of society. Her vengeance is not against others but rather a struggle to break the family curse and redefine her own values.
By joining the Knights of Favonius, she rises from being the “daughter of a sinner” to becoming the sword that protects Mondstadt. Her line, “This grudge, I’ll remember it!” is both a playful remark and a declaration of breaking free from the shackles of fate.
Skill Mechanics: Ranged Control vs Melee Burst
Ganyu: The Core DPS of Permafreeze Teams
DPS Logic:
The Charged Shot Frostflake Arrow triggers an area-of-effect ice damage on the second hit, and when combined with the wide-ranging Cryo application of her Elemental Burst, she becomes the absolute core of the “Morgana” Permafreeze team.
Elemental Reaction Advantages:
Cryo + Hydro (Freeze) provides strong control, while Cryo + Pyro (Melt) delivers double damage. When paired with Xiangling or Bennett, Ganyu can achieve nuke-level damage through the “Melt” reaction.
Eula: The Pinnacle of Physical DPS
DPS Logic:
Her Elemental Burst, Glacial Light Sword, requires normal attacks and Elemental Skills to stack layers, ultimately triggering a burst that deals massive physical damage. The 7-second burst window demands precise timing and coordination with teammates.
Elemental Reaction Strategy:
Cryo + Electro (Superconduct) reduces the enemy’s physical resistance by 40%, which is central to Eula’s core reaction. Pairing her with Raiden Shogun or Fischl maximizes her physical DPS potential.
Ganyu and Eula: One is a ranged controller who commands the battlefield, while the other is a melee finisher who pursues extreme burst damage. The former weaves a frost-bound cage with elegance, while the latter slices through the chains of fate with a wild sword. Their differences are not only reflected in their skill mechanics but also permeate their character narratives and aesthetic expressions.