Why Support Choice Actually Matters for Neuvillette
Let me start with something that might surprise you: Neuvillette isn't just another hypercarry. This guy needs 70% field time to function properly, which means your supports better earn their keep in those brief rotation windows.
The Neuvillette Equation
At Level 90, you're looking at 50,000+ HP and roughly 14.5% Max HP damage per Charged Attack tick. Sounds straightforward until you factor in his Discipline passive - that's 0.6% Hydro DMG Bonus per 1% HP above 30%, capping at a sweet 30% bonus around 60,000 HP.
Here's where it gets interesting. Those Sourcewater Droplets aren't just pretty effects - they're cutting your charge time from a painful 5 seconds down to a manageable 3 seconds while healing 16% Max HP per droplet. Stack up those Draconic Glory levels and you're seeing 110%/125%/160% CA damage boosts through Hydro reactions.
The catch? That 70 Energy Burst cost. You'll need 160% ER for consistent uptime in 25-second rotations, which brings us to our support dilemma.
Team Slot Economics (Yes, It's Actually Economics)
Think of team slots like real estate - prime locations cost more but generate better returns. Furina teams use all four slots offensively: Neuvillette (DPS), Furina (damage amp), Kazuha (VV shred), Xilonen (resistance shred + healing). Result? 109% relative DPS.
Zhongli teams sacrifice one offensive slot for that comfy shield, dropping to 91% relative DPS. That's an 18% difference that compounds every second in time-sensitive content.
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Zhongli: The Comfort Pick That Costs DPS
I'll be honest - there's something deeply satisfying about Zhongli's shield. Twenty seconds of I don't care what you throw at me energy, backed by 20,000+ shield strength at 50,000 HP (Talent Level 9).
The Shield Math
Here's what that shield actually does for your DPS: prevents 20-30% damage loss from staggers. Without it, you're looking at 70-80% effective uptime instead of the theoretical 100%. Against Floor 12's mixed-damage chaos, that universal absorption becomes genuinely valuable.
But let's talk about what Zhongli brings beyond comfort. 4-piece Archaic Petra provides 20% elemental damage bonus through crystallize reactions (10-second duration). Stack that with Viridescent Venerer's 40% reduction and enemies are taking 60% increased elemental damage. My Spiral Abyss testing shows 350-420 second clear times with a solid 15-20% damage increase from resistance shred.
The particle generation is decent too - 4 particles every 15 seconds keeps energy flowing, though it's not spectacular.
Furina: High Risk, Higher Reward
Furina teams are like driving a sports car in the rain. Exhilarating when everything clicks, terrifying when it doesn't.
The Fanfare System Breakdown
Furina's damage amplification works through her Fanfare system - 0.07% damage bonus per point, accumulating to 300 points for 21% base increase (75% with C2, which honestly feels mandatory for serious play). Those Salon Members drain 8% HP every 0.5 seconds while providing Hydro application.
The timing is crucial: Fanfare accumulates over 18 seconds, requiring 180% ER for consistent uptime. Miss your rotation timing and watch your DPS crater.
HP Fluctuation Management (AKA The Juggling Act)
This is where Furina teams separate casual players from optimization enthusiasts. You need precise HP management for both Fanfare generation and Marechaussee Hunter synergy. That 4-piece set grants 12% CRIT Rate per stack (36% maximum) when HP changes occur.
The optimal dance involves controlled drain during support rotations and burst healing during Neuvillette's DPS windows. It's technical, it's demanding, and when you nail it, it's beautiful.
Double Hydro resonance sweetens the deal with 25% Max HP bonus, scaling Neuvillette from 50,000 to 62,500 effective HP with proportional damage increases. Plus improved energy efficiency, allowing 160% ER achievement with fewer artifact substats.
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Energy Recharge: The 160% Target Explained
Let me break down why 160% ER keeps appearing in every Neuvillette guide.
The Math Behind the Magic Number
It stems from that 70 Energy Burst requirement in 25-second rotations. Formula: (Particles generated × 1.3 efficiency) ÷ Burst cost = uptime percentage.
Furina teams generate 3-4 particles per Skill cast, Zhongli provides 4 particles per 15-second Burst. Tome of the Eternal Flow reduces requirements by 15-20% through 8 Energy regeneration per 12 seconds - which is why it's considered his BiS weapon beyond just the CRIT DMG scaling.
Rotation Timing Reality Check
Furina rotation: Furina Skill → Xilonen Skill + Normal Attacks → Kazuha Skill + Burst → Furina Burst → Neuvillette Skill + Charged Attacks → Neuvillette Burst + Extended sequence.
Zhongli rotation: Zhongli Skill → Kazuha Skill + Burst → Fischl Skill → Neuvillette Skill + Charged Attacks → Zhongli Burst → Neuvillette Burst + Extended sequence.
Notice how the Furina rotation has more moving parts? That's your trade-off.
The DPS Calculator Reality
Numbers don't lie, even when we wish they would.
Furina hypercarry teams achieve 40,000+ DPS with Neuvillette at 50,000 HP, 70% CRIT Rate, 160% CRIT DMG - that's 109% baseline efficiency. Zhongli teams operate at 91% efficiency, hitting 32,000-35,000 DPS under similar conditions.
That 75% damage amplification from Fanfare stacks creates multiplicative scaling advantages that compound with every artifact upgrade.
Investment Cost Reality
Here's where Furina teams get expensive. They demand 40% more resin investment due to multiple character artifact requirements: Marechaussee Hunter for Neuvillette, Golden Troupe for Furina, Scroll of the Hero for healers.
Zhongli teams offer accessible investment with 4-piece Tenacity for Zhongli and flexible Neuvillette artifacts. Constellation requirements differ significantly too - Furina teams really want C2 Furina/C1 Neuvillette, while Zhongli teams function perfectly at C0.
Abyss Performance: Where Theory Meets Reality
Current Floor 12 tells the story pretty clearly.
The Numbers Game
Floor 12 features Hydro Tulpa (3,747,865 HP) favoring consistent damage and interruption resistance, while Rock Crab encounters (4,409,072 HP) reward burst damage and reactions.
Furina teams clear under 300 seconds consistently. Zhongli teams require 350-420 seconds. The performance gap widens in reaction-favorable rotations with 200% damage bonuses.
Individual chamber performance varies though - Zhongli excels against swarm enemies with interruption potential, Furina dominates single-target bosses with predictable patterns.
Complete Build Guides: What Actually Works
Zhongli Team Setup
Composition: Neuvillette (Main DPS), Zhongli (Shield), Kazuha (Anemo), Fischl (Electro)
Artifacts:
- Neuvillette: 4pc Marechaussee Hunter (HP%/Hydro DMG%/CRIT DMG%)
- Zhongli: 4pc Archaic Petra
- Kazuha: 4pc VV
- Fischl: 4pc Golden Troupe
ER Targets: Neuvillette 160%, Zhongli 200%, Kazuha 180%, Fischl 140%
Furina Team Setup
Composition: Neuvillette (Main DPS), Furina (Sub-DPS), Kazuha (Anemo), Xilonen (Healer)
Artifacts:
- Neuvillette: 4pc Marechaussee Hunter
- Furina: 4pc Golden Troupe (HP%/ER focus)
- Kazuha: 4pc VV
- Xilonen: 4pc Scroll of the Hero
ER Requirements: Neuvillette 160%, Furina 180%, Kazuha 180%, Xilonen 160%
Investment Strategy: Where to Spend Your Resources
Start with Neuvillette Level 90, Talents 9/9/9 (420,000 Mora - yeah, it's expensive).
Furina teams: Prioritize Furina Level 80, Talent 8 Skill/Burst, then healer development. Zhongli teams: Focus Zhongli Level 90, Talent 9 Skill for shield strength, then damage supports.
Weapon Priorities
Tome of the Eternal Flow remains optimal for Neuvillette (CRIT DMG scaling, HP bonuses, energy regeneration). Support weapons: Splendor of Tranquil Waters for Furina, Staff of Homa for Zhongli, Freedom-Sworn for Kazuha.
F2P alternatives exist: Prototype Amber for Neuvillette, Favonius Lance for supports - though you'll feel the performance difference.
When to Choose What
Spiral Abyss: Furina teams for time-sensitive clears Overworld exploration: Zhongli for sustainability and sanity Domain farming: Zhongli for consistent clear times without failure risk
Version 6.1's Lunar-Bloom reactions particularly benefit Furina's damage amplification through reaction bonus multiplication.
Future-Proofing Thoughts
Meta trends toward higher damage requirements favor offensive optimization over defensive utility. C1 Neuvillette provides interruption resistance, reducing Zhongli necessity and strongly favoring Furina teams through 4-slot offensive compositions.
FAQ: The Questions Everyone Asks
Q: Should I use Zhongli or Furina with Neuvillette for better DPS? Furina provides 38% higher DPS through 75% team damage bonus versus Zhongli's defensive utility. Choose Furina for maximum damage, Zhongli if you value your sanity.
Q: What Energy Recharge does Neuvillette need with each support? 160% ER with both supports for optimal Burst uptime. Zhongli teams can reduce to 150%, Furina teams may need 170% without proper battery management.
Q: Can Neuvillette work without Zhongli's shield? Absolutely, especially with C1 Neuvillette providing interruption resistance. Furina teams use healers like Xilonen while maintaining higher damage through slot optimization.
Q: Which team clears Spiral Abyss Floor 12 faster? Furina teams clear under 300 seconds versus Zhongli's 350-420 seconds. Furina excels against bosses with reactions, Zhongli against swarm enemies.
Q: How does C1 Neuvillette change team choice? C1 provides +24% DPS and interruption resistance, making Zhongli less necessary and strongly favoring Furina teams for 4-slot offensive compositions.
Q: What's the investment difference between teams? Furina teams require 40% more resin for multiple character artifacts and higher ER requirements. Zhongli teams offer accessible investment but reach performance plateaus sooner.
The bottom line? If you want maximum damage and don't mind the complexity, go Furina. If you prefer consistent, comfortable gameplay, Zhongli's your guy. Both work - it's about matching your playstyle to your team choice.
