Before Eula started dishing out millions of damage effortlessly, Hu Tao was Genshin Impact's crowned damage goddess. She further proved and still proves to this day that Pyro is the strongest element in the game. Much of Hu Tao's damage comes from Vaporize or Melt elemental reactions, triggered by Pyro damage.

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That isn't to say that Hu Tao on her own is helpless. In fact, plenty of instances have shown that she can still deal five to six digits of Pyro damage, even without reactions. Still, Pyro reactions are what take her to her peak potential. When it comes to achieving those reactions, it's best to pair Hu Tao with a team that will make her shine.

8 Hu Tao - Xingqiu - Xiangling - Zhongli

Hu Tao's best support is Xingqiu, despite the fact that he's a Hydro character and Cryo characters can produce stronger Melt reactions with a Pyro user. Xingqiu works well with Hu Tao, though, because his hydro application is second to none. His Elemental Burst does it with every attack.

Xiangling is there because Hu Tao's Elemental Skill uptime, or her most damaging phase, is shorter than Xingqiu. Xiangling can capitalize on Xingqiu's remaining Elemental Burst, while Zhongli gives Hu Tao a shield. For healing, Xingqiu can use some, but not enough to interfere with Hu Tao's mechanics.

How to use it:

1. Use Zhongli's Elemental Skill (hold variant).
2. Use Xingqiu's Elemental Burst.
3. Next, Use Hu Tao's Elemental Skill and do three normal attacks, then charge attacks for most of the ability's duration.
4. Use Hu Tao's Elemental Burst before the Elemental Skill wears off (it's crucial to time it within that window).
5. If Xingqiu's Elemental Burst Rain Swords are still active, use Xiangling's Elemental Burst or Skill then switch to Hu Tao so she will get the energy particles.
6. Repeat step 1 once Hu Tao's abilities are ready.

7 Hu Tao - Kaeya - Xingqiu - Zhongli

This party plays out similarly compared to the prior one, except it sacrifices Xiangling's sub-DPS role for a more control-oriented setup. The party incorporates the Frozen mechanic into the mix, because either way, Hu Tao will be producing Melt or Vaporize reactions.

Players will miss out on a Pyro battery, but Hu Tao's not energy-hungry anyway. Zhongli ensures she will survive attacks, and Xingqiu's Rain Swords provide a bit of non-intrusive healing.

How to use it:

1. First, use Zhongli's Elemental Skill (hold variant).
2. Use Xingqiu's Elemental Burst.
3. Use Kaeya's Elemental Burst.
4. Employ Hu Tao's Elemental Skill and do three normal attacks, then charge attacks for most of the ability's duration.
5. Use Hu Tao's Elemental Burst before the Elemental Skill wears off. Again, it's crucial to time it within that window.
6. Use Zhongli's Burst or Kaeya or Xingqiu's abilities while waiting for Hu Taos's abilities to come online.
7. Repeat step 1 once Hu Tao's abilities are ready.

6 Hu Tao - Kaeya - Diona - Zhongli

Kaeya is the second-best DPS support for Hu Tao. His reactant application is less desirable, but he does produce more powerful Melt reactions with Hu Tao. Diona provides some much-needed dedicated healing, which comes in handy for players struggling with Hu Tao's low health. She also enables Cryo resonance, which increases Hu Tao's CRIT chance.

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How to use it:

1. Use Zhongli's Elemental Skill (hold variant).
2. Use Kaeya's Elemental Burst.
3. With Hu Tao's Elemental Skill, do three normal attacks, then charge attacks for most of the ability's duration.
4. Use Hu Tao's Elemental Burst before the Elemental Skill wears off; make sure to time it within that window.
5. While waiting for Hu Taos's abilities to come online, use Zhongli's Burst or Kaeya's abilities.
6. Use Diona's Elemental Burst or Skill if Hu Tao badly needs some healing or protection.
7. Repeat step 1 once Hu Tao's abilities are ready.

5 Hu Tao - Xiangling - Diona - Rosaria

For a dynamic that isn't dependent on Hu Tao's best supports, this girl power team should work as well. Diona gives a shield anyway, so that losing Zhongli doesn't matter much. Rosaria is there to provide a decent Cryo application and plenty of CRIT Rate.

What's even more beautiful about this team is the dual DPS resonance. Players can easily swap out Rosaria with Kaeya in case they want something more consistent.

How to use it:

1. Provide a shield using Diona's Elemental Skill.
2. Use Rosaria's Elemental Burst.
3. Use Hu Tao's Elemental Skill and do three normal attacks then charge attacks for most of the ability's duration.
4. Deploy Hu Tao's Elemental Burst before the Elemental Skill wears off (it's crucial to time it within that window).
5. For additional DPS while waiting for Hu Tao to be active again, use Diona's Elemental Burst.
6. Afterward, use Xiangling's Elemental Burst, then switch to Hu Tao.
7. Repeat step 1 once Hu Tao's abilities are ready.

4 Hu Tao - Mona - Xingqiu- Zhongli

A team with Hydro resonance is usually unheard of, especially if it's helmed by a Pyro carry. However, this combination works well if players want Hu Tao to deal her highest damage numbers with her Burst. The Astrologist Mona allows for some astronomical (pun intended) damage numbers using her Burst.

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Apart from that, this team plays out similarly to the most typical Hu Tao compositions. It's just more geared for maximizing damage numbers. That means it's great for flexing those million-high orange damage numbers. The Hydro resonance healing bonus is also not bad, and adds survivability for Hu Tao.

How to use it:

1. Use Zhongli's Elemental Skill (hold variant).
2. Use Xingqiu's Elemental Burst.
3. Next, use Mona's Elemental Burst.
4. Use Hu Tao's Elemental Skill, but this time, no normal or charge attacks.
5. Immediately use Hu Tao's Elemental Burst to maximize Mona's Omen mechanics. Use Hu Tao's normal and change attacks afterward.
6. Repeat step 1 once Hu Tao's abilities are ready.

3 Hu Tao - Xingqiu - Xiangling - Jean/Kazuha/Sucrose

Here's a tricky one. It requires a 4-piece Viridescent Venerer on an Anemo support. Players can take their pick among these three Anemo supports that are optimal for Hu Tao:

• Jean - has healing
• Kazuha - tons of elemental damage bonus and swirl
• Sucrose - affordable, good crowd control, gives elemental mastery

If done right, this team can outperform the typical safe composition with Zhongli instead of an Anemo support.

How to use it:

1. Use Xiangling's Elemental Skill to apply Pyro.
2. Take advantage of an Anemo support's abilities. For Kazuha, use his Elemental Burst for a Pyro swirl. If using Sucrose, use her Burst as well. For Jean, use her Skill instead to avoid healing Hu Tao before she deals damage.
3. Use Xingqiu's Elemental Burst.
4. Use Hu Tao's Elemental Skill and do three normal attacks, then charge attacks for most of the ability's duration.
5. Deploy Hu Tao's Elemental Burst before the Elemental Skill wears off; it's crucial to time it within that window.
6. Once Hu Tao's abilities are on cooldown, use Xiangling's Elemental Burst to maximize Xingqiu's Burst.
7. Repeat step 1 once Hu Tao's abilities are ready.

2 Hu Tao - Xingqiu - Albedo - Zhongli

Then again, players might want something simple, something that doesn't involve the math that's inherent with using the Viridescent Venerer shred method. Going for Geo resonance is a viable option as well. It grants 15% more damage, as well as the benefit of more shields.

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How to use it:

1. Use Zhongli's Elemental Skill (hold variant).
2. Use Albedo's Elemental Skill.
3. Deploy Xingqiu's Elemental Burst.
4. Use Hu Tao's Elemental Skill and do three normal attacks, then charge attacks for most of the ability's duration.
5. Use Hu Tao's Elemental Burst before the Elemental Skill wears off, again making sure to time it within that window.
6. Repeat step 1 once Hu Tao's abilities are ready.

1 Hu Tao - Xingqiu - Fischl - Beidou

One of Hu Tao's worst weaknesses is that she's a polearm user, and thus she doesn't break shields well. Her area damage is also lacking. Thankfully, the Overload (Pyro + Electro) elemental reaction is awesome for shields and also gives area damage. With this in mind, pairing her with Fischl and Beidou for backup is a good idea.

Xingqiu is there for Pyro shields, healing, and Vaporize. Beidou functions as an emergency DPS in case Hu Tao falls.

How to use it:

For regular enemies:

1. Use Xingqiu's Elemental Burst.
2. Use Hu Tao's Elemental Skill and do three normal attacks, then charge attacks for most of the ability's duration.
3. Make sure to use Hu Tao's Elemental Burst before the Elemental Skill wears off; timing is crucial as it must be used within that window.
4. Repeat step 1 once Hu Tao's abilities are ready.

For harder enemies:

1. Use Fischl's Elemental Skill.
2. With Hu Tao's Elemental Skill, do three normal attacks, then charge attacks for most of the ability's duration.
3. Use Hu Tao's Elemental Burst before the Elemental Skill wears off (it's crucial to time it within that window).
4. Once the shield's gone, do the steps for regular enemies.

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