Lightkeepers
Build guide · Genshin Impact
Nightmare's Burning Heart
The best Illuga build in Genshin Impact (Version 7.1) is Dragon's Bane with Silken Moon's Serenade.
By Lorenzo BrunoUpdated October 2, 2026Build source: prydwen.gg guide
Genshin Impact 4★ Geo Polearm Support
Also works
2 EM + 2 ER: Helps with his Burst buff, but usually worse than forcing one of the above sets even with subpar substats.
After reaching your desired Energy Recharge goal, Illuga will usually just stack Elemental Mastery to buff the strength of his quills. CRIT Rate can also help if using Favonius Lance for consistency, but Lunar-Crystallize reaction hits which scale off his higher-damaging teammates’ CRIT will also trigger Favonius Lance while Illuga is on-field.
#1
Burst
Max first
#2
Level
Then
Illuga’s Burst scales his Nightingale’s Song Quills, making it his only talent worth levelling. Level 80/90 is worthwhile on Illuga for the additional talent Levels and EM Ascension. Any further investment is negligible for the team, though level 90 is better for his personal damage than his other talents.
Illuga is a simple unit: he uses his Elemental Skill, then uses his Elemental Burst. Occasionally this order can be flipped if he is to funnel the Energy from his Skill to a more Energy hungry teammate. If feeling particularly adventurous, he might weave in a Normal Attack or two to trigger ally on-hit effects or Favonius Lance particles if his team is reliant on its Energy.
Illuga is one of the strongest damage amplifiers for Lunar-Crystallize DPS units (currently only Zibai) has access too, even at C0. That being said, without his constellations, his role is more replaceable by other damage amplifiers such as C6 Gorou.
Rotation and combos from the prydwen.gg guide, rephrased
Illuga plays support in this Lunar Crystallize team built around Zibai, with Columbina (sub DPS) and Gorou (support). Zibai, Illuga and Gorou give Geo resonance (Enduring Rock: shield strength +15%, and DMG +15% while shielded). None of the four is a healer or a shielder, so the team leans on dodging or on a lead with built-in sustain.
Illuga plays support in this Lunar Crystallize team built around Zibai, with Columbina (sub DPS) and Zhongli (support). Zibai, Illuga and Zhongli give Geo resonance (Enduring Rock: shield strength +15%, and DMG +15% while shielded). Zhongli shields the team.
Illuga plays support in this Lunar Crystallize team built around Arataki Itto, with Columbina (sub DPS) and Gorou (support). Arataki Itto, Illuga and Gorou give Geo resonance (Enduring Rock: shield strength +15%, and DMG +15% while shielded). None of the four is a healer or a shielder, so the team leans on dodging or on a lead with built-in sustain.
Illuga plays support in this Lunar Crystallize team built around Noelle, with Columbina (sub DPS) and Gorou (support). Noelle, Illuga and Gorou give Geo resonance (Enduring Rock: shield strength +15%, and DMG +15% while shielded). Noelle heals, Noelle shields.
Illuga plays support in this Lunar Crystallize team built around Navia, with Columbina (sub DPS) and Chiori (sub DPS). Navia, Illuga and Chiori give Geo resonance (Enduring Rock: shield strength +15%, and DMG +15% while shielded). None of the four is a healer or a shielder, so the team leans on dodging or on a lead with built-in sustain.
Three Geo units for the resonance shield and damage bonus, with Columbina adding Hydro application around Zibai.
Genshin Impact 4★ Geo Polearm Support
Dragon's Bane tops the weapon ranking for Illuga at R1, ahead of Favonius Lance and Kitain Cross Spear. That order is prydwen.gg's, measured in play and rephrased here; every row of it sits under Weapons below.
Run Silken Moon's Serenade on Illuga, with Instructor and 2 EM + 2 ER behind it. Main stats are Elemental Mastery > Energy Recharge sands, Elemental Mastery goblet, Elemental Mastery > CRIT Rate circlet. Roll substats in the order ER > EM.
Talent priority is Burst >> Level. The Elemental Burst costs 60 energy, which is what an Energy Recharge target has to clear.
The strongest team is Zibai, Illuga, Columbina and Gorou, built around Illuga: Geo · Lunar Crystallize.
Normal Attack Performs up to 4 consecutive spear strikes.
Charged Attack Consumes a certain amount of Stamina to lunge forward, dealing damage to opponents along the way.
Plunging Attack Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact.
Talent level
10 is the cap from materials; C3 and C5 add +3.
| Attribute | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Hit DMG | 47.4% | 51.2% | 55.1% | 60.6% | 64.4% | 68.8% | 74.9% | 81.0% | 87.0% | 93.6% | 100.2% | 106.8% | 113.5% | 120.1% | 126.7% |
| 2-Hit DMG | 48.5% | 52.5% | 56.4% | 62.1% | 66.0% | 70.5% | 76.7% | 82.9% | 89.2% | 95.9% | 102.7% | 109.5% | 116.2% | 123.0% | 129.8% |
| 3-Hit DMG | 31.4%+31.4% | 34.0%+34.0% | 36.5%+36.5% | 40.2%+40.2% | 42.8%+42.8% | 45.7%+45.7% | 49.7%+49.7% | 53.7%+53.7% | 57.7%+57.7% | 62.1%+62.1% | 66.5%+66.5% | 70.9%+70.9% | 75.3%+75.3% | 79.7%+79.7% | 84.1%+84.1% |
| 4-Hit DMG | 76.3% | 82.5% | 88.7% | 97.6% | 103.8% | 110.9% | 120.6% | 130.4% | 140.1% | 150.8% | 161.4% | 172.1% | 182.7% | 193.4% | 204.0% |
| Charged Attack DMG | 111.0% | 120.1% | 129.1% | 142.0% | 151.0% | 161.4% | 175.6% | 189.8% | 204.0% | 219.5% | 235.0% | 250.5% | 265.9% | 281.4% | 296.9% |
| Charged Attack Stamina Cost | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 |
| Plunge DMG | 63.9% | 69.1% | 74.3% | 81.8% | 87.0% | 92.9% | 101.1% | 109.3% | 117.5% | 126.4% | 135.3% | 144.2% | 153.1% | 162.1% | 171.0% |
| Low/High Plunge DMG | 127.8%/159.7% | 138.2%/172.7% | 148.6%/185.7% | 163.5%/204.2% | 173.9%/217.2% | 185.8%/232.1% | 202.2%/252.5% | 218.5%/272.9% | 234.9%/293.4% | 252.7%/315.6% | 270.5%/337.9% | 288.4%/360.2% | 306.2%/382.5% | 324.1%/404.8% | 341.9%/427.0% |
Summons the trusty messenger bird, "Aedon." Different effects are produced depending on whether the skill is Tapped or Held.
Tap Aedon dashes towards enemies in front, dealing Geo DMG to enemies it comes into contact with.
Hold Enter aiming mode, and command Aedon to dash towards opponents being aimed at, dealing Geo DMG to opponents it comes into contact with.
Talent level
10 is the cap from materials; C3 and C5 add +3.
| Attribute | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Press DMG | 482.6% Elemental Mastery+241.3% DEF | 518.8% Elemental Mastery+259.4% DEF | 554.9% Elemental Mastery+277.5% DEF | 603.2% Elemental Mastery+301.6% DEF | 639.4% Elemental Mastery+319.7% DEF | 675.6% Elemental Mastery+337.8% DEF | 723.8% Elemental Mastery+361.9% DEF | 772.1% Elemental Mastery+386.0% DEF | 820.4% Elemental Mastery+410.2% DEF | 868.6% Elemental Mastery+434.3% DEF | 916.9% Elemental Mastery+458.4% DEF | 965.1% Elemental Mastery+482.6% DEF | 1025.4% Elemental Mastery+512.7% DEF | 1085.8% Elemental Mastery+542.9% DEF | 1146.1% Elemental Mastery+573.0% DEF |
| Hold DMG | 603.2% Elemental Mastery+301.6% DEF | 648.4% Elemental Mastery+324.2% DEF | 693.7% Elemental Mastery+346.8% DEF | 754.0% Elemental Mastery+377.0% DEF | 799.2% Elemental Mastery+399.6% DEF | 844.5% Elemental Mastery+422.2% DEF | 904.8% Elemental Mastery+452.4% DEF | 965.1% Elemental Mastery+482.6% DEF | 1025.4% Elemental Mastery+512.7% DEF | 1085.8% Elemental Mastery+542.9% DEF | 1146.1% Elemental Mastery+573.0% DEF | 1206.4% Elemental Mastery+603.2% DEF | 1281.8% Elemental Mastery+640.9% DEF | 1357.2% Elemental Mastery+678.6% DEF | 1432.6% Elemental Mastery+716.3% DEF |
| CD | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s |
Light the lamp, dealing AoE Geo DMG, and gain Haunted Night's Oriole-Song effect for 20s. When this effect is active, Illuga gains 21 stacks of Nightingale's Song. When Normal Attacks, Charged Attacks, Plunging Attacks, Elemental Skills, and Elemental Bursts of nearby active party members deal Geo DMG to opponents, 1 stack of Nightingale's Song is consumed to increase the DMG dealt. Increase in DMG is based on Illuga's Elemental Mastery. If DMG is inflicted by Lunar-Crystallize, DMG dealt will increase further. When Geo DMG dealt in this manner hits multiple opponents, multiple stacks of Nightingale's Song will be consumed, depending on how many opponents are hit.
Additionally, if there are Geo Constructs created by nearby party members on the battlefield while Illuga unleashes his Elemental Burst, or when nearby party members create Geo Constructs while Haunted Night's Oriole-Song is active, every Geo Construct on the battlefield will allow Illuga to gain 5 additional stacks of Nightingale's Song. Within 20s after unleashing his Elemental Burst, Illuga can gain a maximum of 15 additional stacks of Nightingale's Song this way.
When all stacks of Nightingale's Song have been consumed, or when the state's duration ends, the Haunted Night's Oriole-Song effect will end.
Talent level
10 is the cap from materials; C3 and C5 add +3.
| Attribute | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skill DMG | 827.2% Elemental Mastery+413.6% DEF | 889.2% Elemental Mastery+444.6% DEF | 951.3% Elemental Mastery+475.6% DEF | 1034.0% Elemental Mastery+517.0% DEF | 1096.0% Elemental Mastery+548.0% DEF | 1158.1% Elemental Mastery+579.0% DEF | 1240.8% Elemental Mastery+620.4% DEF | 1323.5% Elemental Mastery+661.8% DEF | 1406.2% Elemental Mastery+703.1% DEF | 1489.0% Elemental Mastery+744.5% DEF | 1571.7% Elemental Mastery+785.8% DEF | 1654.4% Elemental Mastery+827.2% DEF | 1757.8% Elemental Mastery+878.9% DEF | 1861.2% Elemental Mastery+930.6% DEF | 1964.6% Elemental Mastery+982.3% DEF |
| Geo DMG Bonus | 33.6% Elemental Mastery | 36.1% Elemental Mastery | 38.6% Elemental Mastery | 42.0% Elemental Mastery | 44.5% Elemental Mastery | 47.0% Elemental Mastery | 50.4% Elemental Mastery | 53.8% Elemental Mastery | 57.1% Elemental Mastery | 60.5% Elemental Mastery | 63.8% Elemental Mastery | 67.2% Elemental Mastery | 71.4% Elemental Mastery | 75.6% Elemental Mastery | 79.8% Elemental Mastery |
| Lunar-Crystallize Reaction DMG Bonus | 225.9% Elemental Mastery | 242.9% Elemental Mastery | 259.8% Elemental Mastery | 282.4% Elemental Mastery | 299.3% Elemental Mastery | 316.3% Elemental Mastery | 338.9% Elemental Mastery | 361.5% Elemental Mastery | 384.1% Elemental Mastery | 406.7% Elemental Mastery | 429.2% Elemental Mastery | 451.8% Elemental Mastery | 480.1% Elemental Mastery | 508.3% Elemental Mastery | 536.6% Elemental Mastery |
| Nightingale's Song Stacks Gained from Elemental Burst | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Nightingale's Song Stacks Gained from Geo Constructs | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct | 5 Per Geo Construct |
| Duration | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s | 20.0s |
| CD | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s |
| Energy Cost | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
After unleashing Elemental Skill Dawnbearing Songbird or Elemental Burst Shadowless Reflection, other nearby party members will gain the Lightkeeper's Oath effect for 20s: For Geo DMG dealt to opponents, CRIT Rate increases by 5% and CRIT DMG increases by 10%.
Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam Party members affected by the Lightkeeper's Oath effect have their Elemental Mastery increased by 50.
Nightingale's Song's effects are enhanced: When there are 1/2/3 Hydro or Geo characters in the party, Nightingale's Song will further increase DMG. Increase in DMG is equal to 7%/14%/24% of Illuga's Elemental Mastery. If this aforementioned DMG is inflicted by a Lunar-Crystallize reaction, increase in DMG is equal to 48%/96%/160% of Illuga's Elemental Mastery.
When Illuga is in the party, the party's Moonsign will increase by 1 level.
At night (18:00 – 06:00), your party members gain the Swift Stride effect: Movement SPD increased by 10%. Does not take effect in Domains, Trounce Domains, or Spiral Abyss. Swift Stride does not stack. Additionally, Illuga appears to be able to decipher the whispers of the Wild Hunt...
Level 90 and every talent to 10
5,377,500
Mora 17 material lines
Ascension to 90
420,000
Mora 9 materials · 6 steps
All 3 talents to 10
4,957,500
Mora 3× the single-talent bill
Prithiva Topaz Sliver ×1
Broken Drive Shaft ×3
Pine Amber ×320,000Mora
Cyclic Military Kuuvahki Core ×2
Prithiva Topaz Fragment ×3Broken Drive Shaft ×15Pine Amber ×1040,000Mora
Cyclic Military Kuuvahki Core ×4Prithiva Topaz Fragment ×6
Reinforced Drive Shaft ×12Pine Amber ×2060,000Mora
Cyclic Military Kuuvahki Core ×8
Prithiva Topaz Chunk ×3Reinforced Drive Shaft ×18Pine Amber ×3080,000Mora
Cyclic Military Kuuvahki Core ×12Prithiva Topaz Chunk ×6
Precision Drive Shaft ×12Pine Amber ×45100,000Mora
Prithiva Topaz Gemstone ×6Cyclic Military Kuuvahki Core ×20Precision Drive Shaft ×24Pine Amber ×60120,000Mora
Total to level 90
420,000 Mora
Prithiva Topaz Gemstone ×6Cyclic Military Kuuvahki Core ×46Prithiva Topaz Chunk ×9Precision Drive Shaft ×36Prithiva Topaz Fragment ×9Prithiva Topaz Sliver ×1Reinforced Drive Shaft ×30Broken Drive Shaft ×18Pine Amber ×168
Teachings of Elysium ×3Broken Drive Shaft ×612,500Mora
Guide to Elysium ×2Reinforced Drive Shaft ×317,500Mora
Guide to Elysium ×4Reinforced Drive Shaft ×425,000Mora
Guide to Elysium ×6Reinforced Drive Shaft ×630,000Mora
Guide to Elysium ×9Reinforced Drive Shaft ×937,500Mora
Eroded Horn ×1
Philosophies of Elysium ×4Precision Drive Shaft ×4120,000Mora
Eroded Horn ×1Philosophies of Elysium ×6Precision Drive Shaft ×6260,000Mora
Eroded Horn ×2Philosophies of Elysium ×12Precision Drive Shaft ×9450,000Mora
Crown of Insight ×1Eroded Horn ×2Philosophies of Elysium ×16Precision Drive Shaft ×12700,000Mora
One talent to 10
1,652,500 Mora
Crown of Insight ×1Eroded Horn ×6Philosophies of Elysium ×38Guide to Elysium ×21Precision Drive Shaft ×31Reinforced Drive Shaft ×22Teachings of Elysium ×3Broken Drive Shaft ×6All 3 talents to 10
4,957,500 Mora
Crown of Insight ×3Eroded Horn ×18Philosophies of Elysium ×114Guide to Elysium ×63Precision Drive Shaft ×93Reinforced Drive Shaft ×66Teachings of Elysium ×9Broken Drive Shaft ×18
C1After Illuga triggers a Geo-related Reaction on the field, he will regain 12 Elemental Energy. This effect can be triggered at most once every 15s.
C2When Elemental Burst Shadowless Reflection's Haunted Night's Oriole-Song effect is active, for every 7 stacks of Nightingale's Song consumed, Illuga will summon Aedon, dealing a single instance of Geo DMG to 1 nearby opponent. The DMG dealt is based on 400% of Illuga's Elemental Mastery and 200% of his DEF. This DMG is considered Elemental Burst DMG.
C3Increases the Level of Elemental Burst Shadowless Reflection by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
C4When Elemental Burst Shadowless Reflection's Haunted Night's Oriole-Song effect is active, nearby active party members will have their DEF increased by 200.
C5Increases the Level of Elemental Skill Dawnbearing Songbird by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
C6Enhances the Lightkeeper's Oath effect of the Ascension Talent Torchforger's Covenant: For Geo DMG dealt to opponents, CRIT Rate is increased by 10%, CRIT DMG is increased by 30%.
Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam: When characters are affected by Lightkeeper's Oath, Elemental Mastery is increased by 80. You must first unlock the Ascension Talent "Torchforger's Covenant."
Illuga's outfit is a custom-made uniform that was designed with his duties in mind. Though it is technically meant for work, Illuga has so many responsibilities that he rarely gets the chance to change his clothes, so in practice, this uniform might as well be considered his everyday wear.
Names, descriptions and art from the game data. Pick an outfit on the stage to see it full size.
Illuga is a 4-star Geo character from Nod-Krai who uses a polearm, released in version 6.3.
Illuga's abilities multiply Elemental Mastery. That is read from the scaling rows on the Elemental Skill and Burst, not from the ability description, so it reflects what the game actually multiplies rather than what the text mentions.
Engulfing Lightning is the closest fit on the data: it is a 5-star polearm with Energy Recharge as its ascension stat, and its passive acts on Elemental Mastery. Ballad of the Fjords is the best 4-star alternative.
Archaic Petra. Its 2-piece bonus is: Gain a 15% Geo DMG Bonus. Its 4-piece bonus is: Upon obtaining an Elemental Shard created through Crystallize or triggering a Lunar-Crystallize reaction, all party members gain a 35% DMG Bonus for that particular element for 10s. Only one form of Elemental DMG Bonus can be gained in this manner at any one time.
Taking one talent from level 1 to 10 costs 1,652,500 Mora and 38× Philosophies of Elysium among other materials. The Materials tab lists every item per level.
Vigilant Sentinel: After Illuga triggers a Geo-related Reaction on the field, he will regain 12 Elemental Energy. This effect can be triggered at most once every 15s.
Geo
