Lyney is a Pyro DMG dealer who deals damage using seemingly magical attacks. When his Charge Level 2 Aimed Shot hits, a Grin-Malkin Hat will be summoned that can taunt nearby opponents. When destroyed it will attack an opponent with a Pyrotechnic Strike. If Lyney's HP is relatively high, the Charge Level 2 attack will consume some of his HP in return for a Prop Surplus stack.

When Lyney uses his Elemental Skill, all of his Prop Surplus stacks will be consumed to deal AoE Pyro DMG. This will increase DMG dealt and regenerate Lyney's HP according to the number of stacks consumed. If a Grin-Malkin Hat is on the field, when his Elemental Skill is cast, it will explode and deal AoE Pyro DMG.

After casting his Elemental Burst, Lyney will turn into a Grin-Malkin Cat and deal Pyro DMG to opponents in his path. When the duration ends, Lyney will summon a Grin-Malkin Hat and gain a Prop Surplus stack.

This guide is based on the Community Character Builds by the Genshin Helper Team.

Skills Overview

Normal Attack: Card Force Translocation

Normal Attack
Performs up to 4 consecutive shots with a bow.

Plunging Attack
Fires off a shower of arrows in mid-air before falling and striking the ground, dealing AoE DMG upon impact.

Charged Attack
Performs a more precise Aimed Shot with increased DMG.
While aiming, flames will run across the arrowhead before being fired. Different effects will occur based on the time spent charging.

• Charge Level 1: Fires off a Pyro-infused arrow, dealing Pyro DMG.
• Charge Level 2: Fires off a Prop Arrow that deals Pyro DMG, and upon hit, it will summon a Grin-Malkin Hat.

When firing the Prop Arrow, and when Lyney has more than 60% HP, he will consume a portion of his HP to obtain 1 Prop Surplus stack. Max 5 stacks. The effect will be removed after the character spends 30s out of combat.
The lowest Lyney can drop to through this method is 60% of his Max HP.

Grin-Malkin Hat

• Can taunt nearby opponents and attract their attacks. Each opponent can only be taunted by the Hat once every 5s.
• The Hat will inherit a percentage of Lyney's Max HP.
• If destroyed, or if its duration expires, it will fire off a Pyrotechnic Strike at 1 nearby opponent, dealing Pyro DMG.

Only 1 Hat can exist at any given time.
Grin-Malkin Hat Duration: 4s

Arkhe: Pneuma
At certain intervals, the Prop Arrow will cause a Spiritbreath Thorn to descend upon its hit location, dealing Pneuma-aligned Pyro DMG.

Elemental Skill: Bewildering Lights

Lyney does a flourish with his hat, unleashing a firework surprise!
When used, he will clear all current Prop Surplus stacks and deal AoE Pyro DMG to opponents in front of him. DMG will be increased according to the stacks cleared, and this will also regenerate Lyney's HP based on his Max HP.

When a Grin-Malkin Hat created by Lyney is on the field, the fireworks will cause it to explode, dealing AoE Pyro DMG equal to that of a Pyrotechnic Strike.
The DMG dealt through the Grin-Malkin Hat in this way is considered Charged Attack DMG.

CD: 15s

Elemental Burst: Wondrous Trick: Miracle Parade

Unleashing his magic, Lyney turns himself into a Grin-Malkin Cat that can move around quickly. (Not to be mistaken for the Grin-Malkin Hat. They're two different props!)
When the Grin-Malkin Cat gets close to opponents, it will send flames falling down on them, dealing at most 1 instance of Pyro DMG to each opponent. When the duration ends, he will dismiss the Grin-Malkin Cat and ignite fireworks that deal AoE Pyro DMG, summon 1 Grin-Malkin Hat, and grant himself 1 Prop Surplus stack.
Grin-Malkin Cat can be actively canceled.

Duration: 3s
CD: 15s
Energy Cost: 60

Ascension 1: Perilous Performance

If Lyney consumes HP when firing off a Prop Arrow, the Grin-Malkin hat summoned by the arrow will, upon hitting an opponent, restore 3 Energy to Lyney and increase DMG dealt by 80% of his ATK.

Ascension 4: Conclusive Ovation

The DMG Lyney deals to opponents affected by Pyro will receive the following buffs:

• Increases the DMG dealt by 60%.
• Each Pyro party member other than Lyney will cause the DMG dealt to increase by an additional 20%.

Lyney can deal up to 100% increased DMG to opponents affected by Pyro in this way.

Passive Talent: Trivial Observations

Displays the location of nearby resources unique to Fontaine on the mini-map.

TLDR / Rotation

First of all, his stacks. You need to fire off Prop Arrow (Charged Attack Level 2) to get 1 Prop Surplus Stack. But remember, this is only possible if he has more than 60% HP. If he has a lower HP than mentioned, he will NOT get the Prop Surplus Stack. That's why, a healer like Bennett is especially valuable in his team.

After you've obtained at least 4 Prop Surplus Stacks, use his Elemental Burst to get the last stack (Yes, max 5 stacks). Lastly, use Lyney's Elemental Skill to clear all the Prop Surplus Stacks and deal huge Pyro DMG.

General Rotation: Healer doing healing & other supports > Lyney's Charged ATK x4 > Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill > Repeat

Talent Priorities

Normal Attack > Skill > Burst
Lyney's Skill and Burst talent priority largely depends on how often Lyney uses his Burst.

Constellations

Best Constellations: C1, C2 & C6

C1: Whimsical Wonders ⭐
Lyney can have 2 Grin-Malkin Hats present at once.
Additionally, Prop Arrows will summon 2 Grin-Malkin Hats and grant Lyney 1 extra stack of Prop Surplus. This effect can occur once every 15s.

C2: Loquacious Cajoling ⭐
When Lyney is on the field, he will gain a stack of Crisp Focus every 2s. This will increase his CRIT DMG by 20%. Max 3 stacks. This effect will be canceled when Lyney leaves the field.

C3: Prestidigitation
Increases the Level of Normal Attack: Card Force Translocation by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.

C4: Well-Versed, Well-Rehearsed
After an opponent is hit by Lyney's Pyro Charged Attack, this opponent's Pyro RES will be decreased by 20% for 6s.

C5: To Pierce Enigmas
Increases the Level of Wondrous Trick: Miracle Parade by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.

C6: Guarded Smile ⭐
When Lyney fires a Prop Arrow, he will fire a Pyrotechnic Strike: Reprised that will deal 80% of a Pyrotechnic Strike's DMG. This DMG is considered Charged Attack DMG.

Recommended Weapons

1. The First Great Magic (5⭐)
2. Aqua Simulacra (5⭐)
3. Thundering Pulse (5⭐)
4. Skyward Harp (5⭐)
5. Amos' Bow (5⭐)
6. Polar Star (5⭐)
   ~= Song of Stillness (4⭐)
   ~= Prototype Crescent (4⭐)
7. Scion of the Blazing Sun (4⭐)
   ~= Blackcliff Warbow (4⭐)

1) The First Great Magic (ATK: 608 • Crit DMG: 66.2%)

DMG dealt by Charged Attacks increased by 16%. For every party member with the same Elemental Type as the wielder (including the wielder themselves), gain 1 Gimmick stack. For every party member with a different Elemental Type from the wielder, gain 1 Theatrics stack. When the wielder has 1/2/3 or more Gimmick stacks, ATK will be increased by 16%/32%/48%. When the wielder has 1/2/3 or more Theatrics stacks, Movement SPD will be increased by 4%/7%/10%.

2) Aqua Simulacra (ATK: 608 • Crit DMG: 88.2%)

HP is increased by 16%. When there are opponents nearby, the DMG dealt by the wielder of this weapon is increased by 20%. This will take effect whether the character is on-field or not.

3) Thundering Pulse (ATK: 608 • Crit DMG: 66.2%)

Increases ATK by 20% and grants the might of the Thunder Emblem. At stack levels 1/2/3, the Thunder Emblem increases Normal Attack DMG by 12/24/40%. The character will obtain 1 stack of Thunder Emblem in each of the following scenarios: Normal Attack deals DMG (stack lasts 5s), casting Elemental Skill (stack lasts 10s); Energy is less than 100% (stack disappears when Energy is full). Each stack's duration is calculated independently.

4) Skyward Harp (ATK: 608 • Crit Rate: 22.1%)

Increases CRIT DMG by 20%. Hits have a 60% chance to inflict a small AoE attack, dealing 125% Physical ATK DMG. Can only occur once every 4s.

5) Amos' Bow (ATK: 608 • ATK: 49.6%)

Increases Normal Attack and Charged Attack DMG by 12%. After a Normal or Charged Attack is fired, DMG dealt increases by a further 8% every 0.1 seconds the arrow is in the air for up to 5 times.

6) Polar Star (ATK: 608 • Crit Rate: 33.1%)

Elemental Skill and Elemental Burst DMG increased by 12%. After a Normal Attack, Charged Attack, Elemental Skill or Elemental Burst hits an opponent, 1 stack of Ashen Nightstar will be gained for 12s. When 1/2/3/4 stacks of Ashen Nightstar are present, ATK is increased by 10/20/30/48%. The stack of Ashen Nightstar created by the Normal Attack, Charged Attack, Elemental Skill or Elemental Burst will be counted independently of the others.

7) Scion of the Blazing Sun (ATK: 565 • Crit Rate: 18.4%)

After a Charged Attack hits an opponent, a Sunfire Arrow will descend upon the opponent hit, dealing 60% ATK as DMG, and applying the Heartsearer effect to the opponent damaged by said Arrow for 10s. Opponents affected by Heartsearer take 28% more Charged Attack DMG from the wielder. A Sunfire Arrow can be triggered once every 10s.

Recommended Artifacts

1. Marechaussee Hunter (4)
2. Lavawalker (4)
   ~= Vermillion Hereafter (4)* [see notes]
   ~= Shimenawa's Reminiscence (4)* [see notes]
3. Crimson Witch of Flames (2) / Marechaussee Hunter (2) / +18% ATK set (2) [Choose Two]
4. Retracing Bolide (4)*
   ~= Desert Pavilion Chronicle (4)
5. Wanderer's Troupe (4)

1) 4-Pc Marechaussee Hunter

2-Piece Bonus: Normal and Charged Attack DMG +15%.
4-Piece Bonus: When current HP increases or decreases, CRIT Rate will be increased by 12% for 5s. Max 3 stacks.

2) 4-Pc Lavawalker

2-Piece Bonus: Pyro RES increased by 40%.
4-Piece Bonus: Increases DMG against opponents affected by Pyro by 35%.

3) 4-Pc Vermillion Hereafter

2-Piece Bonus: ATK +18%.
4-Piece Bonus: After using an Elemental Burst. this character will gain the Nascent Light effect, increasing their ATK by 8% for 16s. When the character's HP decreases, their ATK will further increase by 10%. This increase can occur this way maximum of 4 times. This effect can be triggered once every 0.8s. Nascent Light will be dispelled when the character leaves the field. If an Elemental Burst is used again during the duration of Nascent Light, the original Nascent Light will be dispelled.
Notes: Only use this set if Lyney can Burst every rotation. If he can, this set is better than Lavawalker (4). Start your rotation with Lyney's Burst if using this set.

3) 2-Pc Crimson Witch of Flames / 2-Pc Marechaussee Hunter / +18% ATK set

4) 4-Pc Retracing Bolide

2-Piece Bonus: Increases Shield Strength by 35%.
4-Piece Bonus: While protected by a shield, gain an additional 40% Normal and Charged Attack DMG.
*Only worthwhile if Lyney uses a strong shielder.

5) 4-Pc Desert Pavilion Chronicle

2-Piece Bonus: Anemo DMG Bonus +15%.
4-Piece Bonus: When Charged Attacks hit opponents, the equipping character's Normal Attack SPD will increase by 10% while Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attack DMG will increase by 40% for 15s.

6) 4-Pc Wanderer's Troupe

2-Piece Bonus: Increases Elemental Mastery by 80.
4-Piece Bonus: Increases Charged Attack DMG by 35% if the character uses a Catalyst or Bow.

Team Compositions

National Team

Lyney is more suitable in a team with additional Pyro characters because of his A4 (increase Pyro party member's DMG). In this team, Bennett and Xiangling can benefit from the passive skill while Kazuha can reduce Pyro RES from enemies with the VV artifact set.
Lyney: Main DPS
Bennett: Healer + Buffer
Xiangling: Off-field Su-DPS
Kazuha: CC + VV Set || Dehya: Interruption RES

Mono-Pyro Team

Mono-Pyro is similar to National Team but Zhongli replaces Kazuha to give more protection to Lyney while he's on the field. Zhongli can be replaced with Dehya as she can also reduce damage taken and add more resistance. But even with a shielder, a healer should not be forgotten in any of Lyney's teams because he can only obtain the Prop Surplus stacks if he is above 60% HP.
Lyney: Main DPS
Bennett: Healer + Buffer
Xiangling: Off-field Su-DPS
Zhongli / Yanfei (C4): Shielder + Elemental RES Shred