How to Defeat Azhdaha in Genshin Impact: Complete Boss Fight Guide

Azhdaha is a mythical Earth Dragon known in Liyue legends as the ruler of the Geovishaps. Once an ally of the Geo Archon Morax, he eventually succumbed to corrosive erosion and was sealed beneath the Tree of Suppression. Hidden in an underground prison, the beast plots its escape, dreaming of devouring the life force of Teyvat’s lands and unleashing devastating vengeance upon the world.

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Note that the first encounter with Azhdaha happens during a story quest, where the boss is significantly weaker. All future battles require thorough preparation.

How to Unlock and Where to Find Him

Azhdaha is a weekly boss whose drops are needed to ascend certain characters. Additionally, defeating him is required for several achievements. Unlike many other weekly bosses, reaching Azhdaha isn't so straightforward.

To challenge him, you must complete the first part of Zhongli’s story quest "Historia Antiqua Chapter" and begin the second chapter, "No Mere Stone". During its progression, you'll receive the quest "Amidst Chaos, the Rock Is Unmoved".

After that, to fight him again, head to the domain "Beneath the Dragon-Queller". Based on your progression level, you can select different difficulty levels of "Memories: Earthshaking Dragon".

Azhdaha’s Attacks and Abilities

It’s a bit unfortunate that such an impressive boss is hidden behind story quests, meaning not all players get to fight him. Like the standard Ancient Geovishap boss, Azhdaha wields almost every element, using various elemental powers during the battle.

Pay attention to the stele in front of the dungeon entrance. It shows two elemental symbols—those are the elements Azhdaha will use in the fight. This is extremely important for forming your team accordingly.

The battle itself is divided into three phases, triggered as the boss loses health. In each phase, Azhdaha’s resistance to specific damage types can change drastically, as he absorbs elements and gains enhanced abilities. His base resistances are as follows:

• Physical—40%;
• Pyro, Hydro, Anemo, Cryo, Dendro, Electro—10%;
• Geo—70%.

Upon absorbing the first element, Azhdaha gains 60% resistance to it. Absorbing the second element gives him 50% resistance to that one.

Phase One–Geo Element

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This phase lasts until Azhdaha’s health drops below 75%. During this stage, the boss uses only Geo element abilities.

However, since attacks used in the first phase are also present in the second and third (but enhanced by different elements), we’ll describe both their base and elemental-infused versions.

Landslide

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Slams its head forcefully into the ground in front of it, unleashing a shockwave.

• Pyro: He launches several fireballs that explode on the ground, leaving burning zones that deal periodic damage;
• Hydro: He creates a geyser that erupts after a short delay, dealing AoE damage and launching characters into the air.

Massiveness

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Azhdaha spins to the side, dealing high damage in a sweeping arc. Interestingly, this attack deals less damage when enhanced by an element.

Stomp

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Strikes the ground with its paw, releasing several shockwaves that deal damage around it (subsequent waves deal reduced damage).

• Hydro: Releases several streams of water in different directions that deal damage on contact;
• Pyro: Launches several fireballs that land on the ground, creating burning puddles that deal periodic damage.

Rockfall

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Leaps into the air and crashes down to the ground, releasing two shockwaves that deal heavy damage.

• Hydro: Releases several water streams in different directions that deal damage on impact;
• Pyro: Launches fireballs that fall to the ground, leaving behind burning puddles with DoT (damage over time).

Tail Slam

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The boss uses this ability only if the player is behind him. He strikes the ground with his tail, dealing heavy damage on impact.

• Electro: Creates a zone at the impact site that detonates, damaging all players inside;
• Cryo: Ice spikes appear at the impact site and erupt shortly after.

Cowardly insect!

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Performs a circular tail sweep.

• Electro: Summons multiple electro orbs that scatter chaotically and deal contact damage;
• Cryo: Spawns several cryo orbs that remain on the ground and explode after a few seconds, dealing AoE damage.

Charge

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Performs a forward dash. If it hits a character, they are knocked into the air.

Seismic Tremors

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Digs underground and becomes temporarily invulnerable. During "Seismic Tremors", rocks will fall at various points in the arena, dealing damage on impact. Occasionally, Azhdaha will surface briefly, draining HP from any characters in his path.

Stone Spears

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Fires stone shards toward the player. These projectiles embed into the ground and detonate after a few seconds, dealing AoE damage.

• Electro: Projectiles explode instantly, releasing electro shockwaves that deal AoE damage;
• Cryo: Projectiles explode instantly, leaving behind cryo zones that inflict periodic damage.

Phase Two–Single Elemental Infusion

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Phase two begins when Azhdaha's HP drops to 75%. At this point, he activates the "Earthquake" ability and infuses himself with either Pyro or Hydro, enhancing all his abilities with the chosen element and gaining increased resistance to it. All abilities from phase one remain in use during this phase.

Additionally, a new mechanic comes into play. If Azhdaha deals Pyro or Hydro damage to a player who is not protected by a shield, that player will be inflicted with the "Hatred" mark. This status remains active until the player stops receiving damage of the infused element. While under the Hatred effect, the player takes periodic damage.

Earthquake

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The boss stomps the ground, causing five shockwaves to radiate around him. At the end, Azhdaha releases another wave that affects a larger area and deals more damage. This ability is used only during the transition and occasionally during the second and third phases.

• Hydro: Releases hydro spheres that travel across the arena and deal contact damage;
• Pyro: Launches several fireballs that fall to the ground, creating burning puddles with periodic damage.

The enhanced version of this skill has a wider area of effect.

Roaring Fury

He lets out a powerful roar and channels his current elemental infusion.

• Hydro: Summons several large hydro spheres that move across the arena, inflicting periodic damage on contact;
• Pyro: Drops meteors at random locations in the arena, dealing heavy AoE damage and leaving behind burning puddles that apply DoT.

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Phase Three–Dual Elemental Infusion

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The third phase begins when Azhdaha's HP drops to 45%. At that point, he uses Earthquake once again. Afterward, he infuses himself with either Electro or Cryo, enhancing his abilities accordingly and gaining increased resistance to the selected element. All abilities from the first and second phases are still in use during this phase.

The Hatred mechanic also remains active, but now applies to Cryo and Electro damage instead.

Monolith

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Azhdaha burrows underground, leaving only his tail visible on the surface. While this ability is active, his HP cannot drop below 1. The visuals and effects vary based on the element he's infused with:

• Electro: Periodically sends out a shockwave in a cone toward the player, dealing damage on contact;
• Cryo: Emits a cold wave around him and causes massive icicles to fall onto the battlefield. These deal damage on impact and shatter into ice shards that remain on the ground for a few seconds, pulsing and dealing AoE damage.

Primal Wrath

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This ability has two versions, with only one active depending on Azhdaha’s current infusion:

• Electro: Summons several Electro orbs that crash down on players, dealing AoE damage;
• Cryo: Summons a swarm of Cryo spears that fly toward the player, dealing damage on hit.

Best Characters to Fight Azhdaha

Choosing a universal team for this boss is tricky since his elemental infusion changes each week. However, one requirement is non-negotiable—your team must include a shielder. This not only mitigates the boss’s devastating damage but also neutralizes the Hatred mechanic.

Here are a few team compositions that work well against Azhdaha:

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General Tips

In fact, there are only two key rules, without which the fight against Azhdaha will become a nightmare. The first is to find out which elements the boss will use. The second is to make sure to include a character in your team who can apply a shield.

Additional useful tips:

• Attacking Azhdaha from behind is generally safer. Yes, you might get hit by Tail Slam, but it’s far less dangerous than some of his frontal attacks like Rockfall;
• Boss never uses Anemo or Dendro, so characters of these elements are effective regardless of his infusion;
• Azhdaha is slow and has poor mobility. Ranged characters using bows or catalysts can deal damage more easily.

Achievements You Can Unlock

Defeating Azhdaha can earn you several achievements:

• "Sternest of Souls"—Defeat Azhdaha multiple times, each with a different elemental infusion;
• "The Finishing Touch"—Win the fight without activating a single shield on any of your characters;
• "Blast from the Past"—Defeat Azhdaha in co-op mode with another player.

Rewards for Defeating Azhdaha

If you’ve defeated no more than two weekly bosses before claiming your rewards from Azhdaha, it will only cost 30 Resin. Otherwise, it will cost 60 Resin.

You can receive:

• Artifacts from the Wanderer's Troupe, Gladiator's Finale, Berserker, Instructor, and The Exile sets;
• Adventure EXP;
• Mora;
• Character EXP;
• Companionship EXP;
• Dream Solvent (33% chance);
• Northlander Weapon Billet (33% chance);
• Prithiva Topaz;

Talent Ascension Materials:

• Dragon Lord's Crown (used for Eula, Yoimiya, Traveler);
• Bloodjade Branch (used for Dori, Ayaka, Yanfei);
• Gilded Scale (used for Kazuha, Sayu, Yelan);

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Defeating Azhdaha rewards you with valuable materials, unique artifacts, and rare resources essential for character progression. Study the elemental infusions he’ll use (shown at the entrance), and build a team that minimizes reliance on those elements. Still having trouble? Team up with friends—together, you’ll leave the ancient beast no chance!

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