Guide
How the kit works
Start with Dawnfrost Darkstar. It deals AoE Cryo DMG, creates an Opal Shield and summons Itzpapa, who follows the active character. The shield absorbs Cryo DMG with 250% efficiency. Citlali gains 24 Nightsoul points and enters Nightsoul’s Blessing.
Use Edict of Entwined Splendor when available. Its ice storm deals AoE Cryo DMG and restores Nightsoul points. It also summons a Spiritvessel Skull near each of up to three opponents; the Skulls explode after a delay, dealing Cryo DMG and restoring more points.
Itzpapa needs at least 50 Nightsoul points to enter Opal Fire and start the Frostfall Storm. The Storm follows the active character and attacks nearby opponents while consuming points. At zero points, Opal Fire ends. A nearby party member triggering Frozen or Melt while Itzpapa is present restores 16 points once every 8s and reduces the affected opponents’ Pyro and Hydro RES by 20% for 12s. Nearby Nightsoul Bursts restore another 4 points.
Shadow-Stealing Spirit Vessel (NA) has up to three Cryo strikes. Its Charged Attack uses Aiming Mode and Stamina; its Plunging Attack deals AoE Cryo DMG on impact. These attacks are available when you need Citlali on-field, though her shield and Itzpapa work after switching away.
Build and why
Use four pieces of Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City. When Citlali triggers a reaction involving Cryo, the set gives the party a 12% Elemental DMG Bonus for the elements involved for 15s. If she is in Nightsoul's Blessing, it adds 28% for 20s. She can trigger the effect off-field, but bonuses from copies of the set do not stack.
For alternatives, four pieces of Tenacity of the Millelith give nearby party members 20% ATK and 30% Shield Strength for 3s when her Skill hits. Four pieces of Instructor give the party 120 Elemental Mastery for 8s when Citlali triggers a reaction. You can also combine two pieces of Wanderer's Troupe with two pieces of Gilded Dreams: each two-piece bonus gives 80 Elemental Mastery.
Choose Elemental Mastery on the goblet and circlet, and Elemental Mastery or Energy Recharge on the sands. For substats, favor Elemental Mastery, then Energy Recharge, CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG. Energy Recharge helps you have the Burst ready; Elemental Mastery strengthens the shield and adds damage to the Storm and ice storm.
Starcaller's Watch is the first weapon choice: it gives 100 Elemental Mastery and, after Citlali creates a shield, lets the active party member deal 28% more DMG to nearby opponents. Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers is a team-focused alternative: switching from Citlali gives the incoming character 24% ATK for 10s, once every 20s. Favonius Codex is another option for Energy: CRIT hits have a 60% chance to generate particles, once every 12s. Give it some CRIT Rate if you use it.
Leveling priority
A sensible order is Dawnfrost Darkstar first for the shield, then Edict of Entwined Splendor for its damage. Leave Shadow-Stealing Spirit Vessel (NA) until last if Citlali spends little time attacking on-field. This is a suggested order rather than a requirement.
For ascension, gather 420,000 Mora, 168 Quenepa Berry and 46 Talisman of the Enigmatic Land. You also need 1 Shivada Jade Sliver, 9 Shivada Jade Fragment, 9 Shivada Jade Chunk, 6 Shivada Jade Gemstone, 18 Juvenile Fang, 30 Seasoned Fang and 36 Tyrant’s Fang.
To take all three talents to maximum, the listed total is 4,957,500 Mora, 3 Crown of Insight, 9 Teachings of Kindling, 63 Guide to Kindling, 114 Philosophies of Kindling, 18 Juvenile Fang, 66 Seasoned Fang, 93 Tyrant’s Fang and 18 Denial and Judgment.
Constellations worth it
Heart Devourer’s Travail (C2) is the standout upgrade. Citlali gains 125 Elemental Mastery, while other characters protected by her shield or followed by Itzpapa gain 250. After Frozen or Melt, it adds another 20% reduction to affected opponents’ Pyro and Hydro RES for 12s, on top of her unlocked passive.
Radiant Blades of Centzon Mimixcoah is also worth considering. Her Skill grants 10 stacks that add damage based on 200% of her Elemental Mastery to another active character’s qualifying hits. Frozen or Melt grants three more stacks once every 8s; using the Skill again resets them.
Teoiztac’s Secret Pact (C6) is another large upgrade to consider. Itzpapa stays in Opal Fire even at zero points, and points consumed build up bonuses to Citlali’s damage and the party’s Pyro and Hydro DMG. C3 and C5 raise Skill and Burst levels respectively, so you can leave them out when those extra levels are not your goal.
Teams
Pair Citlali with a Pyro damage dealer when you want Melt. Mavuika and Arlecchino are options, with Citlali providing a shield and reducing Pyro RES after the reaction. Mavuika also has Nightsoul, which fits Citlali’s point recovery from nearby Nightsoul Bursts.
For a Hydro team, Neuvillette is an option for using the Hydro RES reduction after Frozen. Furina or Yelan can fill a Hydro off-field role. The RES reduction applies to opponents affected by the reaction, so make sure the team actually triggers it while Itzpapa is present.
The remaining slots can cover healing or other support. Xilonen is a healer with Nightsoul, while Kaedehara Kazuha and Sucrose offer Anemo and Swirl. For example, Citlali, Mavuika, Xilonen and Kaedehara Kazuha put a Pyro damage dealer, a healer and Anemo support around Citlali.
Common mistakes
Do not assume Itzpapa starts attacking with Frostfall Storm immediately. The Skill gives 24 Nightsoul points, below the 50 needed for Opal Fire. Use the Burst and trigger Frozen or Melt to restore points, then watch whether the Storm starts.
Do not neglect Energy Recharge just to maximize Elemental Mastery if your Burst is often unavailable. Likewise, a shield alone does not activate the four-piece Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City bonus: Citlali must trigger a reaction involving Cryo.
When using Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers, switch directly from Citlali to the character who needs the ATK bonus. If you switch to a different teammate first, that teammate receives it instead.
