Guide
How the kit works
Start with Spring Spirit Summoning to give nearby party members Icy Quill. Pressing it sends Shenhe forward and deals Cryo DMG along the path. Holding it deals Cryo DMG in an area and gives Icy Quill a longer duration and more triggers.
Icy Quill increases Cryo DMG from Normal, Charged and Plunging Attacks, Skills and Bursts based on Shenhe's current ATK. Each party member has an independent trigger count. A hit against several opponents consumes a trigger for each opponent hit, and the effect ends when its duration or trigger count runs out.
Choose the Skill input for the teammate who will attack next. Pressing gives nearby party members 15% more Skill and Burst DMG for 10 seconds. Holding gives them 15% more Normal, Charged and Plunging Attack DMG for 15 seconds.
Use Divine Maiden's Deliverance to deal area Cryo DMG and create a field that periodically deals Cryo DMG. Enemies inside lose Cryo RES and Physical RES, while the active character in the field gains 15% Cryo DMG Bonus. Switch to your damage dealer and fight inside the field. Shenhe's own Dawnstar Piercer (NA) is available when needed, but her support effects do not require her to stay on the field.
Build and why
Use four pieces of Noblesse Oblige as the first choice. Its Burst bonus helps Shenhe's own damage, and using her Burst grants the party 20% ATK for 12 seconds. The four-piece effect does not stack with another copy of the set.
Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City is another team option: after Shenhe triggers a reaction related to Cryo, its four-piece effect gives nearby party members a 12% Elemental DMG Bonus for the elements involved. The larger bonus has a separate Nightsoul's Blessing condition. Blizzard Strayer is an alternative for Shenhe's own Cryo damage, though its four-piece CRIT Rate bonus applies to the wearer.
For a mixed build, use two pieces each of Gladiator's Finale and Shimenawa's Reminiscence for two 18% ATK bonuses. Replace the latter with two pieces of Emblem of Severed Fate if you need Energy Recharge. Choose ATK Percentage or Energy Recharge on the sands, and ATK Percentage on the goblet and circlet. For substats, look for Energy Recharge first, then ATK Percentage, ATK, CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG.
Calamity Queller is the first weapon choice: its Skill-triggered effect builds ATK and doubles that ATK increase while Shenhe is off-field. Favonius Lance is a strong Energy option; its CRIT Hits have a chance to generate particles, so give Shenhe some CRIT Rate. Engulfing Lightning converts Energy Recharge above the base 100% into ATK and grants Energy Recharge after a Burst.
Constellations worth it
Centered Spirit is the standout upgrade. It extends Divine Maiden's Deliverance by 6 seconds and gives active characters in its field 15% increased Cryo CRIT DMG.
Clarity of Heart is worth considering for another use of Spring Spirit Summoning. Mystical Abandon removes the Icy Quill trigger cost for Normal and Charged Attack damage, making it useful with Cryo attackers who rely on those attacks. Plunging Attacks are not included in that effect.
Seclusion (C3) raises the Skill level by 3, while Divine Attainment raises the Burst level by 3. Insight (C4) builds stacks when party members trigger Icy Quill and consumes them to increase Shenhe's next Skill damage. These are less direct support upgrades, so you can leave them aside when planning around her team buffs.
Teams
Pair Shenhe with a Cryo damage dealer so that Icy Quill and the Cryo bonuses have someone to use them. Kamisato Ayaka, Ganyu and Wriothesley are options named for her teams. Pick the press or hold Skill bonus around the attacks your chosen teammate uses.
Furina is a Hydro option with off-field and healing roles. Kaedehara Kazuha or Sucrose can fill an Anemo Swirl role. Escoffier is a Cryo healer option, while Zhongli can provide a shield. Choose the remaining slots around the protection and elemental roles your team needs.
Common mistakes
Do not assume Icy Quill boosts every hit. It applies to Cryo DMG from the listed attacks and abilities, and each party member has a limited number of triggers. Against a group, an area hit can use several triggers at once.
Do not always hold the Skill by habit. Its longer Icy Quill duration is useful, but pressing gives the separate Skill and Burst damage bonus instead. Check which bonus your next attacker can use.
Do not chase ATK at the expense of having your Burst ready when you need it. Also avoid doubling up on Noblesse Oblige for its non-stacking party effect. Keep your active Cryo attacker inside the Burst field when possible, and make sure the enemies you want to debuff are inside it too.
