Guide
How the kit works
Start by using Fortified Defense. It deals Havoc DMG around Taoqi, heals her and creates three Rocksteady Shields. If she is hit while casting it, she automatically uses Strategic Parry. Steadfast Protection increases the character’s DEF by 15% while Rocksteady Shield lasts.
Power Shift lets Taoqi hold up to three Resolving Caliber. She gains them when Rocksteady Shields are consumed or expire. The fourth hit of Concealed Edge consumes all remaining Rocksteady Shields and grants the same number of Resolving Caliber.
With Resolving Caliber available, use Basic Attack shortly after Strategic Parry to perform up to three Timed Counters. Each hit consumes one Resolving Caliber and grants a shield. You can also go directly into Timed Counters with Basic Attack after entering through Defense Formation.
To trigger Strategic Parry yourself, hold Basic Attack for Rocksteady Defense. Taoqi takes 35% less damage in that state and parries when hit, or automatically after three seconds. Unyielding (passive) restores 25 STA when Strategic Parry is successfully triggered. Use Unmovable for DEF-based Havoc DMG, then pass Iron Will to your chosen teammate.
Build and why
Rejuvenating Glow is a set option named by a guide. Its two-piece bonus gives 10% Healing Bonus, which suits Taoqi’s self-heal. Moonlit Clouds is the game’s five-piece recommendation; its listed two-piece bonus gives 10% Energy Regen. That is useful for a build that wants to use Resonance Liberation.
Dauntless Evernight is the first weapon to consider. After an Intro Skill, it gives 8% ATK and 15% DEF for 15 seconds. The DEF fits Taoqi’s DEF-based Resonance Liberation. Discord is another option: casting her Resonance Skill restores 8 Concerto Energy, once every 20 seconds.
Autumntrace gives ATK when Basic Attack or Heavy Attack DMG is dealt, with up to five stacks. Taoqi’s Timed Counters count as Basic Attack DMG, so they can trigger it. Lustrous Razor is another option from the game’s build: it gives Energy Regen and increases Resonance Liberation DMG Bonus after Resonance Skill casts.
For stats, DEF is worth considering because Unmovable deals damage based on it. Energy Regen is also a useful consideration for accessing Resonance Liberation. The supplied build does not specify main-stat choices for individual gear slots.
Leveling priority
A practical leveling order is Power Shift, Fortified Defense, Unmovable, Concealed Edge, then Defense Formation. Start with Power Shift if you use Taoqi for Timed Counters and their shields. Fortified Defense comes next because it creates Rocksteady Shields and heals her.
Unmovable is a useful damage investment after those support tools. Concealed Edge and Defense Formation still have uses in the rotation, but you can leave their levels until later if supporting the team is your priority.
For maximum ascension, gather 170,000 Shell Credit, 4 LF Howler Core, 12 MF Howler Core, 12 HF Howler Core, 4 FF Howler Core, 46 Gold-Dissolving Feather and 60 Iris.
For all skills, the listed total is 2,030,000 Shell Credit, 25 LF Howler Core, 28 MF Howler Core, 40 HF Howler Core, 57 FF Howler Core, 26 Dreamless Feather, 25 Waveworn Residue 210, 28 Waveworn Residue 226, 55 Waveworn Residue 235 and 67 Waveworn Residue 239.
Resonance Chain nodes worth it
For a support-focused Taoqi, Essense of Tranquility (sequence 1) is a good first upgrade to consider: it increases the shield from Power Shift by 40%. Benevolent Guardian (sequence 5) is another useful target, increasing Power Shift damage by 50% and restoring 20 Resonance Energy when it hits.
Heavylifting Duty (sequence 4) rewards a successful Strategic Parry with 25% HP restored and 50% more DEF for five seconds. It can trigger once every 15 seconds, so you cannot rely on it for every parry.
Silent Strength (sequence 2) adds 20% Crit. Rate and 20% Crit. DMG to Unmovable, but you can leave it aside if you care more about protection. Keen-eyed Observer (sequence 3) extends Rocksteady Shield to 30 seconds; it is less important if you consume the shields quickly. Defender of Peace (sequence 6) focuses on Taoqi’s Basic Attack and Heavy Attack damage while the specified shield holds, rather than her team buff.
Teams
Put Taoqi next to a character who can make good use of Resonance Skill damage. Iron Will amplifies that damage by 38% for 14 seconds or until the recipient switches out. Give the recipient enough field time to use the effect before switching again.
Jinhsi is a teammate to consider for that receiving slot. Carlotta is another option named in the guides. Verina or Shorekeeper can be considered for the remaining slot; check how much healing your team needs, since Taoqi’s own Resonance Skill heals only herself.
Taoqi’s listed buff has no element requirement. Her own damage is Havoc, but the incoming teammate does not have to share that element to receive the Outro effect.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse Rocksteady Shield with the shield granted by Timed Counters. Rocksteady Shield is consumed when the active character is attacked, and its consumption or expiry gives Taoqi Resolving Caliber. Timed Counters then spend that resource on hit to grant a shield.
Do not enter Taoqi through Defense Formation and expect Timed Counters without Resolving Caliber. Watch your available resource, or use the fourth Basic Attack to consume remaining Rocksteady Shields when you want to convert them.
Avoid switching the Outro recipient out before they use the damage window. Also, do not treat Taoqi’s self-heal as team healing. If you use Strategic Parry for Heavylifting Duty (sequence 4), keep its 15-second trigger limit in mind.
