Identify the trigger
A reaction starts when compatible Elements meet. The Element already on the target is the aura; the application that causes the reaction is the trigger. For ordinary reactions, the triggering Character supplies the relevant reaction stats, even when their ability attacks from off-field.
A team containing Hydro and Pyro does not guarantee that every Pyro hit Vaporizes. The target must have a usable aura, and the hit must actually apply an Element. Start with the ability order, not the list of Elements in the party.
Related reading: Elemental Application & Auras
Separate the damage families
Vaporize and Melt amplify the hit that triggers them. Swirl, Overloaded, Superconduct, Electro-Charged and the Bloom family produce separate reaction damage. Aggravate and Spread add damage to eligible Electro or Dendro hits on a Quickened target.
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| Family | What to evaluate |
|---|---|
| Vaporize / Melt | The triggering talent hit, its scaling, CRIT and reaction bonus. |
| Transformative damage | Trigger level, Elemental Mastery, reaction bonuses and enemy resistance; ordinary instances do not use talent ATK or CRIT. |
| Aggravate / Spread | Trigger level and EM for the added damage, then the hit’s applicable damage bonuses and CRIT. |
| Freeze / Crystallize | Control or protection; do not assume every reaction directly deals damage. |
The order changes the result
Pyro triggering Vaporize and Cryo triggering Melt have a base multiplier of 1.5. Hydro triggering Vaporize and Pyro triggering Melt have a base multiplier of 2. These are base multipliers, before Elemental Mastery and other applicable reaction bonuses.
The larger multiplier is not automatically the better team plan. Aura supply, how often the intended Character can react, and damage between reactions all matter. Bloom creates Dendro Cores; applying Electro or Pyro to a Core changes the reaction to Hyperbloom or Burgeon and changes who supplies its trigger stats.
Build for the damage actually being dealt
A talent-focused attacker may need their scaling stat and CRIT even when they trigger reactions. A Character built specifically to trigger ordinary Hyperbloom has a different reason to value level and EM. Do not give every member of a reaction team the same stat priorities.
This is a fundamentals guide to ordinary reactions, not a complete reference for Lunar reactions or character-specific replacement rules. Where a kit names an exception, read that effect separately.
Related reading: Elemental Mastery · Team Roles & Rotations