Genshin Impact 7.2 Valeriy Preview: Is the Electro Shielder Worth Building?

Valeriy is expected to join the first-half banners of Genshin Impact 7.2 as a new 4-star Electro character. His main appeal is combining a shield, off-field Electro application and offensive support in one team slot.

That combination looks especially useful for Mitya and Cyno in Stellar-Conduct teams. Cryo carries can use him too, although they benefit from a different part of his kit. This preview looks at his current kit and expected role; final performance and rotations still need testing after release.

Valeriy's Role: A Shielder for Stellar-Conduct Teams

Valeriy is a defensive support whose Elemental Skill protects the active character, while his Elemental Burst supplies Electro attacks from off-field. His offensive support adds damage to a limited number of eligible Electro hits, with stronger effects when supporting Electro damage classified as Stellar-Conduct reaction damage.

Electro Stellar-Conduct carries get the most complete package. They can use both his protection and his damage support. For Cryo carries, a C0 copy is more about combining off-field Electro with protection against interruption.

He can also support conventional Electro damage outside this reaction, but the weaker offensive benefit makes him less compelling against established supports. His clearest niche remains Stellar-Conduct.

Valeriy's Skills: Shield, Momentum and Electro Support

Elemental Skill and Special Charged Attack

His Elemental Skill sends him charging forward, deals Electro damage, deploys a shield and grants Impact Momentum. The shield's absorption scales with his ATK.

Once he has enough Impact Momentum, his special Charged Attack consumes it to activate Offensive Directive. This adds damage based on Valeriy's ATK to a limited number of eligible attacks. Consuming more Momentum strengthens the added damage through his passive talent; it does not simply turn into a larger percentage DMG Bonus.

In his Stellar-Conduct state, this support targets Electro damage considered Stellar-Conduct reaction damage. That distinction explains why an Electro carry gains more from his kit than a Cryo carry.

For a Cryo carry, using the Skill to maintain the shield is the priority. The special Charged Attack does not buff the carry's Cryo damage, so it does not need to be the focus of that rotation.

Elemental Burst: Off-Field Electro and More Momentum

Valeriy's Burst deals Electro damage and sends a barrage of projectiles down onto enemies. These repeated attacks provide his off-field Electro application.

With his associated passive unlocked, another active teammate's Electro hits during the barrage generate additional Impact Momentum. In an Electro carry team, this helps prepare a stronger special Charged Attack and refresh his offensive support.

In a Cryo carry team, the Burst matters mainly for keeping Electro available from off-field. Energy Recharge still matters in both roles, because a shield alone cannot replace the Burst's elemental application.

Valeriy Team Recommendations

Mitya or Cyno: His Strongest Fit

Mitya / Cyno + Odette + Valeriy + Sucrose / Xilonen / Qiqi / Diona

Mitya looks like Valeriy's closest partner. As an on-field Catalyst user relying on a continuous special Charged Attack sequence, he benefits from a shield that helps prevent interruptions. Valeriy also supports the Electro Stellar-Conduct damage that Mitya wants to deal. Cyno can make use of the same combination of protection and offensive support.

Odette fills the Cryo slot. With Valeriy covering shielding, Sucrose becomes an appealing fourth member for Elemental Mastery sharing and resistance reduction. Xilonen offers Cryo and Electro resistance reduction alongside healing, which can help against HP-drain effects that shields do not solve. Qiqi or Diona are alternatives when more healing or Cryo support is needed.

Yae Miko can replace Valeriy in an alternative setup, but that changes the team's defensive needs. If you make that swap, choose the fourth member with survivability in mind rather than assuming the shield is still covered.

Sandrone, Wriothesley or Cryo Traveler: Utility First

Sandrone / Wriothesley / Cryo Traveler + Odette + Valeriy + Xilonen / Sucrose / Qiqi / Diona

Valeriy offers less direct offensive support to a Cryo carry, but combining a shield with off-field Electro still gives him a reason to enter the team. He can protect the active character while helping maintain the reaction and build its stacks.

If survivability is already comfortable, Yae Miko or Alyosha may be more attractive alternatives for the Electro slot. The choice is whether your team needs Valeriy's protection or gets more value from another character's damage and support.

Is Valeriy Worth Building?

Valeriy looks most worthwhile for players building an Electro Stellar-Conduct team, especially around Mitya. That is where his shielding, off-field Electro and offensive support can all contribute to the same plan.

For Cryo carries, treat him as a practical defensive option rather than an automatic damage upgrade. If Yae Miko or Alyosha already fits your team and survival is not a problem, there is less reason to replace them.

A C0 copy can also be worth keeping as an Imaginarium Theater roster option when the element requirements allow it. Prioritize building him when you actually need the shield-and-Electro combination; his value is more specialized than that of a universal support.

If you are also planning pulls for Mitya, count your saved Primogems before deciding whether a Genshin Impact top-up fits your banner budget.