Overview
Hu Tao's skill converts HP to ATK and infuses her attacks with Pyro. She Vaporizes with Xingqiu's rains using charged attacks. Stay below 50% HP for bonus Pyro DMG from her ascension. Staff of Homa and HP% sands scale her damage.
How to Play
Open with Xingqiu burst, apply Zhongli shield, then Hu Tao skill and spam jump-cancelled charged attacks. Maintain low HP for ascension bonus, do not heal above 50%. Use burst at end of rotation for additional damage and HP regeneration.
Optimal Rotation
Xingqiu Skill/Burst, Zhongli Skill, Hu Tao Skill, Hu Tao CA (jump cancel) ×8-10, Hu Tao Burst, swap out. Repeat when Xingqiu burst is back. Yelan burst adds Hydro and DMG buff before Hu Tao's window.
F2P Options
Dragon's Bane or Deathmatch work well. Crimson Witch is farmable but painful, Shimenawa 4pc is an alternative if you have energy. C0 Hu Tao with Xingqiu and Zhongli clears all content, C1 is luxury for stamina.
Common Mistakes
Healing above 50% HP loses ascension bonus. Running Hu Tao without Xingqiu loses most damage. Not animation cancelling charged attacks wastes DPS. Using Bennett C6 in team infuses Pyro on Hu Tao and can interfere with Vaporize.