Role: Shielder / Off-Field Cryo Support
Best For: Players who want a strong Cryo shield with consistent off-field Cryo application and minimal field time.
1. Recommended Artifacts
4-Piece Tenacity of the Millelith — Recommended for Layla because her Elemental Skill can maintain the set’s ATK and Shield Strength buffs while the 2-piece effect also increases her HP.
Alternative: 4-Piece Noblesse Oblige can provide a teamwide ATK buff when nobody else is using it, while 2-Piece Tenacity of the Millelith + 2-Piece Vourukasha’s Glow provides additional HP for a simple shield-focused build.
2. Recommended Weapons
Premium: Key of Khaj-Nisut
Alternatives: The Dockhand’s Assistant, Favonius Sword
F2P: Harbinger of Dawn / Skyrider Sword
Key of Khaj-Nisut provides a massive amount of HP, making it particularly effective for maximizing Layla’s shield. Favonius Sword is a useful support alternative when the team needs additional Energy, while inexpensive options can still work because Layla’s core shielding mainly depends on HP.
3. Recommended Teams
Freeze: Kamisato Ayaka + Layla + Mona + Kazuha
Melt Ganyu: Ganyu + Layla + Xiangling + Bennett
Physical: Eula + Layla + Fischl + Rosaria
Layla fits naturally into Cryo teams because she provides defensive protection, Cryo Resonance, and off-field Cryo application. Her shield can also provide valuable interruption resistance for characters such as Ganyu who want to complete attacks without being interrupted.
4. Main Stats / Substats
Sands: HP% / Energy Recharge
Goblet: HP%
Circlet: HP% / CRIT Rate with Favonius
Priority: Energy Recharge until needed → HP% → CRIT Rate with Favonius → HP
Layla’s shield scales with Max HP, so a shield-focused build generally uses HP% across all three main artifact stats. Energy Recharge becomes more important when you want to use her Burst consistently, while Favonius Sword builds also need enough CRIT Rate to activate its passive reliably.
5. Playstyle
Use Layla’s Elemental Skill to create her Curtain of Slumber shield, then switch to the team’s main damage dealer. As characters use Elemental Skills while protected, Layla generates Night Stars that eventually fire Shooting Stars at enemies.
Her Elemental Burst provides additional off-field Cryo damage and helps generate Night Stars more consistently. For a standard support build, prioritize leveling her Elemental Skill first because it directly increases her shield strength.
6. F2P
Layla does not require a 5-star weapon to provide a strong shield. Her main support value comes from stacking HP and leveling her Elemental Skill rather than relying on expensive offensive equipment.
F2P players should prioritize 4-Piece Tenacity of the Millelith, HP% main stats, and enough Energy Recharge for the desired Burst frequency. Favonius Sword is especially useful if available because it can also help recharge the rest of the team.
*StoryBillion Tip: Do not use Retracing Bolide on Layla just to strengthen her shield. Its Shield Strength bonus only applies while the artifact holder is on-field, so it does not make Layla’s shield stronger after you switch to another character. Tenacity of the Millelith is much more useful for a standard support build.
