Is Escoffier Worth Pulling? An Ayaka Main's Deep Dive (C0 Escoffier with Signature Weapon)
Escoffier, the new 5-star thigh-- I mean, character from Fontaine. Touted as a "new Cryo party support," but after getting hands-on, it's hard to recommend unconditionally. Here's a frank review from an Ayaka lover with C6 Ayaka, C6 Shenhe, and C2 Xilonen.
1. Basic Buffs for Ayaka (C0 Escoffier with Signature Weapon)
ATK +32% (with signature weapon)
Cryo RES -55%
At first glance, you might think "1.55x damage!" but Genshin's RES calculation halves the effect below 0%. In practice, the increase is around 1.3x to 1.4x. With Mistsplitter Ayaka, an ATK increase of about 320 is nice, especially in Freeze teams where ATK is harder to stack, making this quite valuable.
2. The "C2" Disappointment
Many guides say "C2 is where Escoffier truly shines," but what you get are DMG Bonus and CRIT DMG buffs. There's no DEF shred or additional Cryo DMG Bonus, falling far short of C6 Shenhe's limitless Cryo quills. Hearing 240% DMG Bonus sounds amazing, like triple Shenhe's multiplier, but my C6 Shenhe (with Calamity Queller) has around 4000 ATK. Comparing to an Escoffier with 2000 ATK: Escoffier is roughly 2000 * 2.4 * 5 = 24,000. Shenhe is 4000 * 0.8 * 14 = 44,800. Ignoring sub-DPS entirely, C2 Escoffier might beat C0 Shenhe in terms of raw damage increase, but not C1 Shenhe.
3. Cost-Performance vs. Xilonen
| Aspect | Escoffier (C2 + Sig.) | Xilonen (C2) |
|---|---|---|
| ATK Buff | 32% | None |
| DMG Bonus | None (until C2) | 40% |
| RES Shred | 55% | 36% |
| CRIT DMG Buff | 60% (at C2) | 60% |
| Healing | AoE | Single Target |
| DMG Increase (Skill) | 240% ATK | None |
Escoffier might have 10-20% higher total damage output, but considering the cost of three 5-star characters plus a signature weapon, for F2P players focusing on Ayaka's personal DPS, "Xilonen is sufficient" is the current conclusion.
4. Furina is Key
If you have Furina:
Since Furina significantly boosts DMG Bonus, the ATK +32% and RES -55% from Escoffier can be fully utilized. The AoE healing also synergizes very well with Furina, and Escoffier meets Furina's party restrictions, allowing Ayaka's damage to be maximized. A "viable" option. If I had Furina, I would have definitely pulled.
If you don't have Furina:
Escoffier is effectively just a "RES shred + ATK buff bot." Without being able to provide DMG Bonus, it's hard to say if Escoffier significantly outperforms a C2 Xilonen.
5. High Sub-DPS Potential is a Plus
It's true that Escoffier's personal follow-up attacks can help clear Spiral Abyss faster. I personally think "sub-DPS dealing damage isn't fun," but it will appeal to those who want to boost overall party damage. Paired with Furina, they buff each other, making Escoffier a very strong sub-DPS. For those aiming to clear Abyss or tackle high-difficulty content, Escoffier is recommendable.
6. The Looming Cryo Archon Uncertainty
Historically, all Archons have been "meta-defining" upon release. If the Cryo Archon is a Cryo support with DMG Bonus and DEF shred, or a character that super-buffs Ayaka, Escoffier's role could diminish significantly. Those saving Primogems for the future should be cautious.
7. Summary — Depends on Your Roster and Goals
If you don't have Furina:
- For my teams, Ayaka/Shenhe/Escoffier/Mona would likely be the strongest, but Hydro application would be insufficient for consistent Freeze. I'd want Yelan/Furina. Looking at total buffs for Ayaka, a team like Ayaka/Shenhe/Xilonen/Kokomi, while probably inferior, could achieve similar buff levels.
Pull Escoffier *after* Furina.
- If you have, say, C2 Furina providing massive buffs, then Escoffier might be worth it. But considering the upcoming Cryo Archon, if you want to strengthen Ayaka, pulling Furina first seems like a better long-term investment.
If you want to save for the Cryo Archon:
- It's fine to skip Escoffier for now and decide after seeing the Cryo Archon. I have very high expectations for the Cryo Archon's support capabilities, so I'm leaning towards skipping Escoffier.
My personal conclusion: "If you have C6 Shenhe + C2 Xilonen and *no* Furina, Escoffier probably won't be a major upgrade for Ayaka." I believe prioritizing the likely long-lasting Furina, then considering Escoffier after seeing the Cryo Archon's kit, is the best approach for F2P players. However, for those who want an all-in-one sub-DPS/support, and especially for Furina fans, Escoffier is a sufficient "reason to pull." Whether to dive into the Fontaine gacha abyss—that's a decision to make after consulting your Primogems and your heart.