The Comprehensive Guide
Genshin Substat Priority Guide: Mastering the Math of Artifact Rolls
If you've played Genshin Impact for more than a few weeks, you know that Artifacts are the true end-game. They are the primary source of power for your characters and the biggest sink for your Resin. But what makes an artifact "good"? Is it just about the "Crit Value"? Or is there something deeper? Our Genshin Substat Priority Calculator is built on the advanced "Roll Value" (RV) system to give you a definitive answer.
In this guide, we will break down how artifact rolls work, why Roll Value is superior to Crit Value, and how to prioritize stats for different character archetypes.
The Anatomy of an Artifact Roll
In Genshin Impact, every artifact (starting at 5-star) has 3 or 4 sub-stats at level 0. Every 4 levels (up to level 20), the artifact either gains a new sub-stat (if it had 3) or upgrades one of its existing sub-stats (if it had 4).
The Four Tiers of Rolls
Each time a stat is upgraded, it doesn't take a random number. It rolls an upgrade from one of four defined "tiers." For example, Crit DMG can roll as:
- Tier 1 (Lowest): 5.4%
- Tier 2 (Mid-Low): 6.2%
- Tier 3 (Mid-High): 7.0%
- Tier 4 (Max): 7.8%
A "perfect" artifact isn't just one that rolls into the right stat—it's one that rolls into the Tier 4 version of that stat every single time. This is where Roll Value (RV) comes in.
Crit Value (CV) vs. Roll Value (RV)
What is Crit Value (CV)?
CV is the most common community metric. It is calculated as: (Crit Rate * 2) + Crit DMG.
A 10% Crit Rate and 20% Crit DMG piece has a 40 CV.
The Problem: CV completely ignores other vital stats like Attack, Elemental Mastery, and Energy Recharge. A 40 CV piece with zero ATK and zero ER is often worse than a 30 CV piece with 15% ATK and 12% ER.
The Superiority of Roll Value (RV)
The Substat Priority Calculator uses RV. This system treats a "Max Roll" of any useful stat as 100%. If a piece rolls 7.8% Crit DMG (Max Tier 4), it gets 100% RV. If it rolls 5.4% Crit DMG (Min Tier 1), it gets ~70% RV. This allows you to calculate the true efficiency of an artifact. A high-efficiency artifact (RV above 700-800% at Level 20) is considered "Elite Tier," regardless of whether it hits a "Double Crit" or not.
Substat Priority by Character Archetype
Prioritizing stats depends on who you are building. Our calculator weights these stats based on the "Role" you select.
| Archetype | Primary Stats (Priority) | Secondary Stats (Priority) | "Dead" Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional DPS (Ayaka, Xiao) | Crit Rate, Crit DMG | ATK%, ER% (to requirement) | HP, DEF, EM (mostly) |
| Vaporize DPS (Hu Tao, Xiangling) | Crit Rate, Crit DMG, EM | HP%/ATK%, ER% (High Priority) | DEF, Flat Stats |
| Dendro Trigger (Nahida, Alhaitham) | EM (Highest), Crit | Dmg Bonus, ATK% | DEF, HP |
| Support (Kazuha, Zhongli) | ER%, EM (Kazuha) / HP (Zhongli) | Crit (if using Favonius) | ATK, DEF |
How to Use the Substat Priority Calculator
- Select Character Scaling: Does your character scale with ATK, HP, DEF, or EM? This sets the "Weight" of each roll.
- Input Stat Rolls: Enter the values of the 4 sub-stats on your artifact.
- Check the RV Score: See how close your piece is to the "Theoretical Maximum Efficiency" (1000% for a 9-roll Max Tier piece).
- Analyze "Stat Balance": The calculator will tell you if your piece is skewed toward one stat (e.g., "Attack Heavy") or balanced.
- Fodder or Keep? The tool provides a recommendation based on your account progression stage (Early, Mid, or End-game).
Advanced Concept: The "Energy Recharge Floor"
For 80% of the characters in Genshin, Energy Recharge (ER) has the highest priority until you hit a certain floor (e.g., 200% for Xiangling). In the Substat Priority Calculator, any ER roll on a character who hasn't hit their floor is weighted at 1.5x efficiency. Why? Because missing a burst is a 100% loss of that character's potential DPS. Once the floor is hit, ER's priority drops to zero. This is the smartest way to evaluate artifacts.
The "Flat Stat" Trap
Many players see "Flat ATK" or "Flat HP" and think they are decent. However, in the end-game, flat stats do not scale with character levels or percentages. A "Max Roll" of Flat ATK is typically 19. For a character with 1,000 Base ATK, that is only a 1.9% ATK increase. Compare that to a Max Roll of ATK%, which is 5.8%. The Substat Priority Calculator exposes this reality, showing you that flat stats are generally "junk" rolls that only contribute ~30-40% RV compared to their percentage-based counterparts.
Inventory Management: Keeping "Hidden Gems"
Sometimes you get a piece that looks bad but is actually god-tier. Example: A flower with EM, ER, DEF%, and HP%. CV System: "Trash. 0 CV." RV System: "Keep! 90% RV for a Support Albedo or a Baizhu." Using our calculator helps you find these hidden gems that most players would feed into a mediocre crit piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
"What is a good RV for a level 20 artifact?"
- Below 500%: Decent starter piece or filler.
- 500% - 700%: Solid mid-game piece for Floor 11-12.
- 700% - 850%: Elite piece. Worth refining your build around.
- 850%+: God-tier / "Holy Grail" piece. Extremely rare.
"Why does the calculator say my 40 CV piece is mediocre?"
It likely has low rolls (Tier 1-2) or contains completely useless stats in the other slots. A 40 CV piece with Low rolls and 3 dead stats might have lower Total Efficiency than a 30 CV piece with 4 useful stats and Max rolls.
"Does this work for 4-star artifacts?"
Yes, though it is primarily optimized for the higher ceilings of 5-star artifacts. It will scale the calculations based on the 4-star tier caps.
Conclusion: Stop Guessing, Start Calculating
The path to a powerful Genshin account is paved with smart artifact choices. Stop being fooled by "Crit or Bust" mentalities. Use the Genshin Substat Priority Calculator to understand the true value of your inventory. Build characters that are balanced, efficient, and ready to dominate the hardest challenges in the game. Your Resin is precious—don't let it go to waste on the wrong rolls.
Now that you know your priorities, calculate your total output with our DPS Calculator!