The Stygian Onslaught represents the pinnacle of Genshin Impact’s combat design — a perfect blend of strategy, precision, and endurance. It’s punishing, yes, but also deeply rewarding for those who can master its rhythms and build optimized teams.

What Is the Stygian Onslaught?

The Stygian Onslaught is the newest high-difficulty combat mode introduced in Genshin Impact, designed to challenge even the most experienced players. Functioning as a Ley Line Disturbance event, it operates similarly to the Spiral Abyss, offering a rotation of bosses, timed battles, and top-tier rewards for those who can endure its escalating phases.

How to Unlock the Stygian Onslaught

Unlocking the Onslaught isn’t overly complex, but you’ll need to have progressed far enough in the main story to handle what’s ahead.

Unlock Requirements:

  • Adventure Rank: 20 or above
  • Archon Quest: Complete Prologue: Act III “Song of the Dragon and Freedom” (end of the Mondstadt storyline)
  • Recommended Experience: Finish the Archon Quest “Perilous Trail” for the best understanding of Ley Line Disturbances and their lore.
  • Access Point: Found under the Events Overview page — as this is a recurring combat event.

Pro Tip for Artifact Hunters:

To access the Disturbance Outbreak Phase (available during the first 10 days of a new cycle) — where you can spend Resin for bonus artifact drops and Dire Prestige — your Adventure Rank must be 45 or higher.

The Structure: How the Onslaught Works

Once unlocked, the Stygian Onslaught pits you against a series of three escalating boss battles, each tougher than the last.

1. Difficulty Tiers

The mode offers six total difficulty levels, from Normal (I) to Dire (VI):

Difficulties I–III:

  • Allow character reuse and Co-Op play
  • More forgiving timers (up to 10 minutes per phase)

Difficulties IV–VI:

  • No character overlap across teams (like Spiral Abyss Floor 12)
  • Strict time limits — just 120 seconds per phase
  • Intended for maxed-out builds and precise team coordination

Rewards Worth Fighting For

The Stygian Onslaught doesn’t just test your strength — it rewards it.

  • Primogems: Earned by clearing the first three difficulties — a nice incentive for every player.
  • Dust of Enlightenment: Available from higher tiers (Menacing IV and above). This rare item lets you redistribute substats on Level 20 five-star Artifacts — a game-changer for min-maxers perfecting their builds.
  • Exclusive Weapon Skins: The ultimate prize awaits those who clear Dire (VI). Completing it unlocks a temporary weapon skin, while finishing all three bosses within 180 seconds or less rewards a glowing 5-Star variant. (Note: Skins reset with each new Onslaught cycle.)

The Meta: Best Team Compositions for Version 6.1 “Luna II”

Each Stygian Onslaught cycle introduces different boss mechanics and Ley Line effects, forcing players to adapt. The current Luna II update heavily favors synergy-driven teams and efficient elemental play.

Top Strategies:

  • Hyper-Invested Teams: Players are clearing Fearless V and Dire VI using high-DPS lineups built around new 5-Star units like Nefer, Varesa, Mavuika, Flins, and Arlecchino.
  • Elemental Counters: Pay attention to each boss’s resistances. For example, the Frostnight Herra boss demands Pyro-based or shield-breaking teams to bypass her icy defenses.