- Stellar Glimmer is the Cryo-aligned reaction system added in Genshin Impact 7.0 Snezhnaya.
- Two variants exist: Stellar Swirl (AoE spread) and Stellar-Conduct (single-target stacking).
- Trigger rule: the enemy must carry a Cryo aura or be Frozen before the Stellar source hits.
- Damage formula: Base Damage × (1 + EM Bonus + Stellar Bonus) × Level Multiplier.
- Best uptime: alternate Cryo and Stellar applications every 2–3 seconds for 80%+ reaction uptime.
Stellar Glimmer All Reactions Overview
Stellar Glimmer all reactions form the flagship reaction family of the Snezhnaya version. Every Stellar Glimmer reaction begins from the same root: a Cryo aura on the enemy struck by a Stellar-aligned application. From that root, the system branches into distinct behaviors depending on target state and variant chosen.
The full reaction family is easiest to understand as a table:
| Reaction | Trigger Condition | Effect | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stellar Glimmer (base) | Cryo aura + Stellar hit | Reaction damage, Stellar mark applied | General Cryo teams |
| Stellar Swirl | Trigger on grouped enemies | Spreads Stellar mark to nearby enemies | AoE waves, mob clear |
| Stellar-Conduct | Trigger on single enemy | Stacking damage bonus per trigger | Bosses, elites |
| Freeze-extended Glimmer | Trigger on Frozen enemy | Extends freeze window | Freeze comps |
| Shatter-bonus Glimmer | Freeze breaks after trigger | Converts part of damage into bonus Shatter | Freeze-then-burst rotations |
If the Stellar source hits an enemy without a Cryo aura (or Frozen state), the application only applies aura and does not trigger the reaction. Always apply Cryo first.
Damage Formula and Scaling
Every Stellar Glimmer reaction uses the same core formula:
Reaction Damage = Base Reaction Damage × (1 + Elemental Mastery Bonus + Stellar Glimmer Bonus) × Level Multiplier
| Scaling Factor | Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Level Multiplier | Dominant early | Raise character level first for damage growth |
| Elemental Mastery | Late-game ceiling | Weigh EM against ATK% on artifacts |
| Stellar Glimmer Bonus | Dedicated stat | Boosts reaction damage directly |
| Internal Cooldown (ICD) | Limits uptime | Alternate applications every 2–3 seconds |
The Frozen and Shatter interaction rewards preparation: hitting a Frozen enemy with Stellar Glimmer extends the freeze window, and when the freeze breaks, part of the reaction damage converts into a bonus Shatter instance. Teams that stack Cryo application before triggering get noticeably more total damage per rotation.
Keep Stellar Glimmer reaction uptime above 80% by alternating Cryo and Stellar applications on a 2–3 second rhythm. Sustain-heavy teams with healers enable the long field time needed for Stellar-Conduct stacking.
Stellar Swirl vs Stellar-Conduct Comparison
Stellar Swirl
- Spreads the Stellar Glimmer mark to nearby enemies
- Excels in AoE content and grouped waves
- Slightly lower per-target multiplier
- Pairs with Ganyu burst blanket coverage
Stellar-Conduct
- Focuses full reaction on one target
- Stacking damage bonus for consecutive triggers
- Preferred for boss fights and elite rotations
- Pairs naturally with Ayaka single-target loops
Choose the variant that matches the encounter. Against wave content and tightly grouped enemies, Stellar Swirl multiplies value per trigger. Against bosses where only one hitbox exists, Stellar-Conduct's stacking bonus compounds with every consecutive trigger in your rotation.
One hitbox or a high-HP boss means Stellar-Conduct. Three or more grouped enemies means Stellar Swirl. Against mixed encounters, freeze-lock first, then let Stellar Swirl spread while the mark stacks.
Step-by-Step Rotation Guide
Follow this sequence to trigger every Stellar Glimmer reaction variant reliably in a single rotation:
Apply Cryo Aura
Open with a fast Cryo application — the Traveler (Cryo) Elemental Skill or Ganyu's charged shot. Confirm the aura sticks before anything else.
Hold with Freeze
Use a Hydro enabler such as Ayato to freeze-lock the target, extending the reaction window and unlocking the Shatter bonus component.
Trigger the Reaction
Strike with your Stellar source. On grouped enemies the Stellar Swirl spread handles the wave; on a boss, the Stellar-Conduct stack begins building.
Respect the ICD
Alternate Cryo and Stellar applications every 2–3 seconds. Re-triggering too fast wastes the application to internal cooldown.
Loop with Buffs
Weave in Mika's attack-speed buff or Charlotte's off-field sustain, then restart the loop. Aim for 80%+ reaction uptime across the rotation.
The Cryo Traveler is the most accessible trigger unit — their Skill applies Cryo on a short cooldown and converts to Stellar-aligned damage in Snezhnaya regions, making a full Stellar Glimmer loop possible without any five-star characters.
Characters and Teams by Reaction Fit
Character value in this system comes down to elemental application frequency: who sustains the Cryo aura, who keeps enemies Frozen, and who converts their kit into reliable Stellar triggers.
| Character | Element | Role | Application | Reaction Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traveler (Cryo) | Cryo | Trigger / Enabler | Fast | S |
| Ganyu | Cryo | Main DPS | Moderate | S |
| Ayaka | Cryo | Main DPS | Fast | A |
| Kamisato Ayato | Hydro | Enabler | Fast | A |
| Charlotte | Cryo | Support | Moderate | B |
| Mika | Cryo | Support | Moderate | B |
Proven team archetypes for each reaction style:
| Team Comp | Members | Reaction Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Double Cryo Freeze Core | Ganyu / Ayaka / Ayato / Charlotte | Stellar Swirl AoE spreads |
| Traveler Stellar-Conduct Boss Killer | Traveler (Cryo) / Ganyu / Mika / Ayato | Single-target stacking |
| Cryo Resonation Overload | Ayaka / Charlotte / Mika / Ayato | Freeze-extended triggers with sustain |
| Sustain-Heavy Stellar Loop | Traveler (Cryo) / Charlotte / Ayato / Mika | 80%+ uptime long-rotation loops |
Mona replaces Ayato for freeze extension; Barbara replaces Mika for healing; Ayaka and Ganyu are interchangeable main DPS depending on whether you need Stellar-Conduct focus or Stellar Swirl coverage.
Reaction Mastery Checklist:
- Apply Cryo aura before every Stellar trigger
- Freeze-lock targets to extend the reaction window
- Match variant to encounter: Swirl for AoE, Conduct for bosses
- Alternate applications every 2–3 seconds to respect ICD
- Maintain 80%+ reaction uptime with sustain supports
FAQ
Q: How do I trigger Stellar Glimmer reactions?
Apply a Cryo aura (or freeze the enemy) first, then strike with a Stellar-aligned application. If the Stellar source hits without a Cryo aura present, no reaction occurs — only an aura is applied.
Q: What is the difference between Stellar Swirl and Stellar-Conduct?
Stellar Swirl spreads the Stellar Glimmer mark to nearby enemies on trigger, making it ideal for AoE content but with a slightly lower per-target multiplier. Stellar-Conduct focuses the full reaction on a single target with a stacking damage bonus for consecutive triggers, making it the boss-fight variant.
Q: Which characters trigger Stellar Glimmer all reactions best?
The Cryo Traveler and Ganyu are S-tier fits thanks to fast, reliable Cryo application. Ayaka pairs naturally with Stellar-Conduct single-target rotations, and Ayato's Hydro application keeps enemies Frozen to extend the reaction window.
Q: Does freezing the enemy help Stellar Glimmer?
Yes. Hitting a Frozen enemy with Stellar Glimmer extends the freeze window, and part of the reaction damage converts into a bonus Shatter instance when the freeze breaks. Teams that stack Cryo application before triggering get the most from this interaction.