- Stellar Glimmer is the Cryo-aligned reaction introduced in Genshin Impact's Snezhnaya version.
- Stellar-Conduct is the single-target variant with stacking damage bonuses, ideal for bosses.
- Stellar Swirl spreads the mark to nearby enemies, making it the AoE variant of choice.
- Order matters: apply Cryo aura (or Freeze) first, then trigger with a Stellar-aligned source.
- Rotation rule: alternate Cryo and Stellar applications every 2-3 seconds to respect internal cooldowns.
Stellar Glimmer vs Stellar-Conduct: Core Differences
Stellar Glimmer is not one reaction but a system with two distinct variants, and choosing the wrong one for the encounter is the most common mistake players make in Snezhnaya content. Stellar-Conduct is technically a variant within the Stellar Glimmer family — not a separate reaction — which is why the "vs" framing confuses many players. The distinction comes down to targeting behavior and damage profile.
The base reaction triggers when a Cryo aura on an enemy is struck by a Stellar-aligned application. If the enemy carries no Cryo aura (or is not Frozen), the hit only applies aura without triggering anything. From that shared trigger, the two variants diverge:
| Aspect | Stellar Glimmer (Stellar Swirl) | Stellar-Conduct |
|---|---|---|
| Targeting | Spreads mark to nearby enemies | Focuses full reaction on one target |
| Per-target multiplier | Slightly lower | Higher base multiplier |
| Stacking | No consecutive-trigger stack bonus | Stacking damage bonus on consecutive triggers |
| Best content | AoE, grouped waves, mob floors | Bosses, elites, single-target rotations |
| Freeze synergy | Extends freeze window across groups | Extends freeze window plus bonus Shatter instance |
| Preferred driver | Ganyu burst, Traveler (Cryo) AoE field | Ayaka loops, Traveler (Cryo) focused bursts |
If enemies are grouped, trigger Stellar Swirl. If you are burning down one health bar, trigger Stellar-Conduct. The Cryo-first trigger order is identical for both.
Damage Scaling and Formulas
Both variants share the same base damage formula: Reaction damage = Base Reaction Damage × (1 + Elemental Mastery Bonus + Stellar Glimmer Bonus) × Level Multiplier. The differences appear in how each variant multiplies on top of that base.
- Level scaling dominates early on — a level 90 trigger character dramatically outperforms an under-leveled one regardless of gear.
- Elemental Mastery and dedicated Stellar Glimmer bonus stats define the late-game ceiling.
- Stellar-Conduct's stacking bonus rewards consecutive triggers on the same target, so uptime and rotation discipline matter more than raw burst windows.
- Stellar Swirl's spread scales with enemy density; in single-target fights it effectively loses most of its value.
Alternating Cryo and Stellar applications too quickly wastes triggers. Respect the 2-3 second application rhythm to keep reaction uptime above 80%.
Best Characters for Each Variant
Character fit is largely about elemental application frequency. Fast Cryo appliers sustain the aura; on-field carries convert their kit into reliable Stellar triggers.
| Character | Element | Role | Application | Best Variant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traveler (Cryo) | Cryo | Trigger/Enabler | Fast | Both (S-tier fit) |
| Ganyu | Cryo | Main DPS | Moderate | Stellar Swirl |
| Ayaka | Cryo | Main DPS | Fast | Stellar-Conduct |
| Ayato | Hydro | Enabler | Fast | Both (freeze extension) |
| Charlotte | Cryo | Support | Moderate | Stellar-Conduct sustain loops |
| Mika | Cryo | Support | Moderate | Attack-speed stacking teams |
Traveler (Cryo)
- S-tier trigger with short-cooldown Cryo skill
- Converts to Stellar-aligned damage in Snezhnaya regions
- Most accessible enabler for free-to-play players
Ganyu
- S-tier Swirl driver with permanent aura uptime
- High Elemental Mastery scaling on charged shots
- Burst blankets groups for mark spreading
Ayaka
- A-tier Conduct specialist
- Sprint and burst infuse continuous Cryo
- Natural fit for single-target boss rotations
Ayato (or Mona as a substitute) keeps enemies Frozen, extending the reaction window and unlocking the bonus Shatter component when the freeze breaks.
Team Comps: Swirl vs Conduct Setups
The variant you build around should dictate your entire team structure. Swirl teams want grouping and multi-target coverage; Conduct teams want single-target stacking time and sustain.
| Comp | Members | Variant Focus | Rotation Loop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cryo Freeze Core | Ganyu / Ayaka / Ayato / Charlotte | Stellar Swirl AoE | Ayato skill → Ganyu burst → Ayaka combo → repeat |
| Traveler Boss Killer | Traveler (Cryo) / Ganyu / Mika / Ayato | Stellar-Conduct stacking | Ganyu skill → Traveler skill → Ayato burst → Traveler burst → Mika buffs |
| Cryo Resonation Overload | Ayaka / Charlotte / Mika / Ayato | Mixed, crit-focused | Mika skill → Charlotte burst → Ayato skill → Ayaka combo |
| Sustain-Heavy Loop | Traveler (Cryo) / Charlotte / Ayato / Mika | Conduct uptime 80%+ | Charlotte skill → Mika burst → Ayato skill → Traveler combo |
Apply Cryo Aura
Open with a Cryo skill or burst to establish the aura. Ganyu's skill or the Traveler's Cryo skill are the fastest openers.
Lock with Freeze
Follow with Hydro application to freeze targets. This extends the reaction window and sets up the Shatter bonus when the freeze breaks.
Trigger the Variant
Hit the frozen or Cryo-aurad target with your Stellar-aligned source. Grouped enemies will spread via Swirl; a lone boss will take Conduct stacking damage.
Maintain the Rhythm
Alternate Cryo and Stellar applications every 2-3 seconds. Consecutive Conduct triggers build the stacking bonus, so do not drop the loop.
Against bosses, run the Traveler Stellar-Conduct loop: stack the bonus early in the fight, then unload Ayato's burst and the Traveler's burst at maximum stacks for peak damage.
Build Checklist for Both Variants
Stellar Glimmer Mastery Goals:
- Level your trigger character to 90 for the level multiplier
- Farm Blizzard Strayer for on-field Cryo carries (40% crit swing vs frozen targets)
- Hit 80%+ Elemental Mastery or reaction bonus on your trigger unit
- Practice the 2-3 second Cryo/Stellar alternation rhythm
- Build one Swirl team and one Conduct team for different content
For artifacts, the priorities split cleanly by variant role:
| Artifact Set | Best For | Key Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Blizzard Strayer | On-field Cryo carries, Traveler (Cryo) | +20% crit vs Cryo, +40% vs Frozen |
| Golden Troupe | Off-field skill-based enablers | +25% skill damage, +25% more off-field |
| Emblem of Severed Fate | Burst-reliant sub-DPS (Xingqiu, Fischl) | Burst damage scales with ER, up to +75% |
| Viridescent Venerer | Anemo supports (Sucrose) | 40% elemental RES shred on Swirl |
| Instructor (4-star) | Budget supports | +120 party Elemental Mastery after skill |
A +16 Instructor set on supports is a solid bridge while farming Blizzard Strayer. Harbinger of Dawn (3-star) remains a strong budget weapon for shielded teams thanks to its crit passive.
FAQ
Q: Is Stellar-Conduct a separate reaction from Stellar Glimmer?
No. Stellar-Conduct is one of two variants within the Stellar Glimmer reaction system introduced in the Snezhnaya version. Stellar Swirl is the AoE variant that spreads the mark to nearby enemies, while Stellar-Conduct is the single-target variant with a stacking damage bonus for consecutive triggers.
Q: Which Stellar Glimmer variant is better for bosses?
Stellar-Conduct is the preferred boss variant. Its full reaction focuses on a single target and gains a stacking damage bonus for consecutive triggers, making it superior in elite single-target rotations. Stellar Swirl loses most of its value when only one enemy is present.
Q: How do I trigger Stellar Glimmer correctly?
The enemy must carry a Cryo aura or be Frozen before your Stellar-aligned source hits. Apply Cryo first, hold the enemy with Freeze, then trigger. Alternate Cryo and Stellar applications every 2-3 seconds to respect the internal cooldown and keep uptime above 80%.
Q: Does Stellar Glimmer work with Frozen and Shatter?
Yes. Hitting a Frozen enemy with Stellar Glimmer extends the freeze window and converts part of the reaction damage into a bonus Shatter instance when the freeze breaks, rewarding teams that stack Cryo application before triggering.