Wanderer (Scaramouche) Genshin Impact Character Guide – Best Build, Weapons, Artifacts, and Teams

TL;DR

Wanderer (also known as Scaramouche) is a 5-star Anemo Catalyst user and powerful on-field hypercarry DPS.
His Elemental Skill lets him hover mid-air, deal sustained Anemo damage, and absorb elemental buffs.
Best weapon: Tulaytullah’s Remembrance (signature), Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds, or Cashflow Supervision.
Best artifact set: 4-piece Desert Pavilion Chronicle, or 4-piece Marechaussee Hunter when paired with Furina.
His strongest team pairs him with Faruzan, Bennett, and Yelan or a shielder like Layla or Zhongli.
C2 is his most impactful constellation — it makes his Elemental Burst significantly stronger.
Ascension uses Vayuda Turquoise, Rukkhashava Mushrooms, Perpetual Caliburs, and Handguards.
Faruzan at C6 is almost essential to push Wanderer into his full damage potential.

Table of Contents

Who Is Wanderer in Genshin Impact?

Wanderer is a 5-star Anemo character who uses a Catalyst. He was first introduced as a villain — the Sixth of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, known by his codename The Balladeer and his real name Kunikuzushi. After the events of the Sumeru Archon Quest, he erased his previous identities from the world-tree Irminsul and became a drifter, eventually regaining his memories and starting life over with a new Anemo Vision. He enrolled in the Akademiya under the name “Hat Guy,” given to him by Nahida, the Dendro Archon.

He was released as a playable character in Version 3.3 and is one of the most popular and visually striking DPS characters in the game. Players can give him a custom name during the Interlude Chapter: Act III Archon Quest. His constellation is Peregrinus. See the full Wanderer character page for more details on his profile and story.

If you enjoy playing Anemo DPS characters, you may also want to check out our guide on Xiao, the other major Anemo hypercarry in the game, or the Kaedehara Kazuha guide for Anemo support options.

Genshin Impact is free to download and play on PC via the official site, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Epic Games Store, and Xbox.

Wanderer

Wanderer Skills and Abilities

Normal Attack: Yuuban Meigen

Wanderer performs up to 3 attacks using wind blades, dealing Anemo damage. His Charged Attack consumes Stamina and deals AoE Anemo damage after a short charging period. His Plunging Attack drops from mid-air and deals AoE Anemo damage on impact.

While in his Windfavored state (activated by his Elemental Skill), his Normal and Charged Attacks change. They become faster, more powerful, and — critically — no Stamina is consumed on Charged Attacks in mid-air. This is where the bulk of his damage comes from in every rotation.

Elemental Skill: Hanega: Song of the Wind

This is Wanderer’s most important ability and the core of his entire kit. When activated, he deals AoE Anemo damage and leaps into the air, entering the Windfavored state. In this state, he hovers above the ground and gains a pool of Kuugoryoku Points, which act like a stamina gauge for his flight. While hovering, he cannot perform Plunging Attacks but gains enhanced Normal and Charged Attacks that deal strong Anemo damage.

Here is what makes the skill truly unique — when the skill comes into contact with Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, or Electro at activation, he absorbs up to 2 elements and gains the following buffs from the Jade-Claimed Flower passive:

Hydro: Kuugoryoku Point cap increases by 20 (more hover time)
Pyro: ATK increases by 30%
Cryo: CRIT Rate increases by 20%
Electro: Normal and Charged Attacks restore 0.8 Energy on hit (once every 0.2 seconds)

The strongest combination is Pyro + Cryo, giving him both an ATK bonus and CRIT Rate boost at the same time. This is why Bennett (Pyro) and Layla or another Cryo unit are such powerful teammates for him.

Elemental Burst: Kyougen: Five Ceremonial Plays

Wanderer ends the Windfavored state and launches a powerful sequence of Anemo blasts, dealing massive AoE Anemo damage to nearby enemies. This burst is a strong finisher that deals high damage in a single concentrated window. At C2, the burst deals even more damage and becomes a central part of his rotation rather than just a clean-up tool.

Passive Talents

A1 – Jade-Claimed Flower: The elemental absorption system described above. When his skill touches Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, or Electro, he gains the matching buff. Up to 2 different buffs can be active simultaneously.
A4 – Gales of Reverie: While in the Windfavored state, hitting opponents with Normal or Charged Attacks has a chance to release a Windfavored wind arrow that deals Anemo damage. This passive adds passive additional damage during his on-field time.
Utility Passive – Strum the Swirling Winds: Mora spent when ascending Bows and Catalysts is reduced by 50%. Useful for saving Mora while leveling weapons for catalyst and bow characters on your roster.

Wanderer Constellations

Wanderer’s constellations primarily increase his personal damage rather than change how he is played. Here is a breakdown of each one:

C1 – Shoban: Ostentatious Parade: While in the Windfavored state, the Attack SPD of his Normal and Charged Attacks is increased by 10%. Additionally, when the Windfavored state ends, each Kuugoryoku Point consumed will restore 0.5 Energy for the Wanderer. This smooths out his rotations and reduces his Energy Recharge needs slightly.
C2 – Niban: Isle Amidst White Waves: When Kyougen: Five Ceremonial Plays is used, it will activate the Whirling Lotus buff for the next 5 seconds, increasing Wanderer’s Normal and Charged Attack DMG by 4% for each Kuugoryoku Point he consumed (whether naturally or via the burst). This makes his burst hit significantly harder and is the most impactful constellation overall. Aim for C2 if investing in constellations.
C3 – Sanban: Moonflower Kusemai: Increases Heartstopper Strike (Elemental Burst) level by 3, up to Level 15. More burst damage.
C4 – Yonban: Set Adrift: When Jade-Claimed Flower triggers, if Wanderer absorbs Hydro or Cryo, the corresponding buff’s effect is enhanced. Hydro gives more Kuugoryoku Points; Cryo gives more CRIT Rate.
C5 – Muban: Enlightened One: Increases the level of Hanega: Song of the Wind by 3, up to Level 15. More skill damage.
C6 – Furiten no Chiburi: Forbidden Chord: Each time Gales of Reverie (A4 passive) fires a wind arrow, Wanderer’s Normal and Charged Attack DMG is increased by 4% for 5 seconds. Maximum 40% bonus. This turns his sustained damage significantly higher during extended fights.

Best Weapons for Wanderer in Genshin Impact

Best-in-Slot

Tulaytullah’s Remembrance (5-star, Signature): Wanderer’s signature weapon. It provides CRIT DMG as a substat, increases Normal Attack speed in the Windfavored state, and stacks Elemental Skill DMG over time. It is designed around his N2C (Normal, Normal, Charged) combat loop and is his highest personal damage option in most builds and scenarios.

Strong Alternatives

Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds (5-star): CRIT Rate substat and a stacking Anemo DMG bonus the longer Wanderer stays on the field. One of his best alternatives — especially when paired with Bennett, where it can overtake the signature weapon in some rotations.
Cashflow Supervision (5-star): Becomes his best-in-slot when paired with Furina. Furina’s HP-drain mechanic keeps Cashflow stacks active, maximizing his Normal and Charged Attack DMG. A strong option in Furina-Marechaussee Hunter builds.
The Widsith (4-star): CRIT DMG substat with a random on-field buff (ATK%, Elemental DMG, or Elemental Mastery). When it rolls ATK% or Elemental DMG, his burst window peaks among 4-star weapons. The randomness is the trade-off.
Skyward Atlas (5-star): High base ATK with an ATK% substat and a periodic follow-up blade attack. A reliable all-around option if you have it.

Best Free-to-Play Option

Mappa Mare (4-star, Craftable): Elemental Mastery substat with an Elemental DMG bonus that activates on Swirl. Easy to craft from a catalyst billet. Works in any Wanderer build and is especially useful early on while saving for better weapons.

Best Artifacts for Wanderer in Genshin Impact

Best Set: 4-Piece Desert Pavilion Chronicle

This is Wanderer’s signature artifact set, designed specifically around his playstyle. The 2-piece bonus grants Anemo DMG Bonus. The 4-piece bonus activates when Wanderer uses a Charged Attack — it increases his Normal Attack speed by 10% and raises Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attack damage by 40% for 15 seconds. Since his rotation starts with a Charged Attack before entering the Windfavored state, the 4-piece buff is almost always active during his damage window.

Important: You must initiate his rotation with a Charged Attack before using his Elemental Skill to trigger the 4-piece bonus. Do not forget this step or you will lose a significant chunk of his damage.

Alternative Set: 4-Piece Marechaussee Hunter (With Furina)

When Wanderer is paired with Furina, her ability to drain HP activates the Marechaussee Hunter set’s stacks passively and continuously. This raises CRIT Rate significantly, allowing you to invest more in CRIT DMG instead. In Furina teams, this setup can match or outperform Desert Pavilion Chronicle. Pair it with Cashflow Supervision for maximum output.

Budget Option

2-piece Viridescent Venerer + 2-piece Desert Pavilion Chronicle (or any 18% ATK set): A decent stop-gap while farming the full 4-piece. You trade the Normal Attack boost for Anemo DMG and a smaller ATK increase. Not ideal, but functional while you build up better pieces.

Artifact Main Stats

Sands: ATK%
Goblet: Anemo DMG Bonus%
Circlet: CRIT Rate% or CRIT DMG%
Sub-stats to prioritize: CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK%, Energy Recharge

Wanderer’s ascension stat is CRIT Rate, giving him 19.2% bonus CRIT Rate at max level. This means you can lean a bit more into CRIT DMG on your artifacts and circlet without losing CRIT balance.

Best Teams for Wanderer in Genshin Impact

Best Team: Wanderer Hypercarry (Anemo Team)

This is Wanderer’s strongest team and rated SS tier by most community resources:

Wanderer – On-field Main DPS in Windfavored state
Faruzan (C6 preferred) – Anemo support who shreds enemy Anemo RES and boosts Anemo CRIT DMG
Bennett – ATK buff from burst zone, healing, Pyro for Jade-Claimed Flower
Yelan or Xingqiu – Off-field Hydro for Jade-Claimed Flower activation and additional off-field damage

The rotation looks like this: Faruzan uses her burst to shred Anemo resistance and apply buffs, Bennett uses his burst to place the ATK zone, Yelan or Xingqiu activates their off-field Hydro, then Wanderer uses a Charged Attack to trigger the Desert Pavilion 4-piece bonus before activating his skill on the Pyro and Hydro elements. This gives him both Pyro (ATK +30%) and Hydro (extended hover time) buffs simultaneously, and he enters the field with Faruzan’s Anemo shred and Bennett’s ATK boost active. This is peak Wanderer.

Faruzan at C6 is strongly recommended. Without C6, her CRIT DMG buff for Anemo characters is absent, which noticeably reduces Wanderer’s damage ceiling. If you are investing in Wanderer long-term, getting Faruzan’s constellations should be a priority. Check out the Faruzan character page and Bennett’s guide for build details on these key teammates.

Wanderer + Shielder Team (Safer Alternative)

Wanderer is vulnerable to interruption while hovering. A shielder replaces the flex slot for better survivability:

Wanderer – Main DPS
Faruzan – Anemo support and resistance shredder
Layla or Zhongli – Shield to prevent interruption; Layla also provides Cryo for the +20% CRIT Rate buff via Jade-Claimed Flower
Bennett – ATK buff and healing, Pyro for Jade-Claimed Flower activation

Layla is especially synergistic here. Her shield applies Cryo passively, and Wanderer absorbs it at skill activation, gaining 20% CRIT Rate. This team sacrifices some off-field damage from Yelan but is significantly safer in fights with heavy knockback or fast-hitting enemies. See the Layla guide for her best build in this support role.

Vaporize Driver Team

Wanderer can act as an on-field driver for Vaporize reactions, making his team more flexible:

Wanderer – On-field driver, Swirls Hydro and Pyro
Xiangling – Off-field Pyro DPS for Vaporize
Xingqiu or Yelan – Off-field Hydro for Vaporize reactions
Bennett – Healing, Pyro Resonance, ATK buff

In this team, Wanderer’s Normal Attacks Swirl Hydro and Pyro, spreading them and reducing elemental resistance via his own Swirl reactions. While this team does not hit as high a ceiling as the Faruzan hypercarry build, it is much more accessible and uses widely available 4-star characters. It is a great option if you do not yet have Faruzan built. Pair with the 4-piece Viridescent Venerer set in this case to maximize the resistance shred. Check the Xiangling and Yelan pages for their builds in this setup.

Budget Friendly Team

For players without Faruzan or premium supports, a solid budget team looks like this:

Wanderer – Main DPS
Sucrose – Anemo EM buff and resistance shredder
Fischl – Off-field Electro for Jade-Claimed Flower activation (Electro gives Energy restoration) and additional damage
Bennett – ATK buff, healing, and Pyro application

Sucrose can run 4-piece Viridescent Venerer to shred elemental resistance, and her EM buff helps the whole team. Fischl gives Wanderer the Electro Jade-Claimed Flower bonus, which restores Energy during his Windfavored state. This is a fully 4-star support team for Wanderer.

Wanderer Ascension Materials

Gem Type

Vayuda Turquoise (Sliver, Fragment, Chunk, and Gemstone) – The Anemo ascension gem. Drops from the Anemo Hypostasis, Maguu Kenki, and Stormterror weekly boss. Can also be converted using Dust of Azoth at the Alchemy Bench.

Boss Drop

Perpetual Calibur – Dropped by the Aeonblight Drake field boss in Sumeru. Spend 40 Original Resin per run to collect these. You will need 46 total to fully ascend Wanderer.

Local Specialty

Rukkhashava Mushrooms (168 total needed) – Purple fungi found growing on branches and roots in dense rainforests of Sumeru, particularly in the Ashavan Realm and Lokapala Jungle. They also grow in underground cave areas. These take time to respawn, so start collecting them early if you are planning to pull for Wanderer.

Enemy Drops

Old Handguard
Kageuchi Handguard
Famed Handguard

All three tiers are dropped by Nobushi and Kairagi enemies in the Inazuma region.

Ascension Stat

Wanderer gains CRIT Rate as his bonus ascension stat — 19.2% at full ascension. This is one of the best possible ascension stats for a DPS character. It means you can aim for a higher CRIT DMG ratio on your artifacts and circlet while still maintaining good CRIT balance. Build accordingly.

Wanderer Talent Materials

To level up Wanderer’s talents, you will need:

Praxis Talent Books: Teachings, Guide, and Philosophies of Praxis — farmed from the Steeple of Ignorance domain in Sumeru, available on Tuesdays and Fridays
Old, Kageuchi, and Famed Handguards — enemy drops from Nobushi and Kairagi in Inazuma
Daka’s Bell — weekly boss material dropped by the Shouki no Kami (Scaramouche Weekly Boss) in the Joururi Workshop domain
Crown of Insight — needed to max a talent to Level 10

Talent Priority

Normal Attack first — His Normal and Charged Attacks in the Windfavored state make up the vast majority of his total damage. This is the most important talent to max.
Elemental Burst second — Especially important at C2, where the burst contributes significantly more damage. Even at C0, leveling the burst improves his damage window.
Elemental Skill third — Leveling the skill improves the initial AoE hit and slightly extends the Windfavored state, but contributes less overall than the other two.

Note for C2 owners: Prioritize the Elemental Burst over the Elemental Skill rather than normal attack, as C2 makes the burst a major damage source.

Wanderer Playstyle Tips

Always start with a Charged Attack before using your skill. This activates the 4-piece Desert Pavilion Chronicle bonus before you enter the Windfavored state, so the buff is active for all of your in-air attacks.
Activate off-field supports before using your skill. Use Faruzan’s burst, Bennett’s burst, and Yelan or Xingqiu’s abilities first, so their buffs and elemental auras are active when you leap into the air. The Jade-Claimed Flower passive only absorbs elements present at the moment the skill is cast.
Aim for Pyro + Cryo for your two element buffs. ATK +30% from Pyro and CRIT Rate +20% from Cryo is the strongest combination. Use Bennett for Pyro and Layla, Rosaria, or Kaeya for Cryo. If running Yelan or Xingqiu for Hydro instead of Cryo, you get more hover time rather than CRIT Rate, which is still very strong.
Use a shielder if you have trouble staying airborne. Wanderer can be knocked out of the air by enemies, canceling his Windfavored state early and wasting Kuugoryoku Points. Zhongli or Layla completely solve this issue and make his rotation much smoother.
Do not let his Elemental Skill run out naturally if you can help it. Try to use the burst when the Windfavored state is nearly empty. At C1, each Kuugoryoku Point consumed when the state ends restores Energy, so draining the bar fully through combat is efficient.
He is exceptional for overworld exploration. His hover ability, long-range Normal Attacks, and no Stamina cost on Charged Attacks while airborne make him one of the most comfortable characters for exploration in the entire game.

Wanderer Lore and Background

Wanderer’s story is one of the most tragic and layered in Genshin Impact. He was originally created as a puppet by Ei, the Electro Archon of Inazuma, to serve as a vessel for the Electro Gnosis. However, Ei deemed him flawed and abandoned him before he ever fulfilled that purpose. Left without a name or a place in the world, he drifted through centuries of isolation, betrayal, and suffering — forming and losing connections, being manipulated, and gradually hardening into a cold and bitter Harbinger.

He rose to become the Sixth of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, known as The Balladeer, driven by deep resentment toward the gods. His mission in Inazuma was to steal the Electro Gnosis, which he accomplished — before growing disillusioned and abandoning even the Fatui. His true goal became something more dangerous: to become a god himself and tear down the heavens he despised.

He was defeated during the Sumeru Archon Quest through the combined effort of the Traveler and Nahida, the Dendro Archon. In the aftermath, Nahida helped him face his own memories and trauma. He chose to erase his past identities from Irminsul — the world-tree that stores all knowledge and history — effectively making himself unknown to the world. He then began wandering as a truly nameless drifter, before eventually regaining his memories on his own terms and enrolling as a student at the Akademiya in Sumeru under the nickname “Hat Guy.”

By the time he becomes playable, he has shed his hatred and cruelty, though he remains sharp-tongued, proud, and deeply uncomfortable with vulnerability. He now carries a genuine Anemo Vision — something he could not have received as a puppet — representing a new beginning and a self that is truly his own. His relationship with Nahida and the Traveler marks the closest thing to genuine connection he has allowed himself in centuries.

How to Get Wanderer

Wanderer is a limited 5-star character. He cannot be obtained from the Standard Wish banner. He must be pulled during his event banner reruns or through the Chronicled Wish banner when it features Sumeru characters. He previously appeared in the Chronicled Wish during Version 6.0 alongside other 5-star Sumeru characters and his signature weapon.

Keep an eye on upcoming banners and save Primogems during his off periods. Because he is limited, plan your pulls carefully and check the current banner schedule before spending.

Is Wanderer Worth Building?

Yes — Wanderer is one of the strongest and most distinctive DPS characters in Genshin Impact. His aerial Windfavored state gives him mobility, safety from melee enemies, and a steady stream of high-multiplier Anemo hits. He works well across a range of team compositions and has excellent single-target damage, with solid multi-target performance when paired with groupers like Venti or Kazuha.

His main consideration is Faruzan dependency. To reach his highest potential, Wanderer needs Faruzan — ideally at C6 — to unlock the full Anemo DMG bonus and CRIT DMG buff. Without her, he is still strong, but noticeably below his ceiling. If you pull Wanderer, strongly consider pulling Faruzan’s constellations as well, since she frequently appears on his banner as a featured 4-star. You may also find useful context in exploring character pages for other Anemo and Sumeru characters such as Nahida and Alhaitham if you are building a broader Sumeru roster.

Quick Summary – Wanderer at a Glance

Rarity: 5-Star
Element: Anemo
Weapon: Catalyst
Region: Inazuma (formerly Fatui Harbinger)
Role: On-field Main DPS (Hypercarry)
Best Weapon: Tulaytullah’s Remembrance (signature)
Best Artifact Set: 4-piece Desert Pavilion Chronicle; 4-piece Marechaussee Hunter with Furina
Best Team: Faruzan (C6), Bennett, Yelan or shielder
Key Constellation: C2 – Niban: Isle Amidst White Waves
Ascension Stat: CRIT Rate (19.2% at Level 90)
Ascension Materials: Vayuda Turquoise, Rukkhashava Mushrooms, Perpetual Caliburs, Handguards
Talent Books: Praxis series (Steeple of Ignorance domain, Sumeru — Tuesdays and Fridays)
Weekly Boss Material: Daka’s Bell (Shouki no Kami / Scaramouche boss)